2006-10-10
Crimes Against the Person - Statistics
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
In a year to year comparison of 2004-05 and 2005-06, rates of crime against the person in the Northern Territory increased in almost every regional centre around the Northern Territory. You continually say that your government is tough on crime. How is an overall increase of nearly 16% in personal crime rates from 2004-05 to 2005-06 being tough on crime? What specific policy measures have you brought into existence to tackle these significant increases?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is an important question. Tackling crime, both personal and property, is a key focus of government and one of the reasons why, when we came to government, we realised that our police force was massively under-resourced. We commissioned the O’Sullivan Report in 2003 and we are increasing police numbers by 200. Currently, there are 165 additional police officers. That certainly makes a difference when you are tackling crime, both in a property and a personal sense.
Between 2001 and this year, we have seen a downward trend in all categories of crime. Over the last year, we have seen some spikes in those areas and that is disappointing. It does not mean that we are not putting resources towards tackling crime, but it does mean that there have been some spikes. We have an overall downward trend in crime because of the resources we are putting in. Over the last year, in some categories in some parts of the Territory, we have seen increases; in other areas, we are seeing decreases.
If you take an area like domestic violence, we have police units targeting the insidiousness of domestic violence and the damage it does, and our police are working with the victims to get them to lay charges. This is really important. If we are going to break through the problems we have in protecting victims of domestic violence – usually it is women - we are going to see police putting more effort in and more charges brought. That means that we are going to have increases in some categories.
So, while you can say there are increases in some categories, in fact, it is a good thing in many ways that we are identifying these crimes and we are taking action.
Overall, we have seen decreases. I do not know whether the Minister for Justice wants to add something in response to this question. He has carriage of the specific figures, but …
Mr Stirling: You have answered the question.
Ms MARTIN: All right. I am saying that, while we are tackling crime, you will see increases in some areas. I know that we had great success with property crime. We have had some spikes in that area. Police have put in place renewed strategies to tackle that small increase in property crime, and we will keep doing that. It is not a matter of saying we have had a downward trend, it is going to stay that way forever. We have to be vigilant. When it comes to tackling personal crime, particularly those crimes of domestic violence, we will continue to track down perpetrators. We will continue to work with victims to bring those charges, and it will be reflected in our crime statistics.
Darwin City Waterfront Project – Darwin’s Future
Ms SACILOTTO to CHIEF MINISTER
The waterfront project is well under way and phase one is expected to open in 2008 as planned. What other ideas does the government have for Darwin’s future?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her important question. There was an important launch today: Creating Darwin’s Future.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, it is interesting to hear members of the opposition put down an exercise that is looking at Darwin’s future, and that is the first response you get from the Leader of the Opposition. It is very sad.
Darwin is a great city. It is the capital city of the Northern Territory. As we look around, there is lots of activity at the moment, particularly in the residential building sector, and also in the commercial sector. What we need to do in 2006 is look at the many strengths of Darwin, and how we build on them for the future. Government has decided that this is an appropriate time to talk to the many sectors of our community, working with Darwin City Council, Palmerston Council and Litchfield, with investors, the business community and the wider community, to look at how we build on those strengths for Darwin. We all want to make Darwin the best tropical harbour city.
This document, which I am happy to talk about with the opposition and the Independents, brings together existing developments, such as the waterfront, where we saw the steel structure of the convention centre being put in place yesterday. It looks at ideas for Darwin that have been around for quite a while, such as an Aboriginal cultural centre for the Larrakia, or the Lameroo baths. Those kinds of proposals have been around for a number of years and were dealt with under previous land use planning exercises.
We have identified what is happening, the proposals from the past, and we are inviting all sectors of our community to have their say, to put their best proposals forward. Let us look at the best ideas we have for the future of Darwin. One of the key areas is the way Darwin interacts with the harbour. A key feature of the waterfront is that, for the first time really, we are getting a development that embraces the water. People are already saying that they would like to see more of that. How do we use the Esplanade, the harbour, the parks? How do we better embrace what is happening in the harbour?
We also need to look at tropical streetscapes and urban design. As we are building Darwin, we need to ensure that we are building in the most effective, tropical way. There are new proposals around like a museum for the Defence of Darwin. It is a very exciting time, and it is a partnership exercise where we are building on the strengths of the past, we are building on proposals from the past and looking for new proposals from our community. It is about creating Darwin’s future, creating the best tropical harbour city in the world.
Rates of Personal Crime – Government Policy
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
How can you say you are tough on crime when personal crime rates, from 2004-05 compared to 2005-06 in Tennant Creek, have risen by over 40%; in Alice Springs by nearly 30%; Katherine by nearly 40%; and Gove by over 35%? What specific policies does your government have in place to address these disturbing increases in the rates of personal crime?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I answered part of that question in my answer to the first question the Opposition Leader asked. As I said, we have had downward trends over a number of years. We are seeing increases in some areas. I talked about the work being done by police in, for example, the Domestic Violence Unit. So there will be increases as we work with victims to bring those charges forward.
