2005-02-09
Paedophile Activity – Suppression Order by Court
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday in this House, the Attorney-General told parliament that government had nothing to do with the matter of a prominent Territorian now before the courts. Nevertheless, a few minutes later, you were forced to admit you had been briefed by the Police Commissioner prior to the charges being laid. It was revealed in today’s NT News that you initiated the phone call; the commissioner did not phone you. Why did you phone the Police Commissioner? Did you know that charges were about to be laid and who the prominent Territorian was? Is it true that you called on him to elicit his support for the suppression order?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, let us get to the heart of what the questions yesterday and are now, as forecast and led by the Opposition Leader. These questions are about corruption of a system. Let us be quite straight here. The Opposition Leader is alleging corruption of the judiciary.
Mr Burke: No.
Ms MARTIN: That is what you are alleging. You are alleging, somehow or other, there is a connection between me having a very short conversation, probably of about two minutes, after proceedings had been put in place and, in your concoction of a fantasy, that there has been some involvement by government in the independent workings of our judicial system. This is a very serious charge from the Opposition Leader …
Mr Burke: You better believe it!
Ms MARTIN: He has priors on this. This is the man who, in 2000 as Chief Minister, called our judiciary ‘corrupt’, and this is what he is alleging again now! He is alleging that there has been a corruption of the process with an independent Office of the DPP. He is also alleging, through the way he is asking questions, that a magistrate or the judiciary is being corrupt as well. I reject this absolutely and it is an indictment on the Opposition Leader to be asking these questions anyway.
Capital Works Budget and Small Business
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
After three years of record capital works budgets, can you please inform the House the effect this has had on Territory small business.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Over the past three years, there have been record capital works expenditure and infrastructure spends by this government, and increasing cash against it. I will demonstrate later on in this answer how that has had a very positive impact on Territory businesses - large, small and medium.
However, it is important to reflect the situation that we inherited regarding capital works. I will show this graph to the House. Down here, we have the capital works cash under the CLP years, and the revote, the money that is carried over. The pink arrow designates the last year of the CLP when the member for Brennan was Chief Minister, and it shows that the revote actually exceeds the cash. In other words, they did not even have enough money for the works that were on the list; let alone any new works.
By contrast, I hope members can see here that, under this government, there has been record expenditure over three years and cash has been increasing …
Mr Baldwin: Where are the projects?
Dr BURNS: You do not want to hear about it. Cash has been increasing by 55%. That is the bottom line. You can talk about your signature projects but, yesterday, the Chief Minister elaborated what ours are …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: the waterfront, undergrounding power and, as I am demonstrating here, a dynamo for the Territory economy.
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: They do not want to hear about it. It was my pleasure …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, before you go on, cease for a moment. We are in Question Time, and I am sure people listening to this would like to hear the answers, opposition members, so settle down.
Dr BURNS: The bulk of capital works expenditure is administered by my Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. Today, I am pleased to announce that, in this current financial year, 95% of the cash value of works has gone to Territory companies and, by company, it is 93%. That is, 93% of the companies getting work out of DIPE, this year to date, have been Territory companies.
It was my pleasure, during the luncheon adjournment, to meet representatives of one of those companies, a painting company with a job of about $110 000. Talking to the contractor, I was told things have never been better. I know, from talking to a range of businesses in the Territory, things are going very well, particularly in the construction industry.
People are not going to be fooled by the opposition’s nay-saying and negativity; they know things are going well. People know that there are jobs and a lot of economic activity going on here.
Mr Burke: Thank you, John Howard. That is why they voted for him.
Dr BURNS: Well, you do not believe it, Leader of the Opposition. Each one of those highlighted is a Territory business. You can talk down Territory business; I hold them up. They are competing against every other business in Australia for these works; they are getting the work. Hats off to Territory businesses. You talk it down, member for Brennan, but people out there in the real world know just what you did when you were Chief Minister and what this government is doing in supporting Territory business.
Mr DUNHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask that those documents be tabled.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister?
Dr BURNS: Yes, certainly.
Sunrise Gas – Chief Minister’s Commitment
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday in parliament, you denied any knowledge of a promise you made to bring Sunrise gas onshore by 2007. You said, and I quote - this is real on-the-ball for infrastructure projects, member for Johnston:
- I would like to see where the Opposition Leader claims I said Sunrise gas would be onshore by 2007. I have no recollection of any policy that set a date like that for Sunrise gas. Unless the Opposition Leader can actually put something in here, he has simply made it up!
This is the Building a Better Territory infrastructure strategy for the Northern Territory. This is the blueprint for what this government is going to do in office, distributed widely throughout the Northern Territory. At page 29, Chief Minister, it has your photo on the front and it is signed by you. This is your major strategy document:
- Sunrise gas to shore – priority actions to ensure that Sunrise gas comes onshore by 2007.
