2011-11-29
Kenbi Land Trust Bill – Alleged Misinformation Provided by Chief Minister
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Today, you explained that you accidentally misled the House when providing information about the Kenbi Land Trust Bill. The bill was passed on the back of that accident or misinformation. Do you accept that we now have Northern Territory legislation that is born from your misinformation during committee stages and delivered while you accidentally misled the parliament?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I am aghast that the opposition wants to continue to plough this particular furrow. What happened earlier today was that I provided a personal explanation to the House that I was misadvised during the committee stage amendments about whether the Larrakia Development Corporation was named in the agreement between the Commonwealth, Territory, and Northern Land Council. As soon as I was provided with the information that the LDC was in that agreement I rang the member for Fong Lim - Thursday night last week - and also arranged for the member for Nelson and the Northern Land Council to be advised.
If the opposition was genuine and serious in its concern about that information that was wrong when I provided it to the House - it was on advice, and I corrected that information as quickly as I possibly could this morning and advised the member for Fong Lim Thursday night - why did we not hear anything about it until this morning in parliament? Why did I not have a phone call on Monday, or the weekend, saying: ‘We are really concerned about this’. This is just a political stunt. The CLP opposition has always opposed the Kenbi land claim. It spent over $20m-worth of taxpayers’ money fighting the Kenbi land claim.
All the parliament did on Thursday last week was create a trust that holds title to land. As we all know, with land that has been found to be Indigenous land, all the issues to do with traditional owners - who should be on the board governing the trust, who should be the beneficiaries of the trust, what commercial entities may work and deal in that land that belongs to traditional owners - that is all governed through the Northern Land Council under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act.
This is just grandstanding from the opposition. The CLP has always opposed the Kenbi land claim; it spent $20m-worth of taxpayers’ money fighting against the Kenbi land claim; and continues to rattle around in here denying the traditional owners of that land the right to deal with that land in the way the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act provides.
Supplementary Question
Kenbi Land Claim – Heads of Agreement Document
Kenbi Land Claim – Heads of Agreement Document
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Is your signature on the document that you are referring to? How many pages are in the document?
ANSWER
I am not aware of which document the Leader of the Opposition is referring to ...
Mr Mills: Heads of agreement.
Mr HENDERSON: No, my signature is not on the heads of agreement.
Cadel Evans – Outcome of Meeting with Chief Minister
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
In another great day for the Territory, you have just met with Territory-born Australian cycling legend and Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans. What did you discuss with Cadel and what were the outcomes?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. I thank my colleague, the Tourism Minister, for working hard in the months since Cadel Evans won an amazing victory in the Tour de France this year to get Cadel here to be welcomed home to his Northern Territory. He is immensely proud of his Territory heritage. He advised he was here just six years ago on honeymoon with his wife. He is very keen to get back to Katherine when his schedule allows for it. I am sure all members will agree that he does the Territory proud. He is a favoured son. He has come home and he wants to contribute to the Northern Territory.
On behalf of all Territorians, I say thank you, Cadel, for wanting to contribute to this great place that saw him born in Katherine all those years ago.
I was pleased to provide an opportunity for the Top End cycling community to meet with their hero at lunch. Many of those kids will never forget the day they met the first Australian winner of the Tour de France.
This comes on top of a whole lot of exciting things that have happened this year. The Territory’s future is so bright and we are looking forward to another great year in 2012. We are very well positioned with our economic growth and job opportunities, unlike so many places in the world at the moment. Cadel Evans was saying how bad things are in Europe.
This year, we had the highly respected Lonely Planet Travel Guide name Darwin as one of the top 10 must see cities in 2012. What a coup! I do not know how many cities there are in the world, but to be named in the top 10 must see cities is fantastic.
President Obama’s visit to Darwin went off without a hitch. What an honour to welcome the President of the United States to Darwin. The city looked magnificent, and the thousands of people who turned out to greet him were very proud. Earlier this year, we had America’s second most famous person, Oprah, visit the Northern Territory and Central Australia.
It has been a great year and we …
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … are on the map. This is where we differ from the opposition …
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: We have a great vision for the Territory. The Territory has such a great future. The world is recognising that the Territory has a great future. All we have from the opposition …
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex, you are on a warning!
Mr HENDERSON: … is doom and gloom and trash the Territory. Everyone else is waking up and recognising.
To Cadel Evans, I say thank you for coming back to the Territory so soon. Thank you for agreeing to work with us to put something back into the Northern Territory. I am sure all Territorians wish Cadel Evans well in his quest for the Tour de France in 2012.
Kenbi Land Trust Bill – Alleged Misinformation provided by Chief Minister
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
Today, you admitted you got it wrong when providing information on the Kenbi Land Trust Bill. Why did you vote down a motion which would have returned the bill to this House and allowed proper debate based on the truth?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, the member for Port Darwin gets it wrong again. I corrected the record immediately – the first item of business today. As we pointed out in debate on that particular motion, all the legislation has done is create a trust to hold land. That is all the legislation has done. We have followed all the requirements through the Northern Land Council, which is the appropriate body to consult, with traditional owners about the legislation that creates the trust. When we brought the legislation into the House there was some debate around that legislation, and we agreed to defer the legislation for further discussions to be had with the Northern Land Council. Those discussions were held and we passed the legislation last week.
