2007-04-18
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Filming During Question Time
Filming During Question Time
Madam SPEAKER: In welcoming visitors to the parliament, I remind all guests silence is to be observed in the galleries. Honourable members and visitors also are reminded to switch off their mobile phones while in the Chamber. I also take this opportunity to remind the media of the guidelines for filming or photography during Question Time. Filming may be only of the Speaker, members on their feet asking questions, or ministers answering questions. No panning of the Chamber is allowed. Filming or photography of other members should only be incidental. Similarly, there is no filming allowed of visitors in the galleries.
Alice Springs – Police Numbers
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, at the demonstration outside parliament, you said Alice Springs will have a full strength police force in the future. This is an admission that our police force has been under strength, despite your claims that we do have a police force at full establishment in Alice Springs, and what your minister for Police said out on the steps less than an hour ago. To make matters worse, and as a result of an announcement yesterday, now it is going to be the case that officers will be removed from the Domestic Violence Unit and the Property Crime Unit. Are there enough police in Alice Springs or not? Will you or will you not provide more and, if so, when?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. We can say now, here in Alice Springs, that police numbers are at full establishment. I have been on the record saying it was not previously and, over the last two weeks, we have 15 additional officers coming into Alice Springs to bring that number up to establishment. I put that on the record. We have had seven last week and eight this week. Alice Springs police numbers will be at full establishment - very important. In talking to the Police Commissioner, I said very clearly that, in response to the very legitimate concerns of the Alice Springs community about antisocial behaviour - and I welcome Advance Alice here tonight. In response to your and members of the community’s concerns, we will keep those numbers at full establishment.
Our Police Commissioner released a media release today restating that those numbers will remain at establishment and that, when appropriate, aspects of the force such as the Tactical Response Section will be here in Alice Springs, if that is needed. Also, because of the antisocial behaviour and the crime that has happened, police will be much more flexible in those task forces, redeploying officers were appropriate so that our police force in Alice Springs can very effectively respond to community concerns.
First point, numbers are establishment. The commissioner is confident that the …
Ms Carney: That is not what you said yesterday, Clare – not out there.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: If the Opposition Leader asks a question, it is just a basic courtesy to listen to the answer.
Ms Carney: Well, tell the truth!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition!
Ms MARTIN: What I am saying to the Alice Springs community is that the numbers are at full establishment and they will continue at full establishment. Do not just take my word for it; the Police Commissioner has put it in writing. This will happen!
The responsiveness of our police force to the hot spot issues will continue through programs like Operation City Safe. I thank this community for really putting those issues out there in the public, for making noise. I did not mind being booed yesterday; that is fine, because what we have is a really strong response to the issues that you have raised. So, well done! We will keep those police numbers up to establishment in Alice Springs. There will be additional resources when required, and we will ensure that this community is a safe one to live in.
Of course, there are more complex problems to deal with. This government is dealing with them for the first time - issues such as changing the town camps, and alcohol and the damage it does. We will continue with a whole range of strategies. Regarding policing, the numbers are here, and I believe, and so does the Police Commissioner, that those numbers can do the job.
Accelerated Police Recruitment Program
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Can you update the House on the Martin government’s implementation of an accelerated police recruitment program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. Obviously, police numbers and police responses are important issues for the Alice Springs community. Throughout this parliament, and preceding it, members of this community have made their feelings very plain to this government about feeling safe at home and in the streets. This is a basic right that people have. All Territorians should enjoy that.
Underlying police numbers in Alice Springs are the strategies which the government has in recruitment of police. Ever since the O’Sullivan Report was commissioned by this government some four years ago, government has been active in recruiting police into our police force. Just a couple of weeks ago, it was my privilege, along with other government members and members of the opposition and Independents, to be present at the graduation of Squad 88 where 26 new police officers graduated. It was a proud day for them and their familles. Eight of those officers are coming to Alice Springs. Squad 90 has graduated recently. They are 20 experienced officers who have been recruited from interstate, and seven of those are coming to Alice Springs.
As I said before, the O’Sullivan Report is crucial to all of this, because government embarked on the O’Sullivan Report as police resources needed a great injection of funds and personnel.
In specific relation to Alice Springs, I will quote from the O’Sullivan Report. Jim O’Sullivan, for those in the audience, was an ex-Commissioner of Police in Queensland, a very experienced police officer, who was asked to do a consultancy. He travelled the length and breadth of the Territory and gave government a very detailed report about the needs for staffing police throughout the Territory. This is what he said regarding Alice Springs at that time:
- Visits and discussions at Alice Springs confirmed that general duties resources were only 50% available.
