2011-08-17
Government Support for Opposition Motion to Sack Minister Joe Ludwig
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
As you would understand, the federal Agriculture minister, Mr Joe Ludwig, is a national embarrassment. His appalling handling of the animal cruelty allegations has seriously damaged the Territory economy and hurt hundreds of Territory families and workers and, not only that, has insulted our Indonesian neighbour. This parliament is preparing to debate a Country Liberals motion calling for the sacking of the incompetent federal Agriculture minister, Joe Ludwig. I ask if you will support our motion to sack Senator Ludwig, and if not, why not?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Leader of the Opposition well knows he cannot use offensive language towards a member of another parliament as he has towards Senator Ludwig.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: I will allow it, minister.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I have said all along that I am not going to play politics with this issue because this is about Territory families who are struggling, Territory businesses who continue to struggle, and there is a long way to go before this issue is resolved, particularly on the ground in Indonesia. Because I have had conversations with industry people and the Cattlemen’s Association, I know their wish is a return of the bipartisan position on this issue, and we should cease to play politics with this. This message has been conveyed to the Leader of the Opposition, and I will not embarrass him by saying who conveyed that message loud and clear.
I will be travelling to Canberra for COAG on Friday and meeting with the Prime Minister on Thursday evening. Once again, I will raise with the Prime Minister that we are not out of the woods yet in regard to this issue …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113 - the answer has to be succinct. The question was simply will he support the motion or not.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, do not repeat the question.
Mr HENDERSON: I will be speaking with the Prime Minister as the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, updating her on the impact of the suspension on our industry and the fact that many pastoralists will go through this Dry Season without getting any cattle into Indonesia. I will be calling on the Prime Minister again to introduce a comprehensive industry rebuilding program in the Territory, and also calling for a high-level strategic project management team to be put in place with the Indonesian authorities to upgrade those facilities in Indonesia as quickly as possible. That is what our pastoralists expect me to do as their Chief Minister …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113 - could you instruct the minister to answer the question?
Madam SPEAKER: The Chief Minister is answering the question.
Mr HENDERSON: That is what our pastoral community expects and wants me to do. I have been in ongoing discussions with them on almost a daily basis on this issue. I refuse to play politics on this issue. I will use the access I have as the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory to the Prime Minister of Australia and ministers in the federal government to get the best possible outcome for pastoralists in the Northern Territory.
I will continue to do that and will not play cheap political games like the Leader of the Opposition. He has been asked by the industry to stop playing those cheap political games.
Election Commitments - Update
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the House on the delivery of our government’s election commitments?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura. The Territory is now covered with election commitments delivered by this government. From remote communities across the Northern Territory, through our regional towns, to our capital city in Darwin, commitment after commitment has been delivered. There are new schools, new roads, new health clinics, new swimming pools, and new water parks across the Territory. There are more police, more doctors, more nurses, and more teachers spread throughout the Territory …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Every single town in the Northern Territory is a better place than it was 10 years ago …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim! Member for Greatorex! Member for Sanderson!
Mr HENDERSON: The majority of these commitments and achievements would not have been met if we had listened to the CLP. In Darwin, we have the Waterfront Precinct - never would have happened under the CLP …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: … no convention centre, no Waterfront Precinct ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex! Leader of the Opposition! Member for Sanderson! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr HENDERSON: The Leanyer Water Park would not have happened. The new middle schools built across the Territory would not have happened - they campaigned against it.
We are the first government in the Territory’s history to comprehensively report on the implementation of our election commitments. I table the latest updated copy of that report, Madam Speaker. Since the last report, many commitments have been implemented and many are under way. This report highlights how many of our commitments are ahead of schedule. Many of these great policies were opposed by the CLP - Police Beats for example. They campaigned against the Police Beats; they would close the Police Beats if in government.
We believe it is important to deliver on our election commitments. That is why we are open and transparent in reporting against them. I am proud of the implementation of our commitments.
The CLP approach is clear. Even in opposition, you cannot trust their commitments, so how on earth could you possibly trust them in government? We had the Araluen by-election last year, and the member for Araluen should be ashamed and embarrassed …
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Clearly, the government is still the worst in the history of the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: In the Araluen by-election, the opposition promised there would be no uranium mine at Angela Pamela. They campaigned on that; they got their candidate up on their commitment and, a month later, it was tossed aside. If they cannot keep commitments in opposition, you could never trust them in government. The member for Araluen should be ashamed and embarrassed of the position she has been forced into …
Mrs Lambley interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen!
Mr HENDERSON: … and the silence she now has on the issue.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Before calling the next member to ask a question, I remind you of Standing Order 51, No interruption:
- 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.
There were certainly many members interrupting the minister who was on his feet.