Another key area is dealing with alcohol, which has such an intrinsic relationship with crime and it is right across the Territory. I pay tribute to the people of Groote Eylandt. They have realised how damaging alcohol is. Two years ago, the land council and other key people on Groote said, it is time to make a stand. They have introduced a takeaway permit system in Groote. It took some working out with both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community and everyone is really committed. In one year of application of these new alcohol measures on Groote, they have seen crime rates down by at least 50%, right across the board, and in some areas down by 70%.
We are going to work with communities to put in place alcohol management plans. I pay tribute to Nhulunbuy. That plan is coming into place very shortly in Nhulunbuy. We have an alcohol management plan in place in Alice Springs,. We will continue to work with communities across the Territory. There is no doubt that alcohol and crime and violence are intrinsically linked in the Northern Territory. It has a damaging effect on everything we are trying to do: getting our kids to school and educated, or being able to manage the running of our hospitals. The impact of those who need hospital treatment, either as victims or those who have damaged themselves from drinking alcohol, is very high, particularly in Alice Springs.
We have strategies in place. I am not trying to pretend that we will not have figures go up and down. The trend lines are going in the right direction. We are determined to work with communities right across the Territory to put in place substantial change so that we see those downward trends continue.
Employment Opportunities in the Territory
Mr KNIGHT to TREASURER
A benefit of economic growth and development is the expansion of employment opportunities. Are Territorians receiving more employment opportunities as a result of the strong Territory economic growth which is bucking the national trends?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. It is a living truth for us that a strong economy such as we have must provide as many spin-offs for the people living in the Territory as possibly can. We are determined that employment and employment opportunities will be a very strong outcome of that economic growth that we have been experiencing over the last couple of years. We are producing very strong job growth. We have probably gone beyond that narrow skills shortage area to that of labour shortage right across the board. When you talk to businesses and employers, there is much evidence of that in the community.
Later this week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics will produce their unemployment and employment figures in the Labour Force Series. While we always expect some bounce around in the ABS figures, the overall trend in employment numbers is upward. The figures will probably show there are now well over 100 000 people employed in the Territory. Those official figures, of course, do not include the Defence Forces, which will contribute another 10 000 and push the figure to over 110 000.
Our participation rate is also extremely high at over 71%, against the national figure of just 65%, reflecting in part the youthful make up of the Northern Territory population. The most recent ANZ Job Series also shows continuing strong forward demand for workers - in the year to September, 2.5% growth in job advertisements compared to the previous year. This is modest in itself, but you must remember, last year was a big year, as was the year before, so we already have a very high base there, and continuing to grow against the high base of the last couple of years. That 2.5% growth in job advertisements stands in stark contrast to the national figure of negative 5.8%. So, negative 5.8% on a national average; plus 2.5% for the Territory.
For the month of September 2006 against September 2005, there was an increase of 12% compared to negative 4% nationally. Both Access Economics and Treasury predict this ongoing growth in employment numbers well through the medium term. Employment is predicted to grow at 2% over the next few years. Access Economics put that growth figure at 2.6% for the next five years. My colleague, the Minister for Employment, Education and Training, is concentrating on how best the government can assist business and employers to train and improve the skill levels of Territory workers to take up the many job opportunities that this growth is offering.
I can assure the House that Territorians across the board are experiencing a benefit from the economic growth of the Territory through the significantly improved employment opportunities and options.
Increases in Assault Figures
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
In the June quarter of 2002, Territory-wide assaults were just over 800. In the June 2006 quarter, there were over 1000. Can you tell Territorians how this increase, which is trending upwards from 2002, represents how your government is being tough on crime?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Araluen for her question. There has been an increase in crimes on the person, particularly within the last 12 months. The Chief Minister has already acknowledged that, and described to this House the measures that this government is taking to address, in particular, domestic violence. There are 19 officers across the Territory in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek who are targeting domestic violence and those offenders, particularly repeat offenders and repeat victims.
It is no secret. If you are looking for something that is hidden, like domestic violence, you will find more of it, and that is what is occurring. This government is absolutely committed to reducing domestic violence and the effects of domestic violence across the Territory.
The Leader of the Opposition asks what this government is doing in relation to crimes upon the person generally. As the Chief Minister alluded to, one of the major focuses of this government is on alcohol and its harmful consumption. Across the Territory, the average per capita consumption of pure alcohol, that is, the alcohol reduced, if you like, to pure alcohol, is somewhere around 18 to 20 litres per person. Australia-wide, it is about 7 litres per person.
It is no accident that I have been appointed minister for Police, Minister for Health and Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing. I can give the House the assurance that I am very focused on alcohol issues and reducing harmful consumption of alcohol throughout the Territory.
Much work has been done in Alice Springs. There remains a lot more work to be done in Alice Springs, in Tennant Creek, in Katherine and in Darwin in relation to this. I hope the opposition and the Independent members will be supporting us and supporting those communities to address this very important issue as so much of what we are talking about here regarding crimes against the person comes back to alcohol. As a community, we have to join together, work through these issues and find solutions to them.