This is just the death rattle throes from the CLP, fighting right to the very end against the traditional owners and their rights that they have won on Kenbi and the Cox Peninsula. They have fought for that land for decades; and for decades the CLP opposed their claims for that land. I am very comfortable that all the allegations and insinuations run by the opposition are nothing but muckraking and stirring up problems and issues with people rather than taking this on face value.
The Land Commissioner found the grant of land to the Larrakia people. That was a decision of the Land Commissioner. We negotiated with the NLC through all the detriment issues in regard to the Northern Territory …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! The question was very straightforward: why did he not accept a motion to bring the bill back into the House so it could have been properly debated? What he is doing at the moment is discussing something else entirely.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Resume your seat, member for Port Darwin. There is no point of order. Chief Minister, I ask you come to the point, please.
Mr HENDERSON: Very quickly, Madam Deputy Speaker. This was nothing other than a stunt by the opposition this morning because the result would have been the same - the legislation would have passed. The member for Nelson is relied upon to provide a casting vote in the event the numbers are locked and he is totally comfortable with the process and what has happened. This is nothing but muckraking from the opposition, continuing to fight against the Kenbi Land Claim that they fought against for decades and spent over $20m-worth of taxpayers’ money opposing.
Supporting Territorians Initiative
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please advise the House how the government’s Supporting Territorians initiative helps families get ahead?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Our government recognises that many Territorians do it tough and that family budgets are stretched. That is why we provide the most comprehensive range of incentives, grants, concessions and subsidies in the country to help Territorians get ahead.
Starting with our youngest, we are the only place in the nation that provides a childcare subsidy, around $20 per week, per child. Our $75 Back to School bonus helps parents at the start of the year when family budgets are really stretched after the Christmas and New Year holiday period. This is welcomed by Territory families. The Territory is the only place in the country where students and carers get free public transport on our bus network across the Northern Territory. Nowhere else does this. We also provide free school dental services. The reason we on this side of the House support super clinics is they cut the cost of healthcare, and are more accessible for families. The opposition opposes super clinics.
Our apprenticeship and traineeship schemes help businesses give a young person a start, and the Workwear/Workgear bonus gives our apprentices the tools and clothes they need for their trade. As a government we are proud to provide the lowest recurrent taxes for small business in the country, and we do that by a country mile as well.
Our Buy Territory campaign helps local business, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas. Territory families receive the most expansive electricity concessions in the country. My government provides an average of $820 off the cost of power bills for each household - again unmatched anywhere in this country.
We also a range of schemes to help families buy a home, including our stamp duty concessions and Homestart schemes. These are schemes the opposition have announced they would scrap. The opposition would scrap the stamp duty concessions and Homestart scheme because it says these schemes interfere with the marketplace. So, the cost of houses would go up under a CLP government.
Our seniors know they have the most generous concession scheme in the country. Seniors get free public transport and interstate airfares flights. We recognise that the cost of living in the Northern Territory has pressures as a result of the tyranny of distance, the lack of a manufacturing base, and freight costs. These are all issues which contribute to the cost of living. We recognise that as a government, and we have the most generous concession schemes, grants schemes, and subsidies in the nation to ease the burden for families across the Northern Territory.
As a government we will keep supporting Territory families. The opposition would cut any number of those schemes in their headlong pursuit to bring the budget back into surplus.
Kenbi Land Trust Bill – Alleged Misinformation provided by Chief Minister
Mr TOLLNER to CHIEF MINISTER
When debating the Kenbi Land Trust Bill last week, you said:
I am on the Parliamentary Record; I am required to tell the truth as the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.
The opposition could have proclaimed you a barefaced liar in the media for the last four days. Why do you now badmouth …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! He is sailing very close to the wind here, and I ask him to withdraw.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker!
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Your point of order, Member for Port Darwin, then I will be seeking some advice.
Mr ELFERINK: I am speaking to the point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Even if he is sailing close to the wind, he has not reached any threshold that is in standing orders.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: We will see about that.
Member for Fong Lim, I ask that you rephrase your question. You are sailing very close to the wind, which normally you would need to do so under a suspension of standing orders. Please rephrase your question to the Chief Minister.
Mr TOLLNER: All right, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The opposition could, I suppose, in some ways, suggest you told a mistruth, and could have made those suggestions quite strongly in the media over the last four days. You now badmouth the opposition for allowing you the courtesy of providing a personal explanation today. Today, you were given that opportunity to put the truth and the accountability back into the Kenbi Land Trust Bill, but you voted against a motion which would have allowed you to put truth and accountability back into that debate. Why did you gag debate on this important issue, and why will you not tell Territorians the truth about the Kenbi Land Trust Bill that you have cooked up?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, the questions are becoming repetitive, so I will give a repetitive answer.
