2011-10-19
Carbon Tax – Support by
Labor Government
Labor Government
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
You blithely support Labor’s carbon tax despite not knowing the impact on our cost of living. Can you explain your support by detailing right now how a small business operator in the mall will have more money in their pocket as a result of Labor’s new tax?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we went uphill and down dale on this yesterday, and it just goes to show what …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … lack of vision and policy the opposition has, trying to hide behind the Australian government’s carbon tax, because it does not have any policies. You have no vision for the growth of the Northern Territory, you have no policies for developing the economy and small business in the Northern Territory, unlike the Territory government …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was quite succinct. Standing Order 113 applies. I ask you to direct the Chief Minister to it.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: We have a number of members about to go on warnings. Shut the clock down, please.
The Chief Minister had been on his feet for 10 seconds. It is pretty hard to come to the point in 10 seconds. Yesterday, there were significant numbers of points of order in the first 10 to 15 seconds, which is somewhat ludicrous. In some parliaments, they do not allow any points of order during Question Time at all. It happens at the end of Question Time. If you are going to make a frivolous point of order, at least do it later in Question Time and not in the first 30 seconds. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I said, we have policies to develop and grow small business in the Northern Territory. We are the government that has delivered the lowest-taxing business jurisdiction for small business in this country, something we are very proud of. This is a government that will be delivering the INPEX project to the Northern Territory which will underpin our economy for the next 40 to 50 years and will support all those small businesses in Darwin’s mall and around the Northern Territory, as well as developing a Marine Supply Base for the Port of Darwin to support and service all the offshore oil and gas platforms.
In regard to the scare campaign the opposition is trying to run, because it has no policies for investment, no policies for growth, no vision for the Northern Territory, and is not optimistic about the future of the Northern Territory, it will continue to hide behind and run Tony Abbott’s scare campaign in the Northern Territory …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113. It is written in bold to advise members to be concise and correct with their answers, and succinct. I ask that you direct the Chief Minister to be as succinct as the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could come to the point, thank you.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I point out again the Deloitte information I provided last sittings to this House, that the primary impact on prices in the Territory will be the electricity price: ‘The resultant impact on electricity price would be far greater in Victoria compared to Northern Territory’. This is just a scare campaign from a do-nothing opposition that has no policies, no vision for the future …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … of the Northern Territory and just takes their lines from Canberra.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Japanese Business Opportunities
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
You recently visited Japan. Can you please inform the House about the jobs and opportunities that will flow for Territorians from the developing close relationship with Japanese business?
ANSWER
Mr Mills: And what about that shopkeeper in the mall?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. In reply to the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition, the shopkeepers in the mall are absolutely going to benefit from the $25bn investment by INPEX in the Ichthys project. They will benefit from this investment, as well as the $41.5m that Japanese companies have invested in minerals exploration in the Northern Territory. They will also benefit from a visit by a delegation of 33 very senior Japanese business people to Darwin a couple of weeks ago, headed up by the Japanese Consul-General and the President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
What small shopkeepers in the mall know is that the Territory economy needs to continue to grow and diversify. Much of my visit to Japan was promoting the fact that it will be northern Australia that drives this nation’s economy over the next 40 to 50 years; that Darwin is the capital of northern Australia; and investing in the Northern Territory will support investments throughout northern Australia.
I presented the keynote address at the 49th Japan-Australia Joint Business Conference in Kyoto where significant multinational Australian and Japanese companies came together for two weeks about building investment and trade between Japan and the Northern Territory. It was great to present a keynote speech about investment opportunities in the Northern Territory.
I also opened the Northern Territory Minerals Investment Seminar in Tokyo which was attended by representatives from a significant number of Japanese companies which are already investing in exploration projects in the Northern Territory and will continue to do that.
The work we have been doing in Tokyo, and also in China, has seen that mineral exploration in the Territory grow by a record 31% this year - directly as a result of the work my colleague, the Resources minister, and I have been doing in Japan and China over the last few years - to more than $195m.
You need to explore to find resources. Exploration is running gangbusters in the Northern Territory at the moment. We are on the verge of a final investment decision by INPEX for the largest project this Territory has ever seen. This will benefit small businesses in the mall. They understand that. I do not understand why the member for Port Darwin keeps talking derogatorily and dismissively of the INPEX project as just being icing on the cake. That is absolutely offensive to a company which is about to make a $25bn investment decision. This project will underpin the Territory’s economy. Territory businesses understand that; the clowns opposite do not.
