2004-08-25
Owston Nominees – Withdrawal of Case
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
In the words of the Chief Minister: ‘Territorians must be able to trust their Attorney-General’. Yesterday, when I asked if you had briefed the Chief Minister of your government’s decision to withdraw the case against Owston Nominees, you said: ‘It has not yet been finalised through our Cabinet processes, so I cannot go into the detail of who briefed whom …’. This is simply unbelievable, diminishes your integrity, the integrity of the Labor Party and, most notably, the Chief Minister. Did you or did you not inform the Chief Minister of the withdrawal of the case against Owston Nominees?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, obviously the Leader of the Opposition was not listening very carefully when quite a lot of information was shared with the House last week regarding this matter. If you had been listening, you would have realised that I have had no carriage whatsoever of this matter. It was not through the Director of Public Prosecutions; it was through the agency under the minister responsible for the Animal Welfare Authority. I was, therefore, not in any position to brief anyone about anything. I did not have carriage of this issue. I am a member of Cabinet; we have discussed issues within Cabinet and that was the reason for my answer yesterday.
Alcohol Framework Report
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for RACING, GAMING and LICENSING
Earlier today, Mr Daryl Manzie and Ms Donna Ah Chee, who are charged with developing a report on a new Alcohol Framework for the Northern Territory, handed over their final report to government. Can you please provide an overview of this report?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nightcliff for her question. I would be delighted to give members an overview of the report, handed me officially at lunchtime by Daryl Manzie in Darwin, with Donna Ah Chee by video link from Alice Springs. A copy of this report will be on all members’ desks very shortly if it is not there already. They have certainly been provided and I have asked the attendants to hand them out.
Daryl and Donna, in collaboration with Gordon Renouf and Jo Townsend, have formed the Alcohol Framework Project Team, and they have worked enormously hard on this project. They started in September, delivering an interim report in February of this year, and have now come forward with the final report. Over those past few months, they have met with more than 200 Territorians; held public forums across six regional centres; talked with licensees the length, width and breadth of the Northern Territory; addressed more than 25 agency and industry meetings; and taken 38 written submissions.
The report brings forward 62 recommendations to government. The underlying goal of every one of these recommendations is this: on the one hand, to reduce the alcohol-related harm coming out of excessive use of alcohol and the antisocial behaviour that flows from that - to reduce those harm levels to individuals in the community - but, at the same time, minimising the impact on responsible drinkers to make sure that they are not unfairly disadvantaged in trying to pick up the mess that is created by the minority. It is a balancing act; the authors admit that. I believe they have done a tremendous job in weighing up those two imperatives and striking that balance between the critical outcomes. My position, when this eventually comes to Cabinet, will be that we have to preserve the intention of the overall goal of the alcohol review team; and that is that balance between the two outcomes.
They recommend the aims of the framework should be, in the first place, a coordinated whole-of-government approach to alcohol. They support local and regional action plans on alcohol. They want to promote the culture of responsible alcohol use throughout the community. They want to enhance access to treatment and other forms of intervention throughout the Territory, develop effective systems to control the supply of alcohol, and support liquor and hospitality industries to contribute themselves to the aims of the framework.
Specific recommendations can be broken into four main areas. First, dealing with the structures to support the framework - so some structural change in administrative functions. Second, research and evaluation of the whole question. Third, legislative and regulatory changes; and, fourth, some specific strategies, including such things as taxation issues, grants and others.
Members will recall that one of the things that really began to affect the success of the Living with Alcohol Program was that loss of ability of states and territories to do what they will in regard to levies and taxes. They are again recommending an approach to the Commonwealth, and it is something I would not have thought was all that easy to achieve. However, that should not stop us trying, and there a number of approaches suggested by the report that we should pick up on, because it was a key point in reducing the amount of alcohol consumption in the Northern Territory over that time.
This report now goes out to the community for discussion and debate on the final report, and we will have an extensive program of public consultation targeted by Racing, Gaming and Licensing beginning as of today. However, we are open for business for all views; not just key stakeholders in the industry and the community, but all community members over the next two months. Those views will then be rounded up and brought back to Cabinet at some point in the future for decisions on which recommendations we accept.
Owston Nominees – Withdrawal of Case
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
I refer to this article written in 1994 entitled: ‘Martin starts in old-fashioned way by lying’. From your response yesterday, you expect Territorians to believe that, for six days, you never read a newspaper, watched television, heard a radio news broadcast, heard from your Attorney-General or any member of your Cabinet …
Madam SPEAKER: Your question, Leader of the Opposition.
