2007-10-18
Local Government Reform – Plebiscite Policy
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
This morning on ABC radio, the Labor candidate for the seat of Solomon, Damian Hale, said he supported plebiscites on your forced council amalgamations and that you needed to slow down. He also said:
- Yes, Kevin’s come out and said that we support plebiscites. We support councils to be able to make decisions and to slow the process down a bit.
He also went on to say there needs to be further consultation. It seems that there are only 19 people in the Territory who support this amalgamation process and they are all in this House right now. Will you stop this faltering process, start again, consult properly, and then put your local government proposal before the next Territory election in 2009? Do you agree you need a mandate from the people for local government reform?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. I have said in the past and will say in the future that I will always respect the rights of anyone of whatever political persuasion to make any comment they wish in respect of this.
However, it is critical reform and it is important for the Territory. You may have the candidate for Solomon, Mr Damian Hale, making comment. Equally, the Prime Minister of Australia said that his government supported the proposed mergers because they aim to deliver economies of scale, increased efficiencies and improved municipal services.
Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report
Mr BURKE to TREASURER
Can you inform the House about the Northern Territory’s current financial position, what it demonstrates about the Martin government’s strong fiscal discipline and what benefits this provides for all Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. It is always about this time of year before we are able to judge accurately and fully the complete financial position coming out of the last financial year for the Northern Territory. I will provide a full statement on the Territory’s finances when I table the annual report later today.
I am very pleased to announce another solid surplus outcome for the Northern Territory of $33m. That is our fifth consecutive cash surplus. If you put this in context of a Territory budget of over $3000m, this puts us about 1% of the overall budget on the positive side in the black. That is a pretty good judgment of both anticipated income over a full year and anticipated outgoings and expenditure. As any Treasurer will tell you, a surplus is only possible through a very strong commitment to tough fiscal discipline.
That is a commitment that has become an absolute hallmark of the Martin Labor government since we were elected in August 2001. In one sense, we do owe the Country Liberal Party a big vote of thanks. Things were so tough when we came to government with a $126m or $132m deficit, we had to work so hard as a government in reining in the reckless expenditure and the constant deficits left for us by the CLP. It has stood us in good stead. That discipline that we were forced to impose on ourselves as a government and on the Northern Territory budget from August 2001 has stood us in great stead over the past six years because it enabled us to establish a firm and strong fiscal discipline policy.
It takes a lot of work by an individual minister to develop and obtain approval for a new form of spending in their agency on any program or agency function because we run a very tough rule indeed over any request or any cash ask between when the budget is delivered and the next budget. The simple test, though, is: how much this extra funding will benefit Territorians?
The annual financial report clearly demonstrates that we have stayed true to that goal again throughout 2006-07. There has been a record capital spend of $567m on Territory infrastructure. That is roads, schools and improvements to Royal Darwin and Alice Springs Hospitals. Most importantly, we are meeting our superannuation commitments for the Territory’s hard-working public service officers, an ask that has been increasing over the past three or four years as actuaries have gone back and reset the benchmark of liabilities we are facing on superannuation. Most critically, we are reducing nett debt as a proportion of revenue.
Strong financial management, of course, means when an immediate need has to be met, the government has the resources available to respond. The best example of that is the $286m over five years dedicated to the first step of closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Territorians across the Territory. That is a plan that cuts across all sectors of government, but most directly the service delivery agencies of Education, Health, Justice, Community Services and Police. We can only make a financial commitment of that magnitude out of the blue, outside a budget formation period, through fiscal discipline and the hard work of managing the bottom line day by day, week by week, month by month throughout the financial year.
It is a good result for the Territory. It means we can continue to provide the services and infrastructure that Territorians rely on, need and deserve.
Banana Industry - Panama Disease
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Yesterday, in reply to a question in parliament, you referred to Panama disease as a hiccup for the industry, and you answered:
- … I said it was a hiccup and that was in relation to research that has been undertaken.
Minister, that would possibly have been believable, except in the interview you referred to, the following having occurred:
- Journalist: But the Primary Industry minister denies the banana industry is facing collapse.
Minister: It is probably a little hiccup. It is a disease that is very, very hard to control.