I corrected the record immediately I became aware the advice I was given in this House was not correct. I corrected the record that very night by immediately calling the member for Fong Lim. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition was. This bill was the Chief Minister’s bill and I would have expected the Leader of the Opposition to be debating it but, anyway, he did not. The real Leader of the Opposition did - the member for Fong Lim. I rang the member for Fong Lim ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I would have thought it was a Lands bill.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order, member for Fong Lim. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Deputy Speaker, I rang the member for Fong Lim, I believe it would have been around 8.30 or 8.45 at night, immediately I heard. I advised him the advice I had been provided with was incorrect, and that I would correct the public record first thing on Thursday morning. I heard nothing more from the opposition. I did correct the public record, that I had been given the wrong advice, and that is the end of it.
What the opposition fail to acknowledge in all its grandstanding on this issue is, all the bill does is create a trust. It creates a trust that holds land. All those issues it wants to get to, all those allegations that somehow people are benefiting with a huge windfall and what have you; all those spurious issues and allegations the opposition wants to run …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! If the Chief Minister is to be believed, maybe he will now table the heads of agreement and the in-principle agreement he has cooked up with Julia Gillard and the NLC.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order, member for Fong Lim.
Mr HENDERSON: … and the tone and the allegation that somehow there is something untoward in these documents is absolutely false. The member well knows that these are commercial agreements. All the parties have to agree to release …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: The fact is that, at the end of the day, all parties will have to agree to release the details of that, and all the parties have not agreed to do that. There are still outstanding issues that need to be negotiated. All the issues regarding the beneficiaries of the trust, who they will be, how disbursements will be paid from the trust to those beneficiaries, and when that would occur, have absolutely nothing to do with the legislation passed in this House last week that created a land trust to hold land.
They are barking up the wrong tree, Madam Deputy Speaker. If they want access to the details of these issues, they are not contained within the land trust bill that went through the House on Thursday last week.
Buy Territory Campaign
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
Keeping Territorians in jobs is a key priority of the Henderson government. With the lowest taxes in the nation for small- to medium-sized businesses - something the member for Fong Lim does not understand - and a continued infrastructure program to protect jobs - something the member for Fong Lim does not agree with - what steps is the government taking to encourage Territorians to spend their money locally?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Buying local means more Territory jobs. It means a stronger …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: … basis for Territory businesses and a stronger Territory economy ...
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: He has had verbal diarrhoea all Question Time, Madam Deputy Speaker, constantly interjecting against Standing Order 51; he has not stopped.
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting, please!
Mr Tollner: Sorry, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have the call, minister.
Ms LAWRIE: The original Buy Territory campaign was launched in February 2009. The message was well received, with positive feedback about the campaign from Territory businesses and our broader community. In September this year, we relaunched the Buy Territory campaign to encourage Territorians to shop locally and to support Territory businesses which continue to provide quality goods and services.
This campaign features press, television, and web ads, and a dedicated page on the Growing the Territory website. Many Territory businesses are featured in the advertisements, including businesses such as Mixed Lollies fashion store, Ultimate Ride Bikeshop and Headlines Hair and Beauty in Alice Springs; Allora Gardens Nursery; Darwin Glass Artists; Yots Greek Taverna; Char; Shenanigans; Darwin Entertainment Centre; and the Darwin Waterfront.
Buying locally keeps the money in the Territory and keeps Territorians in jobs. It is estimated that for every dollar that is spent in our important retail sector another dollar of economic activity is generated as a flow-on effect …
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: By supporting local businesses, that flow-on effect is generated in the Territory for the benefit of Territorians …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! In relation to the buy local campaign, did they remember that for the Mandorah Ferry or not?
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Resume your seat, there is no point of order. Honourable members, cease interjecting! Resume your seat please, member for Fong Lim.
I remind members of Standing Order 51; there are far too many interjections. Minister, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I point out they have chewed up almost half of the three minutes in which I had to respond ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I query the minister: what about the entire board of the Land Development Corporation. Are there any Territorians amongst them, minister?
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Resume your seat, member for Fong Lim. There is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: When we first launched Buy Territory and the Territory Jobs campaign, over $676m, or 57% of NT government contracts over $50 000 went to local companies. Since then, $997m, or 64% of Territory government contracts have gone local. We have grown that to …
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired, resume your seat please.
Cash for Containers – Coca-Cola Amatil Price Increase
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
In the NT News on 27 November, it says that Coca-Cola will increase the price of their product in the NT a month before the start date of the Cash for Containers scheme. This is claimed necessary to cover the costs of the scheme. What are you doing to stop this rip-off? Has there been a similar price rise in South Australia? Is Coca-Cola the only beverage company to announce this price increase?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his very important question for Territorians. We all know the container deposit scheme bill was before the House this year and was passed unanimously by this parliament. I believe it is still supported unanimously. I am not too sure about the opposition but this side of the House stands by this historic legislation. This scheme will come into place on 3 January for the Northern Territory. We are only the second jurisdiction in 30 years to do so. I thank the member for Nelson for his work over many years.
