2006-10-18
Stolen Generation Compensation Fund
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
As you would be aware, there have been calls today in the Northern Territory for your government to establish a compensation fund for the stolen generation following the announcement of the Tasmanian government. I have clearly stated my position. Will you now state yours, namely, and specifically: will you establish a compensation fund for members of the stolen generation in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, one of the things that this new government did in 2001, something the CLP had never, ever done in this parliament, was to, as a parliament, formally apologise to the Stolen Generation. That was an important moment for those who were here in that first sittings in 2001. We are very proud of that.
The issue of the Stolen Generation and compensation has been talked about for a long time. Aboriginal children were taken away from their families when the Territory was not self-governing, it was governed by the Commonwealth, and that has been very clearly established. Therefore, the issue of compensation, quite clearly, should be addressed by the Commonwealth government. We have dealt with that issue many times in this parliament.
The Territory government has, quite properly, provided resources for members of the Stolen Generation. We have assisted them to trace their familles and to prepare their cases, and we will continue to do so. We are providing that level of resource. The issue of compensation lies with the body that was governing the Northern Territory at the time children were taken away from their families, and that is clearly the Commonwealth government.
Childhood Obesity
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
The Access Economics report on The Economic Costs of Obesity was released this morning. A number of state governments have already adopted a mandatory code to assist school communities to fight this serious problem. While the report calls for state and territory governments to lift their efforts to combat this problem, the Territory government has yet to offer any direct support to school communities and families. What specific measures will you take in Territory schools to help address childhood obesity?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for his question and repeat what I said yesterday: my first and foremost responsibility as Education minister in the Northern Territory is to see improved education outcomes. That is where the focus is. I am not going to be distracted, or allow the department to be distracted, at a policy level, focusing on issues and ideas that come from interstate that are not a key priority for the department, or for myself as minister for Education in the Northern Territory.
As I said yesterday, until such time that we have Territory students above the national average in literacy and numeracy, our work is not done. Even when we are above the national average, our work is not done until we are the top of the ladder. We are a long way away from that, and what we have to do is focus on literacy and numeracy outcomes and not get distracted by debates that are occurring around Australia.
In regard to the report released by Access Economics today - and I have not seen a copy of the report yet - my advice is that there are no facts and figures for the Northern Territory specifically in that report. The member opposite states in his media release that: ‘Lazy government lets Territory kids get fat’, and he says: ‘We need decisive action to halt the surge in the number of obese kids and encourage healthy eating at school’. There is no evidence in the Northern Territory that has been brought to my attention that there is a surge of obese kids in the Northern Territory, and there is no reference to us in the report. In the member’s own release he says, ‘I fully expect the national figures will be reflected in the Territory’. There is no evidence that we have a growing epidemic of obese kids in the Territory. What we do have is very clear evidence that a number of our kids are underperforming in literacy and numeracy. That is where the evidence is and that is where the focus will be for my department.
In regard to the whole issue about traffic coding food in canteens and tuck shops, what a big difference this will make! Kids, at the most, get five meals a week in the schools, out of 15 meals a week that they may have. Most of the kids that I know, most of the days, take their own lunch to school, prepared at home. Is the member opposite going to legislate for mums and dads not to put biscuits in their school lunch boxes? Are we going to have legislation telling parents what they should be doing in terms of their kids’ lunch boxes?
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Mr Acting Speaker! With due respect for the Education minister, a briefing would assist you with your argument.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr HENDERSON: There is no point of order because the focus for me as Education minister is going to be on literacy, numeracy and improving outcomes. I am not going to be distracted by traffic lights on food. It really is about parental responsibility, and the day we introduce legislation into this House telling mums and dads what they should be putting in lunch boxes for their kids is the day that we have taken our eye off the ball in terms of education.
Try’a Trade
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can the minister tell us what he was doing at lunchtime with a bunch of Year 9 students and a hammer?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Today, I had the pleasure to be at the Cyprus Community Hall with a bunch of Year 9 students from across the Northern Territory for the 2006 launch of Try’a Trade. It was fantastic to see kids from across the Northern Territory. For the first time this year, we had students from Alice Springs, Katherine, and Gunbalanya who had come in especially for Try’a Trade, which is running for four days at the Cyprus club.
Our education system is about preparing kids for jobs and careers. It is great to see our schools in partnership with the Territory Construction Association, Group Training and Charles Darwin University giving these kids an opportunity to try a trade, and there is nothing more important. We all know we have a massive skills shortage in the Northern Territory. We are also a government that has made a commitment for 10 000 new apprenticeships and traineeships across the Northern Territory during this four year term of government.
