2010-04-27
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Question Time - Rules
Question Time - Rules
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, since it has been several months since we had Question Time, I draw your attention to the new rules.
I remind you that Chapter XII of the Standing Orders relates to questions. Standing Order 109(3)(a) indicates that questions shall be succinct, concise, and direct and shall not exceed one minute. In relation to answers, Standing Order 109(3)(b) indicates that an answer shall not exceed three minutes; and Standing Order 113, states that the answer shall be succinct, concise and directly relevant to the question.
To time the member asking a question, a small timer will be used and operated by the Deputy Clerk. At 45 seconds into the question, if the question is still continuing, a bell will be sounded indicating 15 seconds is still available. At 60 seconds, a bell will sound to indicate the time for the question has expired.
In relation to answers, the Chamber clocks will be set at three minutes, and a warning bell will be sounded at two minutes and 45 seconds if the minister is still on their feet. A further bell will sound at three minutes to indicate the time for the answer has expired.
In relation to the single supplementary question allowed for the Leader of the Opposition, the small timer will be allowed for the 30 second question, the warning bell at 15 seconds, and a final bell at 30 seconds. The responding answer will be timed by the Chamber clocks, with bells at 45 seconds and 60 seconds.
It is worth noting that these times are inclusive, as you will recall, of points of order. However, should I need to seek advice of the Clerk during Question Time the clocks will be stopped for that period of time.
East Arm Wharf – Alleged Copper
Concentrate Spillage
Concentrate Spillage
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Can you advise the House of the potential environmental risks of copper concentrate if inhaled by humans, and the potential risk to the water-borne environment if spilt into the ocean? When did you first learn that large quantities of copper concentrate were spilling into Darwin Harbour during the loading of the product onto the ships for export?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his very important question. This government is absolutely committed to protecting the harbour and the environment, particularly the wharf and the operations at the wharf.
The incident is disturbing, and I am very angry that our harbour’s environment could be put at risk. Let me be very clear: it is the operator’s responsibility to ensure they do not pollute, and it is also the operator’s responsibility to ensure they comply with the law. That law is the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act.
In terms of my notification of the incident, I was made aware of it on the Saturday once it was raised by the media that there was an incident at the harbour. In terms of that, my department and my staff …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: … got directly on to me.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act, the responsibility for these incidents, and the reporting of them, rests squarely with the company. When I was alerted to it from my office …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: … through reports through the media, my office became aware of it, they contacted me straightaway. What I did was contact my department, Jim Grant, and we had officers on the ground that very afternoon - the Saturday. I was very aware of it. I commend my department for getting on to the wharf as soon as we heard of it acting appropriately and acting with urgency.
Madam Speaker, a thorough investigation was launched by my department once we were made aware of the incident to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act.
My department has put both the Darwin Port Corporation and OZ Minerals Limited on notice by issuing them a Pollution Abatement Notice. If anyone has broken the law, they will be held accountable. Pollution will not be tolerated and environmental laws will be enforced by this government.
As for the current port operation, officers from my department attended the most recent loading of copper concentrate at the port on the 25th and 26th of this month. They did so around the clock, and I thank them for their hard work and dedication to the task.
Air, water and biological monitoring is being undertaken and the results will become available and analysed over the coming weeks. Once the frontline investigation is done and complete, a thorough audit of hazardous material handling at the port will be undertaken to identify any required improvements.
I also welcome the involvement of the EPA if it chooses to do so. That is why this government created the Territory’s first EPA.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired. Resume your seat.
COAG – National Health and
Hospitals Network Agreement
Hospitals Network Agreement
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
The Chief Minister has reached agreement with the Australian government to reform health care. Can the Chief Minister tell the House how this will benefit Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. It was a very intense period of negotiations in Canberra over nearly three days that led to an historic health agreement for this nation.
Mr Tollner: You rolled over before they even got there. Oh, Madam Speaker, he is a joke.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting!
Mr HENDERSON: Improved health care for Territorians is something I am sure people who are listening and watching this broadcast want to listen to instead of the buffoonish behaviour of the member for Fong Lim.
This agreement means Territorians will receive better health care, now, today and into the future. The Australian government will be funding, into the future, 60% of our hospital funding in the Northern Territory and around Australia, and 100% of primary health care services. Why is this important? Because, for the first time, it commits the Commonwealth government to funding growth for our hospital and primary health care system. Under the previous system, every four years, the states would negotiate with Canberra and, every four years, Canberra would seek to reduce their share - as they did when Tony Abbott was the Health Minister, and ripped $1bn …
Mr Tollner: Rubbish, absolute rubbish!
Mr HENDERSON: … supported by the member for Fong Lim when he was in Canberra, and ripped $1bn out of hospital systems around this country.