Mr MILLS: The question is: did you or did you not receive a briefing before 15 August on the withdrawal of charges against Owston Nominees?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I made myself very clear in this House yesterday. I said I had not received a briefing …
Mr Mills: You stick by that?
Ms MARTIN: I cannot understand why the Opposition Leader shakes his head and said that cannot be possible, or he does not believe me. I say clearly that, after that date when I made the comments, I did receive a briefing from the Animal Welfare Authority. Can you just understand this sequence? I am not pretending that it has been the most edifying experience of my Chief Ministership. What I am saying is that I stood in here yesterday and said: ‘Yes I made a mistake. Yes, I have withdrawn it, and yes, I have apologised’. Your trying to scour around some imaginary other process that happened will not get you anywhere.
That is what happened. The sequence was made clear yesterday. I could go over it another 10 times, I expect, and the Opposition Leader would still say: ‘I reject it’. Well, that is your problem - I set out what happened.
Alcohol Framework Report – Decision on Recommendations
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for RACING, GAMING and LICENSING
Can the minister advise the Assembly whether any decisions have already been made by government on recommendations from the Manzie/Ah Chee report on the Alcohol Framework?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. He shares a strong interest in these matters as me, as they affect his community, along with all the communities across the Territory.
Yes, the government has made a decision up-front on one of the 62 recommendations contained within the report. It is recommendation 59, in and around Sunday trading. The government has made the decision that it will not further pursue this issue of Sunday trading and will make no change to the existing arrangements.
Recommendation 59 recommended that government defer any further consideration around the question of Sunday trading until some 12 months after the Alcohol Framework had been put in place. That is really arguing for, perhaps, some two to two-and-a-half years into the future before that decision would be re-visited. They recommended getting the framework in place for at least 12 months; have a look at the impact that that has, and the recommendations that government has adopted on the sale of these cheap high-alcohol-content products; and then have a look at the question of Sunday trading.
Government has rejected that recommendation 59, and we do so for this reason: we believe the status quo as it operates now in relation to Sunday trading is in the best interests of the Territory. I go back to that first principal that I stated before: minimising the amount of alcohol abuse and the social unrest, harm and trauma that comes from that but, at the same time, absolutely minimising the impact that would have on responsible drinkers throughout the Northern Territory. It would not seem fair, on the one hand, if you were to put an argument to say we will just close it altogether on Sunday, then the tourists and everyone in the Territory would, under those circumstances, not be able to purchase takeaway alcohol on Sunday. You immediately have a punitive effect on everyone who handles alcohol responsibly, for the minority who do not. We believe the status quo best achieves that very important balance that I talked about: minimising harm whilst not disadvantaging responsible drinking in the community.
Every one of the other 61 recommendations are open for community discussion and consultation by key stakeholders, as I said - indeed, all interested parties throughout the Territory and the community. Any comments on the report can be made up until 15 October.
Owston Nominees – Minister for Community Development
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
You have been forced to swallow your pride and apologise, and admit that Warren Anderson and Owston Nominees were innocent. That cost taxpayers $150 000. Yet, you continue to allow the Minister for Local Government to play with the public purse by refusing to apologise. I will use your own words when I say: ‘Show me one Territorian who thinks that they should fund this?’ Will you bring this matter to an end and make your minister apologise?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we had a number of questions on this issue yesterday. If the opposition members had been listening, they would have clearly understood what the government position was. There are two separate issues here. One is to do with myself - and we had substantial discussion about that yesterday - and it has been dealt with.
A very separate issue is the one to do with the Minister for Community Development. That is in the hands of lawyers and we will be guided by their advice. That has been said to the opposition many, many times, and I will say it just one more time. On that separate issue to do with the Minister for Community Development doing his job, following expert legal advice, we will be guided by the lawyers and we will take their advice when given.
Bob Collins – Progress Report on Health
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
I understand the Collins family has today issued a public statement about Bob’s health and his future work commitments. Could you please inform the House of this statement?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama for her question. This morning, Robbie Collins, on behalf of his father, Bob, has issued a statement indicating that his father was resigning from his consultancy positions with both the Northern Territory and the South Australian governments due to the very serious injuries Bob sustained in his recent motor vehicle accident. Bob faces a lengthy and painful rehabilitation process and will not be able to return to full-time work for some time.
Bob has made a significant contribution to the Northern Territory during the course of his employment with both this and the previous government. As we are all aware, his contributions have included the co-chairing of the Learning Lessons committee and, more recently, as an advisor based in the Office of Territory Development, with particular reference to research and innovation policies, including a focus on tropical and desert knowledge and, of course, a very key role in the successful bid for the Desert Knowledge CRC.
