2006-11-30
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I am about to call the last questions for the year. I have noticed this morning that there seems to be a bit of a ripple around. I will try to leave a little latitude but I would appreciate the following of the standing orders inasmuch as possible.
I call on the Leader of the Opposition.
Mrs BRAHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Isn’t it usually protocol the first on their feet gets the call?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, this is not the case at all, as you are well aware.
Mrs BRAHAM: Not the case in the Northern Territory parliament? It is in every other parliament in Australia.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, I suggest that you resume your seat if you want to have any questions at all today.
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
We have heard you and your predecessor go on endlessly about getting 200 more police on the beat by the end of the year. Two weeks ago, you admitted that you were not going to reach that target. How many extra police do you have on the beat right now, today, and that means in general duties, on bikes, in cars, or on foot in our community, as the Chief Minister promised when she said in 2001 that she would ensure that people would get help from the police whenever it was needed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Araluen for her question. In her question, she asserted that I had said we would not reach our target of police recruitment. I have never said that. What I have said on the public record as Police minister is that we will reach our target of 200 extra police within this financial year.
In the specific categories of policing that the Opposition Leader has asked about, the deployment of police in those various categories is a matter for the Police Commissioner. The Police Commissioner has a statutory responsibility for the deployment of police, both numbers and organisationally, within the parameters, admittedly, of strategies set by this government. We have strategised a number of important initiatives. Yes, more police out on the beat, but also more police attending to domestic and personal violence issues.
Today, I attended a commemoration of the police receiving a national award for their initiatives and strategies in the area of domestic violence. That is very pleasing, because we all acknowledge that there is much to do there. As a government, we have deployed, I believe, 19 extra officers through the length and breadth of the Northern Territory, targeting repeat offenders and repeat victims of domestic violence.
There is a whole range of things that we have done as a government. We have invested $75m. The amount of funding in the police agency has increased by 55% since we came to government in 2001. It is a record of which we are justly proud.
Many of the problems in the police force actually go back to the freeze in recruitment which occurred in the 1990s under the CLP government. For three years they froze recruitment …
Ms Carney: Where are your 200 extra police?
Dr BURNS: If the Opposition Leader was honest - she was there a couple of weeks ago when Recruit Squad 86 graduated – 26 fine recruits from all over the Territory; 50% of them from the Territory and 50% from interstate. We are recruiting into our police force at a rate that is twice our attrition rate. We are proud of our record in policing. The CLP should be ashamed of theirs.
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Can the Chief Minister advise the House of developments in the campaign against the so-called work choice-less legislation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his important question. Today is the national day of action against the Howard government’s WorkChoices legislation. That legislation is all about attacking the working conditions and rights of people right across this country.
People like a young Darwin woman, Erina Early. Erina was told that if she did not sign an individual contract she would not be employed. A young woman was told: ‘If you do not sign this, you do not get a job’. I ask you to imagine how a young Territorian would feel who was asked to sign up to a workplace agreement that could roster them on any day of the week, even on a public holiday. I ask you to consider the impact this would have on a young family, for example. It would obviously affect their ability to plan ahead and spend time together.
It also seems that Territorians who work for what was once a great bank – the Commonwealth Bank - have also been told they must sign individual AWAs if they want to continue working there. The Commonwealth Bank has even refused to have a ballot of their workforce to see if the majority want a collective agreement. That is not what anyone in this House would call a choice.
We heard more stories like these at the Turf Club this morning at the rally to protest against the federal government’s WorkChoices legislation. We heard stories from a number of people. One woman, for example, in senior management was shocked to learn that someone of her experience and profile in the organisation she worked for could be sacked without any reason. She had no say in the matter, she was given no reason for her dismissal, and she had no further rights of appeal. She had worked there for well over 20 years.
These laws not only attack the vulnerable, they attack everyone. Today’s national day of action and the rallies in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy send a clear message to Canberra: Territorians do not support these industrial relations laws; they are unfair and we want no part of them. Territorians are not stupid. They know what this legislation means. They know it will have a dramatic impact on their lives and they are concerned for their children and what lies ahead for them when they come to be employed.
I remind Territory workers and their families of what was reinforced at the rally today: ‘Your rights at work worth voting for’. It is such a disappointment that the four members of the opposition, the CLP, support this lack of work choice. When we have discussed it in this House they were lining up right behind John Howard, lining up right behind victimising workers right across the workplace, denying them their rights, and actually reducing their pay. This is a shameful thing for anyone to support. For four politicians to line up and support it is a disgrace.
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
I table a copy of an internal police document which shows a breakdown of police general duties numbers in the major police stations throughout the Northern Territory.
According to this police document, in 2001 the Darwin police station had an establishment of 49. The same document says that in 2006 the establishment had risen to 57. Your own document shows that at one of the largest police stations in the Territory you have managed to add only eight extra police officers in five years. Please explain where we and other Territorians can find the 200 extra police on the beat which you again promised us yesterday would be there?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the Opposition Leader. I had a call earlier this morning from ABC radio asking me to comment on this report. The first question I asked was: where is the report, can I see it, can you fax it to me?
Ms Carney: It should be on your desk.
Dr BURNS: Oh no, it is secret, it is embargoed.
Ms Carney: You should have had it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: All that has come my way today is this hand written note. It has a table on it and it has ‘from a police source’.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, order!
Dr BURNS: At a media conference at lunchtime today, I was asked a number of questions about this. I said it is a bit hard for me to answer this question unless you show me this document. ‘Well, we cannot show you the document because it might actually point the finger to whoever has leaked it’. It is a bit hard for me to comment on a document I have not seen. It is a bit like blind man’s bluff. I asked the assembled media: ‘Can I have a look at the document?’ All the documents were held here like this. I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition has tabled the document. I do not know if it is the same figures that I have from a police source. Maybe it should have ‘top secret’ on it as well, Leader of the Opposition.
I did some preliminary mathematics on it and saw that what has been asserted in this document here is that there has been a nett increase of - I made it about 40 or 30 officers from June 2003 to June 2006 with a total pool of about 300 officers.
The total number of police in our police force is around 1000. Where are the other 600 in this secret police source? I do not know. Let us have it circulated, let us have a look at the document.
Mr MILLS: Point of order, Madam Speaker. I ask if the minister would like to table that secret document?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, are you willing to table the document?
Dr BURNS: Of course I am.
Madam SPEAKER: Please table it.
Dr BURNS: Can I have a copy back? I think I might frame it.
Madam SPEAKER: Please table it.
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
With Year 12 end of year ceremonies happening, could you please inform the House of any examples of outstanding achievement you have come across while attending these events?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. It is a great time of year across our high schools in the Northern Territory and our primary schools as well. This week I have been pleased to attend end of year graduation ceremonies at Nightcliff High School and Sanderson High School, as well as Casuarina Senior College last night. There were hundreds of people achieving across the Northern Territory.
On Tuesday night, I attended the Sanderson High School Year 12 award ceremony with the member for Sanderson and the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. There were some great young students graduating that night. On this particular night, I was extremely proud - and I think all members of this House should be proud - to hear that a young man, Kane Mola, a Year 12 student at Sanderson High, was recently awarded the 2006 Australian Vocational Student Prize. That means that Kane is the top VET student in Australia. That is fantastic and a great tribute to our education system, and to Sanderson High School. I do not know what is in the water in Sanderson at the moment - maybe it might be the mangoes - with Jessica Mauboy, Kane Mola and Katharina Fehringer. It has been a fabulous week.
Kane enrolled in the Work Ready Program at Sanderson High School while studying for the NTCE. Part of this program included his undertaking of a school-based new apprenticeship. I congratulate the Holiday Inn on the Esplanade, Kane’s employer. They have been impressed with Kane’s professional attitude, his work and his studies. He worked at the Sirroco Restaurant and Bar at night so he could concentrate on his studies during the day to gain his NTCE.
Kane is returning that loyalty to his employer. I pay tribute to him because he has been offered a position on a cruise ship and he has been targeted by another well-known local restaurant. However, he has chosen to stay with his employer who gave him his chance and who nominated him for the award.
You have to take your hat off to the people at the Holiday Inn on the Esplanade. Kane’s ambition is to eventually move into hotel management and catering, and one day to own and manage his own restaurant. I hope he does that here in Darwin. If he does, I am sure we will all visit him.
On the night, his Principal, Denise Wilkowski, took great pleasure in sharing with Kane and the audience the news that his cheque for $2000 is in the mail - and I am sure it is.
Whilst I am on my feet, I thank Denise Wilkowski who is leaving the position of Principal of Sanderson High after many years. She has done a magnificent job. What a way to go out with the top VET student in Australia graduating that night as well.