Mr Tollner: You know that is not true. Stop the lies.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order, member for Fong Lim!
Mr HENDERSON: That is the legacy of the member for Fong Lim’s time in Canberra in regard to health reform.
What it means is an additional $222m into the Territory health system; a reduction in waiting times in emergency departments; and, importantly, an extra 350 Territorians a year receiving elective surgery procedures; financial protection guarantees, member for Nhulunbuy, for your hospital in Gove; a commitment from the Commonwealth to support our small hospitals; and, importantly for the Territory, in conjunction with the new clinical training school between CDU and Flinders by 2014-15, 40 GPs a year graduating right here in the Northern Territory - a fantastic achievement.
It also means extra aged care places and primary care services for aged people. For Territorians with diabetes, there is an additional $4.5m for coordinated care. There is an additional $1.8m for mental health services across the Territory, and a growth path for health services over the next 10 years.
This is a good deal for Territorians. It puts patients before politics. Of course, the CLP was pretty silent on this deal until the member for Fong Lim said that we would give away a third of our GST for a paltry 14 beds. He did not even look at the agreement – a bit like the intervention. He did not read the report. It is 14% of our GST, so that is 60% for our hospitals. The member for Fong Lim has form. He has form …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, your time has expired. Resume your seat.
East Arm Wharf – Alleged Copper
Concentrate Spillage
Concentrate Spillage
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
I must say that your last answer provided more questions than answers. It took the best part of a week for you to front the media to respond to the very serious allegations published in the Northern Territory News about the spillage of copper concentrate at East Arm Wharf. Why did you hide from the media for almost a week? Are you really up to the job of protecting the environment for the Northern Territory?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Before answering that question, I will just say the question is somewhat out of order asking for an opinion, but if you choose to answer the question, you may do so, minister.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that is fine. I am happy to answer the question. It is a very important question. This government stands proud on its environmental credentials compared to the mob on the other side.
Members interjecting.
A member: What about Mt Todd?
Ms Purick: Rubbish! You do not know anything about Mt Todd, you drongo.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Goyder, I ask you to withdraw that comment, thank you.
Ms PURICK: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr HAMPTON: As I said, this government’s environmental credentials, compared to the opposition, is miles apart.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.
Mr HAMPTON: The government, and NRETAS, my agency, first became aware of the alleged pollution incidents on 16 April. As the minister, I became aware of it on 17 April, and I immediately instructed my department to get out to the wharf and investigate the whole incident. The agency has commenced an investigation, and there are two components to the investigation. They are: the full history of the incidents, including why the incidents were not reported. This part of the investigation will be undertaken with a compliance focus to determine if further action should be taken for breaches of environmental obligations under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act. The second part of the investigation will be a broader audit of the environmental management of East Arm Port, including the Darwin Port Corporation, OZ Minerals Limited, and other companies operating at the site.
I have every confidence in my agency. Unlike the opposition, we have a great public service and I acknowledge the great work they do. My officers have been out there, day in, day out, since the alleged incidents. They have started to investigate it.
They are the two parts of the investigation, and I have every confidence in what they are doing. I will work with my colleague, the minister for mines, and other colleagues on this side of the House, to ensure these types of things do not happen again. We know how important the environment is to the Northern Territory, particularly our harbour. I have no qualms regarding my role in this, and I am keeping a very close eye on this. I am very angry about the alleged incidents, and this investigation, in due course, will be looking at a broader sweep of investigations right across the other ports in the Northern Territory.
COAG - National Health and
Hospitals Network Agreement
Hospitals Network Agreement
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please advise the House how the COAG National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement will improve patient care?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I would like to start by saying that, according to the Chief Minister in an interview: ‘This is not about politics. This agreement is not about politics. It is about patients’. That is what it is all about; it is about sick people being let down by the system all the time.
This agreement will provide the biggest sweeping reform in the Australian health system since the introduction of Medicare. The Northern Territory government will partner with the Commonwealth to plan, form policy, and more importantly, deliver health services.
This agreement is historic because it will integrate the fragmented primary and acute care systems which presently let people down as they bounce from one stream to another. It is an agreement which will remove forever the blame game, and I welcome that agreement.
Ninety per cent of Australians will benefit from this agreement; unfortunately, the Western Australian government chose not to sign the agreement and they will miss out. That is their call. We heard what Western Australia said. What we do not know yet is where the CLP stands with this agreement. Will they support it? Will they support the delivery of $222m to the Northern Territory? Money that is needed to reduce waiting times in emergency departments – the biggest in the country – reduce surgery wait times and improve primary care.
Will they support this agreement that will deliver more doctors and nurses? Let us not forget, especially in the Territory, 30% of the population is Indigenous and uses 70% of our services. This agreement today will provide us the means to address these issues, to resolve these issues, and further improve our health system.
