2003-06-17
House of Representatives - Northern Territory Representation
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
The Tollner amendment to the Electoral Act was introduced into federal parliament yesterday to guarantee the Territory two seats in the House of Representatives. What are you doing to ensure that your federal colleagues in both the House of Representatives and the Senate support this amendment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the amendment proposed by the member for Solomon. It is an issue that greatly concerns us. To achieve two seats in the House of Representatives was a significant achievement for the Territory. It has been of great concern to everyone in this House and all Territorians that we saw a population decline. Mind you, we do dispute the population decline. We are working with the Australian Bureau of Statistics because we believe that there is a significant under-counting of the Territory’s population. Whilst at one level we accept that we have lost a House of Representatives seat at this stage because of the ABS figures, we dispute those figures.
I strongly support the amendment and will be encouraging my colleagues in the House of Representatives and the Senate to do likewise. I hope that the Country Liberal Party, if they have some colleagues, are also doing that.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Before we go on, I do not believe that I had a request for members to wear slogans on their shirts. Is not usual for us to do that.
Mr Dunham: We do not mind them doing it.
Ms MARTIN: They are no different, Madam Speaker, from the …
Madam SPEAKER: We do not usually wear anything displaying printed material or messages. I really do think they should be removed.
Ms MARTIN: Is that a direction, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: I am reminding you of dress standards in the House.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, if you do find it offensive - gas is fantastic - but if you find it inappropriate, we will remove them.
Madam SPEAKER: Perhaps, Chief Minister, if you had have requested it, it may have been appropriate. There are dress standards and we do not wear T-shirts or any apparel bearing messages. I am sure you have managed to get the message across.
ConocoPhillips – Bayu-Undan Gas Development
Mr KIELY to CHIEF MINISTER
Without looking at my shirt or my laptop, what does the ConocoPhillips decision to proceed with the Bayu-Undan gas development mean for the Territory?
ANSWER
A very important question from the member for Sanderson, Madam Speaker. May I hold it up?
Madam SPEAKER: You may.
Ms MARTIN: Sunday’s announcement from the joint venturers in Bayu-Undan was a most significant announcement for the Territory and I cannot think of a more significant announcement. To have the single, most significant, private investment in the Territory’s economy, to see what I believe will be a step change in the Territory economy, was an historic occasion.
I congratulate the Bayu-Undan joint venturers - ConocoPhillips, the majority shareholders; Santos; Impex; and ENI - on this very significant occasion. It has taken significant work from the previous government, from this government and many other players to have this achieved in eight years.
After all the anticipation - and we have seen contingent contracts let in the Territory - the announcement means that the construction of the pipeline from Bayu-Undan will go ahead. It is a 500 km pipeline from Bayu-Undan to Wickham Point where the $1.6bn LNG plant will be built. As I said, it is the single, largest private investment in the Territory in our history.
Importantly and crucially to this government this means jobs. Bechtel, which is constructing the plant, will have over a period of three years up to 1300 jobs at any time using a mix of local and interstate workers. Once the plant is built - it has a 17 year operational phase at this stage - a further 120 permanent jobs will be based in Darwin at the LNG plant. Bechtel has set up an office, a hiring hall, in Palmerston and is already registering names of people who would like to work at their site.
There are many people who worked on this project who deserve our thanks, including the joint venturers; members of TeamNT, who have been crucial over the last couple of years in progressing this project, in arguing the case at a national and local level; and my Office of Territory Development, which has also been critical in making this project a reality.
Thanks must go to the federal government, and the Prime Minister. I would like especially to thank the Treasurer, Peter Costello and the Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, for their commitment to this project.
Importantly, the East Timorese government and the East Timorese community deserve our thanks for their commitment to getting this project working. They committed to this, and there was a great detail of legislation that had to be worked through. That legislation was finally signed off by the President last Friday. A critical component of this project working were the East Timorese, and our thanks to them.
This first gas from the Timor Sea to Darwin opens up the whole of the Timor Sea gas province. It puts Darwin on the map as Australia’s second international gas hub. This news was not lost on the SEAAOC delegates yesterday, and there was a buzz for anyone who was there. Twelve months ago there was a level of frustration about what was happening to develop the Timor Sea. There were tense arguments about floating facilities at the conference. This time there was an air of celebration that a major project, rather than a concept, rather than just talking about it, was actually happening. There was a real feeling of excitement.
