2010-08-18
Member for Solomon – Domestic Violence Order
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, when given the opportunity to categorically deny Damian Hale had ever threatened, assaulted or harassed his ex-wife, you refused to answer that question. Instead, you said the police had never interviewed Mr Hale, as if this confirms Damian Hale did not threaten, assault, or harass his ex-wife. No such conclusion can be drawn of Damian Hale’s conduct from that fact. Will you now tell this parliament what happened to provoke Damian Hale’s wife to take a domestic violence order against him?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, as with yesterday, the question is out of order. It is not in the area of the Chief Minister’s responsibility. Chief Minister, if you wish to answer the question you may do so.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, on a day when I have just announced a new vision for growing and securing our economy for the next 40 years, developing a marine supply base for Darwin to support the offshore oil and gas industry, that is what the people of the Northern Territory expect this parliament to be dealing with instead of being in the gutter.
It is part of the Leader of the Opposition’s very scripted policy and scheme of raising this issue, which had been well raised in the last week of a very close election campaign. This is a scripted, political ambush of the member for Solomon in the last week of a very close election campaign. It sees the Leader of the Opposition sink to a new low level in integrity in this House.
The member for Solomon has denied any allegations which have been made in regard to violence against his former wife. I accept the member for Solomon’s word on this issue.
This issue – a broken marriage - should be dealt with by the police and the courts, not trawled through on the floor of this parliament for the Leader of the Opposition’s desperate political ends.
We also had the Chief Justice of the Northern Territory commenting on ABC radio this morning. The Chief Justice said:
- We need to be very careful about DVOs because there is a procedure when one person makes a complaint, the other person can agree to an order being made without admitting any liability whatsoever. Sometimes, of course, two people make a complaint against each other. They make allegations about behaviour; they both agree to having an order put in place against each other, both of them saying: ‘We do not make any admission of liability whatsoever’, so there is a need to be very careful about interpreting DVO orders.
The Chief Justice also said:
- DVOs are not always about violence and, commonly, they are called restraining orders; restraining people from making communications, or doing certain things - not always violence involved.
This issue is a role for the police, not the kangaroo court established by a desperate opposition in the dying days of an election campaign.
Marine Supply Base – Benefits to Territory
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
Today you called for expressions of interest for the construction of a marine supply base for the Territory. Can you please advise the House on the benefits of this project?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome a positive question of real interest to Territorians.
Over the last 10 years, the focus of this Labor government has been to broaden and deepen this economy, to secure investment in this economy, provide well-paid jobs for Territorians, and opportunities for business, big and small. We believe a more diverse economy is better for the long-term prospects of the Territory. That is why we have focused and worked so hard on developing the Northern Territory as a premier oil and gas hub.
That is why I, as Chief Minister - and not only my government, the previous government – have been chasing every gas project we can. I am convinced we will be successful in securing the Ichthys project, which will be the biggest project the Territory has ever seen.
The offshore industry is predicted to be the main driver of the Northern Territory’s economy over the next 40 years. This sector will underpin and provide certainty for our economy. The government believes the work involved in making this area a gas hub must now be broadened to focus it on becoming the main service, supply, and maintenance area for this industry in Northern Australia. It is a main part of our Territory 2030 plans.
Today, I have called for expressions of interest from national and international companies to build and operate a world-class marine supply base adjacent to Darwin’s East Arm Wharf. This will see our economy underpinned for decades to come.
The main purpose of the supply base will be to increase Darwin’s capacity to support offshore oil and gas developments in the entire South-East Asian region, including operations in the Arafura and Timor Seas and the Browse Basin. It will see a significant growth in the local rig tender vessel visits. It will grow local businesses currently supporting the offshore oil and gas industry, and attract new investment and business opportunities in the Northern Territory.
This is the type of issue the people of the Northern Territory expect this parliament to be debating: a vision for the Northern Territory, a future for our children. That is what the people of the Northern Territory want this parliament to be debating. I urge the Leader of the Opposition to be very careful about where he takes the rest of this Question Time.
Violent Crime – Alcohol Involvement
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
The latest Northern Territory crime statistics are an absolute tragedy. In the March quarter, there were 1738 reported assaults in the Northern Territory, on average about 17 assaults every day. Of those 1738 reported assaults, alcohol was involved in 60% of them. Why does alcohol play such a huge role in contributing to violent crime in the Northern Territory? What advice do you have for people who act in a violent or abusive manner after consuming alcohol?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for his question. I welcome the Northern Territory News campaign to shine the lights on alcohol-fueled violence with their Just Think campaign. I urge all local members to get behind this campaign; it is a very responsible thing for our NT News to be running. We certainly need to have a broad-ranging debate about the abuse of alcohol in our community and the damage it does to so many Territorians.