Live Cattle Export Ban – Chief Minister’s Support
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
Last night, the first 4000 cattle shipped out of Darwin since the lifting of the blanket ban, arrived in Indonesia. In the days after the export ban was announced, the Country Liberals repeatedly called for the blanket ban to be lifted immediately to allow cattle to be sent to abattoirs that used internationally accredited slaughter techniques. Why did you support a ban and stand by Julia Gillard, such that the Northern Territory cattle industry has been devastated and the economy flattened, as the Treasurer admitted in parliament yesterday, instead of pushing for a resumption of live export to approved abattoirs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Territorians know exactly what my position was on the live cattle ban, in the fact that I have stood up, in a constructive manner, for pastoralists and related industries in the Northern Territory from day 1 in getting this trade up and running.
Territory pastoralists I have spoken to and the Cattlemen’s Association, have implored this parliament to adopt a bipartisan position – which we did until the member for Fong Lim reappeared on the front bench of the opposition. He instructed the current Leader of the Opposition to take a different political tack and attack government on our stance. We know what is going on over there. The member for Fong Lim was very clear in leaked e-mails that the opposition had to appeal to its core constituency and stop listening to individual interest groups. I do not have the comments, but we can see exactly what is happening in the member for Fong Lim’s criticisms that were leaked to all and sundry about the weakness of the Leader of the Opposition and the positions he was taking on issues. We know this is political catch-up from the member for Fong Lim to toughen up on a particular issue.
I will not play politics on this issue. Cattlemen and associated people across the Territory whom I speak to about this issue on almost a daily basis well know I am taking a constructive approach to do everything our government and I can, with our minister for Primary Industry, to get this trade up and running again as quickly as possible. I will continue to do that. If the opposition want to cheapen itself by playing silly little political games, let it go ahead and do it. Territorians well know where I stand on this issue.
Young Territorians - Initiatives
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
Will you please update the House on what this government is doing to build a better and brighter future for young Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. I welcome students from Japan here today and other students from Palmerston Senior College. The future has never been brighter for young Territorians. The Territory is the place to be with the future of this nation. The future for our kids born and growing up in the Northern Territory is brighter than most kids around the world.
That is also acknowledging that a number of kids do fall through the cracks and they need our help. It also acknowledges we have a long way to go to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage, and get Indigenous kids educated through school and into the workforce so they can make their choices in life the same way as our kids can, more broadly. We are working hard on that, and their future is looking bright as well. If those kids go to school every day, they will leave school with the same education achievements as all other kids.
The future is bright, and Territory kids know it is bright as well. It is Territory students, through the minister’s Round Table, who have put together a program called Building a Better Future for Young Territorians, which is reported against, and really does show the way forward.
Education is so important to economic growth and prosperity for the Territory. That is why we are investing so much in education; to give the kids of today the opportunities of tomorrow. If we look at the Clontarf Academies, for example, and the Sporting Chance Girl’s Academies across the Northern Territory, over 900 students are now enrolled in that program - 900 students who will leave school with a Year 12 pass mark and transition into a job at a cost of $2m to our government. Over 3000 apprenticeships and traineeships commenced in 2010, an increase from the previous year, with an additional 261 commencements to date in 2011. That is young Territorians getting training opportunities for the future. Many of those kids are Indigenous kids, which is fantastic to see.
Sporting facilities infrastructure has been put in place across the Territory. Festivals we are currently seeing, such as the Darwin Festival, are all opportunities for young people in the Territory to get out, show what they are made of, and have a good time.
A highlight on the calendar for young Territorians in Darwin and Palmerston is BassintheGrass, which gets bigger and better every year. We are committed to continuing to build opportunities for kids - not only recreation, artistic, and sporting opportunities, but also building strong education and a strong economy to ensure our kids grow up with a bright future. The Territory is the place to be. Our kids have a bright future ahead of them, which they see themselves; the Territory is a great place with a bright future.
Live Cattle Export Ban – Chief Minister’s Support
Mr TOLLNER to CHIEF MINISTER
You originally supported the federal government’s blanket ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia. When the Prime Minister spoke about the ban, you were there shoulder to shoulder with her, her chief cheerleader, her chief lap dog, her chief sycophant …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is straight out of the red book. Let us just keep this debate in this place at another level other than this.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, if you could withdraw the last comment please?
Mr TOLLNER: All right, I withdraw. Chief Minister, as I recall, you did support the ban, saying it was a great circuit breaker. A recently leaked report found that more than 160 Territorians lost their jobs in June alone because of that ban. How many more workers have lost their jobs in the Territory since the end of June because of the ban? And ‘fess up, why did you originally support the blanket ban on live trade to Indonesia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Fong Lim has history on this issue. He knows very well from conversations he had with me at the time about the approach I was taking, and the importance of using the position of Chief Minister and the access I have to the Prime Minister and federal ministers, to get this resolved as quickly as possible.
That is what I have done. I acted responsibility to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible, and use the access and influence I have. I am not going to play politics; everyone knows my position with regard to the ban and to getting it back. That is what I will continue to do because that is the responsible thing to do.
Pastoralists I speak to across the Northern Territory - and a couple of very well-known ones I had a conversation with yesterday morning - said: ‘We just want to go forward; we want our trade back and we want you, as the government, to do everything you can. Thank you for what you are doing to get this back up and running again as quickly as possible’. The member for Fong Lim and the opposition might want to rewrite history on this, but Territorians are not stupid, they know the very strong position I have taken from day 1. The decision was taken by the federal government. From day 1, they know the position I have taken ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I understand I had a long preamble into that question, but how many Territorians ...