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
I take it from your determination in your last answer not to refer to the document, that you deny it is accurate. If that is the case, I challenge you to prove that it is wrong. Table your own figures, not some shabby handwritten document that someone like a staffer might have written, table a document that shows what the allocated number of general duties section police on the beat at all Territory police stations has been from July 2001 to July 2006. Can you table a document showing the real figures?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I look on the bottom right-hand corner of this. It is a table which could be done on any computer in the universe. Do you know what it has on the corner? ‘Copy of leaked document’. I feel this is all going towards …
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! No such document was tabled. Someone is playing funny buggers, but no document like that was tabled by me.
Dr BURNS: That is the one I have just been handed, Leader of the Opposition. I think we are headed towards a censure, Madam Speaker. When I was younger I read a novel by Franz Kafka called The Trial. There was a mysterious process going on where the hero did not know what the charges were, and he could not see any of the documents, but he had this feeling that there was a hidden process going on around him. That is what the Leader of the Opposition is doing. She is putting up documents that have no credibility at all.
I put credibility in the reports by my Police Commissioner and the police, which tell me we are on target for our 200 extra police as part of our O’Sullivan initiative. What I also trust are my own eyes when I go to a Police Graduation Ceremony and I see 25 or 26 fine graduates marching on the parade ground and taking the oath so solemnly, with two recruit squads following them, and there is a third within this financial year. That is what I trust.
As a government we have done much in resourcing policing and providing police with the wherewithal to do their job. I am not saying the job is done; there is much more to do. I am very focused as Police minister on issues of personal safety, domestic violence, antisocial behaviour and a whole range of issues. I will continue to be focused on that. I will not be distracted by the opposition which is trying to denigrate the fine work this government is doing. The CLP has form: no recruits for three years in the 1990s. It has had a knock-on effect on our police force with a lack of sergeant level and above within our Police Force which directly relates to the freeze on recruiting by the CLP government in the 1990s.
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
This morning, the CLP Leader demanded the government take the extraordinary step of establishing a Standing Anti-Corruption Police Commission. Will the minister advise the Assembly if the government shares the Opposition Leader’s belief that a police corruption commission is warranted?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. It is very important because not only is the opposition trying to knock the government, which is fair enough because that is their job, but they are also knocking our fine police force.
Yesterday, as all members are aware, the Ombudsman’s report was tabled. There were a number of serious incidents reported by the Ombudsman relating to police, and disciplinary action has been taken in those cases. I spoke publicly of one particular incident involving a dog which had been shot. I read the report by the Ombudsman. She made the comment that she was appalled. I was appalled too.
I have spoken to the Police Commissioner about all those issues. He has assured me that discipline has been applied in each of those cases. The process through our Ombudsman is a very good process.
On the back of the Ombudsman’s report today is the Leader of the Opposition calling for an independent commission or inquiry into corruption. I heard her say on the news: ‘We haven’t got one. They have them all down south, let’s have one’. That is what she said on the television news. She must obviously believe that there is endemic and systemic corruption within the Northern Territory Police Force.
Madam Speaker, I reject that. I have lived in the Northern Territory a long time. I have not heard that. Yes, there have been incidences of misbehaviour which have been disciplined, but there have been no incidents, as far as I am aware and I would say most members would be aware, of systemic corruption in our police force.
Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition does not trust our police force. She has called for one of these ICACs. I am interested to see a media release by the Northern Territory Police Association today which says: ‘Northern Territory Police Association has condemned the Leader of the Opposition’s call for an anti-corruption commission’. So, condemnation towards you, Leader of the Opposition, from the Police Association on this issue. How about you start respecting our police? How about you start respecting them and work constructively with government to address the problems that we have in our Northern Territory community? We are positive; you are negative. We have done a lot, but we have much to do.
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for HOUSING
Madam Speaker, my question may seem a little frivolous after all these fiery questions and is directed to you: what do you think would have happened if the three wise men who went to Bethlehem had been three wise women?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, I am not sure that that is actually in my portfolio area. We have three wise women leading the Assembly, so I am sure it would have been a good result.
Mrs BRAHAM: So you do not want the answer then, Madam Speaker? Would you like me to give you another answer?
Madam SPEAKER: If you wish, member for Braitling.
Mrs BRAHAM: Thank you for your indulgence, Madam Speaker. Well, they would have used a GPS instead of using a star to guide them to where they were going, and they would have at least got there in time so they could have helped with the birth of the baby. I am sure they would have brought practical gifts instead of frankincense and myrrh, something like nappies or talcum powder.
Ms Carney: Is this a question, Madam Speaker?
Mrs BRAHAM: And, of course, they would have prepared a casserole because they knew Joseph was …..
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is Question Time, is it not? Is there a question?
Mrs BRAHAM: I will ask my proper question now.
As you know, an application for an exceptional development permit has been exhibited for Indigenous Business Australia in Dalgety Road in Alice Springs for short-term accommodation. You spoke of it last night. Without pre-empting any decision, and I am not asking you to comment on the value of the application, can you advise me who will pay for the facility? How much will the Northern Territory government contribute? Who will own the facility? Do you envisage it will be a permanent facility?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. I am not in a position to answer all those questions. As you said, the application was made by IBA, which is Indigenous Business Australia, on behalf of the Commonwealth government. Rather than trying to attempt to answer your questions directly in regard to the recurrent costs, and the Northern Territory costs, I believe it is probably better that you write to minister Brough to seek those responses. It has been known for a very long time, despite some mischievous interference on the part of some people in Alice Springs, that this particular project is a project on behalf of the Commonwealth government by IBA.
Discussions that I have had indicate that they are going to meet all those costs you referred to. That is my understanding at this point in time.
Mrs Braham: Are you putting any money into it at all - the NT government?
Mr McADAM: I am not aware of any requests to government regarding any contribution at this time - not to my knowledge. It is a Commonwealth project and, to the best of my knowledge, they are meeting all costs associated - both capital and recurrent. I am sorry I cannot assist you any further. I suggest you contact someone like Ross McDougall of ICC in Alice Springs or contact the officers at Indigenous Business Australia who are acting on behalf of the Australian government.
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
The number of general duties police at Casuarina and Palmerston in 2001 was 107. Your own internal police document says that, by the end of July 2006, these had gone up by a combined total of 10. In fact, across greater Darwin and Palmerston, the total number of police on the beat has gone up by a mere 18 in five years. Where are the other 182 extra police officers on the beat that you and the former minister keep referring to?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we are going around in circles with this question. I do not accept this copy of a leaked document. What sort of authentication is this? The member for Araluen is a lawyer and a QC and a barrister or whatever …
Ms Carney: Oh, a QC now? Thank you, Chris.
Dr BURNS: She wishes! She comes into this parliament with this sort of stuff. Where does it come from? Give us the source of this document. Give us a context of this document. Member for Araluen, in all honesty, I cannot accept this document, just the same as I did not accept …
Ms Carney: Okay. Even if you had a clean copy, you still would not accept it? What sort of minister are you?
Dr BURNS: The other day in this House I said that I was reticent to accept your assertion that police took 35 minutes to get to Nightcliff to attend to the matter with Mr Bobby Bali. The police and Kate Vanderlaan have informed me it was more like 15 minutes. I cannot trust a single thing you say, Leader of the Opposition.
Ms Carney: Well, Territorians cannot trust you either.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: I am not going to.
Mr HAMPTON to TREASURER
The construction industry has received the strong support of the Martin government. Can the Treasurer advise the House if this support extends across the Territory to centres outside Darwin? In particular, can the Treasurer advise the House on the state of the construction industry in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. As a government, we have strongly supported the construction industry. It has received $2.7bn in cash since we were elected in 2001. That is the biggest construction program the Northern Territory government has ever promoted. We support the industry. It is important as an economic driver right across Territory economic activity. It generates jobs, pulls in skilled workers from around Australia, and puts money into the economy in a way that spins-off into other areas of accommodation, retail, and so on.
We also support the construction industry right across the Territory as a means of developing economic growth in the regions and growing communities, in particular, Alice Springs. As a result of the support through our capital works program, the growth in jobs, and improvement in general economic conditions in Alice Springs, has seen a significant lift together with an increase in private sector construction growth. At the moment, there is strong construction growth in the Alice region.
Just this month, we have awarded roads tenders worth more than $15m:
Backing that confidence from government through its capital works program, the private sector has also started or planned a number of exciting projects: the Melanka Backpacker Lodge redevelopment; the shopping centre expansion at Yeperenye; the Sitzlers Quest serviced apartment block; Imparja’s new digital broadcasting studios – I saw the hole the other day; and the Alice Springs Plaza redevelopment. Every one of those projects, government and private sector combined, are pooling skills, pooling new jobs and promoting vigour and growth in the Alice Springs economy.