Alcohol is a factor in over 50% of all assaults reported in the Northern Territory, and these affect, tragically, our health outcomes, impact significantly on poor education outcomes from children who reside in homes where alcohol issues are a significant issue for parents or carers, and also affects the economy of the Northern Territory.
A new report by the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies highlights the enormous social and economic harm caused by alcohol misuse across the Territory. The report estimated in 2004-05 the total social cost of alcohol in the Northern Territory was $642m or $4197 per adult.
It is a very significant issue, which is why we have worked so hard on alcohol policy across the Northern Territory. Alcohol-induced violence is not acceptable. We have more police than ever before to deal with this issue. We have CCTV cameras, particularly in our major nightclub precincts, to support the police in what they are doing. We have increased provisions for police to ban people from those areas.
My colleague, the Attorney-General and Minister for Alcohol Policy, is working on a significant reform program to further deal with this significant problem that affects too many Territorians.
Building Approvals Growth
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
Building approvals data is a key indicator of the health of the construction sector of the economy. Can you please outline to the House the growth in building approvals across the Territory?
Mr Elferink interjecting.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question, even though the member for Port Darwin finds building approvals a laughing matter.
The Territory is recording strong growth in building approvals with a 36% rise in building approvals in the past 12 months. The rate of building approvals in the Territory is trending upwards compared to a national decline. Over the past 12 months, residential building approvals are up across housing and unit construction, worth an estimated $551m. One of the big contributors to this is the nation building program through significant investment in public housing with some 196 unit approvals. Private unit approvals have also increased by 47% indicating a recovery in that market following very tight credit conditions during the global financial crisis and post the GFC into recovery mode.
Critically important was the Australian Labor government’s First Home Owner Boost which was part of the stimulus response which contributed to growing residential construction. That First Home Owner Boost was an initiative under the Rudd stimulus plan. The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, moved very swiftly in understanding the importance of getting the first homeowners into the marketplace. The scheme boosted the first homeowner grant from $7000 to $21 000 for new homes to boost new housing construction. The scheme stepped down to $14 000 to the end of last year as part of that phasing out of the stimulus.
The boost scheme supported 1728 Territorians into their first home. It also supported the construction of some 359 new homes across our Territory. This was a great initiative to help first homebuyers into their first homes and, at the same time, stimulate housing construction at the time of economic uncertainty.
This was an initiative, shamefully, not supported by the CLP. Their man in the Senate, Nigel Scullion, was against it ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Port Darwin! Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: The bully boys cannot help themselves, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The 36% increase in building approvals indicate a very healthy pipeline of work for builders and suppliers; a pipeline of work that will continue to grow with the first stage of Johnston and the further developments at Bellamack soon to flow through these building approvals.
Member for Solomon –
Alleged Nightclub Brawl
Alleged Nightclub Brawl
Mr CHANDLER to CHIEF MINISTER
In June 2007, your then candidate for Solomon, Damian Hale, was involved in a 3 am brawl with AFL footballer, Chris Tarrant, at the Lost Arc Nightclub. Chris Tarrant was suspended by his football club for three matches as a result of his role in the fracas – that is what is called a consequence. What is your understanding of the role Damian Hale played in that melee and was he censured for his role in the 3 am pub brawl?
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, this question does not relate to your administration of any portfolios. If you wish to answer the question you may do so but, otherwise, it is out of order.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is an interesting political strategy that the Leader of the Opposition, having opened the floodgates in regard to this pretty grubby debate, is now running away from the debates and having junior members of his party do his dirty work for him.
Let us remember that this issue and this scripted tactic being run by the opposition in this parliament through the last week of the election campaign is a desperate attempt by a desperate Leader of the Opposition to smear a political opponent in the lead-up to the last days of an election. These are all old stories, well ventilated in the past and nothing new.
Let us look at where we have come to overnight. The Leader of the Opposition put his hand on his heart and said he is a principled man taking a principled stand. As a result, we have Steve Brown, and I think Richard Teo - and now e-mails from the old puppet masters, Shane Stone and Graeme Lewis - putting together the pieces of the jigsaw that show this is just a grubby, political strategy, not an act of principle by the Leader of the Opposition.
Shane Stone is the same man who once took a CLP candidate’s matrimonial file to a CLP meeting. We now know Shane Stone is still pulling the strings on the Opposition Leader. He is not a leader; he is a puppet. Media reports today show Shane Stone has sent e-mails to the Leader of the Opposition instructing him to call for the member for Solomon’s disendorsement.
Former CLP President, Graeme Lewis, told the member for Blain - again the puppet -- to put petrol on this issue to fix Hale right up - not a point of principle; an orchestrated, scheming political strategy.