Madam SPEAKER: Is this a point of order?
Mr TOLLNER: It is a question of relevance. How many Territorians have lost their jobs since June?
Madam SPEAKER: I have to say I did not know that was the question, member for Fong Lim, so I doubt the Chief Minister did.
Mr HENDERSON: That was not the question, Madam Speaker. The issue is no Territorians should have lost their job, and none should lose their jobs. My job as the Chief Minister is to work with industry, and the Australian government and our partners in government in ...
A member: Why did you support the ban?
Madam SPEAKER: Order, opposition members!
Mr HENDERSON: ... Indonesia to get this resolved as quickly as possible ...
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Mr HENDERSON: If the opposition think playing politics ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, member for Katherine!
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr HENDERSON: If the opposition thinks playing politics on this issue is going to see facilities upgraded in Indonesia more quickly than would otherwise be the case, they have another think coming.
What we should be doing, and what I am doing, is working with industry, imploring the federal government to opt for a strategic project management-based approach to work with the Indonesian authorities to bring these facilities up to agreed standards - agreed by industry in Indonesia - as quickly as possible. That is what I am doing, and if the opposition want to play petty politics, then shame on them.
Tiwi Islands – Government Rent Payments
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Yesterday in Question Time you stated:
- I am more than happy to provide the member for Macdonnell with an update on the Tiwis … I am always prepared to provide that information to this House.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Macdonnell, and no rent has been paid.
Youth Round Table – Update on Activities
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for YOUNG TERRITORIANS
Would you please update the House on the activities of the Youth minister’s Youth Round Table?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this side of the House supports young people and is committed to engaging with young people in the Northern Territory. The young people of the Northern Territory make up a huge population compared with other jurisdictions and it is important that those young people have a say, no matter where they live.
I have the Youth Round Table under this portfolio. It is an opportunity for young people to have a voice in government. The round table gives Territorians the opportunity to speak directly with the Northern Territory government on issues that impact their lives.
Since 2001, some 160 Youth Round Table members have participated in numerous events, committees, community-based projects, and government consultation. These members are called upon throughout the year to talk with government departments about policy development from their perspective.
This Sunday, I attended the last and most recent round table meeting and met those wonderful young people from across the Northern Territory. They gave me an update of their projects. It was not just formal meetings these young people participate in; they have active engagement in informal situations as well, and they provide feedback to me from those meetings. They also run surveys and youth events.
Some of the issues and projects the current round table is working on are around serious subjects such as youth suicide, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, body image, self-esteem, youth events, and community development aspects. Also, services to rural Territorians - there are great young people in the rural area - class sizes, career options, work experience, and technology as a communication tool are some serious subjects those young people are getting their teeth into.
We are also looking at how to promote their work in the community. They have had stalls at the Glenti, at NAIDOC Week, and at the Port Adelaide versus Melbourne AFL game. They are certainly participating in many events. They are on committees with the Northern Territory Alcohol Control Advisory Committee, the Regional Development Australia NT Committee, Anglicare, Young Women’s Festival Planning Committee, and working with the Electoral Commission to get young people to enrol.
These young people come from across the Territory from a range of backgrounds - from Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs, Katherine, and Yuendumu. Previous members have come from Ampilatwatja, so we are getting a good snapshot of youth issues across the Northern Territory.
I congratulate those young people on the work they do. We value the contribution they make to the Northern Territory.
Members: Hear, hear!
Nightcliff Middle School – Proposed Skate Park
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
In my opinion your priorities are all wrong when it comes to education. The evidence is clear: you think a skate park at Nightcliff Middle School is more important than a library or librarian. This is despite recent NAPLAN results showing Nightcliff Middle School is below the national average in reading and writing. How do the Nightcliff residents feel about having a skate park at their school?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the idea of a skate park at Nightcliff Middle School came from the students. There was a petition from not only the middle school, but also the primary school children, for a skate park. It was only natural that the school council should consider this matter and I have no problem with that. If we are talking Nightcliff Middle School, there are many sporting facilities at Nightcliff Middle School. In fact, I used to play tennis for many years on the tennis courts. There are indoor basketball facilities, an oval, and quite a few facilities used by people from outside the school and welcomed by the community.
It was only natural these petitions, which you do not seem to be aware of, were generated by students at the school and should be considered by the school council. I see nothing wrong with that, member for Brennan.
National Broadband Network – Outcomes for Next Generation of Territorians
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS and TECHNOLOGY POLICY
How will the NBN deliver better outcomes for the next generation of Territorians, and are you aware of any alternatives?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for a very important question. It is fantastic; this side of this House loves the NBN because we know what it will deliver for Territorians. We know how important it is. Managing our kids’ access to the digital world will increasingly determine what opportunities come before them - opportunities in education, health, in connecting with other people, as well as better employment opportunities. Some of our kids gain access to the digital world and resources that come with it in the 21st century; however, many kids do not have that opportunity. There is a real digital divide that the NBN will close.