Turning to the answer to your question, I am aware of the letter Coca-Cola sent to many retailers recently. How Coca-Cola is treating Territorians is very disappointing, to say the least, and very upsetting.
The scheme will be in place on 3 January. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will take a very dim view of this letter. I am seeking further advice regarding the letter. We have tried to make the container deposit scheme cost-effective ...
Mr BOHLIN: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! The member knows full well to direct his comments through the Chair.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, I will just remind you to direct your comments through the Chair, thank you.
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Deputy Speaker, happy to do so. We have tried to design a scheme that is cost-effective for retailers and people like Coca-Cola Amatil. We have looked at the costs of this. Let us not forget that it is not all about costs. There will also be revenue from the sale of recycled glass and aluminium, and some of the deposits will not be redeemed. We are also assisting possible collection depots with infrastructure assistance and grants ...
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! Relevance. The question was about the price increase; whether South Australia had a similar increase and whether any other companies also increased their prices.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Minister, if you could come to the point, please.
Mr HAMPTON: I certainly will, Madam Deputy Speaker. There are no other cost increases in South Australia. We have always been open and accountable to Territorians. We have said to companies such as Coca-Cola that they do not have to increase the costs of these containers as the costs in South Australia are the same as in the Territory at the moment, and South Australia has had a scheme in place for 30-odd years.
We support container deposit schemes. We look forward to 3 January when it commences. There does not have to be any price increase, and I call on Coca-Cola to stop ripping off Territorians, to be accountable, to be a good corporate citizen, and to support our scheme.
Kenbi Land Claim – Heads of Agreement Signatories
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
If you as the Chief Minister did not sign the heads of agreement on the settlement of the Kenbi Land Claim, then who, on behalf of the NT government, did sign?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I will have to take advice and get back to the House.
Education – Government Initiatives
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you please advise the House on initiatives put in place by the Henderson government to ensure all Territorians are supported to get a quality education?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Government has a range of measures to assist Territorians in education, starting from the very early years with the childcare subsidy, which is $27 per week for children under two, and $20.20 per week for children over two. We are the only Australian jurisdiction that has that type of support. Approximately 40 000 students in government and non-government schools receive support from the back to school payment. In 2006, there were $50 back-to-school vouchers and, in 2009, it was $75. That is worth $3.3m. Free bus travel for school students is very important, and we were the first jurisdiction to provide free bus travel for school students.
We have a range of scholarships, with 80 scholarships for early childhood educators to meet new national standards; 40 higher education scholarships worth $3500 for full-time degree students; 20 VET scholarships worth $4000 to Certificate III and Diploma level courses; teacher education scholarships to grow our Territory workforce; and Indigenous-specific scholarships, cadetships and fellowships to grow our Indigenous education workforce.
Territory 2030 outlines our priorities in education. This is a government with a plan for the future to 2030. We have an opposition which cannot even develop policies for an election to be held in August next year ...
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Dr BURNS: They are completely bereft of a vision for the Northern Territory. They talk about Tony Abbott being Dr No; these are all Professors No.
Blue Mud Bay Decision – Effect on Territory Lifestyle
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
It is deplorable that you are telling media the latest six-month delay in reaching an agreement on Blue Mud Bay is an extension. Last month, you told this House the negotiations are ‘progressing well’, and that a resolution would be reached in the not-too-distant future. If we cannot believe your take on Kenbi, and if we cannot believe your calling a six-month delay an extension, how can we believe your assertion that Territorians will not need fishing permits and licensing of boats as a result of the Blue Mud Bay decision?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, there is nothing more certain than if the CLP gains government at the next Territory election its policy will be to have fishing permits apply to all recreational fishermen of the Northern Territory. That is the CLP’s policy. They said they would legislate …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! Surely, the Chief Minister has some limits. This idea that he can get up and talk complete nonsense is wrong.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Resume your seat, please. It was a very frivolous point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim! Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: The CLP’s policy is to legislate away the rights the traditional owners won in the Blue Mud Bay case. That is their policy. The CLP has introduced on two occasions, I believe, legislation into this parliament to seek to legislate away the rights the traditional owners won in the Blue Mud Bay case. What the traditional owners would do, through the Northern Land Council, as a result of that legislation …
Mr Westra van Holthe interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Katherine!
Mr HENDERSON: … would be to impose their rights to immediately apply permits …
Ms PURICK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! It was in leaked government documents that they suggested they were going to introduce boat registration.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Resume your seat.
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order! Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Deputy Speaker, the CLP has introduced legislation into this parliament which would mean that traditional owners’ rights to impose those permits would happen, and happen immediately ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I cannot understand what drives the Chief Minister to turn up here and tell barefaced lies. It is just wrong.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Withdraw, please, member for Fong Lim. Please withdraw that statement.
Mr Tollner: Withdraw what?
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: You know it is in contravention of standing orders. Please withdraw.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Deputy Speaker, will the Chief Minister withdraw the statements he has just made?
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have asked you. You are the one contravening standing orders.
Mr TOLLNER: I withdraw.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Fong Lim.