The journalist seemed adamant that your comment was about the future of the industry and not merely research. Do you stand by your assertion that when you said ‘It is probably a little hiccup’, you were talking about the research rather than the future of the industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Going back to what I said yesterday, it is quite plain to see that the industry is suffering from Panama disease. It is a disease that affects the soil and it is something that will not go away. At the moment, we have three properties that are free of the disease and the rest have been quarantined. I emphasise that over the six years that projects have been undertaken, the decision that was made was made by specialists on the disease brought in from interstate. They made a decision in consultation with local growers, the Banana Association of Australia and interstate primary industry areas, and that decision was to work with species of bananas that would be resistant to the disease. I understand they have undertaken research on 35 varieties. As I said yesterday, there are three varieties that are resistant to the disease. At this stage, they are not in a situation where they can go into commercial quantities. The department is working on that. The research is being undertaken, and it has taken that six years. I am confident that in the not too distant future, there will be some varieties of bananas that will be resistant to the disease that will come up with commercial quantities.
Tourism - Central Australia
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for TOURISM
Can the minister inform the House of an exciting new venture set to benefit the Territory’s tourism industry, particularly in Central Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. The member for Macdonnell is working with a number of communities in Central Australia to try to boost the indigenous tourism product in particular in her electorate.
This is a great story that will deliver up to 350 tourists to the Territory just after Christmas in what is traditionally a quiet time for our industry. On 28 December 2007, a Japanese Airlines charter flight will touch down in Alice Springs to welcome in the new year Territory style so that is 350 Japanese tourists who are choosing to spend their new year in the Northern Territory. What a great story that is, and in Central Australia as well, absolutely fantastic.
Up to 350 passengers will enjoy two nights at Uluru, a visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park and Camel Farm, and a tour of Alice Springs itself. Up to 260 of the group will then board The Ghan for a special New Year’s Eve trip to Darwin. That is absolutely fantastic. Up 260 people from Japan have decided they want to spend New Year’s Eve 2007, new year 2008 in the Northern Territory, 260 of them on The Ghan. Those choosing not to go on The Ghan will welcome the new year in with a third night in Alice Springs, so I am sure there will be a great party in Alice Springs for those visitors.
It will be a memorable experience for our Japanese visitors and will certainly bring benefits to tourism operators in Central Australia. We expect each passenger on board the charter to spend in the order of $350 a day. That is around $400 000 injected directly into the Territory economy, most of that in Central Australia and Alice Springs. It is great news for Territory business and certainly shows how the government is working to build our shoulder season and our tourism industry.
That is what we talk about all time: everyone wants to come in the peak periods. How do we build the shoulders? This is a good example.
Japan is a strong, wealthy tourism market for the Territory. We are upgrading our international tourism website www.australiasoutback.com. This has now been translated into Japanese to tap into that market. The website has now been translated into about seven languages. It is a fantastic site and certainly takes potential travellers and tourists right to the heart of specific destinations in the Territory.
Some 3500 Japanese tourists have visited the Territory on charter flights since the first one touched down in 2003, the Chief Minister would have been involved with that, injecting more than $3m into the economy. The new year flight will be our 23rd Japanese charter flight, and all but one of those have flown into Alice Springs. It means a great holiday for our Japanese visitors who are planning their trip to the Territory. It is great for Alice Springs, great for The Ghan, and I am sure everyone in this House wishes those Japanese visitors a very happy New Year Territory style.
Banana Industry - Panama Disease
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
In a different radio interview on ABC radio with Ann Barker, you also used the term ‘hiccup’ in answering a direction question about the future of the industry. That exchange went as follows:
- Journalist: So you do not think this is a collapse of the industry for the NT?
Minister: No, I don’t think it is a collapse; it is probably a little hiccup, but we would like to think that we can get on top of that.
It was clear the journalist was talking about the industry and so were you. Why did you tell this House yesterday that your reference to a ‘hiccup’ was about research when it very clearly was not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Opposition Leader again for her question. It is pretty straightforward. We are talking about having confidence in the industry here. The department is working closely with the industry and with interstate departments in primary industry to work through this issue. Specific research that has been undertaken on those 35 varieties will continue. Yes, it has had a devastating effect on the industry at this stage, but we still have the three disease-free properties and the rest are in quarantine.
We will be working with the industry. We will be ensuring that the research continues, and we will ensure that that industry does continue in the Northern Territory.
HomeNorth Scheme
Ms SACILOTTO to TREASURER
Can you update the House on the number of Territorians purchasing their first home who have benefited from Territory government assistance?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question and her ongoing interest in property matters generally. Helping Territorians take that very first step into home ownership is and will remain in the future a very high priority for the Martin government.
The most immediate assistance first homeowners receive is through the first homeowner stamp duty concessions. At its top, the maximum concession is $15 312 on top of the first homeowner grant of $7000. I am happy to say that both of these schemes have been very successful in easing that transition into first home ownership. If we look at the most recent available figures to the end of August 2007, the first homeowner’s grant has helped 9589 Territorians purchase their own place since its introduction in July 2000. That is over $70m back into the pockets of young Territorians.