The establishment of uniformed police officers in Alice Springs is about 130, so what O’Sullivan was saying is that only 50% of those numbers were available.
Over the past four years, we have recruited into Alice Springs. We have been building the numbers and the 15 I mentioned before bring us up to establishment, as the Chief Minister outlined. She also said the Police Commissioner issued a media release today talking specifically about Alice Springs. He said in this press release:
We will always seeks to maintain the actual number of police at that establishment level. As part of this commitment, six months ago we established a Selections Unit within the Police Force to speed up and facilitate filling of vacancies as quickly as possible.
Our police force in Alice Springs is up to establishment and, furthermore, the police are also looking at flexible ways to deploy more uniformed police here.
These are important developments, along with the closed circuit television. There were discussions today between the Chief Minister, the Alice Springs Town Council and I on how they might work at an operational level, and police will be engaged with that.
In closing, I thank members of the Alice Springs community for bringing their concerns forward. I have met with various groups, including representatives of Advance Alice and the council. I have given Advance Alice the undertaking that I will meet with them within two months to review the situation and talk over issues. I have also encouraged Advance Alice to engage with police and meet with them on a regular basis to put forward their concerns. I will also be asking the Police Commissioner if he might attend a meeting of the Alice Springs Town Council to hear their concerns.
Madam Speaker, we are a government that is listening to Alice Springs. We are certainly resourcing police in Alice Springs. We are concerned about issues in relation to law and order regarding itinerancy and antisocial behaviour and youth aspects, but we all know that these problems will not be solved by police alone. We need to engage with community. We need to solve alcohol and other issues that confront this community and, as government, we are looking to work constructively with this community.
Alice Springs – Police Numbers
Dr LIM to CHIEF MINISTER
I find the Chief Minister’s and the minister for Police’s comments hard to believe. You said that Operation City Safe will go on indefinitely. Yesterday, Senior Sergeant Rob Burgoyne directly contradicted your comments about City Safe. He said the level of policing during Operation City Safe could not be maintained indefinitely. Then, last night on television, we discovered that you are gutting the Property Crime Unit and the Domestic and Personal Violence Unit. Chief Minister, can you tell residents of Alice Springs how gutting two units to prop up another makes good police sense?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that was a slightly confused question, but I think I understand what the member for Greatorex is talking about. I will quote our Police Commissioner. It was an interesting story on Imparja last night, because the comments from Superintendent Burgoyne were actually made a week-and-a-half ago. It made for an interesting story, but not a contemporary story. I will quote …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, would you please pause? Leader of the Opposition, you were referring to the Police Commissioner. I would like you to withdraw those comments regarding the Police Commissioner.
Ms CARNEY: With respect, Madam Speaker, it was not the Police Commissioner. It was a superintendent. I merely suggested to the Chief Minister that she suggested that he lied last week. I certainly would never accuse Superintendent Rob Burgoyne of lying, although I might do the same of the Chief Minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I would like you to withdraw your last comment, please.
Ms CARNEY: So be it, Madam Speaker. I withdraw the comment.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you. Chief Minister, please continue.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I was making the point that the comments were taken at different times and, as far as an important operation like Operation City Safe goes, I quote from the Police Commissioner. In today’s media release, he said:
- I support the work of Operation City Safe in dealing with antisocial behaviour and it will, along with other strategies, continue on a regular basis.
The success we have seen with Operation City Safe over the last few weeks will continue in Alice Springs. The important thing to remember about what we are doing through policing and the decisions of the police in Alice Springs, is that, where the issues and hot spots are, police are responding to that. It does not mean they are not responding to other issues but, if there is trouble in the mall or on North Side, the police will be there. That is a commitment from our Police Commissioner and our Police minister, and me as Chief Minister.
You can have this questioning from the opposition about what is happening to this and that, but this community says: ‘We want to have the police at hot spots, making our community safe’, and that is what our Police Commissioner has committed to and what the full establishment of police here in Alice Springs will do every day for this community.
Moving Alice Ahead Project
Ms ANDERSON to CHIEF MINISTER
Alice Springs is a great place to live, work and raise a family. What is the government doing to keep it that way?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell, who is a loud voice for Alice Springs, for asking an important question about Alice Springs. We know about the difficulties, but this community is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Our determination is to make it a better place to live, to work and to raise your family. I doubt whether there is one person here who would disagree with that aspiration. No, of course.
