2011-11-23
Police, Fire and Emergency Services Annual Report - Tabling
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
When raising serious concerns about the cut and paste job done on your Police annual report, a stuff-up that the police have now confirmed, you arrogantly dismissed the question with your tired old, ‘oh dear, oh dear, oh dear’. The police report was late - unlawfully so. It was wrong and, because of the error, still has not been delivered. If we cannot trust the Police annual report, how can we trust your crime statistics?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yesterday I did say that I would take the question on notice. I pointed out yesterday that this is a report by the Police Commissioner. It is a report – here we go - to the Honourable Paul Henderson MLA:
- In accordance with the provisions of section 28 of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act, and ... As Accountable Officer of the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services ... I give the following representation to you that, to the best of my knowledge and belief: ...
and goes through, as everyone can see, (a) through to (d):
- John McRoberts APM
Commissioner of Police
The Commissioner was right on to this yesterday. He contacted my office and acknowledged there had been an error. There was a statement put out by police as soon as they found out yesterday afternoon correcting that error. The correction, as I understand it, will be tabled in this House today.
The Police Commissioner is obviously very disappointed and apologises to the parliament for the error that was contained in his report presented to me and the parliament.
________________________
Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of opposition electorate officers undertaking their annual seminar and watching Question Time today and tomorrow. I hope you enjoy yourselves. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Territory Economy – Growth Figures
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
The latest economic figures show growth in the Territory of just 1.6% for 2010-11. Many times in this House you have said your Treasury, and you, act cautiously, providing moderate growth expectations and generally is conservative in its and your forecasts. However, your budget figures in May stated there would be a 2.2% growth last year. The actual numbers are lower than your own moderate forecasts. How can Territorians have confidence in you when you constantly overstate the true condition of the Territory economy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, if it was up to the opposition we would be just at 0.2% for the 2010-11 financial year, not 1.6%. The opposition constantly rails against the capital spend program this government boldly put in place to continue economic growth, despite the very tough global economic conditions, which has seen, through the data released today, a 20% fall in private investment. They are the prevailing winds of the global economic conditions when private investment heads west. What we have seen is the Territory government make the deliberate and bold decision in 2010-11 to lift the public spend.
The 1.6% GSP figures out today are growth. They are strong growth figures in any economy anywhere in the world. I met with staff from Moody’s recently who were very confident in the stable fiscal condition of the Territory, happy to recognise that we are stable and that we are managing well through these tough economic times. The 1.6% is growth. It is something I know the member for Port Darwin does not quite grasp, but it is strong growth. It shows that, if you take out the public investment element in that 1.6%, we would have been at 0.2%. So if you had listened to the opposition, instead of 1.6% strong economic growth, we would have contracted down to 0.2%. You would have slashed infrastructure spending if you had listened to the opposition. Instead, we did the right thing, we have held up growth in the economy ahead of what will be significant boom times for the Territory economy …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was not about what the CLP would do. The question was: why does she keep getting her numbers wrong?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. It is not a point of order.
Ms LAWRIE: I will stand by the hard work that is done in economic analysis by my Treasury officials; there is no doubt about that. It is tough times in which to get figures, when you have a slowdown to the extent, and recovery, in the nation which flows through and affects every jurisdiction. I stand by the hard work of the economic analysis done by my Treasury.
Not only does Treasury constantly predict through their analysis what those growth figures are likely to be, so does, for example, Deloitte Access Economics. Quarter on quarter, Deloitte, across the jurisdictions, has to revise their figures. Why? Because the nation’s recovery from the global economic conditions has not occurred at the pace at which analysts in Treasury, and independent economic analysts in Deloitte Access Economics, all predicted: 1.6% strong economic growth, built off the back of a bold decision that a Labor government took to double the capital spending increase to keep Territorians in jobs.
Indigenous Disadvantage
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the House on the joint efforts of the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments to tackle Indigenous disadvantage and close the gap?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. It is a significant day in the federal parliament today. I welcome the federal government’s decision to end the top down, non-consultative approach to Aboriginal Territorians that featured in the previous Howard government’s emergency response legislation.
The federal government has legislated to repeal the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act and, to that extent, the intervention in the Northern Territory is over …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: What has not changed is our intention to keep fighting against Indigenous disadvantage with all the effort of Aboriginal Territorians and the Northern Territory and federal governments combined. We must continue to work together until Indigenous Territorians have the same life expectancy and the same life outcomes as all other Territorians.
We also welcome the opportunity to provide further input into the consideration of these bills through the Senate Committee review process. Working together with our federal colleagues and Aboriginal people, we can take real action to tackle key and urgent areas of disadvantage in communities, including getting children to school to receive a decent education, tackling alcohol abuse, providing decent housing, and building strong local economies and increasing job opportunities.
As the Territory government and the federal government, we also recognise the benefits of and fully support outstations and homelands. A sustained effort with the federal government will be required to get to a final position on support for outstations and homelands.
