2008-02-21
Fixed Parliamentary Terms
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
The Country Liberal Party has a policy of introducing fixed four-year parliamentary terms. This is the same policy as the ALP before it came to power. Will you support our policy of fixed four-year parliamentary terms and, if not, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. It is interesting to see the CLP has this policy in opposition but they did not have it whilst they were in government for 27 years. It is good to see policies evolve over time.
When we came to government in 2001, we had a public review of the Northern Territory Electoral Act as it stood at that time. It had not been reviewed, considered, or amended for many years. Out of that review came a number of initiatives to strengthen the accountability and independence of the Electoral Commission, specifically to ensure it was a stand-alone entity, as previously it had been part of the Chief Minister’s Department for many years. When it was part of the Chief Minister’s Department there were all sorts of creative electoral boundaries drawn up for reasons that can only be speculated upon.
Out of that process came strong suggestions from the community and political parties. One, which we adopted, was to install four-year terms in the Northern Territory, with governments having to serve at least three years and call an election any time in the fourth year. As a general rule, I believe that government should serve their full term, unless there are extraordinary circumstances whereby a government may choose to go early. There are a number of states, and the Commonwealth, which have fixed terms, while others do not. That was the decision we took after public consultation and that is the current government policy.
Leanyer Recreation Park
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
The Leanyer Recreation Park has become a popular part of family lifestyle. Can you update the House on future plans for the park and, can we have one in Palmerston, too?
Mr Wood: Did you invite the local member?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I know a local member, the member for Nelson, loves getting under the large bucket of water at Leanyer Recreation Park. He loves getting a bucketing every now and again.
We have great news today: a $5.2m project being kicked off for Stage 2 of Leanyer Recreation Park. We will have some massive water slides going into the water park. The feedback we have been getting from teenagers, parents and even from the young ones, is that they want huge water slides at the park, so they are getting that. We are also putting in extra barbecue and shade areas, and a new administration block so that the kiosk can become a nice caf.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The CLP and the member for Nelson do not seem to like Leanyer Recreation Park. We have had 100 000 visitors to the park per year since it was improved by the Labor government. Before, it was a bit of a murky, disgusting little attempt of a lake under the CLP. Labor turned it into a state-of-the-art fun park for families, with over 100 000 visitors. The massive water slides will be constructed this year. I am looking forward to seeing many Territorians, including people from the rural area and Palmerston using the park. Tourists are amazed, because this state-of-the-art water park is free.
It is a fantastic fun park and a great part of our Territory lifestyle. I look forward to the Stage 2 construction through this year, at a cost of $5.2m, to have those massive water slides and a lot of fun for everyone.
Alcohol Consumption - Increase
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, you said that it was ‘bleeding obvious’ that tourists and the increase in population were, effectively, responsible for the increase of nearly 10 million litres of alcohol drunk in the Territory since Labor’s rule began almost seven years ago. Will you now table the figures to support your claim?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If we look at the Parliamentary Record, the Leader of the Opposition talked about the increase being on a per-year basis. He has now changed his tune to this being an increase over seven years. I urge him to look on the Parliamentary Record at what he said here yesterday and get it right.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I thought we debated this around and around all day yesterday. However, if he wants to have the debate around and around all day today, then we will do it again.
Regarding those figures, I thought the question yesterday - we have different versions around - was related to an increase in alcohol consumption in Darwin and Palmerston. As I said - and everybody in this House has probably been here since 2001; if not in this parliament, at least they were in the Northern Territory - there has been significant population and residential growth in Darwin and Palmerston since 2001. I do not have those figure; however, it is not too difficult to get them. Your office is staffed as a minister’s office, so you can get the figures from the Planning department.
The Real Estate Institute of the Northern Territory puts out comprehensive reports on a quarterly basis that outline how many new homes and units have been built, what the occupancy rates are, what the vacancy rates are, and what the median house prices are. I have read those reports every quarter since I have been a member of this House, and there has been very significant population growth, and new housing and unit developments in Darwin and Palmerston.
If we also recall, in 2000-01, at a time when the economy was on its knees, tourism was virtually in free fall, there was 11 September, the Ansett collapse, the HIH collapse …
Mr MILLS: A point of order; Madam Speaker! This is all very interesting; we have heard this story before. However, the question is, effectively: who is drinking all the alcohol? Is it the tourists, or …
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The Chief Minister has the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, as I said yesterday, anybody who has lived in this place and experienced those times, knows there has been a significant rebound in tourists to the Northern Territory, and very significant population growth in Darwin and Palmerston. That attributes significantly to the increase in alcohol consumption in Darwin and Palmerston. That is not to say we do not have significant problems …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: You guys are so smart - very good, 10 out 10 for myself. Once again, it is a policy-free zone opposite ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Please resume your seat, Chief Minister. Opposition members, I remind you that you are not able to show signs such as that during the parliament. If I am aware of that again, I will be asking you to leave.