I am sure all members of this House wish Bob all the very best for his recovery and his rehabilitation. Our thoughts are with him and his family during this very difficult time as he works to regain his health.
Members: Hear, hear!
Darwin Railway Station – Communication Facilities
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
It is over six months since the railway terminal was built in the Darwin Business Park near East Arm Port. You are aware that there are no phone lines at the terminal. Are you also aware that, for passengers without a mobile phone, there is no way to ring for a taxi, minibus or hire car? Are you aware that the operators of The Ghan have to manually manifest and load passengers as there is no computer link? When will you rectify this appalling situation that confronts passengers arriving in Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am happy to answer the question again. However, I actually answered it in the House last week. I said that it had been too long in resolving this issue, clearly, and government has a frustration about that. We are very hopeful that we will be able to resolve it within a period of four to six weeks. There have been difficulties and it has created difficulties for passengers. All the best efforts have not been able to resolve it at this stage. However, a renewed effort together with Telstra - as I said last week in the House - was that within four to six weeks at the very outside will have those matters sorted out.
Wickham Point – Proposed Helium Production
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY
Is it true that ConocoPhillips is considering processing helium at Wickham Point? How long have you or your government known about this? Does this not go against your government’s promise that no new processing of gas will occur in the harbour?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The reality is that we do not have any solid proposal before us about the production of helium at Wickham Point. Another reality is that to produce helium, you do not need to process it. You need distillation of a supercooled liquid, because helium is one of the ingredients you actually find in natural gas. Therefore, there is no manufacturing process; it is a simple physical process. When it comes before us, we will consider it as we consider any other project.
Alice Springs - Paint Sniffing Problems
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Would the minister advise the House of progress in curbing paint sniffing or inhaling in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for a very important question. Earlier this year, I personally witnessed chroming, or paint sniffing, going on around my office in Alice Springs …
Mr Dunham: Stunt! A media stunt! Somebody went into your office and pointed it out to your staff.
Dr TOYNE: … and, in fact, near your office as well. I took the initiative of approaching Mad Harry’s retailers, Craig and Robyn Lambley, to see if they would agree to not order in any new paint supplies if we could get rid of the existing stock they had. That arrangement was arrived at, and I pay tribute to Craig and Robyn …
Mr Dunham: It was pointed out to your staff the year before.
Dr TOYNE: … for their public-minded action in agreeing to that. That meant that we had 814 cans of spray paint in mixed colours. What do you do with it?
I can now report to the House that, as we speak, there is a design and painting project proceeding at Yuendumu, with many kids there who have been taken out of petrol sniffing. I have seen the designs during a visit I made to Yuendumu some two weeks ago. Those young people are really thinking through some of the features that they want to put into these designs. Those designs are going to be executed on three very large multi-ply panels. Two of the panels will then be put up in the Alice Springs Hospital, and I believe the other one will be displayed at Yuendumu.
What we have achieved here is that chroming in Alice Springs has dropped significantly, particularly as, at the time that we removed these supplies from the most frequently used outlet, the Tangentyere Council and the Central Australian Youth Link Up Service hired Anne Mosey for a project to go around to the retailers to make sure that their serving practices were tightening up on the supply of paint to people who were clearly trying to use it for inhalant abuse.
We have got rid of most of the chroming out of Alice Springs. We have a terrific art project out of it and we will be able to enjoy those paintings into the future. Madam Speaker, I do not think the member for Drysdale understands sincerity.
Madam SPEAKER: As we are talking about painting, I would like to mention to members that, after that little story I told you last night about painting a phone box, we have had a number of inquiries, particularly from schools which may not be able to enter the competition. Chippy Miller has informed me that any school that still wants to be involved with ‘Adopt a Phone Box’ should contact him. His contact details are available in my office. I thought I would add that because it was a really nice little story.
Katherine Railway Station Ramp
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
At Katherine Railway Station, there is an offloading ramp provided for vehicles to allow tourists to leave the train with their vehicles at Katherine if they wish. I am reliably informed that this ramp has never been used because there is no one who knows how to operate it. Is this correct and, if so, doesn’t it demonstrate once again your government’s incompetence in supervising Territorians’ investment in the railway?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not know the details of the operation of Katherine rail. There is a good reason why I am not intimately involved, because it is actually run by FCL. Territory taxpayers paid for the building of those terminals, and we worked closely with GSR and FreightLink in doing that.
