2007-10-16
Redirection of Questions for Minister for Family and Community Services
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I advise that questions for the Minister for Family and Community Services, Arts and Museums, Women’s Policy, Senior Territorians and Young Territorians should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure because the responsible minister has leave for this sitting.
QUESTIONS
Chief Minister – Conduct
Chief Minister – Conduct
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
When Bob Collins was about to be charged with possession of child pornography, you contacted the Police Commissioner, and you claim to have done this on the basis of a rumour. Do you concede that phoning the Police Commissioner to discuss rumoured charges against your friend and mentor has contributed to what the Northern Territory News has described ‘a bad smell about the whole affair’?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the issue raised by the Opposition Leader is one that has been discussed at length in this House. The Police Commissioner has said the call that was made was totally appropriate and that there was nothing breached. We have been through this matter a number of times.
The focus of what we talked about last week is on those who identify themselves in any issue to do with Bob Collins as alleged victims. What I said last week was that the Witness Assistance Service was the appropriate place for those who were identified as alleged victims. That is where the focus of government was. I am sure our hearts go out to people who identify as alleged victims, and certainly we want to see the appropriate counselling and support given to them.
Commonwealth Intervention - Liquor Laws
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for RACING, GAMING and LICENSING
Territorians have expressed strong concerns about the unworkability of certain aspects of the Commonwealth intervention in the Northern Territory. Can the minister advise the House of any concerns expressed by Territorians about the new federal laws?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. When the laws first came in, which was in September, this was the headline in the Northern Territory News: ‘Blind Confusion’. It has not got any better. One thing that has changed is that there has been growing resentment and outrage by Territorians about certain elements of the grog laws that were introduced by Canberra, and Mal Brough in particular.
It is important to put on the record once again that as a government, we have always supported those elements of the federal intervention which will have a practical and effective result against child abuse and alcohol abuse in the Territory. However, we have always reserved the right to speak out about what is wrong with these laws on behalf of Territorians. We believe these laws, particularly some of the elements related to alcohol, have been policy on the run. There has been a complete lack of consultation about both their workability and their effectiveness, particularly in relation to the $100 or more takeaway rule.
Just to reflect some of the feelings of the alcohol industry on this matter, I will quote from statements they have made over the last few weeks, but I also put on the record that in my discussions with industry, they have made it very clear that they want to be part of the solution, but they want to be part of effective solutions. They want to join with government to find those effective solutions. They are not very happy with Mal Brough’s laws.
On the Morning program on ABC 105.7 on 27 September, Gary Howkins, Manager of the Arnhem Club, in relation to Mal Brough, said:
- Not even knowing that we had a permit system coming into Gove, a permit system that would be much better than his silly $100 law that he has brought out … Mal actually wants to do it his way or no way at all.
He also said what we have been saying for a while:
- I don’t think in the Territory a blanket fix fixes everything … It is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. We are all just laughing. We are really laughing at it.’
He was talking about people circumventing the law:
- … but what they are doing is doing two spends. So they are not spending the $100. They might come and get the equivalent of $100 in two spends.
The Northern Territory News of 18 September 2007 quotes Chris Walker, Cazalys Palmerston Club Bottle Shop Manager:
- We certainly had a few people come in and say ‘What the hell do you want my address for?’
Ron Townsend, Hidden Valley Tavern Manager, said hotel managers were being turned into ‘pseudo policemen’ and extra staff members were needed to ‘handle extra paperwork’.
Industry comments have roundly condemned this measure, and we are going to take that fight up on behalf of Territorians to Mal Brough and the federal government. We do not believe that a blanket approach is the appropriate way. We do not believe one-size-fits-all is appropriate for the Territory. We believe it breaches privacy rules, and it is little wonder that the current member for Solomon is trying to disown these silly and unpopular laws.
Chief Minister – Conduct
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Do you believe that it was appropriate for you, given your office, to have called the Police Commissioner about rumoured charges relating to your friend and mentor? If not, can you advise the House how many other times you have contacted the Commissioner of Police to discuss pending charges relating to other Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the process in relation to Bob Collins in our courts, whether it was work with the police, the DPP or in the courts, it was done independently, transparently and accountably. This government has full confidence in our police, the DPP and in the court system. That really is the end of the matter.
As I said in my answer to the last question, the focus is now on the alleged victims, to be able to give them support and the counselling they need. I certainly encourage anyone who identifies in that category to make contact with the Witness Assistance Service and get the support and counselling they need.
This side of the House has full confidence in the independence of the police in any matters pursued in relation to Bob Collins, has full confidence in the independence and the accountability of the DPP, in the work that was done there, and certainly has full confidence in the work of the courts, which was done publicly and transparently. They are the facts of the matter.