NT Secondary Schools – Implementation of Middle Schooling
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Will the minister update the House on recent developments improving outcomes in Territory secondary schools?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, a new era in Territory schooling will be kicking off as the first term goes back in 2007 with the introduction of the middle years schooling approach across the Northern Territory. Having been minister for about six weeks now, I am excited about the implementation that is occurring across the Northern Territory. I pay tribute to the dedication of head teachers, teachers, and agency officers, not only in the Department of Employment, Education and Training but in the infrastructure department, with everyone working together to ensure that when the first term goes back in 2007, where we need infrastructure it will be there. All the teaching and timetabling issues are being sorted out. There is a huge amount of work going on.
It is also a very exciting time for education in the Northern Territory as a result of the biggest reforms seen for many years, and a $90m commitment in our Building Better Schools program and the infrastructure programs. We have made a $90m investment in improving education outcomes in the Northern Territory. I do not need to remind the House and honourable members that these reforms were opposed to by the opposition. That work is happening, and I pay tribute to everyone involved.
Fantastic work is happening in our schools, ranging from significant capital works at Casuarina Senior College. I was there a couple of weeks ago and I saw the works that have been undertaken. I will be talking to parents at the school council meeting later this week.
I recently visited a number of schools that are being impacted by the changes - Nightcliff High, Casuarina Senior College, Taminmin High, Darwin High, Centralian Senior Secondary College - to see if there is anything else we should be doing to assist those schools as they implement the changes. I will be visiting other schools that are being affected in the near future.
I am pleased to advise the House that we have introduced a number of additional Year 10 coordinators to assist those schools with planning for the Year 10 intake next year and that has been very well received. As well, the communications area of the Department of Employment, Education and Training is working with the schools to improve communication flows between teachers, students and parents.
This is like a huge jigsaw puzzle coming together, with large numbers of people across Employment, Education and Training, the infrastructure department, people in the private sector, teachers and parents, all coming together to ensure this is a success. I am paying very close attention to it, meeting on a weekly basis to ensure that nothing has fallen through the cracks. I put on the record, in my first question as minister for Education, my thanks to everyone involved in implementing these changes. They are doing a great job.
Trainee Teachers – Darwin Rural Schools
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Recently, both Humpty Doo Primary School and Howard Springs Primary School applied for a number of trainee teachers to teach at their schools next year for one day per week. Those schools were dumbfounded to find their applications were rejected by the university on the basis that they were too far away - a message the university gave the schools over the phone but would not put in writing.
Has the Berrimah Line now become the Charles Darwin University Line? Does the university know that the two rural schools are only 25 to 35 minutes from Casuarina, which is not much different than the time taken from Casuarina to Darwin city? Will you take up this matter with the university to reverse the decision so that teacher trainees can learn their craft at rural schools?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. That issue has not been brought to my attention, however, I give the member a guarantee that I will seek to get to the bottom of that issue and respond as soon as I can.
As the new minister, I had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor the other day when she brought me up-to-date on what is happening at Charles Darwin University. I am very pleased that I will be able to attend a major graduation ceremony on Friday evening.
The Vice-Chancellor advised that there was a steady increase in the number of teachers and nurses graduating through Charles Darwin University. My understanding and advice is that Charles Darwin University is focusing on increasing the number of teaching graduates that are being processed through the university. I am surprised to hear about this specific issue, but I will certainly take it on board and get back to the honourable member.
Domestic Violence Statistics
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
In your previous two answers, and the minister for Police’s previous answer, you referred to domestic violence. In light of your answers, I ask: can you provide an update on the status of the data collection project undertaken by your domestic violence advisory council, headed by Jane Lloyd? You will recall that that council advised you that the data collection for domestic violence needed to be updated.
Can you also provide details of the conviction rates for perpetrators of domestic violence? Why are the figures not provided in your government’s crime statistics about the rates of domestic violence, and because they are not, how then can you say that the increase in the crime figures is a result of increased domestic violence?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the issue of the data collection project and the other issues that were raised, I do not know whether the minister responsible has that data and whether I should …
Ms Carney: Your advisory council, I believe; Chief Minister’s advisory council.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The Chief Minister is answering the question.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, the Minister for Women’s Policy has carriage of that, quite properly …
Ms Carney: You do not know, okay.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, if the Opposition Leader asks a question, then making demeaning comments while you are trying to answer is not actually very productive.