At the moment, we have 3289 trainees and apprentices in our workplaces across the Northern Territory. That is a record for the Northern Territory. It is a 67% increase in the number of traineeships and apprenticeships that we inherited when we came to government in 2001. A significant effort is going in. Try‘a Trade is about a suite of strategies to give our kids the opportunities to determine what they are going to do with their working lives.
I thank everybody who is participating in this event over the four days. The trades are coming from all skills shortage areas including hairdressing, horticulture, aquaculture, cookery, automotive, light vehicle, Defence, welding, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and plastering.
I will give one specific example of how big our skills shortage is in the Northern Territory. I was talking to Graeme Bevis from the Motor Traders Association a couple of weeks ago. He said that tomorrow his industry could employ 300 mechanics in the Northern Territory. That is the extent of the skills shortage. That is why we need to promote the trades, give our kids the opportunity and the education to take advantage of the apprenticeships that are on offer. My thanks, particularly, to all the businesses which have given up four days of their time. They have released their apprentices from their workforce to get out and show these Year 9 kids the great advantage of doing a trade in the Northern Territory. I commend the department and everybody on a great initiative.
Police Stations in Darwin and Alice Springs – Failure to Answer Phone
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Last night, Mr Harry Osborne in Alice Springs tried to ring the Alice Springs Police Station. The number he dialled was 8951 8888. He tried on six occasions between 10.15 pm and 10.50 pm to ring the police. No one answered the phone. In desperation, he then rang 131 444, which is the Darwin number. He rang and the phone rang out. This is at the major police stations in the Northern Territory. You and your ministerial colleagues have told Territorians that you have 200 more operational police working in the Territory. How is it that there is not one police officer available to pick up the phone in Alice Springs or Darwin under your watch?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I have been made aware of the issue that the Opposition Leader is questioning me about today. I will certainly be looking into this particular issue regarding communication. As most members would be aware, all calls into police are logged. I will speak to the commissioner about this and obtain some answers.
Ms Carney: It has to be picked up first!
Dr BURNS: I have just received some preliminary advice, Leader of the Opposition, which said that there were seven reported incidents in Alice Springs between 9.30 pm and 11.30 pm on Tuesday evening. These reports included one bail absconder, two breaches of domestic violence orders, two disturbances, one drunk person, and one information only. There were three members rostered in communications during this period, and they cannot confirm whether there were unanswered calls. At this stage, that is the information I have. Leader of the Opposition, I will follow up on this issue because it is a very important issue.
Birth Centre at Royal Darwin Hospital - Update
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for HEALTH
The Martin Labor government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to working hard for families and supporting local business. In light of that commitment, can you update the House on progress to construct the new $2.5m Birth Centre at the Royal Darwin Hospital?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. Earlier today, it was my pleasure to visit Royal Darwin Hospital and see the progress of works. It is in the very early stages of demolishing the present building and starting to construct the new Birth Centre. This is a $2.5m project, which is being carried out by a local construction company, P W Baxter and Associates Pty Ltd. I am also advised that it will mean employment during the construction phase for 38 people, which is very important. It should be completed within six months. I had the pleasure of examining the plans this morning. There will be two birth suites, each with a pool and an outside covered veranda area where families can go. It will be quite private and will offer a further choice for women giving birth.
This government is committed to building up home birthing services and community midwifery. There will be six midwives involved in the Birth Centre. They will be associated with the women during the antenatal phases through to birth. This demonstrates a strong commitment by this government to birthing services and midwifery. It is another example of this government meeting its election commitments. I was proud to be there today to witness the work and talk with some of the staff who will be working in that unit.
Sundowner Caravan Park - Closure
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
I am asking this question as the minister for silly ideas. If your government negotiates a land swap with the new developer of Sundowner Caravan Park, the residents will keep their homes, the developer will get a piece of land to develop, Power and Water will still have the same amount of the land, there will be no competition with other caravan parks as this proposal does not change the status quo, and the government will not have to find homes for 80 people, including caravans, annexes and pets.
Bearing in mind that governments do run caravan parks, for example, the ACT Parks and Wildlife and local government, will you at least visit the Sundowner Caravan Park with me at a convenient time to meet the residents, to look at the park firsthand, and to reconsider the government’s position on a negotiated land swap agreement?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I am sorry the member for Nelson has been wounded by a gentle but well targeted editorial in the Northern Territory News that describes him, and I just happen to have it here, member for Nelson:
- Mr Wood’s compassion is commendable. But this is one of the silliest ideas put forward by a politician for many a year.