Mr Tollner: Well, where does he get off with this nonsense?
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, you do not have the call. I ask you to cease interjecting!
Mr HENDERSON: I refer the member for Fong Lim - he must have been asleep - to the two occasions the member for Katherine introduced legislation into this parliament. Twice the member for Katherine introduced legislation to seek to legislate away the rights won ...
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! If the Chief Minister does not understand the legislation I am more than happy to provide him with a briefing.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Resume your seat. There is no point of order.
Mr HENDERSON: Let us be under no apprehension. The CLP would seek to legislate away the rights won by the traditional owners. That would mean permits. The CLP supports permits because it would seek to legislate rather than negotiate ...
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I point out Standing Order 51 again. It is becoming the habit of the opposition to talk over ministers responding to questions. This is Question Time. You expect to have the opportunity to provide an answer. They constantly interject, as they are now.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, minister. Resume your seat please, member for Port Darwin.
Honourable members, I am finding it almost impossible to hear what is being asked, and the replies that are being given. I remind you of Standing Order 51:
No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
We already have one member on a warning. I will not hesitate to put further members on warnings. Thank you.
Federal Government Cuts to Spending in NT
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
In its MYEFO, the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the federal Labor government stated that it will spend $369m less in the Territory in the current financial year. The majority of these cuts appear to be in the area of Housing and Community Services under that particular line item. Is that so and, if so, what effect does a 90% cut in that area mean for the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I am never going to take the member for Port Darwin’s take on the MYEFO. I have had a look at the MYEFO this morning regarding GST receipts and the revision downwards. I can see that, based on the latest estimates, the MYEFO shows GST receipts are going to be down around $60m. These allegations ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! This question is not in relation to GST receipts. This is in relation to total payments to the states, specifically under the area of specific purpose payments, if it helps the Treasurer. I am surprised she does not know what I am referring to.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.
Ms LAWRIE: Prior to that interruption, I was going to go on to say, in the details around SPPs they do vary; they are usually locked in five-year agreements. Often you will find it budget to budget in variations and it is programs undergoing negotiations at the moment. You will be well and truly aware, or you should be aware, that we are in the midst of negotiations with the Commonwealth regarding a range of national partnerships. There is ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! Is it simply the case that we are going to lose $369m out of the current budget? That is the question.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Treasurer, can you come to the point?
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Deputy Speaker, as I indicated, there is no way I will take an allegation being led by the member for Port Darwin because he consistently gets it wrong.
Variations from budget period to budget period across SPPs and NPPs absolutely can and do occur. I will look into the detail of his allegation about the FaHCSIA funding. I point out again that it is not unusual, from time to time, for some programs to come to an end. In the period of negotiations prior to the next budget period, we negotiate with the Commonwealth for continuation of that funding.
That is the reality. That happens regularly. That is not unusual at all. It is not unusual for us to be negotiating with the Commonwealth for continuation of Commonwealth funding to the Territory ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! Her answer should be limited to three words: ‘I don’t know’.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Resume your seat. There is no point of order.
Seniors Concession Schemes
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for SENIOR TERRITORIANS
The Henderson government supports senior Territorians. Can you update the House as to what the Henderson government is doing to support senior Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for her great question. Our seniors play a vital part in our community. It is this government which provides some of the best, if not the best, concession schemes in the country. Seniors have done a lot for the Northern Territory and it is about us giving back to those people.
There are around 23 000 members of the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme in the Northern Territory. That scheme is open to eligible carers, seniors, aged war service veterans, pensioners, and low-income superannuants.
Cardholders of this scheme can save up to $1500 per year on their electricity, council rates, sewerage, motor vehicle registration, and water services. It is a great scheme. On top of that, they get free drivers licences, so that is great news for senior Territorians. They also get free proof of ID, free public transport, concessions for interstate travel, spectacles and, more recently, concessions on stamp duty.
The Chief Minister is very conscious about the cost of living in the Northern Territory. We have a very strong economy, one of the strongest economies in the country, but that does put pressure on our seniors. Since the Chief Minister assumed the role of Chief Minister, we have had free public transport, a $50 increase in the concession for motor vehicle registration, free drivers licence renewals, an increase in the power and water concessions, an increase in the sewerage concessions, and the abolition of the 50% maximum cap of power accounts. There is also the introduction of stamp duty concessions and the free proof-of-age card.
This shows the government does care about our senior Territorians. We give back to those senior Territorians who have given to the Northern Territory. There is free public transport for seniors in Darwin and Alice Springs. We are the only jurisdiction in the country to offer interstate and overseas travel concessions.
This is great news for senior Territorians. We want them to stay in the Northern Territory, and that is what has been happening over the last few years since we have put those attractions in place. This government cares about senior Territorians and is delivering.
Cash for Containers – Commencement
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
We are only about five or six weeks out from the introduction of the Cash for Containers scheme, yet there is little publicity by the government telling people how and where they can cash in their beverage containers. Is the program on schedule? Can you say where facilities are being set up? Will the scheme start on 3 January as promised by the government?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is full steam ahead for our wonderful container deposit scheme. I can confirm the scheme will commence on 3 January and it will be a great way to kick off 2012.
