2006-08-31
Maritime Cyclone Warning System
Mrs MILLER to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
As a result of a COAG agreement, you have responsibility for operating the Maritime Cyclone Warning System to all vessels off the Northern Territory coast. The sea phone system is redundant and was to be shut down on 31 May 2006. The Bureau of Meteorology negotiated an extension until November because the Northern Territory government did not have a replacement system. Is it not the case that, as a result of your failure to see Gove as a priority, there will be no replacement for the sea phone warning system after November as you would not have met the agreed national standard? Does this mean smaller vessels will enter the next cyclone season without a warning system in that area?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am aware that the sea phone system is being phased out. I am not aware of the detail of the question that the member has asked and I will undertake to get that detail to the House as soon as I can.
Economic Development Framework
Mr BONSON to CHIEF MINISTER
You launched the Northern Territory Economic Development Framework and Action Plan at Fingers Aluminium in Winnellie. Can you explain what the framework and action plan mean to the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is the Northern Territory’s Economic Development Framework. The Minister for Business, Economic and Regional Development and I were at Fingers Aluminium this morning. It is a great little Territory company, started by Mark and Marian Taylor a few years ago with one employee – it now has 16. A real sign of the growth of Territory businesses. Four of those are apprentices and some of their apprentices have stayed with them. They are doing a terrific job, and I pay tribute to them.
The Northern Territory Economic Development Framework is a blueprint for long term economic growth in the Northern Territory, particularly in our regions. It has been developed over 12 months and is based on the recommendations of five regional forums and the Economic Development Summit held in this parliament last November. This is about the real fundamentals for the Northern Territory. It is about skilling our workforce, regional development and, importantly, for the future of the Territory, it is about getting government and the private sector to work in partnership for our economic future.
The Economic Development Framework will assist our decision-making now and into the future. It has a 10-year time frame. It is about achieving long term sustainable outcomes, not only economic, but also in terms of our society and our environment. We heard in the parliament this week from the minister for Business that NT business confidence is currently among the highest in Australia. The latest Sensis Business Index, which was released last week, showed 22% of our businesses are extremely confident about their future compared to 12% nationally. The framework will help keep that momentum.
While our economy is currently robust, we acknowledge that our economic landscape across the Northern Territory is not level. Regional development needs more focus and the Territory needs many more Aboriginal people participating in our economy. That is why we engage business and industry, the regions and our communities in developing the framework and the action plan that goes with it. There are five key objectives: regional growth; investing in our Territory; developing our workforce; improving our productivity; and integrating development with our environment. We want benefits of Territory prosperity to reach all Territorians, no matter where they live.
I thank everyone who contributed to this framework from across the Territory, for their input in those forums and in the summit we held in parliament. If you look at this document, you will see that their efforts are incorporated here and very much appreciated. Our Territory has come a long way, but we have more to do.
Maritime Cyclone Warning System
Mrs MILLER to MINISTER for COMMUNICATIONS
I read to you a quote from a letter by Parliamentary Secretary, Greg Hunt, in relation to your COAG responsibility to provide a cyclone warning system to mariners:
- … the Territory administration while acknowledging its responsibility, did not intend to take any action. Its view was that its primary responsibility lies with continuing to provide weather broadcast services in the Darwin area.
Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table the letter.
Leave granted.
Mrs MILLER: Would you agree that the Northern Territory coastline extends beyond Darwin harbour? Would you also agree with your department that the warning system is your responsibility? If so, why are you refusing to establish a warning system for smaller vessels on our eastern coastline?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for her question. I can only reiterate what I said in answer to the previous question. I am not aware of the detail of this question. The member for Katherine has presented it in a certain way, however, I am quite aware through my dealings in a number of portfolio areas with the Commonwealth that there is a lot of cost shifting going on. I will report back to parliament on the intricate history of this and the government’s policy position.
Carer’s Card - Implementation
Mr NATT to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
In 2005, the government made an election commitment to introduce a carer’s card. Can the minister please update the House on the implementation of the carer’s card?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. This is an example of a carer’s concession card. This has been a world first. Nowhere else in the world is a government providing concessions to carers. Carers Australia recently had their executive meeting in the Northern Territory and I hosted a lunch for them. They are absolutely thrilled that the Northern Territory is the first place in the world to provide concession for carers. We are setting the pace for taking care of our carers, including the important legislation we passed in the Chamber this morning to recognise our carers.
We went to the election with a commitment to introduce a carer’s card, and we have already delivered on that commitment. We promised the card would provide carers with financial relief of up to $750 per year through concessions on essential services. This came into effect from 1 July this year. We have approximately 1400 carers in the Northern Territory who are eligible for the concessions. Already, 100 have signed up and received the card. I am sure that number will grow as the message gets out.
Each carer who signs up will be $750 a year better off. The card provides concessions for essential services such as urban bus travel, motor vehicle registration, driver’s licences, electricity, rates, garbage charges and spectacles. We extended the carer’s card concessions beyond what government can provide. My agency spoke to private enterprises: cinemas in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs have come on board to provide concessions, as was the AFL. I thank those enterprises for their support. It is the first of its kind in Australia. Carers believe it is the first of its kind in the world.
