2004-08-26
Procurement Policy – MSC Guards and Patrols
Mr MILLS to TREASURER
The company MSC Guards and Patrols was yesterday awarded more than $670 000 worth of contracts under certificates of exemption. The PDC Directory lists 13 security companies in Darwin. What makes this company so attractive to justify a certificate of exemption so that the normal procurement process may be ignored?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I understand the minister for DCIS has information on this matter, therefore I refer the question to the Minister for Corporate and Information Services.
Mr HENDERSON (Corporate and Information Services): Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. When I opened the paper this morning and saw that, I also thought: ‘What on earth is going on here?’.
The advice that I have for the Leader of the Opposition is that this did go to a closed tender. The pre-qualifications for tender went to the PRB on 15 April this year, and then there was a closed invitation tender let. A number of companies did bid against that tender, so there was competitive tension, and other security companies in the Territory were invited to bid.
One of the issues I have raised with my colleague, the minister responsible for procurement, is that, under the current procurement guidelines, even though contracts may be awarded on a panel contract or may go to select tender that is endorsed by the Procurement Review Board, there is no other category other than CofE in which they are advertised or notified in the paper. This leads to misconceptions in the community that the government has just awarded a tender - one of those, I believe, was to the value of $366 000 direct to a single company - without any competitive process.
I am convinced that this particular case was above board. I shared the Opposition Leader’s concern, as Minister for DCIS, when I saw that this morning. I have been convinced that there was a fair process. However, the issue of how these tenders and the results appear in the paper, I believe, is misleading. They do need to come under different categories, and I know my colleague, the Treasurer, is working on that at the moment.
Government Expenditure on Infrastructure
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Could you advise the House on the level of infrastructure expenditure the government has achieved in the past financial year. Further, what has been the impact of that, especially on jobs? What is emerging as the construction picture for the current financial year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a good question. In the budget papers 2002-03, we committed to spending $438m on infrastructure over that financial year. Well, I am proud to tell the House that we did. We spent $438m in the budget year 2002-03.
Mr Dunham: And you lost 1700 jobs. From February to the end of the year, you lost 1700 jobs, so tell us about the impact on employment.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Drysdale! Allow the Chief Minister to finish her answer.
Ms MARTIN: This is good news for jobs, and I hope the member for Drysdale is actually interested, because it is good news for Territorians.
We committed to spending $438m. It was cashed up and it was spent. I would like to thank all those involved in making sure that high spend of capital works infrastructure program happened, particularly the great effort on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment and the construction authority, and also those big agencies who do that spend: Power and Water, Employment, Education and Training, and Health.
The $438m is one of the highest ever cash injections into construction and, of course, that compares with our commitment for this financial year, 2004-05, of $441m. When you talk about how that relates to jobs, of course it relates to job. As a benchmark, for one job you need to spend something like $110 000. If you look at what we spent last financial year on infrastructure, that is 3982 jobs. That was directly through that infrastructure spend and, of course, many more indirectly. It certainly was a strategic spend from this government to stimulate our economy in that important area of building across the Territory. The project …
Mr Dunham: ABS - 1700 jobs lost, according to ABS.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, you have had your say.
Ms MARTIN: The projects were across a whole range and across the Territory. They were not just big projects, and that is important. They were very targeted. There were many in the area of minor new works, so that supports our smaller contractors and our subbies. Also, importantly, in that middle range. In my electorate alone, our upgrading skills program is happening at Parap Primary and Darwin High. Those are very targeted, along with our substantial housing program. It is not just about big projects. The dollars we are spending in infrastructure are really targeted right across our industry and the Territory.
We have further work to do. Our plan is to deliver a consistent and planned infrastructure program. That is difficult, considering the distances across the Territory, the different demands, the times of the year, and sometimes the seasonality of where these projects can happen. However, that is our target and what we are continuing to strive to achieve.
As I said, this year, $441m means 4000 jobs directly supported and, indirectly, many more. It is a good mix for this year. Members on this side of the House are applauding what we can achieve with those dollars. We have a substantial roads program, schools being upgraded, clinics - particularly in the bush - being built, a cruise ship terminal, and a substantial housing program again. As we discussed in this House yesterday, on Groote Eylandt - what a dreadful problem to have: you have to build some more houses on Groote Eylandt because the mine is staying and expanding. Great news for the Territory! There are exciting and cashed-up times ahead. What it does mean for the Territory is more jobs, and this government moving our Territory ahead.
Procurement Policy – MSC Guards and Patrols
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
Today, in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the Australian Taxation Office continued their battle to have MSC Guards and Patrols wound up because of outstanding taxation debts. That application to wind up the company was lodged in June this year. Why did you give the lion’s share of $1m of taxpayers’ money to a company that may very soon be wound up?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, unfortunately, the minister for DCIS does not have the answer to this one. I am prepared to take this on notice. I will obtain advice from my office on this matter before the end of Question Time, or at the end of Question Time, and I will respond.