The running of those is something we are, of course, concerned about it, if it is not working at its best. However, the operation is in the hands of FCL. The work with the stations is done through the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. However, as Minister for the AustralAsia Railway, I will take up the issue raised by the member for Brennan, because the new trade route is a massive infrastructure project - $1.3bn. We have to make it work the best we can, for both passengers and freight, for all Territorians.
Dundee Beach - Electricity Supply
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The Martin Labor government is committed to extending the power supply to Dundee. Can you please advise the House of progress with the electricity supply to Dundee, and the benefits that are flowing to Territory business?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Yes, this was an election commitment of this government and we are honouring it, as I have said a number of times in this House.
I am pleased to inform the House that two of the major contracts to carry out this work have, indeed, been given to Territory companies. Foremost Pty Ltd have won the contract to do the power poles, which is valued at approximately $830 000. The supply of the 320 km of conductor has been given to Power Grid Cables NT Pty Ltd at a value of $830 000.
That is approximately $1.7m worth of contracts that have gone to local Territory companies, and I applaud that. As I have said before in the House, there is 100 km of 22 kV line, which will supply approximately 1000 properties. It will go from the McMinns substation all the way to Dundee.
I am also proud to announce that construction is planned to commence next month. It will take approximately 12 months to reach the Dundee area. The first package of work is due to commence in three weeks when the first power pole will be put in the ground. I hope to be out there celebrating that. Maybe the member for Goyder might like to come out as well. We will have a beer together there, or maybe turn a bit of earth, because it is a great project, and it is certainly welcomed by the residents of Dundee.
We should never forget that there are a hell of a lot of people in Darwin who own blocks at Dundee. As I have said a number of times, I go to the Rapid Creek markets nearly every Sunday, and people come up to me and say: ‘Fantastic! I have a block at Dundee, and good on your government for doing it because we have been waiting a long time for it’.
Tennant Creek Railway Terminal
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Leading up to the completion of the Alice to Darwin railway, all you had to do as leader of the Labor government was to build three passenger terminals. Even your own member for Barkly cringed at the lean-to you constructed at Tennant Creek. Further, you decided, in your incompetent handling of the issue, that you would scrap the construction of raised platforms at the terminals, which has become the single biggest complaint of passengers on the train. The CLP is committed to build those platforms. Will you make the same commitment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the question contains a line, our ‘incompetent handling of the issue’. Implicit in that, he is saying to GSR that they are incompetent, because ...
Mr Dunham: No, you – your platform.
Ms MARTIN: No, it is implicit in that, because the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment got together with GSR, worked through the requirements that they had, and what was built, in principle, was the same that had worked in Alice Springs for many years. I notice that the CLP, when in government, did not think that the Alice Springs station did not work – never heard a word on that.
We worked very closely with GSR. We met their requirements on building those terminals. I recognise that we did not quite do the job in Tennant Creek; and we fixed it. I mentioned this last week. A $140 000 contract was let out to a local company to do some of that further work on the Tennant Creek Railway Station.
We built those to the design that GSR said they needed to run a service. Therefore, if the member for Brennan would like to recast his question, he could criticise GSR by saying they do not understand about running passenger services. I restate: they were built to the recommendations, working closely with GSR.
As Tourism Minister, I am proud of the success of The Ghan and the passenger service. In six months, to have 30 000 travellers come to the Territory is no failure; it is a grand success. Last week - maybe the member for Brennan was not listening – I said: ‘Yes, we have had some teething problems. Yes, we have been working closely with Great Southern Rail and their new CEO, Tony Braxton-Smith’. Between this government and GSR, we will make sure that everything that was causing any kind of problem will be solved. We have gone a long way already, and the few things that still need to be sorted out, we will sort out, because this is a great tourism adventure. More and more domestic and international travellers will be looking to The Ghan for their great rail adventure. All up and down the Territory, accommodation places, restaurants and tour operations will be cheering us along.
Provision of Laptops for Teachers
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
The great government initiative of equipping teachers with laptops to improve student educational outcomes is welcomed by the school council in Sanderson as well as the rest of the Territory. Can the minister update the House on the roll-out of the Laptops for Teachers program, and the reactions received from teachers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am delighted to take the question from the birthday boy, the member for Sanderson.
Mr Burke: And mine. How much does it cost teachers?
Mr STIRLING: It is a great question and, if the member for Brennan wants to sit quietly, we will cover that little point in the answer to the question.
Last month, I was in Alice Springs for the Remote Area Teachers Conference, and I launched the Laptops for Teachers program. In fact, I delivered, personally, the first two laptops to teachers because we wanted these laptops to be rolled out to remote teachers first. So, it was laptop No 1 and laptop No 2 personally handed to remote teachers a couple of weeks ago in Alice Springs. Since that time, we have had nothing but positive feedback on this initiative. A couple of years ago, the union came to us - I believe it came out of the EBA process - where they wanted to negotiate or look at a question of salary sacrifice to enable ...