Just last year, the scheme helped 1260 Territorians and, of course, it complements the very generous First Homeowner Stamp Duty Concession, which in itself has helped 6354 people since August 2002, another $31.8m into the pockets of young Territorians. We well know how difficult it is to get into the housing market for that first home purchase. That is nearly $32m that is back in the pockets of those Territorians. It has helped them fit-out and furnish the house and get those little extras that they want to make that first home for them as comfortable as possible.
In respect of the Principal Place of Residence Stamp Duty Rebate, over 9700 people have been helped to the tune of over $18m dollars. If you put those together, there is $50m that has not gone into Central Holdings of Treasury, that has not become a part of Territory revenue. Instead, that almost $50m has been put in the pockets of Territorians, creating a further spend on commodities for the home.
Those initiatives sit right alongside the other very important recent announcements to open up affordable new land close to Darwin’s CBD. I will say it again: HomeNorth has enabled over 1000 people to buy their own home since 2004.
Mr Wood interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: The member for Nelson does not like to hear this. The efforts this government has made have been outstanding in comparison to the rest of Australia in relation to assisting people get their first home. In part, that effort we have made has enabled the Territory to stay a very close second in home affordability stakes right throughout Australia, just 0.3% off the ACT.
It is a comprehensive assistance strategy, our commitment to young Territorians. We want them to stay here, buy a home and start a family because we believe this is the place they ought to be and we will continue with that strategy notwithstanding the rabbiting of the member for Nelson.
Coolalinga District Centre - Zoning
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
It has been months since an application was sent to you for rezoning of the Coolalinga District Centre for future commercial development. There has been a lot of interest in this proposed rezoning for future commercial development. Without asking you to say one way or the other whether you support the rezoning application, could you please say why it has taken so long for a decision to be made, and when do you expect to make a decision?
Minister, the member for Daly said this week that I am anti-development. Is it not true that in relation to this rezoning application of land for commercial development at Coolalinga, which I supported, a member of your Labor Party, the member for Goyder, opposed it?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, member for Nelson, the proposal to rezone 28 ha of land on the eastern side of the Stuart Highway was publicly exhibited, as it needed to be, to gauge community response, so that certainly took up some time. We did receive four public submissions. One was from you. You supported it based on that a need for amendments, as I understand your position. The member for Goyder was opposed, and there were two further public objections to that exhibition.
The current commercial zoning along that side of the Stuart Highway frontage is approximately 18.4 ha, so you would obviously have to look at an extension of that. The real commercial zone is zoned Rural Living, 2 ha, and comprises approximately 20.9 ha.
The proposal has some history. In 2006, my predecessor refused a similar proposal for the land. The proposal would significantly change the established framework for residential and commercial development within the Litchfield Shire, and I can see you nodding in assent, so it is quite a complex and significant proposal.
The Development Consent Authority conducted their public hearing in May of this year. I have recently received the recommendations and the report from the Development Consent Authority. I want to go through that very carefully, given the nature and significance of the proposal. I have not yet gone through that in detail. Once I have, I will be making my decision public.
Banana Industry - Panama Disease
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
In an attempt to deflect a question about Panama disease, which has so far ruined 260 ha of plantation and threatened to destroy the entire banana industry, you told Territorians yesterday in this House that your use of the phrase ‘It is probably a little hiccup’. was in answer to questions about research. Clearly, you were talking about the future of the industry on both occasions when you made that comment. Is it not the case that the criticism of your lacklustre response by Mark Smith is valid when you, the minister for Primary Industry, think that his warnings of an industry collapse are a mere ‘hiccup’?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I do not really know that I can say much more on this. I have explained it all. At the end of the day, I have confidence in my department, in the people who are working with my department and in the banana industry itself to work through this. This is not dead in the water, Leader of the Opposition. This is a situation where some properties have been affected quite badly. However, there are other properties out there.
Researchers are still working on a species of banana to ensure that the commercial viability of the banana industry continues. There are still growers working in commercial quantities. The industry is not dead. We are working, and I am confident in my department and the people working there. I am confident that bananas will continue to grow in the Northern Territory.
Police - Yuendumu
Mr HAMPTON to CHIEF MINISTER
The ability for police to be able to communicate and respond to incidents is crucial, particularly in a remote community like Yuendumu. Can you please outline what steps are being taken to ensure the people and police of Yuendumu have better communications?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. It is an important one for his electorate. I am sure everyone here is concerned about gaps in communications. I am certainly grateful to the member for Stuart for his work in drawing my attention to these matters.
