2002-06-18
Mr Paul Bartholomew – Departure as CEO of Department of Health and Community Services
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Minister, you stated that you and the CEO of the Department of Health and Community Services have had a mutual parting of the ways. A cute phrase, don’t you believe? Is it not true that you, as Health minister, have used your CEO as a political pawn and have undermined his credibility to such an extent that he has no future with your government? Admit it minister: you used Mr Bartholomew and then you discarded him.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to respond to this question. Firstly, there has been a very amicable and mutually agreed separation with my CEO, Mr Bartholomew. It is very disappointing that the Leader of the Opposition takes this opportunity to denigrate him in this place. Mr Bartholomew has had approximately 14 years of experience in the Northern Territory, and is a very dedicated and hardworking public servant. We have had continuing conversations and, during that time, it was decided between us that Mr Bartholomew is going to be separated from the department.
I would like to read a message from the CEO that he has written, which is going to all staff. It says:
- This memo is to inform you that I will be departing as CEO within the next three months. The position will be advertised during this period. My decision comes after careful consideration and discussions with the minister. Our parting of the ways has been amicable and mutually agreed.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all staff for your cooperation and support during my time as CEO.
The minister has today announced a review of the activities of the department. The review will ensure the department is in the best possible position to deliver a sustainable health system and to implement the government’s reform agenda for health and community services in the Territory. This review is a positive move and staff should have no concerns about its purpose. I encourage all staff to take the opportunity to have input into the review.
Paul Bartholomew.
I am happy to table that document.
This is a situation which has been mutually agreed to, and I have nothing further to add.
Building a Better Territory – Economic Development Strategy
Dr BURNS to CHIEF MINISTER
The economic development strategy, Building a Better Territory, was launched by the Chief Minister last week. Would the Chief Minister please explain the major features of this strategy and what the next steps are?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Johnston for this very important question. It was with much delight, joined by my colleagues, that I launched Building a Better Territory, the economic development strategy for this government, at the Baker Hughes Inteq mud plant at East Arm last week. Building a Better Territory sets out this government’s vision for our economic development. It explains how we will deliver on those strategies in a very practical way; it is a very practical plan. I hope that we are able to ensure that all members of the opposition have a copy of the strategy. It is full of time lines - and that is a really critical component of this strategy - and accountability. This strategy is in stark contrast with previous strategies.
It was developed after extensive consultation, both within the public and private sector right around the Territory. We were delighted at the response we had. The strategy was one of the recommendations from the Economic Development Summit we held last November. I would like to put on record my thanks to all those who took part in the summit for their recommendations and participation in developing this economic development strategy. Thanks also to the community participants who gave their valuable time and were part of the focus groups, again, on the development strategy; and to our hardworking public servants who also had a very constructive and effective input into this document.
What this strategy sets out are clear delivery timetables - very important. You can promise the world, but unless there are timetables to deliver, there is no point. Those timetables are in this document. There is accountability and extensive consultation. Even though this is a document of my government, it is also one that is owned in partnership with the community, because that is where the input, inspiration and vision has in part come from. We are very proud of it. It is a document that truly reflects the Territory and is one that is owned by many sectors of our community; and we are very proud of it.
The strategy is based on five key undertakings: that we will build on past successes - and that is very important, that we will build on those past successes, and create new industries. An example of that, of course, is the railway. Again, I pay tribute to the former government …
Mr Burke: You said the place was a basket case under us. Now you are building on past successes.
Mr Baldwin: The faded dream, you called it. A faded dream.
Ms MARTIN: It is good to see that the opposition wants to contribute to this.
Mr Burke: Twenty seven years, it is a basket case, but you are going to fix it. You start by sacking all the CEOs.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: It is really good that we have the opposition wanting to contribute to this debate. We will have a debate later in the day. Hopefully, in the next session of parliament we will be able to fully analyse and coordinate the strategies in this document.
Mr Burke: It will be a short one based on your statement. Oh, a glossy.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition. Could the Chief Minister get back to the question and the answer.
Ms MARTIN: I was, Madam Speaker. There were interjections from the other side.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, just ignore them.
Ms MARTIN: We build on past successes and create new industries. Of course, developing the railway is part of that, so we will be the import/export gateway to Asia for Australia. There is the Timor Sea and getting gas onshore - building on past successes but also creating new industries. Another element, picking at random from the document, is developing a strategic tourism plan. Again, a critical industry for the Territory, but working strategically to build for our future.
The second element is improving economic outcomes for indigenous Territorians. A bottom line for this government is: this Territory will not move ahead unless we are all moving ahead together. Critically important to that is job creation; enterprise development in our remoter areas, especially related to indigenous Territorians; and implementing the Collins review. A critical component of that is to look at a jobs future: literacy and numeracy for jobs, training, and enterprise development. They will not be achieved unless those educational components are in place.