Mr Burke: Salary sacrifice, yes. Not free. You never told us that. You could have rolled them out for free.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Brennan, order!
Mr STIRLING: A couple of years ago, the Education Union wanted to look at this question of salary sacrifice for teachers so that they could obtain top of the range, state-of-the-art laptops for personal and professional use. There was some negotiation and discussion. This is a process that was adopted in many other jurisdictions, Victoria included, as a way of getting teachers up-to-date equipment. However, it was far from clear that all teachers, and perhaps not even the majority of them, wanted to enter a salary sacrifice arrangement. The easiest and simplest way through it all was for the Northern Territory government to simply purchase them.
In a few days time, every classroom teacher in the Northern Territory will have received, as I said, a state-of-the-art laptop – 2200 of them at a cost of $4.8m. As of yesterday, 2100 of these laptops have been dispatched to schools across the Territory. By close of business today, the final 80 will be out of the warehouse and on their way to their schools.
As well as the laptops, teachers have access to training and help desk seven days a week. In three years time, all teachers will again receive new laptops, and those old ones will remain in the school for use by the students. That means 2200 laptops will be injected into the system every three years.
We expect the benefits to students, teachers and schools to be enormous, particularly for teachers in remote communities and distance education. I have to say, in the three-and-a-bit years as a minister in this government, it is not often that you get people ringing to compliment the minister’s office on initiatives, but we have received quite a few over this. Yesterday, Russell Legg, the Principal of Malak Primary School, rang the office to say that his staff had talked about this - a little resolution - and asked the principal to pass on thanks to the office. We do appreciate that. We talked about the genuine excitement as the laptops arrived and were unpackaged out of their cases, because they are pretty smart little pieces of equipment.
We do recognise teachers for the great job they do, for the number of hours that they put in, in preparation and extra-curricular activity beyond the day-to-day classroom activity. We recognise that, and that education is one of our highest priorities. Providing these laptops is another example of the Martin government moving the Territory ahead.
Taxi Industry
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
You are responsible to ensure our taxis and hire cars are servicing the public in a way that promotes Darwin positively. Have you visited Darwin Airport recently and seen the lines of visitors and others here to do business waiting to get transport to the city? Your government has put a cap on taxi licences and increased the cost of private hire licences by 600%, yet the travelling public remains inconvenienced. At worst, on any evening, there are about 30 taxis laid up because of a lack of drivers. Will you admit that you have made a mess of your taxi reforms, and listen to the industry and assist it to serve the travelling public in a professional way?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am aware that the taxi industry has been under some pressure in recent months. Mr Colin Beaumont pointed to a large part of the reason in his Letter to the Editor this week: 10% increase in calls year to year. He attributes that to the boom in tourism that the Territory has experienced. There is a factor there of the increased work around and the capacity of the industry to handle it.
However, the member for Brennan likes to gloss over the history of this. When we came to government, it was amid absolute turmoil in the taxi industry. As a candidate - even before being becoming a candidate - you would jump into a cab and the first thing the cab driver would want to tell you was about poor old Mick Palmer. They did not have too many good words to say about Mick Palmer and the way that he had deregulated the taxi industry.
We came to government with an election commitment to put a cap back on taxis, and that we did. We followed through on an election commitment at the behest of the taxi industry. My colleague and predecessor gave an undertaking 12 months ago that that cap would be in place for 12 months, and after that there would be a review.
I report to the House that that review is complete and there is a submission coming to government. Government will be making a decision about taxi numbers in the near future. It is a crucial decision because, on one side you have an industry in which, to be quite frank, there are many differing views.
That is why my predecessor also set up the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Board to try to have some unity and solidarity of view in the industry. The operation of that board has not been without problems. There are many issues to work through. As minister, I am committed to working through and carrying on the good work of my predecessor.
It is fatuous for the member for Brennan to try to lump all the problems of the commercial passenger vehicle industry onto this government. I will take responsibility for what we have now. Government will make decisions which, as I have said to a number of people, will be in the interests of cab owners and all those others in the industry - the private hire car, limousine and minibus owners. It will be in the interests of the drivers of those vehicles, the people who work in the industry. We also must consider those who run the networks. However, the bottom line will be the consumer.