The member for Nelson has put forward this idea to the Minister for Planning and Lands. The interaction should quite properly take place between you and the minister, and I believe the minister has said very clearly that this is not an idea that government will pursue.
Separate to that, I am happy to visit Territory constituents and very happy to talk to people at the Sundowner Caravan Park on the issue. Unless the minister can advise me otherwise, we will not be adopting your creative but impractical idea for the future of the Sundowner Caravan Park. I say again, I am very happy to visit the people there.
One-Stop Environment Shop
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Can the minister update the House about creating a one-stop environment shop at Rapid Creek?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. He joined with me today in announcing the successful community groups which will move into the Territory’s first environment hub. The creation of the Rapid Creek Environment Hub was an election promise to develop a shopfront at the Rapid Creek Village into a one-stop environment shop. The hub will co-locate the community environment groups, and what better place to do it than at Rapid Creek?
Work started earlier this year in the suburb to develop a conservation zone. The work is part of our government’s $300 000 election commitment to enhance and protect the Rapid Creek corridor, the area between the Darwin Water Gardens and McMillans Road, so having the Territory’s very first environment hub at Rapid Creek is very fitting indeed. I was also pleased to announce the names of the organisations which will move into the hub. They are: the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory; No Waste Alliance, the Planning Action Network Inc, and Gurrumini - Working for Country.
A representative from each of these organisations will move into the shop. Government will spend more than $120 000 to establish the hub for these community groups. The groups will be offered free office space and a green office fit-out, which will showcase ways to reduce waste and save energy and water in the workplace. It is fantastic for these community organisations to be able to work together, share resources and, more importantly, be accessible to the community.
Public Service Numbers
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
What is the total number of full-time public servants who are being paid without being held against a substantive position? How much is it costing Territory taxpayers each year to have these supernumerary public servants on the books without a substantive position?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. Off the top of my head, I do not have that answer, but I will get the information to the member as soon as I can.
Mr Mills: Thank you.
Barramundi Survey, Corroboree Billabong
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
I recently heard that staff from your department have undertaken an annual count of barramundi in Corroboree Billabong. What are the results of that survey, and what does this mean for recreational anglers?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. It is correct that Fisheries scientists and researchers from my department have been undertaking an annual count of barra at the Corroboree Billabong to assess the health of the barra fishery.
The survey, which is known as Barracade, involves netting off about 450 m of the Corroboree Billabong and then determining the number of barra in the area. The barra are caught, tagged and released alive on the other side of the net. After some simple maths, the number of barramundi in the Corroboree Creek system can be calculated.
It sounds easy to cordon off an area of a billabong, catch a few barra and sample the contingent, but the sampling continues through into the night. Corroboree has a number of large, dominant male crocs and the numbers are increasing. I understand the crocs are becoming very cheeky and it is getting to the stage where an occasional tug of war does occur when researchers are retrieving nets. The crocs follow the boats and to them it is a good opportunity to have a quick meal. Our scientists deserve a medal for doing this. I know where I would rather be at night, and that is not out on a billabong netting barra.
This research gives an insight into the health of the barra stocks in one of our iconic fishing destinations, and that is obviously the Mary River fishing system. This research has uncovered that the health of our barra stocks is not just linked to our big Wet Seasons. Unfortunately, baby barra appear at the top of the menu for large barra and, as you know, barramundi are a cannibalistic predator. There is a trend between the number of older fish, generally one and two years old, and the success of the breeding season. This year’s survey revealed that 93% of the barra caught were less than the legal limit of 55 cm.
Fishing is the lure of the Territory; it attracts over 100 000 fishing tourists each year and, in some areas of the Territory, up to 50% of our population go fishing. Many anglers tell me that the unparalleled fishing experience in the Territory is the reason why many of them have moved here. The innovative research being undertaken by my department is ensuring that the fishing experience will continue well into the future.
Education Budget and Outcomes
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Since June 2002, the Education Department staff numbers have increased by 128. Not all of these are frontline teachers. Spending in the area of education was $163m, or a 35% increase on 2002. The Education Department’s Annual Report reveals there has been no significant increase in student numbers and results are not any different from the results in 2002. Why have you let that $163m in education spending be wasted without any substantial improvement in academic results?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. This government does not step away one inch from increasing resources for education for kids in the Northern Territory.
When we came to government in 2001, we inherited, right across government, in service delivery to health, education, police, law and order, agencies whose budgets had been run down, whose staff numbers had been depleted, and the outcomes that we were achieving across the Northern Territory in all of those areas were unacceptable.