Aviation Fuel – Non-Tax Exempt Status
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
You supported Labor’s ban on live cattle exports saying it was ‘a good circuit breaker’. The decision you supported decimated the Territory’s pastoral and agricultural industries. Can you tell the House how pastoralists who predominantly muster cattle by helicopter will benefit from Labor’s tax on aviation fuel given that it is not exempt?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, let us deal with the nonsensical opening remarks. I have always supported our live cattle industry …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The industry understands that. I met with Don Heatley in Tokyo last week about working with Meat and Livestock Australia to recover abattoir facilities in Indonesia. I also met yesterday with Luke Bowen and Ken Warriner regarding what is happening in Indonesia. I have just had a meeting with the Foreign minister, Kevin Rudd, today regarding working with the Australian government through AusAid to support …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … bringing this trade back together in Indonesia. So, whilst the opposition sit there and whinge, moan and carp, and try to politically grandstand, as the Chief Minister, I continue to work …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: … every single day to try to recover the situation …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! In accordance with your instruction, I have waited for some time for the answer to the question. Succinct, concise and directly relevant to the question is hardly what we are seeing demonstrated by the minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, I also remind you that if there is a preamble which has extra material in it then the minister is entitled to respond to that, which he is doing at the moment.
Mr HENDERSON: That is what our pastoral industry wants to know: what is their government doing in the Northern Territory to work, every single day, to see this trade recover in Indonesia? I thank Foreign Affairs Minister, Kevin Rudd, for today taking further suggestions of how to do that. He wishes former member for Solomon, the now member for Fong Lim, all the best in his future aspirations. He sends his best wishes, member for Fong Lim, for your future aspirations in this Territory parliament ...
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Whilst I find the Chief Minister’s ramblings quite humorous ...
Madam SPEAKER: This is not a point of order.
Mr TOLLNER: ... the question was about the impact of the carbon tax on helicopter mustering ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Fong Lim! The Chief Minister has the call; he appears to be answering the question.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was passing on some best wishes from a former parliamentary colleague for the member for Fong Lim’s aspirations.
I am on the record, and I continue to advocate cutting the diesel fuel and aviation rebates for the Northern Territory. I have been on the public record and will continue to do that. This is an Australian government tax. The opposition is hiding behind this tax, because it has no policies; it is running Tony Abbott’s lines in the Territory, trying to scare Territorians. It is so divided it cannot agree on anything. It has no policies; it is a do-nothing opposition which would take the Territory nowhere in government ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, your time has expired. Resume your seat.
Before I call the next member to ask a question, honourable members, the level of interruption is somewhat ludicrous. I know it is the build-up; it is October and perhaps the troppo season, but it is air-conditioned in here so, hopefully, we can settle down. However, I will remind you of no interruptions, Standing Order 51 ...
Mr Mills: Mango madness.
Madam SPEAKER: I am glad you agree, Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Mills: Yes, but we were badly provoked, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: I am sure there were a number of members who were very provoked.
- 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.
Future Employment Opportunities
Ms SCRYMGOUR to TREASURER
Deloitte Access Economics released a report today which showed the Territory is still leading the nation in a number of key economic indicators. Can you please explain, despite the carping on the other side, what these figures mean for ongoing employment of Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Today’s Deloitte Access Economics’ report shows strong growth through the Territory for the next five years, positioning us third in the nation, just behind those other resource-rich states of Western Australia and Queensland.
It is very impressive, given that Deloitte Access Economics does not fully factor in the INPEX project because the final investment decision is still pending. The Marine Supply Base to be built at East Arm is not factored into the report, yet this project will inject millions of dollars into the local economy and create some 125 jobs in the construction period.
The ongoing operation of the Marine Supply Base, the all-important 1000-job new prison, the Montara oilfield expansion, the Kitan oilfield expansion development, and the multiple Defence redevelopments will all boost the Territory economy, creating all-important jobs. This is good news for the Territory in a period where we know good economic news is hard to come by on the global front.
It has been the government in the Territory which has shouldered the load in the global financial crisis-affected economy, facing a downturn in retail and consumer spending as lending conditions have tightened, as our consumers are opting to save. Over the last three budgets, we have allocated $4.6bn to infrastructure spending, a move that has been widely criticised by the opposition but supported by industry. Since the GFC, world economies are faltering. The Territory has continued to grow, and unemployment remains at our nation’s lowest. More than 15 500 jobs have been created in the Territory since the GFC; that is 15 500 more Territorians in a job that the opposition would have seen on the unemployment dole queue. For the last 24 months, we have maintained the lowest unemployment in the nation.
The International Monetary Fund has been consistently saying that a surplus should not be pursued at any cost. Recently they reiterated this, saying:
- … the pursuit of nominal deficit targets should not come at the expense of risking a widespread contraction in economic activity.
We know the opposition would have slashed that all-important infrastructure spend. We know it is opposed to the 1000-job construction of a new prison. We know the opposition does not understand the importance of government public spending shouldering the load ahead of the return of that all-important private investment pipeline, which we are on the crest of with those exciting developments: the expansion of Montara, Kitan, and the big final investment decision pending on INPEX.
Carbon Tax – Alleged Effect on
Mining in Nhulunbuy
Mining in Nhulunbuy
Ms PURICK to CHIEF MINISTER
In August this year, the Minerals Council of Australia said:
- The carbon tax on fuel will particularly hit Northern Territory mining operations, the communities that host them and the businesses that service them.
Can you tell us, how will Labor’s carbon tax affect the people living and working in the town of Nhulunbuy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, these questions get more and more ridiculous. This is a tax that will be applied to the 500 biggest polluters in Australia. It is a tax on pollution. It is not a tax on milk, on concrete, or on iron as was the GST; it is a tax on pollution. Australian households will be compensated.
