2007-11-29
Government Taxi Subsidy
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
On 13 September, you held a media conference introducing a $10 bonus for drivers of multipurpose taxis who service people in wheelchairs. I have a copy of a draft media release e-mailed from your office to the taxi industry prior to that announcement. This e-mail totally omits the information that the scheme will be subsidised through a 15% increase in the cost of a standard taxi licence. Did you deceive the taxi industry to avoid the prospect of critical comments from the industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the shadow minister for the question. I welcome representatives of our taxi industry here today, many of whom I meet with on a regular basis. They are very hard-working people. They are often in invidious circumstances out on the streets late at night. We are working closely to try to improve the security and safety of our taxis on the road at night. I look forward to continuing that work.
The government recognises that taxi drivers have faced increased costs. That is why, last month, the government increased tariffs right across the Territory. We are very proud, though, of our announcement to introduce a $10 lift fee. That lift fee is for wheelchair passengers. That is to provide an incentive for drivers who are driving taxis which are already subsidised through the licence regime to collect disabled Territorians, because this government believes that disabled Territorians deserve the same rights and the same access to transport that all Territorians deserve.
The government stands proud. We introduced a lift fee after years of people calling for it, and we have worked hard to get that detail into place.
The lift fee increase includes a 1.8% increase in the tariff, that the drivers will take through the tariff and go into the pockets of operators, compensating them, in part, for providing that extra service. As well, we have increased the standard taxi licence costs by 15%, from $16 000 to $18 400. That increase on an MPT taxi licence cost is $8000 going to $9200. There has been no licence fee increase since 1999. CPI alone, at this stage, would have that licence fee at $20 000 as opposed to the $18 400 which it has gone up to.
What we are saying is, consumers will be paying around 36 on a $20 trip to help pay for the access and equity issue for people in wheelchairs relying on getting a taxi to and from the hospital, or even, as they have a right to do, enjoying a social life. In this system, everyone is paying a little bit to ensure the most disadvantaged in our society enjoy a taxi ride like anyone else.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The core of the question was, why was that essential piece of information missing from the press release, that there was a 15% increase in the cost of a taxi licence? That has not been addressed.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, there is no point of order.
Mr MILLS: That was missing from the press release.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain.
Mr MILLS: Deliberately.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw you attention to the presence in the Gallery of Year 9 Dripstone High School students, accompanied by Ms Jess Gurgen. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Federal Labor Cabinet - Appointments
Mr KNIGHT to CHIEF MINISTER
The Prime Minister-Elect, Kevin Rudd, today announced the make up of his new front bench. Can you advise the House what plans you have for working with the new team in Canberra and any good news for the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. That is more good news for the Territory. I welcome all Territorians to the House today. It is good to see the galleries full, especially Dripstone High School, one of the feeder schools in my electorate and my son, Alasdair, is up there from Dripstone, as well as my wife, so it is great to see them here.
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: Well, this is the House of the people, and it is just great to see people here because, quite often, there is nobody here for Question Time.
It has been good news for the Northern Territory this morning, with the announcement of the Kevin Rudd ministry. I particularly welcome the appointment of Warren Snowdon, and I have telephoned to congratulate him, as Minister for Defence Science and Personnel. What an appropriate position for Warren Snowdon, the member for Lingiari, who has represented the people of the Northern Territory for many years in the federal parliament. I know Warren has very solid and close relationships with Defence Force personnel in the Northern Territory. He has always been a great supporter of the Defence presence in the Northern Territory.
The fact that we have one of our own who will be working as the minister for all of the thousands of Defence personnel based in the Northern Territory is not only a huge testament to Warren and the attributes that he brings to the role, but real recognition from Kevin Rudd, as Prime Minister, that, in the Northern Territory, our Defence personnel are a vital part of our community and our economy. To appoint one of the local members and representatives from the Northern Territory to be their minister certainly shows that Kevin Rudd has his eyes on the Northern Territory.
In another piece of good news, another great friend of the Northern Territory, and a personal friend of mine for many years, Gary Gray has been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure with responsibility for Northern and Regional Australia. Gary Gray has lived in the Northern Territory; he has been a fantastic friend of the Northern Territory. He knows the Northern Territory well. He knows many on this side of the House personally. He worked here for many years. I have not had a chance to give Gary a call. He won his seat in Western Australia in Perth on Saturday night, and straight in. There have been very solid commitments by the incoming Rudd Labor government to infrastructure projects, particularly roads in the Northern Territory, and we are going to seize that opportunity with both hands. To be able to work with Gary Gray in rolling out that infrastructure is absolutely wonderful news.
