2010-05-06
Commonwealth Inquiry into Criminal
Justice System – Northern Territory Government Attendance
Justice System – Northern Territory Government Attendance
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
A Commonwealth parliamentary inquiry into the high level of involvement of Indigenous juveniles and young adults in the criminal justice system began its hearings in Darwin today. The Chair of the inquiry, Labor member of parliament, Bob Debus, expressed his surprise that representatives from the Northern Territory government did not show up at the inquiry. Why has your department failed to appear at today’s inquiry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I too am surprised. I have put questions to my Department of Justice as to why they are not there. I know that my senior legal policy person and my CEO are both off to attend SCAG. Unfortunately, I could not make the SCAG attendance because of my commitments here as Treasurer for the budget. Nevertheless, I would have thought that my department would be able to send a representative.
I know juvenile justice, strictly speaking, has been transferred to another department. However, the issues regarding the over-representation of Indigenous juveniles in incarceration are significant for the Department of Justice, bearing in mind they run the detention centre situation across the Territory, both the small element of detention that occurs in Alice Springs, and also Don Dale Detention Centre. It is something that I, as minister, am already following up.
Cash for Containers –
Introduction and Progress
Introduction and Progress
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
The Territory government is introducing Cash for Containers, the first place in Australia since South Australia introduced this scheme. Can you please update the House on progress in establishing it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question ...
Mr Elferink: You first announced it in 2001.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker ....
Mr Elferink: You did. Just finishing it for you.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, the Chief Minister has the call, not you.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It was a very significant day today with the minister for Environment, the member for Nelson, and the member for Fannie Bay announcing the chosen model for the Cash for Containers Scheme announced last year. Three designs …
Mr Elferink: You announced it in 2001.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Mr Elferink: I am sorry, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, you do not have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: I am sure people who are listening and watching this broadcast would like to hear about this, member for Port Darwin.
There are three design criteria, being legally, regionally, and financially viable. It has been broadly modelled on South Australia’s successful scheme. The key features are: there will be a deposit of 10 on every container returned; the scheme is to be mandatory on the beverage industry which will administer the scheme; and the scheme will have alignment with South Australia on the products to be covered during the initial stages.
There has been a significant amount of work done by government officials and the CDL reference group, and I thank them for that. The main outcome of cash for containers will be taking litter off the streets, improving our recycling rates around the Northern Territory, and putting money into the pocket of kids, community groups, and sporting organisations. That is not a bad trifecta for the environment, and for our community groups and sporting organisations.
Cash for containers also helps meet a key Territory 2030 target by reducing the amount of rubbish going into landfill by 50%. This is a significant day, and I appeal to the beverage industry to come on board and help us implement this scheme. I say to the beverage industry: no matter how much money you raise and campaign against this scheme, as a government we are not going to back down. We have committed to this scheme. I ask the beverage industry today not to campaign against this, but to work with us to the benefit of the environment in the Northern Territory.
Public Housing – Bad Behaviour and Evictions
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The bad behaviour of some public housing tenants is creating an absolute disaster and a hellhole in some sections of public housing across the Northern Territory. How many complaints about bad behaviour by public housing tenants have been received in the last 12 months, and how many tenants have been evicted from public housing for bad behaviour in the last 12 months?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Goyder. Bad behaviour by public housing tenants – and they are a minority; the majority of public housing tenants are good tenants, but there is a minority who cause trouble - is front and centre of where I am headed as minister. I will come to that in a moment.
To answer the member’s question directly, year to date in 2009-10, there have been 34 evictions. There have been 77 tenants who have agreed to enter into antisocial behaviour agreements. Now, under this government, we have antisocial behaviour investigators. I met that team when I visited Housing in town several weeks ago, and they are very dedicated people. The Tenancy Support program is offered to tenants to help them become better tenants and sustain tenancies.
As of 31 March 2010, there were 336 individual public housing dwellings and 36 unit complex common areas declared restricted throughout the Territory, with 19 applications pending.
We still need to abide by the Residential Tenancies Act; that is the law. As I said publicly, this government is looking at amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act. There will be a discussion paper released in the near future everyone can comment on. Public housing tenants and the problems they cause would be an important part of that.
I have also been examining other options - either legislative or operational options to deal with this issue. I have said on the public record a number of times that having a public housing tenancy is not a right, it is a privilege. This is subsidised housing supported by the taxpayer, and we expect people to behave. We do not expect them, nor do we want them, breaking properties up and a whole range of other issues we know they engage in. That is why I have discussed this matter with the department.
