2005-03-23
GST and Tax Cuts
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Today, all state and territory Treasurers met in Canberra to consider an offer from the federal government to provide extra funding to the Territory if you cut some taxes on Territorians. We know that the federal government has an agreement with the states and territories to return every cent of the GST revenue that is collected to our respective Treasury coffers. We also know that the Northern Territory has enjoyed hundreds of millions more in GST revenue than was ever forecast - in fact, $240m over forecast by your Treasurer’s own calculations - and more than $600m in total since coming to government. Why, when you are awash with money, and the federal Treasurer has assured you compensation to drop a range of taxes that are hurting ordinary Territorians and Territory businesses, your Treasurer failed these Territorians and why you refuse to put some of the GST back in Territorians’ pockets with tax cuts?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, our Treasurer, the member for Nhulunbuy was in Canberra today fighting for the Territory and for what we believe is justified funding for the Territory. We, of course, are not opposed to tax reform, but we are not going to have tax reform at the compressed timetable - and we loudly and clearly join every other state in saying that …
Mr Burke: Labor. You opposed the GST.
Ms MARTIN: And I am proud of it! Every other Labor state and territory is saying we are not going to be disadvantaged as Territorians - or from any other part of Australia - by a very compressed timetable to remove those taxes. What the Opposition Leader is saying is: ‘Slash those taxes now and, therefore, cut money from police, nurses, and teachers’. Is that what you are saying, Opposition Leader? We are saying no. We are saying that we will do a better deal for Territorians than the one being proposed by the Opposition Leader, because his deal would see us lose money for the Territory. It would see us lose some of the funding. We could put additional …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, cease for a moment! Members of the opposition, you know people in the gallery would also like to hear the answer, so fewer interjections.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, we will be involved in the tax reform process, but we are not going to be involved in it to the extent, or to the compressed timetable, that the federal Treasurer proposed to Treasurers today.
How can I say to Territorians that I am going to pull back money from police, which means fewer police on our streets; or from education, which means fewer teachers in our classrooms, or from the hospitals, which means fewer nurses and health professionals in our hospitals? I will not, and neither will our Treasurer. We will work with the federal government, and Treasurers from around the country will be back in Canberra talking about how we can do that reasonably, not to some political agenda with which this Opposition Leader agrees, that would disadvantage Territorians.
Alice Springs – Land Development
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Would you update the Assembly on the private sector land development to accommodate growth in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. As has been outlined over the last day or so within this parliament, there have been some land releases in the Alice Springs area; namely Larapinta Stage 4. The first 40 of those blocks are on sale and selling very well. Yesterday, in this Assembly, I announced a further 45 - the government’s share, if you like - to go to auction for a developer to buy and sell it on to the public. I also announced yesterday that half-a-dozen of those blocks would be set aside for first home buyers. I am in discussion with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, on that issue.
Apart from Mt John Valley, which is another prospective development on the horizon which we are putting headworks towards, people in Alice Springs will probably be aware that, earlier this month, the Development Consent Authority approved a private sector land development on Raganese Road on the south side of the MacDonnell Ranges. The plans provide for subdivision to create 264 lots in six stages. It provides for up to 250 single dwelling lots and a retirement village. The proposed retirement village will include a nursing home facility, plus 45 single dwelling units. The approval to subdivide to create 264 lots is a very significant development for Alice Springs.
When I first came to this portfolio a little over a year ago, I was approached by both developers involved in that. I have tried to work cooperatively with them through technical issues related to the development. It is a great step forward: 264 lots to come on in six stages.
Madam Speaker, I table the staged development for the information of members and the public. It is further evidence that this is a government moving the Territory ahead and supporting Alice Springs.
Australian Education Union – Industrial Action arising from EBA Negotiations
Dr LIM to CHIEF MINISTER
At lunchtime today, almost 100 teachers gathered outside the convention centre to demonstrate to your government the dissatisfaction they have with the way you have dealt with the current EBA negotiations. I undertook to bring their message to you. I table the flier distributed by the AEU today, which says that the Territory government is not listening; that is why teachers have chosen industrial action.