Of course, police need to have reliable communications to ensure that when they are away from the station, they can continue to receive communications, particularly phone calls that are made to the station. Given the gaps at Yuendumu,, a contract was let to upgrade the tower at Yuendumu. Work is under way, with a fair bit of thought needed for the tower’s design because of the nature of the soil at Yuendumu, which creates some difficulties in the design.
Once in place, the tower will allow for a UHF police repeater and mobile radio telephone services to be provided to police members at Yuendumu. In particular, it will allow police to leave the station and still receive telephone calls on the radio system. It is not just for police; it will also be used by the Fire and Rescue Service and Emergency Services in times of emergency. This allows them to provide a better and more responsive service to the community. I thank the member for Stuart for being a very active and effective local member.
Mining – Rating of Mineral Leases
Mrs MILLER to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY referred to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Your colleague the Minister for Local Government has decided that he will rate mineral leases. What is the situation with leases issued by the Commonwealth at Ranger and Alcan with rates? Will they be rated or not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for her question. First, Nhulunbuy is not a local council but, for the rating side of things, you have to refer to the appropriate minister.
Mr McADAM (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I did not catch all of the question because there was a lot of noise coming from the other side. In respect of the leases, did you refer to Nhulunbuy?
Ms Martin: Alcan and ERA.
Mr McADAM: There will be no rates applied to those particular areas. They are outside the parameters of local government reforms.
Telephony - Mobile Phone Coverage
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for COMMUNICATIONS
I recently wrote to you on behalf of a constituent regarding mobile phone coverage. Can you update the Assembly on mobile phone coverage in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Members will be aware of undertakings given by the member for Solomon before the 2000 election when he effectively said that the whole of the Stuart Highway would have mobile phone coverage. Clearly, that is not the case so that is another broken promise from the member for Solomon. It is also important to note that the member for Solomon voted for the sale of Telstra.
The most important point to appreciate and understand is that Telstra has a responsibility to provide the best possible coverage throughout the Northern Territory. We know that it was bound to make this decision with shareholders in mind. People are aware that the CDMA sites will be converted to the Next G service.
I have been advised by Telstra that all the Next G sites in the Territory are now in place and operational. I met with the CEO of Telstra, Mr Sol Trujillo, some months back when he said that where there was a CDMA site at the moment that was not covered through the Next G network, he is asking Territorians to advise him of that. It is important that we ensure that there is a smooth transition from CDMA to Next G. So I urge all Territorians to ensure that Telstra in the Northern Territory is advised of any difficulties they might have in respect of the transfer to the Next G service from the CDMA network.
Another important point we have to take into consideration is that there are certain places where there are drop outs. In some cases, these are the fault of handsets, but they are also due to some of the difficulties with the transfer from the CDMA to Next G. Suffice to say it is very important that all Territorians take the opportunity to ensure this transition occurs in a very smooth way, and I urge them to contact Telstra if they experience difficulty.
Federal Election - Advertising
Mrs BRAHAM to CHIEF MINSITER
Electoral material means matter which is intended to or likely to influence voting in an election. All advertising must show an authorisation and who printed it. We are all getting a flood of election material in our letterboxes from parties and individuals, but the Northern Territory government is also distributing electoral material, as this one says, and it is printed and authorised by the Northern Territory government, to influence voters in the federal election.
My question is not about the material in that flyer, but will you continue to use Northern Territory government monies to fund election flyers to influence voters in the Northern Territory? How can you justify the use of government funding to Territorians for party advertising in a federal election? How much do you intend to spend? At the end of the election, will you give us the print-out of how much you have spent on this election campaign material?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I assure the member for Braitling that we are not spending $4m a day as the federal government is on advertising right around Australia.
We have worked with the Commonwealth over the last four months on a whole range of areas about their involvement in the Territory, and we showed incredibly goodwill and very good cooperation about laws that would make changes that were targeted at protecting children. We always said that. They had to be long-term, effective and they had to be practical.
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, we have a federal government …
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling, cease interjecting! Chief Minister, continue.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, we have a federal government that did not listen on some key areas. What we have are stupid laws in place that are not effective, not practical and not aimed at protecting children. They are stupid laws. To have to put your name down on a register for buying over $100 worth of alcohol is plain stupid.
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: We will continue to say that. If you are someone who wants to go fishing and you cannot have a can of beer as you go, that is stupid, too. I say to all the grey nomads who go to some of the places that are now outlawed, if you are not in a group, you cannot have a drink in some of our best tourist places. That is stupid, too.