At the beginning of this week, I said there is a golden opportunity for this new Labor government in the Northern Territory to work in partnership with the new federal Labor government to really move this Territory ahead. I believe the appointments by Kevin Rudd today really show that he has the Northern Territory at heart in appointing Warren Snowdon and Gary Gray to these positions. It is going to mean a great deal to the Territory. On behalf of all Territorians, congratulations to Warren Snowdon and Gary Gray.
Members: Hear, hear!
Government Taxi Subsidy
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
The official media release on the day of the announcement of the $10 lift fee for taxi drivers fails to mention that, under the changes, taxi drivers picking up people in wheelchairs cannot charge for waiting during the process, and that therefore effectively consumes the $10 subsidy value. Was that critical information omitted also to avoid the prospect of adverse comments from taxi drivers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the shadow minister for transport. I am not sure what draft he has, he has not tabled it. The advice …
Mr Mills: Happy to, there were two of them, one before and one after.
Madam SPEAKER: If you seek leave to table it, member for Blain.
Mr Mills: This will be interesting for you.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, could you seek leave to table the documents?
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table the two media releases issued at two completely different times.
Leave granted.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, in terms of the very important issue for the member of Blain and detail in my media release, I was advised by my media adviser at the time that we are not sure what draft he has. The final media release, which I authorised and distributed to promote the fantastic news that we were putting a system in place to provide improved access for people with a disability to get a taxi, access they should have had in the first place because we issued special licences at a 50% reduced rate to those people operating our very important MPT fleet, said:
- The scheme will be subsided through a 15% rise in standard taxi licence costs and a 1.8% increase in taxi fares.
The member for Blain is very excited but the media release that I authorised and released says exactly what subsidises the scheme.
Royal Darwin Hospital –
Improvements in Service Delivery
Improvements in Service Delivery
Mr BONSON to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please outline to the House the importance of Royal Darwin Hospital for Territory families and the improvements we have made to it to deliver services?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner. Today, I had the pleasure of visiting Royal Darwin Hospital with the Health Minister. We spent a couple of hours there this morning looking at various parts of the hospital. They provide a fantastic service to Territorians. As I said two days ago, as Chief Minister, a key focus will be to continue to improve health services for Territory families.
The centrepiece of our health system in the Northern Territory is Royal Darwin Hospital. It is one of the busiest hospitals in the country. Patients arrive at Royal Darwin Hospital from all over the Northern Territory. It is the centrepiece of our health system that this government has invested very heavily in over the last few years.
Members might remember, quite a few years ago, when Ward 3B, one of the wards at the hospital, was closed by the former CLP government and administration staff were moved into that ward. When the current Health Minister came to the portfolio, I know one of his key priorities was to get that ward open again and get patients back into the ward. We opened it today. The new ward has 24 beds, including 12 new beds. Talking to senior clinical staff there today, the ward has been open for a week and it is already easing the pressure in other parts of the hospital. This government made a commitment to Territorians of 24 new beds at Royal Darwin Hospital and, to date, with this commitment, that is 18 beds that have been opened with another six to go.
I used to work at Royal Darwin Hospital. It was great to be there today and to see how much it has changed since I worked there the last time - probably around 1998-99. It was great to see so many familiar faces I have not seen for many years still working at the hospital.
We have increased the Royal Darwin Hospital budget by 85% since we came to government in 2001. What does that mean? It means an extra 70 beds at Royal Darwin Hospital - that is up 24%. We have nearly 25% more beds at Royal Darwin Hospital than when we came to government in 2001.
I also visited the Rapid Admission Unit today. Those 24 additional beds have really taken the pressure off. Talking to some of those great frontline staff at Accident and Emergency, they are very appreciative of that facility. I was also advised that one of the senior clinical emergency department specialists from Queensland visited the Rapid Admission Unit, and he said that this was a state-of-the-art facility, unmatched in any hospital anywhere in Australia. I pay my thanks and respect to the former Health Minister, Dr Peter Toyne, who really drove this initiative.
Across the health system, we have employed an extra 115 medical and 318 nursing staff since we came to government in 2001. Other investments at Royal Darwin Hospital have included a $2.2m elective surgery blitz this year that has seen the numbers of people waiting for elective surgery decrease by 34%. Also, we had the opening of the new birth centre which I visited today. What an incredible facility that is.
Madam Speaker, there are 1700 people working at Royal Darwin Hospital. It is the biggest workplace in Darwin by quite a long way. On behalf of this House and all Territorians, I say a very big thank you to all those dedicated staff who provide such a fantastic service; they do a great job.
Members: Hear, hear!