The response from carers and organisations has been phenomenal. I support the general view, that there has not been enough acknowledgement of the significant contribution that carers make to our society. Carers provide a significant service to our community. Carers have welcomed our recognition of the work, and the contribution they make to improve the quality of life of the people they care for. This is another great initiative from the Martin Labor government. A fair and strong initiative to support the carers in our community.
Adequate Prisoner Accommodation
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Today’s Northern Territory News has a headline on the front page that screams: ‘Crims Won’t be Jailed, and Prisoners Will Get Out Early’. We note there is nothing in the infrastructure budget for a new prison, yet there is millions for your commitment to the waterfront precinct. Do you agree o that housing criminals is a core function of government? Is it not the case that because you have signed the Territory up to non-core functions of government costing millions of dollars, you are left without adequate funds to house prisoners?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, what a convoluted question. I will see if I can tackle bits of it. This bit about core and non-core business; we struggled with the questions last week, and we are trying to see some clear air. There is a continuity here. There is a certain continuity of seriously dumping on the waterfront, which is forty million dollars-worth of contracts for our businesses. All we hear from the Country Liberal Party, once so proud and strong about developing the Northern Territory, is them dumping on the waterfront.
To respond to that story in the Northern Territory News this morning, yes, government is doing work on what we do with our low level offenders. We have many options before us. It is a body of work that needs to be across government. I believe every Territorian would say to us that if you have people who have committed low level crimes and they are serving time for that, then they could do more valuable things for our community. We are housing them at taxpayers’ expense in the gaols when they could be doing community work and, importantly, for our level of recidivism, we could be better focusing training on those low level offenders.
We are working our way through it as a government. There are no decisions about new gaols or conditional release centres. We will make those decisions, but we are looking at, with low level offenders who have sentences for gaol, whether they should not be out working in our community, being visible and making a return.
I am very surprised that the opposition would be implicitly criticising us for it. I would say, good on you government, do more of this.
Public Bus Service – Fare Structure
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
Can you inform the House of changes to the fare structure for the public bus network?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. Today, I announced a revised and simplified fare structure for our public bus system. There will be two basic fares. There is a $2 fare which will take you anywhere, and a 50 for concessions, pensioners, Seniors Card holders and students. It is an important step as we are getting a simplified fare structure and, for the majority of people travelling on our buses, their travel will be cheaper.
In essence, the $2. fare replaces a raft of adult fares ranging from $1.40 to $2.80 depending on the number of zones travelled. We have done away with the zone system, and in its place will charge a flat $2 fare. The bonus for bus users is that this ticket will be valid for three hours of travel, starting from the time you buy your first ticket, and ending when you board the bus three hours later. Therefore, if you catch the 9.05 am bus from Palmerston to Darwin, you could catch the 11.45 am back to Palmerston at no extra charge, a saving to the passenger of $1.60.
What I am most proud of is the new 50 fare. This will apply to children …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, many people would be interested in this. The 50 fare will apply to children, pensioners, and concession card holders. Children who used to pay half the adult fare, ranging from 70 to $1.40, will now pay 50. Pensioners who used to pay 60 a trip will now pay 50. Concession card holders who used to pay 70 a trip will now pay 50. I am delighted to announce that holders of Seniors Cards will, for the first time, receive discounted travel on our bus network. They will pay 50 instead of the full adult fare.
It could be put to me that I have a bit of a conflict of interest because I am eligible for a seniors card. However, I am sure all the seniors will be looking at this and travelling on the bus. As with the $2 ticket, the 50 ticket will also be valid for three hours of travel. This means …
Mrs Braham: Just wondering when you were going to retire minister?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling, cease interjecting!
Dr BURNS: This means that a pensioner could travel to the shops and back again on a single 50 ticket instead of paying for two 60 tickets.
The government wants to encourage as many people as possible to use our public bus network. This new simplified fare structure manages to decrease fares in most cases, while minimising increases in the remainder.
To further encourage commuters to use the service on a regular basis, we have introduced a Show and Go weekly pass. This will cost $15, and permit unlimited travel for the whole week, including Saturdays and Sundays. At just over $2 a day, this is good value. It replaces a range of zone based multi-ride cards, ranging in price from $11.20 to $19.20, which allowed commuters ten trips. The $10 and $20 cash cards will be abolished, with refunds available to holders. The $5 daily tour card, which is aimed at tourists, will be renamed the Show and Go daily card and still cost $5, but tourists can also buy the $15 Show and Go weekly card instead.
These new fares are expected to come into effect by the end of October. The big winners are our senior Territorians, our children, our pensioners, other concession card holders and regular commuters.
Defence Establishments – Bus Service
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
Madam Speaker, I welcome the minister’s statement. I want to know, is that 50 from Humpty Doo to Darwin? That is not my question. Minister, not so long ago, on a similar issue …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, who is your question to?
Mr WOOD: My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport!