This government committed to 100 extra teachers; in fact, from the numbers that I have, it is about 128 additional teachers in our classrooms across the Northern Territory, and those teachers are doing a fantastic job. We have made commitments that have seen class sizes reduce, so that will see a number of additional teachers in the system. You cannot put extra teachers on without having additional support staff. It is an area of the department where I continue to focus to ensure that as many of our resources as possible end up in the schools and not in the back office unless there is very good need.
As my colleague, the Treasurer, said yesterday, ministers are on notice for our agencies to come in on budget. There are a number of issues in regards to the annual report and the budget for DEET this year where quite a large amount of money came in late, right towards the end, from the Commonwealth that will be carried over into the next financial year.
However, all the time that our students in the Northern Territory are not meeting the national benchmarks, we are not at the national average, we will keep investing in education, and we will not be looking to cut agency budgets and sack public servants, particularly frontline public servants such as teachers, nurses and police.
Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands – Marine Park
Mrs BRAHAM to CHIEF MINISTER
The Yanyuwa traditional owners submitted a Marine Park application and a detailed submission to the minister for the Environment in February this year. A copy was also sent to you and various members of your government. To date, they have not had a reply. The Marine Park in the Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands and McArthur River would obviously bring many benefits to the people of this area, including some cultural security, tourism and preservation of the marine life. The people are in town this week. They have requested a meeting with you on a number of occasions and do not understand why you do not meet with them. Would you, while they are in town, give them an answer to this application and tell them what the status is and whether you will support it?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, quite properly, the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage has carriage of that and I will refer to the minister.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Mr Acting Speaker, I acknowledge all the traditional owners from the various areas, particularly the Yanyuwa group. The department, and I, have the report that you held up before, member for Braitling. You enjoy taking every inch of the politics out of this, don’t you, member for Braitling, when we know where you really care about all this. Certainly, it has my full support and the support of the department, and that is something we are working towards. We will endeavour to arrange a meeting as soon as possible with those members.
I acknowledge John Christopherson, the Chairman of the Gurig Board. We are working on a number of draft plans of management, and that one should be coming to conclusion soon. There is a commitment to look at the Marine Park around the Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands. I will contact those groups when the department gets back to me as to our position.
Alice Springs - Water Reuse Project
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
The Water Reuse in the Alice project seems to be an innovative approach to expand commercial horticulture on land at your department’s Arid Zone Research Institute. Can you advise how this proposal will expand horticulture in Central Australia, as well as eliminating overflow to Ilparpa Swamp?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell, who has a great interest in this question. Recently, I visited Alice Springs for the Meat Profit Day. I had a wonderful opportunity to have a look around Alice Springs over the couple of days that I was there. I met with a number of horticulturalists and visited the government’s Arid Zone Research Institute. I must admit the visit was a real eye opener; there are some amazing developments happening in Alice Springs.
One of the places I did visit, and the members from Alice Springs will know it, was Moe’s lettuce farm, Territory Lettuce. Many people in Darwin would not realise it but, every time you open up a packet of lettuce, or buy a lettuce or some herbs from a supermarket, Moe’s lettuce farm in Alice Springs grew that lettuce. To think that vegetables and salads are coming from the middle of Australia into our supermarkets is quite an achievement. It was quite an astounding success with his hydroponics set-up.
Another place I visited was Rocky Hill Table Grapes, a horticultural block run by the Hayes family, in particular Ritchie Hayes, who is an absolute character of Central Australia. I am sure the members from Alice Springs know – they are all smiling so they know Ritchie - he is a real character. He grows off-season table grapes and melons. He is experimenting in other areas, and one of them is pomegranates. I understand there is a real market for pomegranates on the east coast. He is also experimenting with stone fruit, because he is always looking for crops that, obviously, sustain his property, but also support the horticultural industry in the Northern Territory.
I visited the AZRI centre where they are running the Water Reuse in the Alice Project. It is a joint initiative of the Northern Territory Power and Water Corporation and my department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines. Power and Water has invested $10.4m to upgrade the treatment processes to produce high quality water for reuse. A pipeline of approximately 6 km has been constructed to the water reuse sites at AZRI. Extensive studies from CSIRO and the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts indicate that the site is ideal for permeating water into the ancient paleochannel of the Todd River. That will then be recovered through the bore processes.