Government Taxi Subsidy
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
Considering that passengers will pay - you call it a government subsidy – but, in fact, passengers will pay for the $10 lift fee through higher taxi fares, have you not turned taxis into Territory tax collectors? Shouldn’t the government Taxi Subsidy Scheme, as you call it, be called a taxi passenger tax scheme? By not allowing taxis to turn on their meters when they arrive to pick up people in wheelchairs, have you not now reduced the government’s assistance to people with disabilities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for his question. I will just go back to what the scheme is about. The scheme is about the incentive for drivers to pay for the time that they are loading and unloading a person confined to a wheelchair or a motorised scooter. That is the scheme I have talked about on air, on radio. That is the scheme that Daryl Manzie understands, and maybe you might have a chat to him about it.
We have always said it is about compensating drivers, as opposed to the existing compensation that sits in there for the licence holders, the operators. It has always been about compensating drivers for the time they take to load and unload the person with a disability who has a right to access to a taxi like anyone else does. This is the scheme, and this is how it is operated – we have, very clearly, gone out publicly in my media release and said how the scheme will be funded. We have said the scheme will be subsidised through a 15% rise in standard taxi licence costs and a 1.8% increase in taxi fares.
When you say that everyone is contributing to this scheme through the payment of the 36 in the $20 fare, most people I have spoken to believe that is fair. When you look at the 15% increase in the licence fee, that 15% is recouped, plus more profit, within one year of operating a taxi.
Mr Mills: Oh, really? Have you consulted the industry on that?
Ms LAWRIE: I have consulted with the industry.
Royal Darwin Hospital – New Ward
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for HEALTH
As we have already heard from the Chief Minister today, a new ward was opened at Royal Darwin Hospital. Can you inform the House of how this new ward will improve services for Territorians at Royal Darwin Hospital?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. The strategic directions and initiatives that we have implemented at Royal Darwin Hospital are all about reducing what is called access block. For many years, Royal Darwin Hospital has suffered from access block, that is, all the beds in the hospital are full, you cannot admit people from Accident and Emergency into the wards, therefore there are waiting times and overload in Accident and Emergency.
The reopening of Ward 3B has been part of the strategy to reduce access block within our hospital. It also fulfils, in the large part, the election commitment we made in 2005 to put 24 fully-funded beds into Royal Darwin Hospital. Six have already been implemented in previous years since the election, and there are another 12 to go into Ward 3B, which brings our commitment to 18, with six to come in the 2008-09 financial year, and that will be fulfilled.
As a government, we have invested very heavily in Royal Darwin Hospital, as the Chief Minister has said, with 85% extra funding and extra beds. There are 70 extra beds when you look at ward beds, but when you include the Rapid Admission Unit of 24 beds, it brings that up to 100 extra beds since 2001.
This is a government that has invested heavily in Royal Darwin Hospital. We all recognise that Royal Darwin Hospital is a flagship of our health system. The media asked me today if I was not to be Health Minister anymore after tomorrow - we all know what happens tomorrow, we will have new portfolio allocations – what I see as the greatest ongoing challenges in the Health portfolio. To improve Aboriginal health is a major aim and a major priority of the Health portfolio, not just the Health portfolio but across government. I believe the Commonwealth intervention and extra funding to flow into primary health care to support better health for indigenous people across the Territory is a priority. I also mentioned our hospitals, and Royal Darwin Hospital in particular.
We have invested heavily. I would like to see Royal Darwin Hospital have a good spruce up. I have been talking with the CEO and the General Manager about that.
Ms Carney: You have an extra $1bn in your budget. You reckon you could afford it?
Dr BURNS: It is an old structure; everyone knows that. If you took the time, Leader of the Opposition, to go out there like your shadow minister has, you would see the Rapid Admission Unit, a state-of-the-art unit - $7.8m and 80 extra staff. There is more to be done at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Similarly, in Alice Springs Hospital, we are investing $5m in the new Emergency Department. It has already gone out to tender and, like Royal Darwin Hospital, we are aiming to reduce access block within Alice Springs Hospital. Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of Alice Springs Hospital is the completely botched work that was done there by the previous CLP government and we are still picking up the pieces.
We are government that has a strategy, we have a direction, and we also fulfil our election promises.
One Mile Dam - Relocation of Residents
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
In the Northern Territory News on 28 October, it was stated that the people of One Mile Dam had vowed to stand their ground in the face of the Territory government’s plans to redevelop the site. The Northern Territory News went on to say that the Chief Minister, Clare Martin, refused to say whether the residents would be moved against their wishes. Are you going to move these people against their wishes? Why cannot Aboriginal people live on their own land near the CBD, or is it the case that the One Mile will not look good amongst the new upmarket development proposed next door?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. The area in which One Mile Dam is located was in and around the tank farms. As members would appreciate, those tank farms have been relocated out of the Stuart Park area. As part of Creating Darwin’s Future, the Northern Territory government, through the Chief Minister, conducted extensive public consultation, asking people if they wanted to see parkland in the old Stuart Park tank farm area.