They are telling you to do this, Leader of the Opposition, after you knew that Leo Abbott had breached a domestic violence order. You knew because, in the Alice Springs News yesterday there was an admission, and I quote:
- Alice Springs delegate Steve Brown says Leo Abbott told the party’s pre-selection committee in a closed meeting earlier this year that he had breached a domestic violence order (DVO), had been fined by the court, but no conviction had been entered.
The Leader of the Opposition is asking us to believe that he did not know - his executive committee knew, 100 members of his party knew, and the Leader of the Opposition did not know. The Leader of the Opposition is a fraud ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
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Visitors
Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Years 7 and 8 Tennant Creek High School students, accompanied by Ms Lisa Carroll, Mr Liam Toner, Mr Allan Kassman, Ms Deb Lyons, Ms Hannah Mortlock, Mr Darrell Ryder, and Mrs Coralie Jones.
On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Alleged Child Abuse – Protective Mechanisms
Alleged Child Abuse – Protective Mechanisms
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for CHILD PROTECTION
When neither an alleged child abuse perpetrator, nor the child who has reported the abuse, are removed from a remote community during an ongoing investigation, what protective mechanisms has your department put in place to ensure the child’s safety?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I am well aware she raised this question during the Estimates Committee, and I asked her to speak to my director of children’s protection.
I also met with the police who investigated the case during my recent trip to Alice Springs. The police assured me the child, who the member had alleged was not interviewed by an appropriate translator or interpreter, had been interviewed by the appropriate interpreter. The police also advised me the reason the alleged perpetrator was not removed …
Ms ANDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! My question is specific as to whether the department has mechanisms in place to protect this child on a remote Aboriginal community. And yes, I received the letter from you about the interpreter but it was not the mother who interpreted and you flawed the investigation …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Macdonnell, resume your seat! That is not a point of order.
Mr VATSKALIS: I inquired with the police because I am really concerned about this kind of allegation. If an alleged perpetrator is still in the community, I certainly do not think it is appropriate. The police told me they interviewed the family and other people, but there was not sufficient evidence to press charges. In our system everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and there is no way, unless charges are pressed or unless a person is directed to go to court, a person can be directed to move out of a house or a community.
I strongly support the removal of perpetrators when they are found to be guilty but, unless it is found that a perpetrator, or any person, is found guilty it is very unreasonable, and it is against our principles, to demand this person is punished.
Palmerston - GP Super Clinic
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH
This government is committed to …
Mr Tollner: Say without notice.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: You are just a joke. You are a real clown.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Fong Lim!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: You had too many red jellybeans for lunch.
Minister, this government is committed to making sure we get our fair share of GP services in the Territory. Can you please provide an update on the GP Super Clinic at Palmerston?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr Tollner: When they shut down …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, the member for Fong Lim is absolutely right: if Abbott is elected that super clinic will be closed down. A super clinic in a place where we have 58 GPs per 100 000 population, compared to in excess of 90 in New South Wales. In a place where we have the lowest bulkbilling rate in Australia, Tony Abbott would close down that super clinic, and the one proposed by the federal Labor government for the northern suburbs will never happen.
Let us look at the super clinic. That super clinic opens soon because the building is near completion. However, Stage 1 which opened in December 2008, the after-hours urgent care clinic, treats about 26 persons a day. Since its opening it has treated 14 600 people.
Emergency departments are under strain throughout Australia, and our emergency department is even worse. One person every 10 minutes attends the emergency department. The growth rate is about 10%. However, since the opening of the super clinic in Palmerston the growth rate of the department is about 1%. That is the impact the opening of this after-hours clinic has made on our emergency department.
Our government supports the super clinic; the super clinic will open and will operate 24-hours a day providing essential services which otherwise Territorians will not receive. In addition, it will be the training ground for our doctors and nurses. Doctors will come out of CDU, together with Flinders University, be trained in the Territory and will stay in the Territory. As I said, we have the lowest number of doctors in the Northern Territory. It does not matter what we tried to do; we cannot attract them. Even Tony Abbott, with his incentives, will not attract them. What is his solution? Close down the super clinics. Why? Because some wealthy doctors demanded it. If you are a doctor and you cannot make a living in the Northern Territory there is something wrong with your business plan. Go back and look at it again.
The super clinic will stay here as long as we have a federal Labor government, and as long as our government is in place in the Northern Territory.
Member for Solomon –
Alleged Abusive Behaviour in Nightclub
Alleged Abusive Behaviour in Nightclub
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE to CHIEF MINISTER
There are other matters that suggest the member for Solomon is not fit to be a member of parliament. On 28 January, the NT News reported Damian Hale launched a tirade of abuse at a Southern Districts footballer at a nightclub in Palmerston. The abuse was so extreme the footballer in question thought Damian Hale could have pulled a knife on him if he said those things to the wrong person. What action did the Labor Party take to discipline Damian Hale after his verbal assault on the Southern Districts footballer?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Was that at the Brolga Awards or was it somewhere else?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Order! Order!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of Government Business! Member for Port Darwin! Member for Greatorex!