The opposition can waste this entire Question Time asking nonsensical questions. All those questions have been answered regarding the compensation packages that families and pensioners will receive, and there will be tax breaks for small businesses.
This line of questioning shows that this is an opposition without plans. It has no policy, no vision, and no confidence in the future of the Northern Territory. We have all of those things. We have a plan to develop the economic and social fabric of the Northern Territory called Territory 2030 - in consultation with Territorians - a great shared vision of how we are going to move this Territory ahead. We not only have a plan for jobs, but we are developing jobs throughout the Northern Territory. In our regions, in our towns, in our remote communities, we are growing jobs in the Northern Territory.
The Territory is now on the map more than ever before, given the resources boom we will see which will underpin the Australian economy for the next 50 years. We have a plan to work with small and large business to attract jobs to the Territory, grow our university, see our students achieve to the best of their ability ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! In accordance with your instruction, I have waited. The question was about the people working and living in Nhulunbuy. He has not even mentioned it yet. Standing Order 113 says succinct, concise and direct answers relevant to the question. Could you instruct the Chief Minister to answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: The Chief Minister does appear to be answering the question, but if you could come more directly to the question, please.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. They do not like the facts being thrown back at them; that they have no plans, no policy, no vision, and no confidence in the future of the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: What I can say specifically about Nhulunbuy - because Tony Abbott would not know this, so it does not come down to the questions here - is that the carbon tax reopens a significant multimillion investment opportunity for a gas pipeline to Gove, to see Gove turn from dirty bunker fuel oil to clean gas for its power generation. That would see hundreds of jobs created in the Territory and millions of jobs worth of investment. Tony Abbott would not know that; it would not be a question Tony Abbott would ask. The clowns opposite do not even see the benefit and opportunities for Nhulunbuy.
Weddell Development - Update
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
It is some months since the Weddell forum was held. There have been no statements regarding Weddell recently. Can you give an update on the development of Weddell, and also an update on the Weddell design competition?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question and interest in Weddell. Also, as one of the participants in the incredible Enquiry by Design process that has not only pulled the concept of Weddell together, but also the new community area in Alice Springs that is honourably named Kilgariff. The forums gave great suggestions about Weddell. The member for Nelson was very creative in his thoughts, and working with government about how we could engage the architectural community in forming the plans. When we talk about forming the plans we mean forming the plans for a sustainable and liveable city of up to 50 000 Territorians, and planning for the Territory’s future.
In July, we launched the two design competitions. They are currently being processed. The winners of the two competitions; one a Tropical Housing Design Competition, and the other, an Urban Design Competition, will be announced in November. These competitions challenged the planners with their creative thinking and I am looking forward to seeing the results of that work.
There is much other work going on around Weddell, and that means the preparation for a new city, and also looking at other aspects of the Territory’s economy and economic growth. Jenkins Road, a major arterial road leading into Weddell, is currently being upgraded in two stages. Ostojic is delivering Stage 1, a $7.2m project to upgrade and seal 6.2 km from Jenkins Road to Finn Road. The work started last month and is on track to be completed in December. Stage 2 is under way - sealing and upgrading a 7 km stretch from the Finn Road intersection to the Channel Island Road. That is a $6.79m project being delivered by East Arm Civil. So significant work is going on in a significant area for growth in the Northern Territory.
These projects have coincided well with the support for the INPEX project. The Chief Minister has outlined the importance of that project for the Northern Territory. I am proud to say we are on track, and we will deliver. Member for Nelson, I look forward to being with you when we get to see the results of all that creative work.
Home Ownership – Government Assistance
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
Can you please advise of the Henderson government’s policies to assist Territorians into home ownership and any alternative policies?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this government recognises that buying a home is one of the most important decisions a family will make. That is why we have a number of schemes designed to assist Territorians into home ownership. Yet, the CLP says these affordable housing schemes would be scrapped under their government. The member for Brennan was espousing his views on affordable housing in an interview on the Channel 9 News on 3 October. He said:
- What we could do is basically get out of the way of the free market.
What does this mean? The free market comment means the CLP would scrap our stamp duty First Home Owners Concession, where first homebuyers receive a stamp duty exemption on the first $540000 of the value of their home. That means a saving of $26 730. They would scrap Homestart NT, designed to assist Territorians on low to middle incomes purchase their first home …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Since 2004, some 1450 Territorians have been assisted in purchasing …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Brennan!
Ms LAWRIE: … their own home through this scheme and thresholds have recently been increased. They would scrap BuildBonus announced in this May budget. The CLP would take away …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Brennan!
Ms LAWRIE: … the $10 000 grant for homeowners and investors to stimulate …
Madam SPEAKER: Cease interjecting. Member for Drysdale!
Ms LAWRIE: … construction. They would end the Principal Place of Residence Rebate of up to $3500 available for people purchasing a home or land on which to build a home. They would scrap the Senior, Pensioner and Carer Concession available on stamp duty for pensioners and carers wanting to downsize. I remind the member for Brennan of what he said: their policy is to get out of the way of the free market. That would put a first homebuilder more than $36 000 out of pocket before they have even made their first payment.