I point to the achievements of this Territory government and the federal government over the last few years on Indigenous policy. A total of $1.7bn has been committed by the federal government and our government to tackle Indigenous housing. That is the largest amount of money that has ever been allocated in the Territory’s history ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Can the Chief Minister please clarify which government had an intervention put into it?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat, it is not a point of order.
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling!
Mr HENDERSON: The member for Braitling just wants to play politics. On this side of the House we are absolutely committed to ending Indigenous disadvantage in the Territory. This mob would take us backwards. They are for more intervention; we are for partnerships. They are for more intervention into the lives of Indigenous Territorians; we are for partnerships and shared outcomes.
Madam Speaker, $1.7bn for Indigenous houses, with 355 new houses complete, and 1800 rebuilds and refurbishments across the Northern Territory. The achievements are significant, and they will be built on, with partnerships with Aboriginal Territorians, partnerships with the Australian government, and no more top down intervention in the Territory …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Budget Deficit - Impact of Lower Growth
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Your growth figures are in tatters. Your budget estimated growth at 2.2%, yet it is actually only 1.6%. What is the impact of lower growth on the Territory’s budget deficit?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is such a ridiculous question from a man who simply does not understand that if you have growth you are obviously getting the economic drivers flowing through your economy. It is a ridiculous question from the man who does not understand that if you do not pump into your capital program, if you do not provide for the construction of legacy infrastructure into the Territory, then you are simply going to send the economy backwards.
The answer over there is slash jobs and send Territorians onto the unemployment queues, have a surplus at any cost, and cut back on your capital spend program. We could slash a quarter off the capital budget now and be in surplus. That is the easy thing to do; it is not the responsible or sensible thing to do
We made the deliberate decision because of the impacts of the global financial crisis in private investment right around the globe, including in the Territory …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I draw your attention to Standing Order 113. The question was very specific: what is the impact on the budget deficit? The Treasurer should be able to produce a figure by now.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, if you could come to the point.
Ms LAWRIE: As he well knows, I updated the House on where we landed in the 2010-11 financial year. What we are debating today is the 2010-11 financial year position in regard to GSP. As he well knows, I updated the House on the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report. I revised deficit positions. I let people know we are forecasting a deficit of $387m for 2011-12. What we are talking about, and what he is confused about, is strong growth figures coming in at 1.6% for 2010-11. We have flagged a continuation of a deficit position. Why? We are significantly being impacted in reduced GST revenues. We are tracking at about $200m per annum in reduced GST revenues.
We delivered eight budget surpluses in a row. We slashed debt inherited from the CLP. We slashed debt by $582m through eight budget surpluses in a row. We then took a very clear decision to ensure growth in our economy by doubling our capital spend to a record $1.7bn. We are spending $4.6bn across three budget cycles. That is paying dividends. It is keeping 15 500 Territorians in a job who otherwise would not have been. It is also ensuring we are in growth - 1.6% economic growth - and it is ensuring we are well positioned to take advantage of the boom times ahead, with Access Economics predicting an average of 3.6% growth through the next five years, putting us in the top three Australian states and territories ...
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, your time has expired.
Aboriginal Land – Update on Leasing Arrangements
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
Security of tenure through land leasing is important to the progress of A Working Future and the development of our growth towns and smaller communities. Can you please provide an update on land leasing arrangements on Aboriginal land?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her important question. It is something our government has been very conscious of over the last couple of years as we look at growing our regions across the Northern Territory, recognising that almost 50% of the Northern Territory land mass is Aboriginal land.
The Northern Territory government has made the decision to make lease payments for parcels of Aboriginal land where sole possession by our government is required based on the unimproved value of the land through either upfront or annual payment options. This is a positive outcome. We have been negotiating with the land councils and with the Commonwealth Executive Director of Township Leasing over the last couple of years. Rent will be negotiated around a percentage of independently assessed value of the land and in line with principles recommended by the Australian Valuation Office. While the rent payments will initially be in the order of $3m per year, and could potentially rise to around $5m per year when all parcels are surveyed and leased, the resolution of this issue allows vital, remote infrastructure projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars to proceed.
We have heard the argument that our investment in community infrastructure should negate the need for lease payments. We also understand that reaching an agreement on this important matter requires compromise. The precedent for lease payments on government infrastructure was set when the former Commonwealth Indigenous Affairs minister, Mal Brough, endorsed the terms of the first township lease at Nguiu in 2007.
This important agreement will help establish independent valuations of leasehold property on Aboriginal land, helping to develop a rental market and certainty for further investment, including private investment. We will be encouraging land councils and traditional owners to direct lease payments towards commercial developments and projects of broad community benefit within their towns. We see great opportunities emerging as a result of this agreement.
It is the way the Anindilyakwa Land Council on Groote Eylandt has directed royalties that has also given us great encouragement about what we can see for the future for the people of the Northern Territory. For example, on Groote Eylandt, it will cost $20m to seal Umbakumba Road. The Anindilyakwa people have been very involved in the investment in that road, contributing their amount with the Northern Territory government, the federal government, and the mining company, GEMCO. These are really good examples of the future we face for all people in the Northern Territory.
