2005-10-19
Fatal Traffic Accident – Louisa May Turner
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Last week, you told this parliament that the police investigation into the death of seven-year-old Louisa May Turner and subsequent events had been completed prior to the German national who caused the accident being charged and leaving the country. How could this be, given that some of the survivors of this tragic accident, members of the girl’s family, were not interviewed until after the offender had appeared in court and had left the country? Why was there no reference to this crucial fact in the media release that was issued yesterday?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Opposition Leader for her question. This is a tragic incident where the Turner family have lost their seven-year-old daughter, Louisa. There are only losers in this particular tragedy. I can advise that I have spoken in detail to police regarding how they conduct investigations of traffic accidents where somebody has lost their life. If parliament can give me a bit of leeway, it is fairly detailed.
Essentially, there are three stages under police operational procedures and guidelines to any traffic scene investigation that has resulted in a death. The first stage is the initial cordoned off investigation of the scene. When there has been a traffic accident, the immediate, initial response is from Police and Emergency Services assisting the injured and trying to recover people from the scene. There is then a time when police cordon off the accident scene and conduct a detailed investigation of where the vehicles were sited, the type of collision, take measurements of skid marks - all of those issues - and take the appropriate photographs of the particular scene. As traffic accidents occur on roads and police want to get the roads open for traffic, the vehicles are removed from the scene and traffic flows again.
The second stage of the investigation is when police conduct interviews of people who were at the scene, who would have witnessed the scene, and who were involved in the accident and are able to be interviewed. In this particular case, a number of people involved in the accident were in hospital and unable to be interviewed at that time. At that second stage of the investigation, police look to determine and substantiate if there is any prima facie evidence that exists that would support immediate charges where there have been any offences against the Traffic Act or any criminal offences. This stage of the investigation is to determine whether the prima facie evidence exists to support any charges.
In this particular incident, the police investigators at the scene and over the ensuing couple of days determined that there was prima facie evidence to support those charges that were initially laid. That is what occurred in that particular case; the police office and the investigation team determined that those initial charges were to be laid under the Traffic Act.
There is a third part to a police investigation, which goes to put all of the information together regarding the circumstance of that particular accident - and this can take some months - in order to prepare a file to supply to the Coroner. It is in regard to all of the circumstances and all of the information that police can bring to hand supporting what happened at that particular accident scene. The Coroner then, when he is in receipt of that police file, will make a determination as to whether to hold a full Coronial hearing into that accident. In this particular case, one would suspect that that would occur.
Going to the question the Leader of the Opposition has asked, and quite appropriately, when I made the comment last week that police had concluded investigations, they had. They had concluded their investigations to determine whether prima facie evidence existed to support charges being laid. The perception that might be out in the public that, somehow, a full investigation in determining whether evidence existed to support charges had not been made, is not the case. However, there will be further work done, probably over a period of months, to put a full file together for the Coroner.
That is the answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. My advice from the Police Commissioner, at the time preceding my answering the question last week, is that, yes, investigations had concluded that determined that charges could be laid against Mr Eibofner - and that did happen. Further investigations continue to put a full file together which will go to the Coroner so the Coroner can determine whether he is going to hold a full inquiry into the circumstances of this death.
Radioactive Waste Facility – Stopping Federal Government Plans
Ms ANDERSON to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you inform the House of what Territorians can do to help stop the federal government’s plans to steamroll the Territory over the nuclear dump?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for the question. There is no doubt about the fact - and we have discussed this at length in this House - that Senator Nigel Scullion’s vote will be crucial in determining whether our rights are trampled on and a nuclear dump is sited in the Northern Territory against Territorians’ wishes. That is a fact, despite what we heard from the Opposition Leader on radio this morning, which was a very confused rambling, saying: ‘Oh look, it was not really an important vote from Senator Scullion, the CLP representative in Canberra. In fact, Labor and the Democrats were going to support the government’. It certainly had poor Julia Christensen on the ABC quite bewildered.
I assure the Opposition Leader that Labor will not - in the Senate, nor in the House of Representatives - be supporting this appalling piece of government legislation which was even described by Nigel Scullion as ‘disgusting’. Nigel Scullion is still going to vote for it, at this stage. The Democrats will certainly be voting against this piece of legislation in the Senate and so will the Greens. I say that unequivocally. It certainly contrasts with the ramblings of the Opposition Leader this morning.