Ms Carney: We showed it to each other, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney: It is nowhere in the Chamber. It is terribly unfortunate, because we …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen!
Ms Carney: Point made, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, childish stunts as opposed to serious questions …
Ms Carney: You have so much to say, why waste your words?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: We can see where the opposition is just left struggling, if that is the best they can do in Question Time.
As I said, that is not to say we have not recognised we do have significant problems with itinerants’ antisocial behaviour fuelled by alcohol right across the Northern Territory. Over the last two weeks in this place, we have introduced significant measures to further deal with the issues of excessive consumption of alcohol and antisocial behaviour that arises. There is a whole raft of government policies and strategies that go to dealing with the effects as well as attacking the causes. As I said in my last question yesterday, improving education and the economy and providing accommodation in the bush, over time, will lead to reductions in the type of behaviour we see in our urban centres.
However, we have to deal with the consequences now. That is why I introduced the package of measures in the House over this week. Regarding those numbers of consumption of alcohol going up in Darwin and Palmerston, a very significant part of that - as I said yesterday and I will keep saying today - is because of population increase and tourism number increases.
If the Leader of the Opposition does not believe that, since 2001, there has been significant population increase in Darwin and Palmerston, significant housing and unit construction, and a significant rebound in the number of tourists coming to Darwin and Palmerston, he obviously does not get out much.
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker there was a request for the information to be tabled to substantiate the claims that the Chief Minister has made.
Ms Carney: He is refusing to table it.
Mr Henderson: I just told you.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Minister has finished his answer.
Climate Change – Measures Planned
Mr WARREN to CHIEF MINISTER
Climate change is the biggest threat to our great Territory lifestyle - probably the greatest we will ever encounter. Can you please outline some of the measures that our government is taking to deal with tackling this important issue?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. As an engineer, he is very interested in the issues of climate change and we have had a number of discussions about it.
Today, Professor Ross Garnaut has issued a further warning to the Australian government that climate change is probably happening now at a faster rate than was previously believed. I am disappointed my colleague, the Deputy Chief Minister, could not attend the Council of the Federation’s meeting in Adelaide today to see that report delivered firsthand, but she was stuck in the airport at Alice Springs for a whole day yesterday due to problems with her flight.
We cannot take a relaxed and comfortable attitude to climate change in the Northern Territory. We have to be part of the national approach to how we, as Australian citizens, are going to commit and contribute to the international real focus on reducing greenhouse gases.
Today, I have announced a more focused government approach. Government agencies will be required to cut their carbon footprint under the Territory’s first policy on climate change, so that will be a directive issued to all agencies. Within the next 12 months, we will develop the Northern Territory’s first policy on climate change, setting a course of action to ensure the Territory continues to develop whilst playing our part. It is very important that whatever we do, at a national or a local setting, does not constrain development in the Northern Territory.
Central to the climate change policy will be a requirement for government agencies to develop strategies to reduce their carbon footprint, including cutting energy use and ensuring major cleaning contracts include recycling provisions. Part of that will ensure that each agency develops a cost-benefit analysis over the longer term to ensure that, as well as reducing our carbon footprint, these strategies are cost-effective for government.
I have also asked the Auditor-General to develop performance management systems that will monitor outcomes of these carbon reduction strategies, highlighting which strategies are working and which require attention. This will be an accountability mechanism to ensure that agencies are audited on the work that they are doing by our Auditor-General.
The government is also in the process of recruiting a climate change expert to assist in the development of our climate change policy. The consultant will work closely with the newly-created Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit and the climate change working group.
As I said, in creating this portfolio responsibility within government, when Professor Garnaut hands his report down in the middle of this year, and the Australian government decides what action it is going to take as a consequence of this report, of what caps and trading schemes will be put in place, it will be important that the Territory has a very strong position at the table. Engaging that consultant in the lead-up to those meetings will ensure that we seize the opportunities. There very well may be economic opportunities for the Northern Territory in offset programs in carbon seats. We will also play our part in the overall effort to reduce greenhouse gases globally. A very interesting policy time is emerging this year throughout Australia and globally. We will play our part and government agencies will also play their part.
Alcohol Consumption - Increase
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, you said that the nearly 10 million litres of grog being consumed in the Territory is because of tourists and ‘the significant population growth that we have seen in Darwin and Palmerston since 2001’ ...