Berrimah Fire Station - Tender
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
Could you please say who won the tender for the Berrimah Fire Station; when was the tender awarded; was the original tenderer unable to do the job; what was the reason given by the tenderer for not being able to do the job; and how much has this set the project back?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I am pleased to announce that work on the new $13.5m Berrimah Fire Station began early this month. The project is due for completion in September 2012. Local company, Gratis Pty Ltd, is constructing the new fire station. The project will provide 70 jobs for Territorians during construction.
The original tender to construct the fire station was awarded to Habitat Pty Ltd. This contract was terminated by mutual agreement between the Territory and the contractor on 9 September. In October, following a select tender process involving the five original companies, Gratis was awarded the contract.
When it is finished, the new station will house 27 firefighters, including Fire and Rescue Services special operations team, as well as home to Northern Territory Emergency Services. With the new Berrimah station coming online, the NTFRS is currently in the process of increasing firefighter numbers. An additional 44 new officers will be employed over the next 12 months ...
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! My question was fairly specific. It was not so much about what the fire station will be about; one of the questions was why was the tender handed in?
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I am not able to get into the commercial details of that. What I can assure the member for Nelson is that the contract was terminated by mutual agreement between the Territory and the original tenderer, Habitat Pty Ltd. It was by mutual agreement. I am unable to go into the commercial details.
Mining Tax - Condemnation
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
As part of the compromise deal struck by the Prime Minister with the Independents to get the mining tax through, it includes a deal to penalise states which are resource-based when it comes to the distribution of the goods and services tax. That is bad for New South Wales, bad for Queensland - and Premier Bligh is on the record complaining about it - bad for Western Australia, and it will be bad for us. Will you take this opportunity to join those other states to condemn at least that aspect of the MRRT?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I really welcome this question. It is quite hypocritical in the extreme for the opposition which railed against this Minerals Resource Rent Tax. You would have no outcome from this Minerals Resource Rent Tax at all. You vehemently opposed it. How hypocritical to say the effort the federal government is making to deliver the tax - the trading they have had to do to deliver the tax - is now outrageous to you. How hypocritical do you get? Are you not even remotely embarrassed?
What I will say ...
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: What I clearly say is this: we have always supported that, if there is going to be a tax, it should be profit-based and we congratulated the federal government for basing it on a profit base, because we have profit-based royalties in the Territory. It makes sense to have a profit-based tax because you do not want to impede lines moving to production.
What it will deliver is a major tax break for 2.7 million small business people across Australia; that means around 16 000 Territory businesses which will get a tax break. Importantly, we will also deliver for many Territorians, that all-important superannuation increase. We will probably see around $6bn in superannuation flow into Territorians’ pockets as a result of this tax when it is passed. It is providing superannuation for our lowest-paid workers. It is also, for us, critically important that there is that $6bn infrastructure fund. It will be weighted towards the regions, because that is where we are going to get mining production. So, weighting the infrastructure fund towards the regions is critically important ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I suspect the answer to this question from the Treasurer should be: ‘I do not know’, because she clearly does not understand the question. I ask her to answer the very specific question I asked.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat!
Ms LAWRIE: You are incredibly arrogant when it comes to debating a tax that you fundamentally oppose; do not understand at any point in the pathway that a profit-based system is actually the better system for Territory miners. You are opposed to the tax in the first place, you do not understand the importance of it being profit-based, you then do not understand the opportunities that will flow through to Territory businesses in terms of the company tax rate; 16 000 Territory businesses stand to benefit. You also do not understand the superannuation benefits and how many Territorians will benefit.
You certainly do not understand the critical importance of the Regional Infrastructure Fund that will see opportunities realised in the Territory to improve our infrastructure, that all-important roads to port logistical infrastructure to get more mines to production. You will not understand it, you railed against it …
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, your time has expired.
Remote Regions – Job Opportunities and Training
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
A Working Future outlines this government’s vision for remote areas and improving the lives of remote Territorians. Jobs are an important part of that vision. Can you please explain to the House how this government is training a skilled local workforce and providing job opportunities for those in the bush?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a very important question. Providing the impetus for economic growth across remote and regional areas of the Territory is important. To do that, you need to ensure you are looking at a skilled local workforce flowing through to the creation of jobs, which is crucial to the wellbeing and prosperity of Territorians across the Territory.
We understand the value of a homegrown workforce. One of the key priorities under A Working Future is increasing the number of Indigenous Territorians from remote areas getting into real jobs. This year, the NT and Australian governments announced a $30m, three-year package to support jobs in the shires, with $25.2m of that $30m package coming from the NT government. This will ensure the shires Indigenous workforce package can provide funding to employ 530 people per year. The positions are in core local government service delivery. The funding provides certainty so that these jobs are long-term opportunities. Through this program, our government will contribute $8.4m per year to assist shires to offset the cost of entry level and near entry level Indigenous positions delivering core local government services. Councils can claim up to half of the cost of these supported positions. The program is currently supporting around 420 full- and part-time positions. The retention of key staff is a feature of this package, with one-on-one mentoring and support provided.