COAG - National Health and
Hospitals Network Agreement
Hospitals Network Agreement
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
My question, in some ways, goes to answering the rhetorical question from the previous speaker and that is: what is our position on this? We need the detail. Before signing the COAG health agreement, you promised to release the Territory government’s analysis of the deal. Will you honour that promise and table all Department of Chief Minister, Department of Health, and Treasury analysis of the COAG agreement? If not, why are you hiding the financial details of the health agreement you signed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the Leader of the Opposition. It is very simple. I have a Treasury briefing here, National Health Reform. I am happy to table it.
If the Leader of the Opposition was really interested, he would have contacted me to seek a briefing. I have not had any contact from the Leader of the Opposition. The media was interested in getting a briefing, because this is complex and detailed, and, of course, they asked for a briefing and we said yes. You know, the shadow Health minister, we have had an amazingly intense debate right across this nation for at least the last three months …
Mr Tollner: I had a constituent ring your office asking what was the 14 beds; you obviously did not know about it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: … on health reform, and what did we hear from the shadow minister for Health? Nothing - absolutely nothing.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am just wondering if he can table the document now that he has promised.
Mr Mills: And the two page analysis.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! The Chief Minister can table at the end of his answer.
Mr HENDERSON: Absolutely. I am happy to table the document. I have time to answer the question. So we have had no contribution to …
Mr CONLAN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Can I just correct that: I have sought a briefing and I had one on Friday morning. I ask that the Chief Minister withdraw that.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, member for Greatorex, resume your seat. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr Conlan: So it is okay for him to just make allegations?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The shadow Health minister was absolutely silent in intense public debate about our health system: no plans, no ideas. The member for Fong Lim sort of leaps out there. Once again, he had not read the COAG communiqu, I assume, and said that we were giving away 30% of our GST - absolutely wrong. This man has form. He does not read the detail of anything. When he was in Canberra, he was part of the government that ripped $1bn out of hospital systems across Australia; ripped dollars out of our hospital system in the Northern Territory, and he could not even be bothered to read the agreement that was struck.
We have an additional $222m into our health system and, importantly, 60% of our growth funding, 60% of funding for hospital systems, will become the Commonwealth responsibility. At the moment, they fund around 30% to 35%, so it gets the Commonwealth squarely where they should be, which is funding growth, funding improvements in services, funding more doctors, more nurses, more specialists, more GPs, right across the Northern Territory, unlike the Liberals, who have ripped $1bn out of our hospital system.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, would you please table that document?
Mr HENDERSON: Happy to table it.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, if you feel you have been misrepresented, you may approach me later to make a personal explanation.
Mr Conlan: Oh no, it is just the cut and thrust of this parliament.
Secure Care Facility – Bees Creek Area
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
My question relates to the 16-bed secure facility that has been proposed by your department on Lowther Road in the Bees Creek area. Could you please say what sites your department investigated before they selected the Bees Creek site? Did your department have any preliminary discussions with local organisations, such as the Litchfield Council, the local primary school councils, or even the local parliamentary members from the surrounding area to explain the proposed facility? Did your department ask any of the above for any input into possible locations for this facility?
Would you please put this proposal on hold until a full and detailed investigation of all possible sites for this facility is carried out, and consultation can occur with the community, unconstrained by deadlines imposed by the planning process?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yes, the government has an obligation to care for vulnerable people in our society. That is why we are putting secure care facilities in Alice Springs and in Darwin. In fact, there will be two tiers of secure care facilities; one is going to be in the Alice Springs Hospital, and in Royal Darwin Hospital, for people who need to be in a hospital situation. The second tier, to which the member refers, will be a secure group home. It is a secure group home for young people in transitional care. It will be 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed by specialists, nurses, psychiatrists and psychologists.
The site was selected because of its size, its proximity to services, and also its distance from major centres. The government is not hiding anything. We go through the process, as we have to, and the Development Consent Authority will be out there for a period of time. Signs have been displayed, and every citizen and every organisation has the right to put their point of view, to put their objections, if they so object, and that will be considered during the Development Consent Authority application.
As for the information about secure care facilities, they are not top secret; you can find it on the website of the department. I know members opposite may not have the time, or do not care to do the search, so I am prepared to table this documentation.
Access Economics Forecast
Ms WALKER to TREASURER
Can you update the House on the Access Economics forecast for the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for this important question. This morning, Access Economics released their quarterly Business Outlook. The report points out that the Northern Territory took its share of bumps with the global financial crisis, however they certainly forecast that we will rebound strongly.
Over the next five years, our economic growth is forecast at an annual average of 3.5%, compared to the national average of 3.3%. The Territory has had the lowest unemployment in the country for the last six months. Importantly, Access has predicted that the Territory will have the strongest employment growth in the nation over the next five years.