Ms Carney: It is called the Chief Minister’s domestic violence advisory council.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: I would have thought that the Opposition Leader would have understood ministerial carriage. We read them out this morning and it has been the case for the last 12 months. I will pass to the Minister for Women’s Policy for that answer.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Women’s Policy): Madam Speaker, in relation to the Leader of the Opposition’s question, the Domestic and Family Violence Advisory Council has just finished looking at the whole data collection. That has only just come to me and we are looking at that. It will not only involve the Office of Women’s Policy but, because of the service delivery part where the Domestic and Family Violence Unit moved from the Community Engagement division of the Department of the Chief Minister and went to the Community Services division within the Department of Health and Community Services, there will be discussion. I am drafting a memo which will go the Minister for Family and Community Services about how we involve across interagency with those areas. It is not just about FACS, it is also police and other agencies that will need to take carriage of that.
Having a quick look at that report, yes, there have been some spikes and increases, but at the same time it shows that the Domestic and Personal Violence Protection Unit within the police force is certainly working, so there has been a very proactive approach taken by the police in those areas. I could provide further information to the House before the end of Question Time in relation to that. Yes, that report has come to me and I am having a look at it.
Police Force – Current Initiatives
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
The Martin government’s $75m program to rebuild our Police Force has entered its fourth and final year. Could you inform the House of current initiatives to increase police strength and presence in the community?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her very important question. On coming into this portfolio, one of the first briefs I received was in relation to progress with implementation of the recommendations of the O’Sullivan Report. I acknowledge the key role of my predecessor, the member for Wanguri, in acquiring the funding and implementing that report. It just brought home to me, once again, the freeze on recruiting that occurred between 1992 and 1994 inclusive, which has had a knock-on effect on our police force over many years. The O’Sullivan Report was all about restoring numbers to our police force - $75m, 200 extra police. I am proud to announce that we are well on target to …
Ms Carney: Oh, really.
Dr BURNS: … we are on target. The Leader of the Opposition can show off her graphs, but what we show is actually police on the beat.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Mills: You cannot say that.
Dr BURNS: Police on the beat. I can say that, member for Blain, and I have seen what you said in the media. I am more than willing to answer any questions you may have about that as well.
We are on target to recruit 200 extra police, which is very important. There has been a 55% increase in funding to our Police, Fire and Emergency Service since we came to power in 2001, a very significant increase. In budget 2006, $32m was earmarked for extra funding for the police. Some of that included a new coastal vessel, and the implementation of one of the O’Sullivan Report recommendations of a traffic branch for police.
In relation to the question asked by the member for Macdonnell, there are four new mobile police stations which are part of the arsenal that our police use against criminals and ne’er-do-wells. Each one can operate as a fully functional stand alone police station. It has phone and fax access to police databases for on-site checks on persons and crime. There is capacity in each one of those vehicles for three to four staff.
Alice Springs and Darwin have received their two-wheel-drive mobile police stations, and a four-wheel-drive mobile police station should be available for deployment to Katherine later this year, while the fourth vehicle is on order. The Alice Springs mobile police station has been deployed on many occasions, including the recent BassintheDust concert. All of these mobile police stations have been used in a variety of operational situations. They can target crime hot spots and be used as a base for major investigations. In particular, Neighbourhood Watch, with their conference at Lake Leanyer were very complimentary about these mobile police stations. They can also be used for breath testing and facilitating that particular function of police.
This is a government that is committed to our police force. We are tough on crime. We are also ensuring that our police are properly resourced, something that the CLP never did.
Crime Statistics
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
In your earlier answers, you said that the general trend of crime rates is down. In that question I outlined how, since 2002 compared to 2006, there has been an upward trend in assault rates and it has increased. They were higher in 2003 than they were in 2002; they were higher in 2005 than they were in 2002; and they are higher in 2006 than they were in 2002. How is it that you can say in this parliament that there is a downward trend in the crime figures when, in fact, by your own figures the trend is upwards?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the minister with carriage of these figures would like to talk to them, so quite properly I will refer the answer to him.
Ms Carney: Well, you were happy to answer it before.
Ms MARTIN: I will refer this answer …
Ms Carney: Oh, you chicken.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to withdraw.
Ms Carney: I withdraw that, Madam Speaker.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, we will look at these figures accurately and I will hand the response to the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General.
Mr STIRLING (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Araluen for her question. When we are talking about statistics, whether they are employment, whether they are crime, or whatever manner of statistics, whilst concentrating on one specific area as the Leader of the Opposition is doing, it is important, so there is not a distorted vision of what is going on out there, to step back and have a look at the whole. I am talking about the trends over the time 2001 to 2006 as opposed to year on year, or quarter by quarter, or month to month. In the same way that you take a narrow snapshot, often you get a very distorted picture. The long term, of course, tells a very different story.
For instance, property crime has fallen by 32% in the Territory in 2001 to 2006, largely due to more police on the beat, as the minister for Police pointed out, but also due to the introduction of the Property Crime Reduction Strategy. It has had particular success in Darwin, and Alice Springs with Task Force Billabong, where property crime has fallen 37% and 10% respectively, 37% in Palmerston, and 36% in Katherine.