Commonwealth Intervention – Liquor Laws
Ms McCARTHY to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
Yesterday morning, the member for Solomon said on ABC local radio that liquor laws associated with the Commonwealth intervention will be scrapped within six months. Is this statement by the member for Solomon correct?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. I do not believe his statement is correct. However, there is an old saying about history repeating itself. Those of us who have been around for a while just have to look at statements by the member for Solomon both in this election campaign and the 2004 campaign to see history repeating itself.
As most people would be aware, in 2004 he was repudiating plans to put a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory and, on 29 September 2004, he told Julia Christensen: ‘I am not going to sit around and watch a nuclear waste dump put in the Northern Territory. I have said it time and time again’. Madam Speaker, what we know now is that he did exactly what he said he was not going to do. He sat around and has allowed it to progress. He is Canberra’s man in the Northern Territory. He has not stood up for the Northern Territory in relation to this and he certainly has not kept his word in relation to that issue.
He was at it again yesterday after a deafening silence on this issue of alcohol laws and in particular the $100 takeaway rule. He has finally come to the realisation that Territorians think it is a silly law. It is silly to have to give your address to say where it is going to be consumed, that there are privacy issues involved, notwithstanding also that three years of records have to be kept and, as I outlined in the last question, it is certainly making it tough for industry.
When he was interviewed yesterday by Julia Christensen on ABC local radio in relation to $100 takeaway law, he said: ‘The liquor laws are only going to be around for the next six months while the national emergency is continuing. They will go’. So another assurance from the member for Solomon, and I think we can all take it with a grain of salt after his first effort in relation to nuclear waste dumps.
It was interesting to see the piece on page four of the Northern Territory News today: ‘NT Grog Ban set for Review’.
- The federal government could not guarantee the Territory’s alcohol restrictions would be removed after six months despite a promise by Solomon MHR David Tollner.
Mr Tollner told the Northern Territory News in July new alcohol restrictions would only last six months.
‘I will make sure it does not last longer than six months, I will make it my business’, he said.
Here is the crucial paragraph, Madam Speaker:
- Last night, Indigenous Affairs minister Mal Brough, said the laws will be reviewed towards the end of six months, but not necessarily withdrawn.
I say to Territorians: beware! I started with the proverb of history repeating itself. There is another old proverb: once bitten, twice shy. I recommend that to voters in the upcoming federal election in the seat of Solomon.
Chief Minister - Alleged Police Briefing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
In an article written by Paul Toohey in The Bulletin published on 2 October 2007, he wrote:
- Two days before that crash …’
that is the Bob Collins’ car accident on 19 June 2004:
… senior Territory police briefed Chief Minister Clare Martin on the Collins investigation.
Chief Minister, were you briefed by police in June 2004 or not? Are you prepared to release your appointment diary for the week preceding 19 June 2004 to give weight to your claim?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not know when this question was previously asked, but a previous Opposition Leader asked whether I was briefed at that time and I was not briefed by the police. That is on the Parliamentary Record, very clearly stated by me. Because something contrary appears in The Bulletin does not mean it is right. Any reference to the Parliamentary Record would make that very clear. I was not briefed.
Mining - Exploration Licenses
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY
I am aware that you recently announced the granting of the 1000th active mineral exploration licence in the Territory. Can you advise the House of the importance of exploration activity and its broader benefits to the whole of the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. The resources boom is having a significant impact on the world as we speak. I am pleased to say that the Northern Territory is playing an important role in that strong growth. We feel that continued strong growth and interest in the Northern Territory is underpinned by our current investment strategies, which are playing vital roles in attracting exploration to the Northern Territory.
The Mines department and, in particular the Titles Office, has been extremely busy over the last couple of years. They are working with explorers through their applications to ensure they are expedited so they can get out on the ground and do what they do best.
In 2000-01, there were 333 ELs allocated and around $18m spent on exploration. In 2005-06, more than double, 757 ELs were granted and around $30m has been spent. I am pleased to say that on average this year, every month we have had 50 applications to the point where on 23 September, we had 1030 ELs being granted.
On 20 September, it was my great pleasure to grant the 1000th exploration licence to Tennant Creek Gold. This is a significant event for the Northern Territory. It is a wonderful milestone. Tennant Creek Gold is a subsidiary of parent company TNG Ltd, which have been great supporters of exploration in the Northern Territory and we thank them for their support. Currently they are working at the Bonaparte Basin around the Sandy Creek area on the Manbarrum zinc, silver and lead project. This year, they will spend around $8m on exploration which makes them a significant greenfield exploration company.
Last Friday, there was an article in The Financial Review headed ‘WA premier asleep at wheel, say miners’. Michael Kiernan, who we all know is a serious mining industry leader who has significant investments in Territory Resources and Matilda Minerals, said:
- I’d much rather do business in the NT. They are a government that facilitates and assists developments, whereas the WA government only wants to frustrate developments.