Mr ELFERINK (Macdonnell)(by leave): By way of assistance, Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table for the minister the publicly available documents that he should have checked.
Leave granted.
Child Sex Offenders - Sentencing
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for FAMILY and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The shadow Attorney-General has been busy promoting the CLP opposition’s plan to reduce sentences for people convicted of child sex offences …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member well knows, as do his colleagues, that he cannot make an allegation like that, except in the form of a substantive motion. He is wrong, he should withdraw it.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Sanderson, will you rephrase your question so it does not use allegations against a member?
Mr KIELY: Madam Speaker …
Mr Dunham: So it does not tell lies, would be good. Rephrase it so it is factual.
Mr KIELY: Well, what are you saying?
Mr Dunham: It has to be right, mate.
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Drysdale accused my colleague of telling lies, and I ask that he withdraw that comment.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Sanderson, can you rephrase the question so we do not have this confusion?
Mr Dunham: He can do it by way of personal explanation.
Mr KIELY: No. I am not going to be called a liar in this House by you.
Mr Dunham: Well, there is a good reason I called you a liar.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale, if you did so, then I would like you to withdraw that comment.
Mr DUNHAM: I just …
Madam SPEAKER: Just withdraw.
Mr DUNHAM: Can I complete …
Madam SPEAKER: I know what you are going to do.
Mr DUNHAM: Okay, if you know what I was going to say, there is no need to say it, I guess.
Madam SPEAKER: Did you withdraw?
Mr DUNHAM: I do withdraw it, Madam Speaker, wholeheartedly.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you. Member for Sanderson, try again.
Mr KIELY: The CLP shadow Attorney-General has been quoted on the radio as wanting lesser sentencing regimes for …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is untrue. He is not being truthful.
Madam SPEAKER: Are you happy to rectify …
Ms CARNEY: If he insists that he is, then I defy him to provide the evidence. There is none.
Madam SPEAKER: If he has the direct transcript from the …
Members interjecting.
Mr KIELY: I will try it again, Madam Speaker, because it so offends the shadow Attorney-General …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! When the member for Sanderson, along with his colleagues, lie, yes, I am offended.
Mr KIELY: I am not lying, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, I know, but I am trying to get you to ask your question in such a way that it does not offend the member. Can we just have the question?
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is still on the Parliamentary Record that the member for Araluen has called my colleague a liar, and she has to withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Well, I think she did say when; she did not say he did. Member for Sanderson.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: I will cancel this question if you do not get it right.
Mr KIELY: Madam Speaker, once more - if they do not try to gag me again.
The CLP has very opposing views to that of the government on sentencing of child sex abusers …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No, that is not offensive.
Ms Carney: And the truth is?
Madam SPEAKER: I am sorry, resume your seat. There is no point of order.
Ms Carney: They are being as slippery as ever, because it is just untrue.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen, resume your seat.
Mr DUNHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No. Go on, member for Sanderson.
Mr Dunham: Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: No, I did not acknowledge you.
Mr KIELY: Does the government support the opposition’s push to reduce sentences?
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There is no push on the part of this opposition to reduce sentences for child abusers, and I ask that the member for Sanderson withdraw his comment.
Madam SPEAKER: I believe the minister can answer the question.
Mr Dunham: Can I ...
Madam SPEAKER: No. I have just given the minister the call.
Mr Dunham: Madam Speaker, it is on an entirely different subject.
Madam SPEAKER: No, I am sorry. We are in the middle of Question Time.
Mr Dunham: Madam Speaker, I am merely referring to a standing order which governs this parliament.
Madam SPEAKER: What are you referring to?
Mr DUNHAM: Standing Order 112 states that questions should not contain statements of fact unless they can be authenticated. The questioner has not authenticated his question. Neither should it ask for hypothetical matter, and the question is offensive on both of those counts.
Madam SPEAKER: If I ruled out all the questions that are asked in this House on those two grounds we probably would not have any questions. Minister, I will allow you to answer the question.
ANSWER
Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is an issue we need to clear up. I would like to touch on some of this, because that was the brunt of the statement that came through. Part of it was during the course of the discussion about the legislative framework that was part of the statement. Our position is, in most cases, people who abuse and violate children deserve lengthier sentences than offenders who commit offences against adult victims because of the exploitation of the vulnerability of the child.
Child abuse is a very broad and general term that could include anything from inappropriate touching to outright rape. Most of the offences exist as offences which could be prosecuted in relation to adult victims as well as child victims. The basic principle is that, where a victim is a child, the penalty should be heavier. This reflects the general community view that violent and/or sexual offences against children are the most serious of crimes. With that community view in mind, last year our government increased sentences for child sex abuse offences. We hope and intend that the increased penalties will send a message to potential offenders that the community will not tolerate sexual interference of children.
In addition to sending this message, the increase in penalties was necessary to achieve another objective: protecting our children from child abusers. As I understand it, the member for Araluen’s primary concern is that a person charged with an offence where the victim is a child is less likely to plead guilty if the maximum sentence for that offence is increased by reference to the fact that the victim is a child ...
