2008-10-29
Mrs Sandra McRae – Circumstances of Death
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
Do you concede that the absence of Orthopaedic Unit Consultant, Mr Robin Cripps, from the Royal Darwin Hospital during the time of treatment of Mrs Sandra McRae in early 2005 was a result of fatigue caused by insufficient staffing and resourcing at the hospital, as previously outlined by the Coroner in his report into the death of Mrs Margaret Winter?
ANSWER
No.
Territory 2030 – Fresh Ideas, Real Results
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
Earlier today, you announced a strategic initiative called Territory 2030 – Fresh Ideas, Real Results. That strategic plan will outline the direction of the Territory for the next two decades. This initiative is unprecedented in the Territory’s history. Will you outline the Territory 2030 plan to the House?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Territory 2030 – Fresh Ideas, Real Results is a strategic plan which will guide the direction of the Northern Territory for the next two decades. I have said that I will lead a government that will engage the community with fresh ideas, delivering real results right across this Northern Territory.
I foreshadowed that the government would be changing the way that we engage with the community and, fundamentally, the way we govern for the community. That is why today I announced Territory 2030 – Fresh Ideas, Real Results. I can think of no more important time than now to undertake this body of work. We are at one of the most exciting times in the Northern Territory and, in the middle of a global upheaval, we are in a period of unprecedented economic growth in the Northern Territory. That growth is presenting opportunities as well as challenges. To face those challenges and harness those opportunities, the government has initiated a broad range of planning activities right across government. Now is the time to draw it all together under one clear plan for the Territory’s future.
The development of Territory 2030 – Fresh Ideas, Real Results is a defining moment for the Territory and an opportunity for Territorians to help shape the future of the Northern Territory. Territory 2030 will capture the aspirations for Territorians in building our great community. It will set out our vision for the future, and the type of place we want to become in 2030, and our commitment, today, to future generations of Territorians. It will be the Territory’s flagship document. It will set out very clear targets, and set in place a new system of strategic planning across the government.
It will address areas such as: the prosperity of all Territorians, no matter where they live; the wellbeing of Territorians – our young, our families and our elderly; how we care for our land, sea and air across the Northern Territory; how we continue to build sustainable communities into the long-term and into the future; and how we continue to expand opportunities available to all Territorians, no matter where they live.
Each of these areas will have definable targets; long-term goals that we set out to achieve. Following extensive preparation work in March next year, a draft plan will be taken to the people of the Territory. There will be a number of different options open for Territorians to participate in. Territorians will be able to attend a series of public forums hosted right across the Territory. They will be able to comment online via the Territory 2030 website, and take part in targeted workshops and intensive discussions about a set of targets within key themes.
Territory 2030 will be a live document, and community consultation will occur on an ongoing basis. I am looking forward to having this important discussion with Territorians, right across the Northern Territory, as we plan our future together for future Territorians.
Royal Darwin Hospital –
Coroner’s Inquests into Deaths
Coroner’s Inquests into Deaths
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
Are you concerned by the number of preventable deaths at the Royal Darwin Hospital being examined by the Coroner; such as this latest one into the death of Mrs Sandra McRae? How much of a role does government policy failure play in these deaths?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the death of Mrs McRae is a regrettable death, and has been fully investigated by the Coroner, who released his findings earlier today. I have taken the time to read the Coroner’s findings; in fact, I have read them a couple of times. It is very clear to me that the issues surrounding the death of Mrs McRae are all about clinical decision-making within the context of the injuries Mrs McRae sustained. She had a car accident; she was admitted to hospital. Quite a number of doctors gave evidence in the Coronial hearings about thrombo-prophylactic surgery which, simply put, is surgery to minimise blood clots.
The tension was between the fact that Mrs McRae had fairly serious internal bleeding but, because of her injuries, she was at risk of having a thromboembolism. The challenge for the doctors and the team treating her was to come to a decision about whether they should administer a drug that would decrease the ability of the blood to clot, which was problematic, given the fact that Mrs McRae had internal bleeding. The Coroner found the whole of the evidence was around this very issue. The Coroner came to a conclusion at the end – Item 125 on page 32 for the benefit of members:
- I am unable to find that Mrs McRae’s death would have been prevented by the administration of thromboprophylactic treatment, or prevented by a continuity of care … in terms of her consultant. Deaths do happen, even when the best possible treatment, and continuity of care, has been provided to a patient. I am however left in no doubt that, just as the hospital itself has accepted, this death was potentially preventable. As was stated by Mr Mehta in his evidence the administration of thromboprophylactic treatment may have reduced the risk of the development of a fatal pulmonary embolism.
There you have it; that is the conclusion of the Coroner. Also, in the Coronial hearing, he actually complimented Dr Diane Stevens who heads up the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital, for proactively taking steps to ensure that, for patients in the same condition, there are very clear decision-making guidelines for clinicians about the administration of thrombo-prophylactic drugs.