Hazardous Chemicals Disposal
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Recently, a constituent asked me how he could dispose of about 20 litres of the herbicide, Paraquat, an S7 poison he had acquired when he purchased a new house in the rural area. It seems his option was to pay a substantial sum to a company to take it south, spray it on the ground or dump it, none of which he preferred. When is the government going ensure that the Territory has an incinerator for the safe disposal of unwanted, dangerous or banned agricultural and other chemicals? If there are no plans for such an incinerator, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will go back a little over the history. In 2000, the Northern Territory government was an active participant in the planning and implementation of ...
Mr Baldwin: What? You were ready for this question? Did he give you notice, or what?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: You were not the one who asked. I am trying to answer a question. … the ChemCollect project. This was a one-off national project to collect historical stocks of unwanted farm and veterinary chemicals held by primary producers.
The Territory portion of the collection was completed by the end of July 2000, with chemicals being destroyed in around October 2000. That was a total of 8.47 tonnes of agricultural chemicals that was collected from the Northern Territory. That actually showed that there was 60% more than originally forecast.
In order to build on the success of ChemCollect, a new industry-driven program called ChemClear was introduced. ChemClear is a joint initiative of Avcare, the Veterinary Manufacturers and Distributors Association and the National Farmers Federation. ChemClear will provide farmers with a disposal service for unwanted but still registered agriculture and veterinary chemicals which are otherwise non-returnable. ChemClear undertook this pilot program that went up to December 2003. A full program should begin at the end of 2004.
GEMCO Expansion on Groote Eylandt
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY
Many people in Sanderson either work in the mining industry or participate in areas of the work force that services the mining sector. Given the importance of the mining industry to the Northern Territory economy, how significant is the anticipated expansion of mining operations at GEMCO on Groote Eylandt?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. This is good news for the mining industry in the Territory and for the Territory generally. GEMCO operates a world-class mine at Groote Eylandt. What we have seen in the last few years is significant demand for manganese because of the increased production of steel by China.
GEMCO used to produce between 1.4 and 1.9 million tonnes - last year’s production was 2.5 million tonnes. This year, the production is going to increase even further but, for commercial reasons, I am not prepared to disclose the volume. However, I have learnt that GEMCO will need to employ 50 more people, with their families - more children for the school, more disposable income for Groote Eylandt.
In the past, some of the houses at Alyangula were empty because of decreased production - of course, they did not need any people - and the company offered them for lease to government. The government leased them from GEMCO to house public servants - policemen, nurses and teachers.
Because of the increase in production, GEMCO has advised the government that it will require their housing stock back. However, the agreement with the government was, very conveniently and very timely, until December 2004. GEMCO advised the government they are prepared to discuss this issue with the government and are prepared to wait. The government moved very quickly, and we have allocated funds to construct 18 new houses, very soon - nine in the first year, followed by another nine in the second year. GEMCO has very kindly provided us with land which is serviced. That is very good news for the mining sector in the Territory, and for the construction industry, because 27 new houses will be constructed on Groote Eylandt.
MPT Drivers – Lifting Fee
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
Are you aware of the anger and stress amongst disabled Territorians because they are unable to obtain a reasonable service from specialist taxis, called MPTs, that are specially configured for their use? Are you also aware that MPT drivers have to carry out various lifting tasks with disabled passengers that other drivers do not? Are you aware that the taxi industry is finding it impossible to retain MPT drivers because they are earning less money than car drivers, and are also being stressed with the increased workload because the Northern Territory government will not approve a lifting fee as applies in other states?
As you should know, one taxi company is only operating 50% of its available MPT licences because of your indifference, and will begin to hand licences back within two weeks unless the situation is addressed. What do you say to the disabled community and …
Mr Stirling: What is the question?
Mr BURKE: What, you are not interested in disabled people? I certainly am.
Mr Stirling: Absolutely! You have been on your feet for five minutes and you have not even asked a question. Spit your question out so the minister can answer it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr BURKE: I have disabled people in my electorate. They are flat out getting a taxi in Palmerston, let alone an MPT taxi, so keep quiet until I ask the question on their behalf.
Minister, what do you say to the disabled community and MPT drivers that will restore the service?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a very important question. However, in a quiet way, I say that I am offended that he should suggest that I am indifferent to disabled people and this particular issue. It is a serious issue, and it is one that I am working very hard to resolve. Now …
Mr Burke: I thought you fixed the taxi industry. Well, you claimed success.
Dr BURNS: I am going to answer the question, member for Brennan. I would have hoped that all members in this place would be interested in it, because there are many aspects to this particular issue.
Yes, the issue has been drawn to my attention by the Taxi Council, the chair of the CPV Board, and by individual operators, particularly in the last week. I have received a letter to the effect that you have mentioned, about one particular operator very concerned about the availability of drivers for MPTs.