As government, we have been working closely with the Bayu-Undan operators. We have made a $20m investment in the road and associated infrastructure such as the power and water supply, and that will be completed in time to begin construction of the plant. We made that commitment before the plant was finally signed off. We always believed it would happen and made that investment, particularly in the road, with a great amount of confidence. The LNG plant will be ConocoPhillips’ most up-to-date, most environmentally friendly plant, and it will have to meet the most strict environmental guidelines.
This is a great development. Sunday and the days subsequent really have been a time of celebration for the Territory, not just for the politicians; it is for all Territorians. It means that we have seen a significant change in the future economic development of the Territory, and that is something, because it means jobs for Territorians, it means greater opportunities for our businesses. It is something we should all celebrate.
Alleged Misconduct by Minister for Tourism
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for TOURISM
You would be fully aware of the rear end collision involving your son in his taxi 126 and another vehicle, the driver of which was on his way out for a quiet night at the Casino. Minister, did this accident result in a complaint to the police against your son?
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This question has nothing to do with the ministerial responsibilities of the Minister for Tourism. I ask that you rule it out of order.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister for Tourism, it is up to you if you wish to answer this question.
Dr BURNS: In spite of what my colleague has said, Madam Speaker, I am prepared to answer that question. The answer is yes.
Alcan - Proposed Expansion
Mr McADAM to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please advise the House of progress with the gas supply to the proposed Alcan Alumina expansion and what this means for jobs and jobs growth in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for that question because, again, not only have we been able to mark the $3bn investment, the job creation, the business opportunities from the decision on Bayu-Undan, the pipeline and LNG plant, but on 6 June, there was an announcement from Woodside and Alcan for the signing of a heads of agreement to supply gas from the Blacktip Field in the Bonaparte Gulf to the proposed Alcan Alumina expansion at Gove. It was wonderful to have a press conference with ENI, Alcan and Woodside, and down the back, a very cheering Treasurer and local member for Nhulunbuy, adding a certain kind of life and enthusiasm to the press conference.
It is a very significant step and it is making the proposed $1.5bn Alcan Gove Alumina expansion a reality. It is bringing more gas onshore for economic activity and jobs in the Territory. The project involves a pipeline from the Blacktip Field in the Bonaparte Gulf to Wadeye, and a further 1000 km of pipeline to Mataranka and then on to Gove. The pipeline project will employ at least 500 workers in the construction phase, and the proposed Alcan expansion will employ 1200 workers during its construction phase. I am very pleased to be working with Woodside and Alcan on this very exciting project.
To assist the project proponents and government working together, we established a dedicated task force last year to assist with the proposed Alcan expansion. With that now linking into the Blacktip gas supply, the task force will now work with Alcan and Woodside on the issues involved in that development. They are complex issues, have no doubt about it. There are environmental and land access issues. I am confident that all players can work very cooperatively together - that is, Woodside, Alcan, ENI and the Northern Land Council – to work through the complex land access and environmental issues to see this project get a final tick from Alcan in the next 12 months. The feasibility study is for 12 months and that is expected to be finalised in mid-2004. Subject to the finalisation of that feasibility study and environmental approvals, the work on the Alcan expansion could start in 2005, with a completion date of 2007.
The total cost of this combined project of the gas pipeline and the alumina expansion is $2.5bn in capital expenditure - $500m on the offshore development; $500m on the 1000 km pipeline; and on top of that, the $1.5bn expansion at Alcan.
It again says that our arguments for gas onshore in the Territory have been credible. They are now bearing fruit. This means real opportunities for industrial expansion of the Territory both now and in the future, and jobs for Territorians. It means jobs, it means business opportunities and, importantly, with these particular projects, the Alcan expansion and the pipeline, it means regional jobs for the Territory.
Alleged Misconduct by Minister for Tourism
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for TOURISM
Some of us have sons and they sometimes get into trouble, but that is not the issue. Minister, during questioning of your son into the complaint against him, did you intervene and speak to the police? Was this done by phone, or at your house? Following this conversation, was a complaint about your conduct raised by the police?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Blain, and I am perfectly happy to answer it. Before I do, though, I query in what guise he is doing it. Is he the shadow Attorney-General? Is he the shadow police minister? Or is he just a contender for the leadership who got burned out? This bunch of canaries over here are dragging this grubby stuff out more than a year after it happened, on a day that they need a political straw to stop them all going under. Having said that, I am prepared to answer the question.