Do you still deny having promised it? Do you now admit that this is another hollow promise and your so-called blueprint is a sham? More importantly, are there any other policy announcements you have made from which you would now like to distance yourself?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question because I like to talk about policy and the vision that this government has for the Territory. It stands in stark contrast with the visionless position, the policy-less opposition.
Mr Henderson: Twenty dollars, wasn’t it?
Ms MARTIN: No, it was $50 that they were offering for a good policy idea. I believe you have to dig a bit deeper, because we have an opposition without vision or policy.
This government is very proud of the economic development strategy and the 357 actions that have been targeted in that. They were strategies put together with our community from the Economic Development Summit in November 2001. We are proud that most of those actions have been achieved. The strategies that we put in place, together with our business community and the wider community, have been actioned. That was the ambition of that summit; to try to get gas onshore by 2007.
The Opposition Leader stood here yesterday and said this was a promise that we took to the election. Well, it was not; you were wrong in that. It was an ambition that, together with our community, this government would like to have achieved. We will continue to work for gas onshore from the Timor Sea.
Let us look at where we were in August 2001. Was there any gas coming onshore? No. Was there any real hope of gas coming onshore? No. Yet, now, in February 2005, we have a pipeline being laid to the Bayu-Undan field and an LNG plant being built at Wickham Point. By the second quarter of this year, there will be another decision about another pipeline.
We have Blacktip gas being exploited by Bayu-Undan. There are 22 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Timor Sea. We, as government, are working with our community strategically to get that gas onshore. Sunrise, of course, is a big field. It is just under eight trillion cubic feet of gas, which is very prospective. There are difficulties with that, of course. However, there are many other fields and our activity is simply not limited to one field.
When you contrast with where we were three-and-a-half years ago, we have changed the nature of discussions about gas from the Timor Sea, and we are seeing jobs and economic activity onshore in Darwin and the Territory as a result of that. That is not bad.
Business Community – Assistance from Government
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for BUSINESS and INDUSTRY
What practical assistance is our government giving Territory business to back them to grow, and how has this assistance been received by the business community?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama for her question. Yes, certainly, this is a government that is backing small business, and it is great to see small business across the Northern Territory doing well.
We have just heard from my colleague, the minister for Infrastructure and Planning, showing record commitments in capital works budgets, with 95% of them going to Territory businesses. All those businesses in Winnellie and Berrimah are doing very well.
With the last budget, my colleague, the Treasurer, cut payroll tax; the biggest tax cuts in the Territory’s history. The Northern Territory …
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: … is the lowest-taxing jurisdiction for small business in the country. Not bad, I reckon. There are some practical impacts as well.
We went to the last election, after having consulted with the business community on specific initiatives. One of those was some up-skills program workshops to show business and enable them, as they were entering the growth phase, how they could maximise the benefit from the growth in their business. I am pleased to say that our business up-skills program has been a great success. It has been offered for the last two years and has been warmly received by business across the Territory. Workshop topics include: Starting a Small Business, Business Structures and Tax, Introduction to Bookkeeping, Developing Business Plans and Marketing.
Mr Dunham: Getting out of town before the posse.
Mr HENDERSON: Since 1 July 2004 … The member for Drysdale again. He doe not have a positive bone in his body. This is a good news story for the Northern Territory …
Mr Dunham: It is a fairytale.
Mr HENDERSON: He says it is a fairytale. Well, let us tell that to some of the 350 businesses which have actually benefited from these workshops and have acclaimed them loudly.
Since 1 July, 46 workshops have been held across the Northern Territory, at a cost of $260 000 a year, and more than 350 Territory businessmen and women have attended the workshops to date. That is not a fairytale, that is a government backing small business and helping them to grow.
The success of the workshops have been Territory-wide: 94 attendees in Alice Springs, 25 in Tennant Creek, 91 in Katherine, 64 in Darwin and 77 in rural and remote areas. This is the fairytale! Of the people who have attended the workshops, 85% have expected to improve or change some aspect of their business as a result; and 83% said they learnt something new about running a business in the Territory.
I put on the record my thanks to the hardworking staff in my department who deliver these workshops. They have been widely acclaimed across the Territory. Along with record capital works projects, budgets, record tax cuts, we are assisting Territory business to grow through programs in the up-skills area.
Parks Estate
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Your parks handover plan is a disaster. You made an offer to Aboriginals to hand over enormous park assets without any mandate from Territorians to do so. You said if the offer was not taken up in its entirety by 31 December, all deals were off. We have had four parks rejected by Aboriginals who have pulled out of the deal. The deadline of 31 December is long gone. You are copying together legislation on the run to keep your offer alive past the deadline. You are …
Madam SPEAKER: Your question?
Mr BURKE: … by your own legislation, the only person with the power to secretly negotiate the offer. You refuse to tell Territorians how much …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Is this a question or a statement? I urge the Leader of the Opposition to get to his question.
Madam SPEAKER: Your question, Leader of the Opposition?