Around election time when all things were possible, your government spoke about a bus service to and from Defence establishments. Could you please say when a bus service from the Palmerston Interchange to the Robertson Barracks will be established, so that civilian workers and Defence personnel at the barracks can have the option of getting to work using public transport?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. He is right, it is an election commitment of this government. Currently, there are discussions between my department and senior Defence officials about the very nature, style and frequency of this service and how it might be best targeted to the needs of Defence personnel. It is ongoing. Government will come through on this election commitment.
Remote Areas Health Facilities
Mr KNIGHT to MINISTER for HEALTH
As part of the Building Healthier Communities framework, the Martin Labor government is committed to delivering comprehensive primary health care to Aboriginal communities. Can you, perhaps for the very last time, update the House on what the government is doing to improve health facilities in remote areas of the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. Yes, we have carried out a lot of work in improving the standard of our remote health services, namely at Yuendumu, Nguiu, Minjilang, Daly River and Milikapiti in recent times.
On 5 July 2006, I had the pleasure of opening the Yuendumu Health Centre, which was commissioned in November 2005 and completed recently at a cost of $3.2m. The Australian government contributed $1m towards to the cost, which is further evidence of our good working relationship with the federal Department of Health and federal minister. I would my successor continues that tradition of constructive work between the two governments.
Yuendumu Health Centre is tangible proof that our five-year framework, Building Healthier Communities, is making a difference on the ground. When you think of the fantastic work that is coming out of that health centre, already starting to be evidenced in the indigenous health figures that I talked about yesterday, it is very timely to be putting in high standard facilities for our health staff to continue to advance those health outcomes. Over 400 people attended the opening, including people from Yuendumu, Nyirripi and Willowra. It was great to catch up with all of the local health staff, the community who depend on that clinic and people from the health industry in general.
Onward and upward, I now hand the baton to whomever will succeed me. I am sure we will hear more good news coming back to this House on indigenous remote health.
Northern Suburbs – Youth Gangs
Dr LIM to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
You acknowledged that there are youth gangs roaming Karama late at night. On 11 August 2006, you attributed the presence of these youth to school holidays. Some of these children are very young indeed, 12 years or under. These children are at risk. What has your department done to protect these children? Have any of these children been taken into care, if so, how many and, if not, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. I pulled together a meeting of police and the Youth Beat, as well as service station owners where there is a hang-out spot of youth, as well as the Karama Shopping Centre owners and Neighbourhood Watch. At that meeting, I made my view very clear, as both local member for Karama and Minister for Family and Community Services.
I asked the police and Youth Beat: ‘If you are aware of the names of any of the children on the street, then I would expect notifications to Family and Community Services would occur’. I put both of those organisations on notice that they have a mandatory requirement to notify of any children they believe are being neglected. Young children out on the streets at unacceptable hours of the night and early morning are children who are being neglected. I am not out on the streets roaming around. I am a parent, I am at home with my children, who are in bed where they ought to be.
I would expect that our government-funded services, which are both the police and Youth Beat, are passing on mandatory notifications, as they are required to do, to Family and Community Services.
Point Stuart Road Upgrade
Ms McCARTHY to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
The Point Stuart Road is an important transport route for the pastoral industry, as well as for tourists and amateur anglers. Could you advise the House of the Martin government’s commitment to upgrading this road?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. The Point Stuart Road runs north from the Arnhem Highway towards Point Stuart on the Van Diemen Gulf. It was identified as a priority road as part of our $10m Beef Roads program. The program, as most would know, prioritised primary feeder roads, particularly those servicing the pastoral industry. These roads are used to transport livestock, essential goods to cattle stations, as well as serving local communities, tourists and the mining industry. The member for Arnhem mentioned anglers as well.
Representatives from the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association were consulted in selecting and prioritising these roadworks. The Point Stuart Road has been one of the biggest beneficiaries under the Beef Roads program. The $2m contract was awarded to local company, H & K Earthmoving Pty Ltd, to upgrade and seal the 9 km stretch of the road with the seal extending 400 m past the Wildman River access road. The scope of the work included earthworks, construction of culverts, erosion protection, pavement construction, stabilisation of floodways, sealing, line marking and signage. I inform the House that the works are now completed.
This $10m Beef Roads program has been widely praised by a number of people, including the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association. Someone described it as: ‘… an outstanding example of a government wisely investing windfall gains from GST revenue’. That was in the press release from the federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Ian Campbell. It was under the headline: ‘Federal government applauds NT roads funding’.
This government is carrying out good work in maintaining and upgrading our road network. I compliment the officers in our road network and the Construction Division who work so hard to bring these projects to fruition.
St John Ambulance Contract Renewal
Mr MILLS to TREASURER
I remind you of a statement made by your retiring Minister for Health over five months ago concerning the renewal of a contract with St John Ambulance. I quote:
- Since the ambulance reform was decided by government, we have put in place almost all of the reform elements to building that service up to a sufficient level.