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Once again, the Opposition Leader is playing a little with the Parliamentary Record here. Yesterday, he said it was 10 million litres extra per annum since we came to power in 2001, making a total of 60 million litres when, in fact, it is 10 million litres over the whole life since we have come to power. He has overestimated by about 60 million litres and he should confess it. He has it wrong again.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Minister, if you wish to, you may approach me to make a personal explanation after Question Time.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, the point of order that I am making is that he shifted from the incorrect statement he made yesterday to trying to make it a correct statement today. That is the point I am making here, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Nevertheless, the Leader of the Opposition is asking a question and it will be up to the Chief Minister to answer it how wishes. Leader of the Opposition.
Mr MILLS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The nearly 10 million litres of grog being consumed in the Territory you said yesterday was because of tourists and ‘the significant population increase that we have seen in Darwin and Palmerston since 2001’. According to Tourism NT figures - and I have the figures here - the stays for tourists who stay overnight are, in fact, lower in 2007 than in 2000. Thus, according to your own logic, the Territory population increase since 2000 - that is, of 17 000 people - are the ones, not the tourists who stayed overnight, who drank all the booze. If that is the case - the document is tabled - that means that every one of these men, women and children would have to have drunk two bottles of wine every single day to account for that increase.
Will you now admit that the extra grog consumption is not from new arrivals and tourists but, in fact, is a systemic and deepening problem entrenched in the Territory community?
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, can I ask the member to table his figures, because the figures he says he has are totally different to the figures that I have from Tourism NT. As a matter of fact, interstate visitors increased by 46 000 last year, they did not decrease.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister for Tourism, the Leader of the Opposition has tabled the document. Can we have somebody copy the document and distribute it to the Chief Minister and other ministers, please?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Opposition Leader for a very confused and confusing question. The Leader of the Opposition would be the only person in this room who would think that there are fewer tourists in Darwin now than there were in the early 2000s. He would be the only person who would believe there are fewer tourists in Darwin over the last year than there were four or five years ago in the aftermath of the Ansett collapse, 11 September, the HIH insurance crash, and an economy with zero percent growth. If we look at that period since then, with the additional airlines and seat capacity that have come to the Northern Territory, and talk to anybody in the tourism business and ask if there are more tourists around today than there were four or five years ago, they will all tell you that there are.
Once again, the Leader of the Opposition shows that he does not get out very much at all. The population growth in the last two-and-a-half years in Darwin and Palmerston alone is over 14 000 extra people. We are also at a time where we have seen significant new licensed premises develop over that period; for example, in Mitchell Street. We have an economy that is powering ahead. People have more disposable income so, instead of going out maybe one night of the week or over the weekend, people can go out two or three nights a week because they have more money in their pockets.
However, I am not denying the fact that the Northern Territory does have a significant problem with alcohol and we consume, per capita, more alcohol than other Australians, quite significantly. That is why this government is putting in place a range of measures to try to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed in the Northern Territory - which we have debated up hill and down dale. We have our policies in place. We see that alcohol, and the abuse of alcohol, is a significant problem in the Northern Territory. We have a complex set of issues here. We are working on them with a range of solutions right across the Northern Territory.
All we have is the Opposition Leader playing around with confused and confusing figures, and not one single policy initiative from the other side at all to deal with the issue. Play around with numbers all you like. We acknowledge the problem and are working on it. However, in regard to Darwin and Palmerston, you can see that population growth and tourists are part of the reason for that increase.
Multicultural Communities –
Government Support
Government Support
Ms SACILOTTO to CHIEF MINISTER
In the Territory, we pride ourselves on our multiculturalism and the number of wonderful multicultural communities that contribute to our great Territory lifestyle. How will government continue to support our multicultural communities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question, because I attend a lot of multicultural events and I know the member for Port Darwin is out and about amongst our multicultural community.
One of the greatest aspects of our lifestyle in the Northern Territory, the one that we all celebrate, is the diversity of our multicultural community. I had firsthand testament to that again the other day with the campaign we are running to get the worldwide premier for Baz Lurhmann’s movie to be held in the Northern Territory. In talking to his senior production people earlier this week, they said that after spending nine weeks in Bowen they could not believe how beautiful and wonderful Darwin was and, explicitly, as well as how beautiful this city was, the people. They just could not get over the diversity of people. To a person, they absolutely adored this city, and it was primarily because of the cosmopolitan nature of the people.
This government will work very hard to maintain our support for our multicultural communities right across the Northern Territory. That is why I kept this portfolio myself, as Chief Minister, ably assisted by my colleague, the member for Millner.
We have a number of festivals across the Northern Territory, including the Greek Glenti, India at Mindil, the Filipino Barrio Fiesta, the markets at Parap and Rapid Creek, the Chung Wah Society Museum, Oktoberfest, the Cyprus Community Wine Festival, Chinese New Year celebrations - the list goes on and it is a great part of life in the Territory.