Ms Carney: And you agreed to look at it. You gave me an assurance that if that happened you would look at it in 12 months - well founded reservation.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Allow the minister to finish.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: This concern is highly speculative. Evidence does not support this, and it flies in the face of common sense and everyday human experience. The heaviest sentences will, obviously, be handed down to the most serious offences, whether the victim is a child or an adult. The offence that we call rape is one that already attracts an extremely long maximum prison sentence even if the victim is an adult.
Our strategy is aimed at securing a more successful conviction rate in relation to child sexual offence prosecutions. We are introducing new evidentiary provisions that will assist in this regard and protect vulnerable witnesses, particularly children. Our strategy also includes new legislation that will enable us to establish a register to track known sex offenders, preventing them from working with children. The emphasis is on the protection and safeguarding of children. The Martin government stands by our tough laws and tough sentences for child abusers.
Centralian College – Retention of Years 11 and 12
Dr LIM to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
During estimates in June, you were less than enthusiastic about the success of the amalgamation of Centralian College and NTU to form the Charles Darwin University, indicating that you had some concerns. Will the minister reassure staff and students that Years 11 and 12 will remain at Centralian College, and that staff will continue to be employed at the college under the same conditions as they now have under the Department of Education?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. I am glad if I gave the impression at estimates that I had some concerns about the arrangements between Centralian College and Charles Darwin University, and the earlier decision to merge and amalgamate, because that is exactly the sentiment I wanted to get across. Therefore, either the member for Greatorex is quite perceptive or I am very good at putting across body language. No matter; the correct signals were read in this regard.
I can give the member for Greatorex an unequivocal assurance on both counts. In light of quite a wide-ranging number of concerns from the Centralian College educational community of Alice Springs, I have asked DEET to prepare a report to Cabinet, which is very close I understand, on a range of continuing issues arising from the proposed merger of the senior secondary education college, the old Centralian College, with Charles Darwin University at the Alice Springs campus.
Members will recall that I advised the House in 2003, when the new Charles Darwin University Bill was passed, that a number of transitional arrangements for Charles Darwin University remained to be put in place. They included the arrangements for the provision of education for Years 11 and 12 on this campus, along with arrangements for the staff of Centralian College.
Charles Darwin University and DEET were to formulate a memorandum of understanding between them in relation to the delivery of Years 11 and 12. The process for that agreement was to include discussions with all stakeholders regarding further transitional arrangements, covering Centralian College staff who have - even now, until January 2005 - to make a decision as to whether they want to stay with DEET or move to CDU.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It was obvious that there were going to be a number of significant administrative and governance arrangements to be addressed in relation to the merger and the MOU between the university and the department. Those arrangements have been under discussion, and both sides - DEET and Charles Darwin University - have identified a number of issues. I guess you could say some were apparent at the time the merge was instigated, but others have arisen as a result of that process.
The community, teachers, education union, parents and others have raised legitimate concerns in relation to the merger arrangements and the future of secondary education delivery on that campus. Some of those concerns are regarding the school council and governance. Staff career opportunities was a very legitimate concern, because we were boxing in a small number of staff into what did not represent any realistic career path - they were locked out of DEET and trapped in this small system. There were issues regarding communication, administration, the structure, and reporting. A number of these have proved fairly intransigent to try and work through.
The end result is that I have asked for a report that includes wrapping up of all these concerns and issues that have arisen, and options and recommendations from the department as to the best way to resolve them for the longer term. I am expecting that report from DEET very shortly. I want the community to have certainty around the arrangements.
I accept the points raised by the member for Greatorex. This is not something I have just heard about; it has been a concern to me for some time. However, we want to see the MOU in place as soon as possible, and ensure that, with the arrangements that are put in place, the bottom line is the best educational interests of our students. At the outset, the merger did increase opportunities and access for Central Australians to education and training. It gave Charles Darwin University a proper and rightful profile in Alice Springs that it did not have before.
Notwithstanding those points, let us see what DEET’s report says about options and recommendations. Cabinet will be making decisions on those in the very near future, when we will placing absolute certainty in the future regarding that.
To return to the two points raised about the future of Years 11 and 12 - assured, yes; pay and conditions for teachers - assured, yes.
Child Protection
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
What is the position of this government on protection of our children from sexual abuse or exploitation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this government has one law to protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation. It protects every child in the Northern Territory. This government believes every Territory child deserves protection against sexual assault and abuse.
This government respects customary marriage. We have moved to give legal recognition to customary marriage right across our statute books. However, the government believes it cannot be consummated before the child is 16 years of age. This is not a ban on customary or promised marriage, it is a ban on under-age sex. This government has a clear, unambiguous position on customary marriage, and on protecting children against sexual assault and exploitation.
I wish to compare that to the position of the Opposition Leader. On 9 December 2003, on ABC radio, the Leader of the Opposition said he would consider revoking the government’s law. In other words, he would reinstate the customary marriage defence for Aboriginal men, allowing them to have sex with under-age Aboriginal girls. He would have two laws: one for Aboriginal girls and one for other Territory children.