St John is now operating under a temporary contract. Will you provide St John the funds they need to provide Territorians with the adequate emergency services they require? Because you have engaged in non-core functions of government, do you simply not have the money to fund this vital service?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. St John’s contractual services to government has been an issue for some time before government. It has been an issue of discussion at Cabinet level on a number of occasions. Current negotiations are still under way with St John Ambulance. The current contract expires on 30 September 2006. It is possible some further extension will be required, however, the Department of the Chief Minister is currently taking the lead in close support with and alongside the Department of Health and Community Services.
St John has communicated to government along the lines of what they see as a further resource need. They are matters that are currently under way, subject to discussion with, as I said, the two agencies on this side of government and St John. I understand they are being conducted in a very cordial manner. We would expect a resolution in the near future with a long-term contract, as has existed in the past, being signed up to probably in the not too distant future.
China - Tourism Awareness of the
Northern Territory
Northern Territory
Ms SACILOTTO to MINISTER for TOURISM
China is emerging as an important tourist market for Australia. Can you please inform the House on recent initiatives to increase awareness of the Northern Territory in China?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question. It is important to target new markets for our tourism. We want to keep our numbers growing. Both the domestic and international tourism market are growing substantially now, but China is a very important market. It is being targeted by Australia. Last year around 200 000 Chinese tourists visited Australia and there is a determination from the federal government and each state and territory to grow those numbers.
The Northern Territory is specifically targeting the high yielding segments of the Chinese market. We have recently started a trade campaign to raise awareness of the Northern Territory in southern China. That campaign started in the middle of this month and runs until mid-October. Critical to the Chinese market is Tiger Air. Now that you can fly so cheaply from here to Singapore, and then Singapore into southern China, there is a real opportunity to grow that Chinese tourism market for the Territory.
Tourism NT has partnered with southern China’s leading travel agency, CGZL International Travel Service. It has more than 100 retail outlets servicing the southern China economic zone. That is an area with millions of people. CGZL has agreed to trial new packages, working with our key airlines, not just Tiger but also Qantas. Two new packages have been developed, one for Central Australia and one for the Top End. The package to Central Australia is five days. It is called the Red Centre Dreaming, a journey to Central Australia flying with Qantas. The second package is a seven day Secrets of Australia’s Outback Tours, and that is flying with Tiger Air.
These packages have been developed very closely with Joseph Sze who is our tourism trade rep in China. It should be a good campaign. It has print media ads, it has online and point of sale at retail travel agents. We are also going to be on a subway in Guangzhou. We will have a subway carriage with the camel and Uluru on it. I like the idea of bits of the Territory travelling around the Guangzhou subway. It provides us with an opportunity to expose consumers to new destinations. Chinese travellers know about the east coast. With its significant destinations, particularly the Gold Coast, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns. We need to open them up to what is the real experience of Australia, the Northern Territory.
This partnership with CGZL will be a good one I hope that awareness of the Northern Territory will grow in that important southern China market. It does not cost much money to do this. It is an investment. Overall, the campaign is $55 000, about half of that is from Territory taxpayers. It has started and I hope this is a good, first, solid step into the Chinese market.
Assistance for Apprentices to Attend CDU
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, and TRAINING
I know how keen you are to increase the skilled workforce. I had a concern raised by a parent who has three of his children doing apprenticeships, which is great. However, one of his children is an electrical apprentice who must come to Darwin to do his trade school as it is not offered in Alice Springs. He receives $1100 to cover his air travel and accommodation; he provides his own meals. CDU has increased the cost of accommodation for apprentices so that his bill for his four weeks training is $810 out of that $1100, and he has to find airfares as well.
This apprentice gets approximately $8 an hour, and does not have much in his bank savings. His parents are going to have to help him. The apprentice wants to know how he is expected to cover costs with that sort of an allowance when he must go to CDU in Darwin? Can you perhaps give him some comfort that you will increase the allowance to cover those costs for coming to Darwin, or will you give him some comfort that CDU will at least charge for accommodation at a price he can afford?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for her question. I salute this father of three trainees in the workforce, three of around 3300 in the Northern Territory. Good on him, he has obviously brought these kids up very well that they are prepared to undertake training and, in order to do so, make the sacrifice the member for Braitling was talking about with very low hourly rates in those first few years of an apprenticeship.
DEET, along with the registered training organisation, will always try to train in the home town. That is not always possible, as you have explained in the situation here. This Alice Springs lad has to come to Darwin. Where you cannot train in the normal place of residence, the department pays an Apprentice and Trainee Travel and Accommodation Grants Scheme, which gives assistance to the apprentices and trainees to travel to attend the off the job component. This also includes a travel grant to cover the cost of travel, either by air or bus to the place of training. They are given a subsidy to assist with accommodation of $143 per full week, and then $20.45 for each extra day after that first full week.
When we look at the level of assistance provided by the Northern Territory government compared with other states, they range from $8.50 per day to about $20 per day. We are well in the mix, although those figures are a bit dated.
We also have the Workwear/Workgear Bonus for those in the traditional trades areas of $1000 after they have completed their three months probation. We have $300 for the traineeship apprentices, and they receive wages from their employers while they are undertaking that block release. In some cases, not all, employers do assist with those costs of living away from home during that time. They do have the option if it is possible, for them to reside with family or friends if they have that opportunity, and Charles Darwin University does provide residential accommodation. There is $140 per week for six weeks and over, or $30 per day for shorter periods as at 1 July 2006.