It is important that this government says it is stupid. It is important for government to stand up for Territorians. As Chief Minister, I will continue to stand up for Territorians and say very clearly on behalf of everyone in this House, and I hope there is no one who supports these stupid laws, that we will not put up with them.
Beef Industry – Live Exports
Mr KNIGHT to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Last week, media reports highlighted difficulties associated with some abattoirs in the Middle East and the implications this had for the reputation of Australia’s live export industry. Are these concerns relevant to the Northern Territory’s live exports, and what measures are in place to address animal welfare issues in our South-East Asian markets?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. Obviously, the live cattle industry is a very important export industry for the Northern Territory. To date this year, we have exported around 180 000 head of Northern Territory cattle through the Port of Darwin, which is about 10 500 up on the same time last year. On top of that, we have exported about 3000 buffalo to South-East Asia.
The Northern Territory government is a very strong supporter of our live export trade and we work very closely with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association and the Northern Territory Live Exporters Association to ensure that the markets in the South-East Asian area are viable and will continue to be.
The welfare of the beasts travelling on vessels is of the utmost importance to us. Usually, our cattle are conditioned well before they leave. They are fed a formulated diet before they leave and while they are on board the ship. They are transported on short-haul voyages to South-East Asia, in most cases only three to five days. Over that time, our cattle gain weight, which is a good sign. Normally if a beast is stressed, they do not eat. The fact that cattle are gaining weight during the voyage is a great sign.
We employ experienced stockmen for loading and disembarking from ships. There is also an experienced stockman on board the ship for the voyage. I have had the experience of seeing the cattle arrive in Sabah. They have arrived in very good condition. I have had a walk around on the boat. It is not five star quality, there is a little air around the place, however they are well maintained and well looked after and I can guarantee everyone that when they leave the ship they are in fantastic condition.
Mortality rates are very low travelling from Darwin to South-East Asia. It is about 0.1%, whereas the mortality rate on a property is around 3%. So they are well maintained while they are on board.
There is a growing supermarket trade in South-East Asia. They have gone away a little from the wet markets. There are still a few wet markets around, but the supermarket trade is becoming quite a viable proposition for South-East Asian countries.
We undertake animal welfare considerations, and the industry is investing in facilities for unloading and humane slaughter, so the industry is serious about all areas to maintain the humane treatment and slaughter of the animals when they arrive.
The Northern Territory government is also providing training in management skills and practices to all those involved overseas so that the industry does become very viable. Of utmost importance to us is that our cattle are still in demand in the South-East Asian area.
Livestock Legislation – Inspectors’ Powers
Mrs MILLER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
As you are aware, there is a complete review being conducted into livestock legislation in the Territory. The proposed legislation includes an inspector’s power of entry and seizure into business premises for the purpose of conducting their duties. Will that proposed power of entry require a warrant issued by a court? If not, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for her question. It is important that our inspectors are out on the ground looking at the cattle industry. As I have just gone through in the question from the member for Daly, it is a very important aspect of our economy.
We have to maintain every possible aspect of security within the industry. I am sure the people who are out on the ground doing all of those inspections are doing so to the best of their capabilities. I support them in doing that. The department is working closely with them and the pastoralists are also supporting them.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very specific. If the minister does not know the answer, he should say he does not know instead of going out of his way to answer a question that was not asked.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order. The question was asked and the minister answered the question.
Tourism – ABS Figures on Domestic Travel
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for TOURISM
As we all know, the tourism industry in the Territory is growing very nicely. Can the minister update the House on the growing demand by tourism and business people visiting the Territory to spend a night in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. The tourism industry has certainly had a very good year this year, right across the Northern Territory. Numerous statistical records are demonstrating how well we have done. Over the last few years, one of the key strategies that Tourism NT has been working with the industry on is to ensure that when tourists come here, they stay longer and spend more in the Northern Territory. We work to try to disperse those tourists as much as we can through the regions of the Northern Territory so the Territory as a whole can benefit.
Last month, we heard from the ABS that a record 377 000 Australians had enjoyed a holiday in the Territory in the last year. Our interstate and international visitors alike are staying longer per holiday and they are spending more. Certainly, that is attested to by most people you talk to in the tourism industry. This increase in tourist numbers, spending and holiday time is obviously great for our accommodation sector because if they are spending longer here, they have to lay their heads somewhere and our hotels, motels and serviced apartments are getting their share of the increased spend as well.