If we go to the point of violent crime that the Leader of the Opposition is talking about now, a key goal for the police and for Justice was to encourage more reporting of violent crime wherever it occurred in the Northern Territory, and the police are achieving this. They are achieving it through the introduction of the Violent Crime Reduction Strategy. Reported violent crime increased 16% in the year to June; by 17% since 2001. That does not mean that 17% more crime has been committed. What it does mean is that more violent crime is being reported due to the proactive and strong policing being carried out by officers in our police force.
In my view, it shows that these initiatives are working. So I believe it is necessary to concentrate on and have a look at the whole rather than rather than specific instances being reported on particular intervals of time, as put forward by the Leader of the Opposition.
You have to take a step back and look at the whole. We are not denying that those increases have occurred. What we are saying is that there are particular proactive, strong, positive police measures in and around these crimes that are leading to this increase in reporting.
In relation to crimes against the person, crimes of violence, so often they are associated with alcohol or substance abuse. We are seeing the statistics. I hope the Commissioner for Police is able to release the Groote Eylandt story in the very near future, because I have had a sneak look. I have been privy to some of these figures coming through, and they are telling. They are telling at Nguiu on Bathurst Island where a simple reduction from full strength beer to mid-strength beer – police overtime - gone, police call-outs - gone, admissions to the health clinic for trauma and for injuries - way down. We are seeing that picture in Groote, we are seeing that picture in Nguiu, and we attribute it to what?
We attribute it to strong measures against alcohol abuse in connection with strong and proactive policing. We have to have both. It is not just alcohol on its own. It is the activity of the police on the ground as well. Those two initiatives together are leading the way. When we get the Groote Eylandt figures in the very near future we will see the level of reduction in these crimes against the person and crimes of violence because of getting on top of the alcohol abuse.
Madam SPEAKER: I remind visitors in the public galleries that there is to be no photography, either with mobile phones or with cameras during the sittings. It is against our standing orders.
Disability Services Review
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Last December, you announced a review of disability services throughout the Territory. Could you please update the House on the progress of that review?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. I know he is a very strong advocate of the needs of people with a disability. On 16 December last year, I launched a review of disability services right across the Territory. In doing so, I worked with my principal advisors on disability issues, the Disability Advisory Council, to establish the terms of reference for that review. This will be the first complete and comprehensive review of how the Northern Territory disability service system works.
The review will build on the significant investment this government has already made in disability services provision. We have doubled the budget - up by $32m to $65m this year. Our ambition is to build excellence in disability services. This means not just extra funding, but genuine engagement with people with disabilities, their carers and service providers to identify and respond to their current needs and, importantly, plan for our future needs. They will identify the practical things we need to do to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, their families and carers.
KPMG were appointed to undertake the review. Consultations have occurred right across the Territory, including 17 remote communities. The review will be completed this year. The review project management team included Ms Daphne Read, a senior executive member of Somerville Community Services. I note there are staff members here today from Somerville Community Services, and their executive officer, Vicki O’Halloran - I thank you for the work you do.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms LAWRIE: Somerville Community Services is an organisation that is one of our key partners in delivery, not just of disability services, but a whole range of services to Territorians in need. Somerville is an organisation that has stood the test of time. It has gone from strength to strength over 42 years. Somerville has become a part of the way of life in the Top End, from the Christmas gift wrapping service at Casuarina to numerous events throughout the year that provide a focus for bringing people together to create opportunities for Territorians.
I congratulate Somerville for their great work. It is an enormous effort for the paid staff, often above and beyond your normal working hours, and to all the volunteers who assist in the great work that Somerville does. I look forward to working with Somerville and our other community partners in implementation of the disability review findings.
Domestic Violence – Perpetrators’ Programs
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Under the Northern Territory Sentencing Act, a court may order a person found guilty of a domestic violence offence to attend a perpetrator’s program. Is the perpetrator program still operating? Where is it being offered? Could you advise how many of these orders been made, say, in the last two years, so we can have an indication of how many people are actually going through this program? Will you amend the Sentencing Act to make it mandatory, not voluntary?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will need to seek further information on the perpetrators’ program as explained by the member for Braitling. I advise the House and the member for Braitling this: I am a strong advocate of doing whatever we can in order to reduce the recidivism rate. That is what is driving the prison population; that is what is filling up our prisons, when we have 45% to 50% of people, having served time in prison, going back after release, doing the same or something else wrong again. Whatever interventions there have been - and in some cases there have not been any - there has been a failure to address the person’s behaviour, which puts them back in the same community, in the same situation and circumstances which led them into strife in the first place. Is it any surprise that they go on to commit another offence and are back in? That is the key to reducing the prison population. I will seek advice on that.
In relation to the whole range of programs to which offenders are exposed - and there are quite a significant number - could there be more? Yes. Are they adequately resourced? I would like to see more resources in and around particularly education. There is a role for accelerated literacy as a program to go in the prisons, given the strength that we see with students who are not reading anywhere near their chronological age. There is some evidence that older people, that is late teens and adults, can accelerate even more than the younger age with accelerated literacy.
