2003-10-09
ABS Employment Statistics
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
During Question Time on Tuesday, you stated that when you came to government you inherited a job market that is shrinking. I refer you to the ABS labour force statistics which come out on a monthly basis. I table this graph, which trends those labour force statistics.
I ask you, Chief Minister, in reference to the ABS labour force figures, will you now admit that the labour force was, in fact, increasing? The labour force peaked in May 2002 and has been decreasing ever since, under your term of government.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Territory’s unemployment figures came out today, and also our participation rates. We always have to be cautious about these figures, whereas …
Mr Burke: They are trend figures.
A member: I say you do!
Ms MARTIN: I am answering the question and I am allowed, at least, to talk about the wider issue in employment, and participation in labour force. It is good to see that, according to the trend rate, we have dropped to 5.7% and we are below the national average of 5.8%. However, what we have to recognise in these figures, because of our small sample, is that they are incredibly volatile. We will see jumps in figures so that you do not know whether they are, in fact, supported by the reality of what is happening in our work force.
While I recognise that these figures are trending in the right direction as far as the Territory is concerned - we are at 5.7%. We are below in the unemployment rate. However, in our labour force, I again say: put a caution on figures and on the whole context we have seen over the last few years. I have never made any issue of this to try to pretend it was any different in this House, which is in stark comparison to what we saw from our predecessors, who came in here clutching every figure they could. They never had a strategy but clutched every figure, saying: ‘All is fine’.
I say very clearly that we have taken a hit over the last two years. We saw the decline in our population and our economic growth from 1997, and we inherited an economy that was very flat. As I said on Tuesday – and will say again – it is very flat when you have had one year, as in 1999-2000, when there was no growth. If we take the ABS statistics, there was a decline under the previous Chief Minister, the man who is now sitting here with his graphs. Between 1999 and 2001, there were nearly 5000 lost out of our work force under the previous Chief Minister.
We have very volatile figures, but there is no denying to anybody that the last two years have been tough, specifically because a lot of the jobs that we have lost have been part-time, in the service industry. It does not take a rocket scientist to work out that we did take a hit in tourism, and for very specific reasons that saw tourism hit right around the world: 11 September, the Bali bombings, the collapse of Ansett, and the SARS impact of earlier this year.
I have talked previously about the kind of measures that have been put in place to ensure that will see this growth in the work force. With the building of the Bechtel plant at Wickham Point, the Lee Point development and the Defence Force initiatives, we are looking at businesses which are looking to grow because of the greater confidence in our economy.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: It is really interesting when you talk about the positives that are happening in our economy, what you get from the opposition is carping, whingeing and whining.
What I am saying very clearly is that, into our economy in the last two years have come serious focussed drivers for expanding our work force. We are very pleased with that, because we needed to have that step change in the economy that is there through gas coming onshore.
I have said these figures are volatile, but there is no doubt about it: the last two years have been tough for our economy. We have seen the decline in the years before that. I am very proud to stand here and say the economy is turning around. We will gradually see a growth in our labour force. It is not just this Chief Minister saying this, it is the economic forecasters. Go out and talk to business about the growing confidence. Hear the words that are said at, for example, TCA dinners, about the difference between 12 months ago and now. There is greater confidence in the economy. As I wrapped up the question on Tuesday: the only ones who are whingeing about what is happening is this opposition.
Bali Bombings - Commemoration
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
With the first anniversary of the tragic bombings on Sunday, could you please outline how this will be recognised in the Territory and what it means for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Sunday sees 12 months since the tragic bombing at the Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar in Bali. It is a tragedy that impacted on all Territorians, all Australians, and around the world when it happened. It still has that impact. You know people who were affected. Stories run in the media about the effect that the Bali bombings had on those lives. It is pleasing that, on Sunday, there will be services so that the process of healing from what happened in Bali 12 months ago will continue.
Two hundred and two people died 12 months ago in the Bali bombings and, of those 202, 88 were Australians. It is still extraordinary to think, because of the connection between Darwin particularly and Bali, that there were no Territorians killed. It is an extraordinary fact and great luck. Of the 202 people who died, 88 of those were Australians. Over 200 people were injured and, of course, there is that flow-on effect for the friends, colleagues and team mates of those who were injured or died and those whose lives have been changed because of the Bali bombings. Australia has been forever changed by it and, because we in Darwin consider Bali virtually as our backyard, our view of our place in the world has been forever changed as well.
We stand with pride about how the Territory responded to the Bali bombings. Operation Bali Assist is the name that has been given to how our medical professionals and other agencies responded, in an extraordinary way, to those who came here who were so critically injured. In 36 hours, one of this country’s most effectively coordinated disaster responses was put in place, and we can proudly say that we saved lives in Darwin.