‘In the NT, they are approachable - the ministers are approachable, the heads of department are approachable.’
The article goes on to say:
- Kiernan believes his happy experience in the NT…is not due to the weaker environmental or native title regulations in the Top End, but simply a more decisive process.
‘They have the same criteria, but they make decisions. They say, “This is what you’ve got to do, do it and come back”,’ he says.
‘They are not lax. If anything they are probably more pedantic, but they move quicker’.
As you can see the industry and my department are doing extremely well, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr NATT: I congratulate my staff from the Mining department for the diligent and hard work they undertake because mining is a good news story. It is creating jobs, it is promoting regional development and it is contributing significantly to our economy.
Commonwealth Intervention – School Attendance
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
I had another report of a mother who will not send her children to school. A visit by the local AIEW at the local school has failed to achieve a result, that is, get her to send her kids to school. The federal minister has released details of his intention, if he is still in government, to quarantine a percentage of Centrelink payments tied to school enrolment and attendance from 1 July 2008. Your Education Act, sections 21 and 22, states clearly the responsibility of parents regarding compulsory education and compulsory attendance, and the penalties if they fail to send their children to school.
Why does your department not enforce this requirement on parents who are not complying? Does this mean you prefer the federal minister’s approach of quarantining Centrelink payments to get parents to send their children to school? What is your report card in addressing non-attendance?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. As an ex-principal, as I continue to mention in this House, she maintains an active interest in education. The issue of attendance is right there at the top of my priorities as minister for Education. As I keep saying, if kids are not going to school, they are not going to get the outcomes that we want. There is a complex set of issues around this attendance question. There is no simple solution because if there was, it would have been implemented many years ago. What we are looking at is a complex set of issues across the Northern Territory.
Mrs Braham: You have a complex answer, no doubt.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker, I am trying to answer the member’s question. Children who do not attend school fail to do so for many reasons. Some may be traumatised, others may be teased or bullied, others come from families that are totally dysfunctional and fail to get their children up and ready for school. This government has said that we need a carrot-and-stick approach towards getting our children to school and it is the number one issue.
On the question of the Commonwealth government withholding of family welfare payment, we have said that we will work with the Commonwealth government to implement this program across the Northern Territory. We have to do it in a way that brings people with us. The view from the Chief Minister and me as Education minister, and this side of the House, is that this is all part of the approach. We need carrots on the other side of the policy agenda as well because it is much better for kids to go to school because families want to send their children to school and children want to go to school.
One of the things we are doing is developing the capacity of our school-based resources to engage with parents in the exact example that the member for Braitling just gave about parents who do not send their children to school. We have 31 Home Liaison Officers and 44 Aboriginal Islander Education Workers who are currently working in communities and with families to lift attendance.
We are getting results and I will give you a couple of them. I have the latest newsletter from Clyde Fenton Primary School in Katherine. This is a school with a high indigenous cohort that is typical of schools in our regions across the Territory. Through the principal in school newsletter:
- Ten weeks of school left for 2007. Can your child achieve 100% attendance certificate? Yes, they can, but they need your help to get out of bed, on the bus and get breakfast at school.
Last Wednesday of Term 3, 91% of students attended school every day. That is a huge result for Clyde Fenton Primary School.
As an example, I was talking to my colleague the member for Macdonnell about the carrot-and-stick approach. She is active in one of her communities, Docker River, and donates five push bikes a year. The school allocates those bikes to kids who not only attend regularly, but who achieve in their studies. There are other schools in the Territory which have variations on that theme, trying to support a culture of getting up out of bed and to school.
The short answer to the member for Braitling is: we need to have a carrot-and-stick approach. We will work with the Commonwealth government on welfare sanctions they are looking to impose. As minister for Education, I would rather see the entire community embracing wanting to send their children to school, and children who want to go to school rather than punitive sanctions that potentially push kids who do not want to be in school to go. It is a carrot-and-stick approach, and I thank all the schools across the Territory that are lifting their game in this regard.
Chief Minister - Alleged Police Briefing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Do you agree that by calling the Police Commissioner about charges relating to your friend and mentor Bob Collins in January 2005, and failing to correct Paul Toohey’s public contention that you were briefed two days before the car accident on 19 June 2004, and refusing to release your appointment diary for the week preceding 19 June 2004, these are just some of the reasons there have been calls, for instance, for an inquiry into issues relating to charges against Bob Collins, and that there is, according to the Northern Territory News, ‘a bad smell about the whole affair’?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the question includes suppositions from the opposition that they know not to be correct, and tries to bring them together to demonstrate a point. On the question …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms Carney interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: I said very clearly …
Ms Carney: You failed to correct the record and you refused to release your diary. Correct?