The croc training program received some attention recently. It was much more than about crocodiles. It is about fencing, welding, painting - it is about employability skills …
Mrs Braham: Concentrate on the perpetrator program.
Mr STIRLING: … back in the community and I believe we need to ramp up those sorts of programs. The programs we now have - Alcohol and Other Drugs; Introduction to Land and Management; alcohol and other drug treatment programs; anger management treatment programs; indigenous family violence programs; cognitive skills; victim awareness; and sex offender treatment programs. If we are talking about perpetrator programs, that is the range that is offered inside our prisons. It is a decision by the courts at the time of sentencing that a particular offender participate and complete one of these programs.
I will pick up on the question from Hansard again and see what I have missed and get back to you in relation to do we think we need to make any change.
Mrs Braham: Just how often are they being referred to the program?
Water Safety Month
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Martin government has demonstrated strong leadership in promoting and implementing policies to improve water safety awareness in our community. Can you update the House on outcomes and initiatives arising from Water Safety Month?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his very important question. The launch of Water Safety Month 2006 commenced at Lake Bennett almost a month ago, and featured a 1.2 km and 5 km swim, coordinated by Swimming Northern Territory in conjunction with the Department of Local Government. The event attracted around 40 swimmers and ranged from junior through to master swimmers. I take this opportunity to congratulate Carol Bolton and Swimming Northern Territory for organising the event. I also congratulate all those swimmers who successfully completed the courses: Brett Leavers, Tanya Bower, Megan Gallagher, Nellie McLean and Luke Eggins.
The theme for Water Safety Month 2006 was Safe Fun Near Water. Basically, it was an attempt to broaden the month away from just swimming to include activities in all our aquatic environments, the beach, inland waterways and, of course, swimming pools. Some of you may have seen Boof, our mascot, on television over the last month or so. He has brought out a water safety booklet and posters, featuring key messages about water safety, fencing pools, carrying and use of safety equipment on boats and swimming between the flags.
It is also important that this is a Territory-wide program. Boof and the member for Macdonnell went to Santa Teresa. I understand that they had a great time. About 50 of the young children really did appreciate having the member for Macdonnell, and Boof visit. Boof also visited places such as Daly River, Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala and Maningrida. I pay tribute to two students from Maningrida High School, Jessica and Monica Taylor, who gave a presentation to the class which was very well done. To Monica and Jessica, thank you very much and well done.
There are always new initiatives occurring in this particular area, and I thank Imparja Television in Alice Springs which has been working very closely with the NT Water Safety Branch. They came up with a jingle this year which has been played on Imparja Television throughout the course …
Ms Carney: He is getting worried, we are both looking at him.
Mr McADAM: Do you want me to sing it? That could be a problem. Imparja Television is prepared to play that over the next 12 months as a community service announcement. It also involved Yamba, the Honeyant, who is also spreading the message out there about water safety.
There are many people I want to thank who made this event such an important one, in particular, Glenda Spark, Leigh Peterson, Graham Franklin and Amanda Shipway from the Water Safety Branch of my department. They do a great job and I applaud them for all their hard work. Imparja Television, which I mentioned previously, Mr Alistair Feehan who is the CEO, Sam Dawson, Natasha Appo, Matt Parr, who produced the community service announcement, and to Mr Andy Bruyn from Channel 9, which is also going to provide community service announcements on television; the songwriter, Julie McAllen, who wrote the jingle; and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart school in Alice Springs who provided the venue and Lil’ Antz who organised it; and to all the beautiful young kids there. Also, to the children at Parap Pool who played an important role in getting the message out. To the Northenr Territory News and Centralian Advocate, thank you very much.
Most importantly, I thank all our young people and our parents who helped …
Mrs Braham: You could have tabled this - all the thanks – to save time.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Mr McADAM: Thank you. I conclude by thanking all our young people and the parents who obviously know this is such a very important thing. Prior to 2002, we had one of the highest death rates by drowning of children under five, to zero in 2006. That is something which we should never be complacent about; we should always be vigilant.
It is a great event. The member for Nhulunbuy might be happy to know that next year is the national Year of the Lifesaver, so we will focus on the beach with the message about water safety.
Crime Statistics
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
When comparing the June 2005 and June 2006 quarter crime statistics, the Territory-wide figures show that every area of property crime has risen by an average of 20%, and that includes a rise of over 40% in commercial property break-ins. As you would be aware, the Northern Territory Police Association has said that government will not achieve its 200 new operational police target by the end of this year. What specific policy measures do you have in place to address rising crime rates when you failed to get - and will fail to get - the numbers of police you want, especially when you see headlines like this: ‘Our beat cops go missing’? What are you going to do about it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Araluen for her question. As the member for Nhulunbuy said, what you need to do is have a look at the full picture, not necessarily a snapshot of month to month, quarter to quarter, or year to year. If you are talking about property crime, I believe this graph really illustrates the decrease and the trend downwards in property crime since this government came to power in 2001.