Territorians are going to be very loud and strong in opposition to what the federal government is doing and, because Senator Scullion is so critical in getting this legislation voted down, we are going to continue the campaign - and you saw that today in the newspaper. We have a full page advertisement giving Territorians the opportunity to call on Nigel Scullion to say: ‘Do what you have committed to doing in the past and vote down this legislation’. I am encouraging Territorians to ring Senator Scullion’s office. They can ring the Prime Minister’s office as well, and put their objections direct to the Prime Minister. You can fax or e-mail. It will come to me and I will pass these on to Senator Scullion. It says: ‘Dear Chief Minister, please pass on to Senator Nigel Scullion our absolute opposition to the federal government’s attack on Territorians’ rights’, which is what the fundamental is here.
The second point is: ‘Senator Scullion, you must vote against NT nuclear dump’. It is very straightforward, it gives Territorians an opportunity to say how they feel about this, and call on Senator Scullion to do what he committed to do two months ago; that is, cross the floor to vote down what he called a disgusting piece of legislation, and do what he is there to do in Canberra: stand up for the Territory. The Democrats are going to stand up for the Territory. The Greens are going to stand up for the Territory. Labor is standing up for the Territory. Who is missing in action here? It is Senator Nigel Scullion.
I say to Senator Scullion: ‘We heard what you said in August’. We know what the CLP policy is. The CLP policy is to oppose a nuclear facility like this in the Territory. That is clear. I say to him: ‘Stand now, listen to Territorians and say you have heard what Territorians have said, and cross the floor when this important legislation comes into the federal parliament. Cross the floor on behalf of Territorians, on behalf of our rights and do not have this nuclear waste facility sited in the Territory’.
Members: Hear, hear!
Fatal Traffic Accident – Louisa May Turner
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Last week, you indicated that the findings of the review into the investigation of the death and subsequent events involving Louisa May Turner would be made public. Late yesterday afternoon, a media release was issued by the police, not you, detailing some of the findings of the review. Releasing findings by way of media release is far from satisfactory. Territorians, let alone the family, have no way of knowing what information was put in the release and what information was kept out of it. Will you release the whole review publicly or, at very least, will you release it in full to the family? If not, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, again, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. Regarding the family, my advice from police is that, yesterday lunch time, Deputy Commissioner and Acting Commissioner Bruce Wernham, Assistant Commissioner Mark Payne and Deputy Director of the DPP, Jack Karczewski, met with the Turner family and gave them a full debrief of the failings of police and other failings by the DPP in the circumstances to this case. The family, who are the most important people here, yesterday lunchtime were provided with full and detailed information by the most senior officers in the police force and the Deputy Director of the DPP.
Also, I am advised that, at that meeting yesterday, the assistant commissioner has offered the Turner family, at any time, to contact him directly if the family require any additional information ...
Ms Carney: Because you blokes will not see them. Cowards.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Leader of the Opposition, if you want an answer to the question I would appreciate that you listen to the answer. I am providing a full answer to the question that was asked.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police has offered the family, at any time, to provide full and further detailed information, and … Are you listening?
Ms Carney: As opposed to you. You are not going to see them, so it is a handball.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Deputy Commission Wernham, the Acting Police Commissioner, has also said to the family that he will be writing to them with further detailed information in regards to the police investigation and its failings. That is only totally appropriate and the police are in continuing discussions with the Turner family.
In regards to the press release the police put out yesterday, Madam Speaker, I am happy to table a copy of that release.
Ms Carney: It is the review that we are interested in. The media release is public.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition! Minister, please resume your seat. Leader of the Opposition …
Ms Carney: Thank you, Madam Speaker, I will desist.
Madam SPEAKER: … I am reminding you of what I said before about Standing Order 51. If you interject again, I am afraid I will have to put you on a warning.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, if I may, just a point of clarification. Does it follow from your ruling that there are to be no interjections from anyone in the parliament?
Madam SPEAKER: Not at all. Interjections are part of the democratic process, but repeated interjections when you have been asked to not interject are not parliamentary.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This really is a tragic case for the Turner family and there are certainly very clear failings by the Northern Territory Police which, as Police minister, I can say I am not happy about. Regarding information that is being made available to the family, I have outlined that.
Regarding information that is made available to the public, as well, I will talk about this particular media release issued by police yesterday. It is a very unusual media release. It is a very detailed review of the findings. All of the findings of the review are contained here. It is not pretty reading regarding police failings in this particular case. It goes to 12 specific and discrete points of where there were problems and certain failings in the police investigation, along with other information. It is a very detailed press release that goes to the failings of police investigations and their communication with the DPP in this particular circumstance. It is certainly a release of which, in my time as Police minister for about four years now, I have seen nothing like. I am happy to table that. That, obviously, was a media release which went out to media outlets yesterday.