A dissolved air flotation plant and a soil aquifer treatment process will remove algae from that water. I understand algae contains all the nitrogen and phosphorus in the water thereby improving the suitability for irrigation of the water that is pumped from the bores. Use of the soil aquifer treatment pools will allow this water to be accumulated underground. However, it is desirable for the horticultural development to commence within 12 months of the delivery of water. It is anticipated that water will be delivered to AZRI in early 2007. As a result of that, an open, competitive expression of interest process was used to select a foundation horticultural developer for the site.
Extensive community consultation has also been carried out, particularly during the PER process. Consultation continues and a website has been established. A huge turnout at a recent open day at AZRI has proved that it is becoming a success there. Subsidiary horticultural developments will also allow involvement of local indigenous developers.
The Water Reuse Project in Alice Springs will deliver opportunities to expand our horticultural industry in Central Australia. It will also provide a demonstration site for water reuse in our arid environment, building on our reputation as a centre for Desert Knowledge.
NT Public Service – Alleged Forced Redundancies
Mr MILLS to TREASURER
With over 100 staff parked on the fifth floor of Parliament House, and over 100 more working in media units across the public service, will these personnel be shielded from your forced redundancies? If not, will your natural attrition policy equally apply to government minders and your media units?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, there is no forced redundancy program being undertaken by this government or envisaged to be undertaken by this government.
Alice Springs – Water Conservation by the Community
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
What measures are being taken to encourage the Alice Springs community to conserve water?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. Coming from the Centre and living in Alice Springs, that community, in conjunction with my department of Natural Resource’s Management Division and Power and Water, is developing sustainable strategies for water conservation. The Alice Springs Urban Water Reference Group meet periodically to discuss water issues and recommend priorities for sustainable urban water management for Alice Springs. The reference group includes Alice Springs Town Council, the Arid Lands Environment Centre, native titleholders, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Desert Knowledge Australia, my agency and other Territory government agencies.
The Alice Springs Water Efficiency Study recommended a number of measures designed to yield water safety of approximately of 9.3% of annual use. Recently, in Alice Springs, I launched the water rebate scheme for both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. The scheme provides a $50 rebate for residents. The reference group has also developed and devised school-based Waterwise packages, which incorporates small grants to assist those schools in both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to work with our children about saving water.
A survey of community attitudes towards water conservation in Alice Springs has been undertaken to provide guidance for the development of a water efficiency program and to inform government of community expectations regarding water conservation measures. I know the member for Braitling is supportive of and participates in this program. To ensure the sustainability of Alice Springs water supply and to meet our commitments for the National Water Initiative, water resource strategies for Alice Springs are currently being prepared.
It is comforting to note that the draft strategy concludes that Alice Springs has sufficient ground water resource reserves for many years to come as long as this most precious resource is used carefully.
Health Department – Staffing Numbers
Dr LIM to MINISTER for HEALTH
You have boasted that you have put 100 more nurses into the health system since coming to office. According to the OCPE, there are currently 571 more staff working for the Department of Health than there were in June 2002. Even if we accept that there are 100 more nurses, which I do not, it still does not explain where the 471 extra staff are working. Tell us where are the 471 extra staff working.
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, it is with pleasure that I answer the question from the member for Greatorex. Firstly, to lay on the record, fairly and squarely, that this government has increased health expenditure by 64% since we came to power …
Members interjecting.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr BURNS: I will specifically answer the questions that the member for Greatorex has asked.
Staffing levels have grown. The figures that I have here, from June 2001 to June 2006, show there has been an increase from 3715 FTE, or full-time equivalents - we need to measure it in full-time equivalents because that is a full-time equivalent position. You could say you put on two new people, but if they are only half-time positions, that is only one FTE, so I believe the fair way to measure it is by FTE. As at June 2001, there were 3715 FTE; and at June 2006, 4448 FTE; an increase of 733 or 19%. So we have increased staffing by 19%. During that time, there has been a 20% increase in admin staff, and I will detail that for you, member for Greatorex, but a 37.5% increase in medical staff, a 20.5% increase …
Dr Lim: Where are they? How come …
Dr BURNS: No, you do not like to hear it, member for Greatorex, but you are hearing it. A 20.5% increase in nursing staff, 10% increase in professional staff, nearly 10% increase in technical staff.
I will detail for the member for Greatorex what the administrative stream means. I am advised that over 90% of the administrative stream is directly involved in service delivery. These positions are ward clerks, medical records clerks, Medicare administration clerks, staff working with NGO service providers in community health and community service programs, project staff often employed for specific projects, Aboriginal mental health workers, Aboriginal community welfare workers, disability support workers, and sexual health workers. That is where that 20% has gone, member for Greatorex.