Mr BURKE: You are, by your own legislation, the only person with the power to secretly negotiate the offer. You refuse to tell Territorians how much the parks estate you want to give to Aboriginals is worth, and how much it will cost them to lease the parks back. Today, you rammed through a motion to urgently pass new legislation …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! What is the question?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes. Leader of the Opposition, I have asked you to get to your question, otherwise I am going to sit you down. Short questions.
Mr BURKE: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a statement time, it is a Question Time.
Mr BURKE: Well, Madam Speaker, surely I am allowed to ask a question and lay the details out so Territorians can understand …
Madam SPEAKER: I am sure the Chief Minister knows all the background that you are giving. Just ask the question.
Mr Stirling: We have forgotten what you said now.
Mr BURKE: Well, the people listening have not.
Today, Chief Minister, you ran through a motion to urgently pass new legislation to revive your dismal offer without even attempting to explain why this matter is so urgent. I now call on you to explain why you insist on keeping these secret negotiations going on, and not telling Territorians why you are giving away the parks estate?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it was a very long question. I propose to try and get to the heart of what the Opposition Leader is asking. There are probably two aspects of the Parks and Reserves (Framework for the Future) Act that nobody knows about, and do not understand either.
You are saying that nobody has an opportunity - including yourselves - to actually understand what is happening. The members for Brennan and Blain were offered a briefing in early January. The member for Brennan did not bother to turn up. The member for Blain had that briefing. It is interesting that you now come into this parliament and say, ‘I do not know what the bill you introduced this morning is all about’, when a briefing was offered.
To give context, the Opposition Leader now is choosing the approach of: ‘If I do not go to a briefing and if I do not listen, then I do not know anything about it’. We had members of the opposition ask: ‘What is this bill about?’. It had been out in the public record - in a press release, in a briefing to the Opposition Leader then. The member for Blain should not shake his head because he had the briefing regarding what the bill was about.
However, the whole issue of what the parks and reserves package is about has been on the public record since September 2003. This is probably the most transparent piece of legislation. The action that we are taking is embedded in legislation, and it has been done transparently since September 2003. We have had considerable briefings with different areas of our community and we have produced newsletters and a booklet. There has been ample opportunity for even the lazy opposition to get across the issue. It is not good enough to say: ‘We do not agree with it, therefore, we are not going to know about it’. You have a right and an obligation, as parliamentarians, to inform yourself about this bill.
Mr BURKE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have had enough of this. The Chief Minister has an obligation to bring forward legislation into this parliament. Government is not about briefings, it is about this parliament.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, resume your seat! That is not a point of order and you know it. Your question was very lengthy. I am getting a bit tired of long answers.
Mr Elferink: She gagged debate this morning, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Let me also, member for Macdonnell, remind the Leader of the Opposition he is on a warning. Chief Minister, get on with it.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I was asked a very long and tortured question ...
Madam SPEAKER: I know. Get on with it.
Ms MARTIN: It demonstrates that the opposition have not got across the details of this, and they are simply pretending that they do not know what it is about. There will be ample opportunity. The bill in front of us is one that we spent - except for one key element - six hours debating in this House in November 2003. It is the same bill and this opposition is a very lazy opposition.
Power and Water – Overcoming Skill Shortages
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
How has Power and Water played its role in overcoming skill shortages in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question, because he does keep an eye on traineeships and apprenticeships and what is going on out there. Power and Water, it is true, has always played a valuable role in the Northern Territory in skilling the work force for the future. I always had a question about the capacity of Power and Water to increase that role. I am pleased to see that that question has been answered in the affirmative, because they have increased their numbers and, this year, have recruited a record 12 apprentices. That is a fantastic result in itself.
Six of those apprentices will be based in Darwin, three in Alice Springs, two in Katherine, and one in Tennant Creek, and they are spread through the Territory as well. The apprenticeships cover the linesmen who will work on the power networks; the electricians who will work on the networks and the power station generators; the mechanics who will work on Power and Water infrastructure; and plumbers. Apprentices are employed and managed by Group Training NT in partnership with Power and Water.
I had the privilege of meeting these young apprentices at Ben Hammond Workshops earlier this year. They are a great bunch of Territorians and I wish them well for the future. I congratulate Power and Water on increasing their effort from eight to 12, and I believe we would expect to see increases in the future again.
Mitchell Creek - Destruction
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
My question relates to the destruction of sections of Mitchell Creek in Palmerston. Under the Water Act, section 15, a person cannot interfere with a watercourse without permission. Could you please say who gave permission for developers to interfere and destroy sections of Mitchell Creek? Can you please say where in the Water Act is there a distinction between a creek in the rural area and a creek in residential areas, as you said in response to a question I asked in December last year. What is your government doing to preserve the remaining sections of Mitchell Creek, and how does this all fit into the much-lauded Darwin Harbour Management Plan?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member has asked questions previously regarding this, and I have had some discussions off the ball with him about this. Let me assure the member that I took on board his point. He wanted to know whether there was some exemption for urban developments, and I received legal advice that that is the fact. Basically, that exemption was granted by Fred Finch when he was minister, under section 15. I can table that for the member if he wishes.