Member for Katherine, I remind you that a question to a minister is meant to relate to a matter of administration for which they are responsible. In addition, while we have freedom of speech in this Chamber, it is a requirement under our standing orders - something I am required to do is remind the Assembly:
- (1) That the Assembly considers that, in speaking in the Assembly, or in a committee, Members should take the following matters into account:
Member for Katherine, this question is completely out of order. While I will allow the Chief Minister to answer it, if he wishes to, I believe there needs to be a consideration that there is no right to reply whatsoever in this Chamber. Chief Minister, if you wish to you may respond, but there is no obligation.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I say to the member for Katherine, who is picking up the line of the attack from the gutless Leader of the Opposition who has absented himself from the field, be very careful. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
This is a new low for this parliament. Why are we not, in Question Time, debating significant issues of importance for the good electors of Solomon? Why are we not discussing the various merits of the broadband proposals, so vital to the future of our economy? Why are we not focusing on infrastructure developments for the Northern Territory, how to improve health, how to improve education? These are the pictures and issues Territorians want this parliament to debate, rather than to be down in the gutter; to try to recover some lost ground from an absolute mess in which the totally disgraced Leader of the Opposition now finds himself.
After Friday’s NT News printed Leo Abbott admitting to breaching a domestic violence order, the Leader of the Opposition came out to disendorse him. Knowing their party had preselected a candidate with DVO orders and a breach against him …
Mr Mills: Not true! Not true!
Mr HENDERSON: … he said it was a point of principle and, now, we have e-mails from Shane Stone …
Mr Mills: I will prove that; it is a lie.
Mr HENDERSON: … and Graeme Lewis instructing the Leader of the Opposition what to do in a scheming tactic to get at Labor’s Damian Hale, who is on a knife’s edge in the seat of Solomon.
Shane Stone said: ‘If we determine it is correct, then we pull his preselection and, at the same time, challenge the ALP to do likewise with Hale’. We have Mr Lewis saying: ‘We need to put petrol on the issue to fix Hale right up’. Stone says: ‘Terry Mills should call for the disendorsement’.
This is an orchestrated, desperate, political strategy; it is not a point of principle. A political party with any principles would not have preselected a candidate, not only with DVOs against him, but a man who had admitted to its preselection committee, in front of 100 people, he had breached those DVOs.
The Leader of the Opposition’s integrity lies in tatters; this is a desperate, grubby, political, last-week campaign. It is not focused on substance. It is not focused on …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Mr HENDERSON: … issues, and it is to the eternal shame of the Leader of the Opposition.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired!
Upgrade of NT Housing Properties - Progress
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Can you report on the progress of the work to upgrade Territory Housing properties, thanks to funding from the Australian government’s $60m housing stimulus package?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. It is a question of what will benefit Territorians, and of interest to Territorians.
A total of $60m has been allocated, under the stimulus package by the Commonwealth government, for 208 new and refurbished dwellings across the Territory. That is very important. $4.1m of that $60m is for repairs and maintenance on public housing stock within the Northern Territory. Three hundred public housing dwellings have been refurbished. The original target was 136, so they have exceeded the targets by over 200%. I am sure each and every family and individual who may be living in those 300 public housing dwellings which have received funding for repairs and maintenance are very glad for the Commonwealth’s stimulus package.
Stage 1 of the stimulus initiative is not only for upgrades, but also for new public housing. $7.2m has been allocated to construct 22 new public housing dwellings, which is also very important. I can report to the parliament that 16 dwellings have been completed in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Darwin, and there are a further six dwellings which are almost complete in Palmerston. That is a great project which is on time and also on budget.
Regarding Stage 2, $48m is for 186 new dwellings to be constructed for public and social housing. Currently, 141 are under construction and are due for completion by the end of this calendar year. That is not counting the $49m we allocated in Budget 2010-11 to construct 150 new dwellings across the Territory, and excludes 40 units in Bellamack for seniors.
There is a great deal going on, much in partnership with the Commonwealth government. I am hopeful the Labor government will be returned this weekend because this is all about partnerships to provide real benefits to Territorians.
Papunya School –
Use as a Community Court
Use as a Community Court
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING referred to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Under the BER, Papunya School got a library, thank you. Are there negotiations with the departments of Justice and Education to allow Community Court to take place in the new library in the school complex at Papunya?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I had a little trouble hearing the member for Macdonnell but, if I am correct, I understand your question was about the library facilities being used for court. Is that correct?