Territory 2030 – Fresh Ideas, Real Results
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
Will you advise the House on the structures he has put in to place to establish Territory 2030 - Fresh Ideas, Real Results?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. Territory 2030 is designed to bring in fresh ideas to government and the public sector. That is why I have appointed an expert panel of people with extensive Territory, national, and international experience, to guide the development of this plan. The two co-chairs of the committee are, well-known Territorian, Vicki O’Halloran and Mr Bill Moss AM. Vicki O’Halloran is the Chief Executive Officer of Somerville Community Services. Somerville is a non-government, not-for-profit youth, family and community welfare organisation operating out of Darwin, Palmerston and Katherine. Vicki O’Halloran is certainly well known to this House and many thousands of Territorians.
Mr Bill Moss was a senior executive with Macquarie Bank, resigning in 2007 after 22 years with the bank. Mr Moss established Macquarie’s property business in 1984, which became the Banking and Property Group in 1998. He had oversight of Macquarie’s property funds management business, which manages globally in excess of $A23bn worth of property-related assets. I am very proud to have somebody like Bill Moss co-chairing this important committee.
Michael Berto is currently the CEO of the Roper Gulf Shire. He has been a motor mechanic, a Commonwealth public servants, he has run his own business, was a former regional council chairman for ATSIC, before becoming the Chief Executive Officer in 2005, and is well known to many Territorians.
Jonathan Carapetis is the Director of the Menzies School of Health Research. Professor Carapetis is a medical practitioner, paediatrician, and specialist in infectious diseases and public health. He co-founded the Centre for International Child Health at the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne.
Mr Ted Egan, obviously well known to all of us, with a long history in the Northern Territory, a former Administrator who will bring great wisdom to this body of work, given his love and knowledge of the Territory.
Ms Jan Ferguson is the Managing Director of Desert Knowledge CRC in Alice Springs. Ms Ferguson is a previous winner of the Telstra Business Women’s Award for her innovative approaches to public sector reform. It is fantastic to have Ms Ferguson from Alice Springs, who heads up the CRC, as part of this committee.
There are two great business people from the Northern Territory. Denis MacKenzie is a foundation shareholder and managing director of CSG, an information, communications, and technology company based in Darwin. Mr MacKenzie has been with CSG since 1996 and has run the business since 2001, being responsible for delivering the acquisitive growth of the business during that time, and the only Territory company wholly grown in the Territory currently listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Steve Margetic is the Managing Director of the Northern Territory’s largest privately-owned building contractors, Sitzler Brothers, a past president of the Territory Construction Association; and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has been a director of Master Builders Australia and Chairman of MBA National Contracts Committee, and is the chair of the Land Development Board. Anybody who knows Steve Margetic knows that he is a really big thinker, and passionate about the future of the Northern Territory.
I am very proud that this group of distinguished people has agreed to be part of the development of this plan.
In addition to the steering committee, I also announced a radical departure from the previous mechanisms of government. To assist and advise Cabinet on the development of this plan, and later to assist in ensuring that progress is being made, I have established a subcommittee of Cabinet, Madam Speaker. This subcommittee will be made up of me, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Treasurer, the Chief Executive Officer of my department, as well as the co-chairs of the steering committee, Mrs O’Halloran and Mr Bill Moss. The subcommittee will have extensive powers to advise the Cabinet on matters pertaining to the plan, and to discuss progress against the targets with agency chief executives and those responsible for implementing the plan, to monitor progress and assess whether the strategic direction is delivering the results being sought.
This is about opening up the windows of government to the community of the Northern Territory. It is about opening up government to external advice from enormously credentialed people, in all walks of life, to advise government, to engage with the community for government in looking at the aspirations for Territorians for future generations of Territorians in 2030, and putting in place a plan that is targeted and accountable to Territorians. They will also provide expert advice to Cabinet of progress which we need to work towards in achieving the outcomes of this plan. It is radical, innovative, and opening a breath of fresh air into government.
I personally thank each and every one of those distinguished people who have agreed to be part of this committee and to work with government to deliver on behalf of all Territorians now and into the future.
Government Investments
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Other than a single dorothy dixer and two five-minute reports to this House, your response to the international financial crisis has been to take a holiday. As you know, the Territory holds investments that are managed by funds managers and are, therefore, exposed to the global financial meltdown. Including government-owned corporations, how much has been lost in the area of these investments across the whole-of-government for the past 12 months?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the shadow Treasurer for his question, albeit somewhat churlish. The reports I have provided to parliament are clearly saying the Territory has a very strong economy and we are well placed to ride out what is a tough global financial crisis.
The volatility is there in the marketplace and we have seen that. We have seen some good news overnight with stocks rising but, clearly, we are in a sound financial position. Why? Because in our Conditions of Service Reserve, COSR, we do not have those investments in the international marketplace, and we have the Treasury Corporation oversighting the investment strategy. The Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report tomorrow will clearly show how that was tracked for the last period. I can tell you, it is good news coming.
Regarding TIO, I have been very clear in my reports in this Chamber, as well as in Question Time, that TIO is very well placed. They have the government’s guarantee and they are travelling very strongly. Like anyone in the financial sector, they will experience a reduction in their profits - that is to be expected - but nothing significant. They are well within the parameters this government and I, as Treasurer, set very clearly, based on advice from Treasury and the Under Treasurer. They are travelling well …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask you to ask the minister to come to the question, which is: how much have you lost?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could phrase your answer closer to the question.