Right now, the NBN is closing the digital divide because it delivers better access, which is very important for Territorians in remote communities. Better access, cheaper prices, and better services means everyone gets a piece of the NBN in the Territory. As well as those opportunities for young people, it delivers better e-Health opportunities, distance education, real-time video conferencing, faster downloads, and more data - things the next Northern Territory generation needs in the 21st century to get ahead.
I will give a good example of the opportunities coming to the Territorians. In Alice Springs, my hometown - I am sure the opposition members of Alice Springs would love to hear this one. This week in Alice Springs, Internode Internet service provider switched on its first ADSL2+ network in the Northern Territory. In plain language, that means Internode is now able to provide customers with cheaper plans than those available under the CLP’s tired old policy. With the roll-out of the NBN, we have competition delivering better services and better prices for Territorians. As I said, this means closing the digital divide for the next generation of Territorians.
Internode will not be stopping in Alice Springs; they will be coming to the northern suburbs of Darwin, and Palmerston. They are next in line, with building works already under way. It is not just young people who get the benefits of the NBN; seniors get NBN, families get NBN, businesses get NBN - everyone except the CLP.
MacDonnell Shire – Funding Agreement Delay
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
In Question Time yesterday, in response to my question about MacDonnell Shire, you said:
- I will say to the House that if there is a specific case in this one raised by the member for Macdonnell, I am more than happy to brief her about the latest situation with that.
You have had the opportunity to brief me. Can you now advise me when this financial year’s funding agreement with MacDonnell Shire will be signed, and what has caused the delay?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Macdonnell. In relation to the briefing, we have not had that opportunity. I say to the House and the member that the MacDonnell Shire will be receiving their request over the next couple of weeks.
Nightcliff Middle School – Ministerial Advisor Contacting Parent
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Why did your ministerial advisor contact a parent from Nightcliff Middle School yesterday demanding to know the contents of a conversation with me about the idea of putting a skate park on school grounds? Given the parent admits being unsettled by this call, do you think this is well outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour for anyone, let alone your representative, when people are just trying to raise legitimate concerns?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am saddened by this question, because I was upset last night when the member for Brennan attacked Mr Robert Picton, who is my Education advisor. Robert Picton has been a long-term teacher in the Northern Territory for some 20 or 30 years. He has been a principal in a number of places. He is well-known and well-respected in the education community. I have known Robert Picton for many years. He is not a bully; he is not a vindictive person.
To let this House know, I approached the member for Brennan earlier today, pulled him to one side, and told him I was upset about what happened last night. I told him Robert Picton is not a bully. He agreed with me. He said he could not believe it; it was completely out of character from the dealings he had with Robert. I felt he was backing away from these serious charges laid against Robert Picton who, incidentally, has assured me that no bullying occurred. What happened was a follow-up to inquiries to my ministerial office by this particular person.
I also reminded the member for Brennan about a fiasco that happened with him in estimates, where he was given information by a member of the public about Nemarluk School and some conspiracy theory that I had misled this parliament and the people of the Northern Territory …
Mr Chandler: Information provided by you.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Brennan!
Mr Bohlin: Because we know you are on the way out, mate.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Brennan! Member for Drysdale!
Dr BURNS: He was shown to be wrong, Madam Speaker …
Mr Chandler: Page numbers!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Brennan, cease interjecting!
Dr BURNS: He was shown to be wrong. He lacks intuition. Either that or he has been directed - against what he told me in the parliament in a personal conversation today - to play politics on this matter. It is scurrilous. He is covering himself with shame, and I thought he would have learnt …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Brennan, member for Drysdale!
Dr BURNS: I thought he would have learnt from the incident involving the former member for Solomon …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I remind you and the House of Standing Order 113. The former member for Solomon has nothing to do with this question. We ask the question be dealt with succinctly, concisely, and directly answered.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. That is not a point of …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, member for Port Darwin.
Dr BURNS: It has everything to do with it, Madam Speaker, because the member for Brennan covered himself with shame in that, and he is covering himself in shame with this. I ask him to be himself and not to go on with this political plan.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is not dealing with this question and not answering it.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, he is answering the question. Have you finished?
Dr BURNS: I have answered it, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Recreation Parks for Young Territorians and Families
Ms WALKER to TREASURER
The Leanyer Recreation Park has become a successful and popular hub for youth and family activities. Can the Treasurer please update the House on future plans to build on this success and give young Territorians and families more to enjoy about the great Territory lifestyle?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. The Leanyer Recreation Park is a much-loved facility and caters to about 100 000 visitors a year. Not everyone has a pool in their back yard, and this amazing free facility gives all Top Enders the opportunity of enjoying our great Territory lifestyle. Importantly, the park provides entertainment and creates social activities and options for our young Territorians. We built this facility …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am just wondering if the minister is going to congratulate Mick Palmer on his excellent work developing the park?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat. Order! Member for Port Darwin, you are on a warning.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We built the facility in 2004 and we have continued to upgrade it to make it even better.