There has been much said in this place, and much written about the response from Darwin, but we need to recognise again today the efforts of those at Royal Darwin Hospital, particularly in Accident and Emergency; the contributions made by St John Ambulance people; the Red Cross; the Defence Forces; Darwin Private Hospital; Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel, as well as many ordinary people in Darwin who contributed. The emergency procedure that was in place at Royal Darwin Hospital was tested severely, but stood up well on those days 12 months ago. In less than 12 hours after the Bali bombings, and over those two days that followed, more than 60 critically injured casualties arrived at Royal Darwin Hospital. More than 50 of those were suffering from serious burns. The old emergency section was a tough place to work, but those teams got together and worked very efficiently and effectively.
In 36 hours, more than 50 critically injured casualties, most with multiple other injuries as well as horrific burns, were resuscitated, treated and safely dispatched to other centres across Australia. We really should pay tribute to the magnificent staff at Royal Darwin Hospital, now nearly 12 months on. I believe their lives were changed by this experience, and talking to some of them about the impact of those severely injured people coming in, they will never forget that.
Services will be held around the country on Sunday. They will be attended by survivors, friends and families of victims, dignitaries and, in Bali, by local Balinese. There is a major service happening on Sunday in Bali. The same will be happening on a smaller scale in Darwin. The Council of Churches will be holding a memorial service at the Uniting Church in Smith Street. It will be a low key service and, very appropriately, will start at 3 pm on Sunday. It will be open to the public, and I encourage all those here to go along to remember Bali 12 months ago.
I take this opportunity, once again, to put on the record the appreciation of government, of this parliament, and the people of the Northern Territory to all those who responded so magnificently 12 months ago. On behalf of Territorians, I suppose the best thing to say is: thank you.
Mr BURKE: Prior to asking my question, I indicate that the opposition acknowledges the importance of the day and supports entirely the comments that have been made by the Chief Minister.
ABS Employment Statistics
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
In reference to your previous answer, in May of last year, regarding these figures that you now call ‘volatile and unreliable,’ you boasted in this House that employment in the Northern Territory had gone above 100 000. That is the blip on the trend graph here - 101 600. Employment in the Northern Territory today, September 2003, is 92 500.
These figures show that more than 8000 jobs have been lost in the past 12 months but, also, that the labour force has declined by 7200 Territorians this year alone. Chief Minister, Territorians are walking away from the work force because they cannot get jobs. What are you going to do to rectify this situation? These are ABS figures.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, again I refer to my previous answer. What I said clearly, and what is not being recognised by the Leader of the Opposition, is that I recognise that we have had, according to figures - and again I say they are volatile - fewer numbers in our work force. I am not denying this, and I have not denied it over the time. We have a problem that we are tackling.
One of the ironies of the figures that we see coming out from the ABS is - and let me give you an immediate anecdote on this - every month I have a Business Round Table, and every month businesses say to me, with growing frustration: ‘We cannot get people into our work force. We cannot get the skills we need across a whole range of areas’. They are in diverse areas such as the automotive industry, and professional services that support businesses, like bookkeepers and accountants. That frustration is there: businesses are advertising but cannot get the staff. Another anecdote from Katherine is that the hotels cannot recruit wait staff. We have a lot of areas where they cannot secure staff.
Mr Burke interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, if the Opposition Leader asks a question, you would think he would show the courtesy to listen to the answer.
On one level, there are many businesses throughout the Territory that cannot recruit enough into their work force, cannot secure the skills they need. This is why the labour market analysis that we have done is so important, so that we can start matching up the training with the needs in the work force. Even though the figures are not ones that I would like to see, there are businesses that cannot get the work force they want. We have put in place the strategies that I believe will turn this around, and are starting to turn it around.
I say again to the Leader of the Opposition: go out and talk to business about the confidence that they now have in our economy. The fact that the government commitment to a $600m waterfront redevelopment has boosted that confidence. The expenditure committed by ConocoPhillips and Bechtel on the LNG plant is another boost in confidence. With the first part of the Darwin Business Park set to happen at the rail, means a $17m investment by Toll, and others to follow.
The growth figures are there. The strategies and the reality is there to see our economy grow. We are not, as government, sitting there saying: ‘Well, we cannot do anything about building this work force’. A marketing strategy to promote the Territory as a great place to live, work and invest, with a very successful first visit to Sydney - and we actually had people who flew here on the basis of what they heard in Sydney to get jobs. What we are seeing is a growing interest in being in the Northern Territory, with better strategies about getting people to consider coming into the Territory, particularly to Darwin, where we need those jobs, and to Alice Springs. We have the strategies in place, and the best we have from the opposition is to clutch a graph, and say nothing is happening. We are moving ahead, the confidence is growing, and I say again: the whingeing, negativity and the selling down our economy is coming from the opposition and the Opposition Leader.
Employment Outlook
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can the minister please update the House on the likely number of jobs flowing from major projects in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I commend the opposition for previously raising an issue of substance. It is good to see the opposition and, of course, the government members in this Chamber, concentrating on the question of jobs and employment in the Territory because it is an issue that affects all Territorians: how we are going out there in the community, with the labour market and economic development overall.