There are two points I want to make in relation to all of that: DEET does stand by for any apprentice or trainee who requires emergency assistance during their time on the off the job training. That is great support from the department that they are prepared to step in and see that young person through a difficult time.
However, it is quite some time since these rates were adjusted. Having said all of that, I say to the member for Braitling I will asking the department to review the current rates against average costs. We will look at a few cases to see the average costs for the trainees and apprentices when they are away on their block release. Let us have a look at it interstate. It will go with a positive recommendation from me and the office that we want to understand the implications and how much it costs, but we ought be looking at some measured increase to that.
That is the message for the member for Braitling to pass on to this trainee. She can take credit for raising this question, and the department will be undertaking a review.
Childhood Obesity – School Canteens
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Considering the fact that high sugar and high fat foods are readily consumed in all school canteens across the Northern Territory, will you support the CLP in our call to introduce strict food and beverage standards into Northern Territory school canteens? If not, what do you intend to do to address rising childhood obesity rates?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I would sooner put my trust with the mums and dads of school councils and the principals of all of our schools who are responsible for what goes through school canteens. Many school councils I have been at - I believe it is generic - have a canteen report on the standing agenda for school councils. Often the item for discussion is about particular products. They are the rightful custodians of these matters. I trust the mums and dads and principals of our schools to do the right thing.
Ms Carney: Oh, you have just released a school uniforms policy, what is the difference?
Mr Warren interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Goyder!
Mr STIRLING: There was something to add.
I believe the Minister for Health has something further to contribute, Madam Speaker.
Dr TOYNE (Health): Madam Speaker, I will not take long. For the information of members, the Australian Council of Food Manufacturers has announced their intention to phase out aerated sugary drinks from school canteens nationally as an industry code of practice. That should be put in place over the next two years, so that will help.
Ms Carney: You bring in a uniforms policy, but no food policy!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Endangered Species
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
We all know that issues such as global warming continue to propose a threat to our biodiversity, threatening our precious fauna and flora. What is the current situation with respect to endangered species in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. The threat to biodiversity remains and is accelerating throughout the world, which is why further research, monitoring and remedial action is critical.
At lunchtime, today I launched the draft proposed changes to the Threatened Species List of the Northern Territory. The first since 2002. It is updated and has actually increased. I table that list. There is an attachment to this which shows changes since 2002 and some of the species that have become quite critical and vulnerable. I table that also.
Accurate assessment of the conservation status of animals and plants is vital for conservation management and planning. In some cases, we know why certain species are in trouble, but for many others, the causes are less clear and we know very little about them. That is why I am appealing to the Northern Territory public for input over the next 30 days in providing information to this process and renewing the list.
At present, there are approximately 174 plants, fish, frogs, reptiles, birds and animals on the threatened species list, a category that includes critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species. This includes 22 threatened mammals, 19 birds, nine reptiles, one frog –the Howard Springs frog – eight fish, 34 invertebrates, and 65 plants.
In the last five years, we have, regrettably, added nine species to the threatened list, mostly plants and animals. The Northern Quoll, for example, has shifted from vulnerable to critically endangered in a very short time, largely due to the cane toad invasion. Although, on a happier note, the conservation status of 15 species has improved over the last five years and they have moved from a higher to lower category.
No species has been removed from the list. In maintaining this list, I want to thank many of the workers in my department from the Threatened Species Group. This group carries out a wide range of activities looking at these issues. Without the work those people do we would not be in a position where we can put in place programs such as the Island Ark Program with the Northern Quoll. I thank those workers. They do a fantastic job ensuring that we remain vigilant. Whilst we love our environment, the flora and fauna within that need to be looked after.
School Classrooms - Conditions
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you assure students, parents and teachers that the smooth transition of Building Better Schools will mean that classes will meet the agreed EBA sizes, all classes will have teachers, and no classes will be held in breezeways, staff rooms, or demountables? Minister, will you join your colleague, the Health minister, in retirement if this is not the case?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. I was ticking them off mentally as the member was going through the questions, and we got to that commitment about demountables. That is not one that I can make. They are a regular part of the education scene now. The word ‘demountable’ does conjure up something of a lesser standard in many people’s view. I invite people who have that view to have a look at these very expensive, but also very high-quality product that we tend to dismiss as demountables these days.
I cannot give the member for Blain that assurance. However, in relation to EBAs and class sizes, and an unequivocal assurance of a resignation on any failure on any of those points - no, I will not be providing that, Madam Speaker.
Build Skills NT Program Update
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
The government has been innovative in introducing training policies that have been successfully lifting the skills of Territorians. In 2005, the Martin government introduced a new training program called Build Skills NT. Can you update the House on outcomes of this program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. The Build Skills NT program was built into part of Jobs Plan 2 in 2005, designed to take the skill levels of existing workers to higher levels. We have many people with substantial workplace experience and job knowledge out there, but they either lack some formal qualification or have qualifications which need refreshing.