I know you issued a media release; here it is. It might help me answer the next couple of questions you are liable to ask. On 9 October 2006, you said: ‘Health bureaucrat numbers blow out’. I am not sure whether you want me to go through in detail what your media release said, but you were wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong on a whole range of things that you said. You were correct in your first assertion that there has been an administrative staff increase from 1017 on 31 December 2001 to 1210 at 31 December 2005, but you should have used FTE, and instead of the 193 increase, there would have been 150. You said that represents a 20% increase in the number of health administrative staff. In that time period, it was 15%. You said there was an extra cost of $15m per annum – wrong; it was $8.52m per annum. Then you made the assertion that somehow the senior categories of health administrators have exploded over the past five years – wrong; executive FTE 62 in June 2001, 63 in June 2005, an increase of one.
In relation to nurses, the figures that you quoted were not a full year figure, and I believe there might have been some correspondence about that. The full year figure shows nurse commencements increased from 780 in 2004-05 to 811 in 2005-06, that is plus 4%, so total nurse FTEs increased by 20% under this government.
In short, member for Greatorex, you have made some assertions. I have given you a very detailed response. This government is proud of its record. It is proud of its 64% increase in health expenditure. We are also proud of the increased number of health professionals and others who come to bolster our health system which was absolutely failing and fainting under the CLP government.
Government Promises – Nelson Electorate
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
My question is about promises. The previous minister promised the Coolalinga Landscape Plan in August 2004, then the department said early 2005, then the minister said in April 2005, then a master plan was promised to go to Cabinet in February 2006 and, finally, you promised the plan in September 2006. It is now October 2006. There have also been promises to construct a slip lane into Howard Springs tip and the sealing of the truck parking bay at Coolalinga. None of these promises have eventuated. Is it not possible these promises were just made to keep the local member quiet or to promote letter writing as an art form? Are these promises really going to happen and, if so, when?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question, and the good news is that they are really going to happen. The proposed Coolalinga Landscape Master Plan is almost complete. I am not going to give you an exact date …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: Actually, I expect to release it shortly for public comment. The department has made provision in this Minor New Works program for $150 000 to be expended as the first stage on landscaping of the Stuart Highway into the Coolalinga area from Virginia Road to Henning Road. Allowing for public feedback, evaluation and any modifications to the master plan arising from that community feedback, it is expected that the works will commence towards the middle of next year. So we have a target there: the middle of next year. We need to include the community and its response to the proposed master plan for the landscape. That is a fair process.
In terms of the left turn slip lane at the Howard Springs tip, this project is funded in the current Minor New Works program. Development work is continuing with a view to re-site the tip access to suit long-term development in the area, and negotiations with Litchfield Shire, with whom you are well acquainted, are currently under way.
Mr Wood: It is not their road.
Ms LAWRIE: They are yet to be finalised, but we are negotiating with the shire on that one, okay? The money is there. We are ready to go when we get a deal with the shire.
The realignment of Girraween Road has been a key element of the agreed Northern Territory government Traffic Management Strategy for the Coolalinga area. The land acquisition process for the realignment is currently under way. The project will be considered against competing priorities, however, at the moment, we are trying to get hold of the land. You have raised the entrance site for Coolalinga with me in the past. The treatment for Coolalinga, I have been advised, is currently appropriate for the way they are located. Any works which need to be undertaken will be carried out in the current works program.
On the bitumen sealed truck parking area, the good news is that the design and documentation for these works has been completed, and the project will be under way as soon as funding is available. We have completed the design and documentation.
Menzies School of Health Research – Research Funding
Ms McCARTHY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Will the minister outline the recent success of the Menzies School of Health Research in gaining millions of dollars in additional funds for vital research in the Territory?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. It is an important question as there is no doubt the Menzies School of Health Research has been a success story in the Northern Territory. I pay tribute to the former government, which set up and supported the Menzies School of Health Research, and the member for Greatorex, who served on the board of the school for over six years, 1986 to 1992. As members may be aware, I was also a student and a researcher there. Menzies has a national and international reputation in Aboriginal and tropical health.
This year, in the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council grants - which is a very competitive system; on average, across Australia, only 20% of grant applications get up - the Menzies School received 33% of their applications. It is a very important school. This year, they received a total of $4.6m of funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
These projects have received funding:
Bacterial Carriage in Children, Dr Allen Cheng, approximate funding was $400 000;
The total of this funding is $4.6m.