Madam SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, if we are going to take the issue of refusing to release my diary, the opposition was given direct quotes from the Police Commissioner that he did not brief me. To ask again two years later, trying to create some kind of impropriety, no, it did not. The Police Commissioner is on the record in this House, and members of the opposition were told that, and it is in writing. How much clearer can we make that?
The Opposition Leader is being disingenuous. It is a slight on this parliament that the Opposition Leader should make up questions, make up things that …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: Is the Opposition Leader saying the Police Commissioner is lying to her? That is the bottom line here. The Opposition Leader is saying that the courts are not dealing with this issue transparently. Implicit in your question is this …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That is an offensive suggestion, one that I did not make and I ask that the Chief Minister withdraw it.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, Leader of the Opposition. If you feel that you have been misrepresented, you may approach me to make a Personal Explanation. Chief Minister, continue.
Ms MARTIN: Implicit in the line of questioning from the Opposition Leader is that somehow there was not a proper and independent process carried on in relation to charges against Bob Collins carried out by police, the work done by the DPP or the work done in the courts. I reject that absolutely, as does everyone on this side of the House.
The Opposition Leader can sit there mumbling and making up questions that go nowhere and imply impropriety, but it did not happen. Can I make this very clear? We have judicial and police processes that dealt with a very difficult matter in the case of charges against Bob Collins. They deal with other very difficult matters every day. They do so independently and transparently, and we have confidence in them.
Bonaparte Gulf Gas Pipeline
Mr KNIGHT to CHIEF MINISTER
This is a development question, Chief Minister, and I know the anti-development members to my right will not like it.
Mrs Miller: Just ask the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: You do not like anything. You do not like any development. The Joseph Bonaparte …
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I would like the member to prove that. If he is so willing to say it, let him prove it.
Mrs BRAHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! What did he call me?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. Order! Member for Daly, please restart the question.
Mr KNIGHT: Chief Minister, I would like to ask you about jobs and economic development, which the CLP and Independents seem to be against.
Members interjecting.
Mr KNIGHT: The Bonaparte gas pipeline will play an important part in the continuing development of the economy of the Northern Territory, particularly Aboriginal communities around the Daly River/Port Keats Aboriginal Land Trust. Can the Chief Minister please update the House on the next stages of this project?
ANSWER
I am delighted to, member for Daly, because it is an important question and an important project for the Territory. The Bonaparte gas pipeline brings onshore our second gas field in the Territory to be developed, which will enhance our status as a gas province. We are already established as an export hub, and this is about domestic supply. This gas from the pipeline from the Blacktip field will go to Power and Water to replace the diminishing supply coming from the Mereenie field. Yesterday, AJ Lucas was awarded the contract for construction of the pipeline.
The pipeline is 280 km long. It will cost $140m. Construction will begin in 2008 during the Dry Season, so there is a lot of work to be done between now and next Dry Season.
On Thursday, I will introduce legislation that will put in place special provisions to allow the pipeline to be built, just as we had special provisions for the AustralAsia Railway. These provisions relate to legal requirements associated with the right to cross roads and waterways, consultation processes, the creation of easements and other planning issues. This legislation, important for the Territory, will see this project run smoothly and ensure that it meets the deadlines of bringing new gas into the Territory in January 2009. It is sound legislation for an important new project for the Territory.
Anti-Hooning Legislation
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
On 22 March last year in relation to a question I asked, you said that you were reviewing all traffic legislation including anti-hooning legislation, and that this would be brought back to parliament in early 2007. That happened, but without anti-hooning legislation getting a mention. On 2 May this year, in response to my motion in relation to tightening anti-hooning legislation, you said you would refer this issue to the Road Safety Coordination Group. Minister, it is over five months since you said that. Has this issue been sent to the Road Safety Coordination Group, and when can we expect to see some action on this important issue?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Nelson for his question. We agree on one thing: hooning is both dangerous and stupid. I have met with police and representatives of the Transport Division of my agency about anti-hooning efforts, and I can advise the House that the introduction of the demerit scheme this year is directly targeting hooning. Repeat offenders on our roads are hoons and the demerit scheme legislation, which the member for Nelson was against, directly targets hoons.
In terms of my commitment of referring any future anti-hooning consideration and opportunities to the Road Safety Coordination Group, I can advise him that I have indeed done this and the group across government has taken on board the issue. They are reviewing anti-hooning legislation and they have indicated to me that they will have the results of that to me early next year.
Palmerston Plan - CBD Forum
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
Over the last few months, I and the member for Drysdale have consulted extensively with the people of Palmerston on the government’s Palmerston Plan. Can you advise the House on the Palmerston CBD forum to be held this Friday?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question, and I thank the members for Brennan and Drysdale for hosting a series of meetings with the Palmerston community recently to discuss their future ambitions for that great family city of Palmerston.