Ms Anderson: Yes, that is it.
Dr BURNS: That is really a matter for my colleague, the minister for Justice. I know schools and other agencies try to work in with the Department of Justice and the courts to provide facilities in remote areas. I will ask the minister for Justice to respond to that question.
Ms LAWRIE (Justice and Attorney-General): Thank you, member for Macdonnell, for your question. It is a very appropriate question.
Under the government we have been expanding Community Court to remote communities. It has been a very successful program; obviously the magistrates determine where and when. The big issue with expansion of Community Court has been appropriate facilities. Our government saw the opportunity through the BER federally-funded program, where we are going to get significant infrastructure into all of our major communities, of Community Court using that infrastructure.
At the time, going back some 18 months, we talked to the Construction department around facilitating in the design, the footprint of these facilities, and whether we could design it so they would be used for libraries, used for multi-recreation centres, but also appropriate for Community Court if required. They bedded that down into the design in the facilities in the remote communities. There have been discussions between the Department of Justice and the department of Education in reaching a memorandum of agreement and understanding around access to the facilities, not to the detriment of the school. Obviously, the education and learning outcome is the priority, but we feel, with the right agreement in place, we could get more Community Court in appropriate facilities across our remote communities, and that is a great outcome.
If we do that, we would also look at the justice learning in the curriculum for the students at the remote communities. Obviously, our kids in our communities are seeing crimes occur. They see police coming into their communities through the Themis stations. We would like to see an opportunity through Community Court and a curriculum in the schools to see justice practically occurring through those courts. That is the intent. We are working through a complex myriad of details but, first and foremost, they are learning facilities.
Member for Solomon –
Alleged Nightclub Brawl
Alleged Nightclub Brawl
Mr STYLES to CHIEF MINISTER
After a grog-fuelled incident earlier this year, Damian Hale avoided media contact for three days and, according to the newspaper report, he fled during the middle of a media conference moments after the NT News arrived. It was left to Damian Hale’s spokesman to tell the media he was sure ‘There was nothing in it’. Given the footballer at the centre of this year’s brawl said Damian Hale started the dispute by making personal insults, would you agree with Damian Hale’s media spokesman that there was nothing in it?
Madam SPEAKER: I remind opposition members once again that this question does not relate to a matter of administration for which the Chief Minister is responsible. It also breaches several standing orders including asking for opinions, it is repetitive, and it breaches the matters to do with freedom of speech and the matter of being cautious in relation to referring to people who are not members of parliament for which we have standing orders.
Chief Minister, while I will allow you to answer the question, I ask you to bear that in mind as to whether you wish to.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is Question Times as we had yesterday and we have today that lead to the general public, the community of the Northern Territory, holding politicians in the low esteem they do.
I am absolutely astounded the CLP would seek to get their candidate elected on the back of smear, unfounded allegations, and bringing a broken marriage on to the floor of this parliament. A broken marriage could affect each and every one of us at some point in the future. None of us knows what the future holds. To seek to get a political candidate elected on the back of a broken marriage is beneath contempt and gives politicians the bad name we have in the community.
The Leader of the Opposition is absolutely gutless. He has his lackeys sitting behind him asking these questions because he lacks the ticker to ask them himself. He can give it but he cannot take it. The man has no integrity at all.
In regard to the issues which are being raised now, they are well ventilated, there is nothing new, and the people of Solomon will make their decision on Saturday. I hope people will go to the ballot box on Saturday with voting intentions based on aspirations for a better Northern Territory, not being influenced by what we are seeing today, a grubby attack being run by the Leader of the Opposition.
Let us look at what Damian Hale has achieved in two-and-a-half years: Tiger Brennan Drive, well delivered, a wonderful piece of infrastructure for the Northern Territory; the radiotherapy oncology unit, providing vital cancer treatment to Territorians; the Palmerston Super Clinic, which has seen people in Palmerston being able to access after-hours GP care; 186 units of social housing across the Northern Territory; upgrades to every single primary school that these hypocrites opposite will be going to the opening ceremonies of; and support for sport right across the Northern Territory.
These are the issues that Territorians want debated, not the grubby political scheming tactics where the Leader of the Opposition is the puppet for the old dinosaurs in the CLP ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Cash for Containers Scheme
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
The government’s Cash for Containers initiative will see litter off the streets and cash into the hands of students and community groups who do the right thing. Can you please provide details of which containers will be subject to the scheme and how developments of this important scheme for the Territory environment are progressing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his very important question. I also thank him and the member for Nelson for their work on the working group that put together the model we will see rolled out through the Northern Territory late next year.