I am sure everyone in the House joins me in congratulating the Menzies School of Health Research in gaining these research grants under the new director, Dr Jonathan Carapetis, who is obviously doing well, carrying on the very good work of their foundation director, Dr John Mathews. I am proud to announce these grants today. I know there is a lot of good work going on at the Menzies School of Health Research that benefits Territorians in general and Aboriginal Territorians in particular.
Members: Hear, hear!
Health Department – Administration Staff
Dr LIM to MINISTER for HEALTH
Curiously, your response to the previous question I asked quotes figures which do not relate to the figures you provided me in a formal answer to my question on notice, where you told me that there were 62 nurses short currently, and that, in December 2001, there were 1017 health administration staff, and on 31 December 2005, there were 2010 health administration staff. I seek leave to table the formal response from the minister to my question.
Leave granted.
Dr LIM: Why did you then provide me with figures that are incorrect, so you say today, to a formal question I wrote to you through the parliamentary process? Why did you provide such erroneous figures? Are you trying to mislead the opposition?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, the simple answer to the member for Greatorex is no. We are looking at different time frames here, member for Greatorex; of course the figures will be different. I have given you a very detailed answer from 2001 to 2006. The figures I have delivered here today are the most up-to-date figures that I have, and they show in spades that this is a government that has employed more doctors, more nurses, and, within the administration stream, a whole range of people that it would be impossible for any health centre or hospital to carry on functions without.
I am proud of the figures that I have laid on the record here today, member for Greatorex. They are truthful; they are the figures that I have been given. The figures that you asked for were for a different time frame and some of them did not relate to a full year. That is about the only explanation I can give you. However, I am more than happy to offer you a briefing on this issue.
Tiwi Islands Regional Economic Development Committee
Ms SACILOTTO to MINISTER for BUSINESS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Can you please advise the House on the creation of the Tiwi Islands Regional Economic Development Committee?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question. It is a very important question because, earlier this year, our government agreed on new arrangements to engage our region through the establishment of regional economic development committees. We have four now: Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Nhulunbuy.
These committees are to identify economic development issues and priorities and, of course, opportunities important to the community’s interest, focusing on job creation and economic development opportunities. We do not believe we can apply Darwin’s solutions to the regions. They have to be regional solutions for the regions. We cannot just have a model that applies in Darwin and take it to Katherine or somewhere else. People in these regions have to find their own opportunities and solutions and the government is very keen to support them.
It is with great pleasure that I advise the House that I have now appointed local community leaders, industry and government representatives to the Tiwi Islands Regional Economic Development Committee. Local community members of the committee are – and I will speak slowly, member for Arafura – Mr Robert Tipungwuti, community leader, elder with a wealth of experience; Mr Manny Rioli, community leader and very passionate; Mr Andrew Tipungwuti, young upcoming community leader; Mr Cyril Kalippa, community elder, leader on the island for more than 40 years with a wealth of experience in business; Ms Noella Babui, community leader and a strong Tiwi lady; Mr Gwain Tipiloura, upcoming community leader and very passionate; Ms Teresita Purantatameri, community leader and strong Tiwi lady; together with Ms Alice Munkara; Mr Lawrence Costa, upcoming community leader; Ms Lynette De Santis, a strong Tiwi lady who I have been advised will keep the men honest; and Mr Maralampuwi Kurrupuwu, community leader and very well respected. The non-Tiwi representatives are Mr Bill Headley, who is employed by the Great Southern Plantations, and Mr Bruce Maluish from Matilda Minerals. Mr Dennis Bree and Brian Stacey will represent the Northern Territory and Australian governments respectively, and I anticipate that LGANT and the Chamber of Commerce will nominate their representatives in due course.
The Tiwi Islands Regional Economic Development Committee is the first outside our regional centres. I intend to announce more of these committees during the coming term. I wish the committee all the best. There are many exciting economic development activities and opportunities on the islands, and I know the people of the Tiwi Islands are very proud. I make a commitment that I will attend as many meetings of these committees as possible, either in person, or via videoconferencing.
Elective Surgery Waiting Lists
Dr LIM to MINISTER for HEALTH
You boast that your budget has gone up by some 60% since you came to government. However, elective surgery waiting lists have nearly doubled since your government came to office in 2001. In fact, 1236 patients have been waiting for more than a year for their elective surgery. The promise of extra hospital beds remains unfulfilled. Administration costs have blown out. You are cutting subsidies to medical services in Palmerston. You are spending $4000 of taxpayers’ money on health for each and every person in the Territory this year. For all that extra money, why are the services to Territorians worse than they were when you came to government?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. There is no doubt that there is pressure on elective surgery within the system. It comes about because we have the greatest demand for elective surgery. In the latest state of our hospitals report, June 2006, it shows 37 admissions per 1000 people, far outweighing the national average of 27. We are maintaining our activity in elective surgery of around 5500 per year, despite this extra demand. It is important to note that Territorians do not wait any longer for elective surgery than people in other jurisdictions. The median waiting time for surgery in the Territory is the same as nationally, that is, 29 days.