I have also said publicly we are looking at changing the structure of the Housing department because, basically, it not only has to deal with public housing now, it has to deal with SIHIP and with social housing. A whole range of funding and policy initiatives are occurring in the area of housing and, as minister, I want to see the Housing department equipped in the best way possible to do the best possible job.
Social Housing – Initiatives and Programs
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Can you please inform the House about the initiatives and programs under way to address social housing in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as the House is aware, this budget is a record budget for housing, with $695m. Within that budget, there is quite a deal going on in partnership with the Commonwealth government. We welcome funding by the Commonwealth government, we welcome the partnership with the Commonwealth government, and we welcome the monies that flow from the Commonwealth government in the stimulus package and other initiatives. There is no area more important than social and managed housing.
Percy Court is part of the large program to boost our social and managed housing stock. Percy Court transitional village houses up to 79 people in Alice Springs; there are 40 renal patients at Bath Street Lodge; domestic violence and crisis transitional accommodation at Malak will provide eight self-contained units for up to 26 people; and short-term visitor accommodation at Alice Springs Accommodation Park has up to 150 beds. The list goes on: Catherine Booth House in Stuart Park; transitional village, 18 units at Crerar Road, Berrimah; and a whole range of other NGOs.
I note with some concern, as there has been publicly, the policy released by the CLP about their 150 families in a big ghetto. I quote Vicki O’Halloran from Somerville Community Services:
- I think the sad part is people would go there voluntarily because they do not have a chance. But it is wrong to put people with disabilities, with mental health issues, people who are disadvantaged due to their income, in the same area. You create ghettos, you create crime, you create disadvantage on top of disadvantage.
There is Vicki O’Halloran telling it like it is. Basically, it is going to be a CLP crime creation policy. This is their big housing dream. It is actually going to be a nightmare for the northern suburbs. It is reminiscent of Macquarie Fields. I also call it Terry’s Own District 9. Those who are familiar with that particular movie will know exactly what I am talking about, except they will not be putting alien prawns there; they will be putting Territorians to be disadvantaged, in a ghetto, crime creation policy. I just wish that they would withdraw it because it is just such a silly policy. It is getting smacked everywhere. It is not worth the paper it is written on.
SIHIP – Costs of Housing Refurbishments
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
On 16 April, The Australian newspaper reported on a leaked e-mail written by the government business manager at Willowra. The e-mail stated that six houses in the community had been refurbished by the council at a cost of approximately $25 000 each. This compared with houses in other communities that have been refurbished under SIHIP at an average cost of $75 000 each. Can you explain to the House why it cost three times as much to refurbish a house under SIHIP than by private contractors? How does your government intend to address this significant cost blowout?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a good question and I commend the shire for getting engaged in building houses at communities like Willowra. I followed up on this particular issue, and the fact is, those particular houses - there are three in all - were in relatively good condition compared to many of the houses that had to be refurbished under SIHIP. Also, the scope of works was not anything like the scope of works that is required within SIHIP; for example, some of the wet areas, the tiling in the wet areas, the painting - a whole range of issues.
I am not rubbishing the shire. I congratulate them for getting involved in this, just as I congratulate the Tiwi Shire; they have done refurbishments also on legacy houses up to a very high standard, at a cost of about $66 000, and they were excellent jobs.
As Housing minister, in the next tranche of SIHIP, I want to see us working with the shires, supporting Indigenous employment and sustainability. We have three houses in Willowra, so they did not have the expense of setting up a camp like the SIHIP crews and the companies have to do. They certainly did not have to comply with federal safety legislation - a whole range of issues - or the Indigenous employment elements of SIHIP.
The member for Braitling just picks out little bits and pieces, but the full story is, I believe we are getting value for money in our refurbishments. I also believe we are creating sustainable employment for Indigenous people in remote areas.
Crocodile Traps – Monitoring Personnel
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
It was recently reported in the Litchfield Sun that the Coroner, Mr Greg Cavanagh, noted that 20 new crocodile traps had been purchased by the government, but funding was not approved to increase staff numbers for the crocodile management team to set, monitor and check these traps. Is the Coroner’s statement true? If so, what is the use of 20 extra traps if there are not enough personnel to monitor these traps?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Government has taken decisive action to improve crocodile management and public safety. There is no doubt, in Budget 2010-11, we are delivering on these improvements.
We take our responsibility seriously. As I said last year, this government announced almost $350 000 in extra funds for our crocodile management program, and that is $150 000, as the member for Nelson has quite rightly pointed out, for 20 new crocodile traps, and placing those traps within the new 50 km management zone. This is boosting our traps by 50%. There is $46 500 for a new boat; and $140 000 for the very successful Croc Wise community education campaign, which has reached over 10 000 Territory kids.