Madam Speaker, in regards to other information that the police may have - which I do not have, as I do not have access to all the police investigation files. It is quite appropriate under the Police Administration Act. The act very clearly outlines that, due to the separation of powers, as Police minister, I cannot direct the commissioner on operational issues. The Police Commissioner will determine what information is released and not released. I have no more information than this media release and discussions that I have had with the Assistant Commissioner and the Deputy Police Commissioner in regards to this incident.
The most important people in all of this, the Turner family, have had an extensive briefing from senior officers of police yesterday. They have been given the contact of the assistant commissioner in regards to further information the family may require, and also a commitment from the Deputy Police Commissioner to provide the family with further information.
Buffalo Export Markets
Mr KNIGHT to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
What is the outlook for the export of Northern Territory buffalo and what new market opportunity exists?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yesterday, I reported to parliament about my travel to Indonesia in the company of pastoral industry representatives to promote our livestock industry export ...
Members interjecting.
Dr Lim: What did you do in Indonesia?
Mr VATSKALIS: Yes, it is funny. It is really funny, member for Greatorex. It is one of the biggest industries in the Northern Territory and the member for Greatorex finds it very funny. I do not think the pastoral industry will find it very funny.
Madam Speaker, prior to my travel to Indonesia, the Northern Territory Buffalo Council approached me and expressed some problems they had with Indonesian authorities. These problems consist of their inability to use the live cattle exports to load buffalo for ports in Indonesia and South-East Asia because there was no protocol in place to control the loading and transport of buffalo together with cattle. I raised this issue with my counterpart in Indonesia and I am very pleased to announce, member for Greatorex, that we now have a protocol between the Northern Territory and Indonesia, and the industry now has the ability to load buffalo together with cattle for export to different ports in Indonesia and South-East Asia.
The industry has advised me that they believe that they will be exporting 5000 head of buffalo every year to Indonesia. These are buffalo feeders. They will be feed lotted and fattened in Indonesia before they are slaughtered, providing much-needed income to Indonesian people and feed lot managers in Indonesia.
I congratulate the Buffalo Industry Council, as I know they used their own contacts in Indonesia to promote the agreement, and also my own department for working very hard to reach this agreement. Our government is doing everything possible to promote the Territory as a supply base for live cattle and buffalo to Indonesia and other countries in South-East Asia. We also have an agreement with the government of Sabah in Malaysia to train cattle and buffalo farmers on how to manage their feed lots and their animals.
Members from the other side might find it very funny talking about buffalo; the reality is that each buffalo exported to Indonesia brings $700 to $800 to the pocket of Northern Territory producers. This money contributes to the growth and wealth of the Northern Territory.
Cattle Industry Delegation to Indonesia – Conduct of Minister
Mrs MILLER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Yesterday, and in your reply to the last question, you told this House about your successful trip to Indonesia representing Territory cattle interests. As you are aware, ministerial visits are taken very seriously in Indonesia, and great care is taken to make visiting dignitaries welcome. To not return that respect would cause the Northern Territory enormous embarrassment. Is it true that during that trip you were to visit an industry facility in Java? Is it also true that at the last minute you cancelled that visit; preferring instead to lounge about your hotel with a mate from Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Unfortunately, the person providing the information did not give the right information as that visit to the abattoir was not organised; it was not in our program. It was a last minute arrangement by some members of the industry. No, I did not lounge in the hotel. I was taking part in Mining Indonesia, together with people from the Northern Territory. You might as well ask people who were there, such as the representatives of Bridge Autos as well as a representative of the department, to find out why I spent four hours at Mining Indonesia meeting mining industry executives who were interested in the Northern Territory and Darwin as a supply base. I did not go to the abattoir, it was not in our program. It was arranged at the last moment, and it was not arranged very well.
Vocational Education and Training in Schools
Ms SACILOTTO to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING.
The 2005 election committed the Martin government to building on the opportunities of young Territorians to access Vocational Education and Training in Schools. Can you advise on the VET in Schools program for 2006?
Answer
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question. This whole area of Vocational Education and Training in Schools is a critical one in preparing our young people and students, particularly in the secondary levels of education, for work and life in the Territory beyond their schooling years.
We have made commitments around our Building Better Schools program, and they include very strong support for Vocational Education and Training in the latter years of schooling through initiatives such as Work Ready, VET in Schools, school-based new apprenticeships, driver training and TAFE programs. I am also keen to see the Vocational Education and Training Program in Schools better incorporated into the life of our schools, particularly around timetabling of subjects and the very necessary flexibility to be able to have apprentices in schools doing those core subjects, as well as the ability to go on block release and spend time in the workplace with their employer.