Ms LAWRIE: Indeed, it does a great disservice for the shadow Treasurer to go out there and fear-monger and scaremonger over the financial position.
I have been very clear in this Chamber in pointing out that the COSR is fine and that we have no significant exposure. Of course, we will see, through our superannuation fund, just as other superannuation funds have seen, the profits will come under what was projected prior to the global financial crisis. That is patently going to be the case. As I have explained, TIO is in a very sound financial position and all the figures will be provided in the TAFR. I have been signing off TIO on their annual reports, which will be deemed in parliament and are very public. I will repeat this, and it is very important: both the Territory’s economy is strong …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! ‘How much have you lost?’, is the question. I ask the Treasurer to come to that.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer is answering the question. If you have the details, please provide them.
Ms LAWRIE: As I have clearly indicated, because it is scaremongering by the shadow Treasurer, COSR is sound; it is fine. People’s superannuation is well taken care off. TIO, equally, is in a very sound position and is well within the parameters. They have liquidity which is solid; they have the government’s guarantee. All those families with their investments - whether it is in the banking arm of TIO, or they have insurance with TIO - can absolutely be assured that TIO is extremely sound, and I have signed off on their annual report. The figures will be shown in the annual report when they are deemed …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If the Treasurer is unwilling to answer the question, why does she not sit down?
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I have not finished …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, please continue.
Ms LAWRIE: The TAFR will be tabled in parliament tomorrow …
Mr Elferink: Tomorrow night.
Ms LAWRIE: Tomorrow night. As the shadow Treasurer well knows, the Assembly concludes at 3.30 pm tomorrow because we have the President of Timor-Leste coming here.
We have seen the nett value of the Territory’s investments, which will be reflected in the TAFR, that have shown a notional fall of $11.8m, which reflects the current market - a very small fall. This is a small loss. It is disappointing, but it is also very understandable, given the current climate. Of course, the loss has not been realised …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! The minister has the call.
Ms LAWRIE: The Territory’s investment strategy …
Mr Mills: You talked about confidence. Have the confidence to say it straight up.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: It is important, when we are talking about this, to put it in context so that the scaremongering the opposition would want to do does not occur. It is important that you do not scaremonger.
The long-term strategy of the COSR and our other investments is guided by the experts - they are very good. I have seen exposures elsewhere - and we all read about them in the paper - and when you look at the context of that to what we have in the Territory, we are in a very sound position. As I say, the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report will be tabled tomorrow, and it will not be tomorrow night – it will be tomorrow morning.
Territory 2030 - Fresh Ideas, Real Results – Effect on Closing the Gap
Ms WALKER to DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
Territory 2030 - Fresh Ideas, Real Results is the first plan of its kind in the Territory’s history that focuses not only on economic growth but on social inclusion. Can you advise the House why the government has taken this action? What will it mean for plans such as Closing the Gap?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. She is right. I know the opposition is so churlish about this because they do not like anything that is going forward in building the Territory. Territory 2030 …
Mr Mills: Yes, we want some real action.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: They do not like anything positive, Madam Speaker ...
Mr Mills: Tells us the substance.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: This does have substance, unlike you.
Madam Speaker, Territory 2030 is an unprecedented document in its 20-year strategic focus. It is also unprecedented in its content. No extensive planning exercise laying down the direction …
Members interjecting.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I could go back and repeat it, Madam Speaker, because Territory 2030 will be a fantastic way forward for the Territory. When we look at all of the documents and the planning exercises that have been done in the past, nothing compares to the foundation that is being laid here. No other document has ever included - which is really important - the issues of social inclusion as part of that planning.
Government believes that, at a time of unprecedented economic growth, all members of our community have an opportunity to grow and prosper, and to expand their opportunities in life, Leader of the Opposition. We know economic growth gives us a bigger pie, and we intend to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to get their slice. This initiative will set into place opportunity, and it is through opportunity that people get to show the best that they can be. The government has undertaken extensive social development planning and programs, such as Closing the Gap. I, and every member of the Henderson government, am very proud of this policy and the effective implementation of it.
Territory 2030 will not take away the focus of that plan. In fact, Closing the Gap will become …
Mr Giles: Will the power be on by 2030?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, Closing the Gap - for the member for Braitling, just in case he misses this - will become an important element within Territory 2030. It will be one of the mechanisms used for achieving the targets under specific Territory goals. Social inclusion is the goal that is at the heart of this government. We came to office; we will redress the generation of neglect that has occurred for the bush, the poor, and the struggling working poor. We have battled to make an impact with this agenda. We have had our wins and we have had our setbacks. However, from now on, this important arena for action will be properly linked to our economic growth and development.