The centrepiece of recent upgrades was those 14 m-high water slides that are more than 100 m in length, and the integration of the skate park built under the former member for Karama. They now seem to oppose skate parks in the opposition. Anyway, they liked them previously, because Mick Palmer at least understood if you listen to kids, you might deliver a product that kids want. Anyway, we integrated the skate park into the Leanyer Recreation Park. The latest upgrade is going to be a caf, turning the kiosk area into an air-conditioned dining caf with a commercial quality kitchen.
We are also seeing the development of the water park facility in Palmerston. That is a great project that is under way. We have waterslides, a soft fall water area, barbecue and lawn areas, kiosk, shade areas, play equipment, and a walking/running track. One of the important things with the Palmerston water park is the facility is integrated in its design with the existing skate park - a skate park put in by Palmerston City Council. Again, you need recreation options for young Territorians and they enjoy skating, as well as waterslides and water fun.
We have seen the Alice Springs Aquatic Centre delivered in this government’s financial investment into providing recreation opportunities for young Territorians, but also somewhere for the whole family to enjoy.
If you go to these aquatic facilities across the Territory you see Territorians of all ages - young children playing with their friends, with grandparents and parents there, with the broader community. If you listen to people - whether they come from the rural area and are enjoying the water park at Leanyer, or from outside Alice and are enjoying the new aquatic facility in Alice Springs - they all say these are fantastic facilities.
It is important to deliver these facilities across the Territory. We look forward to being at the opening of the pool in the rural area.
Nightcliff Middle School – Government Ministerial Advisor Contacting Parent
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
For the record, since my earlier conversation with you today, I have spoken directly with the parent and can confirm your representative phoned this parent, because they contacted me with concerns about activities at their child’s school. That parent feels very unsettled over that phone call.
Nanette Rogers, Susan Mansfield, and now you are going after a school parent. Should ordinary Territorians be afraid of your approach and can you guarantee …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Nanette Rogers is a very senior member of the Department of Public Prosecutions, so where is that going?
Mr CHANDLER: Madam Speaker, I am asking the question of the minister. Can you guarantee there will be no payback …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Knight: You are a grub; you should be ashamed of yourself.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Brennan, can you just rephrase? It is not necessary to use people’s names. As you know, in this House we try not to use individual’s names unless it is absolutely necessary.
Mr CHANDLER: The part of this question that is important is: can you guarantee there will be no payback against the parent who raised concerns about the library, the skate park, and the intimidation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will reiterate what I said before. There have been no threats, no intimidation. My advisor, Mr Robert Picton, was simply returning a telephone call about inquiries this particular lady made to my ministerial office. It had nothing whatsoever to do with anything you have been saying here, and the political spin and hyperbole you are putting on this. I completely reject what you are saying.
You are acting very dishonourably, member for Brennan. The former member for Solomon has form, with what you did in this parliament not two years ago. You would think you would have learnt from that. You should start using your own antennae when people come to see you about issues and apply your self-judgment, not be directed by the likes of people who are in my line of sight here, about what you are you are going to do and what you are going to say ...
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: You can laugh, but I know your game as well.
Robert Picton is a good man. He is a good man, and I completely rebut what you are accusing him of …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Advisors on both sides of this House have been protected under the rules of this House for some time. They do not have a right of reply. The minister was clearly attacking advisors, and I ask him to withdraw that.
Dr BURNS: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker, I have not named anyone - in stark contrast to the member for Brennan who named my advisor last night.
Mr Elferink: I am talking advisors in this House that you are levelling your eyesight at, mate. You are a threatening bully!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat, there is no point of order. Minister for Education, have you finished your answer?
Dr BURNS: I have finished, Madam Speaker.
Galiwinku SIHIP Subdivision
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HOUSING
My question is in relation to the new SIHIP subdivision at Galiwinku. Is it true that 14 new power poles have to be removed because they are too high, as they are outside the height parameters of the airstrip? Who will pay for the replacement poles, and the removal of the existing poles? Will it come from the alliance system through the pay and share, gain share policy and, if so, will anyone know that under the alliance system of accounting?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, at Galiwinku, SIHIP is building 90 new houses - 11 are completed, and there are approximately 67 under way. I have inspected those houses. It is true some infrastructure was constructed next to the airport and CASA had concerns about several power poles. Action is being taken and the advice I have is as follows.
Concerns were raised by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority regarding the height of the poles and their proximity to the airstrips. The poles were unbolted and will likely be trimmed to an appropriate height. None of the underlying infrastructure has had to be removed. Any costs will be minimal and met within existing budget. The works are being remediated. I would have preferred that it had not happened, member for Nelson, but it has. That is the advice I have.
Young Territorian Events – Government Support
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for YOUNG TERRITORIANS
The Territory is a great place to live for young people. Can the minister please advise the House on events the government supports for young people?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Northern Territory is a popular place for young people to live; 22%, nearly a quarter of the Territory’s population is aged between 12 to 25 years. We want to keep the young people of the Northern Territory here. We heavily invest in events to keep our young Territorians in the Northern Territory, and this government introduced some of those events.