For too long our schools have been stuck with: ‘This is our curriculum, this is our timetable, this is when the subjects are on and you cannot change it!’ Well, we have to get rid of that thinking. We have to get flexibility in that will allow our school-based apprentices to be able to meet the three areas of time demand that are on them.
In 2006, $2.2m will be provided to fund 122 VET programs to school students across the Northern Territory. Seventy-three of those programs will be offered in remote areas and 49 in urban schools. In 2005, 114 programs were offered, 29 were remote. This initial selection of programs and the allocation of available funds against those programs was based around the previous ability of a particular school to deliver a successful program. It was also based around the regional labour market and need and, of course, alignment with government priorities, which is to provide a skilled work force for the future.
Following those initial allocations, DEET have consulted with the registered training organisations across the Northern Territory, school principals and Vocational Education Training coordinators to ensure that we have the best possible mix of programs where available, and to ensure also that programs meet local needs. We are a long way behind the rest of Australia, particularly when it comes to school-based apprenticeships. There is a lot of catching up to do, and I am keen to drive it as hard as I can.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I suppose this question has been around a very long timer without an answer, so I could describe it as Monty Pythonesque.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, can you please tell me who you are directing the question to?
Mr WOOD: In fact, I actually brought Monty along today to listen …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, who is the question to?
Mr WOOD: Just patience, Madam Speaker, Monty has died waiting so long for the answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Nelson, it is important to say who the question is to. I am sure it is not to Monty Python.
Albino Python - Lease
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
I thought that might have been obvious, Madam Speaker, I am sorry about that. Oops, it has died.
In 1999, your department entered into an agreement with the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, whereby an albino python captured by the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory was leased to a Mr Simon Stone. The conditions of the agreement were that the python was meant to be returned after five years and, if the snake bred, 50% of any offspring of this animal, or money received from the sale of the same, must be returned and paid to the Parks and Wildlife Commission.
Has any offspring been returned to the Northern Territory or any money paid? If money has been paid, how much was paid and how many offspring does that represent? Has the agreement been renewed? Were the conditions originally agreed to complied with before the agreement was renewed? Why has it been so hard to get a simple answer to this question?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. This has been a long and convoluted saga, I must say. Can I take as much time as I need with this? As I understand, member for Nelson, you are taking this matter up on behalf of a constituent who has an interest in Snowy, the albino python. It should have more aptly been named Snow White because they might have thought that Snowy was a male. However, she was, in fact, a female.
Yes, member for Nelson, in 1999, the then Northern Territory government entered into an agreement with South Australia to lease an albino python that was caught here for breeding purposes. That agreement went for five years. Part of that agreement was that 50% of that offspring was to be returned or paid to the Northern Territory. Part of that agreement was that Dr Stone would also retain 50%. The contract was up for renewal in 2004; it was then extended, now until 2007.
The snake is still in the care of Dr Stone, who is a well-credentialed reptile scientist. When you look at some of the facts that are coming out of this research project, it is quite fascinating and interesting. Snowy has been bred twice. The first, the F1 litter, that came out of the first breeding program, in genetic terms, produced all normally coloured python – like the python you have over there – as was expected, as the gene for albinism is recessive. The line breeding research then back-crossed the F1 generation to the mother, so the children and the mother. This has been quite interesting research. The F1 progeny and the mother then produced the F2, which then become the second generation progeny. Half of that F2 generation actually was albino. To further line breed and produce an F3 – so that is the progeny of F1 and F2 gives you F3 – takes time as the snakes take about two years to reach reproductive age.
One of the interesting side effects, looking through all this, member for Nelson, is that albino pythons and the gene appears to be associated with temperament. They are actually quite gentle, so they make good pets. If they can be bred as pets, this takes some pressure off the wild harvest.
It is clear that the research project based on Snowy the albino python is producing some valuable and useful results. Dr Stone is abiding by the terms of his agreement with the Northern Territory government and is conducting a very professional research project with all animals belonging to the Northern Territory clearly identified, member for Nelson. The results of the breeding program are properly documented and reported.
We have had some legal advice and have looked at the lease. It is legally binding with the usual contractual obligations attached to it. We cannot breach it and we cannot break it, so that contract will be allowed to run its course. I am satisfied, after having a look at all of those areas, that the terms of the contractual agreement are being rigorously and professionally adhered to. However, if you have advice contrary to that, member for Nelson, you should forward or substantiate that.
Overall, there has been very little monetary gain made by Dr Stone. A lot of the money had to go into the research project. There is a lot of infrastructure and costs associated with that. Clearly, for the Northern Territory, the 50% is certainly documented and recorded so we have a good record of that. When the contract comes to an end in 2007, it can be repatriated back to the Northern Territory and sold under the agreement.