The CLP has committed to giving Territory teachers salary increases of 15% over two years and support them with better conditions. Teachers across the Territory are angry at your inaction. Your own Education minister’s Nhulunbuy teachers have voted for a three-day strike. When will you respond and keep to your 2001 pre-election promise that you will make teachers in the Territory the best paid in the country?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Greatorex because I did not actually think he could ask questions. That is terrific!
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Well, we have had such silence from members of the opposition, as the Opposition Leader asked question after question, that it is good to see an opposition member actually ask a question. It is terrific. I am congratulating you.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Your answer, Chief Minister.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, cease! Do not speak to the member for Greatorex, speak my way.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, we have a wonderful community here, and I cannot turn my back to them.
Madam SPEAKER: No, but you need not direct your remarks at members opposite. It is very provocative.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. The issue of the EBA for teachers is a serious one. This government values teachers and the work they do for our children right across the Territory – our wonderful Territory; not a mediocre one. We value the role they play in our community. I have seen, first-hand, as has everyone here, the work teachers do in our schools and community; their dedication and commitment.
The government and AEU are in disagreement over the EBA at the moment; there is no doubt about it. We support the right of teachers. It is disappointing that it affects schools so much, but we support the right of teachers to take industrial action. While we have disagreements over the issues, we are determined to resolve the issues as quickly as we can.
Since coming to office, we have been strongly supportive of teachers. We have employed 100 addition teachers in the Territory, above formula, and that has cost us part of that extra GST fund; that is, $8.14m each year. We are proud of that. As part of those extra 100 teachers, we now have 10 English as a Second Language teachers; five assistant principals for small, remote group schools; 28 additional teachers for students with special needs; 10 behaviour management teachers - something the AEU was very much pressing us to do; seven alternate provision teachers; five in a relief teacher pool; and five LATIS computer network capability staff.
Something else this government is enormously proud of is the $42m we announced a month ago for four years for secondary education. That is an additional $42m into secondary education. We are proud of what we are doing in secondary education. It starkly contrasts with the previous government, which had a policy of not providing secondary education to the bush. That is a disgrace and a shame. We are starting to see the results of that secondary education going to our bush communities. Two years ago, there were three students in Kalkarindji who achieved Year 12 in their community and, last year, there were four students in Maningrida. Those communities have celebrated ...
Mr Baldwin interjecting.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, order! Order! Members of the opposition!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, we are proud of what we have done in education. We will sit down with the education union and teachers, and we will sort out this issue of the EBA. However, the types of promises the teachers are being given by the opposition are disgraceful.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: They are disgraceful! They are un-costed and they are unfunded. What it will mean is that this opposition will simply have to cut teachers out of the system to afford those promises. We have costed those promises at somewhere between $60m and $90m. That is not supporting education and it is not supporting our teachers.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition members, I have allowed you a fair amount of leeway with interjections, but when interjections interrupt the flow of speech, I will not allow them. Members for Daly and Macdonnell, be aware.
Alice Springs – Lymphoedema Treatment
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
Madam Speaker, my question is on your behalf as member for Braitling. There are currently more than 25 people in Alice Springs alone who suffer from lymphoedema. This condition requires specialised treatment and management, but there is a gap in these services because allied health professionals are under the Aged and Disability Program, which is not applicable to lymphoedema sufferers. In the government’s Central Australian Regional Plan for Health Services, identifying service gaps for people with chronic illness is identified as a specific issue. Could you please advise how this is being implemented, with particular reference for people with lymphoedema? Second, will the government introduce occupational therapy and physiotherapy positions in Alice Springs to cater for people with conditions that do not apply to the areas of aged and disability?