We will work with the stakeholders to resolve the native title issues. All we heard from the previous government was: ‘They are an impediment, we will never get further’. They held up how many exploration applications? Over 900! This is not the style of this government. In terms of improving outcomes for indigenous Territorians, promoting the economic potential of indigenous art, music and cultural knowledge for indigenous Territorians for jobs, for training opportunities …
Mr Burke interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: The third component of this economic development strategy is to encourage skill and innovation. We will be creating …
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is a very lengthy answer from the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister has given notice to the House today that she, in fact, is going to deliver a statement on this very issue. I would suggest that either this is repetitive or, in advance, that the statement is going to be repetitive.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, Chief Minister, this is a very long answer. You know we do like our answers to be short and to the point. It is true you are going to deliver a statement later, so I suggest that you get on with the answer to the question fairly quickly.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, it would be made easier if we did not have such loud and objectionable …
Madam SPEAKER: I realise you have had interjections also, but we have talked in the past about policy questions that then seem to become statements. What people listening to this broadcast would like to hear are fairly succinct answers.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, let me just wrap up by saying: this is a very exciting and important document. I am very proud that it is owned by the community right around the Territory. There are five key components that will build on past successes, create new industries, improve economic outcomes for indigenous Territorians, will encourage skill and innovation, will develop the Territory’s regions and create an attractive investment climate. Importantly, these are not just words; it is not just some glossy document. This is about time lines and accountability, and this government will deliver.
Madam SPEAKER: I would like to add, Chief Minister, that you can always use the time for papers to actually make a statement on a paper that you would like to table in the House. It would give you more time to actually explain what is in the document. It is something that we have not used a lot this session. Perhaps you and your ministers may think about that – to table papers.
Deputy of the Administrator – Appointment
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
This question is to the Chief Minister on behalf on yourself, Madam Speaker, as the member for Braitling.
The Deputy of the Administrator, Mrs Sitzler, resigned at the end of last year and left Alice Springs in January 2002. The Chief Minister stated she would make an announcement, but six months have passed and still no appointment.
When will you announce the name of the new Deputy of the Administrator? Will it be a woman? Will she be from Central Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, thank you, through the member for Nelson, for that question. Can I say that you are slightly pre-empting the statement I will be making tomorrow morning. I think you will be delighted.
Madam SPEAKER: So I am not getting an answer today, though? It seems not.
Minister for Health and Community Services – Competence
Mr DUNHAM to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
You have admitted in the NT News that your department is in crisis. In other media, you said that staff are in fear and that communication is a problem in the department. Your colleague, the Minister for Central Australia, has told the media that the Alice Springs Hospital is like a war zone. Three of the most senior staff have departed in the last few months and the CEO is leaving today.
Will you finally admit what is evident to everybody; and that is that you are not up to the job?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to answer this question. Today, in a media conference about an hour ago, I announced a very significant review of my department. This will be a review which takes approximately three months, and it will be looking at all aspects of the department. It is going to be putting us in a position where we can say our department will move us forward in a very positive direction so it is able to implement the types of reforms which we are already asking them to do. We are looking at a very significant reform agenda in this portfolio. We are looking at things relating to indigenous health, recruitment and retention, hospital improvement strategies. We are looking at a lot of things: tobacco and illicit drugs.
We have about 3800 staff in this department, and they are fantastic people; they are very committed workers. I put on the record that I think they do a marvellous job.
What we are trying to do is to make sure that the department is adequately placed to implement the policies which we need to as a government. This includes all of our election commitments. We are moving forward, we do not want to look back at the 27 years which were a very sad state of health in the Northern Territory. I do not want to do that. We want to say: ‘Let us move forward; let us have a review’.
I am happy to say that today I announce that Mr Alan Bansemer, who would be well known to many people in this House, who was formerly the deputy head of Health for the Commonwealth, and was also the head of Health in Western Australia, will be heading a review team. He will be arriving in the Territory next Monday and the review team will be starting from that point of time. There will be other people involved with the review team, including Jennifer Prince, our Under Treasurer, Mr Peter Plummer, the CEO of Education, who was formerly CEO of Health. We will also have the new Commissioner of Public Employment when he takes up his position on 1 July. There will be people from within the department as well: Ms Jenny Cleary, who would be well known to many of you here, plus Dr D D Devanesen, who is also very well known. From Alice Springs we have Ms Lesley Woolf, who is the Executive Director of Nursing in the Alice Springs Hospital. There will also be Bernadette Jago from my office.