Like the Chief Minister, I am particularly pleased with the impressive credentials of the steering committee, particularly in regard to the experience they bring on issues, collectively known as social inclusion. I am very happy that Vicki O’Halloran will be co-chairing. Vicki O’Halloran, as we all know in this House, has that extensive experience and knowledge of the issues of the Territory, and will be ably joined by other members of this committee in pursuing these important goals. I am excited about the work being done and look forward to working closely …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am hoping you may be able to assist with a point of order. Standing Order 112(3)(b):
- Questions should not ask Ministers –
…
Ms LAWRIE: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker. The policy was announced prior to Question Time.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, thank you. Deputy Chief Minister.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am almost finished.
They have no answers; it is clear they have no answers. When there is a very strong policy base moving forward for the Territory, they do not have the answers. We are certainly moving this Territory forward.
Conditions of Service Reserve –
Current Figure
Current Figure
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
The Conditions of Service Reserve is the fund in which the Territory puts money to cope with our ballooning superannuation debt. From memory, the last Annual Report of Treasury Corporation reported that the value of the Conditions of Service Reserve was in the order of $421m. Is that figure correct? What is the current figure attached to the value of the Conditions of Service Reserve?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the shadow Treasurer has been given briefings on COSR. I am happy to provide further briefings for him.
As I said, the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report will be tabled tomorrow and I will give a tabling statement. COSR is tracking well. We have seen a very small reduction of $11.8m, but COSR has a long-term return of 9.48% on average over five years. It is a very robust fund.
The scaremongering of the shadow Treasurer is very irresponsible. The employee’s funds are very safe and are available to them as necessary. He will see the TAFR tomorrow brings good news for Territorians. We are driving down debt …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask you to direct the Treasurer to come to the question. The question is quite specific: what was the value of the Conditions of Service Reserve at the last annual report that is publicly available, and what is the value of that now?
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, if you can come to the question.
Ms LAWRIE: As I indicated, the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report, when tabled tomorrow morning, will provide him with the value now, which he is seeking. The TAFR is good news. It shows the Territory’s debt is being driven down by this Labor government; that, indeed, we have a very healthy surplus, which firewalls us in the difficult financial times that we are in. We are a strong economy, we are very well placed.
The COSR is safe, it is very well-managed, with long-term investment strategies. We have seen very strong growth in the COSR in previous years. We do have a slight downturn now, as you would expect. Everyone is experiencing that across funds investments; however, it is a very notional loss.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That is all right. She has sat down. She has not answered it.
Territory 2030 – Fresh Ideas, Fresh Results – Effects on Economy
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
Can you please update the House on how our economy is placed to underpin the Territory 2030 plan?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his good question. As I said, the economy is in the strongest position it has ever been. Our economy, our GSP, is forecast to grow by 6.6%, and this was before INPEX announced it preferred Darwin as its site.
While the global economic uncertainty will affect our nation’s economy, our country is well placed to deal with it. Both our Prime Minister and federal Treasurer have acted swiftly. They have guaranteed specified banking deposits for three years, and they put that $10.4bn economic stimulus package in place. It provides for increased expenditure for our pensioners, our families, housing, and training. This is in addition to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to prevent a rapid slowing in the economy by reducing the cash rate by 1%. The predictions are that we will see a further reduction.
The loss of confidence in the international financial system will impact on the economy and, if our nation’s economy slows significantly, we will feel the effects in the Territory in a potential reduction of GST revenue.
While the Territory’s economy is not immune to this capital market volatility and declines in economic activity, we are very well placed in these uncertain economic times. We have strong economic growth and forecast levels, which will be further strengthened by the INPEX investment. That present growth forecast is at 6.6% and, according to ACIL Tasman, the INPEX project will increase the Territory’s growth by a whopping 19.9% by 2015.
Careful planning by the Henderson government has put the Territory in the best financial position in its history. Territory 2030 is an important framework to plan our long-term future growth to ensure that all Territorians benefit from this prosperity. We want to work with Territorians, to hear their ideas about what they want to see in their cities, their towns, their regions. Education and training, strategic infrastructure investment – all of these are opportunities to boost the economic development and to back our Territory businesses.
We have strong population growth at 2.2% - well above the national rate of 1.6% - all the more reason why this important planning for growth needs to occur. We have a 10-year infrastructure plan under way, we are fast-tracking land release, and our economic stimulus of Buildstart in the construction industry is an example of how we are moving the Territory forward.
Madam Speaker, I commend the Chief Minister on Territory 2030.
Superannuation Savings
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
TIO puts its reserves into bonds and other safer securities to protect its reserves. You have put Territorians’ superannuation savings into playing the stock market. Why did you choose a high-risk option with taxpayers’ money when TIO chose a safe option with their own?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, actually, the question by the shadow Treasurer is wrong. It is very wrong. We have a long-term investment strategy for the COSR. We are not playing short-term strategies. We have a very prudent NT Treasury Corporation, and the wisdom of their investments is being borne out by the results we are seeing with just an $11.8m drop. They have very wise, long-term, medium-term, and an element of short-term investments.
The scaremongering by the shadow Treasurer does him no good. We have seen very strong returns by the investment strategy in the COSR - very health returns. As I said, we averaged a 9.48% return on that investment over a five-year period. That is in a strong position. The scaremongering is irresponsible ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very specific: why did she choose the stock market when TIO chose bonds and securities?