Since the legislation was passed in February this year we have been busy going ahead with the scheme and getting it organised and ready. We now have four coordinators in place. They have been approved under this legislation. We have included a local recycling company, which is great news for Territory business. The coordinators play an important role in brokering the flow of empty containers and money between the collection depots and the beverage manufacturers.
Government is working hard with potential private sector operators of collection depots - a very important part of the scheme - to ensure those approvals are in place. I understand there has been much interest, particularly from Territory recycling companies, in becoming collection depots. I expect to make some announcements very shortly on those successful tenderers as container deposit collection depots, which will be run as businesses. I expect, once we have the foundations of a network of collection depots in place, we will have them in place by the time the scheme commences on 3 January.
Once we have those initial collection depots approved, the government will be rolling out a comprehensive community awareness campaign, including advertising, so all Territory residents know where to take their empty cans or bottles. Television commercials and other advertising materials are under production at the moment.
This is a challenging reform. I again urge Coca-Cola to get on board and to not treat Territorians the way they are currently treating us. We are the first jurisdiction in 35 years to take on a container deposit scheme. It is great news for the Territory. It will be an exciting time next year in 2012 and a great way to kick it off with the container deposit scheme.
Commonwealth Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Budget Paper No 3 from the federal government for the financial year 2011-12 shows total payments to the states, including the Northern Territory, at $3.775bn. In the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook for the same financial year, that figure has dropped to $3.406bn, a drop of $369m in the middle of the financial year. It was clear from your last answer that you were not aware of these figures. What is your response in relation to this apparent substantial cut to the Territory’s budget?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, as I answered - and I will repeat the answer because he does not actually understand federal financial relations and how they are negotiated. He has always failed to understand our own budget papers contained in BP No 3 in terms of variations and the timing of Commonwealth payments, so I will step through it pretty simply for the member for Port Darwin because he constantly fails to understand.
The member for Port Darwin leads with his chin and says: ‘Okay, in this area there is a cut’. When you actually go down into the detail of that, you will often find what you have is a national partnership agreement and the timing of payments in terms of that agreement. In terms of what he is indicating, the line item area of FaHCSIA, there is no doubt there is a massive national partnership agreement between the Territory government and the Commonwealth government in that area, and that is the Indigenous housing program. Again, the timing of payments between ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! If it assists the Treasurer, you would expect then to see growth in next year’s projections. It is not there. It is another minus $219m in next year’s figures. So where is the money?
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Treasurer, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: The national partnership agreement is, in total, a 10-year agreement, and the timing around the payments is negotiated between the Commonwealth and Territory governments.
We are ahead in that program. We continue to make the effort in the housing programs, so it may be that it is in the SIHIP timing payments. Every budget I hand down is affected by the timing of Commonwealth payments. Every single Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report I hand down is affected by the timing of Commonwealth payments ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! To assist the Treasurer, these figures actually ...
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is this a point of order?
Mr ELFERINK: Yes. To assist the Treasurer, these figures are correlated in her own budget papers. Where is the money?
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order, as you well know, member for Port Darwin.
Ms LAWRIE: And as I keep trying to explain to the member for Port Darwin because does not understand it, in terms of the agreements and the timing of the payments, it varies from negotiated agreement to negotiated agreement between the Commonwealth and the Territory governments.
What I will say very clearly is this: we stand proudly on our relationship with the Commonwealth. We have pulled down more in national partnership and special purpose payments in the history of the Territory with a Labor government working with a Labor government. That is very real money from the Commonwealth, funding critical areas of service delivery such as housing, education and health. We have managed to have a constructive working relationship with the Commonwealth government because we accept it.
Our entire budget is $5.3bn. You cannot rebuild and build in the bush, where the CLP ignored it for decades, without a constructive working relationship with the Commonwealth government. Many of the NPs come to fruition in 2012. We are in the midst of negotiations with the Commonwealth government about those national partnerships, and they are not going to flag that in their MYEFO, they will announce it in their budget.
Seafood Industry – Labelling Measures
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
As Territorians and visitors may have noticed when ordering their fish and chips at the local corner shop, or seafood at their local restaurant, on the menu they will let you know if that seafood is local or imported. How are these changes to seafood labelling benefitting the Territory’s seafood industry?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for his important question. I am very pleased to say that the Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction in Australia that requires by law imported seafood to be labelled as imported. We are the envy of the seafood industry around other states as they have tried many times to introduce this legislation and failed.
Some time ago, the seafood industry in the Territory brought to my attention that many people come to the Territory to try some of the local seafood. Sometimes they are deceived as they buy seafood imported mainly from Vietnam or China believing it to be locally caught seafood. We introduced the legislation after we had a long consultation with the industry. Now, if you buy seafood that is imported, that seafood has to be clearly labelled, not only in the restaurants, not only the delicatessen, but also in the supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths.