This is going to be a very significant review. I am happy to say that this morning I have been liasing with unions, particularly the ANF, the Miscellaneous Worker’s Union, the CPSU, together with the AMA, the division of practice of GPs, plus the Northern Territory Council of Social Services and various other groups such as ACROD and COTA. I have to say that the response from these groups has been extremely positive. They are saying that they have been wanting us to bring on a review; they are extremely happy and this is a very positive move for the Northern Territory. They are very pleased that it is a short review and they are saying: ‘Please make sure that when the recommendations come down that you implement them’. I can assure the House today that that is exactly what we will be doing. This is a very positive thing for the people of the Northern Territory. We will be seeing much improved outcomes for health in the future because of this review, and because of the wonderful staff in the Department of Health and Community Services.
Public Liability Crisis
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
What is the Northern Territory government doing to address the public liability crisis?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. It is a very important question, recognised as such by the issues raised by the opposition on General Business Day tomorrow. Public liability is an important issue, as is the rise we have seen in premiums over the last two years, both for the Territory and the rest of Australia.
The two meetings that have been held by insurance ministers, one in March and another in May, certainly indicate how this issue is being dealt with in an effective way right across the country. When you look at the size of the Territory insurance market is, we are tiny. We are less than 1% of the national market and we, as a Territory, have very few options if we act alone, because of the nature of insurance markets. Anyone who does understand that would simply understand that statement quite clearly. As far as we and the rest of Australia is concerned, we have to get the solutions right. Therefore, we have to act effectively with a reasonable time frame, but not in haste, so we do get those answers.
The Territory government has responded with a clear action plan. We will be acting in concert with other states and the Commonwealth, I believe, to be able to get real gains at minimal costs. I think this is the important thing. I will run through some of the measures we have already taken.
In April, we established a hotline and we have taken over 100 calls. Just over 60 calls came in the first couple of weeks and since then we have only had about five a week. We have been able to deal with a range of issues that have been put on that hotline. About one-third of the calls came from community groups; the remainder came from small business. The vast majority of those calls from small business were predominantly from tourism operators. We have dealt with those issues as they have come in. The hotline is still operating, and is an effective mechanism.
We also have an associated web site – again more information on that. We have made changes to government procurements …
Mr Burke: Have you tried it? You haven’t, have you? Have you tried your own hotline?
Ms MARTIN: It is very disappointing that the Leader of the Opposition, who has raised this as an issue for his General Business Day, is now rabbiting on and not listening to what the government has done. Even more disappointingly, I do not think he has even asked for a briefing on what the government has done. He stands in here posturing, gets up here and trapezes – let us use the word that was used to us so often – but has not asked for a briefing. He is out there standing on the steps, making statements out of context, and he has not asked for a briefing. The hypocrisy is quite outstanding. I would advise the Leader of the Opposition, and his mates, to listen.
As I was saying, we have made changes to government procurement. The clauses in contracts have been revised to ensure that required insurance is not prohibitive, while the government interests are reasonably protected. We are reviewing the $10m mandatory requirement, particularly for supply. Those initiatives are being taken.
The new measures under way are risk management strategies. Again, if the Leader of the Opposition had bothered to have a briefing, he would understand the importance of reducing risks, particularly for non-government and community organisations, but also for businesses. Many of those organisations have never really dealt with their risk strategies and how they can reduce premiums through effective risk management. Those seminars will be starting later this month. That will be associated with the web site and the hotline, so we can talk to community groups about what they can effectively do.
I think the opposition is working from some kind of misguided and ignorant premise, that tackling this issue is some kind of one-hit wonder. Well, it is not. It would be lovely to be able to come in here and say: ‘Yes, there is one magical answer to the problems we are facing with public liability premiums and their rise’; but there is simply not.
We are working together with the Queensland Treasury, with their grouping scheme, in risk management seminars, so that community and not-for-profit organisations can be part of a group purchasing arrangement. Again, we are too small to do this on our own. We will be able to have more effective risk assessments in claims management with that grouping scheme. The advertisements for that will be out at the end of next week, and community and non-profit organisations will be able to fill in a form on a web site. It is happening and it will be effective.
We are also doing the work to put in place complementary legislation to implement national solutions, especially for structured settlements, and some possible changes to the Trade Practices Act, particularly section 68A. The other area we are looking at is NT legal reforms. We have engaged Trowbridge Consulting, who are the national public liability consultants, to assist in developing appropriate NT tort law and legal practice reforms. There are a whole range of those, particularly having caps and thresholds on claims. It is not the large claims that are causing the rise in public liability, it is the plethora of small claims. The work is being done to look at that tort law reform, and it will be done as effectively, efficiently and quickly as possible. There are a number of things being looked at under tort law reform. Other measures for consideration include limits on legal advertising, possible taxation changes and stamp duty relief. The volunteer legislation that has been foreshadowed by the opposition is part of that tort law reform that we are looking at.