Yes, the police did ring my home. My son and I spoke to them. The police wanted to question my son, who was home, although he usually works that night, and I invited them around. They came to my house. An interview was held there, in the presence of my lawyer also, I might add.
I would tell the member for Blain to be very careful where you go here - either in here or outside - and I will say this to the members of the media who are present: this has been circling around the turbid cesspit of the CLP for some time. I was asked this question by a couple of journalists - one of them from the NT News - towards the end of last year. I gave them a short answer. Maybe this will short-circuit some of the questions for you, member for Blain.
My son was interviewed by police and charged with this minor traffic offence. He subsequently went to court, pleaded guilty, and was fined.
Mr Mills: You are the issue here, not your son.
Dr BURNS: In terms of any allegations there may be against me, I am prepared to stand up here, and anywhere else outside this place, and look anyone squarely in the eye to tell them that I have done nothing wrong, except to be a parent looking after the interests of his son, helping his son to face up to the justice system. I have done nothing wrong.
Member for Blain, I would have to say, a lot of people have been talking about you over the last week or two, and when anyone asks me about you, I say you are a decent man. I have said that you are a decent man and that you are not tainted by what has happened before within the CLP. Well, member for Blain, unfortunately, I am changing my view about you. This is a grubby exercise by a mob that is going down the tube quicker than flushing the toilet. Let me say something - there are more deputies on that side than a posse.
Aviation Services in the Northern Territory
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for TOURISM
Ease of access into and out of the Northern Territory is of critical importance to our tourism industry. What progress has been made to expand aviation services into the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Aviation is of critical importance to the Territory. Since 11 September and the outbreak of SARS, there has been a great decrease in airline capacity into the Territory. The purpose of my answering this question is to put things in perspective as to where we are at this point in time compared to 11 September and the collapse of Ansett.
As most people would be aware, Virgin started flying into Darwin five times a week commencing on the weekend. That adds tremendous capacity and a direct route to one of our major markets which is Sydney. Our domestic capacity, with Virgin Blue coming on stream with direct flights into Darwin from Sydney brings the capacity about to where it was pre 11 September. That is very important.
In addition, as most people would be aware, Virgin Blue is flying into Alice Springs on a daily basis. It was my pleasure to join the first flight into Alice Springs. Once again, come July, the capacity into Alice Springs will actually be slightly higher than pre 11 September. That is a very positive thing for the Alice Springs community.
I am aware the shadow tourism minister seems to think that I am not aware of the problems that face the tourism industry in Alice Springs. Yes, I am aware of it, but the government with the Northern Territory Airports Corporation and the jointly funded position of Mr Peter Roberts as the Aviation Development Director have worked very, very hard with Virgin Blue to build up domestic capacity.
On the way to Sydney to take the flight to Alice Springs, I met with Virgin Blue executives in Brisbane. I put to them the importance of other routes in the Territory, not least between Darwin and Alice Springs, and also connections to Adelaide. I got the very strong feeling that that is on the agenda, I am glad to say. Virgin Blue are acquiring two aircraft a month between August and the end of the year, bringing the total to eight aircraft. They will be well placed to expand their services into the Territory and I welcome that.
International capacity is still substantially down, not just on pre 11 September 2001. There has been a gradual decrease over the years in the way in which international airline capacity has served the Territory. However, 80% of our international visitors to the Territory do come through Sydney Airport, so it is good to see more capacity out of Sydney with Virgin Blue into Alice Springs and Darwin.
A couple of weeks ago, I flagged an important announcement to do with charter flights, and I will come to that in a minute. I would like to flag also that there are negotiations progressing with a number of international carriers for direct flights involving Darwin and New Zealand. I am quietly confident that progress will be made, and hopefully we will have some positive announcements on that front.
Royal Brunei has confirmed a third weekly service into Darwin commencing in October. I commend the work Penni Tastula does with Royal Brunei. She is a great advocate for them, and it is through her efforts that we get a very good service from Royal Brunei.
Charter flights into Alice Springs were announced a week or so ago. Kintetsu International are bringing three charter flights into Alice in August. Each one of those 767-300 aircraft have a seating capacity of 220. That will be great for Central Australia when Alice Springs becomes an international airport to receive those charters which, essentially, will be Qantas planes. They are operated by Qantas, with strong marketing support by the NT Tourist Commission, the Australian Tourist Commission and Kintetsu’s subsidiary company, Club Tourism. The Northern Territory Tourist Commission will be contributing $100 000 to joint marketing. Speaking to some of the Japanese operators of Kintetsu at the Australian Tourism Exchange yesterday and the day before, they are very confident of filling those flights. They are testing the water, and if they are successful they will keep going and we may see many more charters into Central Australia along a similar line. The Japanese visitors are expected to inject over $1.2m into the Central Australian economy, which is very important.