Cash for Containers is a very important initiative that will see litter reduced, recycling increased, important opportunities for green jobs, and fundraising for kids and community groups. Yesterday, I released the list of drink containers which will be subject to the scheme when it is in place at the end of next year. The list includes: fruit juice and flavoured milk in less than 1 litre containers, and soft drink, water and sports drinks, beer and alcoholic drinks in containers of up to 3 litres.
The intent is to initially align with the South Australian model, so there will be some containers excluded; for example, wine or spirits in glass, and plain milk containers. This alignment with South Australia is to ensure we have a smooth transition. No other jurisdiction in Australia has taken on container deposit schemes since South Australia did some 35 years ago.
I acknowledge some of the inconsistencies I have seen firsthand in the container scheme in South Australia. Once our scheme is up and running, I want to work with Territorians and retailers to look at the ways we can overcome this inconsistency. Our legislation, when it is introduced, will have a built-in capacity to build on and expand the list into the near future.
The refund will be 10, as it is in South Australia. Government has commenced consultations with industry, local government, and businesses interested in becoming registered container collection points or depots. I have released consultation documents outlining those conditions, the refund amount, and the types of containers that will be part of the scheme.
It was my pleasure today to meet with Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman of the Clean Up Australia organisation and a former Australian of the Year. He wanted to come to see us. He is talking about a new cleanup initiative for northern Australia. Ian Kiernan is very passionate about the environment and it is these sorts of initiatives he has been able to do so well for a long time. He wanted to come to the Northern Territory to congratulate the Northern Territory government on this container deposit legislation, and also our initiative banning plastic bags. He sees the importance to the country in these green initiatives. He welcomes us taking a national leadership role in this. It was great to get that third-party endorsement from such a well-known Australian.
Member for Solomon – Alleged Abusive Behaviour in Nightclub
Mr STYLES to CHIEF MINISTER
Are you claiming the Southern Districts footballer who was subject to the tirade of abuse from the member for Solomon is not telling the truth about the incident?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 112. This whole question contains argument, inferences, imputations and hypothetical matter. I ask you to rule it completely out of order. The intent is obvious, and it is not really eliciting information about the Chief Minister’s portfolio areas.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, once again I remind you, if you refer to Standing Order 109, the questions should relate to a matter of administration for which the minister has responsibility. If you go to 112, questions cannot be debated and cannot have statements of facts or names of persons unless they are strictly necessary to render the question intelligible and be authenticated, arguments, inferences, imputations, epithets, ironical expressions or hypothetical matter, and they should not ask for an expression of opinion.
Member for Sanderson, probably everything I have read out has been in that particular question, which makes it a very interesting question but highly out of order on many levels.
Once again, given we live in a democratic society, I will allow the Chief Minister, if he wishes, to answer the question. However, I caution him, bearing in mind our important responsibilities in relation to freedom of speech, as to whether he wishes to answer the question or not.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, again the Leader of the Opposition is running away from his grubby little political attack today by failing to ask these questions himself. That is hardly surprising because he has probably received an e-mail from Shane Stone, Graeme Lewis, or Peter Allen to say you are getting a little smeared yourself, Leader of the Opposition, you need to spread the pain around. He is nothing but a puppet.
The next play in this orchestrated last-week political attack - not a point of principle - is for the leaflets and stickers to start appearing in letterboxes in Palmerston and the northern suburbs endorsed by a fictitious third party organisation to smear the member for Solomon in the lead-up to the election on Saturday. That is the tried and true, trusted political campaign the CLP will run.
When these unauthorised flyers arrive in Territorians’ letterboxes tonight or tomorrow night, or when the stickers start appearing around the place, they know where they came from - they came from the CLP.
This is a desperate attempt to cover up the Leader of the Opposition’s total failure to lead. He only follows instructions from the old puppet masters, Shane Stone, Graeme Lewis and Peter Allen, who are running the same old CLP. They call themselves the Country Liberals - they are the same old CLP run by the same old hacks; a leopard does not change its spots. This will be a very sad way, if the CLP candidate gets up on Saturday, for her to start her political career on the back of untested, unfounded allegations which go to the break-up of someone’s marriage.
I ask all of those people opposite: if your marriage or your relationship were to break up, would you want it trawled through here, and the children of that relationship exposed to this? No, you would not! This is nothing but a very grubby attack by a very dishonoured Leader of the Opposition ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Aeromedical Service - Tender
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
My question is a Territory question regarding the tender for providing the aeromedical services which has recently closed. The document has restricted the type of aircraft to be used to twin-engine aircraft. In light of the fact the Royal Flying Doctor and the Northern Territory Police use single-engine aircraft, why did your department put this restriction on the tender? I have also been told the department will need to ask for extra funding for the contract to cover the extra cost involved in the supply of twin-engine aircraft. Is this true?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his important question. There is much debate about the kind of aircraft which can be used by aeromedical services. As you probably recall, the department had asked for a review of aeromedical services, and we rely upon an expert on aeromedical service and on aviation.