These are wide-ranging measures to tackle the public liability premiums increases. We are doing that on a Territory level, but working with other states and the Commonwealth. I say again, it would be lovely to have one measure that was going to fix the problem. It is not as simple as that; it is complex. There are a whole lot of smaller measures we can put into place. We are going to do it and we are going to get it right.
Department of Health and Community Services - Review
Dr LIM to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
In response to a question from the member for Drysdale, the minister was full of rhetoric when she announced that she is now having a review and restructure of the department. Health department employees listening to this broadcast want to know whether or not they will still have their jobs - and their current jobs, especially - once the restructure is completed. Given that the CEO, Paul Bartholomew, was sacked by yourself earlier today, what does it mean for the rest of the staff?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, an interesting question from the member for Greatorex. First of all, I reiterate that there was an agreed mutual separation with Mr Bartholomew. He is a person held in respect by this side of the House and we would like that to be noted on the record.
Today I announced a review, not a restructure, of the department. These are quite different things. We are looking at a whole range of things. but one of the things we are not looking at is any kind of job cuts. We are looking at making sure that the department is in the best position to implement our reform agenda. This is not about job numbers in the department, this is about getting it right so that we can move forward in the best way for Territorians and their health and wellbeing.
I can be certain that the people of my department will be pleased that we are implementing this review. For some time, they have been wanting to have a review where they could have some say. In this review, there is an opportunity for every single member of staff to have input, and that will be starting from next week. This is not the kind of review that has happened in the past where people have suddenly lost jobs in hundreds. This is a different kind of thing. This is one where we want to genuinely consult and come up with a situation where we know that the health and wellbeing of Territorians is at the forefront of our minds, and where there will be improvements in Health and Community Services’ delivery over the next few years.
Wickham Point - Environmental Report for Proposed LNG Plant
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for the ENVIRONMENT
Minister, a few weeks ago Phillips Petroleum released a public environmental report on its proposed 10 000 000 tonnes per annum LNG plant to be built at Wickham Point. A number of individuals and the government responded to that report. Bearing in mind that many of the details in the report were of a scientific nature and the government was one of the few bodies who would have the expertise to comment on such matters, would the government release its response to the PER so that the public could be better informed of the issues relating to this proposal?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is true the report is sitting on my desk. I am going through the report carefully because it is very important that we get things right. We want sustainable development for the future of the Territory. At the same time, we do not want this development to ruin our harbour. I will make an announcement very soon. Until I go through the report page by page and am satisfied that what is going to happen there is not going to affect the environment or harbour, nothing will come out. I want to first make sure that nothing is going to negatively affect the harbour. I will make the report available for the public to have a look and comment on.
At the moment, from what I have seen I am satisfied. However, I want to go through the report once again to finally reassure myself that it is not going to affect the harbour or the community, but at the same time it will provide benefits to development in the Territory.
Mr WOOD: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am not sure whether the minister understood. I was wanting to know whether the government’s response to the PER could be made available to the public.
Madam SPEAKER: I think the minister has answered the question. As you know, the minister has leeway on answering questions.
Department of Health and Community Services - Review
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Minister, I listened to your comments regarding the review you intend to conduct. To my mind that review was not foreshadowed at all prior to today. By your own words, it includes the financial and resource capacity of the department. Given that, what relevance will the budget for 2002-03 have? Will health be excluded from the budget or will it be given a temporary appropriation when it is introduced in August? Surely a review such as this, given the importance that you put on it, was part of the preparation of the budget and should have already been completed.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, no, there has not been advance notice of the review because it was today that I announced the review. I am not going to give advance notice that I am going to do a review when it is only today that I announced it.
In relation to the budget, these are things that are happening within Cabinet at the moment. Naturally, health is part of the budget discussions, and will be part of the budget outcomes for the next budget which comes down later this year. Health is a priority for this government. It is not in the sad domain that it was with the previous government. We actually think that health is quite important.
Certainly the review process will be looking at the priorities that we want in the department, but it is clearly part of the Cabinet budget decisions.
Territory Jobs Outlook
Mr KIELY to CHIEF MINISTER
With all the doom and gloom being peddled by the opposition, the public could be forgiven for thinking the Territory jobs outlook is as bleak as it was under the CLP. Can the Treasurer inform the House of the facts?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is good news for the Territory. For a couple of years now we have seen the Territory economy struggling, and for the last 18 months of the previous government the situation facing the Territory economy was very difficult. However, it is good to see that that is turning around.
Mr Reed: What’s the business confidence level?
Ms MARTIN: I should have thought that we would have heard cheers from the other side of the House that we are having jobs growth in the Territory, employment prospects are looking up, that the total workforce is increasing, that we are seeing cranes on the skyline. I would have thought there would be cheers with the asking of this question; but look at them. What a dreary, gloomy mob across there.