On 10 December 2003, the Leader of the Opposition appeared on television news, saying that he would never be part of repealing any legislation that exposes children. On the same day on ABC radio, the Leader of the Opposition said he would not support changing the law to expose young girls to sexual encounters with older men. Where is the opposition at?
On 11 December 2003, the NT News reported the Leader of the Opposition as saying the CLP might repeal the sex laws, particularly age of consent and customary marriage. So, we are back to two laws: one for Aboriginal girls and one for all other children.
On 12 December 2003, the Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Centralian Advocate as saying the CLP would consider repealing the whole package of laws, not just the age of consent and customary marriage parts. So, what does the CLP stand for when it comes to protecting our children from sexual assault, abuse and exploitation?
This government believes it has a responsibility to protect all Territory children, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances - Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal. We will not back away from that. Territorians can trust us to do what we can to protect all our children, with one law for all.
Ord River Stage 2 – GM Cotton/Sugar Cane
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Recently, on the NT Country Hour, the Western Australian Minister for Agriculture said, in relation to cotton on the Ord River Stage 2:
- … the government has no hang-ups about the fact that GM, indeed, it is the modified nature of the crop that makes it environmentally acceptable.
If it is good enough for the Minister for Agriculture in Western Australia - a state where there is a moratorium on GM food crops - to support GM cotton on the Ord, why do you say the potential growers on the NT side of Ord Stage 2 will have to grow something else, especially when you said at the Estimates Committee that cotton was not commercially viable? If you argue that cotton has some environmental concerns, why then did you promote sugar cane as an alternative crop? Why promote sugar cane when the federal government has just put up a rescue package for the sugar cane industry, or are you trying to attract cane toads to the Ord so Kon’s conservation park for cane toads at Kununurra and the Finke River can be established?
Madam SPEAKER: That was a bit lengthy. I hope you got the question, minister.
ANSWER
Yes, Madam Speaker, and I thank the member for his question. The government has made it clear that we are not going to grow commercial GM cotton in the Northern Territory. That is the position I provided to Kim Chance, the Minister for Agriculture in Western Australia. He can grow GM cotton on his side of the border, but we made it very clear that we are not going to grow GM cotton in the Northern Territory.
The member asked me why I promote sugar cane. No, I do not promote sugar cane. I advised the Western Australian minister that the government will explore other options …
Mr Wood: You mentioned sugar cane in your interview.
Mr VATSKALIS: As I said, I advised the minister that there are other crops that we will examine that may be suitable for the area. Things change around the world. Yesterday, I received an e-mail from Queensland. Apparently, there is a conference taking place there with Australian sugar cane farmers and the sugar cane industry.
The ethanol industry is visiting Queensland and promoting sugar cane as an ethanol production crop. In Brazil, local car companies produce cars that can use 5%, 10% or 100% ethanol. They are experimenting with ethanol as a diesel substitute. It is a cleaner fuel. The Brazilians advised the Queensland government that the market for ethanol all around the world has increased significantly, and they believe that only Australia can fill the gap in the demand for ethanol. As I have said, sugar cane is one of the crops that is very promising. The situation with sugar …
Mr Wood: We are paying people to get out of the industry!
Mr VATSKALIS: You might not agree, but there are other things you can do with sugar cane. Ethanol is one product you can produce, and we believe that other options should be explored in the Ord scheme too.
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Visitors
Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of Baul folk musicians from India. We have four musicians and three interpreters. On behalf of all members, I extend to you a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Distinguished Visitor
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of former member, the Hon Fred Finch. On behalf of all of us, I offer you a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Closure of Northern Territory Open Education Centre
Dr LIM to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
The CLP would not close the Northern Territory Open Education Centre but would, instead, enhance its services. Will you now declare that the Northern Territory Open Education Centre will stay open and continue to serve Territorians as the Territory’s premier distance education facility?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. This is one of the recommendations within the secondary report that has aroused some controversy - there is no doubt about that - from a fair range and cross-section of both educators and students who utilise this service. I say again - and I do not know how many times I have said this since I received a copy of the report officially from Gregor all those months ago - that government has not made a decision on any one of these recommendations, and will not, until such time as SOCOM NT and Sheila O’Sullivan has rounded up all of the consultation. The third phase of the consultative process has only just completed. There is a huge body of work to be done by SOCOM NT to get all of the feedback into a meaningful format so that that can come back to the department and then back up to government. It is at that point then that government will go through the recommendations from a decision-making point of view - based on, of course, all of the feedback against each of the recommendations within it.
It is unfortunate when one aspect of a report gets so much attention, because it comes at the cost of fair and due consideration of all the other aspects of the report. The member for Greatorex knows as well as I do that, in the Territory - because of logistics, its nature and geography - we are going to continue to have a distance education model and centre.