One of those is the very popular BassintheGrass music festival. Some 7500 people attend BassintheGrass and it gets better and better every year. It is a safe event with free transport, free water, and security provided.
We provide for young people in the sporting area as well. We have the popular V8s and the Super Bikes, and we have contributed to the upgrade of the drag strip where young people can get off the road, stop burning up the roads, especially in the rural area, and get on to the drag strip with Beat the Heat. We delivered AFL games to the Northern Territory. The Leader of the Opposition - the Clayton’s Leader of the Opposition - opposed the AFL games coming to the Northern Territory.
We delivered leisure activities such as the waterfront development and the wave pool. The Leader of the Opposition - the Claytons Leader of the Opposition - termed that a gimmick. A gimmick; he termed the wave pool and the waterfront a gimmick …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: Territorians, especially young Territorians enjoy the wave pool. The convention centre has a range of events for young people. The current leader of the CLP would scrap those events.
We also support many popular events: the Darwin Cup Festival, the Darwin Festival, and Territory Day, a huge event on the calendar. Also, importantly for parents who have young children, school holiday programs, and we fund drug and alcohol-free events for young people through the school holidays. These are run in Alice Springs, Darwin, the Darwin rural area, East Arnhem, the Victoria Daly shire, Roper Gulf, Katherine, Palmerston, and Tennant Creek shires. Last school holidays, we had a range of events. On Groote Eylandt we had a BMX fun day. We had a battle of the bands at Nguiu, and we had dance lessons at Yirrkala, Wallaby Beach, and Ski Beach.
One of the big events is Youth Week, and 41 grants were made totalling $70 000. We also had heavy sponsorship from beyondblue. If the CLP was in power, most of these events would be discarded. We want to keep young people in the Territory; the CLP wants to give them excuses to leave.
Territory Logo - Rebranding
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Your erratic, ineffectual, and self-absorbed government that will stoop to bullying ordinary Territorians is so bereft of ideas that, rather than work on issues important to Territory families, you have decided to spend taxpayers’ money on new logos and letterheads. How much is this rebranding going to cost? How is this money going to help ordinary Territory families you would rather bully than help?
ANSWER
Oh dear, oh dear, Madam Speaker, is that the best he can do? First, my colleague has dealt with the ridiculous issues of bullying that have been raised. I point out it is the Leader of the Opposition who used freedom of information legislation to find out who in his own team was leaking e-mails to the government. If we want to talk about bullying, we know the numbers are now six to five …
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The issue of relevance. I remind you again of Standing Order 113.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, it was a very long question which has considerable imputations, inferences, arguments, epithets, ironical expressions, and hypothetical matter which the Chief Minister is allowed to respond to.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, we know when the member for Fong Lim launched his challenge on the leadership, it was nine to two. We have now moved from nine to two to four to seven. We now know the vote is six to five and that the member for Fong Lim is inching ever closer to that seat over there. It will not be too long. So to talk about bullying …
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr ELFERINK: Nothing in the preamble to the question could lead the Chief Minister to this place. Section 113: succinct, concise and direct answers to questions.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. The question contained many extra issues, including comments about bullying. The Chief Minister is responding to the question.
Mr HENDERSON: If the Leader of the Opposition would use FOI legislation to have a witch-hunt on his own side of the fence, heaven help Territorians in what he would use FOI for if he became the Chief Minister.
Concerning the rebranding of the Territory, I can assure Territorians this is about having a consistency of brand overseas and interstate when we are promoting and marketing investment in the Territory. I am proud this is a government that goes overseas and interstate to seek investment into the Northern Territory - into our mining sector, our rural industries, our tourism sector, and trying to attract airlines to the Northern Territory ...
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This very complicated question came to a very specific point: how much will this rebranding exercise cost?
Madam SPEAKER: The minister seems to be answering the question, but if you can get to the point.
Mr HENDERSON: This rebranding is about managing investment and creating jobs. What part of creating jobs do you guys not support? Investment in the Territory equals jobs in the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: As to the cost of this, until the tenders have been awarded I will not know what the costs are; they are still being assessed.
Alice Springs Youth Action Plan – Supporting Young People and a Safer Community
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Can you please outline to the House how the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan is supporting young people and making the community safer?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. It is an important question, and I ask opposition members to listen because they might learn something.
The Youth Action Plan is having a huge impact on Alice Springs, particularly ensuring families and children are getting the support they need. The Youth Hub is becoming a central place for youth in Alice Springs. We have the department of Family and Children’s Services working out of there, along with the Youth Street Outreach workers. They are out on the streets seven nights a week.
The police have this to say about the hub: the hub is a dedicated place to take young people off the street and is having a big impact, and having more beds in the safe houses makes a big difference to their work. It is supported by the police in Alice Springs - unfortunately, not by the opposition members. The police support the Youth Hub and the Youth Action Plan, and it is making a big difference.