There is a broad interest in languages developing in our schools, with the Greek Orthodox School and the CDU’s Greek in-country program, as well as this government, when I was Education minister, funding scholarships for two of our Greek teachers to improve their capacity to deliver language up to tertiary level. Mandarin is being taught at the Chung Wah Society’s Saturday classes, and many communities have language programs.
We have a very important multicultural grants program for facilities’ development. More than $1m has been allocated in grants’ programs in 2007-08. The Timorese/Chinese Association received $56 500 for a kitchen upgrade, which was used to great effect over the Chinese New Year; it was a fabulous meal. The Portugese/Timorese Social Club received $82 000 to upgrade their community hall, which they make available to other community groups. The Alice Springs Islamic Society received $10 000 for a driveway and a car park. The Buddhist Society received $71 000 for the upgrade of their community hall. The Chung Wah Society received $20 000 for the upgrade of the museum roof. The Hindu Society received $71 000 contribution to the community hall. The Islamic Society received $40 000 for community hall facilities.
This is an important show of our government’s support to our multicultural community. I thank each and every one of the hard-working volunteers who support all those multicultural groups for the great work they do and their great contribution to the Territory lifestyle.
Private Hire Car – Rank Areas
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
I spoke to the minister this morning about this. My question refers to approved areas where private hire vehicles can rank and accept walk-up fares; that is, not pre-booked fares. You are probably aware that we often have situations at airports, hotels and the railway station where there are no longer any taxis available. A private hire car may have dropped someone off, but they cannot accept a non-booked fare.
The information provided to me indicates that walk-up fares are acceptable while parked on an approved rank, as outlined in this information bulletin, CPV 12, which provides details and conditions, and lists approved. There is a whole list of areas where private hire cars can rank for non pre-booked fares. The one that I am referring to in this particular question is The Ghan station at Alice Springs.
The advice we have had in querying whether this is so - whether a private hire car can go to the station and pick up a non-pre-booked fare - is that, to do so, you have to get approval from Great Southern Railway and then a copy of that approval must be approved by the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Director. Will you confirm that it is acceptable for private hire vehicles to rank at these places, in particular, the railway station, for walk-up fares, or does an operator still have to go through this convoluted approval process?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for the question. She certainly has diligently sought to find out exactly how she can help private hire cars rank at The Ghan station in Alice Springs. Yes, they certainly are able to rank there under the conditions of the commercial passenger vehicle conditions that the private hirers have. They cannot tout for fares, as I have explained to the member earlier. However, someone can walk up to them and seek the opportunity of hiring a private hire. However, therein lies the rub. There is not a dedicated rank at The Ghan station in Alice Springs.
The member for Braitling raised this issue with me earlier today. I have subsequently instructed officers in my department to commence discussions with Great Southern Railway who are in charge of the station - it is their asset, if you like. We will be seeking permission from Great Southern Railway to put a rank there. I have also said that if there is a cost associated with painting a line and providing a rank then, of course, the government would be willing to cover that cost.
Thank you, member for Braitling, it is quite appropriate that private hire cars can rank at The Ghan in Alice Springs. It is a great service for tourists coming off that majestic train. There will be a rank as soon as we can get Great Southern Railway to approve where the rank will be.
Alcohol Consumption - Increase in
Numbers of Drunks on Streets
Numbers of Drunks on Streets
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
In respect to the 26 448 instances of protective custody last year, over 24 800 were, sadly, Aboriginal people - not tourists, new Australians or new Territorians. I table the addendum to the 2006-07 Police Annual Report. Is it now not patently clear that you cannot deflect, in any way, from the direct link between the additional 10 million litres of alcohol consumed in the Territory and the increased number of drunks on the streets?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. It is very sad for the Territory community that we are going to have a rerun of yesterday’s Question Time in today’s Question Time, because we debated the same issues in yesterday’s Question Time that we are today. It just goes to show what a policy-free zone the opposition is, when they do not have new questions to ask today that they did not ask yesterday. There are a lot of issues affecting the Northern Territory. If we want to have a repeat of this Question Time day after day, we will.
As I said yesterday, the reason the figures show we have more people in protective custody than we had four or five years ago is because we have more police in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs taking people into protective custody. As we have acknowledged in this parliament, we have seen, since the intervention in particular, more people coming into our urban centres, accessing alcohol, living in the long grass, with an associated rise in antisocial behaviour. That would also lead to an increase in people being taken into protective custody.
We are not denying that there is not a problem here. However, the reason there are more people in protective custody is that there are more police out there. When the CLP were in government and we had 200 fewer police in our police force, we did not have so many people in protective custody. I am sure even the CLP would not say that, in 2000-01, we did not have a problem with itinerants and public drunkenness across the Northern Territory because, yes, we did. There were more people on the streets because there were not the police out there to take people into protective custody.