In addition, we have committed $3m per year to provide work for shires to upgrade assets like schools and roads in the bush. We are playing an important role in employment prospects of Indigenous Territorians across our remote and regional areas. We have an Indigenous Employment and Career Development strategy that aims to ensure our own effort in attracting, retaining, and progressing the careers of our own Indigenous Northern Territory public service employees is supported. We have the Indigenous Cadetship Support program and the Jobs NT employment strategy, including initiatives for the private sector, with a goal of 3000 Indigenous Territorians to commence employment, and that goal has been achieved.
The Power and Water Corporation has been a standout in this. It has achieved 40% Indigenous employment outcomes from its remote contracts. One hundred and thirty-seven Indigenous essential services workers on the homelands have transitioned from CDEP to this regular employment. Through the local jobs for local people framework, we have guaranteed an employment pathway for every student from a Territory growth town who graduates at Year 12.
A Working Future has laid down the plan, we have put in the resources, we have put in the framework, we have put in the programs, and we have put in the initiatives to grow Indigenous employment in the Territory.
Santa Teresa Swimming Pool
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Recently, I had a meeting with a member of the Santa Teresa community who told me the swimming pool at Santa Teresa is still empty. I have also been told that the Department of Local Government allocated money to the MacDonnell Shire for repairs to the pool. If that is correct, can you please advise how much money was given to the shire for these repairs; and has your department followed up on the acquittal of this funding for the specific reason it was given?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his questions. I have been keeping an eye on the issues with Santa Teresa, in particular with the pool. In 2010-11, the MacDonnell Shire Council received $5.1m operational funding for core functions across 13 of its service delivery centres. The shire has submitted funding applications for the operation, repairs and maintenance of the three pools to the departments of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; Health and Ageing; Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport; and Centrecorp Foundation.
As Minister for Local Government, I wrote letters of support for Santa Teresa. I have been advised that most of those funds have been secured, with $50 000 from the department of Natural Resources; $40 000 from Centrecorp; and $40 000 from other sources. The outcome of the remaining funding has yet to be confirmed. I will keep you posted on that.
Indigenous Education - Progress
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you please update the House on progress with Indigenous education in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. There are bright spots for Indigenous education in the Territory. Over the last couple of weeks, the Chief Minister and I have had the pleasure of attending quite a number of Clontarf Academy graduations and celebrations. It was great to see those young men engaged in the education system getting on with life, and also seeing some of the graduates who have gone through the program report on how much the Clontarf Academy has meant to them and how it has made a real difference in their lives, and encouraging those still going through the program.
Currently, there are around 900 young men enrolled in Clontarf. Government is funding it to the extent of approximately $2m a year. We put in around one-third, business puts in around one-third, and the Commonwealth government puts in one-third. We can see how the numbers are growing. Last year, there were 36 graduates; this year there were 60. A number of other young men are being encouraged to complete the program. It was great to hear those stories of engagement. Thanks to their parents and teachers, and others who have mentored them through Clontarf. It demonstrates that if you go to school every day in the Territory you will get a great education and you will succeed.
Unfortunately, we know the challenges of attendance. As members would know, I introduced legislation regarding attendance strategies into this parliament, which has been implemented, and I will report to the House on that. Since July, there have been 305 non-attendance referrals; 123 compulsory conferences; 104 students re-engaged with school; and 19 infringement notices have been issued. The infringement notice is the last resort and we do not want to see that, but they are being issued for those who are recalcitrant, who continue to refuse to send their children to school. Just looking at those figures of 123 compulsory conferences and 104 students re-engaged, obviously there would be some families who would have a compulsory conference, but that is a pretty good re-engagement rate, 100 out of 123 is a positive sign. There is much more work to do.
I commend the attendance and truancy officers for the wonderful work they do, not only in our urban centres, but across the Territory. We have plans to put on more. With the announcement by the federal government of Stronger Futures, I would like to talk with minister Macklin about funding for more attendance and truancy officers and support in this area.
Housing Industry - Stimulus
Mr GILES to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION referred to TREASURER
You have failed to sustain growth in the residential construction sector, even in the midst of the worst housing crisis in the Territory’s history. Why does your government not stimulate the housing industry and deliver affordable homes? While you are at it, please inform the House how many people have signed up to the BuildBonus scheme and been approved?
Madam SPEAKER: Before you answer, I note …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That comes under the Treasurer’s portfolio. The question should be addressed to the Treasurer.