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, have you completed your answer?
Ms LAWRIE: I have clearly pointed out his question is wrong. Yes, Madam Speaker.
Regional Development -
Indigenous Disadvantage
Indigenous Disadvantage
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Could you inform the House about the government’s initiatives in regional development that are closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. Certainly, improving economic outcomes for Indigenous Territorians is a fundamental plank of our Closing the Gap program. $13m will be committed to improving Indigenous employment and economic outcomes through our five-year Closing the Gap action plan. What that boils down to is local jobs for local people, with increasing economic activity in our regions.
I will not pretend today that it is not a big gap we have to bridge, but I believe there are already some successes in Indigenous economic development. For example, the Indigenous Business Development Program has created and supported 67 businesses in three years, and that equates to 134 new jobs. This program is continuing to assist emerging and aspiring businesses, with the $647m SIHIP program providing further opportunities.
The other day, I had the pleasure of going to Yuendumu in my electorate to sign, on behalf of the Northern Territory government, a regional partnership agreement. The Tanami Regional Partnership Agreement is a partnership between the Australian and Territory governments, Newmont Asia-Pacific, the Central Land Council, and the Central Desert and Victoria Daly Shires. Already, the partnership agreement is achieving some early wins for us. For example, the Tanami fencing project has already been completed, and business planning is under way for the auto repair shop at Yuendumu. Today, we have more Warlpiri people working with the Yuendumu Mining Company than ever before.
This is what it is all about, Madam Speaker; developing the local economy and local businesses, in a partnership with the private sector and non-government organisations. To me, this is what regional development is all about, and it is what I will continue to passionately support. Real economic development is the basis of improving the quality of life for all Territorians in the regions, and achieving real job outcomes in the bush.
Conditions of Service Reserve - Value
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
The financial crisis has largely occurred since the end of the last financial year. What was the value of the Conditions of Service Reserve at the end of last financial year, and what is the value of that reserve now?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as I have indicated, the value of the Conditions of Service Reserve will be contained in the TAFR which will be tabled tomorrow. I have said that will be tabled tomorrow morning with a tabling statement.
I repeat: the COSR is in a very healthy position. Treasury Corporation is very prudent with its investment strategies ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order; Madam Speaker! I am after one figure: what is the Conditions of Service Reserve worth now?
Madam SPEAKER: I understand that the Treasurer is indicating that she is tabling a document tomorrow with those figures. Is that correct, Treasurer?
Mr Elferink: No, she is not tabling that, she is tabling the end of financial year. She is being very cute.
Ms LAWRIE: No, the COSR will show the figure as at the end of the financial year - absolutely. We know it is tracking around the $400m mark and, as we will see, there will be volatility across the marketplace. The volatility has had an impact of about $11.8m on the COSR.
The scaremongering bodes no good for the shadow Treasurer because the reality is the COSR value varies daily, and losses during this period are notional unless investments are cashed out. There is absolutely no intention whatsoever - let me be very clear about this - of cashing out now. That would be the type of foolishness that we hear from the shadow Treasurer.
Crocodile Egg Harvesting Quota – Impact
on Closing the Gap
on Closing the Gap
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
How will the recent decision by the federal government to increase this year’s crocodile egg harvesting quota by 10 000 eggs help to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is good news for the Henderson Labor government. I thank the member for Fannie Bay for the question. I take this opportunity to thank the federal Environment minister, Peter Garrett, who has made the right decision on crocodile eggs in a way that balances the protection of the environment with economic development and growth in the Northern Territory.
The crocodile industry is one of the shining lights of Indigenous economic development. There are currently eight existing or proposed crocodile egg incubators on Aboriginal communities. The majority of the recent growth in harvest numbers is occurring on Aboriginal land, with the support and involvement of traditional owners and Aboriginal ranger groups.
Traditional owners in many places now receive more money from crocodile eggs than they do from buffalo and cattle. Crocodile eggs are also collected on three jointly managed Territory parks along the Adelaide River catchment. The most recent tender offered traditional owners $40 per viable egg, and three training positions for traditional owners at local crocodile farms.
Madam Speaker, 50% of the revenue from the 3000 eggs collected last season goes to the traditional owners, and the remaining 50% will be returned to the park to be spent on jointly agreed programs, including further investment in Indigenous tourism enterprises. It is the establishment of real industry in remote areas, offering real jobs and paying its own way, that will ultimately work to close the gap for Indigenous Territorians.
Darwin Port - Iron Ore Dust Drift
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
With the increasing export of minerals across the port, there can be issues arising regarding the loading of ore on to ships. Iron ore dust is blown across port plant and equipment and out over the sea when it is being loaded on to ships at the port, and I am told the colour of one of the navigation buoys has changed because it has been affected by dust from the iron ore. What is the government doing to stop the drift of iron ore dust and dust of other ore sources at the port as it is being loaded on to ships?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his important question. I have checked with the Darwin Port Corporation and they are not aware of the problem regarding the buoy; however, they are making those checks.