On top of this, the shadow Treasurer recently travelled to a secret little CLP gathering of shadow Treasurers to get his instructions from Joe Hockey …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! For the sake of the media listening, these assertions and speculations are untrue.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, that is not a point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The Channel 9 News on 3 October: ‘We would let the free market reign, we would get out of it’. So you would have to scrap all these concessions. We know you got the running instructions from Joe Hockey to get out of the first homeowners concession space at that secret little gathering you attended. We are focused on the wellbeing of Territorians, on giving them the assistance to get into the housing market.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Once again, Madam Speaker, the Treasurer is being devious. The Australian newspaper was in that secret meeting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, that is not a point of order.
Carbon Tax – Alleged Effect on Air Travel and Tourism Industry
Mr GILES to CHIEF MINISTER
Airnorth said today that the carbon tax will add $1.2m a year to its operating costs, and not $23 but $32 a tonne in tax. Can you tell us what Labor’s new tax will mean to communities and businesses that rely on air travel, and particularly the negative effects on the tourism industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have said, and I will continue to say, that I will continue to argue for the reinstatement of the diesel fuel rebates on diesel and aviation fuel. That is the position of this government. We do not believe those fuel rebates should have been scrapped and we continue to argue for them to be reinstated. That is the position of this government …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale!
Mr HENDERSON: Two years ago, the Leader of the Opposition released a comprehensive climate change policy document when those opposite actually believed climate change was real and that governments had to do something about it …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. This is about what will the new tax mean to communities and businesses that rely on air travel, nothing about CLP policy.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I have said …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could come to the point.
Mr HENDERSON: … that it is the position of this government that those rebates should not have been removed and we argue for them to be put back. I do not know what the charter operators are going to charge. It is a free market out there. Every one of them has a different price.
What I do know is that, two years ago, they believed that climate change required government action, and the Leader of the Opposition, two years ago …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Under relevance, I ask you to get the Chief Minister to answer the question. Will plane ticket costs go up as a result of Labor’s carbon tax?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. Chief Minister, if you could come to the point.
Mr HENDERSON: I have come to the point, with respect, Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr HENDERSON: … by saying that I disagree with the fact that those fuel rebates were cut in half as a result of this tax. Our position is to continue to advocate. The cost of an airline ticket depends which charter company you charter from. It is a free market. The government does not set the price.
Going back to the Leader of the Opposition, I once accused him of being a climate change denier. He bolted into this House very quickly to make a personal explanation that he believed in climate change. We know that the member for Fong Lim, who is really running the show, has told them to ditch their climate change policy …
Members interjecting.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Please pause.
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: … and that is what the Leader of the Opposition has done because he is so weak.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, are you wishing to leave the Chamber?
Mr ELFERINK: No, I was simply …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, please do not speak.
Mr ELFERINK: I was just answering your question, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, it is very difficult to hear, even though we have a new sound system and it greatly amplifies what is happening in this place. The level of interjection is such that I cannot hear the Chief Minister speaking. I believe there was a point of order over there, which I assume was the same points of order that you had previously.
Chief Minister, have you completed your answer? If not, come to the point and resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: I will come to the point, Madam Speaker. The opposition used to believe in …
Madam SPEAKER: Is the time expired? Sorry, Chief Minister, my apologies.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, they do not want to listen to the answers.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, indeed. My apologies.
Mr HENDERSON: … because this is bouncing back on them and they do not like the answers.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling, you should not be calling out things like that.
Mr GILES: Madam Speaker, I did not call anything out.
Madam SPEAKER: It seemed to be emanating from you; perhaps it was not. Do we have another question?
Ms Scrymgour: The idiot, Drysdale.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Arafura, I would like you to withdraw that comment, please.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Ms Scrymgour: He is one.
Mr BOHLIN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! After you gave an instruction to the member for Arafura she reiterated that comment. She should withdraw that comment, Madam Speaker.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: He has a glass jaw, Madam Speaker, but I withdraw that he is stupid.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, can you please resume your seats.
Question Time is an important time. This is when the people of the Northern Territory have an opportunity to hear and see their members performing. It is not meant to be a dramatic performance. It is meant to be something where a sensible question is asked and a sensible answer is given. That rarely happens in this place, and I accept that. However, it would be good if people could hear and they can make that decision for themselves. Please contain yourselves. There is just over half-an-hour, and I am sure we can get to the end of this.
Fishing Bans – Non-support by Government
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Today, you completely rejected a call for wide-scale bans on fishing around the Territory coast. Can you please outline why the Northern Territory government does not support a call for a wide-scale ban on fishing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his important question. The Australian Marine Conservation Society recently came out with a report, which is actually not a report but a submission to the government with a wish list. The Marine Conservation Society would like to see everything banned in the waters outside the Northern Territory. Our government completely and utterly rejects that claim. Our research, conducted by an internationally accredited and well recognised scientist, Professor Carl Walters from the University of British Columbia, Canada, and nationally recognised experts in fisheries, have given the tick to fisheries in the Territory. Our fisheries are the best managed fisheries in Australia and the world.