Madam SPEAKER: I call the Treasurer.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, when you are talking about stimulating the housing sector, you have to have initiatives in place. We know the member for Brennan said that the CLP policy is that they would not intervene in the housing marketplace at all; they would let the free market forces prevail. This is in stark contrast to our government, which has put in place stamp duty cuts and incentives for seniors who want to downsize their home, and we put in place the BuildBonus scheme. We are the only place in Australia with a $10 000 reason today to go in and construct. I do not have the exact figure in front of me, but we have had a significant number of inquiries about it. What happens in these schemes, as it did with a previous similar scheme, is that people inquire, they go away and get their financing, they come back and then they lodge. We have had quite a few lodgements, I believe it is up around the 19 …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Treasurer said she did not have the figure. Could she get the figure by the end of Question Time?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. Treasurer, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: I just gave him the number, but he is so arrogant and so ignorant, he does not listen. The lodgements are around 19; however, I will double check that. The inquiries are far more significant than that, because what you will not understand is the process, which is …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … that people first of all inquire, then go away to get their housing financing in order.
We are really proud of BuildBonus as a stimulus. The building sector understands it and is out there promoting it. They have made it a product to encourage people into the new construction market. I point out that it applies to people who want to buy units off the plan; it is for people who are going into the construction of the family home. It has been the right product in the marketplace for the Bellamack and Johnston suburbs under construction at the moment. We also have the very useful scheme, Homestart, which is a leg up into the housing market, helping with housing affordability. There is another scheme called HomeFirst, which is the affordable housing lots, whether it is purchasing land under HomeFirst, or the house and land package.
If the CLP had its way, BuildBonus, Homestart, HomeFirst and stamp duty concessions would not have occurred because the member for Brennan has made it clear your policy is to let the free market forces prevail.
Sexually-Transmitted Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in Children
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
The Menzies School of Health Research is a highly esteemed research institute in Australia and has been awarded a three-year grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council on the subject of false positives in the diagnosis of sexually-transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infection in children. Can you please update the House on this research project?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, with great pleasure. I was astounded to hear the member for Araluen yesterday in her adjournment speech come up with another conspiracy theory somehow involving the Department of Health and the Menzies School of Health Research. I quote what she said yesterday from the Hansard:
- It sounds to me like the Department of Children and Families would prefer to find another explanation for the high incidence of children with chlamydia in the Northern Territory so it does not have to investigate these matters which will, of course, reduce the workload.
I am also stunned that the member for Araluen does not know the legislation of her own portfolio - she is supposed to be the shadow. She should know that every person, every child, diagnosed with a sexually-transmitted disease is reported and will be investigated – every single child. So her theory about cutting down the workload is absolutely untrue. The other thing, of course, that …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: … the member is not aware of - I will actually say it in simple language so she can understand. The research is about why we get some false positive tests for Chlamydia in children. It is not trying to reduce the number of children who have Chlamydia, and not if there is any other mode of transmission, but why we get false positive tests for Chlamydia.
The Menzies School of Health Research is a renowned institution in Australia and internationally. For the member to accuse it of getting involved in a conspiracy is unheard of. I am not surprised. This is the member who accused Professor Vimpani of being wined and dined by the government in order to sanitise the report. That is the member who actually had another conspiracy theory.
The only saving grace is I would call her to do exactly what she said yesterday. She said if she is proven wrong she will apologise. I call on you to apologise today to the Menzies School of Health Research and the Department of Children and Families. I demand …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: I ask you to apologise and I also ask the Leader of the Opposition to ask you to apologise. I doubt very much he will, Madam Speaker, because he needs her vote.
Unemployment – Increase in Numbers
Mr TOLLNER to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
There are now over 5300 Territorians looking for work. That is 30% more than this time last year and excludes the fact that nearly 2500 people have left the Territory during this period. Why are there fewer people employed in the Territory today than there were 12 months ago?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. It points out that we have had record unemployment - the lowest unemployment in the nation, tracking at 3.9%. We have just nudged up to 4.1%. We are well under the average of 5%, the national figure. Despite the global economic conditions, we are actually the best placed in the nation if you want to have a job - right here, right now. If you want a job, come to the Territory.
If you do not want to listen to the government say that, talk to all the industry sectors which understand that it is this government, through its capital spend and its initiatives, that is propping up the economy and the growth. We have created the right environment for business to flourish here. Not only are we envied by the other jurisdictions for our low unemployment - business terms it as almost full employment. If you want to touch on the business pressure points in employment, it is getting, attracting and maintaining a skilled workforce. That is the real issue if you want to actually represent the interests of business ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! In relation to relevance, the question was actually: why are there fewer people employed now in the Northern Territory than there were 12 months ago?
Madam SPEAKER: There was also a preamble. Minister, if you could come to the point, though.
Ms LAWRIE: Yes. When you point out that we have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation they do not like to hear it. When you point out the real issues are confronting business with the almost full employment we have as a result of the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, it is around workforce - attracting and retaining the skilled workforce you need. We have the lowest-taxing regime in place for small- and medium-sized businesses in the nation. Business confidence is the highest in the nation.