Inflation is forecast to moderate across the country and, in the Territory, Access is predicting a five-year average inflation of 2.7%.
Economic growth does not come by accident. Our government will continue the strong financial management …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … to grow our economy.
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I am used to the CLP simply trashing the Territory, but these are the facts.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: This is Access Economics’ forecast for the Territory’s economic growth over five years.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I will give you the tip: I do not behave like the only Liberal Treasurer in the nation does, I will give you the tip.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I remind you of Standing Order 51, No Interruption:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
The Treasurer has the call.
Ms LAWRIE: In stark contrast, the CLP in government, a zero, flat-lining economy, certainly job losses. We know their form, and now we are seeing it come back to the fore with their housing policy which is not really a housing policy, even though it is called a housing policy, that would trash the budget to the tune of nearly $1bn, almost equal to the entire health budget. They are simply unbelievable. They want to be reckless with the budget, with a policy that is not really a policy, that has not really been costed - and I will wait for more. In stark contrast, our economy is growing from strength to strength under the Henderson Labor government.
COAG - National Health and
Hospitals Network Agreement
Hospitals Network Agreement
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
You went to Canberra flagging your intention to sign the COAG health agreement before the final offer was on the table. By way of contrast, the novice Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally, was able to extract an extra $800m from the Commonwealth. Is it not the case that Territorians were dudded by your decision to throw in your hand before negotiations had begun?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for finally taking an interest in what should be his responsibility, and that is health reform. We certainly see no policies from the shadow minister. He has no idea what was in the agreement. He is lazy and ill informed.
In regard to the operations of COAG, that is done by way of robust discussions and consultations. In the case of health care reform, over nearly three days, with all of the first ministers and Treasurers, bar the Treasurer from Western Australia who could not be bothered to turn up. This was intense negotiation. The Territory has a good deal out of this, and a commitment from the Commonwealth, particularly in primary health care, to fund 100% into the future. If he was half a shadow Health minister, he would know how important that is.
The very dire state of Indigenous health is a huge challenge for a small jurisdiction like the Territory. For the Commonwealth, at last, to step up to its responsibility to fund primary health care adequately, and not only adequately, taking into account the Indigenous disadvantage in the Northern Territory, certainly stands us far better into the future than where we were prior to this agreement, and far better positioned than when the Liberals were last in government in Canberra, when, under the previous health agreement, when Tony Abbott was the Health minister, ripped $1bn out of our hospitals right across Australia.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I urge the Leader of the Opposition to pay attention to his portfolio, understand how the financing and funding of the health system works, and when he has understood that, he might be able to ask a quite intelligent question across the floor of this Chamber.
Parap Police Beat
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
The budget makes provision for the establishment and operation of Police Beats in strategic locations. Can you please update the Assembly on the Parap Police Beat?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his strong advocacy for a Police Beat in Parap. It has been a challenge to find a site, but we have a site now …
Mr Tollner: What about Karama? It is a war zone out there?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting.
Mr Tollner: Sorry, Madam Speaker, I could not help it.
Madam SPEAKER: I am sure you can help it, member for Fong Lim.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. He certainly never wants the public to actually hear the answers in Question Time.
Budget 2010-11 allocates $6m to complete and operate Police Beats in shopping centres across the Northern Territory in strategic locations. It was a key election commitment and one that we are delivering on.
The Police Beat will be located at 36 Parap Place. The precinct will cover Parap shops, Fannie Bay shops, East Point Recreational Reserve, Lake Alexander, the Parap Road business area, the Sailing and Trailer Boat Clubs, the Museum and Art Gallery, and Darwin High School. Four constables and two auxiliaries will be allocated to the Parap Police Beat, and I anticipate there will be significant success.
If we just look at the Casuarina Police Beat at the shopping centre, the one that, immediately we made the announcement, the Leader of the Opposition came out that night on the news and said he would close it. The members opposite do not support Police Beats. I will just advise parliament of some of the success that has occurred at Casuarina. The figures for the period of July to December 2008 against July to December 2009 show a 38% reduction in the number of reported incidents within the precinct, including a 91% reduction in the number of general disturbances reported.
This is about proactive policing, police on the beat, police in the community, and an initiative of this government that the CLP would scrap if they ever got into government. They would close all the doors; they would move all the police back to central headquarters. They fail to support what has been a successful initiative. I know the traders and residents in the Parap/Fannie Bay area will respond to that.
I pick up on the member for Katherine and congratulate the Katherine business community for raising nearly $100 000 to assist with the fit-out. It has been a significant contribution from the business community. The Katherine Police Beat is up and running as well. I look forward to visiting Katherine soon to open another of what has been a very successful government initiative with a proactive police presence, to be a real deterrent around the Northern Territory - an initiative that has never been supported by the opposition. The Leader of the Opposition said that he would scrap the Police Beats.