The industry in the Territory catches below 8% of the estimated total biomass. In other states, 30% is considered acceptable. We have been very tough with our measures and controls, both recreational and commercial, and our fisheries are top notch. We are one of the few jurisdictions in Australia where we have accreditation for our export fisheries because even the Australian government recognises the way we manage our fisheries does not pose any threat to the biodiversity of our fisheries.
We totally reject the claim by the Australian Marine Conservation Society. It is not a scientific study, it is not a report; it is a wish list. We will continue to support both the industry and the recreational fishers who work together with us in order to maintain the fisheries for our children and grandchildren. I utterly reject the call for a ban.
In 2005, when Senator Scullion spilled the beans about the Howard government trying to put fishing bans in the Territory, I rejected it then and will continue to reject it because, as I said to him, scientists have given full accreditation to fisheries in the Territory.
Boat Identification – Blue Mud Bay Decision
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES referred to CHIEF MINISTER
Part of the negotiation around the Blue Mud Bay decision involved identification of recreational boats. Please update the House on what is the present state of play in relation to negotiations regarding boat identification.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the negotiations are still under way. We did not say licences on boats; we said identification of boats. I would like to pass to the Chief Minister, as it is his department that is leading the negotiations with Blue Mud Bay.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I can say to the member and to this House that those negotiations are progressing in a positive way. I am hopeful we will conclude an agreement with the Northern Land Council and the traditional owners as a result of the High Court decision on Blue Mud Bay in the not-too-distant future. All of those issues will become apparent at that time.
I can say to people in the Northern Territory we, on this side of the House, respected the High Court decision. We are in negotiation with traditional owners, through the Northern Land Council, to reach a resolution. Part of the negotiations also include AFANT as well as commercial fishers. These negotiations are progressing well. I am not able to advise the House at this time what the outcome will be.
Carbon Tax – Alleged Increase in Cost of New Prison
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE to TREASURER
Your new prison has blown out by $200m to almost $0.5bn. With steel and concrete used extensively in its construction, what will be the final cost of the new gaol after you add on Labor’s carbon tax?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe the member needs to get a briefing, because when you announce a public private partnership, you actually lock in the final figure. The $495m construct figure is the figure, so you can go …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … fishing around in your flights of fantasy, but if you understand …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: If you understand the difference in procurement models between public private partnerships and where you lock in the negotiated outcome of $495m, you will understand that that is what the construction cost will be. There is no blowout. It is your strange description. We have delivered a very good deal for Territorians in delivering a contemporary, new Correctional Services facility. There is a 40% increase in the footprint of that facility; additional improvements to the forensic mental health facility which, of course, we all know is needed; an additional 200 beds in that facility from 800 beds to 1000 beds; a new 48-bed supported accommodation facility to support the new era in Corrections, with that all-important emphasis on education, training and rehabilitation to stop the cycle of reoffending. Part of the 40% increase in the footprint is to ensure that you can run those necessary rehabilitation programs in that new contemporary Correctional Services facility.
If you look at the public sector comparison figures, as a public sector construction in normal procurement, it would have been in excess of $530m. Therefore, landing the public private partnership at $495m was an extremely good outcome, with around a $50m saving.
What the opposition fails to recognise as well - and the construction sector gets the importance of this - that construction job which starts now - work is under way now on the $5.6m road that Ostojic has the contract for - is 1000 jobs. Ask Sitzler how critically important this construction project is to that Territory company. Ask Sitzler what that means in ensuring the construction sector is buoyant and strong ahead of the major projects. Ask the companies what 1000 jobs in construction now, ahead of the construction phase of INPEX, means to the construction sector in the Territory. Not only do you not understand what a public private partnership delivers in $495m as a fixed outcome …
Mr Chandler interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Brennan!
Ms LAWRIE: Not only do you not understand that, you do not understand the importance of the 1000-job construction project, you do not get the changes to the design and scope which dealt with a 40% increase in footprint, a whole new 48-bed facility, improvements to forensic mental health, and 200 additional beds in the prison itself.
You have no idea, you are devoid of policies, and you do not even bother to find out the detail of what a public private partnership actually means.
Marine Supply Base
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
Given the recent announcement of the preferred tenderer for the Marine Supply Base in Darwin, can you please outline to the House what opportunities the Marine Supply Base brings to the Territory economy, and lessons learned from other marine supply bases across the world to ensure the Territory prospers from the oil and gas industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a great question. This is a great project for the future of the Northern Territory. It has been this government, and the Chief Minister, which has championed this project coming to the Northern Territory. We are delighted to have the consortium, ShoreASCO, in place now, and final negotiations are being worked through. We look forward to that project coming to the final arrangements.