Territory Resources, our only exporter of iron ore from East Arm, has in place an environment management plan. Of course, that plan has been approved by the department of Environment. As part of that environment management plan, 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 conveyor belts. Territory Resources is currently constructing a truck wash to reduce the tracking of iron ore dust when moving the product from the stockpiles to the ship loader.
The government has approved a $35m investment to construct an overland conveyor system, which will remove the requirement to truck product from the where the stockpiles are on to the port itself. This will, obviously, improve environmental outcomes in the aspect of exporting the iron ore.
Further funding of $1.5m has been approved to modify the ship loader to enclose the system to minimise dust. Water sprays are used on the iron ore to ensure they have sound environmental management practices.
I am advised that Patrick Stevedores has purchased a street sweeper for use within the port, to clean the wharf area of any dust residue. This is in constant use when the iron ore is being loaded, and stormwater run-off from the iron ore stockpiles is held in settling ponds within the stockpile area.
Indigenous Territorians - Housing Conditions
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for HOUSING
Can you please update the House on the vital work being done to improve housing conditions for Indigenous Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. As I said in the House yesterday during my ministerial report, improving housing conditions is absolutely vital if we are to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
No one in this House would dispute the massive scale of need for improving housing in remote communities. All too often, we see 15 to 20 Territorians sharing one house. This overcrowding impacts on many elements of life: on health; on the capacity for children to get a good night’s sleep and to attend school; and the safety of women in their homes; just to name a few. At last we have a federal government that is as equally committed to tackling this important issue as this government is. They are not just words, Madam Speaker.
The joint Australian and Northern Territory government record $647m Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program is the single largest commitment to improving Indigenous housing in the Northern Territory that we have seen. Over 15 years, 16 communities will receive …
Mr Giles interjecting.
Mr KNIGHT: If you are not interested, member for Braitling …
Mr Giles: I am quite interested in hearing about the federal government dollars that can be used …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: You need to listen, member for Braitling, it is a very serious issue. Over 15 years, 16 communities will receive $420m in major new works. A further $125m will be committed to another 57 communities for refurbishment to existing homes, and a further $103m will be earmarked to upgrade housing in urban living areas in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine. This record program of works is all focused on closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
As I mentioned yesterday, the landmark lease agreement reached with the Julalikari Council was a vital step in delivering $36.5m in works for Tennant Creek. Land lease negotiations for Wadeye, Galiwinku and Maningrida are continuing – actually, the Northern Land Council is at Wadeye today - and I look forward to the agreements being reached with these communities.
Earlier this month, I was pleased to join federal Indigenous Affairs minister, Ms Jenny Macklin, announcing the three alliance partners for the SIHIP program. These companies will deliver the infrastructure works. I again take the opportunity to commend Earth Connect Alliance, Territory Alliance and New Future Alliance for securing these contracts. The key element of SIHIP is focused on providing jobs and training opportunities for local Indigenous Territorians. All three alliance partners will be set performance targets that lead to the creation of real jobs in the communities, and the end result will be Indigenous Territorians with new skills that will open the door to future job opportunities.
Madam Speaker, civil works are set to start in Nguiu and in Tennant Creek in the coming weeks. While there is a long way to go, these are important milestones improving Indigenous housing and closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
Power and Water Corporation –
Cost of Power Crisis
Cost of Power Crisis
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
The Minister for Essential Services said in this House that costs of the power crisis will be borne by the Power and Water Corporation. However, the Chief Minister, on television, said that the contingency fund - that is, Treasurer’s Advance, I presume - will pay for the power crisis. Who was wrong? The Minster for Essential Services or the Chief Minster?
ANSWER
Neither was wrong, Madam Speaker. The shadow Treasurer is again wanting to mislead by taking the Chief Minister’s comments out of context. The Chief Minister was referring to Power and Water’s own funds ...
Mr Elferink: He referred to his own budget.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Power and Water is very well supported by this government. They have an enormous capital works program. They have a commitment of around $1bn in the capital works program, which this government is supporting. In the May budget, I announced a $50m capital grant to Power and Water, and I have made a further $50m capital grant to Power and Water - a total of $100m to Power and Water. Why can we do that? Because we are strong, financial managers. Whilst we are driving our debts down, we are increasing our surpluses, unlike the opposition, which had debt going through the roof - zero growth, and an absolute deficit driving down; no capacity to respond to where the needs arises across the Territory and, in this instance, the need in Power and Water.
Child Protection in the Bush
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for CHILD PROTECTION
Can the minister please outline efforts that have been made for protection of children in the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. Our government is totally committed to the care and protection of children across the Northern Territory and, in particular, our children in the bush. There is a lot of work being undertaken by the Northern Territory Department of Families and Children. In fact, I will highlight some of the good things that have been occurring with my recent visits to some of the department’s areas and meeting with Indigenous staff and, in particular, the push for the role of remote family community workers to create a remote Aboriginal child protection workforce staffed by local Indigenous people.
These people will work with the support of Child Protection staff and will be able to respond to the issues identified by families and communities. In fact, we have quite a number that have already started in Wugularr, Galiwinku, Borroloola, Elliott, Ti Tree, Hermannsburg, Gunbalanya, and Daly River. In 2009, we will see a couple of extra workers going into Yuendumu, Papunya, and Nguiu. This model is based on working with communities to create child protection responses that better meet the needs of children and families.