East Arm Wharf – Copper
Sulphate Dust Dispersal
Sulphate Dust Dispersal
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE referred to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION
Last year, I raised the question in parliament with regard to iron ore dust that was blown across the port, plant and equipment, and out to sea. It was said in response by the minister for Infrastructure and Transport at that time that:
- As part of that environment management plan, …
In this case, Territory Resources:
- … water sprays are used for dust suppression of the iron ore when it is being handled in the stockpiles, and also when it is going across those conveyer belts.
Is that the same conveyer belt that is used to convey copper sulphate, as mentioned in the NT News? If so, why were the dust compression methods - that is, the water sprays – not working at the time of the copper sulphate being shifted?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe that is a question for my colleague, the Minister for Construction and for the Port Corporation.
Mr McCARTHY (Construction): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I will start by saying that pollution of our great harbour is totally unacceptable. It is a good question from the member for Nelson. If I can explain, the basis of all the bulk material storage and handling is basically relating to manganese, iron ore and copper concentrate. The iron ore and the manganese are both located in open stockpiles and they use a truck and conveyer system.
I was at the port on the 26th and I had an extensive tour of the port - my second tour. I also attended the loading of copper concentrate on to the ship. The difference is that the copper concentrate arrives in rail kibbles, which are enclosed. They are then unloaded into a secure, closed shed. From that shed, a conveyer system then transfers that to the bulk loader, and then onto the ship.
When we are talking about copper concentrate, the port spent $1.5m before the first copper concentrate was delivered to the Darwin Port. There have been modifications, first of all, to handle this product as a different product in nature, and also to protect our environment and to make the process safer.
In relation to the iron ore and manganese, I went there with a very lay perspective and I saw many new initiatives in that transfer via truck, and also the bulk loading facility. The basis of those initiatives relate to dust suppression. It is pleasing to see that the Darwin Port has been recognised as a very clean port – a port that operates at best practice and is recognised for its diligence in addressing issues, and issues that arise of an ongoing nature. We are talking about the gateway to Asia, a port that is strategically placed, and which has an investment of $150m to take it further.
Madam Speaker, I was very pleased to see all the initiatives. There is a big difference between the bulk commodities and how they are handled. We are about developing our port infrastructure now and also for the future of all Territorians.
COAG - National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement - Extra Hospital Beds
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
As Chief Minister presiding over the worst health system in the nation, why did you not fight for a greater share of additional Commonwealth funding in this COAG agreement? You trumpet the addition of 14 beds out of an extra 1336 Australia-wide, yet the head of the AMA in the Northern Territory, Paul Bauert, estimates we need an additional 80 beds right now. Why were you satisfied with this rather underwhelming outcome from COAG at the negotiating table?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the very offensive question from the shadow Health minister in terms of his introduction to the question. He has just offended every single person who works in our hospital system, every single person who works in our clinics across the Northern Territory …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … and he stands to be condemned as the shadow Health minister who will make such an offensive, disparaging remark about the absolute quality of our doctors, nurses, senior clinicians, allied health professionals working in our system in the Northern Territory. All of our hospitals …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … have national accreditation, none of which had any accreditation at all when the CLP was in government. All have accreditation today.
I can stand here as a resident of Darwin and say, if anything was to happen to me or to my family, or friends or loved ones, I have absolute confidence in the capacity of our health system to treat people in the Northern Territory.
Having said that, of course it is not perfect. The tragedy of our Indigenous health profile sees that Indigenous people make up 33% of our population, but 70% of our hospital admissions, many of those with very chronic and complex health problems.
What this agreement has delivered for the Territory, both structurally and financially, is an ongoing commitment from the Commonwealth government to improve health right across the Northern Territory.
This is a good deal, no matter how they try to throw insults and offensive remarks at people who work in the system. Of course, I would like to have come back with five times the amount of money, 10 times the amount of money - that is not the way it works.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: That is not the way it works, but we have an additional $222m over and above what we would have received into our health system and, importantly, a Commonwealth government today, and into the future, that is committed to improving the health outcomes of all Territorians.
It is a good deal, and one that the member for Greatorex should do his job as the shadow Health minister, get his head across it and stop being offensive to everyone who works in our health system.
Environment Protection Authority –
Increased Powers
Increased Powers
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Can you outline to the House what steps the government is taking to make the Territory’s Environment Protection Authority a stronger environmental watchdog?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. In Budget 2010-11, government is boosting the EPA’s budget to further protect the Territory’s unique natural environment. As we all know, it is this government that created the Territory’s first EPA. In doing so, we joined the rest of Australia in having an independent environmental watchdog.