Today, at the Alice Springs Golf Course, I launched Moving Alice Ahead. This is a major new project to guide the development of Alice Springs in the future. I know it is interesting that the Opposition Leader, overnight, said: ‘We do not need strategies and plans for Alice Springs’ and she rejects the five-, 10-, 15-, 20-year plan ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Dr Lim interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Greatorex, cease interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: I believe we do need a plan for Alice Springs. We did have Alice in 10, it did good work, and now we have moved on. This is Moving Alice Ahead, which takes over from Alice in 10. In consultation with the community, Moving Alice Ahead has identified …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: They are a grumpy lot, this opposition, you cannot do anything to make them happy. This is about the future of Alice Springs and all we hear is grump and gripe and no support. This is a community-driven project, widely discussed with the community of Alice Springs, and the only thing your local representatives can do is knock it. It is a great shame.
In consultation with the community, Moving Alice Ahead has identified 11 key projects that will help build a safe, strong and secure future for the community of Alice Springs. It builds on the successes of the Alice in 10 project, and I pay tribute to the previous government who put that project in place; that is good. We are having the next phase, which is Moving Alice Ahead. It gives government and the community a strong framework for focusing on key economic, social and cultural issues that are affecting Alice Springs now and into the future. Moving Alice Ahead represents a firm commitment from my government to meeting the challenges facing the region and taking action to develop local approaches and local solutions.
The 11 projects are varied. They range from the Red Centre Way, where we are sealing the old Mereenie Loop with lots of tourism opportunities along the way; looking at further developing the international air charter status of Alice Springs Airport; alcohol management, standardising the town camps, and looking at future industrial and residential land. There are a whole lot of strategies that you, the community of Alice Springs, has said to government: ‘We want to work with you in moving Alice ahead’.
It is a great project. We are committed to it, the Alice Springs community is committed to it. The business community is right behind it. I believe it is great and was proud to launch it today.
Domestic Violence Unit - Resources
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
In parliament in Darwin on 13 February 2007, you proudly said that we have in the Territory a modern police force addressing domestic violence through Domestic Violence Units. Yesterday, it was revealed that you were going to take officers out of that unit and put them on general duties. We have, as you know, high rates of domestic violence in Alice Springs and Aboriginal women are mostly the victims. Why are you now taking resources away from a unit that you have said is important and that police say, publicly and otherwise, is working well?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the Opposition Leader. What modern policing is all about is flexibility to deploy resources where they are needed. That is exactly what the Commissioner of Police is doing here; he is deploying resources that are there to target the community needs and aspirations in Alice Springs. The work in domestic violence will continue. The Leader of the Opposition seems to be inferring that it will just grind to an absolute halt. However, that work will continue.
I commend our Commissioner of Police. He has brought this police force into modern, intelligence-led policing. I have every confidence in the way that he deploys his police in the Territory and, in particular in Alice Springs, to address the issues that the community wants them to address. The message to us as a government has been loud and clear regarding antisocial behaviour, youth-related activity, and assaults in the mall. This is what the Commissioner of Police is doing; he is addressing that issue - and all the opposition can do is criticise.
Alice Springs – Economic Prospects
Mr WARREN to TREASURER
Before the tea break, I spoke at great length of how proud I am of Alice Springs. Can you please update the House on the economy of Alice Springs and what the prospects are for the future?
ANSWER
In case you missed Ted before dinner, I am after dinner. Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. He did give a deliberate statement before dinner, which I appreciated very much. Those who read the Parliamentary Record in the future will also come to appreciate it.
When we look at the health of the economy and how it is travelling, there are a couple of things we look for: evidence of jobs growth in the labour market, of public and private investment and how that is travelling, and of commercial and retail activity. There is clear evidence to us that all three of those indicators are strengthening within Alice Springs. In fact, the economy is strong and buoyant.
Jobs growth across the Territory is running at about 6%, which is at historic high levels for the Northern Territory. Business people I have spoken to this week here indicate difficulty in obtaining workers in some key areas. That means there is a strong level of choice for employees in Alice Springs about where they choose to put their labour. That means and indicates, of course, a pretty robust and strong jobs market.
I have broken down the expenditure of government capital works and infrastructure over the last few years. The figure for government expenditure through 2005-06 was $100m. We deliberately spread that money over quite large projects, medium-sized projects, and smaller-sized projects to ensure we captured as many of the contractors as we could. It is a deliberate strategy that we continue to run out right across the Territory. Major projects include Red Centre Way, the Alice Springs Hospital, power and water generation, staff housing, Stuart Lodge, the Desert Knowledge Centre, and the Desert Peoples Centre. That increase in government expenditure is also attracting an increase, importantly, in private investment. The private sector major works under way at each December for the last three years shows expenditure in December 2004 at around $14m; December 2005 - $32.2m; and December 2006 - $33.2m. That increase in private sector investment in major project is, again, a sign of tremendous confidence in the local economy.
