2011-03-29
Alice Springs – Failure by Chief Minister to Address Protest
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Three hundred people stood out the front of the convention centre today to protest against your failure to adequately deal with the Alice Springs crime and antisocial behaviour crisis. Ignorance must be bliss for you because you shamefully failed to address the assembled crowd. Even Clare Martin had the guts to do so. These were hard-working and very concerned Territorians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. They were not radical lefties with extreme agendas. These are people who just want to feel safe in the town they love. Would you not agree that your failure to front is a clear demonstration of a leader and a government that does not care and who is out of touch?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is not only out of touch, he does not care. It is absolutely unprecedented to have a censure motion in this House of the Chief Minister and the government on issues affecting Alice Springs - and he could not be bothered to speak in the censure motion.
As I said earlier in debate, it is all very well to highlight the problems but, as a potential leader, you have an absolute responsibility to promote your own agenda. What would the opposition do in regard to antisocial behaviour and crime issues in Alice Springs? All we had from the Leader of the Opposition was absolute silence. He could not even be bothered to contribute to debate.
We all know that alcohol causes 66% of all violent crime in Alice Springs. That is why we will be introducing the toughest alcohol reform measures in this nation’s history in parliament tomorrow. Just last week, urged on by the CLP, we had a bit of a tub thumping from Tony Abbott saying that we have to deal with issues in Alice Springs. The federal Leader of the Opposition wrote to the Prime Minister and stated that unrestricted access to alcohol is a significant problem. Even the federal Leader of the Opposition recognises that alcohol is the cause of so much of the dysfunction here. Yet, the opposition in the Northern Territory wants to sell alcohol for four more hours every day in Alice Springs. This alcohol policy is a direct contradiction to what the federal Leader of the Opposition is saying has to occur in the Northern Territory.
These are the bills we will be introducing tomorrow. The challenge for the opposition, if it and this Leader of the Opposition is serious about dealing with the issues that those people outside were concerned about this morning, is he and the opposition will back our alcohol reforms when we table them in the parliament tomorrow.
Alice Springs – Policies and Programs
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please outline to the House what policies and programs the Northern Territory government has been using to help the residents of Alice Springs face the current challenges?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy. As I said in debate in the House earlier today, both I and the Deputy Chief Minister have been working with the Minister for Central Australia and this community on the problems the community faced, particularly in January and February this year. We have listened and we have acted. I have said over again, and I have met business owners who have had their properties broken into a number of times, that that is absolutely unacceptable, and police have sent additional police to town to deal with these issues.
I am pleased to report that the police initiatives – and here are some statistics – have been very successful. The Leader of the Opposition and the CLP have their heads in the sand about the cause of alcohol and the relationship between alcohol and crime and antisocial behaviour. From 3 March to 21 March, just in a three week period, 1494 litres of alcohol was confiscated - 1500 litres of alcohol confiscated in the Northern Territory in Alice Springs; 64 arrests for substantive offences; 19 truancy reports issued; five child abuse reports submitted; and 70 youths and 26 adults taken home or to a safe place. I have a commitment from the Police Commissioner that we will maintain that presence until these issues are firmly dealt with.
We also provided funding for temporary lighting at known trouble spots throughout the town which was well regarded and well received by the Mayor of Alice Springs. I commend the Alice Springs Town Council and the Mayor for moving very quickly to ensure the temporary lighting is replaced with permanent lighting.
We have also been working with community groups on a community plan to deal with the issues in Alice Springs, particularly around youth, alcohol and urban drift. It was interesting that the member for Fong Lim, in contribution to debate today - I suppose we will keep teasing this out - is at direct odds with the Leader of the Opposition once again. The member for Fong Lim was saying we need more urban drift in the Northern Territory. We have a commitment, as a government, to transform 20 remote communities to proper towns around the Northern Territory; to provide people with choices, not a simple fix.
Fundamentally, the issues that surround Alice Springs - the antisocial behaviour, the neglect of children and domestic violence - are all related to alcohol. Tony Abbott recognises it is related to alcohol. The only people who do not are the CLP and the Leader of the Opposition. They want to pour more alcohol onto the streets of Alice Springs.
Alice Springs – Government Refusal to Address Alice Springs Residents
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
When teachers protested for a pay rise in 2009, your then minister for Education failed to address the assembled crowd. When the social workers, health workers, child protection workers and general community protested against your government’s failed child protection system in 2010, your then Minister for Child Protection failed to address the crowd. Today, in 2011, when a crowd representing hard-working and decent people of Alice Springs protest your actions on lawlessness, crime and violent assaults, you do not have the guts to address the assembled crowd. Isn’t it a fact that you only address crowds of people who agree with you, not crowds who want to challenge you? Is this the weak leadership Territorians deserve?