It is an exciting time. I had the opportunity to visit three marine supply bases - one in Norway, one in Scotland and one in Singapore. Although they are very different, they have similar characteristics as far as the benefit to the community. It is something we have to grasp. What I saw in Norway, and also the North Sea in the Shetland Islands, was the opportunity and the need to lock in some benefit to the local community with the royalties that will flow into the communities. We have to be able to champion that with the Commonwealth government. The experience in Aberdeen was about taking those opportunities, seeing what is coming up, and getting the benefit for the local community. It was a quirk of fate that they received benefit when there was an oil crash in the mid-1980s and local businesses were able to get into the marketplace as the oil price recovered.
The opportunity, the goal, and the vision of this government has to be about all the jobs being filled by Territorians, all the business opportunities being filled by Territory businesses, attracting businesses to the Northern Territory, and getting consortiums with our local businesses. Our local businesses have the know-how, they have the real estate in place, and they are able to grow as the businesses in those other centres have grown.
The marine supply bases are a one-stop shop for the offshore oil and gas industry, and although we are quite small here, we have great potential. The characteristics of those other marine supply bases are very different in some ways. We will have two operating: the LNG plant operating in Darwin, and an international standard Marine Supply Base with no competition on the north coast in real terms. The opportunities are literally limitless with what has been released in the Timor Sea, and what is left to be released in the Arafura Sea and the Banda Sea.
Our challenge is to grasp this opportunity. I put the challenge out to the business community to step up and take the opportunities that are presented to them by the business forums we put out there. We have everyone in the room, we have the major proponents in the gearing up task force, we have industry, and the opportunities exist. They exist because this government has created them and we are on the right track.
Treasury Growth Figure for 2011-12
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Access Economics’ growth forecasts have been cut from 5% six months ago to 2.7% today. Can you tell the House the updated Treasury growth figure for the year 2011-12?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I will hand down updated figures in the mid-year report in the November sittings. I have the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report for this sittings.
I point out that, if you look at the Deloitte Access Economics’ report which has been handed down today, the Territory has been revised from their latest revision down by 0.4%. New South Wales has been revised downwards. New South Wales and the ACT both copped a 1% revision downwards. Western Australia and South Australia both copped a 0.8% revision downwards. So, if you want to compare revisions downwards ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! She has already answered the question inasmuch as she has said she is not going to answer the question. As for the rest of this, it has nothing to do with the question I asked.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat.
Mr ELFERINK: I seek a ruling on that, Madam Speaker. It is a breach of Standing Order 113.
Madam SPEAKER: The Treasurer seems to be answering the question, but if you could come directly to the point.
Ms LAWRIE: Absolutely. It is interesting, when you actually go into the detail of the answer, the opposition shadow spokesperson jumps and tries to shut you down because it does not suit the spin he has been applying to a particular line on a particular story.
Revision downwards is occurring across the jurisdictions; that is what the Deloitte Access Economics’ report shows. What we have is a 0.4% revision downwards, where those other jurisdictions, New South Wales and the ACT, copped a full percentage point. Western Australia, which we all know is a growth jurisdiction as the Territory is a growth jurisdiction, copped a 0.8% point revision downwards - double the revision downwards that we have.
If you want to deal with the facts and go into the full report - which I have, obviously, read and I am across the facts - instead of trying to shut me down, put the picture where it is. The Territory is strong now; we are in growth now. We have our nation’s lowest unemployment now; we have been creating the most jobs of all the Australian jurisdictions today. Not only are we strong now, despite the dramatic reduction in private sector investment as a result of the global financial crisis, but look at that impressive list of projects: the $495m prison to start construction this month; the $750m Montara oilfield expansion; the commencement of the $1.1bn Kitan oilfield development; the Marine Supply Base; the multiple Defence redevelopments; the Darwin airport expansion; Power and Water’s $1.5bn capital investment in upgrades across the system. We know those figures do not yet factor in the $25bn INPEX project. You are the only clowns talking the Territory down.
National Broadband Network - Update
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS and TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Can you please give an update to the House on the National Broadband Network; why the NBN is good for the Territory, Territorians and the economy; and is the minister aware of any alternatives?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his very good question. It is exciting times for the Northern Territory when it comes to ICT. I also thank the member for Fannie Bay for lobbying on behalf of his constituents to get NBN and fibre to the premises in his electorate. Fantastic news! This side of the House is excited about the prospects for the Northern Territory and Territorians, particularly for our economy.
We are in another boom. Infrastructure such as ICT plays a very important part in providing that opportunity for our economy and promoting businesses. That is why the Henderson Labor government is delighted about yesterday’s announcement about NBN Co and the roll-out plan for Australia to get fibre to the premises. That means around 25 000 homes and business in Darwin will get fibre to the premises. It is a significant announcement by NBN Co …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: A recent report highlighted the importance of the Internet to our GDP - around $50bn-worth towards Australia’s gross domestic product in 2010 alone, which is the equivalent to Australia’s annual iron ore production. On this side of the House, we know the NBN will facilitate greater health, education and economic opportunities for Territorians no matter where they live. We on this side of the House wholeheartedly welcome the NBN to the Territory. We agree with the 99% of Telstra shareholders who voted in favour of the deal with NBN Co yesterday, which is great news. We welcome the millions of dollars of investment to the Northern Territory the NBN is making.