Let us have a look at some of the figures. Total employment across the Territory in October 2000 was 96 900. That has risen by a total of 4700 jobs to over 100 000 jobs last month - that is 101 600 jobs. We have gone over the 100 000, and it is terrific. That is an increase since October 2000 of 150 jobs a week. That is excellent. Since October last year, full-time employment has gone up 1300 jobs and part-time, nearly 3500 jobs.
I am sure we all felt a sense of real concern when we saw unemployment in the Territory up over 8%. We are now down to the second lowest unemployment level in the country. I would like to see it lower. I think it should be lower, but it has dropped from 8% last October down to 5.2%. That is a great figure for the Territory. We still have to aspire to get it down lower; the ACT is on 4.6%. However, 5.2% is a significant difference.
It gladdens this side of the House that young Territorians and Territorians of all ages are getting into the job market, are wanting to work, and are getting those jobs that they want. Our challenge is to make sure that the skills development and training is available right across the Territory so that Territorians can increase their job-ready capacity and can get jobs with better skills. That is a focus of this government.
Of course, the railway has made a contribution; over 500 jobs on that project have gone to Territorians. Just look around Darwin: with the Mitchell Street development and the new TIO development starting two weeks ago. With the TIO development, 95% of that work will be local. I congratulate the TIO for that - 95%. I am not saying that Mitchell Street is not trying. I know the frustrations that Mitchell Street has currently, trying to get form workers. We are starting to see the squeeze on the skills that we need here in the Territory because our economy has turned the corner and construction has started again. Add to the TIO and Mitchell Street the Chinatown development - $90m worth of development and something like 320 construction jobs and 250 permanent jobs when it is constructed.
That is terrific news on our job front. Our job numbers are growing and our unemployment rate is coming down - 5.2% is something that we should be cheering about.
Community Benefit Fund – Auditor-General’s Report
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for RACING, GAMING and LICENSING
Can the minister update the House on the steps taken in the wake of the Auditor-General’s report in relation to the former government’s use of the Community Benefit Fund in the lead-up to the election last year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. Members would recall the February Auditor-General’s report which outlined how the former government went on somewhat of a spending spree in the months prior to the last election with funds from the Community Benefit Fund.
I am sure members – as are we on this side - would be alarmed at the fact that it was not used at all by the Country Liberal Party government in those years leading up to the election. In fact, every time we asked the question of the now member for Daly, who had responsibility for this, he said it was under review. A review we never saw the terms of reference for, or any outcome from. I table a graph. You would be familiar, Madam Speaker - they do the one day cricket scores a bit like this: run rate per over. She is a pretty slow 48 or 49 overs in the years before the election: no runs, no wickets. It was the last three months before the election I suppose, with overs 48, 49 and 50, that they opened the shoulders.
Members interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: Bradman would not have matched this, the run rate of the last three overs here. They have belted them out of the park!
But, of course, to every community organisation that had a little project or a little something they wanted to do in the years 1999, 2000 and all the way to June 2001: ‘Sorry, we have no dough, the Community Benefit Fund is frozen’ …
Mr Baldwin: How much of it went to the electorate of Nhulunbuy? How much to your electorate?
Mr STIRLING: Your fault, sunshine. I would not be climbing into this debate. You said it was under review. We never saw any review, any terms of reference, any finding. Not a cracker out of that until the last couple of months before the election and, guess what? - everyone is a winner. Put your hand up, everyone is a winner. Yes, $5000 to the man at Casuarina seeking funds for whatever; $7000 to somewhere else - but not in the intervening years.
If I go back to the serious intent of this, it is the Auditor-General’s report and his findings. He reported that some organisations were in fact paid twice, and action had to be taken to recoup that. Of course, there is one instance where money was handed out to a previously defunct organisation called the Casuarina Security Association, I indicated in this House when the Auditor-General handed down his report that I would be asking the department to investigate the lack of feedback and accountability; to investigate these allocations and, importantly, check if the money was spent as allocated in that spending spree; that is, that it was spent for the purpose for which it had been given.
After my request, the department has advised that letters were sent to all organisations which had received funds not previously acquitted, asking how the money had been spent. Responses have been received from many organisations. Unfortunately, a significant amount of that something like $1.6m that went out in that three months has not been acquitted. In some cases, the money has been spent for the purpose for which it was granted, but no necessary paperwork completed at the time, or officers have changed hands. There are a number of reasons why formal acquittals have not come back.
There is another scenario, and that is that the money was not spent at all for the purposes for which it was applied for and given. The formerly defunct Casuarina Security Association, identified in the Auditor-General’s report, is one of those organisations which, it appears, has either yet to spend the money or, in fact, return it. It is important to remember that these funds were allocated for specific purposes and actual projects that were about to happen. The organisation was not told, when given the funds: ‘Here is your $7000 or $8000. Have a couple of years to think about how you might spend it’. There was a specific purpose.