This government has delivered many other measures for the people of Alice Springs, such as the Banned Drinker Register - nearly 1000 drinkers are on the Banned Drinker Register - banning notices, a general purpose police dog, better CCTV monitoring which we know has had some success recently, the new juvenile detention facility in Alice Springs, lighting of hot spots in Alice Springs, and amendments to the Bail Act which will make a real difference.
We on this side of the House are serious about delivering for the people of Alice Springs and tackling these matters in Alice Springs. We know you cannot be serious about tackling these issues if you do not tackle the core problems of alcohol. We know those on the opposite side of the House are not serious because they are not serious about tackling alcohol problems.
Banning every young person on the streets of Alice Springs will not solve the problems, as the CLP wants to do. It will not make a difference, but banning problem drinkers in Alice Springs will.
Labor Party Supporters - Darwin Harbour Cruise
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Not only are you prepared to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars rebranding your government after three years – and I have seen the documents – local business people are now telling us you are planning to hold a party cruise on Darwin Harbour at the end of this month. Could you please advise how many people will be attending this and related promotional events, and what will be the cost of this party cruise?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, at least business people want to come and have a party with us; they would not be seen dead with this mob opposite! I went to the golf day they recently had in Alice Springs. They were flat out getting a golfing partner for each of them. At least business people feel comfortable around us, they want to be with us, and they want to have the opportunity to interact with ministers. They would not be seen dead with half the clowns sitting opposite us.
I have no idea what the Leader of the Opposition is talking about. We, as a government, every single day, are out amongst our business community because this is about jobs. For me, this is all about jobs, and our private sector having confidence to invest in the Northern Territory, because the government has the right fiscal parameters, the right spending policies, and the right policies to encourage investment and economic growth. We are the lowest taxing government for small business in the nation and all those things lead to confidence to invest ...
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have scanned the question and I cannot see how that imputation could lead to this response. Madam Speaker, perhaps by way of supplementary, because we are not getting anywhere near an answer to the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, have you finished your answer?
Mr HENDERSON: No, he is just wasting my time. I have no …
Mr Mills: Are you telling us you do not know there is a ...
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Minister has not finished his response.
Mr Mills: We are running out of time. He is not telling us anything …
Mr HENDERSON: We are running out of time because you keep interrupting.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, any interaction between government ministers and government members with our business community is about that very important interaction in the Northern Territory where the business community, under previous governments and this government, want to interact with ministers to hear firsthand our plans for building the Territory. That is what we are doing.
Because of that, business people have confidence to invest. Why is that good? Because that creates jobs - 22 000 new jobs in the Territory as a result of Labor government, and Labor government having a big tick from our business community.
I have been advised that the cruise the member is talking about is actually a Labor Party fundraiser - just like their golf day they had in Alice Springs recently. It has nothing to do with the government.
I am confident our business people who want to be part of this fundraiser will come along to have an opportunity to interface with ministers, and that opportunity will give them increased confidence to invest and create jobs, something the Leader of the Opposition has no plans for.
Young Territorians – Jobs and Opportunities
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for YOUNG TERRITORIANS
Can you please advise the House how the government is providing jobs and opportunities for young people in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am proud about the achievements of this government in supporting young people to gain work in the Northern Territory. When the CLP were in power, young people were leaving the Territory, the utes were packing up and they were heading south …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: That is a reality. That was the situation in 2000, there were no jobs here for young people, they had so underspent and underinvested in education that young people were moving interstate to get their education. This government has heavily invested in education and job creation projects. The CLP, if in government, would cut these programs so young Territorians would be leaving. They do not support equal opportunities for all young Territorians, and they do not care about opportunities for young people in the bush, or even the rural area - certainly in secondary education. As the Chief Minister alluded to, this government works closely with industry and business, and we take our lead from them.
The Clayton’s Opposition Leader does not talk to business; they are not engaged with business. We listen to them and we deliver for them. We supported the stimulus package because industry and business were saying: ‘We need this stimulus package to get us through the global financial crisis’. What did they do on the other side? What did the Clayton’s Leader of the Opposition do on the other side? He opposed it - he opposed the retention of jobs in the Northern Territory. He actively voted for jobs to be lost in the Northern Territory - young apprentices, young people losing their jobs in the Northern Territory. It is an absolute disgrace! It is a disconnection between this Clayton’s Leader of the Opposition and the industry, so he needs to go and talk to the industry much more ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! On relevance: the question was about youth. We do not want this diatribe coming across the Chamber. It is Seniors Month, talk about seniors, not youth.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat.
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker, we are investing very strongly in trade and construction training for young people to create a stable employment in those high paying jobs. They would have seen the youth unemployment rise. We had an ambitious goal of creating 10 000 new apprenticeships by 2012 and, as I said to the House yesterday, we are well on track. We will probably beat that target the way we are we going in creating jobs, creating apprenticeships for young people - and apprenticeships for your children on the other side of the House as well, so you should be grateful as parents.