The total annual budget for crocodile management by this government for management and research is more than $540 000 and …
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance, the question was about staffing.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could come to the point fairly soon.
Mr HAMPTON: Certainly, Madam Speaker. What I am alluding to here is this government’s absolute commitment towards crocodile safety in the Northern Territory, particularly in the Top End. I am getting to that particular point in question, member for Nelson.
I have stated some very important figures our government’s commitment, but this figure does not include park rangers within the Territory’s designated parks and reserves who manage crocodiles as part of their everyday role. The Croc Wise education campaign, reaching across, in Budget 2010-11 also contains an additional $190 000 for frontline crocodile management to service the additional crocodile traps. Government is putting more resources on the ground to ensure the 50 km zone works effectively. I will have more to say on that particular part of crocodile management in the very near future.
CLP Housing Policy –
Cost of Social Housing Ghetto
Cost of Social Housing Ghetto
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION
The Country Liberals have announced their plan for a social housing ghetto in Darwin. Can you explain what their proposal would cost to deliver?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question, and I would be honoured to share my knowledge in construction with the Country Liberals ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: Yesterday, I listened to the budget response and I am alarmed at the lack of understanding of the construction industry. So, as a teacher, here is the lesson, guys.
First of all, ruling out high density is not a good choice. You have to find a builder in the Territory that can construct 150 low-density dwellings on a greenfield site for $10m. The $10m figure will deliver headworks. However, that is all it will deliver.
The shadow minister for Infrastructure and Construction did not support this today in his budget reply, which I found very interesting. Maybe he has done the sums and realised it does not stack up; but we did not hear anything about it, so I am just working off hearsay.
$10m will provide you a greenfield site with access roads and power, water and with sewerage. But let us talk about the dwellings on the site. The construction industry works hard to keep costs down, but the facts are, the average cost to construct a home is $350 000. So, to build 150 dwellings for people with socioeconomic disadvantage will cost $50m.
That is the first part of the lesson - $50m - so there is a bit of a problem with the budget and that idea; the shadow over here neglected to …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Goyder!
Mr McCARTHY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The other point I would like to share as a lesson today is about public consultation. Today, I have looked at maps for a possible site. The only possible site I can see in that area is 250 m from a school, the Marrara Christian School. I daresay that public consultation is a very important element for the northern suburbs.
The other thing I would like to share, and I probably do not have time but it is a concept that I take great interest in: crime prevention by good urban design. Be very careful. Do not create a crime scene, do not create a ghetto, and do not add disadvantage to disadvantage.
SIHIP - Budget
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
During yesterday’s Question Time, you said so far under SIHIP 150 houses had been refurbished and seven houses had been completed in two-and-a-half years. Based on the official SIHIP valuation that the average cost of a refurbishment is $75 000 and a new house is $450 000, the completed work should have cost $14.8m. Even factoring in the 80 houses that are under construction, and the cost of the 150 refurbishments under way, the cost would have been $59.6m. Can you explain to the House why, according to the budget papers from 2009-10 and 2010-11, you would have spent $170m on SIHIP? What has the missing $110m been spent on? Where has the $110m been spent?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member. He has amended it a little from his appropriation speech earlier today. He had his figures at about 155 refurbishments and rebuilds complete and seven new but, now, he has actually added in the under ways, which is 115 for the rebuilds and refurbishments, and 80 for the new. The equation of the member for Braitling is changing all the time ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! The minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: I have always said that SIHIP is a five-year program, and the target for that five-year program is 750 new houses, 230 rebuilds and 2500 refurbishments. I have also placed on the record in this House …
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Dr BURNS: … the target for this calendar year …
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Dr BURNS: … is a 150 new houses and 1000 rebuilds and refurbishments.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Can you please rule on Standing Order 51 for the member for Drysdale. A very important question was asked by the member for Braitling about SIHIP. The minister is attempting to answer and this bloke keeps interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, and member for Drysdale, you are interjecting a lot. I remind you of Standing Order 51: ‘No member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbances …’- including you, member for Goyder, particularly when I am speaking.
Minister for Housing, you have the call.
Dr BURNS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is a moving feast for the member for Braitling. However, to answer his question, in the setup for SIHIP, it is a five-year program. When we had D-Day, the US and Allied Forces invading France, Dwight D Eisenhower just did not wake up one day and say, ‘Oh, I feel like we will go into France today’ …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I did not ask about Eisenhower. I asked where the missing $110m from the program has gone.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. There have been a lot of interjections.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: The point I am making is, with any large project - and this is the largest Indigenous housing project remotely in Australia - there has to be planning, and lots of it. So, there is …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: … establishment, setup and scoping costs for the alliances, which included housing design and refurbishment design, scoping and planning. You just do not turn up to a community and say, ‘I want to do that house today’ …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: It is ridiculous, Madam Speaker. Alliance mobilisation costs - there is a big work force out there, member for Braitling, just as there was on D-Day. Employment and workforce development - and this is a crucial part in Indigenous employment …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Well, ask me the question again, I am more than happy to answer it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, your time has expired.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, there are far too many interjections. In that case, there were so many interjections and points of order that the minister had a very small amount of time in which to answer the question. Perhaps you would have heard the answer had he been allowed to have the correct amount of time.