Some of the history of Mitchell Creek, in particular, is that when the development occurred there in 1992, there was both duplication of the highway and also some urban development. There was an exemption granted for those works to be carried out. I agree with the member that there has been some destruction of Mitchell Creek around that. When I drive along there I always think that it is a shame. I reiterate my commitment regarding the last stage of the Delfin development in Palmerston that, through the department in negotiation with Delfin, I am trying to solve issues which has been raised by a number of residents in regard to the area facing on to the escarpment and the beginning of Mitchell Creek. I am committed to trying to solve those particular issues.
However, in specific answer to your question, member for Nelson, you can read for yourself the general exemption which was granted by Fred Finch when he was minister.
Henry Walker Eltin Administration – Impact on Darwin City Waterfront Project Henry
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Henry Walker Eltin is a major partner in your proposed $1.2bn waterfront development and is now in the hands of an administrator. The company has a formal relationship with your government under the much-touted public/private partnership arrangement. Last week, you said on radio that you did not have a full understanding of the implications to the waterfront development of HWE’s current financial crisis. In today’s Northern Territory News, a consortium spokesman is saying that the HWE situation will not have an effect on the project. Will you tell Territorians what your understanding is on the situation, and what impact this will have on government’s contribution to the project and the stability of the consortium partnership arrangements?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, when I spoke on radio last week I was reflecting what the accurate situation was: that there was not, and still today is not, an accurate understanding of what the future is for Henry Walker Eltin. The Darwin Cove Consortium, which is the preferred tenderer for the waterfront project, has been doing that same work over the last week-and-a-half. To quote Malcolm Macintyre, who is the bid leader with ABN Amro, in his media release which was out yesterday – and the consortium has been working hard to understand what the situation is with Henry Walker Eltin and what the impact might be on the consortium’s preferred tenderer status for the waterfront. He said:
- We have followed closely the unfolding situation as it relates to Henry Walker Eltin and reviewed the scope of work the company was committed to, including the civil and marine works …
Which is where the focus of Henry Walker Eltin’s work was. To further quote Malcolm McIntyre:
- We are considering a range of options for the delivery of the elements that Henry Walker Eltin was to undertake while continuing to explore opportunities for Henry Walker Eltin’s continued involvement.
Environment Grants
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Everyone agrees we have a great lifestyle in the Territory. Can you advise on …
Mr Burke: Your advice is to open your windows; get a lifestyle that way.
Mr KIELY: Except for the CLP opposition, everyone agrees we have a great lifestyle in the Territory. Can you advise on how government is helping Territorians to protect our great environment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. Government has a great record, despite what is coming from the other side, of protecting our unique environment and lifestyle. Some of it has included introducing land clearing controls, protecting mangroves in the harbour, and there will be no cotton, despite the diatribe that keeps coming from across the Chamber.
Perhaps, most importantly, with all the development going on, we are balancing growth with lifestyle while protecting our environment. An absolute priority of this government is to involve the community, and we have always talked about the community looking after and being part of that protection of the environment.
The grants program is part of an unprecedented $1m spend this government is investing in grassroots environment and heritage initiatives. The first round of environment grants, which I announced today, attracted unprecedented interest, with over 70 applications received. Unfortunately, we had to get that 70 down to 30. There was a huge cross-section of applications from right across the Northern Territory.
Looking through the list of projects, there were a lot from community-based schools. Such as Karama, Wanguri, and even Girraween Primary, will all get funding to run these small projects. There are projects about protecting the sea, looking at turtle and dugong, and in the desert protecting native grasses.
Unfortunately, as I said, it was not possible to fund all of the 70 applicants. However, we are going to encourage those people who did submit unsuccessful applications to go into the second round and, hopefully, they will be successful.
I would like to thank everyone who expressed an interest and submitted applications. I hope to have a look at the great environment projects as they unfold over the coming months.
Henry Walker Eltin Administration – Impact on Darwin City Waterfront Project
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Does Henry Walker Eltin’s current position - that is, in administration - affect your financial close deadline for the waterfront project that you had set down for the end of February?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I responded to that in the previous question. I said that we are working to a financial close at the end of the first quarter. That is the target that Malcolm Macintyre from ABN Amro, which is the bid leader for Darwin Cove Consortium, has said is the date they also are working towards.
It is extraordinarily unfortunate what has happened to Henry Walker Eltin, a proud Territory company that is in financial trouble. The creditors met yesterday. We are hoping to keep that time frame for financial close for the waterfront. The consortium is intending to keep that time frame. I would like to think that the opposition hopes we can keep that time frame as well, because this is a great Territory project.
We are in dire need in Darwin of a convention and exhibition centre. As Expo looks for a home, you realise we are in need of an exhibition centre even more critically. The tourism industry and associated businesses want that convention centre, so we are moving. It has been 18 months since we first started to talk about this. We have moved quickly but effectively, and we would like to get financial close on this project by the end of the first quarter.