There are quite a few elements to that decrease that has occurred. One of them is intelligence-led policing - and I believe someone alluded to that earlier. That is certainly a key for breaking the theft gangs that have operated within our community, breaking into houses and stealing and then pawning stolen items for cash or drugs. There have been a number of operations with time that have really targeted these people who are repeat offenders. As you read in the newspaper reports, substantial amounts of property are retrieved and the number of break-ins associated with these groups is substantial. However, it is a matter of vigilance.
The other issue that I would point to is that back in 2001 there were high levels of property crime associated with drugs, particularly opiate and prescription drugs, which the previous government had just let run rampant. In fact, there were drug gypsies, I would call them, from all over Australia who would come to the Northern Territory for an easy fix, and it was an easy fix under the previous government. Even in opposition, they still do not acknowledge the fact that there is this close link between drugs and crime. It is something that this government acknowledged and continues to acknowledge.
Ms Carney: You said it was domestic violence before. What is the line? We better have an even …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Yes, member for Araluen, there has been an increase in property crime year-on-year over the past 12 months - 20% is the figure that has been quoted. However, that is 20% in this fairly volatile but downward trending graph. That is very important to acknowledge.
At the Neighbourhood Watch conference a couple of weeks ago, the Police Commissioner referred to these crime statistics and said that police are continuing to be vigilant in their intelligence-led policing and are targeting those groups which are repeat offenders. He gave an undertaking then that there would be renewed effort to break these gangs and to keep this line trending downwards, as it has over the life of this government, both in the last Assembly and within this Assembly.
Central Australian Art Society
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for ARTS and MUSEUMS
It was recorded that the premises of the Central Australian Art Society was burnt to the ground, leaving this cultural group without a home. What has been done to assist the Arts Society?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am sure that all members from Alice Springs eagerly await the answer to this important question, particularly for Alice Springs and the arts community. Recently, a terrible fire pretty much wiped out the much loved shed of the Central Australian Art Society, or CAAS, in Crispe Street in Alice Springs on 15 August.
On a recent visit to Alice Springs I met with the CAAS President, Dugald Beattie, and Sarah Brown, one of the committee members, who took me to see the shed. It was quite depressing to see the aftermath of the fire. Many of the CAAS membership lost years of work as well as equipment and materials in the blaze.
I am pleased to inform, not just the Assembly, but members from Central Australia, that we have responded quickly to assist CAAS. A building has been located at the Araluen Centre; one of the heritage buildings formerly occupied by the Steiner School, as temporary premises for the Art Society while they rebuild. It was a nice way of combining my Arts and Heritage portfolio. With the prompt assistance of my colleague, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, whom I thank, the CAAS lease over the Crispe Street site has now been renewed which will assist the society to make their plans and raise finances for the rebuilding efforts ahead. I thank my department staff at Araluen for acting so swiftly, as well as those in the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. It is great to see the two departments working like this.
Members, and I am sure the member for Braitling, would know, the Central Australian Art Society is one of the oldest groups in Central Australia and perhaps in the whole of the Northern Territory. It was established in 1963 and has played a long role in the art scene in Alice Springs. Over the past 10 years, 700 to 1000 and - I know the Leader of the Opposition does not really care about Central Australia or the art scene there. She thinks it is quite amusing …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am not prepared to cop that. What an inane statement. I do ask that you withdraw it and, if you are not minded to do so, then direct the minister to be at least be honest when she is talking in this Chamber
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, I ask you to withdraw the last comment. Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to withdraw your comments about honesty in relation to the minister. I have asked both of you to withdraw.
Ms CARNEY: I withdraw the comment, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Back to CAAS, which is very important. … seven hundred to 1000 works from over 600 artists, with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists participating and over $20 000 in prize money to artists. The shed has been a welcomed meeting place for the Western Desert Dialysis Unit mob and work for the Ngurratjuta Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, and the list goes on. We are talking about a great community organisation and one that deserves our support. I wish CAAS all the best. Next Sunday, they are having a fundraising activity. To all the members in Central Australia it would be good to get out there on 20 October to be part of this fundraising activity for CAAS so that they can get the needed finance to help them with their rebuilding activities. That is the challenge to the members from Central Australia.
Police Resources
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
A newspaper article yesterday reported that a senior police officer escaped investigation for DUI following a complaint from a member of the public. Was it the case that there were not enough police to investigate that matter? What faith can Territorians have in our great policemen and women if those policemen and women do not have enough resources to even investigate drunk drivers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am not going to thank the member for Araluen for her question because I believe it is a ‘below the belt’ type of question casting a slur on our policemen and women. This is an operational matter.
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: I saw who passed you that newspaper article. Most people listening to this would know exactly who that person was.
I am not going to comment on this. This is an operational matter. It will be handled by the police and the Police Commissioner and that is the end of that matter.