We have plans for the Palmerston CBD on public exhibition at the moment. The members for Brennan and Drysdale have asked me to host a planning forum in Palmerston this Friday evening. That will kick off at The Hub at 6 pm. We will be discussing the future needs of Palmerston: schools; roads; transport routes; and future suburbs. We have recently been debating in parliament the extension of Palmerston through the new suburbs identified for Palmerston East. This will be an opportunity to hear firsthand from members of the Palmerston community about their planning needs. I really do appreciate the groundwork that has been done for this meeting where we can discuss the future planning needs of Palmerston and get community feedback on the existing Palmerston CBD plan that is currently on exhibition.
Domestic Violence – Mandatory Reporting
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
In a media release yesterday, your Attorney-General announced changes to the Domestic Violence Act which included mandatory sentencing for guilty offenders. Your Attorney-General said in his media release:
- Victims of domestic violence deserve to be protected.
He said that the reforms were:
- … about protecting the most vulnerable members of society …
Why did you refuse to extend the protections to include mandatory reporting of domestic violence so that more women could actually be protected and more offenders could be brought to justice?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the issue of mandatory reporting of domestic violence is a complex one, and one this government is looking at very closely. It has both positives and negatives. We are listening to expertise from both sides: some say we should have mandatory reporting; and others say that we should not. The Attorney-General has had more discussions about this, and I will refer the question to him for some of the detail.
It is not something that I reject. We will have consultation on it, but I want to listen carefully to our professionals to ensure that if we do pursue mandatory reporting of domestic violence incidents, it doesn’t result in people not presenting for the assistance they need.
It is a complex issue; it is not one that this government is not going to move on, but we need to understand it to ensure that there are not negatives, and listen to those who work in the field for the best advice that we can take to tackle the insidiousness of domestic violence and support those who are victims.
For another part of the answer, I will refer the question to the Attorney-General.
Mr STIRLING (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. It is a critical question about domestic violence and how we on top of it.
I was interested that in all of the consultations that have gone on about reform of domestic violence legislation, this question of mandatory reporting was not addressed in all of the discussion papers and consultation that went out. Only when I got to it and thought: ‘This really is a central question and we do need to address it’. We did not really have time to get proper consultation in as comprehensive a fashion as I and the government would like before the time for this bill. We committed to have these amendments to the Domestic Violence Act go in before the end of the year, and we need to introduce that tomorrow.
Like the Chief Minister, I am not opposed in principle to the question, but we need to understand the risks and exposures that it opens up. For example, we know that Tasmania passed similar legislation through the House but have not commenced it. They have not commenced it on the grounds of anxiety about whether they have enough police coverage in all of the towns, villages and residential areas around Tasmania to ensure that once mandatory reporting is in, there is enough protection, that they have covered all the gaps to ensure that either the victim is not placed at further risk and in an invidious position as a result of the perpetrator finding out that the person has gone to a health clinic or doctor and there has been mandatory reporting.
I mention that because if Tasmania has those concerns in a much smaller geographic sense than the Northern Territory, it does not have the spread of small and scattered populations as we do with vast areas not policed, notwithstanding that has been strengthened as a result of federal intervention and the efforts of this government as well. That would be one issue that we do need to understand. We need to know what the gaps are, what is required to close those gaps and reduce that exposure so that we could introduce a principle of mandatory reporting.
‘What do you report?’ is a question that people ask. Are we talking about physical abuse, which is quite visible, and what levels of surety are given? These are quite subjective calls that have to be made by professionals. What about economic abuse in the sense of a bread winner not sharing the resources with the family support person? What about intimidation and threats and things like that?
There are a number of issues still to work through. It is fair to say that there are divergent views from within our agencies. It is also true to say that Health has gone a long way with training and counselling and giving those people at the front end who have to deal with this out in the field stronger counselling skills and stronger skills for recognition of what might be domestic violence.
That takes us a way. Does it take us far enough? That is part of all of the questions that we are seeking answers to now. It will be into the new year before I would be satisfied that we have all of the views back from all of the people to whom we need to speak to fully understand the question, fully understand the risks and exposures at which we might place people at, and what we need to do in terms of resources to close that gap, to be comforted enough that we would not be putting people further at risk as a result of mandatory reporting.
It is a very open question. It is a principle that has support, but needs further understanding.