We know that the tourism industry has been doing it tough, but the signs are there, with this extra airline capacity and the marketing effort that is going on, for recovery in tourism. There are many passionate tourism operators out there committed to Northern Territory tourism. We have a great product; we have a great Territory; we have great people, and I look forward to the future with confidence.
Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
It has been more than a year since the parliament passed the Criminal Property Forfeiture (Consequential Amendments) Act as part of the government’s get tough on drugs policy. Can the minister tell the House how many times the legislation has been used, how much property has been forfeited to the Territory under these laws, and what was the value of that property?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is a timely question, given that the act came into force only 16 days ago, and given the processes in the courts in documenting the rules to apply this legislation seeking compatibility with interstate jurisdictions. In just 16 days, the police have made four applications under the legislation resulting in restraining orders to the value of over $90 000 worth of monies seized by police. Initial indications are that an accountant and other police administrative staff will be required as the number of seizures grow and they have the capacity to conduct more complex investigations.
In July 2002, our government approved ongoing funding of $100 000 per annum in respect of costs associated with supporting this legislation. We have already paid for it if the court does grant the seizure of this money.
Under the previous government, criminals were allowed to keep the profits of their ill-gotten gains. Under the previous government, all other jurisdictions had moved to this type of legislation to allow police and the state to seize ill-gotten gains of people in the criminal fraternity. One of the first things we did was to close the loophole that the previous government had allowed to sit on our books for many years. This government will not tolerate drug-runners, drug traffickers, people convicted of robberies, to keep the proceeds of their ill-gotten gains. Those criminals are on notice as of today. In 16 days, $90 000 worth of monies being sought by police, and there is much more to come.
Alleged Misconduct by Minister for Tourism
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
The nature of my question does not go to the actions of a son but to the actions of a minister of the Northern Territory government. Minister, what action has been taken in relation to the ministerial briefing from police on this matter? Have you or any of your colleagues spoken to the member for Johnston about police concerns? Did you raise the matter with the Chief Minister? What is the current status of the investigation into this matter?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is astounding. The members opposite live in this veiled world of conspiracies. This matter was brought to my attention by the Police Commissioner about a week ago. This is an issue that has been on the books since November last year. The only discussions I have had with the Police Commissioner in regards to this is that he has to do his job, and that is what is occurring at the moment.
Regarding the status of any inquiries that may be occurring as a result of the allegations – and very grubby allegations they are too, and my colleague has capably defended those here in the House. There has not been a specific allegation yet; they are just trawling. The CLP have been in a poisonous cesspit of infighting and backstabbing, and working to the media for the last two weeks. This was the day they had to bounce in here and show to the people of the Northern Territory they still had credibility as an alternative government. That was the issue that Territorians were expecting from the opposition today, to show that they still had the gumption of being a credible, alternative government.
What do we see, Madam Speaker? Some tawdry allegations that are over 12 months old, that my colleague, the member for Johnston, has already articulated as to the outcomes in regards to the charges against his son. The only shot they had in the locker is to get down in the gutter. Shame on them! Let them grovel in the filth and in the gutter. We will get on with delivering jobs for Territorians and governing the Territory in the best interests of the people of the Northern Territory. If this is the best they can do as an opposition in the Northern Territory, shame on them. There will be many more of them in opposition after the next election.
Alice Springs to Darwin Railway - Progress
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
As I am an aficionado of train travel having travelled on trains throughout the world, could you please inform the House on the progress of construction of the Alice Springs to Darwin railway. When we can see the first train into Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, an important question from the member for Karama. It certainly contrasts with the grubby tactics that we have seen from the opposition. This government will talk about jobs and prosperity for Territorians, not about grubby allegations, which marks what kind of opposition we have.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, just cease …
Ms Carter interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Members of the opposition - member for Port Darwin, you are interjecting far too much today.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I am sure the House and Territorians will be very pleased to know that our railway project, ‘our’ meaning our Territory railway project, is progressing well. It is 80% complete, and over 1000 km of track of that 1420 km has been laid. All the bridges are done. Of the 2 million concrete sleepers that we are producing in Katherine and Tennant Creek, 1.7 million have been produced. Of the contracts that have been let for the railway, $650m-worth have been let to Territory companies, which is a direct boost to the prosperity of companies right across the Territory.