This program enables groups of workers to become qualified or upgrade their existing qualifications to current industry standards. These are initiated and developed in conjunction with industry associations, businesses, unions and registered training providers. Workers are helped to put together their individual portfolio for recognition of prior learning. These are assessed against industry standards and the gap is brought forward in order to establish what training is required.
Some examples are:
General Dynamics Land Systems Inc sent two technicians to the United States to be trained under licence to maintain the new NT42 cannons utilised by the Defence Department. They will be licensed to then on-train other local staff;
It is about lifting the skills and qualifications of our people out there. It has helped approximately 70 people to date and it is proving to be another successful innovation inside what has been tremendously successful; that is, Jobs Plan 1 and Jobs Plan 2.
Promised Update of Legislation
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
In your annual report 2003-04, you said the following legislation would be expected to be drafted in 2004-05: Children and Young People Protection Bill, Ombudsman’s Bill, Public Interest Disclosure Bill, Health Information Privacy and Records Bill, Land Resources Conservation Bill, Magistrates Court Bill, Plant Health Bill, Public and Environmental Health Bill, Public Disclosure Protection Bill and Stock Bill. What has happened to all of these bills? Also, what has happened to the review of the Pastoral Land Act, the Mental Health and Related Services Act, the Mining Act and the Heritage Conservation Act? Why has it taken so long to bring these bills to parliament, considering we had no legislation on Tuesday this week? Why was a list of bills listed in your 2003-04 annual report deleted from your annual report of 2005-06?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I like to think I am across as many things in the Territory, but I cannot give the member for Nelson the exact stage of every single one of those bills. I am very happy to find out for you. Some of the bills you mentioned are quite substantial. Reviews or changes to bills take a lot of work and a fair bit of consultation. We are working through a number of bills at the moment. We have worked through significant bills over the last five years.
One of the things that the stakeholders right across the Northern Territory said to us over the first four years of government was: ‘Do not run so fast’. There were stakeholders across the Northern Territory who were saying: ‘we can only absorb so much legislative change to be able to effectively consult with our members and come back and be part of the consultation process’.
What we have done, quite consciously, is to pace those changes so that we can have effective consultation. A number of those bills, I am sure member for Nelson, are being dealt with now. I can get back to you specifically on all of the details of those if you would like a score card on each one. I am very happy to do it.
I say to our stakeholders right across the Northern Territory, particularly the Chamber of Commerce and the Law Society when it comes to legislation, I did take their advice on board. I believe we were having too many legislative changes that they could not really, with the small capacity of many of those organisations, get out to members, to get that consultation back, in a climate in the Territory that is very busy economically. We have tried to slow down the pace. We nearly killed Parliamentary Counsel for a while. The amount of work they had to do was just too much. I pay tribute to them. They are absolutely fantastic, but we did have to slow it down. I will get back to you.
Vendor Disclosure – Progress of Reforms
Ms SACILOTTO to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Due in part to the Northern Territory’s booming economy, we are currently experiencing a high level of activity in the real estate industry. Earlier this year, you released a discussion paper on Vendor Disclosure reforms. Can you advise the House on the progress of these reforms?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it has been a long wait to get this one up, and it is great to do that on the last day. Buying and selling a house is probably the largest transaction that most Territorians will see in their lives. It is very important that that transaction gives both parties a very secure position to the degree that the government can control that. It is particularly important at the moment when you look at the Australian Bureau of Statistic figures for December last year showing the growth in Territory home owners was almost three times the national average. The number of housing finance commitments with financial institutions increased from 6005 in 2004 to 7446 in 2005. Another sign of the buoyancy of the economy and the Territory community.
With such strong growth, it is very important to have fair conveyancing arrangements for the transfer of properties between buyers and sellers. To that end, we put out a discussion paper on possible Vendor Disclosure legislation, which was released last March. Copies were sent to key stakeholders, advertisements were placed in the Northern Territory newspapers, and discussion papers were available from the Department of Justice website. In addition, we sent an officer from the Department of Justice to hold information sessions in Darwin and Alice Springs for real estate agents, conveyancers and the Law Society.
It is, again, a demonstration of the way the government pursues reform: by going back to the community stakeholders and ascertaining how they see the options for reform. Submissions have now closed and are being considered by the Department of Justice. At this stage, the submissions widely support some measure of reform. I believe we will see some proposals coming back for reform in this area.
The final report will be made shortly. I am sure my successor in this portfolio will have great pleasure in reporting to the House with the proposals that the government intends to take.
Casuarina Secondary College – Alternative Locations for Certain Classes
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
In 2007, Casuarina Senior College will have over 1250 students. Last week, staff at the college were advised by your department that it is considering providing alternative locations for classes because the promised facilities will not be ready until March. Dance and drama facilities and areas for physical education classes will not be in place. Does this mean that students will be bussed between Dripstone High School and Casuarina Senior College for their classes in 2007?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. If I receive further advice before the end of Question Time, I will pass it on to the member for Blain. My information is that there is only one particular area of Casuarina Senior College that would not be ready until March. It is an outdoor teaching space anticipated by the college council now that it would not be ready until March. It is accepted by them as a minor inconvenience and would not be in place for a part of term one only. If there is further information in relation to the points of the question raised by the member for Blain that I need updating on, I am sure that I have staff listening and that information will be down to me before the end of Question Time.