Mr Dunham interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Members of the opposition, I thought it was a very good question. I say to the people in the gallery that I cannot ask questions from the Chair, and that is why I have asked the member for Nelson to do it. It is rather petty of you, member for Drysdale, to interrupt.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I understand that Bosom Buddies wrote to the Centralian Advocate last week seeking people with lymphoedema to contact them in order to assess the level of service needed. I can report that the Alice Springs Hospital staff and members of Bosom Buddies are working closely together to identify the need and numbers of people who require treatment of the condition.
Lymphoedema occurs when a lymph vessel or node becomes blocked, preventing lymph fluid from passing along it, and can result in excess fluid build-up which causes swelling. The majority of Territorians who require treatment for lymphoedema have undergone treatment for cancer, of which this is a side effect. Currently, I understand there are around 20 people in Alice Springs who are receiving treatment for lymphoedema. The patients are accessing services in Alice Springs through a private physiotherapy service, through Alice Springs Hospital physiotherapy services, and with a private massage therapist. Note that this is critically important that treatment should only be carried out by a professional who has completed the specialised postgraduate short course. One of our hospital physiotherapists has this training. It includes fitting the special garments that are required. In addition, DHCS provides two garments per limb - one to wear and one to wash - per year free of charge.
On the broader issue of provision of occupational therapy and physiotherapy services, I can report that the Alice Springs Hospital currently employs three full-time equivalent physiotherapists and one full-time equivalent occupational therapist to provide services to the people of Central Australia. These services are provided on the basis of clinical need, and not age or disability status. Allied health professional positions are an essential part of the complement of the Alice Springs Hospital. They provide services relevant to the acute care needs and liaise with the allied health professionals in the community.
Madam Speaker, I will elaborate, at a personal level - I will certainly take a look at what comes out of the negotiations between Bosom Buddies and the hospital and make sure there is coverage.
Madam SPEAKER: For people listening, the minister undertook to work with Bosom Buddies to make sure that this service is implemented. I wanted to get that question on the record.
Alice Springs - Unruly Public Housing Tenants
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for HOUSING
Could you please outline actions that are being taken to address unruly public housing tenants in Alice Springs?
Madam SPEAKER: Good question, member for Karama. We will all be interested in this.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I choose to stand at this podium because, on my left, I look at the opposition and they are so provocative …
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: See! I told you.
I thank the member for Karama for the question. First, I would like to say that the vast majority of Territory Housing tenants are excellent. However, having said that, I also acknowledge that there are problems in Alice Springs with unruly Territory Housing tenants and their visitors. The Martin Labor government takes these matters seriously, and we are combating the problems on a range of fronts. We are dealing with nuisance behaviour when it occurs and I will outline how we are doing this. We are educating tenants and prospective tenants about appropriate behaviour, and providing advice to neighbours about the steps to take if they become concerned about noise and nuisance behaviour from Territory Housing tenants.
Because I want to hear about the issues first hand, I recently met with some residents from the Ashwin and Lewis Streets area in Alice Springs when I was here for the Wizard Cup. We had a very constructive discussion and, on the basis of it, I have asked my department to consider some new proposals for managing properties. I will be able to report back about that within coming months.
We are listening to people and we will continue to apply methods that work and look for new methods as well. For instance, after hearing people’s concerns, we extended the Shane Ride Security hours to offer a dedicated service for Territory Housing from 6 pm to 7 am. This patrol goes to key areas across Alice Springs, including major complexes and individual houses where problems have been reported. This security service has reported a significant reduction in incidents, particularly in the Larapinta area, since November last year. I am told that, at the time the security service was extended last November, there were between 12 and 15 places that had noise and nuisance problems of varying degrees. There are now only six.