At this stage, the direct employment is winding down from the peak of 1450 last year to around half that number, around 700. We are expecting construction to be completed by the end of the year.
Of course, the anticipation, as indicated by the member for Karama, is when the first train will run. FreightLink have announced that that first freight train will run from Adelaide to Darwin. It will leave Adelaide on 15 January next year and will arrive in Darwin on 17 January. It will be an opportunity for community celebrations to take place right along the track, especially, I suspect, between the Alice Springs and Darwin leg.
The government has allocated $200 000 to assist with the facilitation of those first train community celebrations. The arrival of that first train is the start of demonstrating that the Territory is Australia’s gateway to Asia. We will have a new central trade corridor. This is not only for domestic freight, but also for imports and exports. It really is about building the Territory’s capacity, building a new freight route, and opportunities and jobs for Territorians. That is the first freight train that will be arriving in Darwin on 17 January next year. Shortly after that will be the first Ghan passenger train. The details of that will be announced by the operators, Great Southern Railway. The tickets for that journey crossing Australia go on sale this Thursday, 19 June.
The railway, like gas, will change the face of the Territory and bring new opportunities for jobs and business. It provides a new link between Australia and our markets to the north for both import and export. FreightLink is currently looking at the immediate domestic load as 350 000 tonnes of fuel and general products will be on that first rail, and believe that they can increase this about three fold in the next few years of operations, probably up to a figure of about 800 000 tonnes. As indicated by the trip in March by FreightLink and government to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, FreightLink are actively building the opportunities for import and export.
The journey from Adelaide to Darwin will be a magnificent one. I am very heartened by the reports that there is increasing interest in taking the Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin. The prospects for being able to increase that once-a-week journey are looking very good. It will be a time for celebration for Territorians and we are pleased to be able to put $200 000 towards making that happen. It will be a Territory and community event in the school holiday period, and there will be wonderful celebrations by Territorians when that first train arrives in Darwin on 17 January.
Alleged Misconduct by Minister for Tourism
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
It has now been established that there has been a complaint raised against the member. If this was a matter which occurred one year ago, why was a briefing offered to the minister only one week ago? It looks, on the face of it, to be an opportunity to pervert the course of justice.
Members interjecting.
Mr MILLS: Prove to us otherwise.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, to waltz in here and string some threads together regarding an incident that happened - whenever it was, certainly nearly 12 months ago - and tie a series of loose threads together to talk about perverting the course of justice, what is the specific allegation from members opposite? My colleague, the member for Johnston, states that his son has been charged, been to court, been convicted and been fined. What is the allegation regarding perverting the course of justice?
Members interjecting.
It is a very long bow from a very, very desperate opposition and, might I say, a very desperate member for Blain, given that he is now desperate to restore his credentials to the gutless wonders over there who did not have the capacity or the capability to back him for his leadership. We know what the member for Goyder thinks in regard to the member for Blain. It was all over the pages of the paper, and I quote: ‘He’s got the numbers but he has not got the balls’. Well, today, the member for Blain chooses to run in here to establish his credentials to the waverers on the opposition benches.
Members interjecting.
This is what it is all about, Madam Speaker. It is a leadership bid from the member for Blain to try to sway and convince the members for Araluen and Greatorex that he does have the balls for the top job. Well, this is not the issue, and it does him absolutely no credibility whatsoever.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Members of the opposition, that was disgraceful. Order, member for Port Darwin, I spoke to you once before. That is twice. Next time, you are on a warning.
Review into Secondary Education
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATON and TRAINING
Unlike the members opposite, we on this side of the House see education as a very important area. Could the minister please provide the House with an update of Future Directions - the review into secondary education in the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question and for her interest in education, including the Future Directions Review into Secondary Education. We commissioned this comprehensive review because we believe it is pivotal to this government providing the highest quality secondary education service in the Northern Territory that we can. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with leaders of the Future Directions team, nearing the completion of the consultative phase of the project, and now looking to pulling together the threads of all the information that they have received. As we expected, they have travelled widely and consulted publicly in all regional centres of the Territory, including, I might add, Palmerston.