We are not denying that there is a problem. We are not saying that we have solved this problem, but we have acknowledged it. We have a range of measures in place to deal with not only the consequences of antisocial behaviour, such as funding new frontline patrols that I announced earlier this week, which would be Police and Justice officers; re-funding the Night Patrol to get them back out there helping police; a report line for the public to report antisocial behaviour through to police so the appropriate agencies can be dispatched; additional temporary accommodation, with 127 extra beds, to take people off the streets. The CCTV cameras in Darwin CBD and Casuarina business district is a very strong signal that antisocial behaviour in these areas will not be tolerated and, if you do engage in offences, then you will be picked up and police will have that information. We will have a coordinator of that strategy, bringing together Territory and federal government agencies, non-government organisations and Centrelink to try to better effectively deal with the problem.
Madam Speaker, we acknowledge that we do have issues. We have 200 more police out there to deal with the issue than the CLP ever had, a comprehensive approach to how to deal with it, including increasing funding for the Return to Country program. What do the CLP have? Nothing - absolutely nothing, apart from poring over statistics and annual reports to try to paint a picture that, somehow, we are not acknowledging the problem.
This government acknowledges and deals with issues. We put in a range of measures that are funded. All the CLP can do is pore over statistics. There is not a creative policy mind amongst them. If we are going to have a re-run of yesterday’s Question Time, I am happy to have it.
Netball – Government Initiatives
Ms SACILOTTO to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Netball is a major sport for Territorians. Can you please advise the House of government initiatives aimed at boosting the sport of netball in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question, I know she is a keen netballer herself. It is fantastic to get on my feet and talk about a very positive subject, of course, sport and recreation, and the effect it has on our positive lifestyle. We are all proud of our Territory lifestyle, particularly the contribution sport makes to it. As the Minister for Sport and Recreation, as I have said before in this House, it is a dream job. One reason it is a dream job, is the announcement I am making today; that is, with my Cabinet and Caucus colleagues, this government’s support for netball. I am particularly committed to the development of women’s sport. I believe it is invaluable that Territory women are encouraged to become actively involved in sport, and I will be doing everything, as Sport minister, to help make this happen.
Netball is extremely popular with Territory women. Figures from Netball Northern Territory show that more than 1700 Territory women play netball, and that is basically north and south. As I have said, this government is committed to developing sport and sporting opportunities. That is why we will build a $4.8m netball centre at Marrara. I will repeat that, Madam Speaker: $4.8m committed to build a netball centre at the Marrara sporting complex.
The new Marrara netball centre is an election commitment, a project that is expected to go to tender in early March, with construction due to be completed by the end of this year. Once complete, the new netball centre will deliver a fantastic facility, which will include 10 new Rebound Ace courts to national standard. A further 10 courts will include basketball court lines, court lighting, first-class amenities including change rooms, a canteen, a bar, car parking, drop-off zones, security fencing and adequate land for the future expansion of courts and car parking. We are thinking about the future, Madam Speaker. We know netball is growing. The Territory netball community deserves a first-class facility. The government is proud to deliver such a facility to its community. Facilities like the new netball centre are important as we work towards making our great lifestyle even better.
In other good news for netball, this government has also committed funding to help a Territory netball side to compete in the Australian Netball League this year. Government has provided a $50 000 grant to help the NT team compete in the national competition. This is in addition to $50 000 the government committed to a feasibility study addressing matters that might arise regarding whether it was viable for the competition. This is another great win for women’s sport. An NT team in the national competition provides a pathway for NT netballers. The Australian Netball League will start in August. We are promoting women’s sport. It is a priority for the government and for me as Sport and Recreation minister. We want to see more Territory women competing at those grassroots and elite levels. Involving women more in sport is another way of improving our great Territory lifestyle.
The unsung heroes of all lifestyle activities, particularly in sport and recreation, are women. I know my government is proud of its record of supporting women’s sport and we look to continuing it into the future. I hope members opposite understand that this is a positive thing. We are here to talk about good things we are doing for the great lifestyle of the Territory. I hope they join with us when we attend the opening of the netball courts.
Antisocial Behaviour – Frontline Officers
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
On 14 February 2006, you asserted that the only people to deal with antisocial behaviour were ‘specifically trained and equipped police officers’. However, on Tuesday, you announced a policy that effectively puts public servants into the front line to deal with antisocial behaviour and the additional nearly 10 million litres of alcohol being consumed in the Territory. Is it not the case that the use of untrained, non-police officers betrays the fact that you are desperate to be seen to be doing something to address the tidal wave of alcohol and violence consuming our community? If it is not an act of desperation in using public servants instead of specifically trained police officers, do you then still stand by your comments of 14 February 2006?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I think he is confused by what I actually did announce earlier this week. I wonder if he was here for the debates and the Question Times because, if he was, he was not listening or he is just confused.