ANSWER
Dear, oh dear, Madam Speaker. I offered an opportunity, as is always the case when people demonstrate at parliament, to meet with me, to meet with ministers, to talk in a sensible way about the issues. I have met with Action for Alice on two occasions. I have called the leader of this campaign on two occasions to talk about these issues and he did not return my phone calls.
I am interested in solutions, not yelling abuse at each other about the problems of Alice Springs. I was very disappointed when they did not take the opportunity to meet with me to discuss concerns. I have heard the concerns; I have seen the nine-point plan and we are acting. I have a responsibility, as the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, to protect the reputation of Alice Springs not to turn the problems of Alice Springs into a national media circus which, ultimately, will turn people away from visiting Alice Springs ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Put that down, member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: … I have a responsibility to the hard-working small business people running tourism operations in Alice Springs who are appalled at the antics of this particular campaign …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister was asked why he did not front the group this morning, not whether or not he was meeting with Action for Alice Springs, or any other group for that matter. He was asked directly whether he was going to front that group.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. The Chief Minister is answering the question. There were many imputations at the beginning of the question which he is allowed to respond to.
Mr HENDERSON: I have a responsibility to small business people, to tourism operators trying to attract tourists to Alice Springs, to other business people trying to attract workers to Alice Springs, to the community of Alice Springs trying to attract teachers, nurses, doctors, people who work in hospitals, not to perform a media circus and once again highlight the problems of Alice Springs to a national and international audience.
If people were serious about the issues, they would have taken the opportunity to meet with me. They declined the opportunity.
Alice Springs – Local Solutions for Local Issues
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Can you please inform the House how our government is working with the Alice Springs community to develop local solutions to local issues?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her very good question. This government has said the types of issues we are facing in Alice Springs are unacceptable. As a local member and the only government minister living in Alice Springs, I have received many calls and e-mails from people about these issues. People have had cars stolen and suffered from break and enters. I have called them directly and listened to what they have to say because I sympathise with them.
We have responded strongly with extra lighting, extra police presence on our streets, the announcement by police of the presence of a dog permanently based in Alice Springs, as well as the extra funding for youth services. These actions are having results in Alice Springs as we can see today …
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: There have also been numerous meetings – I know the member for Greatorex does not like to listen to people - which I have attended, and the mayor has hosted, with 300 residents of Alice Springs present. A clear message from those meetings is people are tired of the divisiveness; tired of the same old rhetoric and negative approaches to some of these issues. One of the things people have said …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: As politicians we can play politics here, but we need to listen to what people on the streets are saying …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: People in the streets want action and a plan to go forward. We need to respect that. There is a community process in place where workshops have been held and will continue to be held towards a community action plan. The opposition does not respect what the people of Alice Springs …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition members!
Mr HAMPTON: They do not respect the community approach that is taking place before us. I urge the opposition to respect what people in Alice Springs are doing …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, we know …
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, the opposition, particularly those visiting Alice Springs, need to respect the community-driven process we are going through now to find local solutions to local problems by local people. We should not be in here using it as politics because there is a community process in place and I urge members of the opposition to respect that process.
Times like this challenge communities. I am proud to be a local in Alice Springs, because challenging times need strong responses. I am proud of the people of Alice Springs for the response they have made to the issue we are facing. As Minister for Central Australia, I will continue to lobby my colleagues for more support, and am proud of my side of the House, the government, for its response. There is more to be done and we will do more to meet the challenges ahead.
Alice Springs - Law and Order Issues
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
My question is to the Chief Minister, or should I say ‘no show’ Hendo …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, no. Call him the Chief Minister and withdraw that comment, thank you.
Mr CONLAN: I withdraw ‘no show’.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr CONLAN: Today, you attacked the business community for running a television advertising campaign to pressure your government to do something about the chronic violence and other law and order issues around Alice Springs …
A member: No, he did not.
Mr CONLAN: Yes, he did. In an extraordinary outburst last week, you said the business community should be giving money to the Clontarf school attendance program; then, in a breathtaking case of hypocrisy, your government began a television campaign promoting a series of workshops to deal with crime.
This appalling act of cynicism and hypocrisy is without precedent in the Northern Territory. The question is: why are you hard on business but soft on crime?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is all right, I will not call him names; that is all pretty childish. What I can say …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Put that down, member for Greatorex.
Mr HENDERSON: … is the member for Greatorex is very childish. He had an opportunity, half-an-hour today, to talk about what his solutions would be regarding the issues facing Alice Springs. An empty vessel ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: An empty vessel, absolutely nothing. His head has never been violated by an original thought.
Yes, I am proud of the Clontarf Academy. The total commitment to the Clontarf Academy in Alice Springs is just over $1m every year, to give young Indigenous boys the opportunity to complete Year 12 and to move into the workforce. That is a very big commitment, and it is working. I was making the point that, of the business community in Alice Springs, there are very few actually contributing to an academy that requires, under the terms of its foundation, a third of the funding to come from the business community. I am imploring the business community to get behind this initiative, and the Girls in the Centre program, because nothing will change in Alice Springs until we deal with the grog and improve education.