Katherine Rehabilitation Facility
Mrs MILLER to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Yesterday, the opposition highlighted to parliament the significant increase in the number of drunks being apprehended in the Northern Territory. Further, you have made much of your government’s planned programs for dealing with this problem, including your promise to gaol drunks who do not undertake rehabilitation. A new rehabilitation centre was completed several months ago south of Katherine. Why is this new facility not operational? When will this facility be operational? How many people will it cater for, and how many staff will be employed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for her question. It is an important question. It is great to see that this government is committed to putting important treatment facilities in for people who are suffering the issues of alcoholism in our community. As to the specific timing of the opening, I will have to get back to you with that answer.
I have spoken to quite a few of the service operators in Katherine about some of the initiatives that we have been rolling out into the area. The feedback I have been getting from them is that they have been starting to make a real improvement in their capacity to provide services to the people of Katherine and, also, importantly, to the people in the surrounding community. I thank you for your question. It is great to identify that we are delivering on promises, putting the dollars into rehabilitation facilities. I will get the details of the timing of the tender operation back to you.
Remote Health Services
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for HEALTH
Remote health centres are often faced with providing emergency responses to people in critical situations. Can you inform the House what this government is doing to support remote health services provide appropriate emergency care in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. It is an opportunity to talk about the roll-out of our defibrillator machines to remote clinics. These are truly life-saving machines. We all know them, they are in the medical movies - they put them on the chest, saving the person’s life when they are just about to die of a heart condition.
These machines, as well as provide that shock therapy to the heart that has lost its beat, will also monitor vital signs during the time that the patient is being held for evacuation - things such as oxygen saturation readings, non-invasive blood pressures, heart monitoring and electrocardiograph recordings. It is a machine that not only provides medical staff with that vital information, particularly when they are conferencing with specialists and doctors as to the ongoing preparation of the patient to evacuate; it will also allow the health staff to deal with other things around the patient, rather than having to physically monitor those vital signs.
It is a very important piece of equipment, going out to 23 of our clinics - a $450 000 investment in the lives of our remote Territorians - and giving our remote nurses a further indication that we have the ticker to go out there and deliver services in the bush.
Public Housing – Antisocial Behaviour Complaints
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for HOUSING
As you know, I have been very concerned about the constant complaints I receive about antisocial behaviour in public housing, but I am aware the response I have been receiving from Territory Housing lately has been much stronger. Could you inform me of how many complaints have been received, particularly in the Alice Springs/Larapinta area, and how many tenants, if any, have, in fact, been evicted? I am aware of one who has left of their own accord, but people are asking; ‘Do they ever get evicted?’ Your government also announced a number of initiatives prior to the election. Could you tell me if any of these have been implemented?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. I would like to assure the member for Braitling that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated by this government under any circumstances. We are making every effort to ensure that we are taking appropriate steps to address it.
One of the questions you asked me was in regard to the number of complaints in the Alice Springs region. Unfortunately, I cannot give you the actual number of complaints. I can advise you that, in the last 12 months, there have been 19 tenants who have had their rental arrangements ceased with Territory Housing.
Mrs Braham: Is that in Alice Springs or across the Northern Territory?
Mr McADAM: That is in Alice Springs, yes, in Larapinta itself. Also, there are approximately 26 other leases which have been terminated across the Northern Territory.
Other initiatives and strategies include the Good Neighbourhood Policy which, mostly, is to reinforce tenant’s rights and responsibilities, in the context of their obligations to their community and their neighbours. There is now a more stringent approach on the part of Territory Housing as to who is provided assistance. We are also employing indigenous community liaison officers. They talk to the tenants and provide what support they can. Issues are many and varied. There are also dedicated security patrols to hot spots throughout Alice Springs and right throughout the Northern Territory. We have all seen the signs around Alice Springs where people put up the ‘No Grog’ signs, and we are in a position to issue trespass warning notices as appropriate.
You may also be interested to know, member for Braitling, that there has been positive feedback from the police in Alice Springs, in particular regarding a lowering of the incidence of antisocial behaviour in and around public housing areas. There has been a reduction; however, I cannot tell you precisely what it is.
Territory Housing is presently conducting a survey around some of the hot spots. Whilst I do not have that report at this point of time, the initial feedback I am getting is that there has also been a decrease in regards to the complaints within those hot spot areas.