I mention Palmerston because the member for Blain was in the media a week or two ago complaining that there was some conspiracy by this government to keep Palmerston out of consultation with the review. One wonders how he reaches these mindsets. He made that allegation at the meeting, despite the fact that in the first week of the review’s existence it visited Palmerston, despite the fact that the member himself had a lengthy meeting with review team members about the educational needs of Palmerston, and despite an agreement to hold a public forum in Palmerston which, I understand, he was to get back to the team leaders with some sort of date. Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, he did not bother to get back to the review team at all. He gets out there crying, ‘Conspiracy, they are trying to leave Palmerston out!’. I am advised that, in addition to that, he did get to the meeting. He stayed some 10 or 15 minutes, after making some fairly aggressive comments, in stark contrast to the member for Brennan, the Leader of the Opposition, who I am told was there throughout the meeting, contributing to discussion and points of view in a most positive fashion and that was appreciated by the review team.
Another claim I wish to rebut from the member for Blain is this idea that a decision about the new secondary facilities at Palmerston has already been made. He came into the House, he made the allegation here, he has made it out in the public, and he has apparently gone to this consultative meeting and forum and told them the same thing. Well, it is simply not true! And I will stand here again and repeat what I have said before: the government has committed $10m in the 2003-04 budget. We are not going to rush in and build anything less than the best facility that will provide the highest quality educational service for the people of Palmerston.
The findings of that review across the board are going to be invaluable in determining the most suitable facility. As a shadow minister, to be out there casting aspersions - this is the guy who, a little over a year ago said, come Christmas the year before, there would be no school-based constables. They are going to go. I mean, Henny Penny, how many times can he cry wolf? He has cried it again about a week ago in terms of the leadership. Now, if you are going to have a leadership challenge, you are going to have a vote. If you are going to have a vote, surely you …
Members interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: I have been there. And at least I got one vote! I will tell you why, because I remembered to vote for myself. At least I got one vote. I went down 6-1, Madam Speaker, and I never regretted what I did.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Members should be aware I have been informed that there have been a number of complaints already today about the noise during Question Time. We have spoken about this before. I know it is a rather emotional subject at the moment, but you have to realise that the general public have a right to hear answers to questions in a manner that is not interrupted by your continuous screaming. Just be warned.
Mr STIRLING: Madam Speaker, I will go back. It is not the integrity of the review or the review team that is in question. It is very much the integrity of the member for Blain in this instance.
Public forums have been held in Tennant Creek, Katherine, Jabiru, Nhulunbuy, Alice Springs and Palmerston, with over 60 schools visited, consultations held with another 60 stakeholder groups, and 94 submissions received to date from groups and individuals from around the Territory. As I said, the consultative phase is largely behind them. Now is the job of analysis and synthesis of all that data that has been collected since March. That will then be followed up by draft recommendations and options.
We have asked for this report in September. It is a pretty tight time frame, we appreciate that. However, we also have to be very clear that we want to be in a position to be able to put those recommendations that we can put in place in place for the start of the 2004 school year. That is why we need that lead time in terms of the report getting to government. It has been an exhaustive and high quality process. I commend Professor Gregor Ramsey of the Northern Territory University, along with Rita Henry from the department, who have done a great job, together with all other Territorians with an interest in education. I look forward to the findings of the review when it is presented to us.
Arafura Rescue Package – Extension of Program
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for TOURISM
In March 2002, 10 284 people visited Tourism Top End Visitor Centres. In March this year, prior to SARS, that number crashed to 3533. In May 2002, 15 750 people visited Tourism Top End Visitor Centres. Last month, that figure was only 8667 people.
Today you informed us that the Arafura Rescue Package is having a significant impact in terms of attracting visitors to the Northern Territory, even though the package has only resulted in an extra 200 holidays, which is hardly significant. Since you believe that the $200 voucher system is attracting tourists to the Northern Territory, why will you not extend it for another six months, and to other regional centres in the Territory, in an attempt to counter the problems that the industry is currently experiencing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. There is no doubt that the figures from Tourism Top End point to a very significant decrease in tourism numbers to the Top End. Everyone is aware of that. The briefing and advice I am given by the Tourist Commission is that it is nowhere near the 50% or 60% that has been flagged. There is no doubt that there is probably a 15% to 20% decrease in tourism numbers to the Top End. I have a list of statistics that I can give the member for Araluen. It appears, though, that those who are coming are fewer in number but are spending more, and that is encouraging.