This funding was paid to Casuarina Security Association a month-and-a-half before the date of the last election. Twice the department has written to the association, along with all the other organisations in the same situation, requesting a statement that the funds were spent as allocated. We are now approaching the end of this financial year, and soon it will be 12 months since this money was allocated. I put on the record that it is incumbent on all those organisations - all of those people who have received those funds - to cooperate with the department in their efforts to draw a bottom line under this. It is not the organisation’s fault. In many ways, money went everywhere in the space of three months. One year later, Racing and Gaming is still trying to get the acquittals back from that. I would urge organisations that are in this situation to - there has to be a point where ‘use or lose it’. If it is not going to be spent, do the right thing and return it.
Mr Paul Bartholomew – Departure as CEO of Department of Health and Community Services
Mr DUNHAM to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Minister, you refused to tell the Public Accounts Committee what your department’s estimated final expenditure figure for this year will be. You appeared to be totally confident that your CEO would deliver on target, even though the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Statements tabled in the last sittings indicated a blow-out of up to $11m was likely. Is this the reason you sacked Paul Bartholomew?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his question. I would like to repeat what I said before, which is that there has been an amicable and agreed upon mutual separation, and that we, on this side of the House, have respect for this man.
I would like to repeat what I said in the last sittings: I have been advised that the department’s budget will come in on target. Naturally, as with health systems around Australia, there are significant pressures on our budget. I have today announced a review which will be looking at all things in relation to the department, including financial accounting, financial accountability and systems. I am saying to you that I have been advised that we are going to come in on budget, and that is as much as I would like to say at this stage.
Building Business Confidence in the Northern Territory
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for BUSINESS, INDUSTRY and RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
What is the government doing to build business confidence in the Northern Territory? How are other members of the Territory community assisting in building business confidence?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. This is very important. Business confidence leads directly to investment, and the question of how this government is working together with the business community to build that business confidence is something that I am sure all honourable members would like to be updated on.
We are committed to working with the business community to ensure that we have a framework in the Northern Territory that is favourable for investment, trade and jobs growth.
Mr Reed: Last measure it was minus 27.
Mr HENDERSON: One of the fundamental principles government has to have - and it is interesting that the member for Katherine is interjecting - is a sound and responsible fiscal framework to work within, to be able to provide the framework and climate for investment that is devoid of the need to make significant imposts on taxes and charges, or to slash public expenditure.
As this House knows and has been advised on many occasions, when we came to government we had to lift the lid on the dodgy accounting practices of the previous government. In the previous four budgets, we had an annual deficit which averaged $70m, expenditure rising at 10.5%, and revenue only rising at 5.4%. We were in a climate of totally irresponsible fiscal management, and that is something that this government has moved to address.
As the Chief Minister announced earlier, we did release the economic development strategy last week. That strategy was born from the Economic Development Summit held in November. It was followed up with numerous business and government meetings around the Northern Territory and involvement of every minister within the government. This is a document that stands up in terms of accountability. I acknowledge that it is a political risk, but it is a risk that we have taken with regard to instituting those accountabilities, because it is a partnership document …
Mr Dunham: A plagiarising document.
Mr HENDERSON: … that we are convinced we will deliver. I pick up on the member for Drysdale’s comments about plagiarising. This is a document …
Mr Dunham: You would be thrown out of university if you produced something like that.
Mr HENDERSON: He has an opportunity in the debate to point out where it has been plagiarised, because he is on the public record now. Regarding Foundations for Our Future that I am sure he is referring to, find one time line in there - one time line. There are probably about 300 in this document. All over their statements, it was all glossy documents, lots of photographs; no time lines, no accountability. This is a document that could not possibly be plagiarised because it had absolutely no credibility whatsoever.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of opening the NT Oil and Gas Expo in association with SEAAOC. Once again, I would like to think that members opposite have actually attended that expo. Hopefully, they have had the foresight to actually walk to the Esplanade and see what Territory business is doing and the sense of excitement that is out there about the oncoming oil and gas developments in the Timor Sea.
SEAAOC has attracted over 300 delegates this year, which has been the largest ever delegation coming to this conference, and there are over 50 exhibitors at the inaugural Oil and Gas Expo. Again, a sign of business confidence returning and a lot of excitement about the potential.
I put on the record in terms of the work that we have been doing, Team NT has been a success. It has been a major success in turning the Sunrise joint venture around regarding reviewing the domestic gas case. I pay special thanks to Bruce Fadelli from the Chamber of Commerce and Dave Malone from the TCA for their untiring work lobbying their organisations at a national level to get behind the push to bring Sunrise gas onshore.