Territory-wide, the retail spend is growing at around 10.6% up to February 2007. Taken into context with the Australian average equivalent of 6.6%, the Territory is going very strongly indeed. Of course, that is matched in Alice Springs as evidenced by the increased public and private sector investment in infrastructure and increased mining and tourism.
There is mining growth in the region. The Molly Hill tungsten project on the Plenty Highway will pick up a workforce of around 62 people. Olympia Resources plan to commence the construction phase of the Harts Range abrasive project in the second half of 2007. Arafura Resources’ rare earth and phosphate project near Aileron is a mine of 20-years-plus life. Newmont Australia’s operation has 534 staff, discovering more mineral. If they decide to proceed with an expansion, we will see extensive construction costs sunk into the region.
Tourism numbers are up. Visitor numbers to the end of 2006 are up on the visitor numbers for the comparable period for 2004 - we still do not have 2005 figures. There were 111 000 in 2004, and 133 000 currently. In talking to tourism and business people, it does look like a healthy start to the tourism season this year.
The total spend in the same period is also up considerably. Therefore, if you add all those things together you get some indication that the Alice Springs economy is, in fact, moving ahead. It will gather further pace this year as the expenditure of some of those major projects kick in and, of course, some of those early projects in the next financial year. Alice Springs has a bright future.
I have been looking, as Treasurer, with Treasury, Cabinet and my office, over the last couple of months at the whole exercise of building the 2007-08 budget. I have waited throughout that period for some sign that the Leader of the Opposition or the member for Greatorex might write to me to tell me what they saw as the needs in Alice Springs - something that they saw as important for Treasury to put in the budget ...
Members interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: I tell you, Madam Speaker, every year my office receives letters …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. Leader of the Opposition, what is your point of order? Order!
Ms CARNEY: I seek your guidance, Madam Speaker. We saw it yesterday and we are seeing it again tonight - unusually lengthy answers. This is an attempt by government to avoid questions from the opposition. I ask that you direct government ministers to be more timely in the delivery of what amounts to ministerial reports.
Mr Henderson: Well, that is two minutes you have just wasted.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order. Minister, continue.
Mr STIRLING: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am just getting to the best part. Every year, members of parliament write to me about their electorate, their schools, their shopping centres, their roads, public toilets - any number of things …
Dr Lim interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: Did the member for Greatorex write to me?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex, cease interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: Did the Leader of the Opposition write to me? No, no such letter. Not one word from them. Not even a letter, not a request, not a phone call. Well, that does not say much for two people who claim to be the voice of Alice Springs. It does not say much for the representation that they provide to government at budget preparation time.
However, I want to make this assurance. I want to assure all the people here tonight that, just because the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Greatorex do not make representation on their behalf, this government makes sure that they are not overlooked in the budget.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mills interjecting.
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: I ask for that to be withdrawn, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Deputy Chief Minister, I am sorry I did not actually hear it. Who is the member?
Mr STIRLING: The member for Blain. I ask for the word ‘grub’ to be withdrawn.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, I ask you to withdraw.
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word ‘grub’.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Blain. Order!
Cancer Treatment – Proposed Options
for Centralians
for Centralians
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for HEALTH
Recently, you signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Health minister for the provision of a cancer therapy unit in Darwin. Will you clarify for me whether it is going to be an oncology unit or just a radiotherapy unit? On at least two occasions in this parliament, your predecessor, Peter Toyne, assured Centralians would have the choice of travelling interstate or to Darwin for cancer treatment. However, in the NT News this year, you seemed to suggest that Centralians will have no choice but to go to Darwin. Will you continue the guarantee that Centralians will have the preferred choice of where they go for treatment? Your predecessor also promised that the NT government would provide accommodation for patients and their families if they had to go to Darwin. Can you provide us with an update on what you will provide and whether Centralians still have that choice?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Braitling. It is important to lay out clearly the nature of this service and the joint arrangement that exists between the Commonwealth and the Territory. I welcome the Commonwealth’s support for the establishment of radiation oncology services in the Northern Territory.
In essence, the Commonwealth is supporting the actual radiation oncology service, and they will be going out to tender very soon on that. They are also supporting the construction of the building to house the radiation oncology service which, of course, contains some quite complex equipment that is used in radiation oncology. It is expected that that particular building will be constructed in Darwin in the next financial year. It is also expected that it is going to take some time to actually install and calibrate that quite complex linear accelerator equipment. The aim of opening that service is early 2009, contrary to the statements that have been made by Mr David Tollner. That was the agreement and I spoke to Tony Abbott about that when I signed the agreement with him.