The overwhelming public feedback was that they believe having parkland in the old Stuart Park tank farm area is fantastic. In the information that went out to the public, and that was in shopping centres, which was broadly consulted and discussed, always had the area of One Mile Dam highlighted as proposed future parkland. The government is currently considering the information that came back. We will be sitting down and talking to the residents of One Mile Dam.
We are at the start of the next tranche of consultation. It is very important to sit down with the people who live in that area and find out what their housing needs are if they were to move. It is very early days at the start of consultation with the residents of One Mile Dam to find out what their personal circumstances are and what they would require if they were to move.
Government Taxi Subsidy - Licence Fees
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
By undertaking a press conference without informing taxi operators of the new licence fee increase, and taxi drivers of the limiting of fare time, and the industry and public that it will ultimately bear the cost of your increased licence fees through increased fares, did you not in fact mislead the public, taxi drivers and operators? Will you now apologise to taxi operators for your dishonest, misleading, deceptive and offensive action of Tuesday, 13 September?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I totally reject the remarks from the member for Blain. He is not the shadow minister for transport, so he is leading with his chin. It is interesting that the shadow minister for transport, the member for Katherine, is silent on this issue …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Blain, I would like you to reword that question, please.
Mr Mills: The whole lot of it?
Madam SPEAKER: Just the last part where you were referring to the ‘misleading’. I would like you to reword that part, as you would probably be aware, member for Blain.
Mr MILLS: Is misleading …
Madam SPEAKER: It is unparliamentary, so if you could reword that.
Ms Lawrie: You are aware that misleading is - if you want to censure me, bring it on, mate!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, please resume your seat.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Blain, if you could please reword the question?
Mr MILLS: Misleading certainly - perhaps misinform …
Madam SPEAKER: Misinform is fine.
Mr MILLS: … lead astray or hoodwink.
Ms Carney: Hoodwink.
Mr MILLS: Hoodwink, thank you!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain! Minister, continue!
Ms LAWRIE: The only one doing any hoodwinking in this Chamber is the member for Blain because, very clearly, he has cloth ears. He raised the issue …
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have a good memory, Madam Speaker. You would not allow me to use ‘cloth ears’ 12 months ago. I believe it is only fair.
Ms Lawrie: Ah, a bit sensitive today.
Mr Mills: It is quite a rude word.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, resume your seat. Minister, please continue.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I withdraw ‘cloth ears’. He is a bit sensitive today.
In terms of the preceding debate in the Chamber at Question Time, I very clearly stated that the final media release that I approved as minister had …
Mr Mills: So are you blaming your staff now, are you?
Ms LAWRIE: Not at all. I am telling you the facts. I quote: ‘The scheme will be subsidised through a 15% rise in standard taxi licence costs and a 1.8% increase in taxi fares’. Further, I advise that my staff have let me know that they contacted the taxi council representative to say, ‘here is a draft’. They contacted him again to say, ‘here is the final’, and the final very clearly had in it what I just said. So, saying that I deliberately did not inform the taxi council of the increase in licence fees, my staff clearly did.
Ms Carney: Oh, you got someone else to tell them.
Mr Mills: Someone else removed the offensive sentence. Who was it?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Not at all.
Mr Mills: Oh, the CLP probably did it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms Carney: Oh, we probably did it inadvertently.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs Miller: Retrospective to 1999.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Crusty Demons
Mr KNIGHT to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
It was delightful this morning to hear about the improvements in Royal Darwin Hospital in light of the recent announcement you made about the Crusty Demons, who were in need of some medical attention last time they came to Darwin. Territorians love motor sports, and I was wondering if you could update the House on recent developments with that consultation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yes, I am aware that one of the Crusty Demons did nearly miss the whole performance as he was knocked off his bike in the first ride and was a bit shaken. I was very pleased to announce recently that the Crusty Demons are coming back to the Territory in 2008. They put on a stellar performance in 2005 – one of the biggest shows, and the first ever show in open air. Eleven thousand Territorians enjoyed the performance.
I was very impressed by these guys and what they can do on normal motorbikes. I was not very impressed when I actually rode on the back of the motorbike with Steve Mini. Unfortunately, it was a single seat motor bike, so I had to sit on the hard bit, and it was bumpy and very painful. I am pretty sure people will once again vote with their feet and go to see the Crusty Demons. This time, they told me it is going to be the biggest show they have ever performed. They will have more ramps, more stands, more lighting and a spectacular fireworks display. It is going to be a family show. The government is very happy to contribute $50 000. It will be a family show because there are going to be totally separate areas …
Ms Carney: So Len will not be there, then hey?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: … security controlled. The government is very pleased to provide $50 000 to ensure the Crusty Demons come back. We will provide a free bus service, which is always good, so if people want to enjoy themselves, they can get an easy ride home.