The opposition …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Again, I ask you to rule on this in relation to relevance. The question was: why do we have more unemployed people now than we had 12 months ago? I am not after a puff piece on the wonderful employment environment in the Northern Territory …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, can you just …
Mr TOLLNER: … I just want to know why we have fewer people employed now than we had 12 months ago.
Madam SPEAKER: The member for Fong Lim can resume his seat. Minister, if you can just come to the point.
Ms LAWRIE: The shadow for Business does not understand what the employment picture in the Territory is like. From time to time, you will get fluctuations and movements in and out that will also affect job advertisement rates and all of that. We have an extremely high participation rate in employment. We have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation.
The real issue confronting Territory business, because they have the lowest business taxes in the nation - we are the lowest-taxing jurisdiction - is getting the staff they need - getting the skilled workers they need, retaining those skilled workers in the Territory. You do not understand the employment marketplace in the Territory if you think that movements in and out of people like 7RAR are the issue at hand. The issue at hand is attracting workers …
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, your time has expired.
Aboriginal Health Achievements
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for HEALTH
The Henderson Labor government is committed to improving the health of Aboriginal Territorians. Can you please update the House on the achievements that have been made in Aboriginal health?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his very important question. Our government is committed to improving the health of all Territorians, particularly those with the highest needs; 30% of the population is Indigenous and this population is one of the sickest in the country.
We have record spending in the health budget; 60% goes to Aboriginal health, in our hospitals, the community, and public health. This is 25% higher than any other jurisdiction in Australia. It has doubled since 2001. We have real outcomes. I am pleased to say we have a four-and-a-half year improvement in life expectancy for Aboriginal women. The Indigenous infant mortality rate has improved by 37%. Anaemia rates for Aboriginal children have fallen by 20%. Survival rates for patients on renal dialysis are now equivalent to the rest of Australia.
We continue to make improvements. We have programs with the Australian government, which has allocated $50m to build seven new primary health care centres for remote communities at Robinson River; Ngukurr; Canteen Creek; Numbulwar; Elliott; Galiwinku; and Ntaria, and to upgrade four existing health clinics at Titjikala; Papunya; Maningrida; and Docker River.
The only person who finds it funny is the member for Fong Lim. Every other person believes that health is a serious issue for every Territorian.
We have constructed a 50-unit medi-hotel and 12-bed Indigenous mothers hostel at the Royal Darwin Hospital campus. We have a new emergency department for Gove Hospital, plus a 12-bed patient accommodation hostel. We upgraded the emergency department in Tennant Creek and expanded the renal unit. We upgraded the emergency department in Katherine, and have a new renal unit and 24-patient hostel in the design phase; the renal unit which the member for Katherine has opposed and is opposing. I recall some of the comments from the Mayor, and some councillors, that his comments were clearly racist.
We work very hard to improve the health of the sickest population in Australia; the Indigenous population. We have made real gains and will continue to work hard to ensure Indigenous Territorians receive the same health care as any other Australian in any Australian city.
National Workplace Health and Safety Legislation
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
You now have carriage of the harmonised occupational health and safety legislation before this House. The stated commencement date is 1 January 2012. Western Australia has deferred theirs for at least 12 months; Victoria may still walk away from the deal entirely; Safe Work Australia has now exempted at least one industry body for the meantime; and Tasmania’s Upper House has now made it effectively impossible for passage of this legislation in Tasmania. In other words, this legislation nationally is falling into a heap. Given the legislation is now meeting enormous resistance and the 1 January deadline is effectively dead, will you now accept that this legislation should be at least delayed until the mess in this and other jurisdictions is sorted out?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am not sure if this is presumption of debate but I will answer the question. Shadow Attorney-General, this is good legislation; this is good for the country. This is about …
Mr Elferink: No, it is not.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr KNIGHT: Hold on, you asked me the question. This is good for business, this is good for workers, and this is good for our economy. We are going full steam ahead with this. We are going to try to meet that date. There are financial incentives that we have to meet that date. We are going straight for it. We have had wide acceptance by the business community.
I know there are a few that have problems with it but, that particular body aside, it has been accepted by our local peak bodies. We look forward to debating this legislation next week, and we will see how we go. It is good legislation and it is good for the country. I am sure those other jurisdictions will be coming on board. We know it will be good for the Northern Territory economy.
Indigenous Rangers - Recognition
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
There are currently 400 Indigenous rangers working across the Northern Territory. In my electorate of Arafura, there are two great ranger groups, Wardekken and Djelk Rangers. I know all bush members have fantastic Indigenous rangers in their electorates. How is the work being undertaken by Indigenous rangers on country being recognised?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. I have been to Kabulwarnamyo to see the work of the Wardekken Rangers. They do a fantastic job as part of the West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project with some very good scientists. We on this side of the House value those Indigenous rangers. Across 45 ranger groups, those 400 Indigenous rangers are doing some fantastic work alongside some 127 rangers from my department of Parks and Wildlife.