In relation to Alice Springs patients, I place on the record that, in tendering for that service, the whole of the Territory will be included in that. Therefore, it would be expected that patients from Alice Springs would be going to Darwin where appropriate. There may be some cancers that still require treatment in Adelaide or elsewhere.
However, I do acknowledge the close links between Alice Springs and Adelaide. I have met with cancer support groups in Alice Springs and the undertaking I have given to them is that I want to see support services in Darwin that are equal to what people have in Adelaide. I have also undertaken to go to Adelaide to inspect the services there - both accommodation and support services. I have placed it very directly on the record, member for Braitling. I have been very plain about it. It is an important step forward for the Territory to have a radiation oncology service. I have been very direct with you in my answer, member for Braitling, about the nature of that service.
Alice Springs – Mounted Police
Dr LIM to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
In March, mounted police came down from Darwin to patrol Alice Springs during the weekend of the Crows versus Eagles football game. In the Centralian Advocate on 20 March, Senior Constable Samantha Charlton said that, given our huge social disorder issues in this town, she thought that mounted police would be of benefit in Alice Springs, because:
- … we can get into places where police vehicles can’t, we can also gallop faster than people can run, we can see into places where people are drinking and can jump into places as well.
In your desperate scramble to give the people of Alice Springs some attention this week, will you commit to providing mounted police in Alice Springs on a permanent basis within the next month?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I seem to be very popular tonight.
Ms Carney: No!
Dr BURNS: I am not popular? All right. Not with you.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, to answer the member for Greatorex’s question, the issue of having a mounted police presence in Alice Springs was raised with me some weeks ago by the Police Commissioner. He is very favourable about doing that. Certainly, the member for Braitling raised this with me in a conversation I had with her a week or two ago. I believe the member for Greatorex has got on the bandwagon a bit belatedly ...
Dr Lim interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: What I can say is that I am very positive about having a mounted police presence in Alice Springs. I have had a conversation with the member for Braitling who, I believe, is a fantastic advocate for …
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Of course I will, and I did tell you that in our conversation, member for Braitling. Thank you for raising that with me. The member for Braitling is a fantastic advocate for the people of Alice Springs. She is someone …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: She is someone, amongst others, who I feel, if I speak to, gives it to me straight. She is a very wise person and I respect her counsel. She suggested this to me for consideration by police, and that will be done.
Petrol Sniffing – Initiatives for Reduction
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The government’s petrol sniffing legislation and the roll-out of Opal fuel has led to a reduction in petrol sniffing in my electorate over the last year. However, a death last weekend reminds us all that the battle is far from finished and we must continue our efforts to stop the devastation of petrol sniffing. Is the minister able to update the House on any current initiatives to continue this fight?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question because she has gone to enormous lengths to combat this scourge of petrol sniffing across her electorate which, as we know, had many communities adversely affected over decades. As she mentioned, there has been a petrol sniffing related death just last weekend, and our condolences go to the family and the community involved.
Two years ago, here at the sittings in Alice Springs, the Territory government announced a $10m investment to combat petrol sniffing right across the Northern Territory, obviously focused particularly in Central Australia where it has primarily been the scourge. That roll-out included groundbreaking legislation, the first of its nature in Australia, the Volatile Substance Abuse legislation, which we have in place, which provides for, amongst many other things, compulsory treatment orders.
In addition, the roll-out of Opal fuel, funded by the Commonwealth government - and we are on the record for thanking the Commonwealth government for its roll-out of the non-sniffable Opal fuel. This roll-out two years ago was just the beginning. As a result of these Territory and Commonwealth government initiatives, there have been big changes in the communities of Central Australia. Although, tragically, we still see petrol sniffing deaths, overall the situation in Central Australia has improved significantly.
One aspect of our legislation is that it empowers the community to control the availability of sniffable petrol in their region through what we call community management plans. The community of Papunya has had a long history of petrol sniffing but, in the last year or so, things have improved substantially. I visited Papunya late last year with the member for Macdonnell, and the community let me know that, while petrol sniffing has dropped off, they did not want to be complacent; they did not want to see it start up again.
Today, I am very proud to announce that, on 1 May 2007, a community management plan will come into affect in Papunya, the first of its kind in the Territory. The illegal possession and supply of petrol and other volatile substances within Papunya community are now enforceable under Territory law. Papunya is the first, but there will be many more to follow. There are a dozen communities across the Territory embracing these community management plans through the Territory’s groundbreaking legislation. I wholeheartedly congratulate the community of Papunya, and specifically my colleague, the member for Macdonnell, for her tireless efforts.