This is a government that has heavily invested in our police. We certainly did boost the number of Aboriginal Community Police Officers. Off the top of my head, I believe we have appointed an extra eight, with two additional vehicles on the road. I pay tribute to those Aboriginal Community Police Officers because, right across the Northern Territory, they do an enormously difficult and challenging job. A couple of them are personal acquaintances of mine, as well as me being their minister. I know what a tough job those men and women do across the Northern Territory. We have increased the number of police on the front line to deal with this issue.
If the Leader of the Opposition is talking about the frontline patrols I talked about earlier this week, they will be staffed by police officers, with Justice officers working with them - not going into dangerous situations, but presenting in a proactive way where we have identified camps of people living in the long grass - and approaching people outside of the law enforcement effort as a result of trouble being in these camps. They will work with people, understand where they are from, why they are here, and how we can help people to get home if they want to get home through the Return to Country program and, if people need medical attention, how we can get them that medical attention. Very importantly, if there are kids living in those camps, we can work with their families to get them somewhere safe and get people into temporary accommodation that we have provided. Those patrols will be staffed by police and people from Justice who have knowledge of the services that are available. They are not replacing frontline police at all.
We are the government that has put an extra 200 police in the front line right across the Northern Territory, compared to the devastated, demoralised police force that we inherited in 2001. We have more Aboriginal Community Police Officers right across the Northern Territory than the CLP ever had. We also have a Police Commissioner who has processes and programs in place to see those Aboriginal Community Police Officers move through the police to become fully-sworn police officers in a focused and dedicated way for the first time.
This government is committed to our police. We will continue to fund and improve police levels where needed. If you look at the history of what we have done in supporting our police, and look at what we inherited in 2001, there is a world of difference. To the Leader of the Opposition, in relation to his question, I believe he was somewhat confused.
Territory Parks – Government Investment
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Enjoying our Territory’s unique environment and landscape is an integral part of our great lifestyle. Can the minister advise the Assembly of investments the government has made to make our world-class parks even better?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question, and there is no finer person to ask that question. The member for Goyder enjoys his holidays in the parks in the Territory. No greater story does he tell than of being on the top of Mt Sonder when he received a phone call. If members opposite get to hear that story, they will really enjoy it; it is a beauty.
This government recognises the indispensable role our parks play in the Territory, not only in our great lifestyle which, undoubtedly, is the best in Australia, but also in training, jobs and economic growth. Since 2005-06, this government has allocated more than $26m to infrastructure programs for the Territory’s 88 parks and reserves to ensure Territorians and visitors have the best possible access to our natural and cultural attractions.
In 2006-07, more than three million people visited our parks and reserves - three million, member for Blain. I bet they all enjoyed a beer every now and then. They are the jewel in the Territory’s crown and, arguably, the most popular attractions for tourists to the Territory. Our parks and reserves are also the recreational playground for Territorians. Since 2005-06, we have spent $1m on the construction of a boat ramp for direct river access to Gregory National Park. In 2007-08, we committed an extra $80 000 to repairs and maintenance work at Gregory National Park, including repairs to the water mains at the historical homestead. Gregory is the largest park managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service, at around 13 000 km2.
We have also spent more than $1m at the Channel Point Coastal Reserve to improve infrastructure, including a boat launch facility, campground, roads, visitor parking facilities and interpretive displays; and it is a great road. When completed, more than $1.4m will have been spent on the Channel Point Coastal Reserve to enhance the enjoyment of Territorians and visitors.
This government has also significantly invested in West Macdonnell National Park, west of Alice Springs. I am sure the members from Central Australia will agree that this is a marvellous park - it is fantastic. Over the past few years, we have spent more than $1.5m on that park. This iconic park includes parts of world-renowned 223 km long Larapinta Walking Trail, which attracts many tourists and visitors each year, who, I am sure, are also thirsty after having a big day on the track. We are currently upgrading and expanding visitor areas to include additional shade shelters, ranger and tour guide presentation areas, ablution facilities, expanded car parks and campgrounds.
The Territory is blessed with the best parks in this great Australia, and this government is nurturing this diverse and precious asset for the benefit of all Territorians, today and for future generations.
Douglas Daly – Moratorium
on Land Clearing
on Land Clearing
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES; referred to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
The other day, you spoke glowingly of the increase in cattle being exported from Darwin, many of those cattle from the Douglas Daly area. In the action plan to conserve the Daly River as a Living River from November 2007, the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Environment Centre supported a cap on clearing in the Daly catchment of 10 000 ha over the next decade. In a media release on 12 December, minister Kiely said a two-year moratorium on broad scale land clearing on the Douglas Daly would continue because it is crucial to get the right alignment between water allocation and native vegetation and clearing.