The government is doing all it possibly can in dealing with issues relative to antisocial behaviour. I acknowledge that it is going to be an ongoing problem, and I would like to assure members of this House that Territory Housing will continue to work as hard as it can in conjunction with all stakeholders throughout Alice Springs and the Northern Territory.
Northern Territory Football League
Mr NATT to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
The 2006 NTFL season commenced with interest two weeks ago. Can the minister outline to the House what is in store for footy fans this season?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. I attended the launch of the NTFL season a couple of weekends ago. We have had two rounds. It is already shaping up to be a very competitive season. The Magpies have got off to a flier, but Nightcliff also has two wins under their belt and are not far behind on percentage points. It does not get much more competitive than last week’s one point victory, St Mary’s over the Buffalos – sorry about that, member for Millner.
There was a changing of the guard at AFLNT this year. The former CEO, Chris Natt, as we know with the question he just asked, has taken up a new challenge and is a very valuable member of the government team.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms LAWRIE: We welcome the new CEO, Tony Frawley, who has hit the ground running and we wish him very well during his first season with the NTFL. Another great, very welcome addition back to the Northern Territory will be Michael Long, who will be doing some development and promotional work for the AFLNT this year. I am sure everyone in this House will join me in welcoming Michael back to the Territory. He is an enormous asset to us. Michael is not the only champion to return this year. Darryl White, of course, is lining up with the Buffaloes. With three AFL premierships to his name, he will help lift not just the Buffaloes but the whole competition.
I would like to congratulate the NT News on their new Friday NTFL Insight lift-out which I have here. Grey Morris and his team have done a great job and it is going to be compulsory Friday reading for those of us who are footy nuts, especially the tipsters section where, I am happy to report, I am currently joint leader, two above the member for Blain.
The member for Blain, along with the members for Brennan and Drysdale, will be very happy with progress on the new home of the Palmerston Magpies. The government is spending $2m to provide this home. With construction under way, we are hopeful that the Magpies may even have some matches there towards the end of this season.
Last week in adjournment, I congratulated Bob Elix on his AFL Merit Award. Bob is Chairperson of AFLNT and the Merit Award is a very rare and distinguished award in AFL competitions around the country. With all the work Bob has done over the years he is an extremely deserving winner.
The government is very proud of our support for the AFLNT. All Territorians should be very proud of the great competition we have in Darwin and get out and support their teams over the year.
Child Protection Legislation
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
In November 2003, you promised that you would deliver the toughest package in the country against sexual predators. Indeed, you made the penalty for sex with a child under 10 years of age 25 years imprisonment. Last week in Alice Springs, as I am sure you will know, the Centralian Advocate reported on the rape of two children. In the first instance, the injury and rape was to a 7-month-old baby. It was so profound that her injuries were considered life-threatening. In the second case, the rapist continued the assault of a two-year-old girl even after she began screaming in pain. She was also very badly injured during the assault. The sentences delivered were five and six years respectively to each of the paedophile rapists and, in relation to the six years, there was a non-parole of four years six months.
Your child protection package is not working because the sentences you envisaged and hoped for simply are not being delivered. What, if anything, does government proposed to do about this?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I certainly share concern about these terrible crimes, with the victims being so young. It is hard to imagine what was in the perpetrator’s mind to do that to a child. The DPP is currently assessing the sentences that have come out of the court cases. Clearly, it is a decision for the Director of Public Prosecutions in his independent capacity to assess whether an appeal is appropriate. I await the decision on these two cases. However, it is my understanding that they are being assessed at the moment.
In common with all legislation I have brought to this House, I am prepared, at any time, to go back through it if we feel that the intention of the parliament is not being reflected in the outcomes of the court proceedings. Equally though, it is important for us in this House not to be bound to particular cases alone. It is always going to be a balance of allowing the courts to focus the new offences and the sentencing outcomes. We will have a look what happens with these two cases.
I take this opportunity to express my sympathy for both the victims and their families. They were terrible crimes. We will see what the Director of Public Prosecution determines they will do. If we have outcomes of this type on a systematic basis then we may have to review the legislation.
Builders Registration Scheme and Home Warranty Insurance
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
The government is committed to putting in place a new builders registration scheme and a new form of home warranty insurance. Can you please advise Territorians when they can expect these new initiatives to be delivered?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. As I said yesterday in the House, this is a government that has embarked on a whole range of reforms in the building industry and amendments to the Building Act. Members will recall, in 2004, there were amendments that brought in home warranty insurance and builders registration, something that had been called for in the Northern Territory for a long time. Then, in 2005, there were further amendments made to the Building Act which strengthened the powers and operations of the Building Practitioners Board.