Anyone who has friends or relatives who visit or is acquainted with businesses that bring people to the Northern Territory from time to time to assist in developing business, knows how full the accommodation has been recently. I believe even my colleague, the member for Barkly, has had to stay some way out of town during these sittings because he could not get a hotel room in Darwin.
The survey of tourist accommodation for the year to June 2007 has shown the Territory’s hotels and motels with 15 rooms or more had the highest growth in demand in the country ...
Mr Wood interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: I would have thought even the member for Nelson would say: ‘Good on you; that is a great thing’. It is good news and we know the member for Nelson loves good news. We have the highest growth rates in the country.
To give a snapshot of the figures, there has been a 6.7% increase in demand for rooms compared to the same period the year before, a total of 1.54 million rooms occupied in our hotels, motels and serviced apartments. Kakadu recorded a 7.6% increase in demand and Darwin a 2.6% increase in demand. What does that mean for the economy? Alice Springs operators benefited from an extra $2m in their sector compared to the year before. Accommodation houses in Alice Springs are $2m up on the year before for a total of $31.1m. That is $31m in accommodation in Alice Springs alone. Darwin was up $11.1m to a total of $101.2m spent in accommodation in Darwin alone. It is great news for our industry.
However, this is not only good news for existing operators, it stirs investor confidence that you can see in cranes around the skyline in Darwin at the moment. An additional 800 new hotel rooms and apartments are coming on board over the next 18 months, supported by this government’s investment in the convention centre at the wharf, which is going to further stimulate tourists coming to the Northern Territory, staying in our hotels …
Mr Wood interjecting
Mr HENDERSON: We know the member for Nelson thinks the development down on the waterfront is great.
Our tourism industry is doing well. We need to position ourselves for the future; that is why we are developing a five-year strategic plan that benefits all Territorians. From every tourist who comes to the Territory, those dollars wash through the whole economy and everyone benefits. I know we, as Territorians, will continue to welcome our tourists.
Banana Industry - Panama Disease
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
My question relates to my earlier questions and the answers you gave. You have had ample opportunity to ‘fess up and apologise for telling this House that you used the phrase ‘It is probably a little hiccup’ about research when in fact you were talking about the plight of the banana industry in the Territory. Will you now admit that you deliberately misled this House, and take this opportunity …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order; Madam Speaker! The Leader of the Opposition well knows that she cannot accuse any member of deliberately misleading the House unless she does so by way of substantive motion. I call on her to withdraw the assertion.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to re-word the question as you know you are not allowed to use words such as that.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Minister, a straightforward question, and it is short: do you admit that you said one thing on ABC radio and you told this parliament another?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I have been right through the whole box and dice. We have great support in the industry at the moment. We are working as closely as we can with industry to ensure that it goes …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Mr NATT: The banana industry is still continuing to survive and the department is working as hard as it can to ensure that it does not fail ...
Ms CARNEY: A point of order; Madam Speaker! Territorians are listening to this broadcast. We have asked a number of specific questions of this minister and he simply refuses to answer. I ask, on behalf of Territorians, that you direct him to answer the questions that are asked in parliamentary Question Time.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, as you are well aware, there is a lot of latitude in both the asking of questions and the answering. The minister is answering the question. Minister, please continue.
Mr NATT: Again, Madam Speaker, I will go back. We have full confidence in the department and the industry. The department and the industry will continue to work with the experts to ensure that the banana industry remains a viable proposition in the Northern Territory. It is as simple as that.
Sport - Women’s National Basketball League
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Could you advise members of a premier sporting event to be played on Saturday night at Marrara Stadium?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I bet everyone who likes basketball will go bananas about what is going to happen on Saturday night. For the first time in Darwin, we have a league match of the Women’s National Basketball League, or WNBL. Perth Lynx will play the Townsville Fire in Round 3 of the 2007 AWNBL at Marrara Stadium on Saturday night at 7 pm.
As I said yesterday, Northern Territorians are crazy about their sport, and our government will do everything to bring major sporting events here. We have brought AFL, NRL, NBL, A-League Football, Netball and international cricket. Now we are bringing the Women’s National Basketball League.
The Perth Wildcats have been coming to the Territory for a few years, and now their sister team, the Perth Lynx, will be coming to Darwin. What is more important is that members of the Perth Lynx will be going around the community with coaching clinics and a visit to Royal Darwin Hospital. Some of the activities include a players clinic tomorrow night at Marrara, coaches clinic, pre-match promotions and a community clinic. The coaches clinic will be conducted by Gary Fox, the Assistant Coach of the Aussie Opals and Head Coach of the Under 21 team. It is a fantastic opportunity for young women to attend and get advice from Carly Wilson and Rohanee Cox, who represent the Australia in the Opals, who are currently the world champions.