Will a further two-year moratorium affect the income of farmers in the area and what effect will that have on the cost of land in the area? Can you explain to cattle farmers the logic behind your government’s land clearing moratorium, which is based on the need for more research into the Tindal and Ooloo aquifers, which I support, but then puts restrictions on land clearing for non-irrigated pastures, which do not need a water allocation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. First, I say at the outset that I fully support the moratorium on land clearing in the Douglas Daly. We cannot afford to make the mistakes that have happened in some of the areas down south. The future development of the Douglas Daly is vitally important and it has to be based on scientific advice. It is all about the future of the Douglas Daly. The Douglas Daly is vitally important to the Primary Industry portfolio. We only get one chance at this, member for Nelson, and we have to get it right.
As for the cattle side of things, I said yesterday that we are running record numbers of cattle out of the Port of Darwin. Last year, 24 000 more head of cattle left the Port of Darwin, approximately 250 000 of which were Northern Territory cattle. There have been record shipments – 22 000 left in a record shipment last year. Since the Indigenous Pastoral Program, Aboriginal land has been opened up all around the Territory …
Mr Wood: No, no, I did not ask that question.
Members interjecting.
Mr NATT: Twenty-one additional grazing licences and an extra 30 000 head of cattle have been put on the land. The industry is very healthy.
As for land prices, I would have thought that the function of the land prices was all determined by the market. We all know that the drought down south has renewed interest in the Northern Territory, and primary industry production is, obviously, of interest to them as well.
Madam Speaker, it is very interesting to note that, in The Weekend Australian last weekend, the Northern Territory was rated as the best value for money in Australia, and that is based on price to earnings. There it is; it is in black and white.
As to the land clearing and the water extraction side, that falls under the portfolio of the minister for Natural Resources. He may like to add to the comments I have made.
Mr KIELY (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, as the minister has just said, we recently announced an extension to the moratorium on land clearing in the Daly because we are determined to get the science right there. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. We do not want to spoil it for the generations that follow on after us, member for Nelson.
Due to the work of DRMAC, the Daly River Management Advisory Council and others over the last few years, we now have a much greater scientific understanding of this iconic part of the Territory. They have done some marvellous work. I put on record that the work they have done on the Daly is fantastic. It is this research that will help us guide our thinking over the next few years. We are looking at the water allocations with DRMAC, and we are also looking at the biodiversity of the region, to ensure that we can protect that into the future. We are going to get the science right on this. If the member for Nelson does not think that this approach is the right decision for the Daly then, maybe, he should talk to the 7500 people who signed the petition …
Mr Wood: No, I am asking about the logic behind the decision.
Mr KIELY: Seven thousand five hundred people signed the petition – and you are the one who goes on about consultation, member for Nelson. We have been consulting, listening, and we will continue to get the science right.
Alice Springs – Safer Streets
Mr HAMPTON to CHIEF MINISTER
The announcement of the comprehensive new plan to tackle antisocial behaviour across Darwin is great news. The government has also been hard at work in Alice Springs to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour. Can you inform the House what this government has done to make the streets of Alice Springs safer?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question, because he is a great advocate for Central Australia and Alice Springs, and certainly spends a lot of time lobbying ministers on behalf of residents in Central Australia.
Crime and antisocial behaviour is unacceptable. We have been debating that all week. When you talk to police in Alice Springs, they will tell you that around 85% of the work that they do, and the incidents that they have to respond to, are alcohol related. Again, that is unacceptable.
We have introduced the Alcohol Management Plan and it is starting to take effect. We have mentioned already a 10% reduction in pure alcohol being consumed in Alice Springs. We have introduced restrictions on the purchase of cask and fortified wines. There are more police on the beat in Alice Springs than ever before. The mounted police patrols have been introduced permanently for the first time in Alice Springs ...
Mr Mills: Violent crime is up 36%
Mr HENDERSON: I did not notice the mounted police patrol when the CLP were in government.
We have invested $4.6m in additional short-term accommodation, an extra 94 beds. There are more bush bus services, again, advocacy from the members for Stuart and Macdonnell, who very strongly support those bush bus services …
Ms Lawrie: And Barkly.
Mr HENDERSON: And the member for Barkly around the Cabinet table, to help with the Return to Country program and CCTV. There is $3.5m in additional rehabilitation and treatment services, structured case management services, Day Patrol services and the Return to Country program.