Alice Springs Police Station –
Communications Problems
Communications Problems
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
You have been aware, since at least November last year, of problems experienced by people of Alice Springs - I remind you of Harry Osborne, the bloke who rang six or seven times and could not get through - trying to get through to the Alice Springs police. Many people have experienced problems since then. At 4.50 pm yesterday, and again at 9.50 am today, a member of my staff rang the Alice Springs Police Station number on 8951 8888, a number well known to the people of Alice Springs. Both of our calls went unanswered - the phone rang out.
You have had around six months to fix the communications problems at the Alice Springs Police Station and they are still not working. Why should Alice Springs residents have any confidence at all in your capacity as Police minister when you cannot even guarantee that when they ring up the police station the phone might just ring out?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I really do thank the Leader of the Opposition, because this is a very important question. I take the opportunity to answer it, because it goes to the heart of the way in which Alice Springs community should be contacting police. Most people in this room would be aware, if there is an emergency, people should ring 000. That number goes through Telstra and is directed to the appropriate police station. Police aim to answer 90% of those 000 calls within 10 seconds. Last year, they achieved an 86% success rate in that. As well as that, there is a 131 444 number, which directs people - through Telstra once again, similarly to the 000 number - in the case of Alice Springs, to the Alice Springs Police Station where they want to go, which is the operational command post. Police aim to answer 80% of those calls within 20 seconds. Last year, they achieved 79%.
The general number for Alice Springs Police which, I believe, is 8951 888, is the general office number for the Alice Springs Police Station. I appreciate that Alice Springs …
Dr Lim: It is not 8951888, it is 8951 8888.
Dr BURNS: Can you let me answer it?
Dr LIM: The number is 8951 8888.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex.
Dr BURNS: 8951 8888. All right, member for Greatorex, you have made your big point for the night.
I completely understand why Alice Springs people would want to ring the number of the Alice Springs Police Station. However, that number is the general number that is used by Alice Springs Police. It fields all sorts of calls - people ringing up about firearms licences, permits, wanting to speak to Officer X or Officer Y, wanting to even know where the Alice Springs Police Station is, what business hours they might have, or whatever.
What I am saying to the people of Alice Springs here tonight is the number that you should be ringing is 131 444. That will get you right into the heart of the Alice Springs Police Station without having to go through that general number. There is a target there, as I said, of 20 seconds. It is important for the opposition to be promoting that 131 444 number to the public of Alice Springs so that they can have that sort of access to the very part of Alice Springs Police Station where they want to go. The calls will be directed there by Telstra - and this is very important. I encourage the people of Alice Springs to ring that number.
Certainly, the issue that has been raised tonight has been raised in the days previous. What I have undertaken to do is further advertise that 131 444 number. I call on the opposition also to promote that number in their electorate magazines and material, because it is a very important number and one that can be guaranteed to be answered by police.
Alice Springs - Geoscience Exploration Seminar
Mr KNIGHT to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY
I am aware that the annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar was recently held in Alice Springs to provide industry with the latest technical information that will point to future discoveries. Could you update the House on the state of mineral and petroleum exploration in Central Australia and outline any other initiatives to encourage explorers to the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. The annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar was held in Alice Springs late last month, within these very walls. It was run by my department and we had over 300 attendees, which is a record. That number is gradually building each year, which is great. These attendees regard the seminar as the place for explorers and potential investors within the Territory. Several presentations were undertaken by my department updating the industry on what is happening in the Northern Territory of late, and several explorers and potential investors also updated the industry on the latest initiatives.
I opened the seminar that week, and I had the opportunity to mix with many of the mining fraternity. I can assure you that there is a buzz in the industry within the Territory. There is intense interest, and that goes for all points of the Northern Territory. I had the pleasure of meeting people from Thor Mining who own the Molly Hill tenement just north-east of Alice Springs, as well as Arafura Resources, which have Nolans Bore which is north of Alice Springs, and Tennant Creek Gold which has quite a good prospective deposit in the Sandy Creek area. There are very positive vibes from those companies in the not-too-distant future and they are hoping that that will come to fruition later this year.
In conjunction with that conference, a Mining Services Expo was held. There were several stalls established in the hallways and foyer of the convention centre where local traders and mining supply businesses could set up and display their wares and the latest initiatives within the mining sector. They are also excited with the prospects of what will be happening within the Territory over the next couple of years. This government will continue to promote local businesses and services within the mining area.
The minerals and petroleum industries are underpinning our Northern Territory economy at the moment, which is bucking national trends and is contributing around $3bn a year. The exploration industry is a highly competitive worldwide market and we have to keep our nose in front and encourage explorers to come to the Northern Territory.
The government has committed $12m over the next four years to attract investment to the Northern Territory. That is going to be undertaken under a new program called Bringing Forward Discovery. That will ensure we create more jobs in the Territory and, obviously, keep our economy strong. That will be done by expanding the mining sector. The Bringing Forward Discovery program is the government’s long-term exploration and investment strategy.