Although I do not see these results as a reason to rest easy on noise and nuisance, this is a definite improvement. This improvement has been echoed in the stories of different people. When I met with concerned residents in the member for Araluen’s electorate, they spoke of their frustration with our tenants but acknowledged that the situation had improved in recent months. We have also implemented changes for dealing with noise and nuisance proactively, through education and appropriate support to tenants and neighbours. We have in place the Good Neighbour Policy and are promoting a message to the bush for prospective tenants about tenants’ rights and responsibilities.
We have put in place three additional positions in Alice Springs. We have an Indigenous Community Liaison Officer doing an excellent job coordinating with key community service providers and with individuals to build better tenancies. We have also successfully filled one of the two tenancy positions, with a focus on environmental health. These are new positions in a constructive attempt to improve the situation in Alice Springs. When it comes to responding to noise and nuisance behaviour I need to …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister’s answer is excessively long. Clearly, he is taking up time because he does not want to face questions from this side of the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, could you please conclude your remarks quickly. We want other questions.
Mr AH KIT: Madam Speaker, the member for Macdonnell and the member opposite whinge, whine and complain about …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, just get on with your answer, thank you. Get a move on. Read fast!
Mr AH KIT: When it comes to responding to noise and nuisance behaviour, I must comment on calls for eviction. Eviction is a matter for the courts, and history has shown that the courts can require substantial evidence. I have asked my department to work with the Department of Justice. I want them to think innovatively about the process of complaint leading up to eviction, and how new solutions can be found, because we know that simplistic solutions are not going to work, and that we need to take a whole-of-government approach to this.
I also acknowledge the support of the Minister for Central Australia in this matter. He held a meeting in December last year across a number of agencies and organisations and, as a direct result of that meeting, government is pursuing five important proposals that would also help make a difference.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! You have given the minister an instruction. He is obviously reading. Why does he not just table the document and get on with Question Time?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, would you please conclude your answer.
Mr AH KIT: I am almost there, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Faster, please.
Mr AH KIT: If they stop being provocative and interjecting, I might get on with it. We are redeveloping short-term accommodation offices at Stuart Lodge at a cost of $2.2m. We are considering the development of a short-term managed camp ground, the wardens program is being strengthened, we are looking at innovative ways of reducing alcohol consumption, and we have in place a Special Events strategy for major events such as the Wizard Cup. I know these issues are of concern to the people of Alice Springs, and also acknowledge your efforts on behalf of many people with concerns regarding antisocial behaviour. I urge everyone to work together on these issues. Shouting and demanding will not work; cooperation and solution seeking will.
Alice Springs Hospital – Recruitment and Retention of Nurses
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
The General Manager of the Alice Springs Hospital said on ABC radio on 15 February: ‘We are happy with the amount of recruitment that we have been doing’. We assume you are also happy with the level of recruitment because, in a radio interview on 22 February, you said: ‘Nurses are not a problem in terms of numbers’, and the number of nurses was ‘up to scratch’. Your failure to tell the truth has angered many nurses, lowered their morale, and has made the ongoing industrial action at the Alice Springs Hospital worse. Why do you continue to perpetrate the myth that there are enough nurses at the hospital?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will come over here because I can look directly at you and not be provoked.
Madam SPEAKER: Not be provoked; that is correct.
Dr TOYNE: The first thing I would say is, if the nurses are so angered at what I have said or done as Minister for Health on this issue, I wonder why they passed a formal resolution at their meeting of trust in me - that is in black and white. They did not mention the member for Araluen, I am afraid.
Let us go through the sequence. In December last year, yes, we were short of nurses. We are every year as there is a seasonal pattern to the recruitment and retention of nurses. Often, nurses come to follow a career year-by-year in Alice Sprints. They leave, not surprisingly, at the end of a calendar year. Therefore, we have a drop in nursing numbers, and we re-recruit up to the establishment as early as possible in the following year. That has been going on for many years, certainly well before our government came to power.