Northern Territory Open Education Centre
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
In its original recommendations, the Secondary Education Review recommended the closure of the Northern Territory Open Education Centre. Can the minister advise the House of the government’s decision on this recommendation?
Mr Dunham: It was in his statement; he told us yesterday.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. We might have gone over this yesterday, but I want to make sure all Territorians get this message quite clearly.
It is true that Gregor Ramsey’s report did recommend strongly the closure of the NT Open Education Centre. We will not be accepting that recommendation. In fact, we are going to enhance the role of the NT Open Education Centre, because it has an important role to play in the delivery of education across the Northern Territory, particularly when you consider parts of our population scattered in small pockets right across the length and breadth of the Territory.
There really has not been a specific education policy focus for a long time. There is a lack of coordination between the different deliverers - the Katherine School of the Air, the Alice Springs School of the Air, and the Open Education Centre itself. There was no focus in bringing them together in a coordinated way. The focus did need refreshing, looking at again, and enhancing and finetuning. That is what we intend to do.
Despite the opposition’s complaints on these matters, we will be going out for extensive discussion and consultation with the stakeholders on the final shape of the policy. We expect to have the shape of the new distance education service provider available for comment by about mid-year. Whatever the final arrangements are, this new service will have a much greater technologically-focussed and client-driven direction. We expect it to service the needs of students and teachers through various relationships, either directly teaching students, as they have in the past, or available to directly support teachers in their teaching of their student group. We will also be using the delivery of some elements of professional development – it has never done that before – and it will have a role to play in the development of professional learning communities.
A suggestion that has come through the process has been the possibility of using the system to deliver VET, and also to provide adult education to the bush. That is something that, again, is another matter that has drifted in recent years and needs another refocus. There is a strong possibility that our distance education model, in place, could pick up a couple more of those features.
What we are doing immediately in relation to this whole question is funding the Interactive Distance Learning Facility in Katherine. The money is there, it has been budgeted now, and as soon as we can get a contract out the door, we will have that IDL studio up and running in Katherine so they can fulfil their role in distance education in the same way that Alice Springs does.
Darwin City Waterfront Project – Cost to Territorians
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
It has been reported that Henry Walker Eltin’s financial interest as a partner in the waterfront development is in the order of $80m. Financial close is supposed to be only weeks away, and Territorians have still not been told the extent of their financial interest and contribution in this project. Will you tell us today, before this project unravels further, what Territorians are going to pay for this project?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I pick up on the use of the word ‘unravel’ and make it very clear that this project is not unravelled. The only ones talking about it unravelled - because they simply do not support the waterfront - is the Country Liberal Party, who we know would scrap it. Simply, they would scrap the waterfront project. They do not want to build a convention and exhibition centre. They do not want to build the associated infrastructure for people in Darwin to enjoy, such as safe swimming areas, a wave pool, a sea wall and a lock.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carter: Get it right.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms MARTIN: It has been made very clear, and certainly, on the record here …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Cease for a moment, Chief Minister. Members of the opposition, you know constant interjections that interrupt someone speaking are not acceptable. Member for Port Darwin, you have been consistent in that, so would you cease, and the other two members beside you.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, you would expect the member for Port Darwin to support this project. It is very disappointing ...
Ms Carter: We want it done right.
Ms MARTIN: … extremely disappointing that she does not support this project.
Ms CARTER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister is being misleading there. I do support the project; however, I want it done correctly.
Madam SPEAKER: I am sure, Chief Minister, you will clarify the statement you have just made.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, in the last session of parliament, the Opposition Leader said he would scrap it. How much clearer can you be about a project? He said he would scrap this waterfront project.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Okay, scrap the waterfront project. He did then talk about replacing it with his own, which does not include a convention centre, nor any exciting aspects. It has lots of paving, car parks and bitumen - very exciting.
Specifically, as this House clearly knows, the government put $100m on the table 18 months ago as a commitment towards a project which was then valued at $600m. We expected a private sector input of $500m, and the opposition has rejected private input into this project. Very clearly, we have seen that private input grow to around $800m, and they are rejecting it - absolutely. Those who looked at the model at Casuarina were totally astounded at that; that this all should be built by taxpayers’ dollars. However, that is what the Country Liberal Party wants, therefore …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: That is what you are arguing, and that is what …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: It is quite extraordinary.
To answer the question specifically, the bid document allowed for the consortia proposed bids above or below that $100m, so it was not a ceiling or a floor. Importantly, submissions were made under a competitive bid environment, which is what we wanted. We wanted to get the best deal for Territorians, the best outcome for Territorians, and that money will be an important assessment in that criteria. We now have a project valued at $1bn and, as I have said a number of times, we will, when it is appropriate financially – and this is the way these projects are done – we will be accountable for every dollar and give you all the details once we have reached financial close.
Mr Baldwin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, order!