The Commercial Passenger Vehicle Board put forward a proposal of a $7.50 lift fee for disabled people. The board also sent this proposal around to a number of stakeholders in the community to gauge feedback on it. I am prepared to table two documents here today. One is from Consumer Affairs, which talks about lack of transparency and accountability, and other issues - not insurmountable. The one of real concern to me is from the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, where he labels a lift fee - and I will quote from the letter, which I am perfectly willing to table. The Anti-Discrimination Commissioner goes through elements of the act, then says:
- In view of the foregoing we advise that the Taxi Council proposal is discriminatory and unlawful under the terms of the act.
This is a problem that I am receiving legal advice on. I may well be in favour of a lift fee and trying to find a way of paying a lift fee. However, I cannot be in breach of the law. There is no easy solution in that this is a Commonwealth law, not a Territory law. As a parliament, we could not simply pass an amendment to say it was okay to have a lift fee. It is a legal issue that I need to look at. It is an issue that I want to work through.
There are other ways of trying to address this particular issue. The Commercial Passenger Vehicle Board has also put up options of making the MPTs more flexible in the work that they can do. They could possibly pick up more passengers and have different fare structures. There are also issues about availability and training of drivers, and also the qualifying period that drivers have to spend to be able to drive taxi vehicles and obtain H endorsement.
I will table these two documents. I assure the House that I am working very hard on this issue. I am in contact with those in the industry who are providing the service. I want to see a continuation of that service. In no way do I want to see a decrease in that service to those in our community who are disabled. I am absolutely committed to finding a solution to this particular problem.
Defence Supply Contract – Handling by Federal Government
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for BUSINESS and INDUSTRY
The federal government’s handling of the Defence supply contract has left Territory small- and medium-sized businesses in a state of uncertainty and, quite possibly, put their existence in jeopardy. Could you advise the House if there is a commonsense way to relieve the current uncertainty and enable an orderly process to be put in place?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the member for Karama, for her question. Everybody in this House must agree - particularly members who have been lobbied by Territory business on this - that the federal government’s handling of the DIDS Defence supply contract has been nothing short of an absolute shambles.
We can see the concern in the industry by the newspaper headlines this morning, ‘Defence firms and jobs to fly south’. The story of Mike Martins and his Performance 2000 business shows the type of anxiety there is out there in that sector of the industry. It certainly shows, from the Commonwealth’s point of view, a total lack of understanding of the Defence support industry here in the Northern Territory.
We know that the Commonwealth contract has been let to TenixToll. However, just months before the prime contract is about to kick in and take place, the future of the vast majority of those hundreds of Territory businesses who actually perform work for Defence is in jeopardy. They have not had advice from the Commonwealth about exactly how this contract is going to roll out, and what their opportunities are to participate in partnership with the prime contractor. There is serious uncertainty, and no wonder.
When you actually look back at this whole debacle of the Commonwealth letting this contract, the reality is that the contract was let based on the work that was occurring here in the industry back in 1999. We all know, in 2004, with the increased ADF presence in the Northern Territory since 1999, there is significantly greater ADF presence in the Northern Territory, particularly in the Top End. Those benchmarks that were contracted in 1999 do not represent the work that is up here in 2004.
There are also very real concerns that, since that time, we have seen wage rates in the Northern Territory escalate quite significantly. They are further being compounded by the major projects in the Northern Territory such as the LNG construction project. Therefore, the whole thing has been a shambles from the Commonwealth from day one.
The answers to these questions are still unclear, and the signs are not good. I met this morning with senior executives from TenixToll to advise them of the concerns of local industry in the Territory. It was a very good, productive meeting. TenixToll are also aware of the concerns of local business in the Territory. There is a workshop on tomorrow where TenixToll are actually going to brief Territory business.
However, I still believe that there is a significant amount of uncertainty. We are talking about small business operators here, people who have loans and finance conditions with banks and finance companies, and jobs in the Northern Territory. I made the call last week that there should be a moratorium of the contract in the Top End for at least two years to try to sort these issues out. I have written to the federal Defence Minister and called upon him to stop monitoring - I notice that the member for Solomon is here today with representatives from TenixToll - this particular issue and put in place a moratorium for two years to try to sort these issues out and to start acting. I do not believe that the Commonwealth monitoring this issue is good enough, because what will happen is the Commonwealth will be monitoring Territory businesses going out of business.
This period should be used for the Commonwealth to get this process in order. It will give TenixToll more time to understand the real challenges up here, and put in place sustainable arrangements with the hundreds of Territory businesses that need the Defence work to survive and prosper. I hope that we would have bipartisan support in this House for that call.