Many businesses objected to this legislation in the beginning but now, not only do they support it, they label the local seafood as Australian seafood with pride. From research undertaken by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation we found that there is strong support from the consumer for the seafood labelling legislation. Consumers are willing to pay more for locally caught seafood and, importantly, the project saw that as a significant opportunity for increasing supply of locally caught fresh fish such as barramundi and prawns during the peak tourism period. Seafood is very important to the Territory, and to Australia. In the Territory, our seafood is some of the best in the world. Our fisheries are sustainable, our waters are very clean, and the seafood you buy in the Territory is the highest quality you can find in Australia.
We did not impose any restrictions on the industry; we simply asked them to tell the truth. If it is imported, label it as imported and let the consumer make the decision. Personally, I would rather buy local food, even if I have to pay more, rather than buy imported. In some cases you cannot avoid buying imported seafood, but in most cases I will buy local.
The seafood industry in the Northern Territory has the strong support of our government. We have resisted closure of areas for the seafood industry and amateurs, and will continue to do so because we believe we have some of the best seafood in Australia. It is sustainable, it comes from clean waters, and we want to promote that with pride.
Alcohol Policy - Failure
Mr STYLES to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
Last week, a resident of The Narrows phoned ABC radio and sent in a number of photos highlighting antisocial behaviour at a children’s playground near her home. Some of the issues she raised include drinking, swearing, fighting, unacceptable levels of noise, and empty bottles of alcohol and dirty nappies littered the park. It seems your tough talk on alcohol is not being heard by those residents. What assurances can you give Territorians that you will put an end to the antisocial behaviour that has become such a problem for residents in Darwin and across the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome the question. It gives me the opportunity to point out that if the CLP had its way there would be no tools for the police to effectively put those problem drinkers …
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … who are engaging in unacceptable antisocial behaviour - the CLP would rip those tools out from the police, the tools the police say are the most effective tools they have ever been given by any government, tools that are the toughest in the nation. It goes to show that the CLP truly does not understand the Enough is Enough alcohol reforms. In the past, all that happened to people who were drinking and defecating in the park was that the alcohol was tipped out. If they were lucky they were taken to a sobering-up shelter, or put through the rinse through of protective custody.
Now they are put on the Banned Drinker Register, they are turned off tap and are mandated into treatment. We have 1800 people on the BDR, we have a …
Members interjecting.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! They are not just put on the Banned Drinker Register. You are encouraging people to break in and steal alcohol so there is more crime across the Territory. They are the failures you are creating. Get out and look in a park anywhere.
Madam DEPUTYSPEAKER: Member for Braitling, there is no point of order.
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam DEPUTYSPEAKER: Order! Resume your seat and be silent, please. You do not have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: In just three months of the reforms - it is early days - we have seen a 22% reduction …
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!.
Ms LAWRIE: … in alcohol-related incidents. The incidents the resident of The Narrows is talking about have dropped by 22%. It is early days. The figures come directly out of the police PROMIS data system. None of us are pretending …
Mrs Lambley: I will pretend.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Araluen!
Ms LAWRIE: … that this is a problem we can change overnight. We know there were unacceptable levels of antisocial behaviour in public places in all the towns in the Territory. We took the tough action to bring in the Banned Drinker Register that the CLP fundamentally opposed, would rip out, would take away from the police the toughest tools they have ever had, and would break that important link between turning people off tap and putting them into mandatory treatment. The member for Braitling has suggested his answer to the drinking hours of takeaway in Alice Springs …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Ms LAWRIE: … is to close the bottle shops earlier in the afternoon …
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, please pause.
Mr Giles: I would ask …
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have not given you the call, member for Braitling. Member for Braitling, is this a point of order?
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: No, it is not. And I did not use those words ...
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please pause, minister.
Mr Giles: Madam Deputy Speaker, this is the minister who declared her own electorate a war zone and who had a riot in her own electorate. What is the BDR doing for …
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling, resume your seat!
Ms LAWRIE: You are lying to the House again. I withdraw.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. Thank you for withdrawing. Member for Braitling, you are on a warning! I ask you to think very carefully about the next point of order you may choose to make. Minister, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: The CLP would put those problem drinkers back on tap. We would see the assaults that have dropped by 15% - early days - the antisocial behaviour that has dropped by 22% - early days - …
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … turn around and skyrocket again.
Power and Water Corporation – Family Support
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for ESSENTIAL SERVICES
How does the Henderson government, through Power and Water Corporation, support Territory families?
Members interjecting.
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, they are not a happy lot over there this afternoon. They are like a bunch of emo-kids – it is very sad.
The Henderson government is investing in the future of the Northern Territory. We have major projects coming to the Northern Territory and we have a very bright future. Investing in Power and Water is critical to the future of the economy. This government is investing $1.8bn into the power, water and sewerage infrastructure of the Northern Territory. It is the single biggest investment that has ever been made in this critical company for the future of the Northern Territory. It is delivering for families and is also investing in Territory businesses.