This government has now strengthened the EPA with new powers and more teeth. Those teeth will allow the EPA to comment on environmental impact statements. It will also allow the EPA to strategically review how well the EIS recommendations are taken up in approvals. It will also allow them to receive and investigate public complaints over agency responses to environmental incidents. It will also allow them to monitor and report on the cumulative impacts of developments on the environment.
Budget 2010-11 provides for substantial boost to their budget in the way of $500 000 in additional funding this year. That is a boost of over 30%. The EPA now plays a critical role as the watchdog of the overall environmental protection system.
Earlier, we heard the opposition going on about how proud they are of their record. I will just compare the two, this side of the House and that side of the House. In doing so, I can say that this Labor government was the first government to protect mangroves by legislation. We established the Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee, which provides a regular report on the state of the health of the harbour - open and transparent policy on the environment. We were the first to introduce security deposit bonds to cover the cost of rehabilitation of mines. We amended the Mining Management Act to ensure that fines and penalties applicable under the environment legislation were also applicable to mines. We have protected the Daly River, something members on the other side have never done.
Let us turn the page to the CLP legacy. They resisted the introduction of an EPA for 26 years, putting us well behind other parts of Australia. We still have a deputy leader here, the member for Goyder, who led the public opposition to the introduction of an EPA years ago.
I am proud to stand here as the Environment minister under the Henderson Labor government and put our record up for everyone to see. The CLP record can only be summed up by their Mt Todd experience: a major environmental disaster which this government has had to clean up.
COAG - National Health and
Hospitals Network Agreement
Hospitals Network Agreement
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
The Northern Territory has some of the worst primary health care in the nation. Given the lack …
Ms Scrymgour: Oh, what a disgrace!
Mr CONLAN: Look at the figures! Given that lack of primary health care is a significant contributing factor in the Territory’s disastrous health outcomes, why did you accept just $4m in an overall primary health care package of $436m? Where is the recognition of the Territory’s unique health challenges in this lacklustre package?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the shadow Health minister. This agreement has delivered an additional $222m over and above what we would have received into our health system. This man should be ashamed and embarrassed to ask questions that he just asked. The true fact regarding our primary health care issues in the Northern Territory is a lack of GPs. That is at the heart of so much of the primary health care infrastructure across the Northern Territory.
We have fewer GPs per capita than anywhere else in Australia. That is in Darwin. When you move out of Darwin, it gets even worse. The further you get into the bush, the worse it gets.
This is a package …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: … that has delivered to the Territory - they do not want to listen because they do not want to be informed.
The Prime Minister announced, and it was negotiated in this package, a doubling of GP training places on an annual basis. After discussions through COAG, and pushed very strongly by me, the Prime Minister committed half of those additional GP training places to regional and remote Australia.
Also, we have capital funding from the Commonwealth, operational funding from the Territory government, for the new clinical training school on the CDU campus, to be jointly run with Flinders, that will see 40 GPs a year graduate in the Northern Territory from 2014-15, with the first intake next year. If just half of those people stay and practice in the Northern Territory, over 10 years, that is an additional 200 GPs.
This is a very significant outcome, very significant reform. Once again, the member for Greatorex puts his foot in his mouth. He has absolutely no idea of the complexities of financing and running our health system across the Territory. This is a good agreement.
Mr Tollner: That is why you squibbed it, be honest, because you have no idea. It is all too much for you.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr HENDERSON: This is a good agreement; GPs being trained and graduating in the Northern Territory. Territory kids who pass their GAMSAT are not going to have to compete nationally for a GP training place at university; they will be fast-tracked straight to CDU to do their training in the Territory.
That is what we have negotiated, that is what we have agreed, and the Commonwealth agreement to fund 100% of primary health care committed to closing the gap on Indigenous health disadvantage will lead to real improvements into the future. The member for Greatorex does not know what he is talking about.
East Arm Wharf – Alleged Copper
Concentrate Spillage
Concentrate Spillage
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Does your department regularly monitor the loading of mineral cargos onto ships in Darwin Harbour? If so, how often, and how many times have they reported any spills since 29 October last year when I raised a question about this? Would you also advise when you told the port to implement changes to the loading facility at the wharf to prevent pollution of the harbour?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Protection of the harbour is absolutely important and a priority for me, member for Nelson. I say again that the incident is disturbing. I am very angry that the harbour has been put at risk environmentally.
The development application for OZ Minerals Limited’s concentrate storage facility at East Arm Port was lodged with the development assessment services on 22 October 2007. I am happy to get back to you on some of those other points of your question. I do not have them immediately with me, so I will take some of those on notice.
Just talking through the process at the moment, as I said, the development application for OZ Minerals Limited’s concentrate storage facility was lodged with the development assessment services on 22 October 2007. The application was considered by NRETAS as a Notice of Intent under the Environmental Assessment Act, and it was determined that no formal assessment was required. This decision is consistent with previous decisions for similar activities, and the development permit issued requires OZ Minerals Limited to operate in accordance with an operational environmental management plan, approved by NRETAS in September 2008.