We acknowledge the great work they are doing; such as fencing. I was at N’Dhala recently in Finke River Gorge, where I saw the Tjuwanpa Rangers undertaking some fantastic work in protecting sacred sites, putting up fences to keep feral camels out, and preventing damage. They do some fantastic work, including fauna and flora surveys, alongside my Parks and Wildlife Rangers. They conduct controlled fire management. It is important they are working with Parks and Wildlife and Bushfires NT, utilising their traditional knowledge of fires and contemporary knowledge of how to control those bushfires. They are doing great work out there.
We recently had the NT Landcare Awards to recognise the great work of our 400 Indigenous rangers across 45 ranger groups throughout the Northern Territory. That is why this government has embarked on the most ambitious plan anywhere in Australia to bring our parks into joint management in partnership with Indigenous landowners - something those opposite vehemently oppose.. We are pursuing joint management across 27 additional parks and reserves in the Northern Territory, on top of longstanding arrangements at Nitmiluk and Cobourg. We know that the member for Greatorex does not like Nitmiluk, does he? That was in his contribution to the MPI yesterday. Of these, 13 parks and reserves have been transferred to Aboriginal freehold and leased back to the government, areas of enormous significance to Aboriginal traditional owners. Joint management plans have been finalised and are operational for six of the jointly-managed parks, and another 14 are under preparation and being finalised.
Earlier this week, plans of management were tabled for the Finke Gorge National Park; Trephina Gorge Nature Park; N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park; and Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve.
The Northern Territory Labor government recognises the valuable work of our Indigenous rangers as well as our scientists. Joint management is the way forward. I commend the Indigenous rangers for their work.
National Workplace Health and Safety Legislation
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
The new national harmonised workplace health and safety legislation makes it a civil breach not to comply with the instruction of a union official ...
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is bordering on anticipation of debate.
Madam SPEAKER: It is Question Time, I will allow the question.
Mr ELFERINK: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The new national harmonised work health and safety legislation makes it a civil breach not to comply with the instruction of a union official. In the current Territory legislation that is still a criminal offence. Can you explain why you support a change that will see employers exposed to a system of prosecution that substantially increases their liability?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is almost a question for the committee of the parliament examining the legislation. It is anticipation of debate.
Madam SPEAKER: I will seek some advice on this one. Stop the clock.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I will allow the question. Minister, bear in mind that the bill will be debated next week, I believe, so it is up to you the level of detail you wish to give in your answer.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will go back to my previous answer. Opposition, this really is good legislation. It is part of the seamless economy reforms the federal government embarked on and business wanted. We have a lot of transition of workers and businesses across the country. This is good for business. We will get down to the nitty gritty ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: the answer shall be succinct, concise and directly relevant to the question. I ask that the minister answer the question.
Dr BURNS: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker. The question was very complex and detailed, so it is very unreasonable …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: First of all, he is anticipating debate, and second, he is railing against the fact the minister is giving an answer to his question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Minister, as I have already indicated, you can give as much or as little detail as you want, given it is to a level an anticipation of debate. It is up to you in that question.
Mr KNIGHT: Madam Speaker, I suspect this line of questioning is going to continue through Question Time. We have a long debate next week where every member can hear what goes on. We are not going to have this farcical attempt by the opposition to pre-empt the debate next week. We will get into the nitty gritty. We will spend as much time in committee as you on the other side of the House require. I look forward to that debate.
Supplementary Question
National Workplace Health and Safety Legislation
National Workplace Health and Safety Legislation
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Madam Speaker, in relation to the question I have just asked, can the minister explain if he supports the change which will see employers exposed to a system of prosecution that substantially increases their liability? Can he take us through the increased liability, and can he explain ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! You have given him latitude. It is out of order because it is anticipating debate.
Mr ELFERINK: It is not out of order and she does not have to do what you say. He has to answer the question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Indeed, I am not the cat’s mother, or whatever the expression is, I am the Speaker.
Mr Elferink: Can you answer the question?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, resume your seat, please. I remind you that anticipation of debate in Question Time is usually accepted; however, detailed questions are not required to be answered. It is entirely up to the minister the level of detail he wishes to give. Usually you can ask questions about general policy, as opposed to whether a vote is going to happen in a particular way or anticipation of the actual debate.
Minister, respond in regard to that with whatever level of detail you wish.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this debate will happen next week. For the member’s interest, all states and territories signed up for these civil proceedings instead of criminal …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: ... all states - not you, member for Port Darwin, not you, but all states, all governments across the country signed up to civil proceedings rather than criminal proceedings, member for Port Darwin.
We will get into it next week, I look forward to the debate. Let everyone else have a chance as well. You do not have to show how smart you are in front of the CLP electorate officers. You are not that smart. Let us get into this debate next week.
Indigenous Housing - Improvements
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Can you please inform the House on progress on the work government is doing to improve Indigenous housing across the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we have the $1.7bn project over 10 years, the national partnership. As the Chief Minister alluded to, 355 houses have been completed and 275 are under way. In relation to rebuilds and refurbs, 1818 have been complete and 25 under way. That is 2200 families that have benefited from this program.