Those two amendments are very crucial amendments to modernising, if you like, the building industry in the Northern Territory and safeguarding the interests of consumers, both through the registration of builders, home warranty insurance, and to empower the Building Practitioners Board to bring sanctions against those building professionals - and there are very few of them - who may be transgressing and not doing the right thing.
Since that time, the department, in consultation with the industry, has embarked on a process of looking at the regulations that are required; the processes that would be a foundation for these particular changes and the procedures underlying them.
There is also all-important training that has taken place. Grants have been given to the Territory Construction Association and the Housing Industry Association to assist in training and education of local building people. The department has also been involved. They have been holding information and pre-registration sessions across the Territory in October and November of this year.
The HIA held the first information session in Darwin on 17 October, which was attended by about 70 industry members. A second information session was held by the Territory Construction Association last night, which was attended by about 80 industry members. There will be a further public meeting held tonight at Mirambeena.
Nominations have also been called for the Building Practitioners Board, and I am envisage that there will be appointments made in November 2005.
To conclude, and answer the member for Goyder’s question, the registration of existing residential builders under the transitional provisions will be undertaken during December 2005 and into January 2006. The commencement of the Builders Registration Scheme will be 30 January 2006. After that date, all new prescribed residential building work will require a registered builder or a person with an owner/builder certificate. The home warranty insurance component is anticipated to be commenced in July 2006, as we have said before, subject to players in the market and a conducive climate, so that builders can find home warranty insurance.
Madam Speaker, these are the reforms that this government has undertaken. They are progressing well and I commend the department, and also the building industry, on the way that they have supported these changes.
One Mile Dam Land Tenure
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
Last year, the Kumbutjil Association wrote to you regarding land tenure at the One Mile Dam. Now that the fuel tanks are being moved and the land surrounding the One Mile Dam will then be available for residential subdivision, could you please say whether the issue of land tenure has been finalised? Will One Mile Dam community retain that land, regardless of what land development occurs around it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Quite appropriately, it should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Local Government and Housing, which I will do.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for the question. The member might be aware that the area of land in question is presently a special purpose lease held in perpetuity by the Aboriginal Development Foundation. The lease was granted in 1979. You should also be aware that the One Mile Dam is also subject to a current native title claim.
I am aware that the Kumbutjil Association has written to the government regarding that particular matter. As a result of the outstanding issues I have just referred to, they will be considered in due course.
By way of some background in regards to the area in question, the Aboriginal Development Foundation signed an agreement with the Kumbutjil Association covering housing and service provision. I understand there are other agreements in regards to other service provision as well. Those matters remain outstanding.
The appropriate answer to your question at this point in time, member for Nelson, is that the land and lease issue is presently under consideration, or at least is being examined, in light of our government’s desire to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for the use of this land. We are very committed to working with all the stakeholders towards an outcome, and we will continue to do that.
Gapuwiyak Sports Oval - Upgrade
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
The community of Gapuwiyak is in need of an upgrade to its sports oval. Can the minister advise the Assembly of progress in the delivery of this important election promise?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I know the member for Nhulunbuy has been looking forward to finding out that I have, indeed, very good news for the Gapuwiyak community. The government made an election commitment to the Gapuwiyak community to upgrade their oval. We promised to provide funding to upgrade the oval next financial year. However, a couple of weeks ago, I was in Angurugu and Groote Eylandt and saw just what a wonderful asset a new oval can be and how it can benefit the whole community. It was not long after that, that I was approached by the Gapuwiyak community to say that they wanted to get their new oval sooner than planned.
The government decided to bring this election commitment forward to provide funding this year. The Gapuwiyak Council alerted us that the contractors were currently in town and that they would be able to complete the work right now. Fortunately for the council, the contractors were willing to extend their stay in the community and carry out the required upgrade works to the oval. Of course, I was happy to explore this option and it is very pleasing that this election commitment can be delivered this year - a year earlier.
I congratulate the Gapuwiyak Council for taking this initiative and recognising the opportunity to use available resources to get a job done in a more cost-effective way. It is, of course, fantastic news for the community of Gapuwiyak, which now will be able to enjoy the use of an upgraded sports oval a year earlier than expected - another example of the government getting on with the job of delivering our election commitments.