OZ Minerals Limited’s OEMP includes, but is not limited to, reference to section 12 of the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act – general environmental duty, and section 14 – responsibility for reporting incidents. It also includes a number of design measures for the existing conveyor system that aimed to minimise the potential for fugitive emissions during ship loading. Potential environmental impacts and management measures are also under that particular plan, and reporting and monitoring requirements.
Member for Nelson, the government and NRETAS first became aware of the alleged pollution incidents on 16 April, as I previously stated. The incidents were not reported to NRETAS, despite a duty under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act to report pollution events that cause, or threaten to cause, pollution resulting in material or serious environmental harm. NRETAS has commenced an investigation, as I already stated in Question Time today, into the incidents. There are two components that NRETAS will be investigating.
It is impossible to have an NRETAS officer present at every activity across the Northern Territory that may cause damage to the environment. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that they do not pollute, and it is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that they comply with the law. If these investigations show that further measures or resources are required to protect the environment, that is something I will act on. As minister, it is my job to fight for those resources and I will do so.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Could you ask the minister to table the document …
Madam SPEAKER: The minister has already resumed his seat. Minister, are they personal notes, or is it a document you are willing to table?
Mr HAMPTON: They are personal notes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Land Release in the Northern Territory
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Can you please inform the House on the progress to fast-track land release in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. The Henderson government is continuing to fast-track land release in the new suburbs of Johnston and Zuccoli. I am proud to say that Budget 2010-11 delivers $20m to deliver headworks to the suburb of Zuccoli. I was proud to stand with the Chief Minister when we announced this major Budget 2010-11 announcement for land release. This builds on $20m in infrastructure already committed in the Palmerston East area, and the $4m contribution from the federal government for sewerage services. Stage 1 of Zuccoli represents 550 new dwellings, with the first lots available for sale off the plan by the end of this year.
The government’s Land Development Corporation will joint venture in a partnership to deliver this latest land release package in Zuccoli. Zuccoli represents the third of four new suburbs, following on from Bellamack and Johnston, and eventually the three will house 15 000 Territory families.
In Alice Springs, Budget 2010-11 provides $10m to commence the headworks for the AZRI site in Alice Springs. I was proud, as all my colleagues were, and I am sure all members of this House, to discover today when the Chief Minister announced that the new suburb in Alice Springs will be named Kilgariff in honour of the Central Australian pioneer, the late Bern Kilgariff. This is the first step in providing essential infrastructure to allow residential development to proceed. The AZRI site has the potential of 1200 lots and will meet the need for residential land in the Alice for many years to come.
This year’s budget also provides $1m for the development of a master plan for the city of Weddell, and $950 000 ongoing to implement that master plan. We, on this side, are very excited about the development of the Northern Territory’s new city. Weddell will become the Territory’s next city and will house over 40 000 Territorians ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex, order! Opposition members!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Resume your seat. Order!
Honourable members, I remind you yet again of Standing Order 51. I also find it quite extraordinary that, in calling an opposition member to ask a question, that opposition members are interjecting so loudly that I could not actually hear to whom the member for Greatorex was directing the question. Maybe you would like to bear that in mind.
COAG - National Health and Hospitals
Network Agreement – Responsibility
for Territory Hospitals
Network Agreement – Responsibility
for Territory Hospitals
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
The COAG health agreement you signed makes the federal government responsible for 60% of funding of the Territory hospitals, and the Northern Territory government responsible for 40%. This is supposed to end the blame game. In fact, it will do nothing except increase the blame game and give the Commonwealth government greater moral high ground. There is an easy way out. You have been exposed as a sell-out, and there is some way to restore your credibility. You signed the health agreement; will you now accept full responsibility for performance of the Territory’s hospitals?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the member for Greatorex’s question. Of course, as a government, we accept full responsibility for the running of the hospitals. This is about the Commonwealth taking its responsibility nationally to adequately fund our hospitals. With funding, as it is currently apportioned today under the current Commonwealth/State Health Agreement, the entire Northern Territory government budget would be consumed by the Health department within 20 years, unless we change the funding mix and the funding formula. We are not Robinson Crusoe in that; there are similar numbers around the rest of the states.
This is, historically, for the first time, the Commonwealth government recognising the states do not have the capacity, into the future, structurally within their budgets, to adequately fund hospitals and primary health care.
It is the Commonwealth that is the predominant taxer in this country; it is the Commonwealth that has the constitutional powers to levy taxes and charges, and very responsibly have said, and we have agreed, that given the nature of growth, in funding for our health system, the Commonwealth is to take the majority responsibility.