The difference this year has been that there was a 10% increase in the number of presentations of patients into the Emergency Department at Alice Springs Hospital, which was much higher than average. That clearly put pressure on the nurses working there. I have heard directly from the nurses during my meetings with them of double shifts they have been working, and high levels of pressure they have had to deal with in their job. That is not unusual in the health professions. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that the high presentations and the lower than normal full complement of nurses coincided.
Since December, we have recruited 44 nurses to the hospital. My understanding from hospital management was that they were 45 nurses short of management in December; therefore, we should be close to the establishment of 316 nurses right now, counting the mental health service area of the hospital. I point out that the moral high ground does not belong with the opposition on this. In their day, the nurses complement in the hospital was 277. We have put 33 additional nurses into the establishment of that hospital, and 39 additional establishment positions are now being recruited to give that hospital significant new capacity.
Northern Territory Pensioner Concession Scheme
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for SENIOR TERRITORIANS
Can you inform the House on the recently announced expansion of the Northern Territory Pensioner Concession Scheme?
Madam SPEAKER: Nice short question; let us hope we get a nice short answer.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome all seniors here tonight since this is a question about seniors. I particularly welcome anyone from the Gillen Seniors Village where I made this announcement about the expansion of the travel component of our Pensioner Concession Scheme on Monday. I am so proud of it that I wanted to talk about it again. It was great to have John Gaynor, our Labor candidate for Araluen, at the village to introduce me around to some of the residents. That was terrific, and he is here tonight.
A major aspect of the announcement was this expansion of the travel component of what is a very important scheme; our Pensioner Concession Scheme. Previously, you could apply for a standard economy fare from Darwin to Adelaide every four years. That was an entitlement for seniors. What seniors have said to me over a number of years was that, as they got older, they often did not want to take the travel themselves. They asked whether that entitlement could be used to bring family and friends to the Territory. I thought it was a great idea, and that is what will happen from 1 July.
Now, as you accumulate the subsidy over a four-year period, you will be able bring family or friends to the Territory. We are also removing the six-month eligibility, so as soon as a senior arrives here and can demonstrate you are permanent, you start acquiring that four-year right. It is a great thing. It will encourage more seniors to retire in the Territory. We are delighted to hear Graeme Suckling, who is the head of the Council on the Ageing, say that this is pretty good news and that the Territory scheme is among the best, if not the best, in the country. Not only is this initiative good for seniors but, Madam Speaker, it is great for tourism.
Madam SPEAKER: The four members of the opposition on my left, you are distracting to the people sitting behind you in the gallery trying to listen to the answers; so would you, perhaps, keep your conversations for later?
Alice Springs Hospital – Elective Surgery
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for HEALTH
There are now 1600 people on the waiting list for elective surgery in Alice Springs. When you were censured in June last year, you responded by saying: ‘It is a great time for health in the Northern Territory’. Will you meet with some of those 1600 people on that waiting list - those waiting for their hip replacements, knee operations, eye operations and so on - and tell them that it is a ‘great time for health in Alice Springs’?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am not that sort of doctor. My job is to make sure that the hospital is resourced to carry out, amongst other things, elective surgery. In what is a real coup for a regional hospital in a town the size of Alice Springs, we are very fortunate to have two highly-qualified Australian accredited anaesthetists. We now have two full-time surgeons who can work with those anaesthetists to keep surgery flowing in the hospital, and we have the nursing staff up to establishment to support the elective surgery program.
Elective surgery has commenced in the hospital. We certainly want to make inroads as quickly as possible on the waiting lists for going into that hospital. The only thing beyond my control is that surgery in emergency circumstances has to take precedence over elective surgery. We will fit it around the demand for emergency surgery and will make inroads on that list.
Alice Springs – Traffic Relief Larapinta/Lovegrove Drives Intersection
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
Madam Speaker, this shorter question is on behalf of you as the member for Braitling. I have been advised that your department was to undertake a traffic delay study at the intersection of Larapinta and Lovegrove Drives. I canvassed this matter in my newsletter and received numerous replies from residents. Over 70% were in favour of a roundabout, and over 20% were in favour of traffic lights. It sounds like the rural area of Darwin as well, Madam Speaker. Minister, what was the result of your department’s study? What traffic control will you place at the Larapinta/Lovegrove Drives intersection?