CLP Housing Policy – Implication
for People with Mental Illness
for People with Mental Illness
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please advise of the implications of the CLP’s housing policy for people with a mental illness?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his very important question.
Mr Conlan: Is this an opinion?
Mr VATSKALIS: The measure of a good government is how …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 51: you have constantly warned the opposition about interjections. We cannot hear the answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members …
Mr Mills: We have concerns about being asked for opinions.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, the measure of a good government is how that government treats the most vulnerable people in the society, people with mental illness, or alcohol or drug addiction. The opposition policy does not address the needs of people with mental illnesses and drug or alcohol addiction but, simply, it is out of sight, out of mind. People with mental illness need to be supported to manage their mental health, not put into a facility, a ghetto. What the Leader of the Opposition said, and I quote from yesterday’s Hansard on page 15: ‘There will be very strict conditions that will apply to living in this accommodation’. No statement about treatment or supporting these people.
It is not going to be the best solution for people with mental illnesses in a ghetto, without a choice. Evidence shows that people with mental illness are best treated in the community and, if they are in an acute phase, in hostels such as for many other health problems.
The opposition policy also contravenes the National Mental Health Policy signed in 1992 by all states and territories which says the consumer has the right:
- … to live, work and participate in the community to the full extent of their capabilities without discrimination.
The CLP policy breaches basic human rights of an individual. What amazes me is that the member for Goyder had the audacity this morning to present a number of petitions about the safe care facility - a facility that will treat people who need to be treated, to be transitioned …
Ms PURICK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member knows that petitions that are tabled by members are not necessarily their own views. They are on behalf of constituents, member for Casuarina!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Goyder, resume your seat. It is not a point of order.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, the secure facility will treat people who need treatment for a mental illness, to transition them to return into the community …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I draw your attention to page 538 of House of Representatives Practice: ‘A Minister can only be questioned on matters for which he or she is responsible …’. He is not responsible for CLP policy.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you have the call. There is no point of order.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, the Minister for Health is also minister for people with mental health problems.
She also had the audacity this morning on ABC radio to say: ‘Well, not everyone will like it. Not everyone will like it’. The member for Goyder also had the audacity to mislead her own people in an article she wrote in the Territory Regional Weekly, telling them that the facility will have barbed wire fencing around it. She has no problem - she actually has a big problem about putting a facility within 3.5 km from a school or childcare centre, but she does not have a problem to put it 150 m away from the Marrara Christian School or the Steiner School in the area.
Weddell – Native Title Claims
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Your government has announced $1.95m to progress the new town of Weddell. Is it not true there are still native title claims over much of the land set aside for the new city? Has the issue of native title not been settled by your government? Will the native title process slow down the development of this new city, which is desperately needed to provide residential land now and into the future?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Territory has the largest number of native title applications in Australia. The resolution of native title through negotiations or through the courts is a complicated process. It involves numerous parties and can take some time.
I am advised there are four native title claims affecting parts of the land proposed for the development of the city of Weddell. One claim is subject to an appeal in the High Court and is expected to be heard this year. The decision of the High Court will have an impact on the progress of the second related claim. The Department of Justice will shortly be instructed to commence negotiations to resolve the remaining claims.
The Territory government’s bottom line is committed to working with native title claimaints and with the land councils, and we are confident native title will be resolved to allow the development of our new city of Weddell.
SIHIP – Houses Built on Groote Eylandt
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
I understand that, before Earth Connect was removed, there were 17 houses under construction on Groote Eylandt. How many new houses are being worked on at the moment? What is the deadline for completion? Is it true that $19.3m has been paid without having a house built at Groote Eylandt?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not have that exact information to hand. I will endeavour to get back to the member when I do have it to hand.
However, through my travels, I have certainly seen quite a number of houses going up all around the Territory, and not just houses. The member needs to understand that there are civil works that go on. When I was in Tennant Creek, I saw the roads being constructed and houses going up. It is completely artificial mathematics for him to do averages and try to arrange a cost until each little project is complete - and they are springing up all around. There is a lot of housing activity going on around the Territory. I commend the alliances for their work. I will endeavour to get back to the member with the exact answer to his question.