Establishment of a Department of
Aboriginal Affairs
Aboriginal Affairs
Mrs BRAHAM to CHIEF MINISTER
You have had considerable criticism over the way you have handled Aboriginal affairs, particularly this year. We know you are going to do a Cabinet reshuffle. Will you establish a department of Aboriginal affairs, not attached to the Chief Minister’s Department, make it operational, not policy-based, and will you appoint a minister in charge of Aboriginal affairs?
ANSWER
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, as the Deputy Chief Minister said, it is a fair question. The whole functioning of this government is that there are aspects to do with everyone’s ministry that deal specifically with Aboriginal Territorians. They are 30% of our population. We are talking about education …
Mrs Braham: They should have 30% of your focus.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: I would not set up a department to deal with Aboriginal education, because Aboriginal students make up nearly 50% of our educational cohort.
Mrs Braham: So you are doing a good job?
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Ms MARTIN: Why would you set up a separate department to deal with Aboriginal education? It is core business, to use the opposition’s phrase,. for the Northern Territory. Health: core business for health is Aboriginal health. We know it is the most difficult area for health in the Northern Territory. It is core business for health. If we look at tourism, core business for tourism …
Mrs Braham: Do you think you have done a good job, the way it is now?.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, core business for tourism is working with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal enterprises in growing that segment of our tourism market. In roads, would you set up a separate department to deal with roads that go to Aboriginal communities? No. Aboriginal Territorians are Territorians this government delivers for and, quite appropriately, within the Department of Chief Minister, is a small unit that deals with policy to do with land matters. That is the role of that. We also coordinate across government on issues which need a number of different departments to tackle them.
I am proud to say that, in every aspect of the workings of the Northern Territory government, we deal with Aboriginal people. They are not an additional extra to anything we do, they are core business for every agency, every minister, every single day. I know we have much more to do. When you listen to figures, as we heard from the Health minister yesterday, that we have seen Aboriginal women having almost three years added to their life expectancy in three years of health activity, that is a tick. It is not a great big tick because we are not doing so well with men, but it is a tick.
If you think that, until 2003, we did not have one Aboriginal student graduating from Year 12 in their community and, in 2003, we had three, that, again, is a small tick. We had 25 students last year. You do not need to set up a separate agency to deal with Aboriginal people. In fact, to say that you were doing that is a sign of defeat. It is core business for this government and it will continue to be so.
Tourism – Self-Drive Routes
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for TOURISM
In the current addition of Australian Traveller magazine, I read with interest an article which highlighted Australia’s 10 greatest drives. According to Australian Traveller, three of Australia’s top 10 great drives are in the Territory. Can you please tell the House about the importance of tourism drives in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker I am not surprised this question came from the member for Macdonnell because one those great Australian drives is in the electorate of Macdonnell. I read that article and it is terrific. It is called ‘Hit the Road – Exploring Australia’s 10 Greatest Drives’. They are spectacular and three of those are in the Territory. It is another great vote of confidence in the Territory tourism market.
Tourism drives are very important for us. It is a great way for tourists to explore our wonderful landscapes. It is a great way for travellers to extend their stay here and explore our regional areas, and spend more dollars while they are here. It is very important for us to get our tourists into the regions.
Some 17% of our overall market are fly/drive travellers. We have to show them how to get around and explore those wonderful parts of the Northern Territory. One of the three Territory drives featured in Australian Traveller was the Savannah Way which came in at No 5. It is described as one of the most beautiful outback drives in the country. It takes you from Cairns through to Katherine, through Katherine to Broome, and it includes great Territory locations such as Borroloola, and the member for Barkly would agree, Limmen National Park, Cape Crawford, Ngukurr, Mataranka, Katherine and Timber Creek.
The second one, Nature’s Way, came in at No 6 and, as the Australian Traveller said: ‘The beautiful waterfalls, billabongs, crocodiles and Aboriginal art of Kakadu need no introduction’. The drive starts in Darwin meanders through Adelaide River and the Mary River wetlands to Kakadu National Park and includes Litchfield.
The third one was the Mereenie Loop, or the Red Centre Way, and that came in at No 7. That links the landmarks of Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Watarrka. The article says that the Red Centre Way is, and this is the best comment: ‘… as Australian as it gets. All the great icons of the outback in one four day trip’. That is why we are sealing the Mereenie Loop.
More cars, more tourist buses, more tourists travelling that beautiful Red Centre Way. We are delighted. There are other Territory drives, including the Explorer’s Way, the Pioneer’s Way, the Litchfield Loop and Overlander’s Way. It is just a wonderful Territory, and what we have been saying by spending so much additional money, $28m almost, going into marketing the Territory is, ‘Come on down, everybody, domestic, international, this is a fantastic Territory and there are many ways to see it – driving is one of the great ways’.