It is undeniable that the Territory economy has been doing it tough for a number of years. We can understand the reasons for that: the cessation of the Defence Force build-up in the Northern Territory three years ago; the introduction of the GST which members opposite so loudly and vociferously supported; the events of 11 September; and Ansett’s collapse on 14 September. Of course, we were going to see declining business confidence, but that business confidence is starting to return, along with employment, which is at 5.2%.
This is a government that is working in partnership with the community to start building that climate of confidence and investment. If we counter that with the attitude of those opposite - and let us look at some of the statements that have been made from members opposite. They have been talking down investment, jobs, and the Northern Territory - absolutely irresponsible comments at a time when people have been doing it tough. Who has been the main perpetrator of this? I would have to say that the other budgerigars in the cage over here have been conspicuous by their absence in the media over the last few months; barely a peep out of any of them.
However, it is the Leader of the Opposition who has been running the case; talking down business confidence. It really is time for him to move on; or maybe for the members opposite who have a bit of gumption to actually put him out to pasture where he deserves to be. It is obvious the moves are occurring. We have John Valentin now joining the party, living in the rural area. Obviously the seat has been eyeballed, and good luck to Mr Valentin. I know him quite well and he is a very decent fellow. It is obvious that the by-election is coming in Brennan and …
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is a long, rambling answer to a question which has no relevance regarding the matters that the honourable the minister is now verging on.
Madam SPEAKER: Sometimes it is unfortunate that the nature of the answer is at the discretion of the minister, as we all know. However, we do seem to have some lengthy answers today, Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, the member for Katherine has a hide. He spent many hours on his feet giving long and detailed answers to questions in this parliament.
Let us look at the modus operandi of the member for Brennan regarding talking down business confidence and trying to detract investment in the Northern Territory: absolutely irresponsible. Look at this open letter to Territory businesses which are trying to get on and be positive.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, could you cease for a moment? There is too much rumbling and rattling going on. Could we allow the minister to conclude his answer in silence. Both sides!
Mr HENDERSON: It is getting to the good part, Madam Speaker. This is an ‘Open Letter to Territory Business’, where the Leader of the Opposition is trying to talk down the economy and encourage business not to invest in the Northern Territory. This piece of drivel has been circulated to Territory business.
I have had a number of these returned to my office. We will be running them out over the next few days. I would like to quote from this drivel that was sent out to Territory business, talking down the economy:
- On 28 May, Business Minister Paul Henderson said: ‘Business confidence in the Territory has matched the key economic indicators and is improving’.
I say: ‘This government is not listening. Nine months of anti-business leadership, highlighted by increased taxes, spending cutbacks and no new business initiatives, has all but destroyed …’
All but destroyed! We have had the latest figures come out on business bankruptcies and they are the lowest in the nation, but:
- … all but destroyed small and medium business confidence’.
This was faxed back to my office. It said:
- What do you say: ‘I would say that you haven’t begun to realise that you lost the last election because you wouldn’t listen’.
It goes on to say:
- Minister Henderson says: ‘Government has worked tirelessly to develop a vibrant and sustainable economy in which local business can operate - that business environment is now building confidence’.
Burke, the member for Brennan says:
- The latest small and medium business report again reinforces that the Martin government is not listening to business and is doing nothing.
What do you say: …
I have to delete the expletive. The ‘rear end’:
- … had already fallen out of the Territory economy at the time of the last election and continues to do so because of lack of initiative from when you were in power.
This was faxed to my office and there is more coming. He then goes on to say:
- Minister Henderson says: ‘… while he was disappointed confidence in government had dropped he was certain that would improve during Labor’s first term. We have had to make tough decisions on taking office to fix 27 years of financial abuse and mismanagement of the previous CLP government’.
I say: …
… ‘Look at what has been achieved over the last 27 years’.
Constituent, elector, small business person, says:
- Twenty-seven years of secret handshakes.
Here we have the Leader of the Opposition talking down the economy, business, and investment. I say it is time for him to move on. Let us get somebody positive as the Leader of the Opposition. Let us get John Valentin into this parliament where he can make a contribution and, let us put the Leader of the Opposition out to pasture where he belongs.
Parks and Wildlife Commission – Future of Staff
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Minister, you announced that you are going to restructure Parks and Wildlife, in spite of the fact that you sacked the CEO at the beginning of the restructure. Employees listening to this broadcast want to know whether or not they will continue to be employed in their current jobs once that restructure is complete. Will you agree with your Minister for Employment, Education and Training who said ‘Absolutely’, when I asked him last year whether jobs were safe, in spite of the fact that he has since been …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, just wait a moment until everyone is quiet so we can hear your answer.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Macdonnell should be forgiven for asking this question because he was not present this morning in this House.
Mr DUNHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is not appropriate under standing orders to reflect on the presence or absence of members in this parliament.
Madam SPEAKER: That is true. It is not good to reflect. Just get on with the answer to the question.