The advice we received at the time was, in the Top End of the Northern Territory, a twin-engine aircraft is the most suitable aircraft to be used because of electrical activity during storms. While a Pilatus or any other single-engine aeroplane is suitable to be used in places where they do not have the same weather conditions, the most appropriate type of aircraft to be used in the Top End would be a twin-engine aircraft.
However, there was no restriction on the type of aircraft specified in the tender. The department will consider all type of aircraft as proposed by the tenders. That decision will be made and the tender will be awarded when the decision has been reached.
Madam Speaker, we are trying to provide the best service, not only for efficiency, but also the safety of the doctors, nurses, and the people being evacuated. We will consider the cost of the tender. Our priority is to provide an efficient and effective service throughout the Top End of the Northern Territory.
Indigenous Tourism – Support by
Federal Labor Government
Federal Labor Government
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for TOURISM
The continued growth of tourism, particularly industry involving Indigenous Territorians, is essential for the future of the Territory. Can you outline how a Labor government in Canberra is important to supporting our work and developing this part of the tourism industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Arafura. We are always trying to work out who has the better electorate for tourism between Arnhem and Arafura. Without a doubt, all the places across the Northern Territory are beautiful. We welcome tourists to the Northern Territory from interstate and from overseas but, also, our own people in the Northern Territory who travel to different parts of the Top End or the Centre to have a look.
The Northern Territory government has a clear vision for growth in Indigenous tourism. We have shown that clearly with our reforms across the Northern Territory in the growth towns and the regions. We want to see Indigenous employment very much at the front and centre of the reforms across the Northern Territory, and that does mean in tourism.
The tourism marketplace is increasingly competitive, and we have to build on what is special about the Northern Territory. Also, from a cultural perspective as well, mindful we need to have Indigenous employment and input into how we sell, if you like, the beauty of the Northern Territory. Some examples: expansion of Indigenous protected areas and support for associated tourism; support for infrastructure and new product development such as Nitmiluk Tours; and support for regional tourism hubs; and our work with the federal Labor government to deliver business mentoring and other programs creating sustainable business.
On this side of the House, we know the importance of tourism to the Northern Territory economy. We know $1.7bn comes to the Northern Territory through tourism, and 18 000 people across the Territory are employed in tourism-related jobs. We want to see Indigenous people very much a part of those 18 000 people.
One of the very important facts this parliament needs to be aware of is that we in the Northern Territory are contributing very strongly to how Australia is seen overseas regarding Indigenous tourism. Next month, I will be hosting the Tourism Ministerial Council in Darwin, in Parliament House. There are nine working groups with the Tourism Ministerial Council, and they look into a range of areas to improve the industry across Australia.
Our Northern Territory Chief Executive is chair of the two national working groups – Indigenous Tourism Working Group and the Labour and Skills Working Group, and we are working on a Welcome to Country in all the ports and airports right across Australia.
Palmerston Super Clinic –
Claims by Member for Solomon
Claims by Member for Solomon
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
The member for Solomon is claiming he delivered on a medical centre in Palmerston, and a promise for one in the northern suburbs. Is the Palmerston Super Clinic going to be a 24-hour service? Has Damian Hale misled Territorians with the claim about a 24-hour and weekend services at a super clinic?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Palmerston Super Clinic has been a project that has been delivered by the member for Solomon and, yes, it will be a 24-hour clinic.
Seniors Month
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for SENIOR TERRITORIANS
Can you please inform the House of the progress of Northern Territory Seniors Month and outline what the Henderson Labor government is doing for senior Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a great question. Seniors are a valuable part of our community. They provide wisdom, advice, and experience in the community. August is Seniors Month and is a great month for seniors, so we can recognise their effort.
The Henderson Labor government recognises that by contributing $46 000 to small grants across the Northern Territory. Those grants go to many different community groups. They go to activities such as harbour cruises, mini-golf, archery, clay target shooting, lawn bowls, and dinner dances. We had a bush tucker feast at Bagot Community, barbecues, tea and damper, mystery bus tours, and bus excursions.
On Saturday, I attended the bike adventure in town with my daughter. It was a great event, where seniors went out with the Ulysses motorcycle club going around the city. They had a great time. Although I was urged by the NT News’ Elisa Betts and Patricia to go on the bikes, I could not get a space as they were all booked up for three hours. It was a great event.
The launch of Seniors Month was at Birch Carroll and Coyle at Casuarina. I publicly thank James Jones, the General Manager. They put on the event and we put on the morning tea. Three hundred seniors turned up. I was there with the federal member for Solomon, Damian Hale, to launch Seniors Month, and it was a great event. They watched an early preview of The Ghost Writer - and I think there are a few ghost writers on the other side of the House today.