It was my pleasure to travel with the member for Arafura to Maningrida for the opening of the new subdivision. There are approximately 70 new houses in that subdivision, and it is fantastic. Here is a picture of a family - CJ is this gentleman’s name, and he was overwhelmed to have a house. He had been living in very inadequate accommodation for a long time. This man works for the shire and is known in the community as a very hard worker. He and his family were overjoyed to be given a house. That is a very important development at Maningrida.
It was my pleasure to visit Wadeye a couple of weeks ago to inspect the project. Most of it is complete at this stage - 104 new houses and 105 refurbs and rebuilds. The reason I visited was for a garden competition. There were about 28 entrants and it was great. I am unsure whether this is the winning entry, but it is one of the entries. There are other entries here as well. It is fantastic that people are looking after their gardens and their homes. This is what we want to foster. We want to work with the Australian government on home ownership, which is very important and another step along the way.
This is a fantastic project. It had some difficulties in the beginning; I have acknowledged that from the start. It is certainly kicking goals now. The Australian National Audit Office report highlighted some difficulties with the project, but it also gave ticks in quite a number of areas. This is great. I hope the opposition will now get on board and start to applaud the fact that Indigenous people across the Territory are getting new, rebuilt, and refurbished homes.
Detention Centre – Cyclone Preparedness
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
I was approached by a member of the public yesterday who is involved with the detention centres. She is concerned about what would happen to staff and detainees if there was a cyclone. Are there plans for these centres if there is a cyclone? What role will your department play in carrying out these plans?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his important question. It was a question I asked a number of weeks ago at a briefing I had with DIAC, the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship, which is responsible for these detention centres. Obviously it is their responsibility to ensure appropriate cyclone plans are in place for the facilities they operate.
The new facility is being built to all the relevant Top End cyclone codes. There have been discussions between DIAC and Emergency Services. DIAC is in the process of putting in place those emergency plans for detainees on Commonwealth properties. If detainees need to be moved, I can assure the honourable member and this House, they will be moved to other Commonwealth facilities. They will not be putting pressure on our Northern Territory-operated cyclone shelters. The Commonwealth will take responsibility for looking after these people in the event they need to be evacuated if there is a cyclone.
Emergency Services is assisting with the planning for that but, first and foremost, these facilities are operated by the Commonwealth, they are the responsibility of the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth is putting in place their own emergency plans. If people have to be evacuated, they will be evacuated to other Commonwealth facilities in the Top End.
Climate Change Scientists – Number Employed by Government
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
It would be very wrong of me not to ask this question today. Yesterday, in this House you admitted you did not know the answer; you took the question on notice. Twenty-four hours later, can you now advise how many climate change scientists this government employs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, dear, oh dear, oh dear. This guy really does hate scientists, doesn’t he?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: He really hates scientists, Madam Speaker. My agency of NRETAS employs over 1000 people - great public servants this mob would sack ...
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: Many of those are scientists. A total of 55% of my staff in the agency are employed in technical and professional areas, such as botanists, zoologists, people in the Aquatic Health Unit …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is quite obvious the minister is trying to distract us. The question was very simple: how many climate change scientists does this government employ?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim, you can resume your seat. Minister, please come to the point.
Mr HAMPTON: The member for Triton - isn’t he great?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, withdraw that, please.
Mr HAMPTON: Those technical and professional …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you please just withdraw that comment?
Mr HAMPTON: I withdraw. Sorry.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you very much. Just come to the point, please, minister.
Mr HAMPTON: I have 130 people working in the technical and professional areas of the department. Those people rely heavily on people such as climate change scientists; people working in Charles Darwin University, the Bureau of Meteorology; the mob that the member for Brennan says are on the take, these eminent scientists ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very simple: how many climate change scientists does the Northern Territory government employ?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. Minister, have you completed your answer? Can you come to the point, please?
Mr HAMPTON: I am, Madam Speaker. One hundred and thirty people work in the professional and technical areas of my agency - the zoologists, the botanists, people in the Aquatic Health Unit - some of those people are scientists. What I am saying is that they rely heavily on people from the Bureau of Meteorology, Charles Darwin University, people like …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is quite obvious that the minister cannot tell us how many climate change scientists work for the Northern Territory government, despite having 24 hours to chase that information up.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, you can resume your seat.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is also quite obvious who is running the CLP; it is David Tollner.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, resume your seat. Minister, can you please just come to the point?
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, 130 people work in those areas, and that includes scientists. We know who the real leader over there is. You know, he hates scientists and he hates …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If he cannot answer the question you should just sit him down. It is quite ridiculous. How many climate change scientists are there?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, you can sit down as well. Indeed, member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. Minister, have you finished your answer?
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, 130 people work in those areas that touch on climate change science and they work with eminent scientists; 130 is the figure that the member for Triton might want to hear.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016