Also, another important initiative is the work of the mobile child protection team, which only started in April this year. In partnership, the Australian government and the Territory government allocated $1.9m to set up a mobile child protection team. The team has visited 36 communities across the Northern Territory so far across the Top End, Central Australia, and Katherine and Nhulunbuy regions. I take this opportunity to thank, in particular, those workers in the Department of Health and Families who have been under enormous pressure themselves. Staff across the Northern Territory have complete focus on the needs of our children, and that focus will not change with our government, because we are absolutely committed to wanting to see the lives of all our children improved.
Conditions of Service Reserve – Plans for Use
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
The superannuation savings of the government only represent a small fraction of the $2.3bn superannuation debt the Territory carries. Are there any plans by government to use those savings, namely COSR, for purposes other than superannuation expenses? If so, what are those plans?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I truly welcome the question from the shadow Treasurer, because this is another area where he has been digging around and putting out his little flights of fantasy. I am happy to put on the record what is occurring with COSR.
What this government has done, through strong financial management, is be in a position to invest into COSR to ensure that we are helping to meet our superannuation liabilities as they start to really peak in and around 2016 to 2023 - which are approximate dates. The former Treasurer, Syd Stirling, was able to put a significant investment into that COSR fund of approximately $120m. I will check that figure; it could be as high as $150m. I announced an investment into the fund in my first budget of $20m, and indicated …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question is very simple, it can be answered with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. If it is a ‘yes’, it only needs a short answer. What are the plans for that fund? If you are going to use it for purposes other than superannuation, what are you going to use it for?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The Treasurer is on her feet and she is still answering the question.
Ms LAWRIE: In my first budget, the May budget, we put an additional $20m into COSR. I indicated in that May budget speech that, if the Territory continues to track well in our sound fiscal regime; that we have growth in our economy and we have seen growth in revenue …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Treasurer has still not come close to answering the question – yes or no, and, if yes, what are the plans?
Ms LAWRIE: I would have been there by now if you had not kept interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, the Treasurer is still on her feet.
Ms LAWRIE: You do not want to hear it.
Mr Elferink: Well, then, answer it.
Madam SPEAKER: The Treasurer has the call.
Ms LAWRIE: In the May budget speech I gave, I indicated that the Northern Territory government would, if we kept tracking in the direction we have been tracking - that is, growing healthy surpluses and driving debt down - that we would make hay while the sun shines, so that, as we have seen with COSR into which we are putting additional funding out of our surpluses, we would create an investment fund - if you like, a futures fund - to fund future infrastructure …
Mr Elferink: Infrastructure! That means you have to sell shares out of this fund.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr Elferink: It is outrageous!
Ms LAWRIE: I will pick up on the interjection …
Mr Elferink: You are going to sell shares out of this fund to make it work.
Ms LAWRIE: … and this may help understand his flights of fancy, because we are not cashing out the COSR …
Mr Elferink: Then how is this going to work?
Ms LAWRIE: What we have clearly flagged - he has it wrong, despite the Treasury briefings which have occurred;. He does not understand it, but that is okay. What we are clearly saying is strong financial management gives us the opportunity to invest into future infrastructure needs. I flagged that change in government direction and policy in the May budget. Did I put anything into it? No, I put $20m into COSR, which is the superannuation liability. However, I flagged that, if we continued to track well with healthy surpluses whilst we are driving debt down, that we would create an infrastructure fund as well ...
Mr Henderson: A new fund.
Ms LAWRIE: A new fund so that, whilst we are in a very strong economic position, it would be clearly prudent of the government to start to put funds into an infrastructure fund to pay for future infrastructure investment requirements of our great nation, which is clearly in keeping …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The Chief Minister is talking about 2030; well, it makes a lot of sense, in 2008, to look at the opportunities to create a fund to put the dollars in, because we are managing the economy well, with healthy surpluses driving debt down, to provide for the infrastructure needs of future generations.
Indigenous Pastoral Program
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
The Indigenous Pastoral project has been successful in growing our cattle herd and creating jobs in our regions. Can you outline what has been done to build on the solid results achieved so far under the Indigenous Pastoral Program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I recently received a pastoral market update with regard to the live cattle export via Darwin Port. In 2007, there were 283 000 live cattle exported from the Port of Darwin. In the past nine months, there were 287 000 cattle exported from the Port of Darwin. Out of these, 231 000 have come from the Territory. Because of change of living conditions and the economy in Indonesia and South-East Asia, the demand for high quality protein is increasing all the time, and the prediction by DFAT is that, within five years, the demand for live cattle export will be 500 000 head and, within 10 years, it will increase to one million head.
Of course, we are in a unique position because of our disease-free status and our close proximity to Indonesia to be able to supply these live cattle - if we are able to produce them in the Northern Territory. The Cattlemen’s Association and the pastoralists are working together to increase the capacity of the land, the ability to breed cattle quicker, but also to utilise Indigenous land that will be able to be brought back into production, because Indigenous land at the moment has the capacity to increase the herd in the Northern Territory.