In regard to extending the voucher system, I did say this morning in my ministerial report that the reason we were not extending it is that we are coming into the peak tourism season anyway. I had a meeting with members of the tourism industry when the Arafura Games were cancelled - we had a crisis meeting, if you like; it certainly was a crisis situation – and that was the advice they gave me. They indicated that they wanted a voucher system, incentives, and joint marketing with airlines during in the May and June period to cover the time that the Arafura Games participants would not be coming. That was the wish of the industry, member for Araluen. I heeded their advice and I heed the advice of the department.
I am prepared to look at any scheme that increases tourism numbers into the Territory; the Top End in particular, and Central Australia. My advice is that joint marketing campaigns are a very important way to go.
I am at a bit of a loss to understand - in one breath you are saying the voucher system is not working, and the next thing you are telling me to extend it. I am having a problem, member for Araluen, finding out exactly where you stand on the voucher system. I am someone who takes advice from the industry and the Tourist Commission. I am quite confident that the voucher system that we have operated has been successful, particularly in attracting those who were going to be participants in the Arafura Games. What you omitted to say was that there were over 600 of those people who have taken up the $200 voucher system. That is very encouraging. I do not think you should be belittling it, member for Araluen, or talking it down. That is significant. That is what the tourism operators, the hoteliers in this town, and the small operators, wanted. They wanted a definable system, a voucher system with incentives, and they wanted joint marketing. That is what I gave them. We will continue to work strategically to build tourism in the Northern Territory.
Darwin Police Station – Progress of Fit Out
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Every day as you go down Mitchell Street you cannot help notice the great work that is going on with the Police Station and the signage going up. Against a lot of odds, I think we have been doing pretty well there. Can you please advise the House on the progress of the fitout for the new Darwin Police Station?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that facility at Mitchell Street is taking over the landscape there. Whilst I am on my feet, I pay tribute to a friend of mine who is the architect on that particular job, Col Brown from Jackman Gooden Architects, who is doing a magnificent job. He did the extension on my house and some of the colour schemes are the same, so I am taking a very personal interest in that particular facility. I digress.
Our police will be taking over the new police facility in about 10 days’ time. We are looking forward to hosting an open day for the public in the next few weeks to show the magnificent new police facility in the heart of Darwin. This government has put significant money into the fit out of that facility, unlike our predecessors, who did not put one cent towards it. When we came to government, my colleague, the member for Nhulunbuy, was the original minister who had carriage of this. We found that the design was pretty poor and shoddy, unsafe and unusable. One of the design flaws that we inherited and had to fix up was that prisoners and members of the public had to share the same lift. I do not think that that is very appropriate and, potentially, would endanger the public. The police brought to our attention, in terms of the airconditioning design, that air from the cells would be recycling through the common police work areas, and one can only begin to imagine what that would have been like for our police trying to work under those conditions. There were other basic design flaws such as no back-up generator facility.
We made an absolute commitment to fix this facility up. This budget has allocated $2.1m to fitting out this new facility in the heart of Darwin to provide the police with the best in services and facilities, and ensuring that our police can do the job that we expect them to do and the public will be protected.
As minister for Police, I have had the opportunity to tour many of our police stations across the Northern Territory, both in our regional centres and in the bush. I can say that I am not happy with the condition of some of those police stations. Many of them are very run down and have not seen much maintenance over the years. I am committed to a progressive upgrade of those facilities. This budget is putting significant money into their upgrading.
Our police deserve good facilities to work from, the public deserve safe facilities in those police stations, and we have allocated $2.1m to upgrade the facility that we inherited. We are very much looking forward to the open day in a few weeks time where we can show Territorians what a magnificent new facility we have.
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries – Review of Library Services
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Recently there has been yet another review of libraries. Is it true that the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries will not have on-site librarians at places like Katherine, Douglas Daly and Berrimah Research Stations? If so, who will manage those physical libraries so they do not fall into ruin? Will researchers now have to use electronic delivery of information to research papers and scientific journals provided by a centralised library system? Is it not a concern that those affected say these changes will be a backward step in the advancement of horticultural and agricultural research in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the department has been consulting with agencies and the Northern Territory Library and Information Services staff on the implementation of Information Partners. It is a possible - and I emphasise possible - new model for the provision of library and information services to government agencies. Under the Information Partners proposal, government library and information services would be provided on a whole-of-government basis through the Northern Territory Library at Parliament House, and the NT Library in Alice Springs. No final decisions have been made. The department is still in the process of consulting the users, librarians and unions. The objective of the review is to improve the efficiency of service delivery to users. It does not involve any consideration of reduction in positions at all.