Ms CARNEY: Having been elevated to silk, perhaps the minister will answer this question. Minister, across Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, that is south of Darwin – Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs…
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I seek a point of clarification here and a point of order. The Leader of the Opposition tabled a document in this House which she purported to be a leaked document which is a compilation of police figures across the Northern Territory.
The process in this House is that document is tabled. It goes to the Tabled Papers Office and is signed by the Clerk. I have a copy of the document that was tabled by the Leader of the Opposition, signed by the Clerk – so unless the Clerk is somehow part of this conspiracy – which states ‘copy of leaked document’.
The Leader of the Opposition is on the public record, on the Hansard, stating that she did not table …
Ms Carney: I can assist, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … that she did not table a document that stated ‘copy of a leaked document’.
So that we can have a Question Time where we are focused on substantive debate, the Leader of the Opposition can come clean and acknowledge that she has not tabled a leaked document, this is a copy of a leaked document …
Ms Carney: Here it is. Same document.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … which I challenge her to produce the document that it has been leaked from. I believe that this is a dodgy fabrication and compilation of figures that have been doctored up in the Leader of the Opposition’s office. She needs to table …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … she needs to table the original document that this comes from and acknowledge that the document she tabled in this House is one that was signed by the Clerk, which I tabled …
Ms Carney: You are so twitchy about this document. You hate this document.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … stating ‘copy of leaked document’. She is on the public record saying she did not table it …
Ms Carney: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: She did, and she needs to now produce the original document that this comes from. My assertion is that there is no document. It is a dodgy compilation of figures that comes from her office, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Please resume your seat, Leader of the Opposition. I have not seen a copy of this. I would like to receive a copy. Leader of the Opposition, do you have a copy of exactly what you tabled?
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, yes, well …
Madam SPEAKER: Do you have a copy of exactly what you tabled, Leader of the Opposition? Leader of the Opposition, yes or no?
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, I have two copies …
Madam SPEAKER: Yes or no, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms CARNEY: The one that …
Madam SPEAKER: Yes or no, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms CARNEY: Sorry, well, the one that was tabled, I do not have the original back from the staff …
Madam SPEAKER: Do you have an exact copy of what you tabled, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms CARNEY: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Could you please table it now?
Ms CARNEY: Yes, Madam Speaker. May I clarify a matter …
Madam SPEAKER: No. Could you please - Leader of the Opposition could you please table it now. I would like to receive a copy of that immediately. I shall examine the documents and then I will ask you some questions and allow you to speak. I would like to look at that document.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, I can clarify it now …
Madam SPEAKER: I would like to look at that document first. Please resume your seat. I will wait for a Table Office staff to bring me a copy of the document.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, order!
Leader of the Opposition, I have in front of me two documents which appear to be identical and which say ‘copy of leaked document’. Is this correct? You have tabled a document which says ‘copy of leaked document’, despite the fact that you said before that you did not say that.
Ms CARNEY: Yes, and I am keen to …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, government members!
Leader of the Opposition, you tabled a document. You have repeatedly claimed to the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services that you did not table a document that said ‘copy of leaked document’. Yet, you have just given me a copy of the document and I have another copy of the original document. Can you explain this?
Ms CARNEY: Yes, Madam Speaker. I am very keen to explain it, thank you. The document that was tabled was tabled accidentally. We all make honest mistakes in this parliament and …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Deputy Chief Minister, cease interjecting. I wish to hear what the Leader of the Opposition has to say. This is a very serious matter.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I had two bundles, one of which my staff had given to me. This is a copy of the original document, identical in every respect except ‘copy of leaked document’ on it. I would like to table it. Its content is identical and I apologise for my inadvertent mistake.
Madam SPEAKER: This is supposedly the original document?
Ms CARNEY: It is a copy of the original document, Madam Speaker, a copy to protect the source, which, of course, is required under the administration of this government and not uncommon, in fact regular practice in this House.
Madam SPEAKER: Please table the document. Before we continue, Mr Clerk, I seek your advice.
While it is clear that the Leader of the Opposition has in fact misled the House, she has apologised and explained herself. However, I would like you, Leader of the Opposition, to apologise to the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services who, in good faith, believed that this was a different document.
Ms CARNEY: I am happy to do so, Madam Speaker. Please accept my apology. The content of the document is, as you know, the same.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I have a further point of order. In regards to whichever document we are talking about, either the one that does not have ‘copy of leaked document’ or the one that does have ‘copy of leaked document’, this goes to a matter of substance.
The Leader of the Opposition is asserting that this document has some sort of authority or validity in order to pursue this line of questioning. There are formal documents tabled by the Police Commissioner every year in Estimates hearings, in the annual report, which actually state the numbers of police and where they are stationed across the Northern Territory. They are figures and documents on the public record.
I assert that this is nothing but a fabrication. The challenge for the Leader of the Opposition, and I assert that it has been fabricated in her office …
Ms Carney: Madam Speaker, that is offensive and outrageous.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat!
Mr HENDERSON: The challenge for the Leader of the Opposition is to actually provide the original document. This looks like a pretty official - I have seen enough police documents in my time, Madam Speaker - to produce the original document that this came from so we can see whether the document has any validity at all. I believe that this is a fabrication and it is certainly defined as that, with ‘copy of leaked document’ on it. What is the original? Where is the source coming from? What authority? All of the relevant facts are on the public record.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, if I can speak to the point of order. Under my leadership, we intend to protect sources who give us material; to do otherwise would be bizarre and offensive. That is a document upon which we rely to show how dishonest this government has been with the police numbers.
Mr Henderson: You fabricated it.
Ms CARNEY: It is for the minister for Police, not the Leader of Government Business, to stand up. He has not actually discounted the contents of the documents. If he says it is untrue, then he can simply say so on the Parliamentary Record. He can spare the messenger as it were, and we will take the appropriate action, both in and outside the Chamber.
Mr Stirling: You have already lied once. Show us the original.
Madam SPEAKER: Deputy Chief Minister, I have asked you to withdraw.
Mr STIRLING: I withdraw, Madam Speaker, but the Leader of the Opposition has been sprung putting fraudulent documents before the House.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I want to make a quick point. There is a long tradition in this House that it is not acceptable to recast a document and then give it status. You have to be able to prove the original documentation. There have been previous times in the House where documentation, exactly as the Leader of the Opposition has done, has been rejected because it does not have credibility.
Ms Carney: He can deny it. He has not denied it. You do not know anything about it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, unless we work from the original documentation, how do we know what is recast and what its status is? It is a very important fact that we deal with original documentation here, not something that the Opposition Leader’s staff have created on the fourth floor.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I would appreciate a bit of silence while we try to sort this out.
Honourable members, I have three documents in front of me, two of which say ‘copy of a leaked document’, and one which appears to be identical to the copy of the leaked document which the Leader of the Opposition says has been leaked to her by some source within the police.
Leader of the Opposition, without giving the name of the source, I would like you to give some explanation of how this document has come into your hands so that we can attest as to whether it is a real document.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, the opposition regularly receives, just like Labor did when they were in opposition, documents from, essentially, public servants. They tend to be the ones who provide documents to the opposition. The original of this document, with an identifiable source on it, was provided to my office. In order to protect the source, which is nothing new, we have all done it, oppositions do it, everyone tables letters and they remove the identifiable source, as we should do because it is the right thing to do.
It was provided to us by a member of the police force. We were advised that it was an internal police document. The minister, and the former minister, both know that it is.
Madam SPEAKER: In my role as the Speaker, I am probably unable to do much more than hear from the Leader of the Opposition. I will allow further questions. Bear in mind, Leader of the Opposition, that it is clear that the government does not believe that this is a genuine document. It is not actually my role as the Speaker to determine, at this stage, whether it is a genuine document. It is certainly identical to the copy of the leaked document which is here, as it has been tabled twice. I am quite concerned about the validity of the document …
Ms Carney: An honest mistake, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: On advice, it is not my role, as the Speaker, to make that particular decision. Yes, Leader of the Government Business?
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is supposed to be a House of truth and fact. The Leader of the Opposition has form. On the last General Business Day, she tabled - and we thought we were debating - a code of conduct that the Solicitor-General of the Northern Territory had provided advice to us was actually illegal. Then, whilst we were debating that particular document which she had originally tabled …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No, Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: … she slipped something else on the table. The Leader of the Opposition has a history, a developing a history, of fabricating documents …
Ms Carney: You do not want the truth because you cannot keep your promise.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … and putting them into this Chamber as substantive fact in debate. The government cannot take questions on this document seriously because there is no source. There is no evidentiary fact as to the numbers in it. It is purely a fabrication from the Leader of the Opposition’s office …
Ms Carney: Well, the police officer is going to be very upset to hear what you have to say, sport.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … that she is developing a history. Territorians cannot trust her.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, Leader of Government Business. Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat. I would like to ask a question of the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Do you have a copy of a document which might have similar figures?