Budget 2010-11 – Benefits to Seniors
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for SENIOR TERRITORIANS
Could you explain what Budget 2010-11 will mean for seniors in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Budget 2010-11 has been widely applauded right across the community. I have been to three functions over the last few days, and participants at each of those industry functions have congratulated the Treasurer on a wonderful budget. Certainly …
Members interjecting.
Mr KNIGHT: Leader of the Opposition, it would be nice if you actually bothered to turn up to the Property Council breakfast. There were many business people there. You have boycotted that breakfast for the second or third year in a row. This morning, not a single member of the opposition bothered to turn up to the Master Builders Association breakfast. They represent the majority of …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr KNIGHT: … the contractors in the Northern Territory. It is disgraceful.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, order!
Mr KNIGHT: It has been welcomed by most of the sectors within the Northern Territory and, in particular, the seniors. It delivers for senior Territorians and people who are eligible for the Pensioner and Carer Concession Card. One of those groups is the National Seniors of Australia, who are represented in the Northern Territory. They are the largest consumer organisation for the over 50s in Australia, and the fourth-largest in the world, so are quite heavily represented. What did they say about the initiatives within Budget 2010-11 for seniors? Margaret Borger, the Chair of the National Policy Group, said of the initiative around the stamp duty concessions:
- Older Territorians have welcomed the Henderson government’s budget, especially its housing measures. These include the $8500 stamp duty concession for seniors and for the building of three new seniors’ villages.
That is great news from National Seniors. Further, with the housing, she said:
- We are pleased that the government has also recognised that not all seniors own their own home. The building of three new seniors’ villages will help meet the needs of the Territory’s ageing population.
That is a great endorsement of the three new seniors villages. This is appropriate seniors villages; not the ghettos that the CLP is going to create. They are going to create the ghettos and crime, and it is disadvantage on disadvantage. What they are doing is absolutely disgusting.
The Health Minister might also be interested to know that National Seniors also welcomed the health investment announced in the budget:
Seniors spend more money on healthcare, have higher hospitalisation rates, and are more likely to have long-term health conditions than others, so we welcome the moves to increase the number of nurses and provide a 24-hour mental health line.
This is a great endorsement of Budget 2010-11.
SIHIP – Earth Connect Alliance
Mr GILES to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
When Earth Connect was sacked earlier this, you said on ABC radio:
- The advice I have had is that there has been this transition and there has been an agreement on a settlement in terms of that.
Can you confirm to this House there has been, in fact, a settlement between government and Earth Connect Alliance? What was the cost to Territory taxpayers of that settlement? Have all contactors and subcontractors been paid? Where is the missing $110m?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it was a sensible question up to the last part. I believe I have already answered that one ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: There is no missing $110m - that is ridiculous.
Regarding other elements of the question, yes, there has been a settlement with that particular alliance; and there has been no cost to the Northern Territory taxpayer.
NT Families and Children -
Additional Budget Funding
Additional Budget Funding
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
Mr Tollner: Oh, you are not asking about fishing permits. I thought you might take an interest in that.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, order!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I thought they got rid of clowns in this parliament.
Minister, can you advise the House on additional budget funding for NT Families and Children?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is not a joke; it is a very serious question, because it refers to our children who are in need of care and attention. I am sure the member for Araluen would be cringing at the comment of her colleague, the member for Fong Lim.
Antisocial behaviour in children and young people often indicates underlying causes and social dysfunction. The government has adopted a strong stance in relation to antisocial behaviour of young people, not only in Alice Springs, but also in Darwin and Palmerston. The youth support centres are an initiative developed to engage families struggling to manage the antisocial behaviour of young people.
Let us face it, we have young kids ourselves and, sometimes, we do not even know what they are up to, who their friends are, and they might be engaged in antisocial behaviour unbeknown to us. We have had parents from both sides of politics, unfortunately, on the front page because a son or daughter committed something we would never commit.
The youth support centres in Darwin and Alice Springs are working with 29 families and have achieved excellent results using this strategy. The feedback we get from the police is when the kids are working with the youth support centres they do not come to police attention. They start behaving properly.
The government has recently announced an additional $14.7m into child protection and, of this, over $2m will be used to continue the government’s Youth Justice Strategy. That significant boost in funding provides for the establishment of a new service to identify and respond to youth at risk at night in Alice Springs. The service will work in partnership with other agencies such as the Youth Night Patrol and the police, and this will be a proactive service and will remain after hours until 3 am, with workers available on call after that time. We will be out there working with other departments, the police, and the Youth Night Patrol, and people will be available after hours.