The department is responsible for the delivery of library and information services to selected government agencies through the Government Libraries and Information Service, commonly known as GLIS. In 1998-99, GLIS was formed as a result of Planning for Growth by the former CLP government. When they completed that exercise, the staff of 25 agency library sites were transferred to the Library Information Services with library collections and the library acquisitions’ budgets remaining with agencies. Following the Planning for Growth merger, library services at the Departments of Justice, Health, and Mines and Energy were returned to their respective agencies.
The Government Libraries and Information Service delivers services to agencies through a network of seven GLIS libraries. The library at Parliament House, and centralised support services at Winnellie, current GLIS libraries, duplicate services by continuing - and I mention that word ‘duplicate’ again – to serve agency clients based on the departmental arrangements in place prior to the amalgamation of agencies in November 2001.
The need for a new model for the delivery of Libraries and Information Services to government has been articulated by key departments since the 2001 restructure. Basically, this is about looking at and reviewing what is in place and to see if we can come up with something better. We believe Information Partners is a better way to go. We are working through that, and people from my department are talking to the librarians, through their representative bodies, the unions and their professional body, and we are hoping to reach a satisfactory outcome where we can implement Information Partners.
However, it is certainly a challenge for every minister in this government to look at and review these types of programs to ensure that they provide the best possible delivery of service to our constituents who are the user groups of libraries throughout the Northern Territory.
Unemployment Rate – Effect of CDEP Programs
Mr DUNHAM to CHIEF MINISTER
Unemployment in the Northern Territory has increased for the 10th consecutive month and now stands at 7.3%, the highest of any mainland jurisdiction. In opposition, you claimed that CDEP programs in Aboriginal communities masked the true level of unemployment in the Northern Territory. Do you still believe this to be true, and if you do, Chief Minister, do you realise that without CDEP programs, the level of unemployment in the Territory would actually be 16%?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question and the opportunity to talk about job creation in the Territory. I recognise that 7.3% unemployment at this stage is unacceptable. I am very pleased to say that the announcement on Sunday, and the confidence that we will see in the Territory business community, will turn that figure around.
I do not resile from the fact that we would like to move those jobs, particularly in the communities, that are on CDEP away from ones that are welfare dependent into effective jobs. It is not that they are not effective, but jobs that actually are not dependent on welfare payments for their existence. That is part of what this government is about. It was interesting that the previous government simply closed its eyes to unemployment in the bush - no initiatives, no commitment to seeing jobs in the bush. In raising that issue of CDEP, I did not do it lightly, however we have to focus on the fact that we have a real task in creating jobs in more remote parts of the Territory.
Mr Dunham interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: If you look back at how you create - it is interesting that the member for Drysdale asked the question but does not want to hear the answer. He just wants to hear his voice echo across the Chamber.
We are focussed on creating jobs in the bush, but to have those jobs created in the bush, there is a more fundamental issue to tackle, which the previous government did not even touch the edges of in 27 years. And what is that? Numeracy and literacy in the bush. It is a shame for this Territory that those two are at such low levels.
We cannot have a successful Territory, we cannot have real growth in the Territory unless we tackle that fundamental of what is happening in education in the bush. Education, together with training; then we can start looking at some real job creation in the bush. I am very pleased to be able to announce the building of the pipeline from Wadeye to Gove because that means jobs in the bush - 500 jobs in the construction, and 1200 jobs in the expansion of the Gove alumina plant. There are jobs that we have been focussed on, the creation of those in the future, but importantly for jobs in the bush, we have to tackle attendance at school, we have to tackle those critical numeracy and literacy areas and then we can really see some jobs growth.
The unemployment figure at 7.3% is unacceptable. Sunday’s announcement is a real boost for the future of job creation in the Territory - a real boost, not just rhetoric, not just political words, it is a real boost to job creation, it is a real boost for Territory businesses. We are working with Bechtel and are very pleased to see the agreement between the Larrakia and Bechtel, with funding support from this government, to see jobs for indigenous Territorians in Darwin on that plant.
We are doing the hard yards about this. To have members of the opposition come in here and somehow blame this government for the level of unemployment, particularly the level of unemployment in the bush, the blame can be firmly laid at your feet - 27 years - did not tackle a fundamental problem in the Territory. We are tackling it, but it is going to take time.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016