What comes out of that feedback, I do not know. I have spoken to Sheila O’Sullivan, but this has been a rolling process through many months. I do not know all of the feedback that has come back in.
He is asking me to make a decision on one aspect of a very comprehensive report, on one recommendation alone, and I am not going to do that. Cabinet and I have held the line on making any decisions on this until the consultative process is through and the information is back to government. The situation remains unchanged.
Alice Springs - Increased Police Presence
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
A strong proactive community-based police presence helps deter crime in our streets. Can the minister advise of initiatives to increase police presence in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Yes, this is good news for the people of Alice Springs. I am sure you, Madam Speaker, will be very pleased to hear what I am about to announce. The horse patrols in the Darwin area are a powerful device in deterring crime in our community. Not only are they powerful in deterring crime, but they are certainly welcomed and received very enthusiastically by everybody who sees those horses out on patrol.
That is why we, as a government, built new stables for those police horses at the Peter McAulay Centre. The old stables were falling apart. The officer’s quarters where the mounted patrols are based was a demountable. It was falling apart, the roof leaked, and there had not been any money spent on accommodation for the horses or the staff for many years. We fixed that up, and I was very pleased to be at the Peter McAulay Centre with my colleague, the member for Karama who has a very keen interest in this area, to open the new stables and the new facilities a couple of months ago. Those horses do a great job around the CBD, the Mindil Beach Markets, the free beach and shopping centres like Karama. They do a fantastic job.
I am pleased to announce today that the police will be trialling a horse patrol in Alice Springs starting next month. This has been something that the Minister for Central Australia has been lobbying for, for many years. Commander Gary Manison has also been lobbying me for this for quite some time now. Those patrols will start next month. The trial will go for a six-month period and we will see mounted police patrolling the CBD, including the Todd River. It is going to be fabulous to see those mounted police and horses patrolling Alice Springs. It is something I am sure all members from Central Australia will be very pleased to see.
Ms Carney: Absolutely, on account of the crime.
Mr HENDERSON: Again, the member for Araluen does not have a positive bone in her body. Instead of applauding this and saying: ‘Great initiative, minister, well done’, she does not support it. She continues to mock Alice Springs.
This is a great effort; it is a great initiative. It will be well received by the people of Alice Springs. I commend Commander Gary Manison and all the Northern Territory Police for their work to date on this, and wish the officers and, of course, the horses who will be working on these patrols, the very best in fighting and deterring crime.
Secondary Education Review – Learning Precincts
Dr LIM to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
The review on secondary education claims that:
- The best outcomes for young people are achieved when education providers determine their own structure, organisation, and pedagogy to meet the needs of the young people they serve ...
However, the report recommends that schools be grouped into learning precincts under one head of precinct and one governing body. The CLP does not support learning precincts. Do you support learning precincts - another one of your bad recommendations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, at a personal level I am not convinced one way or the other. I am awaiting - as I am with all of the other recommendations - the weight of the feedback that comes back from that process, along with the options and recommendations that DEET will frame up before the whole report recommendations come back to government.
I know this was one area where some were saying: ‘They have already made up their mind on this because they are doing some work’. However, the fact is this idea of precincts contained in the report was pretty conceptual. It was difficult, in the early stages of the consultation, for people to really get their heads around exactly what a precinct would be, what it would look like, how it would be structured, where it would sit within the community, how big they would be, how many you have – those sorts of questions.
If you are going to make any sense of the recommendation at all, or get anything meaningful back from the community, it was necessary to hang a bit of flesh on the concept and put a few ideas together, model something there, and then have something to put out that so people could actually put views forward on it. Therefore, that is where we are. We are still at that end stage of that consultative process and prior to it all coming back to us.
The clusters, in some people’s view, are a forerunner, if you like, of the precinct-type model; they are not structured as precincts would be and they do not draw the resources together in perhaps a way that a precinct would. I am opened-minded, as I am pretty much on all of the recommendations in the report. We did not go into what has been a very lengthy and extensive consultative process to have already made up our mind or to be fixed in our views on this. I am open on it. I know my colleagues are open on these sorts of questions. Let us see what the communities have to say about it. Let us see where the weight of educational opinion and educational outcomes is.
I ask the member for Greatorex to remember this: uppermost in my mind and the minds of my colleagues when we consider every one of these recommendations, one by one, will be: what is the benefit in educational outcomes for our students? That will be the first consideration - the first test applied to every one of those recommendations. I believe the member for Greatorex would have to agree that that is not a bad first priority to attach to every one of the recommendations.
I assure him again, I am open-minded. I know my colleagues are. Some of them do not understand what a precinct is yet, so they do not have an opinion at all. Certainly, I do not, and all of that information will be back before us and will be considered before we go forward.
Dermal Health – East Arnhem Region
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you advise the House what the government is doing to reduce the incidence of scabies and skin sores in children living in remote areas of East Arnhem Land?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. It is a very serious issue, as I reported to this House last week during another debate.