The Clontarf Foundation is working. Last year, we had 22 young men graduate with a Year 12 qualification; 18 of those are now in a job. This year, we will have 40 kids graduate. Five years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago, 20 years ago in Alice Springs there were none. There was no one in the public system getting to Year 12 in Alice Springs. This is transformational. This is what leadership is about. It is about finding solutions to problems, not just pouring more alcohol onto the problems in Alice Springs, as the opposition would do if it was in government.
Alice Springs – Urgent Public Housing Transfer Request
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Ms Kathleen Kahane, who is here in the public gallery today, currently lives in an Alice Springs public housing unit in a set of flats plagued with antisocial behaviour and violence. Recently, there was a stabbing at a neighbouring flat. These circumstances are enough to traumatise any of us. However, Kathleen also suffers from several disabilities, including mental illness. A tenant such as Kathleen should be able to receive an urgent transfer to alternative public housing. Why is it, when Kathleen requested an urgent transfer, she was told that it would take four years?
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call you, minister, I remind honourable members we do not usually name ordinary citizens in the House, even if the person is in the gallery. I advise you of that, minister, in your response.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. I have placed on the public record that I am completely opposed to violence and antisocial behaviour in our public housing complexes. I have also flagged that I have asked the department to take a hard line regarding antisocial behaviour and violence in our public housing complexes.
With members of the opposition, I have been very happy to come here and tour various locations and speak to tenants and neighbours alike. I am more than happy to speak with the lady you named here today, member for Macdonnell.
I also flag that I am in the process of drawing up legislation to further address this issue. I am red-hot about the issue of antisocial behaviour in our public housing complexes. Unfortunately, most of it emanates from people who are not residents. Often, it emanates from people who are visitors. I am looking at taking a very hard line on this issue.
In the meantime, my department works very closely with police. I am very interested to follow up on the issue of the urgent transfer for the lady you have mentioned, member for Macdonnell. I shall follow up with you and the lady after Question Time.
Alcohol Reform and Alcohol-Related Crime
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
Could you please outline to the House how this government’s alcohol reforms will target alcohol-related crime?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is interesting that the opposition finds alcohol-fuelled violence a joke - they are giggling and laughing on the opposition benches …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: What we do know is that alcohol misuse and related crime is a significant and very serious issue in this community, as it is in communities across the Territory. Alcohol causes 66% of violent crime in Alice Springs. The alcohol reforms that we are introducing - we have bills coming into parliament tomorrow - go to the heart of targeting the problem: the problem drinkers who are causing the crime and antisocial behaviour in our communities at unacceptable levels.
The proposed reforms go the heart of the problem by turning the problem drinkers off tap. We will ban them from purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol. These are the drinkers who are repeatedly taken into protective custody by police. People who are committing alcohol-related crime are targeted in our reforms, and alcohol-related family and domestic violence offenders are targeted in our tough reforms. If you are not tackling alcohol, then you are simply not tackling the cause of the majority of crime in our communities.
Last sittings, the shadow alcohol minister said there was no link between violence and alcohol. It took him two weeks to work out that the government was right, that he was wrong, and he issued a media statement doing a backflip on his comments. It just proves that the opposition is not serious when it comes to tackling the causes behind the unacceptable levels of crime and antisocial behaviour in our communities, whether it is on our streets, in our public housing complexes, or in private homes. Domestic violence is a leading cause of assaults in our communities ...
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, I would like you to withdraw that comment, thank you.
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Please, just withdraw.
Mr BOHLIN: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you. Minister, continue.
Ms LAWRIE: The government’s proposed banned drinker register is opposed by the CLP. Under their plan, problem drinkers will have unrestricted access to alcohol. In Alice Springs, they want to extend the trading hours by four hours, pouring four hours of more grog onto the streets and onto the problems fuelling crime and antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs. Go out and talk to the local police, the doctors, the nurses who work in accident and emergency. You will know that tough measures tackling grog does see a resultant decrease in serious assaults. The Menzies report showed a 21% drop in serious assaults when we introduced the alcohol management plan to be tough on tackling grog …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Imparja Television - Action for Alice Advertisements
Mr GILES to CHIEF MINISTER
On ABC television on Friday night, the CEO of Imparja, Mr Alistair Feehan, admitted sideways pressure had been placed on the network to pull the Action for Alice advertisements and that Imparja board members had received phone calls. Why was your government so desperate to have the advertisements pulled from Imparja Television, and will you apologise to the Imparja board for trying to bully its members into pulling the advertisements?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I did not see the 7.30 Report, and I absolutely refute that I, or anyone in government, pressured anyone. I had an opportunity to speak to Mr Feehan last night and he did not raise this issue with me. I am not aware, and absolutely refute that I, or any of my colleagues, have attempted to pressure Imparja Television at all.