The government has done some modelling, and it shows that one job is sustained through direct investment of $110 000 in every major project that you bring forward. As a result of that modelling - $110 000 direct investment, one job sustained - we estimate that our own infrastructure spend, a second record capital works expenditure in 2003-04 of $434m, coming off the back of a record spend in 2002-03 of $439m, this year will sustain close to 4000 jobs, or 3800 jobs if you take a bit of money out of that for design work that is not directly involved in that equation. If you calculate that approximately the same number of jobs were sustained by the infrastructure spend last year, we can say that we have sustained over 900 more jobs over that two-year period in the labour market than did the CLP in the final two budgets that it produced during the Opposition Leader’s tenure as Chief Minister.
My colleague, the member for Casuarina, used to go down and have a coffee with all these people at the Galleria at lunch times, and we know that they are no longer there. They are out there fulfilling the work that has been released through those two capital works expenditures.
Other major projects coming on line include the LNG plant at Wickham Point. There are 1500 jobs sustained during construction over the next few years. In the Alcan expansion, we know that they are over a third of the way through their $40m feasibility study to bring gas onshore from Blacktip, and a third line of production. It is a massive expansion, with 1200 jobs during the construction of that alone at Alcan, not to mention the pipeline construction and the number of jobs that will be involved in that. Lee Point is a $120m investment, to sustain around 1000 jobs for the life of that project. For the Darwin waterfront, it will cost an estimated $600m to $700m, all up, as this project unwinds. We are looking in the order of 5400 jobs.
Relocation of the 1st Aviation Regiment will entail 150 jobs. That, of course, in itself, brings an additional 200 military personnel to Darwin, which has that spin-off effect through retail and normal day-to-day expenditure. I was present at the sign over of the Bradshaw Training Field with Senator Hill earlier this year, as was the member for Daly. It was a great day. There is a $50m spend there over the next couple of years, and an estimated 200 to 300 jobs in the construction phase. It is a magnificent site and they will do well with it.
In Katherine, the Defence Housing Authority is spending more than $20m renovating Defence houses in Katherine. There are 213 houses to be upgraded at a cost of $100 000 each. A 30-home, stage 2 contract has been awarded, and six Darwin and Katherine-based companies are expected to tender for stage 3. We are looking at between 170 and 200 jobs there.
In the replacement patrol boat project, eight new patrol boats are coming to Darwin. Those boats will have through life support provided by the Defence Maritime Services locally, because around 60% of DMS repair and maintenance is subcontracted to local business. That proportion of outsourcing is likely to continue with the new vessels.
ABS Employment Statistics
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Today’s ABS figures show not only that 4800 fewer women had jobs in September this year than they did at the beginning of the year, but that 4300 women had given up even looking for work. What do you have to say to those Territory women who have given up looking for work under your government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, if the member for Araluen had been listening to the last three answers from this side of the House, she would have had that question quite clearly answered. However, obviously, you were not listening so it gives me an opportunity to talk through the issue of the last two years again. It is interesting, because the member for Araluen has been the opposition spokesperson on tourism, and does understand the impact that the last two years have had on the tourism market. Despite the fact that we have hotels in Katherine that cannot get the staff they need to fill a lot of the positions that are traditionally done by women, the last two years have seen a very severe impact on our tourism prospects. However, we believe that the corner is again being turned in that area.
It has been tough. Certainly, the very flat economy that we inherited is picking up. Once an economy has been allowed to fall away, it does take time to pick it up. This was a specialty of the previous administration, that the economy was allowed, from 1997, to head in a downward direction. It takes a little longer than immediately coming to government to be able to turn that around. The whole economic picture is picking up. BIS Shrapnel is talking about a 4.5% growth in our economy for the next five years. Even though the opposition continues to say that nothing is happening and that the outlook is gloomy, it contrasts starkly with the opinion of a man I have a lot of respect for, the outgoing President of the Territory Construction Association, who gave his farewell speech at last Friday night’s TCA dinner. I would like to quote from Steve Margetic, who said:
- Twelve months ago there was a light on the horizon that we thought would spark the growth required to sustain a vibrant construction industry with a permanent and highly-skilled work force. The turnaround in investor confidence in the later part of this past year has been significant, and economic confidence in the Territory continues to be boosted by the certainty generated by projects such as the construction of the Darwin LNG plant and the significant upcoming Defence projects.
He went on:
- Perhaps the sector where this is being felt the most at the moment is in housing, with many builders booked up for months in advance, and an emerging shortage of some skilled trades. This is a marked turnaround from 12 months ago when month to month activity was significantly less stable.
Can I just say that again? From last Friday, these are the words of Steve Margetic, a man with a very astute grasp, particularly on the labour market when it comes to construction:
- This is a marked turnaround from 12 months ago when month to month activity was significantly less stable.
He talks about confidence, about his industry being busy, and this will flow on more generally to our economy.
I have confidence that tourism will pick up. We have seen housing pick up. Major projects are on line, accompanied by a lot of innovative Territory businesses. Look at the report from the Minister for Communications about the ICT in Singapore and the opportunities for Territory businesses that are growing in information and communication technologies. They are there and, working in partnership with business, we are seeing this turn around.