We welcome to the Territory businesses which are now paying around $18 000 for the same connection they can buy in Sydney for $2000. These are great opportunities for businesses. We welcome the opportunities the NBN provides to the Territory government to deliver better e-services such as health, education and community empowerment across the Northern Territory. We welcome the new opportunities for Territory businesses to move into the digital economy. We are not going to talk the Territory down as the opposition does.
Members interjecting.
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Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Year 7 Tennant Creek High School students accompanied by Mr Shaun Lane, Miss Ashleigh Roccisano and Miss Jacqueline Diaz. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Job Losses
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
As a result of the last question we asked, that the Territory economy is strong now, I ask the Treasurer to explain to this House why the Access Economics’ report has outlined the loss of 2500 jobs in the last three months, and the ABS 3500 jobs in the last 18 months. If our economy is so strong, why are we losing thousands of jobs from the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, if you were not listening to the previous answer, you will not understand that we are also pointing out what is not factored into this report - construction projects about to commence and those that are already under way. In diving down into the detail of the data, we are pointing to actual projects that have commenced or are under way that have not been factored into the data. What we have also done is grow jobs ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am asking why the Territory has lost 3500 jobs. I am not getting an answer. I ask you to direct the Treasurer to Standing Order 113.
Madam SPEAKER: The Treasurer has only been speaking for a short time, but Treasurer, if you could come to the point.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes, and I will also point out that, essentially, within this Access Economics’ report is some data we call intuitive data which we say has not factored in decisions around construction projects that have real jobs in them today. That is one of the issues you get with data; you get a disagreement between what we know in the Territory is actually occurring …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … and intuitive data …
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale!
Ms LAWRIE: … coming out of outdated data. If you do not understand that, you are never going to understand that …
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: … member for Port Darwin, because you have cloth ears when it comes to the reality out there. You have cloth ears when it comes to the creation of 15 500 jobs in a GFC-impacted world, which is literally the March quarter 2008 onwards. If you are going to rule out the actual jobs that are on the ground …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Intuitive data does not feed unemployed people. Can the Treasurer explain why they have lost 3500 jobs if the economy is as strong as she claims it to be?
Ms LAWRIE: This is from the shadow Treasury spokesperson who recently was out there claiming our unemployment rate had gone up. You are wrong. It was revised and adjusted downwards when the latest data came in. We remain at 3.9%, the nation’s lowest unemployment. You were out there peddling data when it was fully in and revised downwards, so you got it wrong again ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: You continually get it wrong ...
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I do not need intuition to tell me this person is not answering the question. Treasurer, please answer the question. It is silly.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, if you can come to the point, please.
Ms LAWRIE: I guess the member for Blain never participates in economic debate because he does not understand it. What you get is lagging data. Full data comes through, and you then see a revision downwards in data. That is what has just happened with the latest unemployment data out. The shadow Treasurer led with his chin in the data that has just been revised, taking us back to 3.9%. What we say is, if you want a real read, look at the construction projects that have either commenced or are under way. I provided you with a list of them …
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired, Treasurer, thank you.
Job Opportunities in the Bush
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
A large part of our policy initiative, A Working Future, is about creating a new focus on economic development and job opportunities for local people in our growth towns and surrounds. Can you please update the House on how reform and improvements are creating job opportunities in the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. We are doing a terrific amount of work around the social fabric of our economies across the regions. This side of the House is very conscious that we want to improve the lives of all people in the Northern Territory and, to do that, we need to have a coordinated effort between the Northern Territory government and the federal government in resetting the relationship with Indigenous people, in particular, as we look at our regions across the Northern Territory.
The historic reforms in local government are still only in their infancy and have a way to go. What we are also doing for economic development and working with people in the bush is establishing local implementation plans, which we have been able to do quite successfully. The key in relation to those plans is to not pat ourselves on the back - whether it is Territory or federal government, the shires, or the communities themselves. It is now about saying these documents are living documents, and ensuring everyone who has committed to these plans is accountable.
The economic development profiles we are establishing in the growth towns, along with the local implementation plans and the RSD sites across the Northern Territory, are about identifying jobs and businesses. Some of the achievements to date include 40% Indigenous employment outcomes in the Power and Water Corporation in remote contracts; increasing the number of people working as Indigenous rangers, either in Northern Territory government Parks and Wildlife, or Indigenous land management organisations, to more than 600 persons; and steady increases in Indigenous employment proportions across the Northern Territory Public Service.
Local government plays an important part in this. We have over 2500 employees in local government across our shires. Over 70% are Indigenous people employed in these areas. This is pivotal to those families who are impacted in a very positive way when a member of their family is one of the over 70% of the 2500 who are working.