New youth accommodation services will also be established in Alice Springs and Palmerston. The new accommodation service in Alice Springs will provide a 24-hour emergency accommodation service to children and young adults identified as at risk. Additional youth accommodation in Palmerston is also required, and that will be funded from the $14.7m investment.
I mentioned previously, kids misbehave because there are problems in their family home; kids try to escape some of these dysfunctional families and, unfortunately, they fall into bad habits and bad company. We have to work together with the kids and those families to try to reverse that trend and bring these kids back to normal behaviour rather than the antisocial behaviour we have seen.
Residential Lots in Tennant Creek
and Palmerston - Cost
and Palmerston - Cost
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING referred to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
On page 10 of the Budget Overview, it states there is: ‘$0.9m for the release of 54 fully serviced residential lots in Tennant Creek’. That means each block will cost around $16 500. If that is the case for a block of serviced land in outback Northern Territory, how come serviced land costs so much to develop in Palmerston?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. This is really an Infrastructure question, and the minister, particularly with his interests in Tennant Creek, can answer the question.
Mr McCARTHY (Lands and Planning): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is wonderful to talk about Tennant Creek in this House, and part of the land release package right across the Territory. It it is great that Tennant Creek has been raised. Fifty-four lots - that is correct. I suppose the bottom line in this is the government does not make money out of land release. The government does not make money. I have been in this portfolio and I have asked that question right from the start, member for Nelson. We are about moving land out. We are about developing headworks and services so we can get land out there for Territorians …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr McCARTHY: We are about getting land out, and we are releasing land five times faster than ever before because of this incredible economy, because of …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Housing minister was asked a very specific question as to why it costs more to release land in the Top End than it does in Tennant Creek. Will the minister please answer the question? The least he could do is …
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, thank you, member for Fong Lim. Minister, can you come to the point pretty quickly. Have you finished the question? You have finished?
Mr McCARTHY: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Budget 2010-11 - Health Workforce
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for HEALTH
The government is proud of the dedicated and committed health professionals who deliver quality care to Territorians. Can you please update the house on how Budget 2010-11 supports and strengthens the health workforce?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as I have said before, I am very proud of my Health department. I am very proud of all 5700 health professionals employed by my department. This year’s budget of $1.16bn is the highest ever in the Northern Territory for the Health department. It will deliver further investment to provide one of the best health services in the country to Territorians.
We have provided $9.5m to provide an extra 95 nurses in order to boost the nurse-to-patient ratio. This is a record. The record of the CLP was a reduction of nurses in the health system by 200 from 1996 to 1999. We will provide $2m for the Super Clinic in Palmerston in order for people to access a GP 24 hours a day when fully operational; $6.5m for the Alan Walker Cancer Centre with additional specialist nurses, allied health and support staff; and $1.5m for Territory surgeons market allowance. We want to have these specialists here in the Territory and we are prepared to pay for it.
We have put an additional $600 000 for the pathology department at RDH to attract and maintain the right people in order to maintain quality staff for accreditation; and five extra environmental health officers for $580 000 because environmental health is vital, especially in remote and rural communities.
We grow our own workforce. I was very pleased to meet the first six graduates from the pharmacy school at CDU. From 2011, we will have our very own medical school in CDU in cooperation with Flinders University. I am also pleased that the department is getting an extra $0.5m for increased academic, vocational and technical education programs for school-based apprentices – our future workforce.
This is an investment for our future. This is an investment for our Health department. This is an investment in the health of all Territorians.
Environmental Protection Authority –
Board Meeting in Sydney
Board Meeting in Sydney
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Given the EPA operates on such a shoestring budget, can you inform the House why the board of the EPA chose to conduct one of its board meetings in Sydney? What was the cost of Territory’s EPA board member to go to a board meeting in Sydney?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Government members, order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, with due respect to the member for Brennan, I could not hear the whole question. Could you repeat it?
Mr CHANDLER: Minister, what was the cost of the Territory’s EPA board meeting in Sydney?
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, I am not aware of that. The EPA is an independent body. They make decisions according to their board and the directions their board gives them. Regarding the EPA, and in the flavour of the budget this week, I am very pleased to announce again that this government has provided an extra $500 000 to the EPA. This is the government which has given the EPA stronger powers through legislation …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister has already answered the question. He can just sit down now.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, have you completed your answer? You may continue.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members! Member for Goyder! Minister, you have the call.
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, I will take that question on notice. I am not aware of it. As I have said, they are an independent body this government has created and has given more teeth to in legislative power. We have given them $500 000 in this budget.