Palmerston City Council – Waste Transfer Station
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
It was reported in the Northern Territory News today that a large number of Palmerston ratepayers did, indeed, turn up to a public meeting I called last night regarding the Palmerston City Council’s plans for a waste facility at Marlows Lagoon. Can you please advise the House the outcome of that meeting?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question and for his attention to this issue, which is significant for the residents of Marlows Lagoon.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members! Minister, please continue.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I know the former President of Litchfield Shire is pretty sensitive on the issue of whether there is a dump or not. He does not have a very good track record with sorting out dump issues. Anyway, I will not go too far on that subject.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WARREN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I cannot hear a word the minister is saying because of the rabble on that side, particularly the member for Nelson.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I ask that you listen to the minister’s response in silence. Thank you.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, there was a very rousing reception last night from a large crowd of Marlows Lagoon residents. They saw the member for Goyder as a bit of a local hero because he had listened to their concerns. He was a breath of fresh air for them in Palmerston because they had been dealing with the council, raising their concerns about a proposed Catalina Road site for the waste transfer facility and council have really been pushing away their concerns, whereas the member for Goyder picked up the issue and took it to them.
I had a meeting last week with Palmerston City Council where I undertook to have a look at the proposed Catalina Road site, which I did with the member for Goyder and the Mayor of Palmerston. We looked at the existing temporary waste transfer facility in Archer. The question struck me: why would you need to look at another facility? The temporary facility was quite impressive. We went on to another site in Archer which could potentially be a waste transfer facility site.
I met with the residents last night and gave them very clear commitment that the proposed Catalina Road site really is unsuitable. It is adjacent to suburban areas in Marlows Lagoon. People would be travelling through suburban streets to get to that waste transfer facility. I have asked my agency to come back with definitive advice within a matter of weeks on the existing temporary waste transfer facility in Palmerston at Archer and whether that lends itself to a more permanent facility and, if not, then look at another site further along in Archer.
I thank the member for Goyder for taking up this issue. It was great to see so many local residents coming together last night as a community and speaking up for their rights.
Mandatory Sentencing
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
On 14 June 2001, when you were in opposition, you said:
- Mandatory sentencing does not work. They …
referring to Territorians:
- … know that tackling crime with a stunt like mandatory sentencing is costing us. What Territorians want is action before crime starts.
If mandatory sentencing is just a stunt, why are you now promoting it? How do you reconcile your backflip and is it a concession or admission that your approach to law and order and violence in particular against women has hitherto been a failure?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Opposition Leader’s question is, in its construction, dishonest. I am sad to say that. The mandatory sentencing that I was talking about at that time was about property crime. It is a dishonest question that the Opposition Leader has asked. You would expect a lawyer to know the difference between the two laws. A law for property crime and a law for domestic violence are very different. I cannot particularly remember that speech at that time and in what context it was.
Mr Stirling: It was a good speech.
Ms MARTIN: Thank you, Attorney-General. What we were dealing with in 2001 was the then CLP government which was dealing with a totally unacceptable level of property crime across the Territory. Their only strategy was not increasing police resources or putting in place things like the raft of laws we have such as anti-gang and drug house legislation. The only solution the CLP government had was mandatory sentencing for property crime: three strikes and you’re in. That was their only strategy.
Do you know what? It did not work. The numbers of people being incarcerated for property crime offences went down like that. You should see the graph! It was the crocodile jaws of increase in crime and a decrease in those going to gaol for property offences. This is a very different situation. That was a very poor policy and one that we have turned around very effectively. The other issue is very different.
Traditional Credit Union
Mr HAMPTON to TREASURER
Can you inform the House about recent awards you presented to staff of the Traditional Credit Union, and the important role the Traditional Credit Union plays in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. I am delighted to answer. I was honoured to be able to join the Traditional Credit Union recently at their awards presentation night. I am invited quite regularly and I am always delighted to attend. I joined with Mickey Wunungmurra, a constituent of mine from Gapuwiyak who is the Traditional Credit Union Chairman and has been for some time, Mr Paul Trigwell from the ANZ Bank, and Traditional Credit Union Board members, staff and families to help them all celebrate success in completing quite important milestones for their financial trainees.
The credit union is an organisation to be admired for the efforts and lengths to which they go to ensure their employees receive top level quality training and development. There is a tremendous potential flow-on effect into our communities, even if the person who received the training whilst being an employee of the Traditional Credit Union leaves because they then have the skills to go on and perform other roles in the community, and occasionally that occurs.
The credit union now has over 60 staff across the Territory and 13 000 members, so it is not the fledgling organisation it once was. TCU staff, like those acknowledged at the awards ceremony, are very important role models in their communities. Young people living in communities with Traditional Credit Union branches in their midst can see, as a result of what they have done, where completing an education and going on to do further training can lead to a very respected job in the local community.