Scabies in young children is connected to chronic disease in later life - everything from kidney failure to heart problems. In fact, the more we can cut down infections and parasitic conditions in young children, the better their health outlook will be as adults. This is absolutely crucial work, to try and turn down those very worrying statistics in chronic disease; particularly renal failure.
This project, Healthy Skin, is a collaboration between my department, the research institutes of CRC for Aboriginal Health, Menzies School of Health Research and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the Commonwealth government, private funders such as Rio Tinto Aboriginal Foundation and the Ian Potter Foundation, and community organisations in six Yolngu Communities.
The project builds on work done within my agency. We know how to get rid of these mites from communities through a whole range of environmental health interventions, and through treating the bug itself to knock it off. It is not rocket science. We know how to do this; it just needs a concerted campaign. By starting in these six communities, we believe that we can not only remove the scabies infection from these communities, but defend that infection-free zone over time into the future.
The Healthy Skin program involves: community education and planning; community screening of children 0 to 5 years every three months, and school age children annually; once only treatment of the whole community with Permethrin 5% cream to treat the scabies mite; community clean-up days and celebrations; monitoring of the skin status through the baby clinics; and regular clinic audits and feedback of prevalence data.
This regional approach will extend our knowledge of how often the infection can reinfect a community, and enables us to get a mite-free zone that is defendable rather than having a small infection-free oasis that can be easily infected from communities around it.
We are trying to get this out and keep it out of these communities. We will reap the benefit of this over a long period of time. Hopefully, it will appear in chronic disease statistics well into the future.
Casuarina Senior College – Introduction of Year 10 Students
Dr LIM to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
The minister said earlier that uppermost in his mind is the greatest outcome he can possibly achieve in educational terms for our children. Your Priority Education Implementation Group has heard clearly that it will be detrimental to have Year 10 students move to the Casuarina Senior College. Students, parents and teachers alike have voiced their objection to the recommendation. The CLP will not transfer Year 10 to the Casuarina Senior College. Will you assure staff, students and their families that you will support them and not transfer Year 10 to the college?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question, because he has put his foot in it a little with this question. If we go to the transcript of an interview with the Leader of the Opposition, on Friday, 16 April, on ABC radio:
- The Territory opposition has voiced its support for the introduction of middle schools. The government released the 52 recommendations of the long-awaited report on the Territory’s high school system and is now beginning a process of public consultation. It calls for the introduction of middle schools covering Years 7 to 9, which would incorporate dedicated support for students in their early teens.
- We must move to a middle school structure, with the senior secondary and the primary structure, but we must not rush into it. We must make sure that teachers are adequately prepared to deliver that kind of curriculum in that sort of structure.
The CLP says it is concerned that curriculum issues have not been adequately addressed.
I would say, ‘we must move to a middle school structure’, begs the question of what you would do if you are going to have Years 7, 8, 9 - are you going to have year 10 in total isolation, somewhere buried away on their own? I think not. I believe the Leader of the Opposition, in his support for middle schools, was, de facto - are you going to have senior schools with Years 10, 11 and 12?
The question of Casuarina Senior College, and the opposition from within that institution to this question, does not mean that the whole lot could not be achieved, or you still would not go with a junior/middle/senior school structure. Initially, at least, if the decision was made to break these into three stages of schooling for Casuarina Senior College, the logistics and costs alone to get your Year 10s over there would be something that would be a process of time. The fact that you still have Year 11 and 12 – and it could always remain simply Year 11 and 12 - would not change what you might do in other schools. The opposition coming with ‘Casuarina Senior College over our dead body’ type of attitude, does not convince this government that it could not be done, notwithstanding leaving them out of the equation, at least in the initial stages, and maybe forever.
Again, though, I do stress that we have not made decisions on this. We will be taking into account the weight of opinion coming out of Casuarina Senior College, along with all the feedback from mums and dads and stakeholders within the education community.
Mango Industry
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
The mango industry is seeing an unprecedented flowering this season. Will this result in a record mango crop for the Territory and, if so, what challenges will growers face to ensure a maximum return on their harvest?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. The reality is, mango growers are reporting one of the best flowering seasons for years, probably attributed to the late Wet and the cold months we have experienced recently. However, we have to be very cautious, as climatic conditions can affect the final harvest. The growers themselves have said that they are going to have another survey to estimate the final harvest. We have approximately one million trees planted, most of which are now coming into maturity and are going to start producing fruit.
However, the key challenge for the industry is to be ready for the harvest, to have enough people to work, picking the fruit, packing it and transporting it south and sending them to markets. I commend the Northern Territory Horticultural Association for developing a labour harvest strategy. This strategy is about ensuring there are enough people to help the industry. They established minimum pay rates, working conditions, and are working with employment agencies to provide people with opportunities in the mango industry.
The strategy was in place last year, but was not fully tested because the harvest was lower than expected. At the same time, it was a blessing in disguise, because we had the lowest harvest, which kept the prices up, so the growers were compensated adequately.