The Indigenous Pastoral Program is a joint initiative by the Northern and Central Land Councils; the Indigenous Land Corporation; the Northern Territory government, through my department; and the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association. This initiative was established in 2002. I was there when we signed a memorandum of understanding at Kalkarindji that will run until 2011. Our intention is to increase the number of cattle on Indigenous land, to bring Indigenous land back into production, and to provide jobs for Indigenous people in the pastoral industry.
The program currently works with 18 high-priority properties. Six of them are run by owner management, and 12 are leased to outside pastoralists. Our pastoral industry has now grown by 43 000 head. We have to grow it further, and we can do it by utilising Indigenous land and the Indigenous Pastoral Program. In 2007-08, we had 48 trainees inducted to pre-employment. Today, we have 30 people who are going through induction, and we want another 12. The retention rate of these trainees is more than 60%. The program works, not only to bring the land back into production, but by providing jobs for young Indigenous Territorians.
My thanks go to the Northern and Central Land Councils and the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association. We have some very good examples of how pastoralists will work with Indigenous communities, readying Indigenous land, bringing back the production, with an agreement that work will be done by Indigenous people. I congratulate John Underwood, from Riveren Station, who was one of the first to implement the program. I call upon other pastoralists to utilise the Indigenous Pastoral Program to bring land back into production, provide jobs for young Territorians, and increase our cattle herd and put us in a position to be ahead of any other Australian state in exporting good quality cattle to Indonesia and South-East Asia.
Treasurer’s Advance –
Guarantee of Expenditure
Guarantee of Expenditure
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
The government’s contingent liability fund, or Treasurer’s Advance, was listed in last year’s budget at $40m. Amazingly, you took $137.754m out of that $40m, which is within $1000 of the very legal limit of your capacity to drain that fund. To get more, you would have had to come back into this House and beg for more.
Will you guarantee, this year, that you will use no more than $40m budgeted for this year’s Treasurer’s Advance before the end of the financial year and, if you will not give that guarantee, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the shadow Treasurer does not understand the Conditions of Service Reserve, the COSR, and how that works. I guess he is nervous because he knows the CLP raided the COSR for around $150m for the railway, so they are expecting us to behave the same way. However, the stark difference between us and the CLP is we are putting money in to the COSR - $150m …
Mr Elferink: And taking it out.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: … in 2006-07, $20m in …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: We are putting the money into the COSR and you guys were stripping out of it. I guess that is why he does not understand ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Once again, the question is very straightforward: will you restrain your expenditure out of the Treasurer’s Advance to $40m; if not, why not …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, you have already asked the question. It is quite a complex question, it is in several parts. The Treasurer has the call.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I get the confusion in the mind of the shadow Treasurer. He calls the Treasurer’s Advance a contingent liability fund. No, it is a fund that is there for initiatives and expenditure requirements that occur throughout the year, to be used, as and when required. Treasurers have a history, under Labor, of being very strict in Treasurer’s Advances and what they are used for. Every government has a fund that they can call upon, when and if required, to respond to the needs of their jurisdiction, and very appropriately so.
The opposition like to think that nothing happens between budgets, that between May of one year and May of the following year, nothing happens across the Territory, nothing changes, there is no requirement to spend any additional funding outside of the budget. You go from freeze frame from one May period to the next. Well, clearly, that is patently absurd. The Treasurer’s Advance is the opportunity to respond to the requirements of the Territory, quite appropriately. There are very strict criteria that we apply to the use of Treasurer’s Advance. I know that my Cabinet colleagues, with me, have always …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Again, I am asking her to answer the question. What I am seeking from her is a commitment not to spend more than the $40m extra that is available to her. That is all. It is a very short answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, the minister has the call. It is a complex question and she is answering the question.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am not crystal ball gazing here. I am not going to say what might occur anywhere across the Territory to require a response from the government. I am not going to crystal ball gaze and predict what might occur across the Territory between now and 30 June next year. What I am clearly saying is that Treasurer’s Advance is appropriately there to respond to any area that requires the resources of government to be applied to it - as I would expect should occur.
Our community does expect government to respond to real need, where that is demonstrated - whether it is putting on additional nurses or responding to the needs of a police station in a particular place; all of those matters that would be outside the expected budget that was predicted in May ...
Mr Elferink: That is not what Percy Allan told you to do with it.
Ms LAWRIE: Very clearly, Percy Allan, the man who exposed the pretence that the CLP had had, for presentation purposes only, the shuffling of the money to pretend that they had increased the Health budget …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is not a difficult question to answer. All she has to do is say yes or no.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. Minister, can you come to the question soon?
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I was provoked because he did mention Professor Percy Allan and the black hole that he discovered the CLP had left the Territory budget in 2001 …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms LAWRIE: … which prompted a mini-budget from the Labor Martin government.
Madam Speaker, I am not going to crystal ball gaze. Quite appropriately, the Treasurer’s Advance is used when, as needed, and required. All through the 1990s, Treasurer’s Advance was used to its extent.
Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016