Mr VATSKALIS: Let me rephrase that, Madam Speaker. The member for Macdonnell was not present this morning in this House and I would like to …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Just answer the question, Minister.
Mr VATSKALIS: This morning I made a statement that no member of the Parks and Wildlife Commission would lose their job. One more thing I would like to advise the member for Macdonnell of, as I said this morning, the Director of Parks and Wildlife was not sacked. He was advised that his contract will not be renewed. We were obliged to advise that under the terms of his contract. It would not be fair not to tell him anything and then, three months down the track, he finds out he would not have a new contract. He has an executive contract and the contracts are not automatically renewed. I assure you that, pending the review and the restructure of Parks and Wildlife, no public servant will lose their job. I said that in the parliament, and I advise the members of Parks and Wildlife: no person will lose their job.
Kenbi Land Claim and Land Use Objectives
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
As part of his findings in the Kenbi Land Claim, Justice Peter Gray found that the 1990 land use concept and structure plans for Darwin, Litchfield, Cox Peninsula and other nearby areas were not valid planning and development objectives. He also ruled that the amending Planning Acts of 1993 and 1999 did not change the fact that the documents are not valid land use objectives. The former CLP government was appealing against that aspect of the Kembi findings but the Labor government has dropped that appeal. Can the minister tell us what the government is going to do now about these invalid land use objectives, and has this any repercussions for the siting of Phillips Petroleum in the centre of the harbour?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I first of all make it clear as to where my portfolio fits into this. Certainly, there has been a decision to discontinue the legal action challenging the validity or otherwise of that ruling by the Federal Court judge. This then leads us to the way in which we are approaching these land use issues, and that is that we will now be undertaking a detailed negotiation with the traditional owners, with the view to not only promoting the interests of the Territory as a whole and for the future needs of Darwin, but also to take account of the needs of the Larrakia people into the future.
The aim of that process will be to achieve a mutually acceptable agreement. The detail of what will come out of that negotiation is really before us. Therefore, I cannot really comment on the specifics you have raised in your question. What I will say is that, after $20m being spent on litigation on this land claim over the longest period of running of any land claim in Australia, we are now moving, for the first time, into a constructive process where we can give certainty, not only to the Larrakia people, but to the people of Darwin and the Northern Territory.
Illicit Drug Use Link to Property Crime
Dr BURNS to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
This week, the parliament is debating a series of bills to implement the first stage of the government’s ‘tough on drugs’ plan. One goal of that plan is to help break the link between illicit drug use and property crime. What evidence do you have that illicit drug use is linked to property crime in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Johnston for his question. I do not think government should make assertions about a particular relationship to base public policy without then providing evidence of that assertion. We have said consistently, from the time that we put our drugs three-point plan out to the people of the Northern Territory, that one of the major reasons that we want to take the action on drugs is its relationship to property crime.
There is evidence around Australia of this linkage. The Australian Institute of Criminology, in their May 2000 report, said:
- Detainees, where the most serious charge was a property offence, 43% tested positive for opiates.
Again, in the same report:
- 86% of adult males detained on property offences tested positive to a drug of some type.
These are national studies, though, and we certainly want to provide Northern Territory people with specific information about what the relationship is between these two areas of behaviour within the Northern Territory.
One way you can get a snapshot of that is the Supreme Court judgments and the transcripts of Supreme Court cases. These cases would be the most serious of the property crime offences. When we looked over the last 12 months of Supreme Court judgments, we saw 10 very serious cases of serial property crime connected directly to drug habits.
For example, just this month the Supreme Court sentenced an offender for 36 counts of aggravated unlawful entry to residential, commercial and industrial premises; 32 counts of stealing. This crime spree occurred over a three month period between November 2001 and February 2002. The offender stole cash and property to the value of almost $106 000 …
A member: Minuscule.
Dr TOYNE: Now aged 20, he has previous convictions for possession of dangerous drugs and unlawful entry. He has a history of taking amphetamines from a young age, and said his spree was driven by desperation to obtain money for drugs. His drug habit was costing him $200 per day to buy his amphetamines. It was quite clear where the crime spree was coming from.
So much for the ‘minuscule’ problem that we have with drugs in the Territory. Of these 10 cases - and I will table the details of those 10 Supreme Court cases – there were 80 charges of unlawful entry, 73 charges of stealing or robbery. He stole property worth $228 000. In three of the cases, they involved home invasion where the offenders were armed with knives.
During the debates on these drug bills, I would like to see the Leader of the Opposition stand up and tell us why he thinks that the drug problem in the Northern Territory is ‘minuscule’, and why …
Mr Dunham: He never said that.
Dr TOYNE: … we are in any way unjustified in tackling the drug problem as a way of reducing property crime in the Northern Territory.
Mr STIRLING (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I would ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016