Dr BURNS: You mean the handwritten one that says ‘from a police source’? Is that the one, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: No, no minister. What I am asking you is …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, this is the most strange Question Time. I have three documents in front of me …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear at the moment. Minister, I am unable to determine the validity of these documents. I am asking you as the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services: do you, as the minister, have a document which is similar to these which might verify these figures?
Dr BURNS: Not to my knowledge, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: In that case, I have to say it is very difficult to ask questions on a document which may not be valid …
Ms Carney: Sorry, I did not hear his answer, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: The government is indicating that they will not take questions on the document because they consider it to be invalid. Leader of the Opposition, in asking further questions, I ask you to be more general in the questions as opposed to relating them directly to the document.
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Why are you so defensive and scared of the truth? Why do you not accept that these figures are accurate? Why have you, and the former minister for Police, and the Chief Minister, lied about the …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms CARNEY: … number of police on the beat?
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There is only one person lying in this House, and that is the Leader of the Opposition! I ask you to get her to withdraw.
Ms Carney: Oh, he is going red!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, please withdraw. Leader of Government Business, please withdraw the lying comment as well.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent me from moving that this House censures the Chief Minister and Police minister for lying to Territorians about the actual number of police on the beat, and for failing to deliver their most core promise that Territorians would have, as the Chief Minister said, help from police when it is needed.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, we will not be accepting this censure motion. We will not be …
Ms Carney: You will gag this …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Stirling: Because you have lied!
Ms Carney: Unbelievable!
Mr Stirling: Because you have lied!
Ms Carney: Oh, you coward. You are a coward!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I ask – I demand - that she withdraws that allegation.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, please withdraw.
Ms Carney: I withdraw ‘coward’, Madam Speaker.
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, I ask that the Deputy Chief Minister withdraw ‘lie’ repeatedly, if they are going to have that sort of game.
Mr Stirling: It is the truth! Having just been proven!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Deputy Chief Minister.
Mr STIRLING: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Ms Carney: Too much testosterone over there, is there boys?
Madam SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! The government is not accepting the censure motion, Leader of Government Business?
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, we are not accepting this censure motion. I will explain to the House why we are not accepting the censure motion, because we normally would. We normally would because we respect the conventions of this House. We respect the standing orders, and we respect the integrity of this parliament and the people who have elected us to this parliament.
The electors of the Northern Territory, the people of the Northern Territory, expect each and every one of us, when we come into this House that we come into this House with integrity, that we speak the truth when we are in this House, and in doing that, we normally respect the conventions, and if the opposition wishes to move a censure motion, we would accept that censure motion.
This has been unprecedented in this parliament today, in Question Time, where you, Madam Speaker, in terms of the substance of the Opposition Leader’s assertion regarding police numbers which led to a number of questions, you, as the Speaker of this House, have made a ruling that the Leader of the Opposition had misled the House in regards to documents that she had tabled, and then denied having tabled.
So, having misled the House on the substance of the documentation on which she based her allegations, we would be …
Ms Carney: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order at the moment, Leader of the Opposition.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, we would be totally outside of the bounds of convention and respect for the institution of parliament to accept this motion.
The motion has no substance because the documents that the motion was founded on, by ruling of the Speaker, have proven the Leader of the Opposition has misled this House. We will not be accepting the censure motion. There is absolutely nothing to it. We will be getting on with government business.
Ms Carney: Can I speak to the point of order, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business? Excuse me, Leader of the Opposition. Leader of Government Business, is that the end of Question Time?
Mr HENDERSON: No, Madam Speaker.
Ms CARNEY: Point of order, Madam Speaker! Madam Speaker, I now have a copy of the document that the minister tabled showing in someone’s handwriting, presumably his, the same figures that …
Mr STIRLING: Point of order, Madam Speaker. There is actually a question before the Chair.
Dr Lim: Come on, let her finish this argument. Sit down. Let her finish her argument.
Mr STIRLING: I thought the Leader of the Opposition moved that so much of standing orders be suspended. The question has not been put.
Dr Lim: Sit down and let her finish her argument.
Madam SPEAKER: This is true. The question is …
Mr Mills: You bully. Thug.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The question is the motion be agreed to?
Motion negatived.
Ms Carney: Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The minister tabled a document which we now have, written presumably in his own hand, which has the same figures as those contained in the document I tabled. The minister does accept the figures in the document. We are about to run out of time, but it does explain the government’s defensive and hysterical over-reaction to a document.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, if I could inform the House very directly where I got this bit of paper from. I received it from a member of the media who faxed it to my office …
Ms Carney: Well, how do we know? How do we know? There is no source?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Mills: Who wrote it?
Dr BURNS: I do not really know who wrote this but it was sent by a member of the media to my office.
Ms Carney: You say it is from a police source, Madam Speaker. It is from a police source.
Dr BURNS: That is what was written on it, Leader of the Opposition.
Ms Carney: So you say.
Mr Mills: That is what he claims.
Dr BURNS: All right, I will tell who we got it from. We got it from Daryl Manzie.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members.
Dr BURNS: I did not write ‘from a police source’.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I might stand up for a moment. I just remind members who remained standing while the Speaker is standing - thank you very much. Further questions. Member for Stuart?
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER FOR TOURISM
Can the minister tell the Assembly how the Alice Springs airport upgrade is progressing, and can he advise where support for this project has come from?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for this question. I am looking forward to the Brolga Awards in Alice Springs on Saturday night. It is the night-of-nights for the tourism industry which employs so many thousands of Territorians.
Attracting more international flights and tourists is a key plank of the government’s push in building tourism across the Northern Territory. A very important part of that plank is establishing Alice Springs Airport to cater for international flights. We have been very successful to date with direct charters from Japan. I advise that JAL, the Japanese airline, is looking to send another 11 Japanese charter flights to Alice Springs next year. I was very pleased and proud that this government has delivered on an election commitment and has made available $200 000 to upgrade Alice Springs Airport to better cater for international flights.
That was done as part of a three way partnership, or we thought we had a partnership, with the owners of Alice Springs Airport and also the Commonwealth government. In the lead-up to the last federal election in September 2004, the then Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, promised, in Alice Springs, to match our $200 000 commitment. Our commitment was handed over to the Central Australian Tourism Industry Association, known as CATIA to everyone in this House, in June 2006. It is sitting in their bank account, but as yet, two years on, the federal government has still not honoured its election commitment.
I have written to successive ministers. I know my predecessor in the portfolio, the Chief Minister, pursued successive Commonwealth ministers. John Anderson flitted into Alice Springs, made a promise, flitted out of Alice Springs and there is no money to be seen. I have to ask why. The federal government is sitting on a surplus of some $15bn, and that surplus is projected to be at around that level in the out years and they cannot find a measly $200 000 to honour an election commitment they made to the people of Alice Springs. They cannot honour their commitment to the people of Alice Springs.
CATIA has been having countless meetings with federal government representatives, including one Nigel Scullion. I know that they have had possibly half a dozen meetings with him. All he can do is slink in a bit red faced and say: ‘I am really sorry. I am chasing around government ministers doors, trying to get them to honour their commitment, but I am so insignificant, no one is listening to me and I will keep trying’. CATIA has been trying, we have been trying. We made a commitment; the money is in the bank account.
We hear absolutely nothing from the opposition about what they may be doing. Given that two of their members hold seats in Alice Springs and that they are such apologists for the federal government and they have two members sitting in federal caucus rooms, they should be doing something but they cannot get the money.
Madam Speaker, through this parliament, which is probably the last place that I can do it, I call on the federal government to honour their election commitment to the people of Alice Springs, match our $200 000 which is sitting in CATIA’s bank account, and deliver on their promise for the people and the tourism industry in Alice Springs.
It would be great at the Brolga Awards in Alice Springs for CATIA to say: ‘Great news, industry! The federal government has delivered the $200 000’. Let us see them do it by Saturday night. If they do, I will be the first to applaud, even though it is two years too late.
Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question paper.
I call on the Leader of the Opposition.
Mrs BRAHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Isn’t it usually protocol the first on their feet gets the call?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, this is not the case at all, as you are well aware.
Mrs BRAHAM: Not the case in the Northern Territory parliament? It is in every other parliament in Australia.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, I suggest that you resume your seat if you want to have any questions at all today.