This harvest is going to be a bumper one. It will test the labour harvest strategy and the industry. At the end of last year, members of the mango industry visited the southern markets. They had a look at the supply chain because, whatever happens during transportation, displaying and selling from the markets can affect the stability.
The industry is now looking at developing new markets, not only down south, but overseas. I would like to congratulate Jabiru Tropical Orchards, the recent winners of the 2004 Telstra Countrywide Regional Incentive Award, because they are now exporting mangoes to Japan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, France and Hong Kong. We cannot rely on the southern markets only. We have a very small window of opportunity before mangoes from Queensland go to the markets, which collapses the prices. We have to open new markets in Asia, South-East Asia and Europe. We need to develop processing plants, such as the one in Katherine the member for Daly mentioned yesterday, that will process the surplus fruit because, after all, only 10% of top quality fruit is available for export or markets.
This government is prepared to work closely with the industry. We have established the Horticultural Partnership Group. We have commissioned a report by a well-known horticulturist. and we are working closely with the mango industry and other members of the horticultural industry.
Rezoning of Land in Trower Road – Compensation Payments
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Yesterday, you were unable to confirm whether payment had been made by your government to one or more landowners whose land was rezoned from R4 to R3 on Trower Road. What advice can you provide to this House 24 hours later?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am not exactly sure which particular rezoning, or any rezoning, the Leader of the Opposition is speaking about. There was an application, before I became minister, for a rezoning from R3 to R2 along Trower Road. That rezoning was knocked back. To my knowledge, there have been no payments to anyone in relation to that. It was simply knocked back; end of story.
National Packaging Covenant
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
The national Packaging Council is consulting with various stakeholders to strengthen the National Packaging Covenant, which they hope will stay in place until 2010. Fortunately, the previous government did not sign the covenant. Does your government intend to sign this new so-called strengthened packaging covenant? Has there been any deal made between your government and the Beverage Industry Environment Council, especially in relation to the money they have given for litter abatement programs, to sign the covenant as an attempt to kill off any attempts to introduce container deposit legislation in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, at the outset, in response to the last part of the question from the member for Nelson, I can say, categorically, that there were no deals done.
In relation to the covenant, yes, the previous government did not sign that covenant, and this government, to date, has maintained that position. The covenant is now under review nationally, and a number of issues have been raised in the Territory that have been widely recognised.
As part of the review process, the Northern Territory government participates through the Environment Protection and Heritage Ministerial Council, of which I am a member. In due course, the council will consider whether the covenant should continue and, if so, what modifications should be made. During the course of this review, I will be raising the issue of national CDL with my ministerial colleagues. If a new covenant emerges from this process, and it addresses issues relevant to the Northern Territory, then this government will consider participating. However, at this stage it is too early tell.
While these processes unfold nationally, this government is getting on with the business of implementing local improvements – in answer to the last part of your question - in litter and recycling through our strategic five-point plan. Applications close shortly for $250 000 worth of community litter and recycling grants, part of more than $1m this government is spending on local environment initiatives.
Alice Springs Masters Games
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
We are less than two months away from Central Australia’s biggest sporting event, the Alice Springs Masters Games. How do registrations for the games compare to recent years?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Barkly. I table a press release which I am sending out today, and talking to that.
As you would be aware, we are coming up to the 10th Alice Springs Masters Games, a very important milestone, no doubt which has been reflected in a big rise in registrations over the 2002 games. In fact, registrations this year total more than 4300. That is 20% higher than the last games, back to the level of numbers we saw in the 1990s, and just shy of the record of 4500 set in 1996.
With 3300 visitors to Alice Springs from 16 to 23 October, this is going to be a fantastic boost to the local economy which, last time around, from memory, was calculated at approximately $7m injected into the Central Australian community. It is a tribute to the commitment of the citizens of Alice Springs, hundreds of whom volunteer to help out at the games, as well as strong support from local sponsors. Estimated regional and state attendances includes: Alice Springs - 1002; the Top End - 626; South Australia - 1015; Queensland - 547; New South Wales/ACT - 454; Victoria - 372; Western Australia - 230; and 50 from Tasmania.
There has been a comprehensive marketing program for the coming games, and this has been able to leverage off the extra flight capacity into Alice Springs, as well as The Ghan.
The number of teams has yet to be finalised. We are looking at something like 63 basketball teams, 33 netball teams, 24 hockey teams and, of special note is a record 101 competitors in volleyball alone, almost double the last games. Most sports are showing growth: golf, with 484 competitors; basketball - 380; netball - 322; hockey - 280; softball - 252; and baseball - 246.
Madam Speaker, you will remember the first games in 1986 when there were 1000 people registered in Australia’s first Masters Games. The Territory has the longest running Masters Games in the nation. Once again, I congratulate people from Alice Springs businesses, along with the volunteers, with a special commendation to Bob Corby, the Manager of the Masters Games, and the Chair, Mr Peter Hoey and his committee.
I look forward to attending as a competitor in darts and eight ball, as does my colleague, the member for Stuart, who is entering into the cycling …
Ms Carney: As does the member for Araluen.