Ms MARTIN: We have put $100m on the table. We have seen a project that we first thought would be about $600m grow to $1bn. It is an exciting project for our future. It means opportunities, jobs, business opportunities and, with the convention/exhibition centre, we are going to deliver, something the CLP under the then Chief Minister, now Opposition Leader - yesterday’s man - could not.
Members interjecting.
Mr Baldwin: We are not giving away the Territory’s heritage, either.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly! I remind you that you are also on a warning. Do stop your constant interjections.
Alice Springs Residential Land Development Progress
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
The government has approved the first residential land development in Alice Springs for a decade. Can the minister update …
Dr Lim: At $140 000 a block!
Mr Elferink: That makes it affordable.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Macdonnell! I am getting close to the end of my tether with some of the opposition members who are constantly interjecting. You could allow the member to complete his question in silence.
Mr McADAM: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am absolutely certain that the people in Alice Springs would like to be able to hear the answer, as opposed to the constant interjections on the part of the member for Greatorex.
Can the minister update the Assembly on the progress with this and other developments in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. There is no doubt that this development at Larapinta has been welcomed by most people in Alice Springs. Of the 40 blocks that have been released, I believe 26 have been sold off the plan. That is very encouraging. The fact that there is a local developer, Asland, made up of a Territory consortium, is also very encouraging. Also, that the groundbreaking native title agreement which was reached with the Lhere Artepe, despite all the nay-saying by some members opposite, is making good progress. Stage 2 of the headworks will be under way very soon. At the end of the day, there will be around 80 blocks on to the Alice Springs market. I believe the Minister for Central Australia has rebutted these allegations that it will only be for the rich. There will be something in these developments for everyone and every price bracket in Alice Springs. That is very important.
This also opens up the Mt John Valley development. In headworks and coming to agreement about native title, there is a lot that has been learnt through the Larapinta development that can be utilised there. Here are the newspaper articles: ‘New blocks on sale’; ‘Land sells fast in Larapinta 4’. There is a photo of Mr Brian Stirling who looks quite familiar. There is an important development in Mt John Valley - 120 blocks.
The Red Centre Resort residential rezoning is going on. I believe they are still subject to some consent, though I am informed there will be 30 residential lots on this old motel site, with 24 apartments. That is another one.
There is a bit of activity in Alice Springs. The development along Ragonesi Road is a very important development with 260-odd blocks there. That is another important and significant step forward for Alice Springs, together with the Desert Knowledge Centre and millions of dollars construction and major developments in the CBD with shopping centres and the new Civic Centre.
Madam Speaker, once again, under this government, there is economic progress in Alice Springs. There is a release of land and growth, something that was not occurring under the previous government.
Darwin City Waterfront Project – Status of Project
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Regarding the waterfront project, let us look at this project which seems to be in such a shambles. You had three bids but you secretly chose one without allowing the community to have their say on the other proposals. You duped the public on the height profiles of the development, on which you were forced to backflip after strong community pressure. The environmental aspects are not transparent and shown to be unreliable. You expect the public to take on face value that you will do a good deal, but refuse to tell what the deal is. One of your partners is in administration and you cannot adequately explain what the impact on the project is. We are at the 11th hour before financial close and you still refuse to tell the biggest partner, the Territory taxpayer, how much it will cost them to be a partner. Is there time for you to demonstrate some honesty and transparency to Territorians and come clean with exactly what is going on with this project?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have never heard such negativity towards a $1bn project for Darwin, which will grow our economy, tourism, our community, and our population, and provide 1000 jobs over its time - for a decade to maybe 15 years. This is a very exciting project and all we hear from the opposition is negativity and criticism about it. I wonder whether the opposition has talked to our community and even listened to some of the excitement our community has about the waterfront redevelopment.
As I indicated yesterday, when I stood there for many hours with the model and talked to people about it, they did not just use words like, ‘Oh, this is okay,’ they said, ‘This is terrific! This is a great project for our future! This means job for me and probably my kids. This is great!’
The whole bid process was done appropriately with two probity auditors. I would cast the Opposition Leader’s mind back to when he was yesterday’s man and was overseeing bids for the rail. That was not done in public. That was done appropriately, in commercial-in-confidence, and revealed to Territorians when the deal was in place.
Mr Burke: You did not believe in commercial-in-confidence when you were in opposition! You wanted FOI to tell people everything.
Ms MARTIN: We worked with you. We took a long time. And did you hear criticism from us? No!
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: This is the same kind of project. If the Opposition Leader forgets the processes and mechanisms of what went into that project, which similarly apply to this - he has either forgotten what happened or he really is yesterday’s man.
All environmental processes will be followed. In the development, all statutory processes will be followed. All developments go through the Development Consent Authority with proper public process. We have one instance now where we have a proud Territory company that is facing tough times. The Darwin Cove Consortium will find a way through this, I am confident. I would like to think that our opposition wants to see Henry Walker Eltin find a way through this. Why the bagging, why the criticism, and why on earth do you still want to scrap it?