Within the Northern Territory government, we have created 100 full-time apprenticeships and 40 school-based apprenticeships, so we are taking up the load within the Northern Territory government. The Leader of the Opposition classed the biggest project to come into the Northern Territory as a 19th century project. He derided the INPEX project which is going to create jobs for young people …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Freds Pass Reserve Swimming Pool
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE referred to CHIEF MINISTER
My question is in relation to the proposed swimming pool at Freds Pass Reserve. Can you say whether the government has finalised the design and costed the new pool as proposed by the Freds Pass Management Board? If so, when can we expect to see some action on the ground?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will pass that question to the Chief Minister, as that project is being led through his department, not NRETAS.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, as well as that, it is a commitment that we have made and we are working towards. It has been a long commitment of the government. Originally, our plan was to work in cooperation with Litchfield Shire Council. The council - and I can never work out the reason - chose not to take up the government’s offer.
More recently, the YMCA expressed an interest in working with us to develop the facility adjacent to the oval at Taminmin College. Late last year, we funded the YMCA to undertake a second study to review site feasibility at both Taminmin in Humpty Doo and at Freds Pass Reserve.
That feasibility study indicated both sites would be viable, but Freds Pass would be the preferred site, primarily because of the larger population catchment, as well as the site’s inclusion within a sporting complex close to the Coolalinga Shopping Centre. In November last year, the department completed a further round of consultations as to the two sites and, as a result of that consultation, Freds Pass was endorsed.
In the budget this year, the government committed $1m to commence site works for the new Litchfield swimming pool at Freds Pass. Design work is under way on the pool development, which will include a pool area for small children, as well as a swimming pool. In July, the department of Construction released a tender document for a consultancy design of headworks services for the Litchfield pool and we are absolutely committed to doing that.
It is a core commitment of the government. I want to see it done sooner, rather than later. I rue the fact that Litchfield Shire, for whatever reason, chose not to take up the opportunity a few years ago, but we will build this pool at Freds Pass. There is $1m in the budget this year to commence site works and work is under way.
Artificial Cannabinoid - Kronic
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
You made quite a few headlines banning an artificial cannabinoid called Kronic. I am advised that a short distance from the parliament, there is a shop that continues to sell the product or a product very much like it. You pride yourself on law and order and being able to govern law and order. If you are so good at policing law and order, why are you not policing this matter and what are you going to do about it now?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. This issue continues to evolve, given the chemists keep trying to get ahead of the government. My advice is the substance that is being sold is known as Black Kronic. It has different compounds to what has been banned. The regulations to add those …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: ... compounds be - you asked the question, listen to the answer!
Those compounds have now been approved through government to be added to the regulations. The issue, as I am advised, is going to Executive Council tomorrow or early next week and the substance that is being sold will also be outlawed in the Northern Territory. We will continue to do this - not as a law and order stunt. This is how disconnected they are from the business community.
This is because of direct representation to government from the mining industry, the Chamber of Commerce, and the construction industry, and business people who are concerned about safety in the workplace. That is where this came from, Madam Speaker; not the member for Port Darwin’s snide little remarks that he specialises in, as a law and order stunt. It was direct representation about ensuring safety in our workplace and we have responded to that and will continue to respond to that. The member for Port Darwin will keep on with his pedantic and silly little political games from his small political mind.
Fishing Promotion Directed to Young Territorians
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Fishing is more popular here than anywhere else in the nation. In some parts of the Territory, one in every two residents goes fishing. Can you please outline any initiatives that will allow young Territorians to enjoy a day on the water?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a question that most Territorians will think is the most important question in this Question Time – fishing!
Fishing is a great part of a great lifestyle our families enjoy here in the Northern Territory. I will make sure I speak slowly so the NT News, while they are transcribing what I said in parliament, can understand my Greek accent.
Fishing is popular and one in four Territorians owns a boat, but we have to make fishing available to everybody in the Territory, including families - and especially families with young children. We have completed family friendly upgrades to boat ramps - popular with families -installing floating jetties at the Dinah Beach boat ramp, the Palmerston ramp, and the Hudson Creek ramp near East Arm.
It makes it easier and safer for families with children to access the water and fish. We have also put in place a series of artificial reefs. The latest one is at Lee Point – 600 culverts - easy distance from Nightcliff boat ramp and easy distance from Buffalo Creek - 600 concrete brand new culverts to create one of the biggest artificial reefs in Australia.
If you have young children and do not have a boat, the best place to be is Palmerston boat ramp. It has a fishing jetty where young children can fish safely. I am advised there have been some good catches from this jetty - I will have to visit it.
It is important to teach young Territorians about fishing and I have discussed with my aquaculture department in my Department of Resources about stocking some of the lakes in Palmerston with fingerlings and engaging some of the schools in Palmerston to talk about fish biology, especially barramundi. That will teach young kids about the biology of barramundi, information about how they grow, and teach them about the fish they are going to catch in a few years time - how it grows in certain ways - and they can do that in the safety of their own lakes. It is not only promoting fishing in the Territory, but teaching young Territorians about the biology of fish and fishing in the Territory.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016