Budget 2010-11 – Funding
for Additional Teachers
for Additional Teachers
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
The government’s education strategy, A Smart Territory, has a strong focus on quality teachers. Can the minister advise the House how Budget 2010-11 funds and supports the provision of additional quality teachers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. This is a government which is investing very heavily in education with a record budget of $886m. Since 2002, we have increased the number of teachers in our teaching service by approximately 330, which is quite an achievement.
In this year’s budget, there will be $12m for 105 extra teachers and 42 support staff. Whilst the government has said we will have a cap on staff, with our frontline workers we have said we will be putting people into those positions where they are needed - whether they are nurses, doctors, police, or teachers. We are committed to the service of the people of the Northern Territory.
I have talked about Rosebery school a number of times. It has $14.1m, 60 extra teachers and 20 support staff, as well as principals and assistant principals who are already on the ground talking to people who want to send their kids to the school next year. There is $2.8m for an Institute of School Leadership, which is much appreciated amongst the leadership of education professionals within the Northern Territory. That will play a very important role.
We are also focused on the remote areas. I remember, it was one of Syd Stirling’s focuses to have Indigenous Year 12 students graduate in their community. There had not been one graduate on their community in the 27 years under the CLP.
We have $1.9m for training for an Indigenous educator; $1.5m for English as a Second Language training support for teachers; $400 000 to establish the Quality Remote Teaching Service; $120 000 for Indigenous teacher scholarships, which is a crucial element; and $250 000 in VET in Schools for young Indigenous men. I have already spoken during these sittings about the $213m in infrastructure.
I just ask the CLP: how many of those teachers or assistants are they going to sack to balance their budget?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Which ones are you going to sack?
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Dr BURNS: It is a good question and you have not answered it.
Alcohol Ignition Locks
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Recently, in the NT News, it was stated the first Territorian had an alcohol ignition lock fitted to his car. How will you assess the effectiveness of the program if only one alcohol ignition lock has been fitted in 12 months? Your department’s Information Bulletin L14 states: ‘At the end of your AIL period you may apply for a licence without an AIL condition’. In Victoria, data is downloaded from an AIL and given to the court as a compliance assessment report to see how many times a driver has been trying to start the car under the influence, or if there has been any tampering with the lock. The court then decides if the driver should be given a licence. Why does the Territory not do the same?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, alcohol ignition locks are one of a raft of initiatives introduced by the Henderson government to address the unacceptable high rates of drink-driving within the Northern Territory.
It is important, in answering this question to point out that, based on world’s best practice and advice from the George Institute, it is about changing driver culture. This does not happen overnight.
We are talking about a device, a tool to change the culture of driver behaviour. Drink-driving is a problem; we acknowledge that. This is why, in April last year, the government introduced …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I believe the member for Araluen made a quite unsavoury remark there. I ask her to withdraw.
Ms Carney: What? I will not!
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex! Member for Araluen, I am not aware of what you said, given …
Ms Carney: Neither am I, Madam Speaker.
Dr BURNS: When the member for Barkly was referring to tools, she asked: ‘Have you got one?’
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That was not the member for Araluen, that was me. I did not say that, I just repeated the word ‘tool’.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Please pause.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I do not always come in to these points of order, but I did clearly hear the member for Araluen say what the Leader of Government Business said.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney: Madam Speaker, if I may speak to that point of order.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Resume your seat, member for Araluen. What I will say, honourable members, is that …
Mr Conlan: You are a liar too, Bungles.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, I ask you to withdraw that comment.
Mr CONLAN: I withdraw that, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: And you are on a warning as well for the number of interjections, including speaking when I am speaking.
We will stop the clock at the moment, thank you.
Honourable members, there is a ridiculous number of interjections, not allowing the minister to answer the question. I remind you of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse allowed 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.
Unfortunately, I was unable to hear the particular interjection, possibly because of the large number of very loud interjections which were happening over here. I will not ask the member for Araluen to withdraw, even though I have asked other members to withdraw comments although I have not heard them. On this occasion, I will not.
Ms Carney: I am happy to repeat it, Madam Speaker, it was the interpretation …
Madam SPEAKER: No, I do not think so. Member for Araluen, resume your seat. Minister for Transport, have you finished your response?
Mr McCARTHY: No, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: You may continue.