In support of the AGES seminar, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, or APPEA as we know it, held a seminar in Adelaide on Monday and Tuesday of this week. There were over 1500 attendees at the seminar at the Adelaide Convention Centre, and there were many companies which exhibited, along with a lot of service industries. APPEA is the peak oil and gas industry body for Australia and attracts worldwide interest. I had the pleasure of making a presentation on behalf of the Northern Territory on Tuesday morning, where I was exhibiting the potential of the mining industry and, obviously, developing relationships for Northern Territory industries.
I met with some significant players. Some of them have current projects on the board, and there are some exciting new projects in hand in the not-too-distant future. ConocoPhillips and Santos are, obviously, two of those significant players, along with ENI, which has the Blacktip gas project, and AED, which has just discovered a multilevel oil find in the Timor Sea at the Puffin Field. The most excited person I met that morning was the Exploration Manager of Sweetpea Petroleum. They have just undertaken some seismic surveys for oil and gas north of Tennant Creek and they have found some potential. They intend drilling in June and are looking forward to it.
In talking to industry, I had glowing commendations from all the players over our government’s initiatives, our openness and, obviously, our ability to assist industry through the due processes that have to be undertaken. Departmental staff play an important role in all of this, and I congratulate them for their commitment to the Northern Territory. The industry has paid great tribute to them also.
Our hard work is attracting exploration, and it is paying dividends. The program over the last four years has increased petroleum exploration by 783%. This is an outstanding figure for a small constituency such as ours. We will continue our hard work to promote and attract mining interest in the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, this is a great news story. The future is bright for the Northern Territory and, what is more, the future is bright for Central Australia.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling.
Mr Wood interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: I was only pretending. Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: The call is entirely up to the Speaker, member for Nelson.
Mrs BRAHAM: I am going to have to square off with the member for Nelson. It was really his turn, but still.
Masters Games – Arrangements for Management
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
I gave you warning of this afternoon and I hope you have an answer for the people of Alice Springs. We have been told that the Masters Games is being taken over by the Major Events Company. The first thing you can do is tell me whether that is true or not? If it is true, will you give some reassurance or guarantee to all those volunteers, local organisers and advisory committees who work to make the Masters Games such a vital success, that they will not be financially disadvantaged with the transfer to the Major Events Company? With the financial arrangements which have always happened at the Masters Games since 1986 when they were first started in Alice Springs - which was also the first time in Australia, remember - they have always had a component to help pay for the running of events at Masters Games. Tell us all: will that continue, and what disadvantages are we going to expect by having it with Major Events, or do you think it is going to be an advantage?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. You well know my commitment to sport and recreation, and our government’s commitment. We work very hard to bring to the Territory – and I am not talking about Darwin only; I am also talking about Alice Springs – Australian Rules, International Test and One Day Cricket, National Basketball League, National Rugby League and many other events. My Department of Sport and Recreation looks after all these events, including the Arafura Games and, of course, the Masters Games.
One thing we have to remember is that public servants can do so much and they can do it so well. We want to grow the games and make them bigger and better. Major Events has come on board to work together so we can develop these games, which have become very popular and are becoming bigger and better. My department is working very closely with Major Events to develop these programs.
I would like to assure you that the arrangement we have had in place for the Masters Games until now will remain exactly the same. Nothing will change. The only thing that will change is that you are going to see a better quality of games in Darwin and Alice Springs.
Alice Springs – Supported Accommodation
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for HOUSING
Can you update the House on the government’s work at Stuart Lodge?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. I had the opportunity this afternoon to visit Stuart Lodge. It is a $2m investment in supported accommodation in Alice Springs. It consists of 35 beds, but has capacity to accommodate approximately 55 people ...
Mrs Braham: For short-term accommodation.
Mr McADAM: Well, if you would like to listen, I am prepared to take a question from you.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Mr McADAM: Yes, it is for supported accommodation purposes. Clearly, there will be capacity for people who want to come in on a short-term basis or, indeed, for people who might want to stay for two to three months. The important point is this: it will also alleviate some of the overcrowding that occurs in town camps throughout Alice Springs.
We have heard a lot recently in respect of the town camp situation in Alice Springs. This is an attempt by this government to work very closely with all sectors of the community in Alice Springs and have a look at real options in supported accommodation. It is for people coming into town for renal treatment, mums and their children coming into town for specialist services, and people coming into town for shopping and to spend dollars in town. These are the opportunities that will exist in respect of this program.