We also had the great opportunity to have Maggie Beer in town. She is the Senior Australian of the Year. She did not just fly in and do one event; she started in Alice Springs and, with her husband, drove up from Alice Springs through Tennant Creek, Mataranka, Adelaide River, to Darwin. It was great for her to do that. At that event, Damian Hale presented Maggie with one of the first ripe mangoes in the Northern Territory. Of all the gifts you could give someone, that was one of the best things you could do and she really appreciated it. I do not know what she did with it, but I am sure she did something more than I would be able to cook.
Senior numbers are growing in the Territory. It is a growing demographic, and we have to look after them. This government has the most generous Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme in the nation. It looks after seniors, and so does the federal Labor government with a range of pension increases - the single aged person pension increase is the biggest increase in 100 years. We had the biggest pension increase for single aged in the nation. The federal Labor government and the Territory Labor government are looking after seniors.
Member for Solomon –
Allegations of Drunkenness
Allegations of Drunkenness
Mr CHANDLER to CHIEF MINISTER
In the space of two-and-a-half years, the member for Solomon has been involved in at least two alcohol-fuelled incidents in Top End nightclubs. The available evidence suggests that the member for Solomon is a nasty drunk ...
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62, in relation to offensive and unbecoming words. A whole series of out-of-order questions have been in this parliament today. I understand your ruling, but there are other dimensions. These questions bring shame and contempt, not only on the members opposite, but on this parliament ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! He has made his point.
Madam SPEAKER: The minister is speaking.
Dr BURNS: I say to the Leader of the Opposition and members opposite: have another read of John 8:7 …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business, resume your seat.
Dr BURNS: Have a read of that, because it is setting a nasty precedent in here.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, resume your seat.
Mr Mills: Come on, you cannot lecture me, mate. You cannot lecture me.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Conlan: You set that precedent years ago, Bungles.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Brennan, was that the whole question?
Mr CHANDLER: No.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Brennan, can you reword that particular part of the question? It is completely out of order so far, but in relation to making that kind of comment about someone, if you could reword that, please?
Mr CHANDLER: Madam Speaker, I will withdraw the word ‘nasty’ and replace it with ‘mean’.
In the March quarter there were almost 1000 alcohol-fuelled assaults in the Northern Territory and 17 assaults a day. Given his poor track record when it comes to alcohol-fuelled behaviour, can you explain why the member for Solomon is the right person to represent the Northern Territory in the federal election?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Once again, I remind honourable members that this question …
Ms Lawrie: You made him do your dirty work.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Deputy Chief Minister!
Mr Mills: This is your dirty work.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr Mills: Sorry, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Now …
Ms Scrymgour interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Arafura! It is very unfortunate we are sitting during an election campaign, I have to say.
Honourable members, I remind you that questions have to relate to a minister’s responsibilities and administration. It is very difficult for a minister to be able to know what is in the mind of someone else. That is why we have standing orders relating to many things.
It is a democratic society and, given it is an election campaign, this is the only reason I am allowing these questions. However, it is out of order. Chief Minister, if you do not wish to answer the question, you are not required to.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, let us look at where this line of questioning is coming from. It is coming from an orchestrated political attack and a last-minute smear campaign in regard to the member for Solomon. This is all grounded in the Leader of the Opposition and his puppet masters wanting to trawl through the details of a relationship breakdown.
This is not the reason I came to parliament, and I know it is not the reason for the Leader of the Opposition who entered parliament the same day as I did in 1999.
I go back to his words spoken in his first speech to this parliament. He said:
- I am here to work for the people of Blain and my conscience will be my guide in this.
I ask the member for Blain: where is your conscience now in this grubby, desperate, orchestrated political attack, bringing a failed marriage into this parliament? If you do not have a conscience you should have one, Leader of the Opposition. Your words and actions over the last few days have shown what a hollow shell of a leader you are. You claim principle and integrity, but you have neither - no principles, no integrity.
For the opposition to grasp political gain from this matter is not a stand based on principle. This is an orchestrated political strategy by the old guard of the CLP who have seen a political advantage that can be gained, and the puppet masters are pulling the strings.
The Leader of the Opposition’s image of integrity lies in tatters - in absolute tatters – that he would use a marriage break-up as the precursor for a grubby, last week campaign. You are still sitting there, Leader of the Opposition. By your own words, your party now condones domestic violence. Those are your words in a media release earlier this week. Your party condones domestic violence and you are still their leader. If you had any integrity you would resign.
How can you sit there as a leader of a political party, contesting the election on Saturday, when by your own words, you condone domestic violence?
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be put on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016