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: Well, that is lovely, good. The members for Macdonnell, Araluen, and the member for Arafura, who will be competing in softball and soccer.
Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer – Native Title Compensation
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Yesterday, you were unable to advise the House of the item in a Larrakia newsletter regarding the payment of money from a native title claim over Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer in the city of Palmerston following current court action. Twenty-four hours have passed. Can you now advise why this matter is before the courts, and what compensation you are paying to Larrakia for Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, yes, I can advise the House. The recent newsletter distributed by the Larrakia Development Corporation that was referred to by the member for Brennan yesterday refers to the possibility of future payments of compensation arising out of the extinguishment of native title.
On 13 December 2001, the Northern Territory government, the Northern Land Council and the Larrakia people entered into a commercial agreement wherein certain native title issues pertaining to Rosebery/Bellamack were resolved. Under the terms of the agreement, native title claimants withdrew their objections to the proposed compulsory acquisitions of all of the interests in land in Rosebery and Bellamack and the adjacent Archer sporting and community areas. This permitted the residential development of the areas to proceed.
The agreement allowed a land holding entity, the Larrakia Development Corporation, to purchase around 20% of the development area. This is now known as the Darla subdivision and the development is proving to be quite successful. The agreement did not preclude the claimants from seeking a determination pursuant to the Native Title Act 1993. However, for the acquisition, they had native title interests in the land and are entitled to compensation for the acquisition of those interests.
It is likely to be about 12 months before the Federal Court makes any findings on the current Larakia native title determination application, so it is a work in progress and there is no way of answering your question.
BassInTheDust – Safety Measures
Mr McADAM to CHIEF MINISTER
Following the outstanding success of this year’s BassInTheGrass in Darwin, could you please outline the safety measures and highlights that will feature in next month’s BassInTheDust in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is certainly an Alice Springs day. We have talked about horse patrols in Alice Springs, the Masters Games, and now BassInTheDust. I know that you suggested it should be another name like LustInTheDust, but we decided to go for a safer name, which is BassInTheDust.
It is on 11 September, and the excitement is really starting to build in Alice Springs. The advertising starts this week. There will be six national bands and three local bands at BassInTheDust. Some of those national bands include The Superjesus, Christine Anu, Hilltop Hoods, Resin Dogs, TZU, and local acts, Tecoma, Blacktide, Cinco Locos and C-Kaliberation.
As with the BassInTheGrass concert, safety is of the utmost importance. We want every parent to feel absolutely confident that their child is going to be safe at this concert. The measures that were put in place so successfully at the two BassInTheGrass concerts in Darwin are in place in the Alice concert this year, as they were last year.
There will be free water. The bar times are restricted - only open after 5 pm. There will be no pass-outs given to under-18s, another measure that can give parents great confidence. Everyone wears a wrist band. There are different colours to monitor under-18s, particularly with access to alcohol. There is extensive but effective security. We saw that work really well at BassInTheGrass.
This is the fourth youth concert; the second for Alice Springs, as there have been two in Darwin. We are absolutely committed to that safe, fun environment. It has been achieved so far, and I am confident that it will be achieved this year for BassInTheDust.
There was a time change for the concert. Last year it was held earlier. That created some issues. We have a change of name, a new time, a new venue and, even though it is called BassInTheDust, it is being held inside. That was the choice of the Alice Springs Festival organisers.
I believe it will be a great concert and I really hope that it is well supported by the Alice Springs community. There is a great line up. It will be held at the Memorial Club, and will run from 2 pm to 11 pm. Tickets are very competitively priced. Pre-sale, they are $34, or $40 at the gate. Come on, Alice Springs, support this great BassInTheDust. I expect to see you there, Madam Speaker.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I was promised an answer to my second question. The minister said it would happen by the end of Question Time. He is now trying to close it off.
Madam SPEAKER: That is all right. This is the usual procedure. The Leader of Government Business closes Question Time, then additional information is given. That is the procedure.
SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER
Procurement Policy – MSC Guards and Patrols
Procurement Policy – MSC Guards and Patrols
Mr HENDERSON (Corporate and Information Services)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I will give a very impatient member for Macdonnell the information he was seeking.
Earlier in Question Time, the member for Macdonnell raised questions to do with allocation of government security contracts. During the course of Question Time, some details have been provided which I would now like to share with the House. Further inquiries are being made into the complete details.
In the interim, I can confirm, as indicated earlier, that the contract was awarded by panel contract. That means there was a competitive process between pre-qualified companies. MSC Guards has held the government contract to provide security services in the Winnellie/Berrimah area since 1999.
This contract, which was broadened to include Palmerston and contract for security services in the Casuarina and Darwin areas, was advertised earlier this year. The Department of Corporate and Information Services advises that MSC Guards provided a declaration of business status dated 3 March 2004 regarding their financial situation made in a pre-qualification meeting which identified no problems. In a meeting on 4 August 2004, MSC Guards confirmed with DCIS there was no barrier to it performing the contract services.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016