The other point I make is that there is $1.3m that we have allocated to Aboriginal Hostels Ltd, Yeperenye Hostel, which will provide an extra six units, 24 beds, for exactly the same purpose. It is a very responsible way of the Northern Territory government engaging with people in the community to provide well-managed accommodation options for those people who need it ...
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Mr McADAM: Who is going to manage it? Territory Housing is going to manage it for a 12-month period ...
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Mr McADAM: Well, you obviously do not have any faith in …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, cease interjecting!
Mr McADAM: You obviously do not have any faith in Territory Housing, and I will refer to them in a moment. Territory Housing will manage it for a 12-month period. There will be discussions with other providers in respect of the ongoing management of that.
I want to emphasise this point: Anglicare have come on board in respect of providing advice on business management. They have expertise with other hostels throughout the Northern Territory and, indeed, Australia. We have let contracts to local businesses in respect of catering. In fact, Kungkas Can Cook, a very well-known catering company in Alice Springs, is going to locate its business into this premise and they will provide meals there as well - very affordable costs right across the community.
Coming back to Territory Housing and their role in this particular exercise - and I believe it is a very important one to understand and appreciate - they have done an excellent job over the last few months in getting this project up. I particularly pay tribute to Mike Burgess, who is the CEO of Territory Housing and Local Government, Fiona Chamberlain, who has done an excellent job, and Julie Rannard in particular, who has worked very hard with all stakeholders in Alice Springs on this particular project. It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the Alice Springs Action Group, of which most people here would know. They have done a great job in getting this project up over two to three years. In particular, people like Mr Jonathan Pilbrow, Mr Eric Sultan and a whole host of other people who played a key role in getting this project going.
In conclusion, I pay tribute to a previous Minister for Central Australia, Peter Toyne, who was a great supporter of this particular project and worked very hard to get it up on behalf of people in Central Australia ...
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Mr McADAM: Peter Toyne …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, could you please pause for a moment. Member for Braitling, I remind you of Standing Order 51: ‘No member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a member speaking’.
Mr McADAM: I will forgive her, Madam Speaker. You are forgiven, member for Braitling. She is a great member here in Alice Springs, a great independent member …
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. Member for Braitling, are you reflecting on the Speaker?
Mrs BRAHAM: No, I was reflecting on my behaviour.
Madam SPEAKER: Please resume your seat, member for Braitling. Minister, please continue.
Mr McADAM: In conclusion, I again pay tribute to Peter Toyne and to the previous Minister for Housing and Local Government, John Ah Kit, who also played a very important role in this.
Alice Springs, you should all be proud of this new project because it is a real community project, and that is the only way forward in respect to Alice Springs and a whole range of other initiatives and projects.
Alice Springs Police Station –
Communications Problems
Communications Problems
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
In relation to telephone numbers for police, minister, last night I rang Sensis, the well-known phone directory service provider. I rang up and asked for the number of the Alice Springs Police Station, and they texted it to me on my mobile phone - that number was 8951 8888. That is also the number that appears in the Northern Territory phone book, but we did not stop there. I note your suggestion to the people of Alice Springs that they should ring 131 444. A member of my staff then rang the number you say will get the police; that is, 131 444. That was done at 9.52 am. That call was not answered. The people of Alice Springs have not been able to get through …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, please pause. I remind guests in the galleries that there must be silence or we will have to ask you to leave. Leader of the Opposition, please continue.
Ms CARNEY: Minister, why do you direct me and the people of Alice Springs to numbers that will not be answered? Are you prepared to give us your number so that they can ring you in the middle of the night?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I stand squarely behind the 131 444 number …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Dr BURNS: I can. As I said, police endeavour to answer those numbers - 80% within 20 seconds. I am not sure what sort of cute trick the member of your staff has tried on here, but we are used to …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister well knows that he should direct his comments through the Chair; that is the first point. The second point is that he was pointing at my staff. There is a convention in this parliament and others that members of staff are kept out of it. This rude liar should know different.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, you will withdraw your last comments. Leader of the Opposition, you will withdraw.
Ms CARNEY: Yes, Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word ‘liar’.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Move Motion of Censure
Move Motion of Censure
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended that would prevent this House from censuring the minister for Police for:
- (1) lying to the residents of Alice Springs about the capacity of local police to respond to …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, please pause.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, this is obviously a censure motion and the government will accept the censure motion. I ask that you withdraw the cameras, and that members place outstanding questions on the Written Question Paper.
Madam SPEAKER: I ask members of the media who are filming to cease filming now, please. While that is happening we will ask the Leader of the Opposition to move to the Dispatch Boxes.
Member for Blain there are no mobile phones in the Chamber, of course.
I ask visitors in the gallery to remain silent please.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016