Childhood Obesity – School Canteens
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
You say that you are confident that mums and dads and school councils can regulate school canteens, in the absence of consistent guidelines or leadership from government. How is it that you can draft policy on school uniforms, but fail to place importance on our most valuable resource – healthy children?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. It is not a failure of leadership at all. It is a matter of trust, and it is a matter of trust in the judgment of school principals through our system and the parents of the students who attend our schools. Do not think they do not keep an eye on these things; they do. As I said, it is an ongoing matter for discussion at all school council meetings I have ever attended, and I would suggest all other members of parliament, as questions are asked.
If you look at what went through some of those school canteens years ago, I would also suggest that the level of community education and knowledge about diet, and nutrition is much more widespread and better understood these days than when we were at school.
All I can say, on this matter, is that I do trust the judgment of principals who know about these issues and the parents. They are entrusted with all manner of things about schools, including the school canteens. I do not see the need, and it has not been prosecuted to me that there is a need, for government to mandate in this area.
Provision of Multilingual Information
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
In January 2005, you launched the Northern Territory Multicultural Policy called Building on the Territory’s Diversity. This policy recognises the importance of providing multilingual information. What progress has been made encouraging the publication of government information in different languages?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his very important question. After all, the Northern Territory has approximately 101 different nationalities and we speak 120 languages at home. Yesterday, I attended the funeral of the late Eddie Quong and I was surprised at the number of people of different ethnic backgrounds who attended the funeral. As a matter of fact, Eddie was a multicultural character. He was Chinese Catholic and he was buried in the Greek Orthodox section of McMillan’s Road Cemetery.
In the past few weeks, you may have noticed a couple of notices in the Northern Territory News Saturday edition under the heading of Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines in different languages, namely Greek and Italian. That is to provide information to people of Greek and Italian background about Grapevine Leaf Rust. This is important information, as these nationalities are the most likely to have grapevines in their back yards for decoration or, with Greeks, for their local cuisine.
Mrs Braham: Is not multiculturalism across government, why does it have a separate department?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The minister is answering the question.
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, Grapevine Leaf Rust is one of the most difficult diseases and has the potential to decimate the grape and wine industry in the south if it escapes or is transported from Darwin where it exists. The reason we publish this information is to advise people what measures they have to take and what we are doing in order to eradicate the disease from Darwin. That is why it is very important, member for Braitling.
We provide similar information to other people in the Northern Territory. For example, 75% of Asian vegetable growers are Vietnamese speaking - first generation Vietnamese migrants. We provide information to them about techniques, control of insects, and maximum residue limits in food, that is, the maximum concentration of chemicals you are permitted to have in food. Most of these people did not have the opportunities we had in Australia. They came from somewhere else, mostly uneducated. When they got off the boat, most of them went straight to work and tried to build up their family life and fortune. They did not have the luxury of going to school to be educated in the English language, or their English language skills are very poor.
We provide information on changes regarding the mud crab fishery in Khmer and Vietnamese because most of the people working in that industry are people from those backgrounds. It is easy for us to say: ‘Well, they live in Australia, they should speak and read English’. However, the reality is that, yes, they live in Australia, but many of them do not speak or read English very well. It is our legal responsibility to provide this information. We want to engage and communicate with the different communities, because we are not a homogonous society, we are a multicultural society. We should be able to provide this information to people in their own language in order for them to understand what is happening around them, what we require from them, and how can we can better build a cohesive and understanding society.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Maritime Cyclone Warning System
Maritime Cyclone Warning System
Dr BURNS (Communications): Madam Speaker, I undertook to report on issues raised by the member for Katherine in relation to the sea phone services in remote waters. I inform the House that weather updates delivered by sea phone are currently provided twice a day by a contractual relationship between the Bureau of Meteorology, which is a Commonwealth government agency, and Telstra which is, to a large extent, still within the purview of the Commonwealth.
The Bureau of Meteorology has decided it no longer wishes to continue its contract with Telstra because of the considerable range of alternative and more comprehensive sources of broadcast weather information. With the loss of its contract with the Bureau of Meteorology, Telstra has decided to scale back its sea phone service around Australia, including the Northern Territory - the shape of things to come with the privatisation of Telstra.
Maritime safety is primarily a Commonwealth …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: I will repeat, Madam Speaker, maritime safety is primarily a Commonwealth issue, depending on the size of the vessels. With the loss of Nhulunbuy’s VHF system, boaters have the option of switching to the HF system. For small boats inshore, weather information can be picked up through radio stations. Nonetheless, the Northern Territory government is considering extending its existing Darwin-based VHF system to Nhulunbuy.
Casuarina Secondary College – Alternative Locations for Certain Classes
Mr STIRLING (Employment, Education and Training): Madam Speaker, in relation to the final question asked by the member for Blain, we were talking about the multipurpose area to be used primarily by drama and dance at Casuarina Senior College. This is a significant upgrade and an improvement on the current arrangements. It has been designed with the assistance of the drama and dance staff, who are excited about this new learning space.
I advised the time frame as about March. However, the latest from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure is mid-February. No consideration has been given to the use of facilities of other schools at this time.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016