However, I implore not only Imparja Television, but the whole business community in Alice Springs, to work together on solutions to the problems, as opposed to promoting and highlighting the problems to the detriment of the tourism industry and small businesses in Alice Springs, which are trying to recruit people from down south, and to the detriment of the broader community in Alice Springs when the government is trying to recruit nurses, doctors and teachers.
We need to be responsible in how we debate this particular issue. We have met with not only the Action for Alice group, but many people in Alice Springs, to address the community response to this, as well as the government response to this. Mr Feehan had an opportunity to talk to me last night but he did not raise the issue …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! My question to the Chief Minister was: will he apologise to the Imparja board for trying to bully its membership into pulling the advertisements? The question is simple.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, there is nothing to apologise for because the alleged action did not take place.
Alice Springs - Youth Action Plan
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Can you please outline to the House how the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan is making a difference in the town?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. One of the big issues in Alice Springs that we are talking about is crime and antisocial behaviour. One of the important sectors in addressing those issues is youth. The government’s Youth Action Plan is having a big impact, ensuring families and kids at risk are getting the support they really do need. A key plank of the Youth Action Plan is the youth hub at the old ANZAC Hill High School campus. It is going ahead in leaps and bounds. The hub is already a hive of activity with 14 staff working there through the Family Support Services. We have the Youth at Risk team there. We have the Street Outreach Services and a youth coordinator all based at the youth hub. Non-government organisations are making use of the youth hub and I am told the youth arts group, InCite, is also one of those non-government organisations that will be using that space for activities.
Yesterday, the youth hub hosted the promotional event for Youth Week, and it will be the focus for Youth Week events for Alice Springs this year. This year’s Youth Week theme is ‘Own It’. That is what I hope will happen with young people in Alice Springs at the youth hub - the place will be one that they can own and use whenever they need to.
This government has made a commitment under the Youth Action Plan to create a place that could be a one-stop shop for young people, a place where they can access services, drop in for a chat and become involved in the running of the hub. It is also a space where youth service providers can come together, run activities and services and base themselves.
I congratulate the Youth Services Coordinator, John Adams. His team is helping build the youth hub as a one-stop shop for youth services in Alice Springs, a space that a young person and their family can use as a friendly space to assist them in closing any gaps that they need to close in terms of their family.
Parks Funding
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
In Question Time on 22 February this year, I asked if, due to a lack of funding, Parks staff were discussing whether to operate all parks at a lower level or to close some parks. You replied that you were not aware of this government closing parks. Then, on 12 March, we received an anonymous e-mail from a concerned Territorian which stated:
- 1. Parks and Wildlife is underfunded to the point that operational costs cannot be covered.
2. Parks and Wildlife have been told that Ranger Stations may be closed.
3. Iconic parks like Kings Canyon are understaffed and struggling.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. As a former Minister for Parks and Wildlife, she should know that parks are valued by this government. Parks are valued by this government as well as the Parks and Wildlife staff …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Parks and Wildlife staff are valued by this government, and by me as the minister. You asked the question; it would be good if you could listen to it …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, thank you. This government has put enormous resources and funding into improving our parks. This government is the government that believes in joint management of our parks with traditional owners and native title holders. Joint management has many benefits in how we go forward with biodiversity, managing feral camels, and fires. This government is proactive. We are moving forward in how we manage our parks. We are putting in many resources to improve and upgrade our parks. As the minister, I will ensure that Parks and Wildlife, the staff, the rangers, are adequately resourced and staffed to what they need.
Alice Springs – Law and Order
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
So, no show, your government circulated this flyer headed ‘Workshops for development’ …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, just remove that comment, thanks.
Mr CONLAN: Okay, I will withdraw ‘no show’, no matter how true it is.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you. Member for Greatorex!
Mr CONLAN: Your government has circulated this flyer headed, ‘Workshops for developments of the Community Action Plan for Alice Springs’. The first paragraph of the document states:
- Over the past few weeks, there has been considerable publicity about crime and antisocial problems in Alice Springs.