Those completing Certificate II in Financial Services included: Lizzie Mindhili Durrurnga from Ramingining, and she has been employed for seven years with the Traditional Credit Union; Roslyn Wunungmurra from Gapuwiyak, employed for five years; Raelene Ratja from Milingimbi, employed for four years; Raina Rogers from Ngukurr, employed for four years, and she could not make it to the awards ceremony. She was expecting a baby, almost imminently at the time of the awards, so we wish her well. My congratulations go to each of these young women.
I also congratulate Darwin Branch staff, George Miaodis, Evelyn White, Gary Hamilton and Kylie Boyd. Each received Certificate II awards in Financial Services. I extend a big thank you to the Traditional Credit Union which continues to invest in our indigenous economic future and our indigenous communities, with the full support of the Territory government.
It was not always like that. The Traditional Credit Union itself arose as a response in the 1990s to the withdrawal of the Commonwealth Bank which, for many years, offered banking services in these communities. As the Commonwealth gradually withdrew their services from the communities, the Traditional Credit Union sprang up to fill that gap.
As local member, I was incensed at the time at the loss of the Commonwealth Bank, but what an outcome we have had as a result. We have a fantastic organisation in the Traditional Credit Union, which I hope and trust will go on providing banking services and financial literacy for indigenous communities for many years to come.
Public Housing – Antisocial Behaviour
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HOUSING
Since the introduction of Dry Town status for Alice Springs coupled with other alcohol restrictions, more problem drinkers are congregating in public housing rather than on the streets. This has caused an increase in neighbourhood disputes, indicated by a large number of complaints in my office, and even in the short time I have been in the job I have been surprised by the large number of complaints from constituents. What measures are in place to tackle the problem of drinking and antisocial behaviour in public housing? Specifically, what additional resources have been put into place in towns like Alice Springs to address the problems since Dry Town laws came into effect?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. I was interested to learn of the large number of complaints you are receiving in your office because that has not been conveyed to me, so I would very much welcome any complaints or concerns you might have in respect of this matter.
I acknowledge that certainly there have been some issues around Alice Springs in terms of excessive alcohol abuse. You would be aware that about two months ago, we embarked on a very intensive campaign about drinking in public housing and public housing complexes. Until about 10 days ago, we had something like 28 or 29 applications made and granted in respect of dry premises. That in itself is an indication of concern by the tenants in question in respect of this matter. They have acted very responsibly. I am happy to advise that will also occur right across the Northern Territory. There is a campaign in respect of excessive alcohol consumption in Territory Housing stock, be it houses or facilities.
Quite apart from that, we have a Life Skills program operating in Alice Springs and in the town camps. They will have an ongoing role in providing support and assistance to people who might seek it in terms of the impact of people visiting or drinking in public housing. It is a very difficult exercise and a difficult issue, bit it is important to realise and appreciate the response of my people in terms of combating alcohol abuse from a Territory Housing perspective, and more importantly, there is a greater focus on excessive alcohol consumption in Alice Springs by this government, and we are taking every reasonable step to ensure that every possible response is put in place.
Year 12 Examinations
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you update the House on preparations for Year 12 examinations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. There are 1800 Territorians coming into the final stage of their schooling in the weeks ahead. There is a lot of work going on in high schools and senior colleges across the Northern Territory. There are a lot of students who are getting pretty nervous and cramming really hard for the examination period. There are also a lot of dedicated teachers who are going above and beyond the call of duty, working with groups and individual students to encourage them and ensure they get the best results they can.
A couple of weeks ago in the school break, I had the opportunity for a quick trip to Katherine and Tennant Creek. Whilst I was there, I dropped in to both Katherine High School and Tennant Creek High School, during the week off, and met a number of students and teachers cramming for their final exams. The teachers, in their week off, were in the classrooms with the students supporting them to do the best they can in the looming exams. I extend my thanks and the thanks of all Territorians to our dedicated teachers.
The exams will commence on 5 November, with English being the first major examination to be sat. That is just over three weeks away. Testing for the NTCE is a lot more continuous now. It is done over a period of some weeks as opposed to the old-fashioned method that many of us in this House probably sat where we did it all in one final three-hour examination. It is not done that way any more and it certainly ensures that our students, in the various specific elements of their NTCE and what they are doing, can do the best they possibly can.
We are seeing slow and steady increases in the number of students achieving their NTCE: it was 724 last year, up 86 from 2002. Bearing in mind it is this government that has been the first government in the Territory to provide full schooling up to Year 12 for indigenous students, we have seen over 100 indigenous students graduate from remote communities with an NTCE. Of these numbers, indigenous students are now 12.5% of the total students achieving the NTCE. That is up from only 6% of all students achieving an NTCE five years ago. Those numbers are still not good enough, but they are trending in the right direction. I am sure everyone in this House wishes our students all the best.