We have a very strong economy and strong population growth. We are investing in those essential services, not only in the major centres but also in the bush where the investment has been stripped away under years of CLP government. Our position is about investing in and strengthening Power and Water. The CLP policy is privatisation. They will privatise the Power and Water Corporation. What does that mean for the mums and dads of our community? It means higher power prices, higher water prices, and higher sewerage prices ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! It is incumbent upon a minister to at least attempt to tell the truth. He is simply making this up and, as far as we are concerned, you should draw him into line and tell him to stick with the truth.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, resume your seat.
I remind members opposite that most of the points of order called today have not been points of order but simply an attempt simply to make comment. I say there is no point of order and I will be looking very carefully at future points of order raised in the next few minutes.
Minister, you have the call.
Mr KNIGHT: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. They are not a very happy lot over there. It has been a very unhappy year this year for the CLP. There are still a lot of ructions going on amongst the CLP; there is a lot going on ...
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: We provide $61m in subsidies to the Power and Water Corporation every single year. That works out to be over $800 per household. That is great news for Territorians. We are subsidising power for seniors …
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Katherine, resume your seat.
Mr KNIGHT: We will not privatise Power and Water as the CLP would. We have the second- lowest power prices in the country ...
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker!
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Please pause, minister. Honourable members, order! Yes, member for Port Darwin?
Mr ELFERINK: He cannot continue to make that assertion. It is not true.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is not a point of order. Member for Port Darwin, you are on a warning for similar points of order that may be coming.
Mr KNIGHT: The current CLP policy is to sell Power and Water. Higher power prices, higher water prices, higher sewerage prices. Under the Labor government, we have the second-lowest power prices and the lowest water prices in the country. We are delivering for Territorians.
Government Leasing - Office Space
Mr WOOD to TREASURER
It has been reported that the Northern Territory government will lease 9000 m2 of office space from Paspaley Pearls when they build a new 20-storey building in Smith Street. Could you please say why the government needs to lease 9000 m2 of floor space; what departments will be housed in the new space; what other buildings in the CBD will be vacated by these departments; and can you show the House any cost savings by moving departments?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nelson. Yes, indeed, we made a decision to lease 9000 m2 of office space in the CBD. The new building will be ready to occupy in around September 2015. The lease will replace some existing CBD leases that are due to expire by that date. It is not an expansion of our lease portfolio; it is a replacement.
The new lease will be 5-star NABERS rated. That is making it best practice for energy efficiency, therefore saving on our bills. The government will relocate from older buildings that have very poor energy efficiency, so we will get savings through those energy efficiency measures. Analysis is being undertaken to determine the most appropriate agencies to relocate into this new office space.
Karama Electorate - Drunken Brawl by Youths
Mr STYLES to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
The weekend newspaper gives a vivid account of a wild brawl in your electorate involving up to 80 youths. It is a sorry state of affairs when a group of drunken teenagers can hold a suburb to ransom. Following on from that incident, can you tell the Assembly and Territorians how many people will face court as a result of their drunken behaviour? What strategy does your government have to prevent these incidents from occurring again, given that underage teenagers cannot be constrained by your Banned Drinker Register?
ANSWER
Madam Deputy Speaker, the question should go to the Police minister, but I will answer it. This is a matter that police attended. The party was not registered as a safe party with police. I urge all parents that if you are going to have a teenage party - and it is not just in Darwin, it is the case right around our nation, sadly - register it with police so you know that the party can be safe and it can be held in controlled circumstances.
My understanding is police attended to break up that party. A series of criminal incidents occurred as a result of people dispersing. I understand police investigations are under way, so it is a police matter.
It is not remotely linked to the alcohol reforms. Police have existing tools and existing laws to deal with it. You are spinning off into weird tangents, member for Sanderson because, fundamentally, you oppose the Banned Drinker Register that puts the chronic problem drinker on that register through a series of mechanisms. If they are in and out of police protective custody three times in three months, they are on the register; if they are a high-level, repeat drink-driver, they are on the register; if they commit alcohol-fuelled domestic violence, they are on the register. These are the people that you do not want banned from drinking.
Instead, your alcohol policy is to turn the tap back on in Alice Springs for another four hours. The member for Araluen said to just let them get drunk and fall down earlier. The member for Drysdale, in his debate on alcohol policy, said: ‘Let’s follow the New Zealand model and shut down drive-through bottle shops because, hey, they do not have a problem with drinking in New Zealand’. You should watch Once Were Warriors if you think that is the case, you clown. The member for Braitling’s contribution to CLP policy on alcohol was to suggest that the bottle shops in Alice Springs could return to the 10 am opening time, and to close them earlier to avoid the extra four hours available to sell grog. On those calculations, the bottle shops will be closing at 5 pm.
You are all over the place. You do not have a coherent policy. Your answer is to round up the drunks and lock them up. I direct you to the interview by Dr John Boffa, the Northern Territory Australian of the Year, who does have a clue about alcohol policy. I do not agree on everything he says but I do agree with this: your policy on rounding up drunks and locking them up is ludicrous. That is not a health response. You would probably have no change out of $250m capital, let alone operating costs, to establish the so-called facility in Katherine. You are a joke.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Deputy Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016