This summarises your government’s approach to the tsunami of crime we have seen in Alice Springs - you only respond when there is considerable publicity, as always. Why do you not admit Labor’s response to the crime wave has come far too late, and will you apologise to the Alice Springs community for your bungled, pathetic response to the community’s pleas for help?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Greatorex really is quite facile. We have continued to acknowledge crime throughout the Northern Territory, not just in Alice Springs. Before the ads even appeared on the television, my colleague, the Deputy Chief Minister, announced on 27 January a number of significant initiatives to target Alice Springs and make Alice Springs safer. Those initiatives included the establishment of a new juvenile detention facility for Alice Springs which, I am advised, is open today, to provide options for the courts to remand juveniles committing crime to a Correctional facility in Alice Springs; a new offence for breach of bail that we will be discussing in these sittings – that legislation was introduced in the last sittings – to ensure that, if people do breach their bail provisions, it is an offence, and a very significant penalty is attached; a Return to Country blitz for getting kids back to school; increased police patrols; the commencement of a new patrol coordinator to coordinate the Tangentyere patrols, the shire patrols, the police patrols in Alice Springs; we announced juvenile safe houses, which will be operational very soon, in order to give police somewhere safe to take young people off the streets at night where they are at risk themselves, and also at risk of committing offences; and we also announced expanded juvenile alcohol and other drugs facilities.
All those things were announced prior to the television campaign and the broader political campaign around these issues. That demonstrates our absolute commitment to improving the situation in Alice Springs, as opposed to the empty vessels opposite who have not put forward one single proposal, apart from more grog – apart from let us sell alcohol for four more hours every single day …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister has a duty of honesty to the people of Alice Springs. We ask him to …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, that is not a point of order. Do not rise again on a point of order like that!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, about as intimidating and threatening as a balloon on a stick. Really, that was appalling. We had an opportunity …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr HENDERSON: No solutions, no proposals …
Mr Tollner: Tell the truth.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr HENDERSON: … the only solution they have is open the bottle shops for four more hours. Even Tony Abbott does not support them.
Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park –
World-Class Tourist Destination
World-Class Tourist Destination
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for TOURISM
Today you announced a global program aimed at inspiring travellers to visit the Red Centre and to encourage people to vote for Uluru so it can be recognised internationally as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature. Can you please provide more details about this activity and the campaign to secure this new recognition of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park as a world-class tourism destination?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Before answering, out of respect I acknowledge the Arrernte people, the traditional owners of this country. It is always wonderful to stand before the parliament here, in the place where I grew up, between Alice Springs and Borroloola.
Today, we had a terrific announcement to make. I acknowledge the Anangu people as part of this announcement, because our government is very passionate about encouraging tourism into the Northern Territory. Central Australia is the most spectacular part of the Northern Territory - and I know many of my colleagues will want to challenge that notion. It is the spiritual heart of our wonderful country and we encourage visitors to this region.
Today, we announced that Uluru is one of 28 finalists from around the world. We have called on all Australians and people overseas to acknowledge Uluru by going online to vote to ensure Uluru becomes one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. We in the Northern Territory know that it is, but we would like to see it acknowledged internationally. We will be calling on our recent visitor to Central Australia, Oprah, and her 16 visitors to the Northern Territory to be our ambassadors around the world to ensure we can see a thriving tourism industry, a thriving social industry right here in Central Australia.
It is the Anangu people of Uluru and the Mutitjulu people who have been very much at the forefront of wanting to rise above the poverty, disadvantage and neglect of decades in the regions of the Northern Territory.
I call on every member of this House and every citizen of the Northern Territory to get behind this campaign. Join Central Australian tourism. Do not trash the Northern Territory, do not trash Alice Springs, do not trash Central Australia. Get behind this campaign.
Alice Springs – Action by Chief Minister
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
I have had several constituents call into my office and drop off this taxpayer-funded flyer which lobbed in their letterboxes last week - once again, full of motherhood statements, sentiments, and promises of meetings and workshops. I could not help think that we have heard it all before - summits, forums, workshops, talkfests, gabfests. We have had the Alice in 10, Moving Alice Ahead Plan, the Alice Springs Transformation Plan, and the new community development - let us look like we are doing something to deal with our serious PR problems plan.
When will you and the Labor Party learn that it is not words – motherhood statements like this - that these people in Alice Springs are looking for? They are looking for some real action. When will you step up and provide some real action for the people of Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Dear oh dear, Madam Speaker, it is obvious the member for Greatorex did not listen to the answer to the last question he asked. Significant action is taking place. I have stood here and said what the government is doing and I can go through the list again.
What I am very pleased to see happening in Alice Springs is the community coming together. The member for Greatorex may deride meetings and forums, he may feel that he is the person who has the answers to all the solutions so there is no point consulting with anyone, even though he spent half-an-hour here this morning with not one single initiative to deal with the issues in Alice Springs.
I support the community coming together. We held a forum and a meeting with Indigenous leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Central Australia, a number of the shires, the Action for Alice group, and the Mayor of Alice Springs. They all agreed that community forums focus on what the community is going to do to improve situations for young people in Alice Springs, the issues of alcohol in Alice Springs, and the issue of urban drift in Alice Springs. That came from the community. Yet, the member for Greatorex derides them. The member for Greatorex says you have no voice and you should have no voice, and any forums that will be held are going to be a waste of time.
I do not hold that view. I hold the view that most good initiatives come from the people, the community, and we have an absolute responsibility to engage. I do not shy away from this at all.