So, continue the gloom and doom, opposition. It is not a reality. Yes, there are some areas we need to grow, but we are confident the overall picture is heading in the up direction. We would appreciate a little more confidence in our Territory economy - that is your Territory economy too – from the opposition.
Rio Tinto Child Health Partnership
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Can the minister please inform the House on the Rio Tinto Child Health Care Partnership which was launched today?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. I know he is very interested in this, as I am sure are the people of Sanderson.
It was my pleasure to attend the launch of the Rio Tinto Child Partnership today. It was an indication of the interests of members that there were members from both sides of the House at the launch today. The Chief Minister launched this partnership, together with the Australian of the Year, Fiona Stanley. It was a pleasure to have Fiona Stanley in the Territory again. She said that this was her fourth visit to the Territory in this past year. It is fabulous to have her here and her commitment to indigenous Australians and the health of all Australians is something which I believe all Territorians would applaud.
It was also a pleasure that Mr Bob Cleary, the CEO of Energy Resources Australia, was also able to be at this launch. Once again, it is an indication of the importance of partnerships with business, health and governments in moving on social policies throughout Australia.
The government is very proud to be part of this very significant project. It is absolutely critical that we stop the cycle of poor health, which has, over decades, plagued so many indigenous communities. All children deserve the best possible start to life and this new partnership aims to give Aboriginal children better and healthier beginnings. This is especially true, given increasing evidence that poor health and early childhood is linked to chronic disease in later life.
It is imperative we deliver positive results, and the Rio Tinto Child Health Partnership will help move us forward to achieving this. As part of this partnership, the Northern Territory government will provide $405 000 over three years to contribute to the development and delivery of early intervention strategies and indigenous infant and maternal health. My Department of Health and Community Services will work with Aboriginal groups to form projects to produce better health outcomes for our indigenous children. The projects include: a modelling of the results of the WA Aboriginal Child Health Survey to better understand child health issues in the Northern Territory; reducing pre-natal exposure to smoking and alcohol; and an Aboriginal work force development strategy to increase community capacity.
Given this government’s strong emphasis on partnerships with the community, it is vital that Aboriginal communities play a significant role in delivering these programs. It is now universally accepted that substantial improvements in Aboriginal health status must be built upon the involvement and control of Aboriginal people themselves. The Rio Tinto project, by focussing on children, provides an excellent vehicle for Aboriginal communities to address the challenges they face.
First Home Buyers – Availability of Land in Larapinta Stage 4
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
My question is on behalf of the member for Braitling. In the past, the government has set aside blocks of land for first home buyers when land has been released in Alice Springs. Can you tell the House whether any of the blocks of land in the Larapinta Stage 4 development will be reserved at a lower price for first home buyers? If so, how many blocks and, if not, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I have publicly stated that it is the government’s intention to have blocks for first home owners in the Larapinta development. As you are aware, half of the development will go to Lhere Artepe, the traditional owners of the organisation, and the other half will be ours. Ours will be an open and transparent process. It will be advertised for local developers to be involved. We will be discussing and negotiating with the local developers that there will have to be some blocks there for first home owners. We believe it is vital for young people in Alice Springs to have access to cheap and affordable land. We know that Alice Springs has been land locked in the past few years. Despite the white-anting by the member for Greatorex about Larapinta, Larapinta becomes a reality. Let me assure you, it will become a reality.
I am very pleased about the questions you asked me because it gives me the opportunity to update the House about what is and what will be happening over the next few weeks. On Tuesday, in the Centralian Advocate, my department ran an advertisement calling for tenders for the headworks. Tenders close on 23 October, and we are expecting the bulldozers to be on site at the beginning of November.
The member for Greatorex continues to sabotage and white-ant the development. The reason for that is that he wants to hide from the people of Alice Springs his inability to provide land in Alice Springs - not affordable land, but any land. He wants to hide the fact that he was unable to persuade his own government to work with the traditional owners to provide this land.
I do not say that. There was a letter in Alice Springs last week from Mr Helmut Meier, who works in the construction industry. I have to tell you, when this letter came to me I was surprised because it is a very strong letter. Mr Meier has been involved in Alice Springs construction for many years. He said in his letter that boom after boom after building boom passed Alice Springs and nothing happened. Alice Springs has lost many contractors. These people have gone away and most likely will not come back unless something happens. What he also said was that these contractors went to other states and they cannot get a job because, as Mr Meier says, builder’s registration and builder’s contractors licences were never deemed necessary by Northern Territory governments. He goes further:
- The reason?
No affordable land.
There goes another building boom.
The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act and Native Title Act are a fact of life, and have been with us for a number of years, yet the previous Country Liberal Party government could not come to terms with it, put its head in the sand and refused to negotiate with the traditional owners.
This arrogance has placed the prosperity of the Centre at risk.
It is this total lack of forward planning that caused the present land crisis.
- The Martin Labor government calmly addressed itself to the problem of land shortage within the first three months of its tenure, and started its unprecedented negotiation with the Aboriginal bodies ...
The fact is that something is happening now, for which we all wait with bated breath.