This is not a one-shot-in-the-locker approach, but a comprehensive approach in Alice Springs, as in Darwin, Katherine, and Tennant Creek. The question is: is it working? Some people with a bit of a memory of Alice Springs agree. Some people who have lived in Alice Springs for a long time, who are very proud of their town, who are real advocates for their town and in positions of leadership in Alice Springs agree.
I advise the House that David Koch, a current Alice Springs Town Council Alderman, who has announced his candidacy for mayor, is also I believe, President of the CLP Branch of Alice Springs and he failed for preselection. I believe he sought preselection for the seat of Greatorex, and the member for Greatorex’s friend and colleague, the member for Araluen, managed to get him into the seat ahead of David Koch. It certainly must have been a pretty bruising preselection battle in the local Alice Springs branch.
Anyway, David Koch is well known and respected in Alice Springs, and this is what he said about antisocial behaviour at the town council meeting on 11 February, 10 days ago. I am quoting from the alderman, mayoral candidate and President of the CLP Alice Springs Branch. Basically, he said one thing we do have to remember is:
- … the town is much safer and much better than it was five years ago, 10 years ago, and 15 years ago.’
Mr Koch went on to say:
- Fifteen years ago it was a …
… war zone.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: That was under the CLP, not the Australian Labor Party. He went on to say that it was not much better 10 years ago, and that five years ago it was improving:
- To be honest, our town has improved …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: That was the Labor government, not the CLP government that ruled the Territory 15 years ago. We can play politics all we like in this House, but it is great to see a bipartisan approach from the CLP, recognising that a comprehensive approach to dealing with these problems, being up-front about them, and working with the community, can deliver results. It is great to have the endorsement from Mr David Koch, and I wish him well with his campaign for mayor because, obviously, if he was elected, he is somebody that we could work with.
Yesterday, we heard from the member for Greatorex. He agreed that the CLP had done nothing for police …
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, the challenge again is to make the member for Greatorex the shadow Police minister, because he recognised that the CLP did nothing for police when they were in government. We now have a CLP past president in Alice Springs recognising things are much better in Alice Springs than they were four, five, six years ago. That is testament to this government not putting its head in the sand, nor denying there are problems around the Northern Territory, and really working with communities with a comprehensive approach. We are not saying we have it solved.
We know we have big problems out there. We have intergenerational change that needs to occur in education, employment, and economies in business communities. We will work with the federal government and communities around the Northern Territory to really start delivering on those important issues. However, it is good to see some acknowledgement from a very important person in the Alice Springs community that things are better than what they were four, five and six years ago, and that, 15 years ago when the CLP were in government, the place was a war zone.
Deputy Chief Minister – Attendance at
Climate Change Meeting
Climate Change Meeting
Mrs MILLER to DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
Today you were supposed to attend a meeting of state and territory leaders in Adelaide. It is reported today that you decided not to continue the journey from Alice Springs because you did not want to attend a Premier’s meeting wearing the same clothes you had worn for 24 hours. Do you believe that it is reasonable to miss a meeting of our nation’s leaders about climate change because of dirty clothes? Could you not have transferred a change of clothes to your hand luggage, or have your clothes laundered upon arriving in Adelaide, or buy a new outfit in Adelaide, or simply hand wash the clothes your were wearing? How important is climate change to you?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will not thank the Deputy Opposition Leader. If this is the best that they can do in Question Time, of great importance to the Northern Territory, she is as bad as a blank piece of paper. It does not warrant me to stand on my feet and explain to the Deputy Opposition Leader why I cannot control Qantas so I was stranded in Alice Springs. The issue about my bags being on board is completely irrelevant. The Deputy Opposition Leader needs to be better informed about different things before she stands up and talks about …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: You are absolutely irrelevant, you are.
Motor Vehicle Sales
Mr BURKE to TREASURER
Can the minister update the House on the sale of motor vehicles in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, the Territory has the strongest economy, and those benefits are flowing right through the economy to many industries. One of these industries is the motor vehicle industry. Figures out today show that, in the last 12 months, total sales of new motor vehicles have increased by 7.5%. That is some 9991 vehicles, the highest level ever recorded for Territory. We have just under 10 000 new cars in the Territory in the last year.
There is one car in the Northern Territory that does concern me. That is the car of the member for Greatorex. The Country Liberal Party advertising on his taxpayer-funded car is in direct conflict with legislation that the Leader of the Opposition introduced into parliament …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: As we can see, the member for Greatorex has CLP advertising on his car, in direct conflict with what his Leader of the Opposition introduced in legislation. Did he drive his car all the way from Alice Springs to the sittings just to directly conflict with his leader, because we know the leader could not get his number in the leadership spill? Is the Opposition Leader going to enforce the member for Greatorex to remove the party political advertising?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Are you finished, Treasurer?
Ms LAWRIE: I have finished, Madam Speaker.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016