The Crusty Demons will to perform in Darwin on 31 May 2008. The tickets will be on sale from the first week after the New Year. I know that some of us will enjoy attending the spectacular international show coming back to the Territory.
Local Government Reform – Number of Shires
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Tuesday morning, on ABC radio, in relation to local government reform, you said: ‘I am going to get an incoming brief at 3 o’clock this afternoon. It is an issue that is right up the top of my agenda’. Last night, on Channel 9, you said that there were going to be eight shires under local government reform, but everyone knows there will be nine. Your embarrassing mistake may stem from the fact that the government is constantly rewriting the very bill that it is now seeking some delay in introducing.
We printed a copy of the bill from the government website today. We understand that copy is the third draft and it is dated 20 September. Is it not the case that you have delayed the bill, not to listen to Territorians as you claim, but because your government’s carriage of the drafting process has been a shambles?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. Far from being a shambles, there has probably been more consultation on this very significant public policy reform in the Northern Territory than probably anything else …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: My colleague, the minister for …
Mr Wood: With a transition committee that meets on a Wednesday!
Mr HENDERSON: My colleague, the Minister for Local Government – I know the member for Nelson thinks that he is the great oracle and the only person who knows anything about local government in the Northern Territory …
Mr Wood: You can throw that around, but you do not know what you are talking about.
Mr HENDERSON: … but I would appreciate it if he would give me the chance to answer the question.
There has been an extraordinary amount of consultation. Yes, I did have a very extensive incoming brief on Tuesday on this very important issue. The decision that I made yesterday - and the question that I asked - about how many new shires, in fact, there are eight new shires and one existing shire, which is the Tiwi Island Local Government Shire. I suppose I asked the wrong question in terms of the incoming brief, but that is by the by.
The issue of the decision that was made yesterday by this government is that we will put the entire package out, which is the latest draft of the Local Government Bill that has been amended on a number of occasions since it was first put out for comment on 17 September. We have listened. The minister has listened. The draft has been amended on a number of occasions …
Mr Wood: The third draft was still there this morning, minister.
Mr HENDERSON: … what version is on the website at the moment, I do not know.
Mr Wood: Well, you should know.
Mr HENDERSON: We will put the entire package out, including the latest draft as amended, with all of the business plans from all of the shires across the Northern Territory so Territorians can see the entire package as a whole. People in different shires can look at different business plans and say: ‘If I am in the East Arnhem Shire or the West Arnhem Shire, how is that different from the Macdonnell Shire? What sort of services are going to be provided?’ People can see the entire package, feedback, comments and issues. We will take them on board for fine tuning before we bring the legislation back in February.
I point out that I know the opposition and the member for Nelson are campaigning on this, however, as I said yesterday, there is a lot of support from right across the Northern Territory for these reforms. The latest Katherine Times is a case in point ...
Mr Wood: It did not get amalgamated.
Mr HENDERSON: Maybe the member for Nelson could close his mouth and open his ears for a moment and listen to some of the comments from our regions. Alderman Trevor Ford, whom I know very well, he contested the pre-selection for the CLP against the current member for Katherine - hardly a political bedfellow of the Northern Territory government - said the consultation was a real credit to the government ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: I really believe – they do not like to hear …
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: Here she goes, Madam Speaker …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: There she goes, winding up …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: They do not like good news. Never let good news spoil a theory or a line the opposition are trying to run.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: He said:
- I think they are really trying. I really believe they are engaging the community …
That means lots of consultation:
- … for the first time. This time it seems they are listening to people and I think we will get us a good model to bring us through and end the waste and duplication …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Alderman Trevor Ford. Alderman Bill Daw - everybody here knows Bill Daw, one of the great characters of Katherine and a lovely fellow - said:
- The government had come back to the table to talk some more. It is good to see the Territory government had learned from their mistakes and done consultation.
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: The Leader of the Opposition and members opposite are trying to say that there is no support for this. There is significant support …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: There is significant support …
Members interjecting.
Mr Wood: Katherine is safe. Coomalie was dissolved and Cox Peninsula was dissolved. You are misleading the parliament.
Mr Mills: A bit like …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, you are on a warning!
Honourable members, 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.
Thank you.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I will be brief.
We have made the decision to further listen to Territorians on what is the most essential reform that we need in the Northern Territory, not only to improve service delivery right across the Northern Territory but, very importantly, to give those local shires the capacity to access Commonwealth funding that has never been accessed before as a result of 100% of the Northern Territory being incorporated. We are going ahead with the reform agenda.
Regarding the detail of the legislation and the business plans, they will be in front of all Territorians to consider. We await their feedback. I give a commitment that we will fine tune the legislation and the business plans where appropriate. We will bring the legislation to the parliament in February. It will be debated in March and, essentially, this extends the consultation process and putting all the material available in front of Territorians for an additional three to four months.