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Distinguished Visitor
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, it seems appropriate here that I formally acknowledge the presence in the gallery of the federal member for Solomon, Mr Dave Tollner. On behalf of honourable members, I extend a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, accompanying Mr Tollner is Dallas Mills and Steve Sponberg from TenixToll. On behalf of honourable members, I extend a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer – Native Title Compensation
Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer – Native Title Compensation
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
In the latest Larrakia newsletter, an article states that the Larrakia may receive money from the Northern Territory government for a native title claim over land incorporating Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer in the city of Palmerston following the outcome of current court action. My understanding of the arrangement between the government and the Larrakia was that the Larrakia made an agreement with government to secure development rights for part of this land in exchange for lifting their native title claims over this area. Will you advise what is the monetary compensation the Larrakia now mention in regard to Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer, and why is this matter in front of the courts? I seek leave to table the Larrakia newsletter for the benefit of honourable members.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have not read the article that the member for Brennan is speaking about. I would like to do some homework. I will respond to him formally on this particular issue.
Family and Community Services Advisory Council
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Can the minister advise the House on the formation of the Family and Community Services Advisory Council and its inaugural meeting being held today?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. This morning, I opened the inaugural meeting of the Family and Community Services Advisory Council. This council has been established to provide me with advice on matters affecting children, families and communities, and measures to support their best interests and wellbeing.
The FACS council is independently chaired by Mr Charlie King. The membership of that council represents a broad range of skills, expertise and perspectives. The 18 members are drawn from all regions across the Northern Territory, from urban to regional and remote Aboriginal communities. Whilst the issue of child protection is of great importance, that is not the sole focus of this FACS council, because there are issues right across the whole Family and Community Services.
Never before have we seen the areas of Family and Community Services being so well resourced to thoroughly and vigorously address the care and wellbeing of the Territory’s children and families. This government is determined to see comprehensive improvements in all areas that impact upon the care and safety of our children. The FACS Advisory Council will be able to provide timely and informed advice to ensure that our process, and the reforms that I spoke about, is on track.
Rezoning of Land in Trower Road – Compensation Payment
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Will you advise this Assembly whether any payment has been made to one or more landowners in compensation for your government’s decision to rezone their blocks from R4 to R3 on Trower Road?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am not aware of any payment.
IHANT Capital Expenditure and Employment, 2003-04
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for HOUSING
Can you give an update on the Indigenous Housing Authority of the Northern Territory’s capital expenditure for the last financial year, and their initiatives to improve employment and training outcomes for indigenous people?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Barkly. Expenditure on the IHANT construction program for 2003-04 was $21.799m. I am proud to report that that money was fully expended. It is also great news that we are keeping the Territory moving ahead.
My department allocated some 47 construction grants. There have been 83 new houses constructed, and 35 major renovations and upgrades were also undertaken in 2003-04. The budget for construction in 2004-05 is $38.3m. IHANT has successfully attracted $23m to the Territory in additional allocations from the federal government, because it is a bilateral agreement that is working, and working extremely well.
Of equal importance has been IHANT’s success in fostering indigenous employment through its construction program as a means of improving indigenous employment and training outcomes. These building teams are required to be predominantly made up of local indigenous people with building qualifications, or who are receiving building and construction-related training.
I am pleased to announce that the following training outcomes have been achieved: in the Central Remote Construction Program we have 17 apprentices who have gained Certificate II and are now going on to complete Certificate III; at the community of Amoonguna, we have four apprentices who have recently been engaged; at Thamarrurr, the regional council is in the process of engaging 16 indigenous apprentices; at Julalikari in Tennant Creek, they have four new apprentices with a further two going on to complete Certificate III.
IHANT is currently seeking to target development of further opportunities in communities, demonstrating sound housing management practices. This is a huge success story, and I am proud to be a part of a driving economic development because it means jobs for Territorians.
Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer – Native Title Compensation
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
I redirect my previous question to the Attorney-General, as I am assuming he has carriage of this matter. Are you aware of the Larrakia newsletter’s claims that they have monetary compensation possible through court action with regard to the native title claim over Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer? I would like you to clarify what is a clear understanding of mine: in regard to their approval to conduct the Darla development, all native title claims over that area were to be lifted. If they have not been lifted, why not, and why are we in the courts now?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am not aware of the detail of that newsletter. My role in this is to determine carriage of native title matters overall within the Darwin area. We are at a stage where there have been hearings held regarding the relative claims of the different native title groups and the court has reserved its decision. That is all I can tell you. I will try and get some more information for you.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016