Police Numbers in the Northern Territory
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
We have heard you and your predecessor go on endlessly about getting 200 more police on the beat by the end of the year. Two weeks ago, you admitted that you were not going to reach that target. How many extra police do you have on the beat right now, today, and that means in general duties, on bikes, in cars, or on foot in our community, as the Chief Minister promised when she said in 2001 that she would ensure that people would get help from the police whenever it was needed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Araluen for her question. In her question, she asserted that I had said we would not reach our target of police recruitment. I have never said that. What I have said on the public record as Police minister is that we will reach our target of 200 extra police within this financial year.
In the specific categories of policing that the Opposition Leader has asked about, the deployment of police in those various categories is a matter for the Police Commissioner. The Police Commissioner has a statutory responsibility for the deployment of police, both numbers and organisationally, within the parameters, admittedly, of strategies set by this government. We have strategised a number of important initiatives. Yes, more police out on the beat, but also more police attending to domestic and personal violence issues.
Today, I attended a commemoration of the police receiving a national award for their initiatives and strategies in the area of domestic violence. That is very pleasing, because we all acknowledge that there is much to do there. As a government, we have deployed, I believe, 19 extra officers through the length and breadth of the Northern Territory, targeting repeat offenders and repeat victims of domestic violence.
There is a whole range of things that we have done as a government. We have invested $75m. The amount of funding in the police agency has increased by 55% since we came to government in 2001. It is a record of which we are justly proud.
Many of the problems in the police force actually go back to the freeze in recruitment which occurred in the 1990s under the CLP government. For three years they froze recruitment …
Ms Carney: Where are your 200 extra police?
Dr BURNS: If the Opposition Leader was honest - she was there a couple of weeks ago when Recruit Squad 86 graduated – 26 fine recruits from all over the Territory; 50% of them from the Territory and 50% from interstate. We are recruiting into our police force at a rate that is twice our attrition rate. We are proud of our record in policing. The CLP should be ashamed of theirs.
WorkChoices Legislation – Campaign Against
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Can the Chief Minister advise the House of developments in the campaign against the so-called work choice-less legislation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his important question. Today is the national day of action against the Howard government’s WorkChoices legislation. That legislation is all about attacking the working conditions and rights of people right across this country.
People like a young Darwin woman, Erina Early. Erina was told that if she did not sign an individual contract she would not be employed. A young woman was told: ‘If you do not sign this, you do not get a job’. I ask you to imagine how a young Territorian would feel who was asked to sign up to a workplace agreement that could roster them on any day of the week, even on a public holiday. I ask you to consider the impact this would have on a young family, for example. It would obviously affect their ability to plan ahead and spend time together.
It also seems that Territorians who work for what was once a great bank – the Commonwealth Bank - have also been told they must sign individual AWAs if they want to continue working there. The Commonwealth Bank has even refused to have a ballot of their workforce to see if the majority want a collective agreement. That is not what anyone in this House would call a choice.
We heard more stories like these at the Turf Club this morning at the rally to protest against the federal government’s WorkChoices legislation. We heard stories from a number of people. One woman, for example, in senior management was shocked to learn that someone of her experience and profile in the organisation she worked for could be sacked without any reason. She had no say in the matter, she was given no reason for her dismissal, and she had no further rights of appeal. She had worked there for well over 20 years.
These laws not only attack the vulnerable, they attack everyone. Today’s national day of action and the rallies in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy send a clear message to Canberra: Territorians do not support these industrial relations laws; they are unfair and we want no part of them. Territorians are not stupid. They know what this legislation means. They know it will have a dramatic impact on their lives and they are concerned for their children and what lies ahead for them when they come to be employed.
I remind Territory workers and their families of what was reinforced at the rally today: ‘Your rights at work worth voting for’. It is such a disappointment that the four members of the opposition, the CLP, support this lack of work choice. When we have discussed it in this House they were lining up right behind John Howard, lining up right behind victimising workers right across the workplace, denying them their rights, and actually reducing their pay. This is a shameful thing for anyone to support. For four politicians to line up and support it is a disgrace.
Police Numbers in Northern Territory
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
I table a copy of an internal police document which shows a breakdown of police general duties numbers in the major police stations throughout the Northern Territory.
According to this police document, in 2001 the Darwin police station had an establishment of 49. The same document says that in 2006 the establishment had risen to 57. Your own document shows that at one of the largest police stations in the Territory you have managed to add only eight extra police officers in five years. Please explain where we and other Territorians can find the 200 extra police on the beat which you again promised us yesterday would be there?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the Opposition Leader. I had a call earlier this morning from ABC radio asking me to comment on this report. The first question I asked was: where is the report, can I see it, can you fax it to me?
Ms Carney: It should be on your desk.
Dr BURNS: Oh no, it is secret, it is embargoed.
Ms Carney: You should have had it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: All that has come my way today is this hand written note. It has a table on it and it has ‘from a police source’.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, order!
Dr BURNS: At a media conference at lunchtime today, I was asked a number of questions about this. I said it is a bit hard for me to answer this question unless you show me this document. ‘Well, we cannot show you the document because it might actually point the finger to whoever has leaked it’. It is a bit hard for me to comment on a document I have not seen. It is a bit like blind man’s bluff. I asked the assembled media: ‘Can I have a look at the document?’ All the documents were held here like this. I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition has tabled the document. I do not know if it is the same figures that I have from a police source. Maybe it should have ‘top secret’ on it as well, Leader of the Opposition.
I did some preliminary mathematics on it and saw that what has been asserted in this document here is that there has been a nett increase of - I made it about 40 or 30 officers from June 2003 to June 2006 with a total pool of about 300 officers.
The total number of police in our police force is around 1000. Where are the other 600 in this secret police source? I do not know. Let us have it circulated, let us have a look at the document.
Mr MILLS: Point of order, Madam Speaker. I ask if the minister would like to table that secret document?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, are you willing to table the document?
Dr BURNS: Of course I am.
Madam SPEAKER: Please table it.
Dr BURNS: Can I have a copy back? I think I might frame it.
Madam SPEAKER: Please table it.
Outstanding Achievements in Education
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
With Year 12 end of year ceremonies happening, could you please inform the House of any examples of outstanding achievement you have come across while attending these events?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. It is a great time of year across our high schools in the Northern Territory and our primary schools as well. This week I have been pleased to attend end of year graduation ceremonies at Nightcliff High School and Sanderson High School, as well as Casuarina Senior College last night. There were hundreds of people achieving across the Northern Territory.
On Tuesday night, I attended the Sanderson High School Year 12 award ceremony with the member for Sanderson and the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. There were some great young students graduating that night. On this particular night, I was extremely proud - and I think all members of this House should be proud - to hear that a young man, Kane Mola, a Year 12 student at Sanderson High, was recently awarded the 2006 Australian Vocational Student Prize. That means that Kane is the top VET student in Australia. That is fantastic and a great tribute to our education system, and to Sanderson High School. I do not know what is in the water in Sanderson at the moment - maybe it might be the mangoes - with Jessica Mauboy, Kane Mola and Katharina Fehringer. It has been a fabulous week.
Kane enrolled in the Work Ready Program at Sanderson High School while studying for the NTCE. Part of this program included his undertaking of a school-based new apprenticeship. I congratulate the Holiday Inn on the Esplanade, Kane’s employer. They have been impressed with Kane’s professional attitude, his work and his studies. He worked at the Sirroco Restaurant and Bar at night so he could concentrate on his studies during the day to gain his NTCE.
Kane is returning that loyalty to his employer. I pay tribute to him because he has been offered a position on a cruise ship and he has been targeted by another well-known local restaurant. However, he has chosen to stay with his employer who gave him his chance and who nominated him for the award.
You have to take your hat off to the people at the Holiday Inn on the Esplanade. Kane’s ambition is to eventually move into hotel management and catering, and one day to own and manage his own restaurant. I hope he does that here in Darwin. If he does, I am sure we will all visit him.
On the night, his Principal, Denise Wilkowski, took great pleasure in sharing with Kane and the audience the news that his cheque for $2000 is in the mail - and I am sure it is.
Whilst I am on my feet, I thank Denise Wilkowski who is leaving the position of Principal of Sanderson High after many years. She has done a magnificent job. What a way to go out with the top VET student in Australia graduating that night as well.
Police – Establishment Figures
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
I take it from your determination in your last answer not to refer to the document, that you deny it is accurate. If that is the case, I challenge you to prove that it is wrong. Table your own figures, not some shabby handwritten document that someone like a staffer might have written, table a document that shows what the allocated number of general duties section police on the beat at all Territory police stations has been from July 2001 to July 2006. Can you table a document showing the real figures?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I look on the bottom right-hand corner of this. It is a table which could be done on any computer in the universe. Do you know what it has on the corner? ‘Copy of leaked document’. I feel this is all going towards …
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! No such document was tabled. Someone is playing funny buggers, but no document like that was tabled by me.