Everyone in this House would like to thank our teachers for their work they do, above and beyond the call of duty, to support our Year 12s. I call on parents to acknowledge that it is a tough time for students who are sitting those final exams and to do everything they can to support their kids. When those students achieve their NTCE, whether they go on to university or into the workforce, this is a booming economy and the jobs are there. I am sure our kids will do the Territory proud.
Youth Diversion Program – Policy Initiatives
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
I note your comments last week that the Youth Diversionary Program is not working. I think your words were ‘is failing’, and many of us would agree with you. I can provide countless examples of young offenders laughing during counselling, not abiding by their conditions and continuing to roam the streets at night. Can you give me some concrete examples of what you are going to do? For example, will you establish a youth camp at Hamilton Downs in Central Australia immediately? Will you provide funding to recognise programs such as Barry Abbott has at Wallace Rockhole and expand programs to take on these juveniles? Will you enforce a provision for parents to pay compensation for damage? The community would like to know, now that you have made the statements that the diversionary program is failing, just what you intend to do.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question, and I welcome it. Apart from the fact that I am quoted as saying the diversionary system is failing, I think it is a generalised interpretation and a little stretch of the truth to say that it is failing. It is failing for some, and it is failing for a minority of hard core offenders.
It works for the majority. The majority of young offenders grow out of this. There is no doubt about that. However, there is a hard core minority, and the police know who they are, who thumb their noses at diversion as a soft option. When we set up the diversion, I do not think we built in that next fence strongly enough so that if you continue to offend and your offending becomes ever more serious, enough of diversion, it ain’t working for you, we have a better system.
There is a range of things under consideration at the moment. It is premature for me to comment because I am still waiting for information, options and recommendations to come up from Justice. Youth camp? Yes, we already have a consultant on the ground in Alice Springs. The member for Braitling mentioned a location. We are not fixed on a location. Part of the consultant’s job is to investigate everything that is available, talk to the stakeholders down there and get a view of what age groups we are dealing with. Generally, it will be 13 to 17 or 18, that sort of mix. How many are we talking about, what are the sorts of programs that we need in terms of employability to break the offending cycle? We need to snap them out of the negative influences that are surrounding them, provide them with the necessary structure, support and skills to get out of that offending cycle.
I am happy to give you the terms of reference that the consultant is working to because I cannot remember all of the points, but in general terms the brief is: what; when; where; how; what is needed in terms of infrastructure; and costs, of course. Committed to it? Yes, we are, but first we have that job to do, to understand …
Mrs Braham: How long is the time frame?
Mr STIRLING: Report back in November. I do not have a date, but it is mid- to late November, the report back to government. I was asked by the media quite recently: What about the Top End? I said let us understand what we are dealing with in Alice Springs in terms of numbers. If we can get it right in Alice Springs, we will probably do the same thing up here.
The member for Braitling mentioned parents and what sort of responsibility they ought to be compelled to assume, and they do have a responsibility. Parental responsibility will be a part of this range of new provisions that we will be introducing. We are out there, we are seeking information. Justice has a body of work on its hands now. Some of that we will get to know in November in relation to the youth camp; other information will be coming up to me as minister for me to carry through to Cabinet in the normal fashion. It will be in the new year before we have these steps well and truly locked in and ready to bring in to this …
Mrs Braham: This is a promise, isn’t it? You will do something?
Mr STIRLING: Core! Core, member for Braitling. Trust me!
Public Housing Garden Competition
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for HOUSING
Can the minister please update the Assembly on the 2007 Public Housing Garden Competition?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it was a great pleasure to attend the Public Housing Garden Competition awards at the George Brown Botanic Gardens. It was a great occasion for all those who entered this prestigious event held by Territory Housing. I acknowledge the member for Brennan, James Burke, who has been in attendance for the last two years and maintains a real interest in this award.
Congratulations to Mike and June McIntyre of Leanyer, who won the prize for the Best House Garden. They are very committed to Territory Housing and the development of their garden. They felt a great degree of pride in being able to win it. Equally, Arthur and Catherina Post won the Best Environmentally Friendly Garden. I had the opportunity to visit those people a few months back. It is a great garden and they were deserved winners.
Other winners were: the Best Unit Garden - Donna Kittel; Best Recently Developed/New Garden - Brian Martin; Best Communal Garden - Sarah Worden; Overall Best Garden, and I have already mentioned Mike and June McIntyre; Highly Commended Communal Garden - Donna Kittel and Valerie Kildare. The Encouragement Awards, and I know these people are going to enter next year, went to Kathy Farmer and Fiona Wilson.
In conclusion, I thank judges Liz Hagen, Sue Dibbs and Jane Dellow for their outstanding commitment to this great program and Territory Housing. We look forward to more entries next year, with people taking pride in Territory Housing stock across Darwin.
One of the things we would like to do next year is to give consideration to extending this initiative to Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy if we can.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016