Meanwhile, all Richard Lim, the new Deputy Leader of the Opposition, can do is make a fool of himself … with his … criticism of the people who are actually seen to be fixing the mess with which his government left us.
I do not recall him going to bat for negotiations for land in the Centre.
Where was he and his local band of apologists for a failed leader when the writing was on the wall?
They were inactively watching me and my industry having the rug slowly pulled out from under us.
This is not letter written by a politician, by us or the political apparatchiks. This is a letter written by a person in Alice Springs involved in the construction industry. I would like to table this letter for every Territorian to see because this shows that this government is doing something to address the land issue in Alice Springs. We will continue to work in order to provide land in Alice Springs, and let me assure you, Madam Speaker, affordable land for young people and young families in Alice Springs.
Katherine By-election
Mrs MILLER to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, you said you were unable to get your banners for the Katherine by-election printed in the Territory and that you had to go interstate. This morning, in the space of two hours, I was able to arrange this banner, printed locally in the Territory - weatherproof by the way, and in all shapes, sizes and thicknesses. Could you please tell me why you were unable to have yours printed in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, is this the advice the new member for Katherine is receiving from her colleagues about how to …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: In the Katherine by-election, a lot of local businesses were used, but also, where we needed certain product, it was sourced interstate. I cannot give you a breakdown; the party ran that aspect. However, we certainly supported local business, and we are proudly supporting local business …
Mr Baldwin: Where were your TV ads made? Where were your corporates printed?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, allow the Chief Minister the courtesy to answer the question.
Ms MARTIN: I actually thought the member for Katherine would be asking me about Katherine and employment. I was going to tell her about the excitement in her community, about what is going to happen when the Ghan comes to town next year, and the job opportunities locally for when the 30 000 Ghan passengers pass through Katherine each year.
Great Southern Rail believes that many of those passengers, if they are coming north, will actually get off with their cars in Katherine. There are going to be enormous benefits for the Katherine community, if you look at accommodation, services broadly, transport services, retailers, tourist operators. The opportunities will be enormous, and I thought this might have been the question that the member for Katherine would ask. But no, because yesterday’s question was about, ‘You had your campaign ads made interstate’. When I said to her, ‘No, I stood in the street of Katherine with a fine local camera man, Simon Manzie’, she simply got it wrong.
Member for Katherine, let us talk about the real issues for Katherine, and do not be misled by all these fellows around you giving you the wrong advice.
Grass Roots Development Grants Program
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Sporting clubs and organisations are the lifeblood of our sport and recreation programs. I understand you recently approved the first round of the Grass Roots grants program. Minister, can you please advise the Assembly how the Grass Roots grants program assists sporting clubs and associations through the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. The Grass Roots Development Grants were developed to support new and innovative projects that promote opportunities for ongoing participation in sport and physically active recreation. They are only small grants with a maximum of $3000, but they really form the backbone of innovation and development in the Territory, with a special emphasis on inaugural events, ‘come and try’ events, projects targeted at new member groups, training to assist organisations to target new groups or develop new services, and providing new resources for existing and new programs.
A total of 34 grants, totalling almost $75 000, are going to every region in the Territory, and there are some wonderful projects among them. I know I should not have favourites, but I was very impressed with a proposal for a BMX track at the remote community of Walungurru, designed by the Northern Territory BMX Association and assisted by the Deadly Treadlies group, who will run workshops for the kids in building, repairing and maintaining their bikes. There was also the Northern Territory Netball Association’s proposal to decentralise the delivery of netball development programs through establishing regional academies with a head coach and assistant coach in each region.
Other highlights include: a multi-recreational program from the Alice Springs YMCA aimed at kids with disabilities aged between five to 12; a Tot Ball program run by the Darwin Basketball Association to provide an entry point for children between four to six years of age; a volleyball challenge cup to replace the previously successful Life Be In It Corporate Cup; and weekly exercise courses for the elderly and individuals recovering from life-challenging illnesses, sponsored by the Charles Darwin University Sports Association; another BMX track at the remote and popular Top End community of Peppimenarti; a program to be run by the Katherine Lawn Bowls Club to purchase equipment that can be used by junior players as a way to boost participation and interest in lawn bowls; the street tennis project by the Katherine Tennis Club to take the game to places where tennis has not been accessible before, including the bush, which is designed to leave a legacy of skills and equipment for participants; a swimming camp and carnival for youth between seven to 16 years of age, run by the Tennant Creek Amateur Swimming Club; and the commissioning of a development plan by Dragon Boat NT to investigate the possibility of utilising Lake Alexander as a dragon boat racing venue capable of hosting local, national and international events.
All the successful applicants have put a lot of though into the kinds of projects that would benefit their sport and bring new people in as participants, and I congratulate each of them. I also thank my staff at the office of Sport and Recreation for the time they put into assessing grant applications, and the assistance they give to applicants in putting their submissions together. This is the first round of the 2003-04 grants, with another round early in the new year.
Madam Speaker, for members’ information, I table the full list of grant recipients from the first round of the Grass Roots grants program.