Mr McCARTHY: As of 7 April 2010, the courts have imposed 756 AIL periods. To date, five offenders have become eligible, one offender has elected to take up the AIL ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: There are now two AIL service providers in the Northern Territory, Guardian Interlock Systems Australasia Pty Ltd and Draeger Safety Pacific Pty Ltd. Both have suppliers and installers in Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. The suppliers record all the information in relation to the operation of the devices and any violations. The system downloads the data when the device is serviced at scheduled times …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Aboriginal Land Amendment
(Intertidal Waters) Bill
(Intertidal Waters) Bill
Mr GILES to MEMBER for KATHERINE
Madam Speaker, under Standing Order 110, my question is to the member for Katherine regarding the Aboriginal Land (Intertidal Waters) Bill. Shadow minister …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: You are not able to ask a question to the …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Yes, he is. According to Standing Order 110:
- A question may be put to a Member, not being a Minister, relating to any bill, motion, or other public matter concerned with the business of the Assembly for which the Member has charge.
As I understand it, he is being asked about a bill he introduced.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, Leader of Government Business.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The advice I have received is that I will allow the question. However, it has to relate very specifically to what was questioned, and may not move into any further debate. I will be listening very carefully to this, member for Katherine.
Mr GILES: I have not asked the question, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! You may find this amusing, opposition members, but I certainly do not. The number of interjections today is absolutely ridiculous.
Mr GILES: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will go straight into the second part of the question ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is a technical question. I seek clarification from you or from the Clerk. It is a question relating to a matter before the House. He has a bill before the House. That is all. It is a technical question.
Mr ELFERINK: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, member for Port Darwin, just resume your seat!
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Ling, cease interjecting. You have a particularly loud voice.
It is a matter before the parliament and, therefore, it can only relate to what has already been said in the second reading speech the member for Katherine has already given.
This type of question has never been asked in this House. However, I will allow it on this occasion. I will seek further advice after Question Time in relation to further questioning of this kind in the future.
Member for Braitling, make it fast.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms CARNEY: May I make a point of order, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, if it is a proper point of order.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you. The standing orders, as relatively recently amended, provided for a certain amount of time in which members could ask the question.
Madam SPEAKER: That is correct. Sit down, member for Araluen. Indeed, all of this time has actually been the time that related to the one minute, which has well and truly gone.
Mr GILES: Shadow minister, can you explain how your intertidal waters bill will provide the certainty the Chief Minister has failed to provide regarding permits for recreational fishers in the Northern Territory?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, remember it has to relate directly to the bill, with no commentary - directly to the bill.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for his very important question. It is an important question for the Tiwi Land Council, for the other land councils, and for the fishermen in the Northern Territory who would seek to access intertidal waters under a regime where there may be no permit.
Currently, there is a requirement that anyone who wishes to fish in intertidal waters must have a permit. If anyone is not complying with that provision, they are breaking the law under the Aboriginal Land Act of the Northern Territory. This bill will change that. It will give the traditional owners and land councils an option to exempt any group they wish from acquiring a permit.
An example might be that the Tiwi Land Council, if it so chooses, could grant an exemption …
Mr HAMPTON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask the member to table the document he is reading from.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Member for Katherine, are you reading from personal notes?
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: They are personal notes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: I am sure they are.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: So, for example, the Tiwi Land Council …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am just seeking clarification. You gave very strict instructions of not veering from the content of the second reading speech. I am just wondering …
Mr Tollner: Sit down!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … because I do not have the second reading speech in front of me, whether or not the Tiwi Islands example he is now expanding on is strictly adhering to your instructions …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! She is chewing up time on purpose.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat! Member for Katherine, just stick with the bill. That is the only thing you have been commissioned to do.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: This is, indeed, about the bill, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: The second reading speech.
Members interjecting.
Mr Tollner: Oh, shut up!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim, I ask you to withdraw from the Chamber, please.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: The Tiwi Land Council so chooses to grant a permit to recreational fishermen in general or members of a particular association or club. This, in fact, could allow the traditional owners to grant a permit of exemption for anyone or any specific association or club.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: This would increase the negotiating position of the government rather than their current position of sticking their heads in the sand. It is important to state that this takes away no rights from traditional owners. It is not a removal of the permit system …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: … it provides flexibility for everyone …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Resume your seat.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: If I look at the Chief Minister’s media release of November 2008, it says …
Members interjecting.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: … ‘We are committed to reaching an outcome which recognises the cultural importance of tidal waters for …
Ms SCRYMGOUR: A point of order, Madam Speaker – a point of order!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Katherine, your time has expired, resume your seat.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper. They can all go out to the lobby and ask themselves questions.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Resume your seat. Just wait for the cameras to be removed.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Excuse me, member for Port Darwin! I will just ask for the cameras to be removed, please.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, there was a good …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, can you just wait, please! You can resume your seat, member for Port Darwin, until I call you. Thank you. Member for Port Darwin.
Mr ELFERINK: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The issue as to your determination over Standing Order 110 took at least three minutes. I would ask that be added to the normal Question Time period.
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is finished. Question Time has finished, thank you.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016