HomeNorth Scheme
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for HOUSING
Can you please report to the House on the continuing success of the HomeNorth scheme?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nightcliff for her question. The revamped HomeNorth scheme is a resounding success, with far-reaching impacts for the Northern Territory, both economically and socially.
Since the revamped scheme was launched in July 2004, 238 home owners have been able to move into their new homes. Including the families of the home owners, this represents many hundreds of Territorians escaping the rental market - over 80% for the first time in their lives. With others in the pipeline whose loans have been approved in principle, 350 home owners are in line for new dwellings.
At the beginning of July last year, we estimated we would be offering 250 loans in the current financial year. As you can see, we are running at twice that rate. Madam Speaker, you will be happy to see that HomeNorth loans in Alice Springs have now reached 65, of which 53 are first home owners. The current and former Leaders of the Opposition will be pleased to see that Palmerston is just shy of cracking the ton, with 98 HomeNorth loans.
For this government, accessible and affordable home ownership is a critical part of the Territory’s great lifestyle, which is why we created the new scheme. Territorians are voting with their feet in taking up these new loans so that they can own their own piece of the Territory. As a government, we are committed to expanding home ownership as a fundamental cornerstone of achieving sustainable population growth. This builds on the research which shows that home ownership is linked to better social outcomes, and across health and wellbeing, as well as social cohesion.
Linked to this are the direct economic benefits to the Territory through a sustained and expanding population base. The interest-free whitegoods loans alone have put over $0.5m into the retail sector. This figure will be multiplied as new households are formed and consolidated. The real estate industry has earned almost $2m in the past seven months.
Madam Speaker, this government will continue to monitor the success of HomeNorth to ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of Territory home buyers and the Territory economy.
Bootu Creek Mine – Infrastructure
Spend by Government
Spend by Government
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
My question relates to the Bootu Creek Mine, which is a great venture for the Territory. What involvement will the government play in getting manganese from the mine to the port and onto the ships? If it has an involvement, has the government let any contracts? If so, what companies have contracts? What will be the overall cost of any government involvement in the project?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. This is a very important project for the development of the Territory, and also the development of the railway line and the port. It is envisaged that somewhere between 500 000 to 600 000 tonnes of manganese ore will make its way from Bootu Creek, which is near Tennant Creek, to the port via the railway.
It is my understanding, member for Nelson, that there is probably 60 km of roadworks between the mine and the Stuart Highway that will be undertaken by Bootu Resources. There will also be an underpass at the highway, once again undertaken at the expense of Bootu Resources. Government will be investing some $14m in a bulk loading facility. Shipments are expected to begin in July. There will be an interim arrangement for loading ships until the bulk loader is built, which will be not too much later in the year.
At present, there is a lot of design work going on and there could possibly be some contracts let for that design work. The up-front cost is $14m for a bulk loading facility. However, let me emphasise to the member for Nelson that there are other enterprises in the Territory, and probably beyond, that would be very interested in a bulk loading facility. Garnet Sands in Central Australia is a possible customer. I believe that investment of $14m by the port and government into a bulk loading facility is a worthy investment. We are a government that is moving the Territory ahead, member for Nelson, and I thank you very much for your question.
Darwin City Waterfront Project – Environmental Concerns
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
In your answer on the waterfront, you said that the environmental aspects would be attended to with the project. I remind you that those environmental aspects are intended to be attended to as the project proceeds. Your government has responsibility for environmental aspects. The Hastings on Mindil project is a very large Territory project which your government did not allow to proceed to the construction stage until all environmental aspects were fixed. Why do you have one rule for a private developer on Hastings on Mindil, such that it cost them many of hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions, before they can start their project to get environmental aspects fixed, yet you ask Territorians taxpayers to take on trust that you will fix environmental aspects at the wharf - large environmental problems - as your project proceeds?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, 25 ha is a very large site. This waterfront redevelopment is an exciting project for Territorians that will take a decade, maybe more, to complete. What we have chosen to do is have an independent auditor. We are following all statutory regulatory processes regarding the environment, and we will do that work over time as is needed. That is an appropriate way to tackle a 25 ha …
Mr Burke: The Osbournes would have loved to have heard that.
Ms MARTIN That is an appropriate way to tackle the waterfront redevelopment.
Again, what we are hearing from the opposition that they do not support this project, that they would like to see it scrapped. They are walking away from jobs for Territorians, business opportunities for Territory businesses which know that the multiplier effect of a convention centre is very significant. Yet, all we hear from this opposition is bagging the project and, basically, not wanting to see it go ahead.
Ms MARTIN: Every single aspect of their questioning is not warranted. We will follow proper environmental processes, of course we will.
Mr Dunham: Your report is unreliable.
Ms MARTIN: The member for Drysdale says it is unreliable, based on what - the member for Drysdale’s opinion? It is basically the member for Drysdale’s opinion. We listened to the Lord Mayor of Darwin with his opinion today. Do we connect this at all? Is the Country Liberal Party trying to coordinate across two tiers of government and trying to oppose, even more strongly, the waterfront. I was under-whelmed when I heard the Lord Mayor say: ‘I do not think this is a good way to manage the environment’. I have to say, with all due respect to the Lord Mayor, what would he know?