Dr BURNS: That is the one I have just been handed, Leader of the Opposition. I think we are headed towards a censure, Madam Speaker. When I was younger I read a novel by Franz Kafka called The Trial. There was a mysterious process going on where the hero did not know what the charges were, and he could not see any of the documents, but he had this feeling that there was a hidden process going on around him. That is what the Leader of the Opposition is doing. She is putting up documents that have no credibility at all.
I put credibility in the reports by my Police Commissioner and the police, which tell me we are on target for our 200 extra police as part of our O’Sullivan initiative. What I also trust are my own eyes when I go to a Police Graduation Ceremony and I see 25 or 26 fine graduates marching on the parade ground and taking the oath so solemnly, with two recruit squads following them, and there is a third within this financial year. That is what I trust.
As a government we have done much in resourcing policing and providing police with the wherewithal to do their job. I am not saying the job is done; there is much more to do. I am very focused as Police minister on issues of personal safety, domestic violence, antisocial behaviour and a whole range of issues. I will continue to be focused on that. I will not be distracted by the opposition which is trying to denigrate the fine work this government is doing. The CLP has form: no recruits for three years in the 1990s. It has had a knock-on effect on our police force with a lack of sergeant level and above within our Police Force which directly relates to the freeze on recruiting by the CLP government in the 1990s.
Police Corruption Commission
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
This morning, the CLP Leader demanded the government take the extraordinary step of establishing a Standing Anti-Corruption Police Commission. Will the minister advise the Assembly if the government shares the Opposition Leader’s belief that a police corruption commission is warranted?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. It is very important because not only is the opposition trying to knock the government, which is fair enough because that is their job, but they are also knocking our fine police force.
Yesterday, as all members are aware, the Ombudsman’s report was tabled. There were a number of serious incidents reported by the Ombudsman relating to police, and disciplinary action has been taken in those cases. I spoke publicly of one particular incident involving a dog which had been shot. I read the report by the Ombudsman. She made the comment that she was appalled. I was appalled too.
I have spoken to the Police Commissioner about all those issues. He has assured me that discipline has been applied in each of those cases. The process through our Ombudsman is a very good process.
On the back of the Ombudsman’s report today is the Leader of the Opposition calling for an independent commission or inquiry into corruption. I heard her say on the news: ‘We haven’t got one. They have them all down south, let’s have one’. That is what she said on the television news. She must obviously believe that there is endemic and systemic corruption within the Northern Territory Police Force.
Madam Speaker, I reject that. I have lived in the Northern Territory a long time. I have not heard that. Yes, there have been incidences of misbehaviour which have been disciplined, but there have been no incidents, as far as I am aware and I would say most members would be aware, of systemic corruption in our police force.
Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition does not trust our police force. She has called for one of these ICACs. I am interested to see a media release by the Northern Territory Police Association today which says: ‘Northern Territory Police Association has condemned the Leader of the Opposition’s call for an anti-corruption commission’. So, condemnation towards you, Leader of the Opposition, from the Police Association on this issue. How about you start respecting our police? How about you start respecting them and work constructively with government to address the problems that we have in our Northern Territory community? We are positive; you are negative. We have done a lot, but we have much to do.
Indigenous Business Australia –
Development Permit
Development Permit
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for HOUSING
Madam Speaker, my question may seem a little frivolous after all these fiery questions and is directed to you: what do you think would have happened if the three wise men who went to Bethlehem had been three wise women?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, I am not sure that that is actually in my portfolio area. We have three wise women leading the Assembly, so I am sure it would have been a good result.
Mrs BRAHAM: So you do not want the answer then, Madam Speaker? Would you like me to give you another answer?
Madam SPEAKER: If you wish, member for Braitling.
Mrs BRAHAM: Thank you for your indulgence, Madam Speaker. Well, they would have used a GPS instead of using a star to guide them to where they were going, and they would have at least got there in time so they could have helped with the birth of the baby. I am sure they would have brought practical gifts instead of frankincense and myrrh, something like nappies or talcum powder.
Ms Carney: Is this a question, Madam Speaker?
Mrs BRAHAM: And, of course, they would have prepared a casserole because they knew Joseph was …..
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is Question Time, is it not? Is there a question?
Mrs BRAHAM: I will ask my proper question now.
As you know, an application for an exceptional development permit has been exhibited for Indigenous Business Australia in Dalgety Road in Alice Springs for short-term accommodation. You spoke of it last night. Without pre-empting any decision, and I am not asking you to comment on the value of the application, can you advise me who will pay for the facility? How much will the Northern Territory government contribute? Who will own the facility? Do you envisage it will be a permanent facility?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. I am not in a position to answer all those questions. As you said, the application was made by IBA, which is Indigenous Business Australia, on behalf of the Commonwealth government. Rather than trying to attempt to answer your questions directly in regard to the recurrent costs, and the Northern Territory costs, I believe it is probably better that you write to minister Brough to seek those responses. It has been known for a very long time, despite some mischievous interference on the part of some people in Alice Springs, that this particular project is a project on behalf of the Commonwealth government by IBA.
Discussions that I have had indicate that they are going to meet all those costs you referred to. That is my understanding at this point in time.
Mrs Braham: Are you putting any money into it at all - the NT government?
Mr McADAM: I am not aware of any requests to government regarding any contribution at this time - not to my knowledge. It is a Commonwealth project and, to the best of my knowledge, they are meeting all costs associated - both capital and recurrent. I am sorry I cannot assist you any further. I suggest you contact someone like Ross McDougall of ICC in Alice Springs or contact the officers at Indigenous Business Australia who are acting on behalf of the Australian government.
Police Numbers in Darwin and Palmerston
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
The number of general duties police at Casuarina and Palmerston in 2001 was 107. Your own internal police document says that, by the end of July 2006, these had gone up by a combined total of 10. In fact, across greater Darwin and Palmerston, the total number of police on the beat has gone up by a mere 18 in five years. Where are the other 182 extra police officers on the beat that you and the former minister keep referring to?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we are going around in circles with this question. I do not accept this copy of a leaked document. What sort of authentication is this? The member for Araluen is a lawyer and a QC and a barrister or whatever …
Ms Carney: Oh, a QC now? Thank you, Chris.
Dr BURNS: She wishes! She comes into this parliament with this sort of stuff. Where does it come from? Give us the source of this document. Give us a context of this document. Member for Araluen, in all honesty, I cannot accept this document, just the same as I did not accept …
Ms Carney: Okay. Even if you had a clean copy, you still would not accept it? What sort of minister are you?
Dr BURNS: The other day in this House I said that I was reticent to accept your assertion that police took 35 minutes to get to Nightcliff to attend to the matter with Mr Bobby Bali. The police and Kate Vanderlaan have informed me it was more like 15 minutes. I cannot trust a single thing you say, Leader of the Opposition.
Ms Carney: Well, Territorians cannot trust you either.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: I am not going to.
Alice Springs Construction Industry –
Government Support
Government Support
Mr HAMPTON to TREASURER
The construction industry has received the strong support of the Martin government. Can the Treasurer advise the House if this support extends across the Territory to centres outside Darwin? In particular, can the Treasurer advise the House on the state of the construction industry in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. As a government, we have strongly supported the construction industry. It has received $2.7bn in cash since we were elected in 2001. That is the biggest construction program the Northern Territory government has ever promoted. We support the industry. It is important as an economic driver right across Territory economic activity. It generates jobs, pulls in skilled workers from around Australia, and puts money into the economy in a way that spins-off into other areas of accommodation, retail, and so on.
We also support the construction industry right across the Territory as a means of developing economic growth in the regions and growing communities, in particular, Alice Springs. As a result of the support through our capital works program, the growth in jobs, and improvement in general economic conditions in Alice Springs, has seen a significant lift together with an increase in private sector construction growth. At the moment, there is strong construction growth in the Alice region.
Just this month, we have awarded roads tenders worth more than $15m:
- $13.3m for the Namatjira Drive, Red Centre Way sealing project, the Mereenie Loop. This is an enormous project which will deliver a new
48 km stretch of two-lane, sealed road. That will have an immediate effect on tourism;
$3m being spent this year on the Tanami Road, which comes in for more than its fair share of criticism; and
In construction, there is more than $30m in current works right now:
- Alice Springs Hospital Ward 4 renal unit upgrade, $1.6m which is almost complete;
We are soon to announce a successful tender for an upgrade to the Alice Springs Hospital staff accommodation;
upgrade of Flynn Drive Renal Unit at $1m; and
$1m for middle schools work at Centralian Secondary College.