Youth Round Table and
Young Achievers Awards
Young Achievers Awards
Ms SACILOTTO TO MINISTER for YOUNG TERRITORIANS
Could the minister advise the House of the work of the Youth Round Table and a new award category for the 2008 Young Achiever Awards?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question. She was with me when we launched the Young Achiever Awards for 2008. The last meeting of the Youth Round Table will be this weekend. It is that time of the year when we see the 2007 Youth Round Table come to a close. This weekend will see the Chief Minister, the Leader of Government Business, and I meet with those members to receive their reports.
All of those young people are a credit to the Territory. Some of the priorities set by these young people for this year included mental health; they take an active interest in the environment - cane toads have been a priority over the last three years; and they have looked at creative education. I know the member for Nelson has raised a number of times the marketing of smoking, alcohol and other drugs. The Youth Round Table has looked at a lot of the education kits that are spreading that message for youths. I am looking forward to receiving the report this weekend after they have done the analysis on many of those areas.
All the representatives from Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin have looked at the issue of youth curfews and the pros and cons of that. It is great to see such a broad range of issues, and we will see some great recommendations coming from those young men and women who make up the Round Table.
The other part of the important question asked by the member for Port Darwin was the new award category which will be established for this year - the Young Carers Award. This government, at the last election, gave a commitment to bring in carers legislation. With the Department of Health and Community Services, we have introduced the Young Carers Award. That was introduced in recognition of the over 500 young carers in our community who often put their own lives on hold to care for family members or friends. This award will recognise their contribution in the wider community and the role that they play.
I strongly encourage all Territorians and, in particular, members in this House and people who are watching this Question Time, if you have not - and I am sure all of us know some …
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause, minister. Who has the mobile phone? I ask all visitors in the public galleries to please switch off their phones. Any members in the Chamber who would be so silly as to have a mobile phone on could also check theirs at this point.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, we all know exceptional young people out there who are carers. The awards are coming to a close; we have less than a week. If you do know someone, get those nominations in and we will see you at the 2008 Young Achiever Awards.
Family Planning Services –
Funding for Alice Springs
Funding for Alice Springs
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES referred to MINISTER for HEALTH
Family Planning in Alice Springs has been providing services for over three decades. It was federally funded, but is no longer. It was to be transferred to NT Health but, again, funding is unavailable. It is one of the most important services provided to young people, to women, to young boys and to men. One of its most important services is the Pap smear. Considering the NT has the highest rate of cervical cancer in Australia, I would imagine that it should have been continued. The Family Planning service in Alice Springs has closed. Will you provide funding to reinstate this most important service? Or, can you approach your federal colleagues now they seem to have a lot of money to provide the necessary funding? Will you give some reassurance to the people who are listening to this broadcast in Alice Springs that they will have their Family Planning service back?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. The Minister for Health has portfolio responsibility for Family Planning if you want to ask him, or I can take it?
Mrs Braham: I do not know, as long as I get an answer.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: There has been some notice that has come through to my office - and it was raised with me the last time I was Alice Springs - that the Family Planning unit was going to close down. It is an important issue for Alice Springs. I am looking at travelling to Alice Springs in the next week or so and we will have a look at that. I cannot give you any commitment, and I am not going to give you any commitment. However, I am going to Alice Springs and we will have a look at it. There are other issues with FACS that we will be picking up. I will hand the rest of the question over to the Minister for Health.
Dr BURNS (Health): Madam Speaker, I was unaware of this issue.
Ms Carney: Minister for Health and you were unaware of it?
Dr BURNS: I was unaware of the issue, that is right, as the member for Braitling said …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: There has been a change of programs and portfolios, but I will certainly take it up. At least I am honest on the floor of this parliament.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Essential Services – Planning
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Can you please inform the House how this government is planning for the future by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure to meet the needs of the Territory for years to come?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. The Northern Territory is experiencing a period of significant growth, our population is growing, and our economy is ‘turbocharged’ as described by Access Economics. Look at the skyline, there are cranes in the sky, the mining industry is growing and there is significant demand for power. We are planning for the future because we do not want to repeat the mistakes made down south.
Let me remind you of the collapse of the power distribution systems in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, and also the collapse of the high voltage power cable in Auckland. We certainly do not want to repeat the mistakes of the previous CLP government, and the mismanagement of assets and infrastructure. I was shocked to receive a report about the condition of the infrastructure of Power and Water a few years ago. Information included in that report was that the instructions by the CLP government to Power and Water was to run the asset to the ground, and when it failed, it failed big time. It is not something you can replace at short notice. It takes months to replace it. That is why we have put $814m over the next five years for infrastructure repair and maintenance, double the amount from the previous year, and not only in Darwin, but everywhere around the Territory, including Alice Springs.