Gravity Diamonds Exploration
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY
I am aware that Gravity Diamonds have advised the Australian Stock Exchange of a recent discovery of diamond-bearing kimberlite near the McArthur River, about 100 km south of Borroloola. What is the significance of this discovery and will it lead to further exploration?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for this question. That is a very important announcement that Gravity Diamonds have made to the Australian Stock Exchange. In 2000, Rio Tinto acquired a tenement in the Abner Range project area when it took over Ashton Mining. In 2002, Rio Tinto and Gravity Diamonds entered into a farm-in agreement for Gravity Diamonds to explore some of the Rio Tinto tenements, which were highly prospective for diamonds.
Gravity Diamonds utilised a pioneering airborne gravity gradiometer system to discover kimberlite, which is the geological formation in which you find diamonds in.
I have to admit, they were very fortunate because, on 17 January 2005, Gravity Diamonds announced to the Stock Exchange that they had discovered a new diamond-bearing kimberlite in Abner Range, 42 km south-west of Borroloola, off McArthur River Mine, and approximately 50 km west of the previously-minded Merlin Diamond mine. Four holes were drilled, two of which returned results that indicated a weathered kimberlite source. The other two returned very good results, especially one macrodiamond and two microdiamonds. Of course, when you mine diamonds, to the untrained eye it looks like a rock or a crystal.
I will read from the announcement made to the Stock Exchange:
- The three diamonds are reported as being unresorbed, colourless octahedra with flat faces and sharp edges, which are indicative of gem quality stones.
We are not talking about industrial diamonds, we are talking about high-quality diamonds used mainly for jewellery.
That is very good news for the area and for the Territory because that is another indication that the Territory is virtually unexplored. If people are prepared to spend the money and utilise pioneering systems, they can discover diamonds, gold, or whatever there is. Our government is prepared to help different companies. We are providing a lot of information, and have streamlined the process to grant exploration licences – 700-plus exploration licences in the first term of government. How many were granted by the previous government - 68?
We have streamlined the process and have provided information about the different sources. I consider the mining sector to be one of the most significant sectors in the Territory. I have always said that if we do not have exploration in the Territory, we are not going to have mines. In the near future, I intend to visit other capital cities in other states to speak to mining executives to invite them to the Territory for exploration and discovery of new facilities and new minerals in the Territory.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, would you like to leave that diamond here?
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, I would love to, but the Chief Minister would kill me.
Paedophile Activity – Suppression Order by Court
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
In response to an earlier question today with regards to the name of a prominent Territorian being suppressed and your briefing by the Police Commissioner, you said you had called the Police Commissioner when you had heard of a rumour about a prominent Territorian being charged. What was the source of the rumour?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, again, we go to the heart of an allegation or a smear that the Opposition Leader is trying to prosecute here. As I said in reply to the first question, if the Opposition Leader wants to allege corruption, if he has substantial evidence of any corruption, he should bring a substantive motion into this parliament.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: That is what you are trying to do.
Mr Burke: You got involved. I would not have thought administration got involved.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition!
Ms MARTIN: If the Opposition Leader, as he has just made a claim across the parliament, thinks there is any edge of corruption here or any interference between government and the judiciary - bring it on, I say. Bring on a substantive motion.
Mr Baldwin: Just answer the question.
Mr Burke interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: You are the one, as Chief Minister, Opposition Leader, who said the judiciary was corrupt. You are the one with the track record here …
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very simple: Who told you?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. As you are well aware, ministers can answer them as they will.
Ms MARTIN: I do not have to answer questions like that because the member for Macdonnell …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: I heard it through private sources. This is a small town; I have lots of connections.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, that is all I am going to say on this matter. However, I say again to the Opposition Leader: if you think there has been corruption …
Members interjecting.
Mr Baldwin: And what was your immediate reaction? You rang the commissioner.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Daly.
Ms MARTIN: If you think that there is corruption happening here, bring it on into the parliament. Use the mechanism of the parliament; use a substantive motion.
Mr Baldwin: And then she rang the commissioner.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, this is the last time I will warn you.
Mr Neville Walker AM – State Funeral
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Could you please advise the House of any arrangements being made to commemorate the life of Neville Walker?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member of Karama for her question. Briefly, I inform the House that I have offered, and the Walker family has accepted, the offer of a state funeral for Neville Walker.
While there are officials who automatically qualify for a state funeral, there are other Territorians who deserve the recognition of our community with this fitting tribute. I believe, and I am sure this House agrees, that Neville Walker is one of those rare people.
At the request of his family, it is expected that the funeral will be conducted on Tuesday next week. Confirmation of the details will be available in the near future. The Protocol section in my department will provide more information as it becomes available. I am sure all members of this House will join with me in honouring Neville Walker with this gesture of respect.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016