Backing that confidence from government through its capital works program, the private sector has also started or planned a number of exciting projects: the Melanka Backpacker Lodge redevelopment; the shopping centre expansion at Yeperenye; the Sitzlers Quest serviced apartment block; Imparja’s new digital broadcasting studios – I saw the hole the other day; and the Alice Springs Plaza redevelopment. Every one of those projects, government and private sector combined, are pooling skills, pooling new jobs and promoting vigour and growth in the Alice Springs economy.
Ms CARNEY: Having been elevated to silk, perhaps the minister will answer this question. Minister, across Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, that is south of Darwin – Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs…
_____________________________
Authenticity of Tabled Documents
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I seek a point of clarification here and a point of order. The Leader of the Opposition tabled a document in this House which she purported to be a leaked document which is a compilation of police figures across the Northern Territory.
The process in this House is that document is tabled. It goes to the Tabled Papers Office and is signed by the Clerk. I have a copy of the document that was tabled by the Leader of the Opposition, signed by the Clerk – so unless the Clerk is somehow part of this conspiracy – which states ‘copy of leaked document’.
The Leader of the Opposition is on the public record, on the Hansard, stating that she did not table …
Ms Carney: I can assist, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … that she did not table a document that stated ‘copy of a leaked document’.
So that we can have a Question Time where we are focused on substantive debate, the Leader of the Opposition can come clean and acknowledge that she has not tabled a leaked document, this is a copy of a leaked document …
Ms Carney: Here it is. Same document.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … which I challenge her to produce the document that it has been leaked from. I believe that this is a dodgy fabrication and compilation of figures that have been doctored up in the Leader of the Opposition’s office. She needs to table …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … she needs to table the original document that this comes from and acknowledge that the document she tabled in this House is one that was signed by the Clerk, which I tabled …
Ms Carney: You are so twitchy about this document. You hate this document.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … stating ‘copy of leaked document’. She is on the public record saying she did not table it …
Ms Carney: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: She did, and she needs to now produce the original document that this comes from. My assertion is that there is no document. It is a dodgy compilation of figures that comes from her office, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Please resume your seat, Leader of the Opposition. I have not seen a copy of this. I would like to receive a copy. Leader of the Opposition, do you have a copy of exactly what you tabled?
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, yes, well …
Madam SPEAKER: Do you have a copy of exactly what you tabled, Leader of the Opposition? Leader of the Opposition, yes or no?
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, I have two copies …
Madam SPEAKER: Yes or no, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms CARNEY: The one that …
Madam SPEAKER: Yes or no, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms CARNEY: Sorry, well, the one that was tabled, I do not have the original back from the staff …
Madam SPEAKER: Do you have an exact copy of what you tabled, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms CARNEY: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Could you please table it now?
Ms CARNEY: Yes, Madam Speaker. May I clarify a matter …
Madam SPEAKER: No. Could you please - Leader of the Opposition could you please table it now. I would like to receive a copy of that immediately. I shall examine the documents and then I will ask you some questions and allow you to speak. I would like to look at that document.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, I can clarify it now …
Madam SPEAKER: I would like to look at that document first. Please resume your seat. I will wait for a Table Office staff to bring me a copy of the document.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, order!
Leader of the Opposition, I have in front of me two documents which appear to be identical and which say ‘copy of leaked document’. Is this correct? You have tabled a document which says ‘copy of leaked document’, despite the fact that you said before that you did not say that.
Ms CARNEY: Yes, and I am keen to …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, government members!
Leader of the Opposition, you tabled a document. You have repeatedly claimed to the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services that you did not table a document that said ‘copy of leaked document’. Yet, you have just given me a copy of the document and I have another copy of the original document. Can you explain this?
Ms CARNEY: Yes, Madam Speaker. I am very keen to explain it, thank you. The document that was tabled was tabled accidentally. We all make honest mistakes in this parliament and …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Deputy Chief Minister, cease interjecting. I wish to hear what the Leader of the Opposition has to say. This is a very serious matter.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I had two bundles, one of which my staff had given to me. This is a copy of the original document, identical in every respect except ‘copy of leaked document’ on it. I would like to table it. Its content is identical and I apologise for my inadvertent mistake.
Madam SPEAKER: This is supposedly the original document?
Ms CARNEY: It is a copy of the original document, Madam Speaker, a copy to protect the source, which, of course, is required under the administration of this government and not uncommon, in fact regular practice in this House.
Madam SPEAKER: Please table the document. Before we continue, Mr Clerk, I seek your advice.
While it is clear that the Leader of the Opposition has in fact misled the House, she has apologised and explained herself. However, I would like you, Leader of the Opposition, to apologise to the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services who, in good faith, believed that this was a different document.
Ms CARNEY: I am happy to do so, Madam Speaker. Please accept my apology. The content of the document is, as you know, the same.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I have a further point of order. In regards to whichever document we are talking about, either the one that does not have ‘copy of leaked document’ or the one that does have ‘copy of leaked document’, this goes to a matter of substance.
The Leader of the Opposition is asserting that this document has some sort of authority or validity in order to pursue this line of questioning. There are formal documents tabled by the Police Commissioner every year in Estimates hearings, in the annual report, which actually state the numbers of police and where they are stationed across the Northern Territory. They are figures and documents on the public record.
I assert that this is nothing but a fabrication. The challenge for the Leader of the Opposition, and I assert that it has been fabricated in her office …
Ms Carney: Madam Speaker, that is offensive and outrageous.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat!
Mr HENDERSON: The challenge for the Leader of the Opposition is to actually provide the original document. This looks like a pretty official - I have seen enough police documents in my time, Madam Speaker - to produce the original document that this came from so we can see whether the document has any validity at all. I believe that this is a fabrication and it is certainly defined as that, with ‘copy of leaked document’ on it. What is the original? Where is the source coming from? What authority? All of the relevant facts are on the public record.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, if I can speak to the point of order. Under my leadership, we intend to protect sources who give us material; to do otherwise would be bizarre and offensive. That is a document upon which we rely to show how dishonest this government has been with the police numbers.
Mr Henderson: You fabricated it.
Ms CARNEY: It is for the minister for Police, not the Leader of Government Business, to stand up. He has not actually discounted the contents of the documents. If he says it is untrue, then he can simply say so on the Parliamentary Record. He can spare the messenger as it were, and we will take the appropriate action, both in and outside the Chamber.
Mr Stirling: You have already lied once. Show us the original.
Madam SPEAKER: Deputy Chief Minister, I have asked you to withdraw.
Mr STIRLING: I withdraw, Madam Speaker, but the Leader of the Opposition has been sprung putting fraudulent documents before the House.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I want to make a quick point. There is a long tradition in this House that it is not acceptable to recast a document and then give it status. You have to be able to prove the original documentation. There have been previous times in the House where documentation, exactly as the Leader of the Opposition has done, has been rejected because it does not have credibility.
Ms Carney: He can deny it. He has not denied it. You do not know anything about it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, unless we work from the original documentation, how do we know what is recast and what its status is? It is a very important fact that we deal with original documentation here, not something that the Opposition Leader’s staff have created on the fourth floor.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I would appreciate a bit of silence while we try to sort this out.
Honourable members, I have three documents in front of me, two of which say ‘copy of a leaked document’, and one which appears to be identical to the copy of the leaked document which the Leader of the Opposition says has been leaked to her by some source within the police.
Leader of the Opposition, without giving the name of the source, I would like you to give some explanation of how this document has come into your hands so that we can attest as to whether it is a real document.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, the opposition regularly receives, just like Labor did when they were in opposition, documents from, essentially, public servants. They tend to be the ones who provide documents to the opposition. The original of this document, with an identifiable source on it, was provided to my office. In order to protect the source, which is nothing new, we have all done it, oppositions do it, everyone tables letters and they remove the identifiable source, as we should do because it is the right thing to do.
It was provided to us by a member of the police force. We were advised that it was an internal police document. The minister, and the former minister, both know that it is.
Madam SPEAKER: In my role as the Speaker, I am probably unable to do much more than hear from the Leader of the Opposition. I will allow further questions. Bear in mind, Leader of the Opposition, that it is clear that the government does not believe that this is a genuine document. It is not actually my role as the Speaker to determine, at this stage, whether it is a genuine document. It is certainly identical to the copy of the leaked document which is here, as it has been tabled twice. I am quite concerned about the validity of the document …
Ms Carney: An honest mistake, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: On advice, it is not my role, as the Speaker, to make that particular decision. Yes, Leader of the Government Business?
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is supposed to be a House of truth and fact. The Leader of the Opposition has form. On the last General Business Day, she tabled - and we thought we were debating - a code of conduct that the Solicitor-General of the Northern Territory had provided advice to us was actually illegal. Then, whilst we were debating that particular document which she had originally tabled …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No, Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat.