Offshore Gas for Power Generation
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for ESSENTIAL SERVICES
On 17 August last year, the Chief Minister assured Territorians that the gas fields being developed offshore would provide gas for Territorians for power generation as a part of their development approval processes. Now that a year has passed, who is going to provide this gas? How much is it going to cost? What date will it begin to provide gas for power generation in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question, because where we get our next gas supply from for power generation in the Northern Territory is very much an important issue. I am not aware of any statements. I stand to be corrected, if the member for Blain has the Hansard or the transcripts where the Chief Minister has made a statement that the issuing of permits will be conditional upon providing a domestic gas supply to the Northern Territory. My understanding is that the capacity for the Northern Territory to do that legally, given that we administer offshore permits on behalf of the Commonwealth, is not possible. If the member is saying that the Chief Minister has made that statement publicly, I would like to see some evidence of it, because I do not believe that is the case.
However, what I can say is that Power and Water, and the Gas Task Force run through the Chief Minister’s Department, is actively negotiating with a number of potential future gas suppliers in the Northern Territory as we speak. There are detailed negotiations going on. Obviously, from the Territory’s point of view, we want to get the best possible commercial deal for the Northern Territory and Power and Water. We have the best people in the business involved in those negotiations and they are ongoing.
Town Camps and Enforcement of Dog Control By-laws
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Following the death of a woman attacked by two dogs in a town camp, I wrote to the Alice Springs Town Council regarding the implementation of the by-laws for dogs. I was advised that the same by-laws that apply to residents in the municipality also apply to town camps. It is quite obvious that the implementation of by-laws is either not happening or not effective under the MOU signed by Tangentyere Council and the Alice Springs Town Council. In your role as Minister for Local Government, what can you do to ensure the safety and health of residents of the town camp. and the control of dogs that would be expected of other residents in the town?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. I am aware of the situation regarding the person who was attacked by some dogs in a town camp and, unfortunately, passed away as a result. It is a very sad situation. I am advised that the Tangentyere Council removed the dogs very quickly after the incident.
It is my understanding that the same conditions of the by-laws that apply in Alice Springs also apply to the town camps in Alice Springs. I am also aware of the MOU that you refer to. I am not absolutely certain whether it did cover the issues in respect of that set of by-laws. I will take every step to ensure that, if the by-laws that apply in the Alice Springs community apply in the town camps, we should make every effort to ensure that that occurs.
You might also be interested to know, member for Braitling, that - I believe it was in last week’s paper - we announced a task force in regards to matters of concern that are impacting upon the town camps in Alice Springs. We hope to get that task force under way as quickly as we possibly can, perhaps in the next month or so. It is going to be a very proactive response. I am not expecting a great report out of it at all. The purpose of the exercise is to have a look at those issues that are impacting, not only on the town camps, but on the greater Alice Springs community and, where possible, to take immediate steps to put in place measures to address those issues.
It will be a whole-of-government approach and a very fair dinkum attempt by our government to deal with the issues you referred to, and a whole range of other issues that are having a negative effect in the town camps. I will follow that matter up with the town council in Alice Springs. My understanding is that those conditions that apply in Alice Springs also apply to town camps. We will get back to you on that.
Alice Springs – Heritage Sites
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURSES, ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE
You recently listed two places in Alice Springs as heritage sites. Could you please advise us how this will contribute to preserving the history of the town?
ANSWER
Therefore, I was very pleased when I was in Alice Springs recently to have heritage-listed the Alice Springs Pioneer Drive-In, which was constructed in 1963. Believe it or not, it is the only remaining drive-in in the Northern Territory. We have moved a long way now, with home theatres and huge TV screens, but the drive-in represents a particular era in Australia’s cinema history where it was the most popular form of movie entertainment. I remember them well, and I am sure other members do - although they probably would not own up to it.
What was so pleasing about this heritage listing is that the essential features of the Pioneer Drive-In have been integrated into a very exciting new development – the Desert Rest Solar Holiday Village. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the site of this new development and talking to the architect. The old drive-in will be given a new life in the resort development as an open-air theatre so visitors can recapture that feeling of seeing a movie under the stars. What I found impressive were the environmental features of the new development, including the grey water reuse, renewable energy and climate sensitive building designs. I congratulate the designers and the architects on their innovation and willingness to take the extra step to conserve this unique piece of Northern Territory history.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER
Katherine Rehabilitation Facility
Katherine Rehabilitation Facility
Ms LAWRIE (Family and Community Services): Madam Speaker, I have double checked the details regarding the member for Katherine’s question. I believe the member for Katherine was referring to Venn Block, the new facility that was to supersede Rock Hole. The Commonwealth, together with my department, has been working with Kalano who are the intended service operators. At this stage, the Commonwealth is not releasing operational funding pending certain operational issues they are working through with Kalano and my department, who are joint funders. I am hoping the Commonwealth’s issues are satisfied shortly so that the transfer from Rock Hole can move into the new Venn Block, which has always been designed as a three-stage facility. It is a great facility. Thank you for your question.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016