At the moment, depending on which hospital in the Northern Territory, the Commonwealth funds between 30% to 35% of our hospitals. Treasury modelling has shown that, within 20 years, our entire budget would be consumed by Health – so, no money for roads, teachers, schools, the EPA; or for anything else apart from health. This is about long-term, structural reform.
I urge the member for Greatorex to seek - and I believe I heard him say he has asked for a full briefing; if he has, good on him, at last. We will explain to him how it works, because it is obvious he does not know how it works.
The hospitals will be majority funded by the Commonwealth, but the states will be responsible for the operation of those hospitals, with clear targets for waiting times in emergency departments and elective surgery times. Also, we have a national partnership agreement for closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage – all transparent – which means that governments today and into the future will be absolutely focused on improving our health system.
There is additional funding, structurally in this agreement, to adequately fund our hospitals and primary health care systems into the future - unlike the last agreement Tony Abbott, when he was Health minister, put forward that ratcheted down the relativities and ripped $1bn out of our hospital system.
Budget 2010-11 - Education and Training
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you please give the House an indication of how the budget will reflect the importance that this government places on education and training?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Education is a top priority of this government, and it is my pleasure today to announce …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Well, they might not be interested, but there are some people listening who are interested in a record budget for education.
The announcement was made today, $886m for education, up from $808m in last year’s budget. We are a government focused on getting more teachers into the system. Since we came to government in 2001, approximately 400 extra teachers are in our education system. This is very important. Today we were at Rosebery School. There is more infrastructure there and an announcement for 60 extra teachers. The total work amounts to some $59m for the Middle School and the Primary School, with a total of approximately 1500 pupils. I am sure the people of Palmerston will welcome that school when it opens next year. The two principals are already in place, and enrolments are being taken and will be continued to be taken this year.
During the last election campaign, we announced $246m over four years for infrastructure for schools; $300 000 for schools. I know the schools in my electorate welcome that $300 000 and we are on target to disburse that money.
We are a government focused on education. It is not just the infrastructure spend that we are doing in conjunction with the Commonwealth, and also out of our own budget. We have a plan for education. We are all about lifting the quality of education for our kids, lifting the quality of our teachers, supporting the recruitment and retention of teachers of excellence within this Northern Territory. We have a very extensive plan …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Well, we have. That is why we commissioned the Ladwig Sarra review. If the members opposite knew a bit about that, they would understand that. They have put out a couple of pages, a policy of education. Not once, not once, does it mention Indigenous education in the communities. Also, in many instances, they have just ripped it straight out of some of our policies.
It is not worth the paper it is written on. I suggest that they write it on this, Madam Speaker, that is how flimsy it is.
COAG - National Health and Hospitals
Network Agreement – Single
Hospital Networks
Network Agreement – Single
Hospital Networks
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
The Northern Territory has agreed to enter into parallel arrangements with the Commonwealth designed to replicate the general model for local hospital networks that will apply with the states that will see a single local network for the entire Territory. Can you tell us where that local hospital network will be located?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the question from the member for Greatorex. The details of that will be worked out with …
Mr Conlan: So you do not know?
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, they ask the question; listen to the answer.
… with full discussions with our clinicians, the existing hospital boards, the health workforce across the Northern Territory, and Health department officials. This is about putting control of the decision-making about the running of our hospitals closer to where those decisions are affected which, of course, is in our hospitals.
That is a discussion and a debate that we will have, and a conversation the Health Minister will have with all the clinical health professional groups and the existing hospital boards right across the Northern Territory. A decision has not been made yet.
Budget 2010-11 - Tourism Industry
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for TOURISM
Last week, you announced $42.6m for the tourism industry in Budget 2010-11. Can you please outline what benefits this will deliver for the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Our government has a strong record for supporting the Territory tourism industry.
Mr Tollner: Of failing in tourism, you certainly do.
Ms McCARTHY: Clearly the opposition is not interested. In fact, the member for Fong Lim just wants to focus on the people of the Northern Territory, in particular in Darwin, as parasites. He does not want to know about the Territory tourism industry.
The industry provides real jobs, opportunities for Territorians, and is responsible for showcasing the assets of the Northern Territory. It supports some 18 000 jobs across the Northern Territory, and contributes $1.7bn to the Northern Territory economy. $42.6m for 2010-11 represents an increase of over 55% for the tourism sector since 2001.
Tourism NT is working smarter, ensuring more efficient and effective spending of budget. Our focus for this year, …
Mr Elferink: How are we going at getting airlines to Darwin?
Ms McCARTHY: … if the opposition care to listen, for our government, is to ensure, with A Working Future, that we look at tourism across the Northern Territory, in particular in our regions. It is this government that is opening up those opportunities across the region for all Territorians.
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