Mr HENDERSON: … she slipped something else on the table. The Leader of the Opposition has a history, a developing a history, of fabricating documents …
Ms Carney: You do not want the truth because you cannot keep your promise.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … and putting them into this Chamber as substantive fact in debate. The government cannot take questions on this document seriously because there is no source. There is no evidentiary fact as to the numbers in it. It is purely a fabrication from the Leader of the Opposition’s office …
Ms Carney: Well, the police officer is going to be very upset to hear what you have to say, sport.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … that she is developing a history. Territorians cannot trust her.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, Leader of Government Business. Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat. I would like to ask a question of the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services. Do you have a copy of a document which might have similar figures?
Dr BURNS: You mean the handwritten one that says ‘from a police source’? Is that the one, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: No, no minister. What I am asking you is …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, this is the most strange Question Time. I have three documents in front of me …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear at the moment. Minister, I am unable to determine the validity of these documents. I am asking you as the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services: do you, as the minister, have a document which is similar to these which might verify these figures?
Dr BURNS: Not to my knowledge, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: In that case, I have to say it is very difficult to ask questions on a document which may not be valid …
Ms Carney: Sorry, I did not hear his answer, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: The government is indicating that they will not take questions on the document because they consider it to be invalid. Leader of the Opposition, in asking further questions, I ask you to be more general in the questions as opposed to relating them directly to the document.
___________________________
Police Numbers – Accuracy of Figures
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Why are you so defensive and scared of the truth? Why do you not accept that these figures are accurate? Why have you, and the former minister for Police, and the Chief Minister, lied about the …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms CARNEY: … number of police on the beat?
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There is only one person lying in this House, and that is the Leader of the Opposition! I ask you to get her to withdraw.
Ms Carney: Oh, he is going red!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, please withdraw. Leader of Government Business, please withdraw the lying comment as well.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Proposed Censure Motion
Proposed Censure Motion
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent me from moving that this House censures the Chief Minister and Police minister for lying to Territorians about the actual number of police on the beat, and for failing to deliver their most core promise that Territorians would have, as the Chief Minister said, help from police when it is needed.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, we will not be accepting this censure motion. We will not be …
Ms Carney: You will gag this …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Stirling: Because you have lied!
Ms Carney: Unbelievable!
Mr Stirling: Because you have lied!
Ms Carney: Oh, you coward. You are a coward!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I ask – I demand - that she withdraws that allegation.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, please withdraw.
Ms Carney: I withdraw ‘coward’, Madam Speaker.
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, I ask that the Deputy Chief Minister withdraw ‘lie’ repeatedly, if they are going to have that sort of game.
Mr Stirling: It is the truth! Having just been proven!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Deputy Chief Minister.
Mr STIRLING: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Ms Carney: Too much testosterone over there, is there boys?
Madam SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! The government is not accepting the censure motion, Leader of Government Business?
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, we are not accepting this censure motion. I will explain to the House why we are not accepting the censure motion, because we normally would. We normally would because we respect the conventions of this House. We respect the standing orders, and we respect the integrity of this parliament and the people who have elected us to this parliament.
The electors of the Northern Territory, the people of the Northern Territory, expect each and every one of us, when we come into this House that we come into this House with integrity, that we speak the truth when we are in this House, and in doing that, we normally respect the conventions, and if the opposition wishes to move a censure motion, we would accept that censure motion.
This has been unprecedented in this parliament today, in Question Time, where you, Madam Speaker, in terms of the substance of the Opposition Leader’s assertion regarding police numbers which led to a number of questions, you, as the Speaker of this House, have made a ruling that the Leader of the Opposition had misled the House in regards to documents that she had tabled, and then denied having tabled.
So, having misled the House on the substance of the documentation on which she based her allegations, we would be …
Ms Carney: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order at the moment, Leader of the Opposition.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, we would be totally outside of the bounds of convention and respect for the institution of parliament to accept this motion.
The motion has no substance because the documents that the motion was founded on, by ruling of the Speaker, have proven the Leader of the Opposition has misled this House. We will not be accepting the censure motion. There is absolutely nothing to it. We will be getting on with government business.
Ms Carney: Can I speak to the point of order, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business? Excuse me, Leader of the Opposition. Leader of Government Business, is that the end of Question Time?
Mr HENDERSON: No, Madam Speaker.
Ms CARNEY: Point of order, Madam Speaker! Madam Speaker, I now have a copy of the document that the minister tabled showing in someone’s handwriting, presumably his, the same figures that …
Mr STIRLING: Point of order, Madam Speaker. There is actually a question before the Chair.
Dr Lim: Come on, let her finish this argument. Sit down. Let her finish her argument.
Mr STIRLING: I thought the Leader of the Opposition moved that so much of standing orders be suspended. The question has not been put.
Dr Lim: Sit down and let her finish her argument.
Madam SPEAKER: This is true. The question is …
Mr Mills: You bully. Thug.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The question is the motion be agreed to?
Motion negatived.
Ms Carney: Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The minister tabled a document which we now have, written presumably in his own hand, which has the same figures as those contained in the document I tabled. The minister does accept the figures in the document. We are about to run out of time, but it does explain the government’s defensive and hysterical over-reaction to a document.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, if I could inform the House very directly where I got this bit of paper from. I received it from a member of the media who faxed it to my office …
Ms Carney: Well, how do we know? How do we know? There is no source?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Mills: Who wrote it?
Dr BURNS: I do not really know who wrote this but it was sent by a member of the media to my office.
Ms Carney: You say it is from a police source, Madam Speaker. It is from a police source.
Dr BURNS: That is what was written on it, Leader of the Opposition.
Ms Carney: So you say.
Mr Mills: That is what he claims.
Dr BURNS: All right, I will tell who we got it from. We got it from Daryl Manzie.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members.
Dr BURNS: I did not write ‘from a police source’.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I might stand up for a moment. I just remind members who remained standing while the Speaker is standing - thank you very much. Further questions. Member for Stuart?
Alice Springs Airport Upgrade
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER FOR TOURISM
Can the minister tell the Assembly how the Alice Springs airport upgrade is progressing, and can he advise where support for this project has come from?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for this question. I am looking forward to the Brolga Awards in Alice Springs on Saturday night. It is the night-of-nights for the tourism industry which employs so many thousands of Territorians.
Attracting more international flights and tourists is a key plank of the government’s push in building tourism across the Northern Territory. A very important part of that plank is establishing Alice Springs Airport to cater for international flights. We have been very successful to date with direct charters from Japan. I advise that JAL, the Japanese airline, is looking to send another 11 Japanese charter flights to Alice Springs next year. I was very pleased and proud that this government has delivered on an election commitment and has made available $200 000 to upgrade Alice Springs Airport to better cater for international flights.
That was done as part of a three way partnership, or we thought we had a partnership, with the owners of Alice Springs Airport and also the Commonwealth government. In the lead-up to the last federal election in September 2004, the then Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, promised, in Alice Springs, to match our $200 000 commitment. Our commitment was handed over to the Central Australian Tourism Industry Association, known as CATIA to everyone in this House, in June 2006. It is sitting in their bank account, but as yet, two years on, the federal government has still not honoured its election commitment.
I have written to successive ministers. I know my predecessor in the portfolio, the Chief Minister, pursued successive Commonwealth ministers. John Anderson flitted into Alice Springs, made a promise, flitted out of Alice Springs and there is no money to be seen. I have to ask why. The federal government is sitting on a surplus of some $15bn, and that surplus is projected to be at around that level in the out years and they cannot find a measly $200 000 to honour an election commitment they made to the people of Alice Springs. They cannot honour their commitment to the people of Alice Springs.
CATIA has been having countless meetings with federal government representatives, including one Nigel Scullion. I know that they have had possibly half a dozen meetings with him. All he can do is slink in a bit red faced and say: ‘I am really sorry. I am chasing around government ministers doors, trying to get them to honour their commitment, but I am so insignificant, no one is listening to me and I will keep trying’. CATIA has been trying, we have been trying. We made a commitment; the money is in the bank account.
We hear absolutely nothing from the opposition about what they may be doing. Given that two of their members hold seats in Alice Springs and that they are such apologists for the federal government and they have two members sitting in federal caucus rooms, they should be doing something but they cannot get the money.
Madam Speaker, through this parliament, which is probably the last place that I can do it, I call on the federal government to honour their election commitment to the people of Alice Springs, match our $200 000 which is sitting in CATIA’s bank account, and deliver on their promise for the people and the tourism industry in Alice Springs.
It would be great at the Brolga Awards in Alice Springs for CATIA to say: ‘Great news, industry! The federal government has delivered the $200 000’. Let us see them do it by Saturday night. If they do, I will be the first to applaud, even though it is two years too late.
Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016