As I said before, Madam Speaker, our government just keeps on delivering premier sporting events in the Territory for Territorians and this is a unique event, especially for women who like basketball.
Liquor Act – Release of Review
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
Some time ago, the government promised to review the Liquor Act. Usually, when a draft act is prepared, it is circulated amongst the various agencies for their comments. The Minister for Local Government, for instance, has a draft Local Government Act and it has been circulated, but certainly not to members. Will you release the draft of the new Liquor Act to members of this parliament to make comment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. It is true that there has been a drafting of a new Liquor Act, however the Commonwealth intervention has slowed the release of that. I am hoping to get that in circulation between now and the end of the year, hopefully for introduction in the first half of 2008 ...
Mrs Braham: But will you circulate it to members?
Dr BURNS: Of course I will.
Junior Rangers Program
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for PARKS AND WILDLIFE
I was really chuffed when I opened the paper the other day and there I saw a photo of my son, it might have been page 3 or 5, in his Junior Rangers uniform. I read with interest in Monday’s Northern Territory News the article about the Junior Rangers program. I would like you to update the House on what this program offers and its benefits to our kids.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question, and I was delighted to present young Ned with his certificate. Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of presenting Junior Rangers their certificates for completing a fantastic Junior Ranger program at the beautiful George Brown Botanic Gardens.
Throughout the last 12 months, we have had hundreds of young Territorians go through the Junior Ranger program, which is run for free by Parks and Wildlife Service, and is about providing our young Territorians with an understanding of our wildlife.
The young rangers have been on bike hikes at Territory Wildlife Park and Holmes Jungle, they have assisted at the marine turtle hatching, and they have understood the shifting sands, for example, at Casuarina Coastal Reserve. It is a great program. The future of the Territory certainly looks very bright with our young junior rangers becoming the environmentalists, and perhaps the scientists and even the ministers of the future.
Cattle Industry - Tick Protection Zones
Mrs MILLER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
Cattle ticks are a serious threat to the Territory. They represent such a serious threat to the cattle industry that the Territory has created multiple protection zones to prevent transmission of ticks. What policing has been done in the past 12 months to ensure that the integrity of the zones has been maintained?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, could you hear the first part of the question?
Mr NATT: I missed the first part, sorry, member for Katherine.
Madam SPEAKER: Could you repeat the question? Can we have a bit of order in the House so the minister can hear the question?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, Standing Order 51! Member for Katherine, please repeat the question.
Mrs MILLER: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Cattle ticks are a serious threat to the Territory. They represent such a serious threat to the cattle industry that the Territory has created multiple protection zones to prevent transmission of the ticks. Minister, what policing has been done in the past 12 months to ensure that the integrity of the zones has been maintained?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for her question. The department is working very closely with pastoralists to ensure that an infestation of ticks does not come into the Northern Territory. We know the other states have problems with the tick. It could have a devastating effect on our industry. I am unaware of what has been happening within those zones, however, I am happy to check with my department and relay the information when I receive it.
Health Services - Cox Peninsula
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please update the House on expansion of health services to the residents of Cox Peninsula, where I live?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. It was my pleasure to accompany the member for Goyder on 12 September 2007 to Wagait Beach to open a new health service where the 400 or so residents will be served two evenings a week between 5 pm and 8 pm by nurses from the Belyuen community. The elderly folk there who may have had to come into Darwin for various check ups can receive those check ups in their own community now. There was a good crowd and a welcoming and appreciative atmosphere at the opening.
There has been quite a lot of traffic through the health precinct since it was opened. There have been five evacuations as well. There has been some outreach to Dundee. The nurses, Jeff Hutchinson and Wendy Ganley, are doing a great job and I congratulate them. I also congratulate Vic Stow and the council. The $800 000 facility was jointly funded by the federal government and the Northern Territory government and is a great amenity for the area and much appreciated. We are very glad, as a government, to support the extension of health services to the population who live in that area.
Katherine – Sobering-up Shelter
Mrs MILLER to MINISTER for HEALTH referred to Acting MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
You will be aware that the Katherine sobering-up shelter suffered damage last year as a result of a fire caused by old and faulty wiring, and that the building almost failed to get approval to be used as a sobering-up shelter. Considering Katherine is working to shortly become a Dry Town, and with the ongoing Commonwealth intervention, what specific funding will the Martin Labor government be providing for the upgrading of this facility? How many times this year has the facility exceeded its capacity, with the overflow of people taken into protective custody being accommodated in the cells at Katherine Police Station?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am unable to answer that question because it is not in my portfolio area. It should be directed to the Acting Minister, my colleague the member for Karama.