Madam SPEAKER: Another good question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, over the last couple of days, I have taken the opportunity to visit a number of the sites that have been raised by yourself and other members of this parliament in relation to traffic issues, so I am glad you have raised this one.
Regarding that intersection, I understand that there are delays, particularly in the peak hour in the mornings as people try and turn out against the traffic flow into Larapinta Drive. There is a bit of history here. The former government did have on their capital works list duplication of that road, but they never had it cashed up, which is something that they have form for. Basically, we commissioned a traffic study, as you say. That is due for completion by the end of April. I cannot foreshadow what the results of that may be. It may very well be that the duplication works are looked at again.
There have been other issues raised regarding traffic. It was my pleasure to visit Larapinta Drive with the Labor candidate for Araluen, Mr John Gaynor, a great candidate. He and I had a conversation about traffic issues, and I have taken on board what Mr Gaynor said …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Dr BURNS: The member for Araluen protests. Another issue that she raised with me was the crossing at Ilparpa Road. I arranged to meet the member for Araluen there …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, cease for a moment. I believe the member for Araluen did not protest.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. As usual, the minister has got the wrong end of the stick. I did not protest.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I am making a point here that the member for Araluen raised issues. I offered to meet with her and residents out in places. She declines, so I am glad that Mr …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Dr BURNS: Well, you did decline out at Larapinta Drive.
Madam SPEAKER: What is your point of order? Member for Araluen, you realise that if you have been misquoted you can correct that by way of personal explanation?
Ms CARNEY: I do understand that, Madam Speaker. For those present, it is appropriate that the minister be honest. I ask that he do so.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order but, if you have been misquoted, you know what to do.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I will wrap up by saying that I am very attuned to traffic issues in Alice Springs, as I am in Darwin. There are a number of them. I am trying to work through those issues, and I will do that in cooperative way with people like Mr John Gaynor. We will work cooperatively.
Madam SPEAKER: Members of the government, I really do not think this is the place to be doing your electioneering. Perhaps you can do it outside, particularly new candidates. We have heard that name three times and it is beginning to irritate me.
Nurses –Excellence Awards
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for HEALTH
It is a good name and a good man, Madam Speaker. As a person who has been through the public health system recently with the birth of my third child, I can attest to the value of our nurses, particularly midwives. Would you please explain what action the government is taking to recognise the valuable work our nurses do in health care in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question. It is very important that we recognise the work of our nurses through the health system, whether they be hospital based, in remote clinics or in community health services. They do a fantastic job.
This government has created over 100 extra nursing positions in our health system, well beyond the 75 additional positions that we promised during the last election. Last week, I was proud to launch the second of our Nurse and Midwifery Awards for 2005, following on the 2004 awards. It is important that this profession has its own award system. On 17 March, Paul Henderson launched the awards in Darwin. On the same day, I launched the awards in Alice Springs. I encourage members of the community if they know some good nurses - nominate them. We want some Central Australian nurses to win as many of these awards as we can.
The categories are: Acute Nurse Award, Community Nurse Award, Mental Health Nurse Award, Midwifery Award, Remote Nurse Award, and the Aged Care Nurse Award. There will be an overall Nurse of the Year, which should be a very high honour within the profession. I look forward, when the recipients are selected, to again attend the awards ceremony.