Freight Rates - Darwin Port
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for ASIAN RELATIONS and TRADE
A Territory businessman preparing to import from Indonesia was quoted $US1650 to freight containers through our port, whilst he was quoted $US850 to freight the same container through the port of Townsville - a saving of close to 50% for a potential importer. Surely your government has some kind of engagement plan, action plan, strategic plan, or perhaps a five-point plan, to make our port competitive.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. The issue of shipping costs to Darwin and the logistics of freight movements, and the complexities of those logistics, go to the heart of that particular question. The issue here of shipping costs is really ‘chicken and the egg’. It is about trying to attract the volumes of freight from the shipping companies which will then send larger ships with larger economies of scale, and accessing that freight and reducing the container costs as a result of increased capacity, volumes and larger ships.
The work that is happening now, in partnership with FreightLink, is to try and attract that freight to the port of Darwin. That is the work that is taking place at the moment. For the honourable member’s interest, on 14 February next year, there is a major international freight conference scheduled for Darwin, where we will be bringing to Darwin major national and international freight forwarders to see the port and rail facilities. My department is working, along with Austrade, mapping and modelling the volumes of freight that is coming from the region to Australia, and from Australia to the region. That work is being done in conjunction with the Office of Territory Development, my department’s Freight Working Group and FreightLink. The issue …
Mr Mills: Are you considering subsidising them?
Mr HENDERSON: It is interesting that the member for Blain, as the shadow Asian Relations and Trade minister - just add water and we are an instant expert - has not sought a briefing from my department as an incoming shadow minister …
Mr Mills interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: It is just basic – when you get a new portfolio, you seek a briefing from the departmental officials. I offer a briefing to the member for Blain to take him through any of these issues that he wants to work through.
Having just returned from another trip to the region - and I never go anywhere without the ubiquitous PowerPoint presentation and projection for what is happening here with the rail and port - everybody is saying: ‘We want to see it working, because we have established and committed freight schedules, freight routes, shipping contractors, freight forwarders, and we want to see this working’. That is the reason for having this major, national freight conference here in February next year.
This work is being done. It really is chicken and the egg. This is a scenario that has existed for many years. We do have a target of 50 000 containers a year over the wharf by 2007. We are working towards that target.
Katherine By-election
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
This was the how-to-vote card that was issued by Jim Forscutt, an Independent in the Katherine by-election. It showed he gave his preferences to Labor and to the CLP, and varied that according to which way people wanted to vote. The Labor Party issued this how-to-vote card on election day, which said: ‘If Jim Forscutt is your first choice and Sharon Hillen is your second choice, follow this card’.
Would you agree that it is unusual for a party to hand out a how-to-vote card that puts its own candidate as No 2? Would you also agree that this how-to-vote card had the potential to mislead voters, regardless of the heading, because a voter may have seen the No 1 on Jim Forscutt’s name and presume it had his imprimatur? Do you believe that the candidate’s party or representatives should be the only ones who can authorise and distribute a how-to-vote card in the name of that candidate? Would you not agree that, although this practice may be legal, its use was to maximise the ALP’s vote by trying to piggy-back off another candidate, and isn’t this practice bordering on the unethical?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes, we were trying to maximise our vote in Katherine and made no …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Cease for a moment, Chief Minister. I cannot hear a word the Chief Minister is saying. There are far too many interjections from both sides. Okay, now try.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, in response to the member for Nelson’s question: yes, we were trying to get as many votes as we could in Katherine. We made every effort we could, because we were determined - having worked very hard in Katherine for two years in contrast to the then local member - for Katherine residents to have a voice in government and it was going to be their very best opportunity.
I would like to thank again the residents of Katherine for their strong support of this government and the Labor Party, and our terrific candidate, in Sharon Hillen, that we got a 9.5% two party preferred swing. I am truly delighted that happened and that what we considered …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I do not actually have to answer the question if there is so much competition from the small egos on that side.
Mr Baldwin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Daly, I have spoken to you enough times. Chief Minister, finish your answer.
Ms MARTIN: What we saw on Saturday, and reflecting the work that this government has done in Katherine over the last two years, was what we thought was a safe CLP seat turn into a marginal seat. That is a gigantic stride forward, I believe, for the people of Katherine. So, thank you, people of Katherine.
Mr Baldwin: And how does Jim feel?
Ms MARTIN: The Independent former mayor decided he would put two how-to-votes on the same side. We were saying to those people - and the photocopy that the member for Nelson held up had a Labor Party logo on it. It said clearly: ‘If Jim Forscutt is your first vote …’. What is so deceitful about that? Jim gave two how-to-votes; first preference to Labor, first preference to CLP. We were saying: ‘If you are one of those who want to give first preference to the Labor Party, this is how you vote’ – straightforward and simple. It had the Labor Party logo on it. What is the problem? It said it quite clearly.
Mr Baldwin: Dirty tactics. Disgusting!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, it was not dirty tactics - from a party that has been employing dirty tactics from time immemorial; the experts in the art of push polling. We have seen two candidates from the CLP in the past.