This year we worked very hard on ensuring we did not lose 500 of those jobs. That was something the Northern Territory government took to the federal government and said we must not see any diminishing of jobs in the bush; we are about making sure there is an increase of jobs in the bush. That is what our government is about. That is our vision for the people of the Northern Territory. We are not about saying they have to move from anywhere, as the opposition says. We are very committed to seeing the investment in infrastructure in the regions …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Kenbi Land Claim – Lack of Consultation
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
The parliament is today expected to vote on the Kenbi Land Trust Bill. This is despite your government’s failure to provide any meaningful detail about the management of the Kenbi land and the compensation arrangements. To add insult to injury, your government has completely bypassed the interests of key stakeholders such as the Tommy Lyons Group in your dealings with the Commonwealth. I seek leave to table a letter written by Raylene Singh, critical of a lack of consultation and genuine engagement.
Leave granted.
Mr MILLS: Why has your government again failed to involve the relevant community and key stakeholders in crucial negotiations that will affect all Territorians and these people?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there is only one side of politics that wants to see a resolution of the Kenbi land claim, and it is this side of the House. We have been consistent …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … for over 20 years in supporting …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister is misleading the House and I ask you to ask him to desist.
Madam SPEAKER: I am sorry, I did not hear. There was a lot of disorder.
Mr TOLLNER: I am sorry, Madam Speaker. He was verballing the opposition, saying we do not support a resolution to this claim. That is completely bunkum.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, it sounds like most questions and answers to me.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The facts speak for themselves. For over 20 years whilst they were in government they spent over $20m - was it? - in legal fees, taxpayers’ money, fighting the Larrakia in their claim for land. That is history, that is fact. For 20 years …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … the policy of government did not change until the government changed in 2001 when we said we would negotiate and not litigate. That is what we have done. I urge the Leader of the Opposition to be very careful here. We are dealing with incredible levels of sensitivity. We, on this side of the House, understand the sensitivities …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … involved in this debate. It is not the role of government to determine who the traditional owners are, who the traditional owners are not, and what benefits flow to whom. That responsibility lies with the Northern Land Council under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act. So, be very, very careful, Leader of the Opposition, of what you are doing here.
The legislation we have before this House is only to establish a framework for a trust. It has nothing to do with who the beneficiaries of that trust will be. Those issues lie with the Northern Land Council. All we are doing here in this parliament is establishing the framework to establish a trust. We want to see resolution of this on behalf of the Larrakia people. We want to see a resolution to the longest-standing land rights claim in this nation’s history. We are consistent, as the Labor Party in the Northern Territory, from day 1 when this claim was lodged, to support this claim on behalf of the Larrakia people. History shows the shameful history of the CLP for 20 years, and $20m-worth of taxpayers’ money fighting the aspirations of the Larrakia people to their land.
For the Leader of the Opposition to bounce in here at the 11th hour and try to pretend that he is somehow concerned to see a resolution of this does him no justice whatsoever. History shows where his party has been on this.
Madam Speaker, in respect to the member for Nelson, who has to make a decision on this, we will defer the passage of this …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Mr HENDERSON: … legislation this afternoon until such time as we can get resolution …
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired, Chief Minister!
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Mr HENDERSON: … to the member for Nelson’s satisfaction.
Madam SPEAKER: Your time has expired, Chief Minister, resume your seat. What is it, member for Port Darwin?
Mr ELFERINK: He is speaking way beyond his time, Madam Speaker. As a point of order, I was pointing that out.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, I had already told the Chief Minister that his time had expired …
Mr ELFERINK: I understand that, Madam Speaker. You had spoken to him about three times and he continued.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, I am speaking, not you. You can resume your seat, thank you.
Local Government Development
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Local Government Week in the Northern Territory was from 10 to 14 October. Can you please update the House on how local government is developing in the Northern Territory, and the key local government issues that you are working on?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Arafura. As we come together in this parliament on Larrakia land, I acknowledge Raylene Singh …
Mr Tollner: Good on you.
Ms McCARTHY: … a Larrakia elder …
Mr Tollner: What does her letter say?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting! Order!
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, it is interesting to see the games on the other side, but that is all it is to the opposition - it is just games. If they had any serious concern for the Indigenous people of the Northern Territory they would have made a terrific difference in the time they had the opportunity to do so. Unfortunately, all they are about now is wanting to wreck and trash the good work that is trying to be achieved in the many reforms across the Northern Territory.
It was Local Government Week, but I say, as Minister for Local Government, every week is local government week in the Northern Territory - 52 weeks of the year is local government week in the Northern Territory. I am proud of the work that is being done by all the staff in the department of Local Government and Housing, and all the Northern Territory shires and municipalities in a very difficult time through the social reforms and the incredible investment that our government has put into the regions. We have invested almost $1bn in the regions at a time when there is a critical need to do so. In a time where we have seen decades of underfunding, our government is about addressing the decades of neglect. Our government is about building decades of prosperity for the people of the Northern Territory …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms McCARTHY: … being all over the Northern Territory, working with our shire councillors. I thank each and every shire councillor for the work they do under incredible conditions. We do have a long way to go, but it was our government that had the courage to do something about it and not leave it for more decades to see the rot and the decay of the smaller councils which were clearly dysfunctional.
We know we have a lot to improve and we will certainly do that. We are not afraid of the hard work. We are rolling up our sleeves to do that. We are not trashing the bush. We do not call them hellholes as the opposition does; we see a future in the bush.
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