I bet there will be one solution that will not come forward from those meetings and forums and that is four more hours of grog every day being a solution to the problems of Alice Springs. The people in Alice Springs will have an opportunity when we debate the legislation here to see whether the opposition members are serious, or they just want to play to small, vested interests in Alice Springs on the crucial issues around alcohol.
We will continue to engage the community. We will continue to work with the community. We will continue to work with good people in Alice Springs.
Is the member for Greatorex deriding the Mayor of Alice Springs for getting people together to talk about issues? I thought that was a great initiative. I spoke to the mayor today and committed to working with him on the council’s issues. I believe in people coming together and working on solutions for this community.
The government will continue to act. As I said, a new juvenile detention facility opened today, new breach of bail, more police, and better lighting in Alice Springs. The youth hub that I visited yesterday was absolutely fantastic. We will continue to work with Alice Springs, not trash the reputation of Alice Springs like the opposition does.
Alice Springs Police Station – Telephone Access
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
As you know, I came to Alice Springs a couple of weeks ago to speak to the local people about the problems they are having here. On Sunday, 13 March around 8 pm, I needed to call the Alice Springs Police Station, so I looked in the latest local directory and called 8951 8888. I received a message: ‘The number you have called is not connected. Please check the number again before calling’. I then tried 131 444. I was on hold for five-and-a-half minutes and was disconnected without anyone answering. I tried again after two-and-a-half minutes; someone did answer but I was disconnected without anyone speaking to me. I have also heard stories from local people of the operators at the call centre not knowing streets or businesses in Alice Springs.
Will your department review the 131 444 process and re-evaluate the location of staff? Does the Alice Springs Police Station have a phone number and what is it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I take seriously the member for Nelson’s question. I can assure residents in Alice Springs that each and every phone call received at the call centre is recorded. If the member has dates and times of when he rang, the police can go back through those call records and see what happened.
The old number, 8951 8888, was disconnected some time ago. There is a single call centre that takes responses for calls, whether you are from Darwin, Wadeye, Borroloola or Alice Springs. It is not unusual for large organisations to have a single contact point. I advise the member for Nelson that if he has specific times and specific events, I will follow those up. It is not acceptable.
Regarding having a single call centre, it is a much better use of police resources. I would much rather have police out on the streets in Alice Springs being a visible presence, a reassuring presence, and responding to crime, than sitting by the phone and waiting for it to ring.
I will look at those times and situations. It is not good enough. I take the member on his word and will report him.
Personal Explanations - Standing Orders
Mr GUNNER to LEADER of GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Can you please advise the House on standing orders relating to personal explanations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Standing Order 57 is titled Personal Explanations and states:
- Having obtained leave from the Chair, a Member may explain matters of a personal nature, although there be no question before the Assembly, but such matters may not be debated.
It has been 113 days since serious allegations of fraud involving a car sale were made against the member for Katherine.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: At the last sittings, I encouraged the member for Katherine to make a personal explanation …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
A member: A bit sensitive.
Mr ELFERINK: It is not a case of being sensitive. This is a slimy attack on the member ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat! Resume your seat!
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I ask that this member be told to sit down.
Madam SPEAKER: You are on a warning, member for Port Darwin!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, this is obviously a sensitive issue. I said at the time in the last sittings, and ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: ... encouraged the member for Katherine to come forward, and I also said there are two sides to every story. He has not availed himself of that opportunity.
Now I am even more troubled, because I am in receipt of a letter which makes even more serious allegations in relation to the member for Katherine and this particular car deal, and in relation to the dating of the documentation around this particular deal. I will table the letter so all members can see it. It says:
- The Courts found that Mr van Holthe, in collaboration with two other officers, had issued a receipt for transfer of the registration from the Lajamanu Police Station and pre-dated that receipt.
Mr BOHLIN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was quite simple about standing orders. Now he is talking about personal business. Relevance, Madam Speaker; bring him to order.
Dr BURNS: I am encouraging the member for Katherine to make ...
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business, if you could come to the point fairly quickly, please?
Dr BURNS: There are further allegations here about tampering with a sealed mail bag in a private residence in Katherine, and adding to the documentation. I call on the member for Katherine ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Leader of Government Business, if you wish to make allegations, you need to do so by way of substantive motion. Can you please just get to the point fairly quickly?
Dr BURNS: These allegations are contained in this letter. I am challenging the member for Katherine to make a personal explanation before this House, and ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! You have given a direct instruction to this minister, …
Madam SPEAKER: Come to the point.
Mr ELFERINK: … he either does it by substantive motion, or he sits down and shuts up.
Madam SPEAKER: And you as well, thank you, member for Port Darwin.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, it is plain the Leader of the Opposition needs to compel the member for Katherine to make a personal explanation, but I suspect he needs his number, and that is why he will not ...
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business, I think that is enough, thank you.