Smoke-Free Areas Legislation
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
Over the last few years, your government has made some changes to smoking regulations, but your government is once again the winner of this year’s Dirty Ashtray Award. When is your government going to declare gaming areas such as casinos and clubs smoke free, as happens at the Burswood Casino in Perth? Or, is the government influenced by the taxes it gets from gaming and does not want to risk losing that financial windfall?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Smoking issues are ones that I am vitally interested in, but I would have to say it lies within the portfolio of my colleague, and she will answer that question.
Ms LAWRIE (Family and Community Services): Madam Speaker, quite appropriately, I respond to this as I have responsibility for the Alcohol and Other Drugs program which includes responsibility for our tobacco legislation.
The Alcohol and Other Drugs program has very recently been on a program of enforcement of the existing tobacco laws. What we found when we came to government in 2001 was that, every year - year in, year out - we received the Dirty Ashtray because we did not have any significant law to tackle tobacco in our society. I take my hat off to the member for Nightcliff. As Minister for Health and Community Services at that time, she embarked on a program of law reform to introduce significant tobacco legislation into the Northern Territory. That shifted us from an area where we had no control in our pubs, clubs and casinos in terms of tobacco legislation, to bringing in smoking and non-smoking areas. It was a significant shift in the way the Territory community were legislated in terms of tobacco smoke. We take the issue of passive smoke very seriously indeed.
The government has been working with industry to implement this legislation. We embarked on a review of the effectiveness of that legislation. The review told us that compliance was not where it should be, that, essentially, whilst we had the legislation in place, some of the pubs and clubs and venues around the Territory were not complying with that legislation. The government recently took the decision, as the next step in our attempts to tackle the prevalence of smoking in our community to enforce compliance with the existing legislation. We have had inspectors from the Alcohol and Other Drugs program systematically going throughout the Northern Territory to all of our licensed venues.
We worked in consultation with the Australian Hotels Association. I thank them for cooperating in this, because they are the industry representative body of these licensed venues. They were prepared to stand up and say: ‘We agree that the legislation is reasonable and responsible and we will play our role in getting our industry members to comply’. The AHA has embarked on what we call an observer program, where they accompanied our tobacco inspectors to licensed premises. We are in the midst of that enforcement program at the moment.
You might have seen some publicity recently where some licensed premises’ owners are complaining about the compliance enforcement. Rest assured: this government is about enforcing its tobacco legislation. We will ensure that people attending places such as the casino can enjoy the venue in both smoke-free areas and, of course, we know that in the casino as an example, smoking is allowed in the drinking areas. Part of the government’s commitment is to continually watch what happens interstate in terms of the staggered approach to the introduction of smoke-free areas across various licensed premises. Some jurisdictions have gone the whole hog already and introduced complete smoking bans, others are still not there. Because we started behind the eight ball, we were the last jurisdiction to introduce any compliance and we are bedding down our compliance regime. At the same time as watching what happens in other jurisdictions, we are working with industry to ensure it is effective and, importantly, we are raising public awareness of the harm of tobacco smoking.
Australian Idol – Jessica Mauboy
Mr BONSON to CHIEF MINISTER
During the last sittings, you told the House about the efforts of talented young Territory performer Jessica Mauboy. Could you please give the House an update on how she has fared since then?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank you, member for Millner. It is really disheartening for a young Territorian, who is probably doing us the best in marketing - and I could not think of the dollars that we could spend on marketing that are better than what Jessica Mauboy is doing.
Mrs Braham: There are many young Territorians fighting for glory. You never mention them. What about the …
Ms MARTIN: I am glad to stand here and pay tribute to a young 17-year-old from Wulagi. I am proud to do that, because, on the national level, I believe she is doing the Territory proud, and if I could sing I would sing her praises. She is doing it for us, Madam Speaker.
Mrs Braham: You are putting down all of the other Territory finalists. What about them? Why do you not stand up and talk about their achievements? Tennis stars.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Ms MARTIN: I pay tribute to Jessica. She sang on Sunday night to get herself through to the next round, the final seven of Australian Idol. She gave a great performance of Donna Summers On the Radio, and she needed to do it. She did not perform well the week before. She was in the last three and we nearly lost her to the competition, however, she came back last Sunday with a beauty. She showed what guts, determination and talent she has. I believe every Territorian should be gigantically proud, and everyone in this House should be gigantically proud of Jessica.
After Sunday’s performance, Marcia Hines said that Jessica had one of the finest voices she has ever heard - that is a great tribute to young Jessica. Kyle Sandilands, who has always been a bit difficult, has turned himself round with Jessica and paid tribute to how she has developed through the Australian Idol competition. He said that she had turned herself from something that I will not repeat again, into an artist who could sell well internationally. What a great tribute, again, to a young Territorian.
I do not apologise for singing her praises. I say to everyone, keep voting for Jessica. You can vote for Jessica because you are a Territorian and she is a Territorian, or you can vote for Jessica simply because you are a Territorian and she is a young Territorian doing a wonderful job for us, or you can vote for her because she is extraordinarily talented and she is winning through one round to the next. Do not forget, watch on Sunday night, and it is Jessica 191010.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016