This was straightforward. We did go - and the member for Nelson used the word as a slur – go in to maximise our vote. We did go in to win as many Katherine hearts and votes as we could.
Mr Baldwin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, do you have a hearing problem on this side? Have you not heard me speak to you?
Mr BALDWIN: Yes, I have, Madam Speaker.
Government Investment in Training
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can the minister please advise the House on the expected government investment in training over the next few years, and the impact that this will have on employment for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question, because it does go to the heart of where this government is headed in terms of a labour market over the next few years.
In the next three years, we will be investing very heavily in training Territorians, to the tune of over $100m to be spent on education and training; to train, retrain and to prepare Territorians for employment across all regions of the Territory. $5.3m will be spent on assisting students to become job ready as part of vocational learning in schools.
$3m over three years will be for careers advisors in Territory schools to work more closely with business and industry to assist students in their transition from schools to employment. It is a key interface area that we have to continue to put a lot of resources in to get it right. The careers guidance people at Darwin High School earlier this year won a national award for the work they were doing - and high quality work it was indeed. That is the sort of effort and the level of input that we need in that interface between formal education and going into the work force. We are prepared to back our commitment to that to the extent of over $3m.
$600 000 will be spent in the same period to develop and maintain a sophisticated modelling tool to provide up-to-date research and quality information on the labour market itself.
We will continue to invest these large sums of money to get Territorians job ready and into employment of their choice. We will be announcing more about this at the appropriate time, and some of these issues and focus packages will be a part of that as they come to fruition. We do take the development of skilled Territorians seriously. It is our intention to develop and skill the work force, the local people who live here in the Territory. We want to ensure that Territorians are job ready and have the skills. We want to continue to skill our work force - local people – in order to take advantage of those jobs - some of them high quality jobs - that are going to come through in those emerging new industries over the coming years.
We want to get away from the continued reliance of the past on importation of skills for major projects that came, stayed in the Territory and left. We have a local product; they are called young Territorians. We are going to work with them to skill and develop them to the best of their ability and potential so they can get the local jobs.
Commercial Tenancy Occupancy Rates in Darwin CBD
Ms CARTER to MINISTER for CORPORATE and INFORMATION SERVICES
According to the Department of Corporate and Information Services, when the proposed developments such as Chinatown, Mitchell Centre, TIO and Old Admiralty House are completed, the vacancy rates for commercial office space in Darwin will almost double from 12.5% to nearly 24%. What is your government going to do about the expected glut of office space? How are you going to stimulate demand? Or are we going to have as many empty office buildings in the CBD as we have shops and restaurants?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. People who put office space into any urban centre will be entering the open market. There is only so much a government can do regarding the supply and demand equation that those investments are going to go into, not only at the time the investment is made, but over the long period for which a building will exist.
When we called for expressions of interest for further development in Darwin, we took those matters into account. You may recall that, initially, we were looking at a larger square metreage to go out in government-leased accommodation that would be on offer for a new development. We looked at the vacancy rates at the time and felt that we needed to draw back on the original intended square metreage to a little over 4000 m. That is the figure that was finally vouched for by the government against a potential development.
Investors have to make their own decisions about the market, and the future of the market. Those decisions have been made by many developers who have chosen to invest in Darwin. I believe, like us, they believe in the long-term future of Darwin as an urban and commercial centre, and that they will see a return on their investment over time. These investments are made on 30- to 50-year outlooks, so we have great confidence that whoever invests in Darwin is going to see a return on their investment.
Drug Courts
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
One of Labor’s election commitments was the introduction of Drug Courts for the compulsive treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Could the minister please inform the Assembly on the progress with the Drug Courts?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. The Territory’s first ever Drug Court Program that targets offenders addicted to illicit drugs has admitted 21 offenders to treatment programs since July this year. The new Drug Court Program aims to reform offenders addicted to illicit drugs through treatment and rehabilitation, and is a key plank in the government’s Property Crime Reduction Strategy and Tough on Drugs Plan. Eleven offenders are in residential treatment, eight in counselling, and two on pharmacotherapy treatment. There is a clear nexus between property crime and illicit drug use, proven in other jurisdictions and, in the Territory, we have committed to addressing this serious problem.
The program aims to reduce illicit drug use and related crime by participants; reduce the likelihood of a sentence involving incarceration; reduce the cost to the justice and health systems; and improve the health and social contribution of the participants. Offenders addicted to illicit drugs can commit numerous property offences and, with this new Drug Court, targeted policing and increased crime prevention initiatives will improve on the 32% drop that we have achieved to date in house break-ins and move, hopefully, to even better figures in the future.
This type of program has had success in other states, and our model has been developed on best practice occurring around Australia. The model is based on the Victorian Court Referral, Evaluation, Drug Intervention and Treatment, or CREDIT scheme, but has been tailored to meet the specific needs of the Northern Territory. Our Drug Court model allows magistrates to refer alleged offenders for assessment for drug treatment at the bail stage. Any offender who has a drug dependency problem can potentially be referred. Suitable offenders will enter a treatment and rehabilitation program extending up to five months as part of their bail conditions. They will be regularly monitored through court reviews and their treatment progress taken into account at the sentencing stage.