Alice Springs – Law and Order
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
Madam Speaker, I am sure the people here appreciate dealing with the serious issues of law and order, while the Leader of Government Business can only embark on yet another smear campaign ..
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, just stick to the question, please.
Mr CONLAN: On 14 March, you told the Centralian Advocate newspaper that police are now back on top of law and order, we are back on top of the law and order problem. Since then, the paper has reported unlawful entries on 14 March; on 15 March, a stabbing in Alice Springs; on 22 March, a tourist assaulted in Alice Springs; on Wednesday, 23 March, a sexual assault in Alice Springs; on Wednesday, 23 March 2011, a two-year old assaulted in Alice Springs; and on Friday, 25 March, a witness sought for an Alice Springs assault.
Can you explain to the people of Alice Springs how it is that police are now back on top of the law and order situation in town? Is only one serious assault every two days the best they can hope for under your incompetent, failed government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, one assault is one assault too many. He has a smile on his face. This is how serious the member for Greatorex is. He slinks back to his chair with a smile on his face – absolutely outrageous ...
Mr CONLAN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I had my children behind me who just called me by my name, so that is why I smiled, big fella.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, that is not a point of order. You do not refer to the Chief Minister in that way either.
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you are on a warning!
Mr HENDERSON: One assault is one assault too many. If the member for Greatorex believes there is some nirvana and a community that would have zero crime, then that is not the reality of the world we live in.
What I can say is that most of those assaults would have been driven, and contributed to, by the abuse of alcohol. So, opposition, if you do not get tough on alcohol, you cannot be tough on crime. They have a policy to have the sale of alcohol for four additional hours every day. More misery, more violence, more trauma in Alice Springs is the policy the CLP would have.
In the reforms we will introduce tomorrow, we have wide-based community support for those reforms, support from the shires, police, people in the medical profession, and people who have researched the effects of alcohol on crime.
We have a former police officer in this parliament, the member for Sanderson, who issued a media release saying the link between alcohol and crime is negligible. A police officer - no wonder he was not promoted very far if he does not believe there is a link between alcohol and crime.
I challenge the Leader of the Opposition: put forward one credible, independent source which supports your plan for four more hours of alcohol being sold on the streets of Alice Springs every day. Put forward one eminent group of professional people who say, yes, if you want to reduce crime, you actually have to sell more grog – because that is your position.
All those assaults are totally unacceptable. The cause of 66% of all violent assaults in Alice Springs is alcohol. Unless you tackle alcohol - and the reforms we are putting in go right to the heart of that - I challenge the opposition to support them.
Katherine - Location of Renal Services
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please advise the House on feedback you have received in relation to comments from the member for Katherine that renal services are not appropriate for an urban area of Katherine.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. One of the biggest differences between our Labor government and the opposition is that our government believes in affordable and accessible quality healthcare for all. This difference was clearly demonstrated recently by comments from the member for Katherine when he claimed he did not believe an urban setting in Katherine was an appropriate place for a renal dialysis facility that will be used by people with renal disease, including Aboriginal people.
It was a disgraceful thing to say, They were the kind of divisive comments that we thought we had put behind us in the Northern Territory. I am not only commenting about his comments; a number of people expressed their outrage, including the Mayor of Katherine, AMSANT, several local health providers, including Wurli Wurlinjang, Katherine West, and the Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes.
The member for Katherine did not want it in an urban environment. Every single renal dialysis unit in Alice Springs is in the suburbs; in residential areas next to suburban houses. What is different in Katherine?
Many other people commented on his racial comments; however, one person did not speak out. One person who should have spoken out remained silent - the Leader of the Opposition. The only reason he remained silent was because he needs this member’s vote to remain Leader of the Opposition.
This is how shambolic his leadership has become; to rely on this kind of comment and support his member. If I had made a comment like that, the Chief Minister would have carpeted me and sacked me. As a Territorian, I feel embarrassed. I thought we passed the stage of making these kind of comments a long time ago. I feel sorry for the Leader of the Opposition who has to support a member who makes these kind of racist comments in order to remain Leader of the Opposition.
Imparja Television Board –
Alleged Ministerial Interference
Alleged Ministerial Interference
Mr GILES to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Will you categorically deny that you spoke to any Imparja or CAAMA board members about the Action for Alice ads on Imparja Television? As part of those conversations, will you categorically deny you asked, or sought to influence, or implied any influence about those ads being removed from Imparja Television?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I spoke to members of the Imparja board. I know them …
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: I am related to some of them, so I do speak to them. It is a small town, and I am related …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling! Member for Braitling, a good question you asked then. You are on a warning!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, he has asked the question; he should listen to the answer. I am related to probably half the Imparja board members and I speak to them on a daily basis. I spoke to the chairman of the board about the ads and expressed my disappointment with the ads, because I believe they did not follow the objectives and aims of Imparja Television, which are to promote …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: … which are to promote positive things about Aboriginal culture. As a local Aboriginal man, as the Minister for Central Australia, I thought it would be wrong if I did not approach the board, because the board was not approached by management about them. The board …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Mr HAMPTON: The board did not know about the ads, is the advice I was given. They were not advised of the ads coming on. I am related to many of the board members. As a local man, of course I am going to talk to the board. It would be wrong of me not to talk to the board. Some of the members of the board advised me they were not consulted about the ads, and that is a real injustice on the organisation.