This money will create jobs for Territorians, create opportunities for businesses and will put in place new assets. Recently, I was pleased to inspect the Weddell power station, a $126m investment, and the first gas-fired generator is in place and will start operating in January.
Mr Wood: Planning approval?
Mr VATSKALIS: Yes, it is a Power and Water asset, it is a government-owned asset …
Mr Wood: No, Power and Water. Does it have planning approval?
Mr VATSKALIS: It is a Power and Water asset, which is a government-owned corporation. This is the first of the three turbines to go in. When the three turbines are operating, that power station will generate 50% of the power currently generated by the Channel Island power plant. The turbines are highly efficient. The turbines that rotate the generators are turbines being used in Jumbo jets, gas-fired, highly efficient. The first two turbines will be up and running by mid-2008 combined, and there is a third turbine to go on line within five years, and that will be a co-generation turbine utilising the exhaust of the other turbines.
As I said, it is not only in Darwin. There will also be two new turbines in Alice Springs. The power station in Alice Springs should be in a museum. Some of the generators there are diesel ship engines which were built in 1950.
Power and Water and the government are looking to the future. We refuse to repeat the mistakes of the previous CLP government, and certainly, we are not about to run our assets into the ground and wait to replace them.
Local Government Reform
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Yesterday, a Territorian received a letter from you regarding the Local Government Act. I can table that, however, I am sure you know about it, you wrote it. It reads:
- The point was reached where extensive consultation had occurred and it was time to act.
It also says:
- Amendments to the Local Government Act will shortly go before the Legislative Assembly.
Ms Carney: Oh, yesterday!
Mr CONLAN: Yesterday, 28 November. Minister, what has changed from when you wrote this letter yesterday and your announcement yesterday afternoon at 4 pm?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, if you wish to table the letter, can you seek leave? You need to seek leave.
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table this letter.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. Very clearly, what has gone on is that this government has made a decision to ensure that there will be further opportunities for consultations on the Local Government Act and the Business Management Plans. You heard earlier from the Chief Minister, who indicated very clearly that there would be a further eight or nine weeks to allow the people of the Northern Territory to have a real input into ongoing discussions and changes they might wish to make.
Ms Carney: You said in your letter consultation had finished. It was time to act.
Mr Conlan: You said it was time to act.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McADAM: Very clearly, there is an opportunity here …
Mr Mills: The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr McADAM: There is an opportunity here for further consultation in respect of the act and the Business Management Plans as announced by the Chief Minister yesterday afternoon.
In regard to the legislation, since 17 September, there have been in more than 36 meetings between different stakeholders and municipal councils right across the Northern Territory. There had been opportunity for consultation prior to that, in fact, going back four years with LGANT and the Local Government Managers Association.
The Business Management Plans which have been released relate to West MacDonnells and the Litchfield Shire. There have been in excess of 200 suggested changes to the Top End Shire Business Plan. So what that really says, member for Greatorex and member for Nelson, is that there has been a very strong, extensive consultation process occurring right across the Northern Territory.
Education - 2008
Ms ANDERSON to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you outline what is in store for Territorians over the next 12 months?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for the question. The Territory is the greatest place in Australia to live. I am very confident that, for the remainder of this year and into next year, 2008, working with this great community of ours, harnessing the skills, the talents, the entrepreneurship of Territorians, that 2008 is going to be even better. There is much to look forward to in 2008 across the Northern Territory.
In 2008, we will see the commencement, for the first time in the Northern Territory, of a new stage of schooling - the middle years stage of schooling. It is a very exciting time for the Year 6/7 students who will be moved into new and upgraded facilities. The new middle school at Darwin High on Bullocky Point will open for the first time. That is a great investment in the future, not only education capacity, but also the future economic capacity of the Northern Territory.
In Katherine, students will be moving into six new classrooms. My agency is telling me that we are still on track to have that facility available on time.
In Palmerston, even though there has been a delay in regard to the new senior school, middle schooling will start in its completeness from the beginning of the 2008 school year, with students initially in the primary schools, but they will be enrolled in Palmerston Middle School and, then, later in the year, students will move to the new senior campus at Palmerston, and the middle year students will move to the existing campus. That campus is also getting a significant upgrade of around $800 000, I believe. I pay tribute to our members from Palmerston who lobbied me so effectively, the members for Blain and Brennan – not the member for Blain, the members for Brennan and Drysdale …
Mr Mills interjecting.
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: I did not get one letter from the member for Blain – not one letter.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I had a lot of representation from the members for Drysdale and Brennan. We had numerous meetings. Not one letter from the member for Blain looking for a constructive way forward. There has been $800 000-worth of investment to upgrade the existing Palmerston High School to accommodate those middle school students when they move in.
In Alice Springs, Centralian Senior College had money spent on it last year. There is more money to be spent next year. There has been investment in our middle schools right across the Northern Territory.