Three Darwin-based magistrates and one Alice Springs-based magistrate have attended a two-day training program in Melbourne. Court clinicians commenced employment in Darwin and Alice Springs on 19 May 2003, and have also attended training in the Melbourne Magistrates Court. The program is currently using referrals to existing rehabilitation and treatment programs.
We anticipate further federal funding through the National Illicit Drug Strategy will be secured later this year, which will support additional treatment and rehabilitation places. Currently, participants will only be placed where and when appropriate placements are available. When placements are not available, offenders will go through the standard court processes.
Negotiations will continue with alcohol treatment service providers to broaden the bail program’s capacity to address alcohol abuse and related crime. This is a substantial issue for the Northern Territory and will require significant resources.
I am pleased to inform the parliament of the commencement of the Drug Court in the Northern Territory, and I am confident this initiative will contribute to safer communities in our part of the world.
Freight Rates – Alice Springs
Dr LIM to CHIEF MINISTER
Recently, a constituent said to me that he was not quite sure whether the Chief Minister was superficially deep or deeply superficial.
Madam SPEAKER: Your question?
Dr LIM: I told him I will ask the question of the Chief Minister for him so he could work it out for himself.
There is a growing concern among many businesses and consumers alike that freight costs to Alice Springs will increase when the railway line commences operations. Is the Chief Minister aware of these concerns? Can the Chief Minister give a guarantee to the people of Alice Springs that freight prices will not increase with the operation of the freight train now that the railway line is completed?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I respond to the Deputy Opposition Leader’s question despite the gratuitous nature in which he started it.
Mr Stirling: You are deeply deep.
Ms MARTIN: Yes. The railway is a great project, and I congratulate the Country Liberal Party for putting it in place while in government.
One of the decisions made about how the whole process of that railway would operate was that the operation would go to a private operator for 50 years and then come back to government. We said: ‘Terrific, good. This is a public/private partnership, a good way to go’. That is what has happened.
Dr Lim: You do not care about the cost of living going up in Alice Springs?
Mr Ah Kit: You asked a question – listen!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, can I just say that I am happy to answer the question, but not while …
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, I was …
Ms MARTIN: It is just so rude.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you asked the question. Chief Minister, finish your answer.
Ms MARTIN: Thank you. Offer just a small element of courtesy, it is important.
FreightLink is operating the rail, and my belief is they will do a great job. FreightLink have met with businesses in Alice Springs; they have put their rates to the freight forwarders; and FreightLink, who have spent the best part of $800m of private capital on this rail, want to make a return. What they want is as much freight on the rail as they can get.
Therefore, I have great confidence that the freight rates will be very competitive going into Alice Springs. They will be very competitive going into Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin. But it is FreightLink’s job to offer those rates and to get that freight on the rail.
It is all very well for the member for Greatorex to come in here and say: ‘Where is an assurance from the Chief Minister?’. Do you not understand the process? Do you not understand that the decision was made by you when in government that a private operator would operate the rail for 50 years? Ask me the question in 50 years and I will give you an assurance.
National Mental Health Week Activities
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Minister, can you please inform the House of activities during National Mental Health Week?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. On Monday, I was very fortunate to officially launch the National Mental Health Week and the art exhibition currently in the main hall of Parliament House. The Mental Health Week art exhibition ‘Young at Heart’ displays art and crafts by mental health consumers, children of parents who have a mental illness, Darwin High School students, and local visual artists. I would like to thank Ms Rachael McGuin who curated the exhibition. I hope all members present are able to take the opportunity to view and enjoy the many unique and captivating works displayed. The display will remain in Parliament House until the end of this week.
National Mental Health Week is an annual series of activities and events held throughout Australia to raise community awareness of mental health problems, and to promote mental health. The theme for this year’s Mental Health Week is ‘Promoting and Protecting the Mental Health of All Children and Young People’. World Mental Health Day will be held this Friday, 10 October, and will focus on the emotional and behavioural disorders of children and adolescents. Various activities and events are taking place throughout the Territory, and I would like to thank all those who gave their time so generously to organise and participate in these events. In particular, I would like to thank Team Health, Anglicare, the Northern Territory Association of the Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill, the Mental Health Association of Central Australia, and departmental staff in Darwin, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
National Mental Health Week provides an opportunity to take time to think about what mental health means to us, and how well we understand our own mental health and that of others. I encourage all Territorians to become involved in the activities and events of National Mental Health Week.
National Mental Health Week is also an opportunity for this government to reconfirm its commitment to the mental health system in the Northern Territory. In May this year, I announced the injection of an additional $7.2m into mental health care over the next three years. This has begun already with a $900 000 boost in this financial year, and will be followed by an additional $2.4m next year, and $3.9m in the 2005-06 financial year. This new funding will go towards additional services to children, young people, remote and rural indigenous residents, carers, and mental health initiatives for young people in the criminal justice system.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016