Ms LAWRIE (Acting Minister for Family and Community Services): Madam Speaker, there was an announcement made by the government a couple of months ago. There was an agreement struck between the Territory and federal governments to prioritise the replacement of the Katherine sobering-up shelter with an entirely new shelter. That was good news, indeed, for Mission Australia who have been operating a very good and effective service in Katherine for some years now.
The costs are not completely finalised, however I believe the commitment is in the vicinity of $2m, and it is very welcome news for Katherine.
Public Housing – Antisocial Behaviour
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for HOUSING
The member for Greatorex put to you during Tuesday’s Question Time that his electorate office has received an increase in complaints about antisocial behaviour in public housing since Alice Springs became a dry town. Can you provide an update on antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs public housing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his important question. On Tuesday, the member for Greatorex indicated that there was a significant increase in antisocial behaviour and complaints that he has received about public housing as a result of the dry areas legislation which was introduced in August. I indicated that I had not discerned any spike, nor had I been advised of any spike by my department. I also said there have been 29 restricted premises declared since the restricted areas came in.
I have since met with the Chairman of the NT Licensing Commission, Mr Richard O’Sullivan. He advised me that 58 people have applied for Restricted Premise Orders. That indicates clearly how seriously tenants within public housing and the community in general respond to issues about excessive alcohol consumption.
I take this portfolio very seriously, as do officers of my department. At 8.28 am yesterday, I asked people in my office to e-mail the member for Greatorex to ask for details of complaints that he might have in respect of these increased levels of antisocial behaviour. I also asked officers of my department to contact your electorate office, member for Greatorex. They did that yesterday and we have not received a response yet ...
Mr Conlan: We are putting it together for you, minister.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McADAM: Madam Speaker, I fully understand the issues in respect of the member for Greatorex, however it is incumbent upon the member for Greatorex that, if he receives complaints, there are no issues in respect to confidentiality because they will be treated with the utmost respect and we have protocols in place to ensure that happens.
The point I want to make, member for Greatorex, is that if you do have any problems like this, and in the past I certainly had this relationship with the previous member …
A member: He was hard-working.
Mr McADAM: He was hard-working. He would phone or e-mail me on occasions and ask for information, and we would always respond in a very timely fashion ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr McADAM: Madam Speaker, I invite the member for Greatorex to treat his constituents seriously and respond on their behalf in a timely fashion.
Howard Springs Nature Park – Water Quality
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
You recently told parliament why people are not allowed to swim at Howard Springs. About two years ago, your department spent money on aerating the water to keep the fish and turtles alive, removing mud from the floor of the pool, removing aquatic weeds, trimming back overhanging trees and pumping fresh water into the pool. People were then able to swim. Are you doing any of these this year to try to keep the water quality for both human and the aquatic life up to standard? Did you do anything last year? If you are not doing any work on trying to improve the water, could you please say why?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nelson. Parks and Wildlife staff have been undertaking a regime of water quality testing recently at Howard Springs Nature Park. They are into the last phase of that testing and we will get the results back shortly.
QUESTION OUT OF ORDER
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
In Question Time today, it has been incredibly obvious that you have not known the answer to a number of questions, that you have referred to a potential devastation of an industry as …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Ms CARNEY: I am coming to it, wait. Come on, what are you scared of?
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat. What is your point of order?
Mr HENDERSON: This is Question Time. The Leader of the Opposition is providing hypothetical commentary on debate that has occurred in this House. I urge her to get to the point of the question and leave the commentary out of it.
Ms CARNEY: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker, there will be a question. We are talking about …
Mr Henderson: Well, ask it then.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, please pause. Ask the question, make it short, and we will get on with it.
Ms CARNEY: All right, minister, I will ask this question: how much do you get paid, minister, and are Territorians getting value for money? You brought that one on yourself, Hendo.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition …
Ms Carney: Answer the question!
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, with that pathetic final question from the Leader of the Opposition …
Ms CARNEY: You are even covering for him. A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I move …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Leader of Government Business has leapt to the defence of the Minister for Primary Industry …
Mr Henderson: No, I have not. I am moving a motion.
Ms CARNEY: It was a straightforward question; we would like the answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat. Leader of Government Business, resume your seat. The minister to whom you asked the question does not have carriage of the relevant portfolio. The question is out of order.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper, and hope they are a bit better than the last question from the Leader of the Opposition.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016