Basically, there is pressure within the system. I do acknowledge that there is certainly pressure all around Australia in terms of elective surgery, but we are taking action to address the issue. The Chief Minister and I visited RDH a month or so ago, where we saw the extra beds in the Rapid Assessment and Planning Unit, which are already reducing demand, pushing people through the hospital, making a decision whether they are going to be admitted or not within a very short time, and we heard very positive feedback from staff there.
This government also made an election commitment, in terms of Alice Springs Hospital and Royal Darwin Hospital, for 24 extra beds each during this term of government. We are certainly moving in terms of Royal Darwin Hospital. I believe there have been six in the last financial year and we are looking at staging those beds coming on stream.
In terms of Alice Springs Hospital, unfortunately, the remediation of the hospital which, in a large part, was caused by the way in which the CLP bungled that whole …
Members interjecting.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr BURNS: The fact is, Leader of the Opposition, that you allowed the contract to be let, that let the builder self certify those works. That is where it all fell apart. That is the damage that we are still picking up and the bill we are still picking up. Until things settle down at Alice Springs, we will not be able to implement those beds immediately. I am hoping that in the 2007-08 year we will be able to implement those beds. We are spending $5.5m extra in terms of the emergency department at Alice Springs Hospital.
To conclude, member for Greatorex, yes, elective surgery is an issue. I have already spoken with clinicians and others about ways in which we can increase the flow through our hospitals and speed up our elective surgery. We are certainly in line with national trends and national averages in terms of our elective surgery in the Northern Territory. When the annual report of the Health department comes out, you will be able to see that for yourself.
Infrastructure Contracts for Small Business
Ms SACILOTTO to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
The Territory’s economy has been bucking national trends and our construction sector is moving ahead. Territory small businesses are critical to building long-term sustainable economic growth. Can the minister update the Assembly on infrastructure contracts being won by Territory small businesses and the jobs flowing on to Territorians?
ANSWER
Mr Acting Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question. She certainly understands the important role government plays through its tender process to improving the wellbeing of Territorians, particularly those hard-working small business people who significantly carry out the work right across the Territory. Our economy is indeed turbocharged, and we will just take a snapshot in time: the month of September - the government put 58 tenders valued at $42.6m out to the public. Fifty-one contracts …
Mr Mills: With 110 days each to process them.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I note the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is complaining about the fact we are putting significant dollars into …
Mr Mills: The procurement process: 110 days each to be processed; an aspect missing from her statement.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Member for Blain, please let the minister answer.
Ms LAWRIE: … Territorians’ pockets through the tender process. I will repeat for those at home who are listening who might be interested. Fifty-eight tenders valued at $42.6m were released to the public.
Dr Lim: Which the Auditor-General thought was poorly done.
Ms LAWRIE: Are you ready, member for Greatorex? Fifty-one contracts valued at $29.7m were awarded.
Dr Lim: That is right, the Auditor-General was not too happy with that though.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you will allow the minister to finish.
Dr Lim: Well, she can repeat it as much as she likes.
Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, the question has been asked. Let the minister finish without interruption.
Ms LAWRIE: Fifty of the 51 contracts awarded went to Territory firms. Importantly, 99%, or the lion’s share of the total value of government capital works tenders went to Territory small businesses, that is a great strike rate. That represents a $29.62m injection into local business - more local jobs.
Of the 51 contracts awarded last month, five were in Tennant Creek, 21 in Darwin, six in Katherine, eight in Alice Springs, and two in Nhulunbuy. There were other contracts to communities around the Territory including Wadeye, Palumpa and Alcoota. I cannot mention all the local companies that won the tenders, but I will mention two: P W Baxter and Associates, as we heard today, was one of the successful tenderers for the new $2.5m Birth Centre at Royal Darwin Hospital. That means local jobs for concretors, carpenters, painters, electricians and many other trades. In Katherine, AMC Refrigeration Service Pty Ltd successfully bid to upgrade the airconditioning at MacFarlane Primary School, another example of local work going to local firms.
The capital works budget is an integral part of the Territory’s economic growth. I am delighted to say we are working hard to ensure that these benefits flow through to local small businesses, creating local jobs right across the Territory.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Mr Acting Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016