Alice Springs – Seniors Village
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Recently, I raised a question in this parliament about a seniors village in the rural area in the Top End. The government is encouraging older people to stay in the Territory, and that is good for a number of reasons: the area’s economy; providing the extended family that many people had in the Territory in early years; allowing seniors to stay with their friends in familiar surroundings; and the retention of years of experience and knowledge in the Territory. When will the government release land for the construction of a seniors village in Alice Springs that is close to appropriate amenities and public transport? What is the government doing to attract organisations similar to Masonic Homes to construct and operate a seniors village in Alice Springs? When will this happen?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. During the Araluen by-election, the Northern Territory government committed to undertake a feasibility study into the development of a retirement village in Alice Springs, and we value that opportunity. Unfortunately, to date, the private sector has not shown the interest we need in the market, so government now intends to offer more support. We want to work with the industry and help to inform their investment decision.
In relation to this, the Minister for Senior Territorians is working directly with stakeholders to encourage private sector development into this market. Work has commenced on a financial viability study in relation to a commercial proposal. To inform this work, a survey of seniors in Alice Springs will soon be undertaken. The minister for seniors looks forward to the results of that survey, which relates to the potential uptake of a private sector independent living retirement village.
In relation to the supply of land, if this study determines there is the need and it would be viable, then we are very much interested. We agree that land release for this facility should take precedence. An excellent example of that would be in the new suburb of Kilgariff - a great opportunity for a seniors village.
I often come to Alice Springs, and I take great delight now, as a minister, in travelling around Alice Springs looking at the incredible developments by our government, particularly in construction and infrastructure. Twice now, I have been out to look at Albrecht Drive where we have a $5.4m development that will deliver 18 new units for seniors. The minister for Housing is very much driving this, and is a great lobbyist for senior Territorians and their housing requirements.
Making Alice Springs a retirement hub is also a commitment from our visionary Territory 2030 plan. That has great merit. When we talk about 2030, we talk about a vision from Territorians. It came from the grassroots. I believe Alice Springs is a superb place for retirement, and we back that, but it also came from Territorians.
In relation to the member’s question, we have to work with the private sector on this. Government is in the space of providing land. We feel that Kilgariff is a great opportunity, and we want to hear from seniors in Alice Springs and throughout the Territory about these issues. The minister for seniors is definitely in that space.
Desert Knowledge – Initiatives Undertaken
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
Can the minister please update the House on initiatives undertaken by Desert Knowledge Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am delighted to bring some positive news about Alice Springs to this House. It is in relation to work done by Desert Knowledge Australia and the Alice Springs Desert Leadership Program. This program offers participants the opportunity to realise their strengths and talents and develop skills to lead in today’s very much collaborative world. The program will equip participants with practical and applicable knowledge to make an impact and build confidence and commitment to their community, the Alice Springs community.
We have 19 emerging leaders who were selected as participants in this program. The aim is that the next generation of Alice Springs leaders will be equipped with better skills, be better able to work together, have a better understanding of how to make things happen, and a commitment to a shared and positive future. A key element of that is about the makeup of those participants. It is very much cross-cultural; we have Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and different age groups as well.
The Northern Territory government is a key program partner. There are also other partners, including the National Australia Bank, Charles Darwin University and the Commonwealth government. There are some great local businesses: Ross Engineering, a great business in Alice Springs with many trainees and apprentices, and that is a great commitment from them; Fluid Power; Centrecorp; Yeperenye Shopping Centre; and Mbantua Gallery. The Alice Springs Town Council is also supporting this program.
The participants were selected based on their potential for leadership, and they have already shown their commitment to the future of this town. I met with the participants last sittings on 24 February. They are an inquisitive but very enthusiastic lot. We talked quite extensively in February about what was going on in Alice Springs. They provided some excellent perspectives, and were looking at the challenges faced here and coming up with ideas. I was taken by their enthusiasm, and encouraged by their commitment to the program.
In response to the community’s request last year about the possibility of establishing a leadership program for young people in Alice Springs, we have been investigating that initiative. In conjunction with four senior schools in Alice Springs, we will be launching a Youth Desert Leadership Program. That is great news for the Alice Springs community. We are trying to build the leaders of tomorrow, and trying to support them. There is a bright future for Alice Springs and we need as much help from the community as possible.
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