Also, next year at Sanderson, Palmerston and in Katherine, the Clontarf Football Academy will commence. That is so exciting for the future of our indigenous students in Darwin. If that Clontarf Football Academy succeeds to the extent it is in Alice Springs, where retention rates for those young indigenous males has gone from around 40% to over 80%, if we can do that up here - and I am sure we will - that too will make a big difference.
The upgrading of remote schools across the Northern Territory will continue. The government has put an additional $70m into the budget for education over the next five years for Closing the Gap, which will go to additional teachers, additional facilities, upgrades wherever we can, and classrooms. It will be an exciting year in education in the Northern Territory. I again thank all of our fabulous teachers and principals, and everybody who works in education, because the reforms are really starting to kick in.
I am excited with the advent of the Rudd Labor government and the commitment of an additional 200 teachers to the bush. That will make an enormous difference to the bush. We will have to work really hard to recruit those teachers, to house those teachers but, with goodwill, working in partnership with all Territorians, that investment in education will paint a very bright picture for the Northern Territory.
In Darwin, we are also looking forward to the convention centre opening next year. As I said yesterday, take a drive to Stokes Hill Wharf and see what is happening there. We know the opposition do not like it; they have never liked it. They continue to campaign, and harp and whinge about every dollar that is being spent on the waterfront but, again, it is an investment in the future of the Northern Territory. It is an investment in jobs. It is an investment in opportunities for the Northern Territory, not just in tourism, but with the residential apartments that will be turned off down there, it will bring life and vibrancy back into our city centre, creating more commercial opportunities and more jobs in the heart of our city. It really will be a signature development for this wonderful capital city of ours in the best place in Australia. It will certainly extend that shoulder season for tourists coming to our great Territory.
Construction will start at the Casuarina Police Station next year …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker. It is not as though any of us in the House do not like to hear good news. However, this is Question Time. It has been a three day sitting. The minister well knows that he has had plenty of other opportunities to make what is a ministerial report or a ministerial statement …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order.
Ms CARNEY: … I ask that, in the circumstances, you direct him to contain his comments.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition …
Ms CARNEY: … the questions started at 2.15 pm …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat. There is no point of order.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I know the Leader of the Opposition does not like to hear good news. She never does like to hear good news, always talking down the Territory.
Casuarina Police Station, making our suburbs safer, is to receive a long overdue upgrade. Those police officers who will be working out of the new Casuarina Police Station will be able to reduce the amount of time they spend in an archaic facility and more time out on the streets, keeping our suburbs safer.
In Central Australia, in Alice Springs, I am looking forward - and maybe the member for Macdonnell can be in the backhoe and turn the first sod on the aquatic centre …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: Let us start digging the hole for the new aquatic centre in Alice Springs. We have given Alice Springs Town Council the $8m, and we need to start digging the hole this year, we will start digging that hole this year. I would like to thank Warren Snowdon and the federal Labor Party for contributing another $4m …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: … that will be very exciting for the people of Alice Springs.
On the serious side, in Alice Springs as well, as we talked a little today, the start of a long needed upgrade to the Accident and Emergency department for the people of Alice Springs and the great staff of Alice Springs hospital. A new way forward, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Speaker, this is outrageous! A point of order, Madam Speaker! The opposition, and for that matter, the Independents, get one hour a day to ask questions of government. This new Chief Minister is even more arrogant than his predecessor. I ask you to direct the minister to contain his response so that in the interests of democracy we can ask some more questions.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! As you are aware, there are no time limits in respect to questions. The Chief Minister is on his feet, please continue.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I am almost finished. This is the last Question Time for the parliamentary year, and I am sure Territorians want to hear an overview of the exciting things that will be happening across the Northern Territory next year …
Ms Carney: You cannot do that by media release, ministerial report, ministerial statement, government spin? You are a cheat. You are a coward. You are a coward because you do not want …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, I would ask you to withdraw.
Ms CARNEY: I will withdraw the word coward, Madam Speaker, in respect of the Chief Minister, but he is a chicken.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition! Cease interjecting.
Ms Carney: Well, there are only 30 seconds left, Madam Speaker!
Mr HENDERSON: I think the only chicken that has been around the political scene lately is Chicken David Tollner …
Ms Carney: You do not like democracy, you are just like Clare.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, you are on a warning.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: This is the great Northern Territory …
Mr Kiely interjecting.
Ms Carney: You are a disgrace, member for Sanderson, but I know you know that.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr Kiely: Get over it, Jodeen.
Mr HENDERSON: This is a great Northern Territory and we have much to look forward to over the next 12 months.
I take this opportunity to wish all Territorians a very merry Christmas with your families. I look forward to seeing many families from Darwin at Carols by Candlelight on Sunday evening at the Amphitheatre.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016