Alice Springs Hospital – Repair Costs
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
There are massive defects amounting to approximately one-third of the entire building costs of the Alice Springs Hospital, costing many millions of dollars. How can it be that your government took possession, cut the ribbon, turned the key, wrote the cheques and signed off on all work for the hospital, which is turning out to be a great disaster?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the question should, most appropriately, go the minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. However, I am happy to answer it broadly. The defects in the Alice Springs Hospital is a very serious issue. It will take millions of dollars worth of taxpayers’ dollars to repair that. We are committed to doing that. We will do it over a three-year period. I would like this House to hear more of the detail from the minister involved. As members would understand, as Chief Minister, I do not have carriage of construction works, which lies with the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Quite appropriately, I ask him to respond to the question.
Dr BURNS (Transport and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to put on the public record tonight some of the history related to the redevelopment of the Alice Springs Hospital. As most residents of Alice Springs would be aware, the former government started out with a $50m project in 2000, which was contracted down to a $30m project. That project was let to principal contractors.
A lot of the issues that the member for Araluen alludes to go back to the very style of contract that governed this particular project. The type of contract was one where the principal contractor had to design the hospital redevelopment, build it and certify it – in other words, certify that all the building works were done correctly – and then commission the building.
The member for Araluen can talk about people taking possession of keys and handing over and all the rest of it, but what she omits to say – and anyone from Alice Springs can go and see it – is there are a couple of plaques at the redevelopment of the Alice Springs Hospital. The name on both of those two plaques is D Burke, Chief Minister. Prior to the 2001 election, the former Chief Minister fell over himself to open eight units twice, just before the election.
The defects that are evident now were present then, when the former Chief Minister opened this hospital …
Mr Burke: Still waiting for the private hospital.
Dr BURNS: Well, that may be part of your $50m project, Leader of the Opposition but, I believe to some degree, this government is picking up the pieces of the form of the contract that was left over the Alice Springs Hospital.
Some of the problems started to become evident in August 2002 when there was a fire service report on the fire status of the hospital. Basically, it was from then until 2003, when the principal contractor signed off on all the defects that had been identified in the 2002 study as fixed. It was only when the building was being certified by government for occupancy that very serious problems became evident in October 2003. In February 2004, I received a memo that, basically, it was requiring $2m for remediation works. A further audit was carried out and the figure then became $10m.
This government is actively examining our legal options in relation to this. As the member for Araluen said, this is very serious; it is taxpayers’ money. The government has moved forward to address the issues in an orderly fashion, ward by ward, and fix the problem. We have allocated money towards this. It is a very important issue for Alice Springs and one which I am taking very seriously.
Alice Springs – Upgrade of Traeger Park
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
The government has a strong commitment to improving sporting facilities across the Territory. Will you please advise the House of the latest improvements to Traeger Park?
Mr Elferink: Can you do it without reading it, minister?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I would like to cut a deal with members on my right. If they do not provoke me, I will try and be quick.
I thank the member for Nightcliff for her question. At the beginning of the Martin Labor government’s term in office, we promised the people of Alice Springs $5m in improvements to their premier sporting facility, Traeger Park. This recognised the importance of sport to the lifestyle of the people of Central Australia, as well as the contribution sport makes to health and wellbeing, economic development and the tourist industry.
It is a promise we not only have kept, but I have pleasure in informing the House that Cabinet recently approved a further $500 000 towards Stage 1 of the grandstand at Traeger Park. This means a total allocation of $5.5m to Traeger Park, and includes the $800 000 already spent on upgrading the hockey pitch and $1.75m for the new lighting system. The $2.9m now allocated to Stage 1 of the grandstand will provide player facilities such as changing rooms, ablutions, first aid, and physiotherapy rooms at ground level, as well as seating for about 200 VIP patrons. A lift for mobility access and a ramp access adjacent to Mona’s Lounge on Level 1 will also be provided. There will also be a large open concrete players areas behind the seating on Level 1. In the next stage, this will be enclosed and will become corporate facilities, bar, kiosk and toilets. A second bare concrete floor area will be provided on Level 2 which, in the final stage, will be enclosed to become rooms for officials such as scorers, timekeepers, coaches, media and umpires, depending on the requirements for the particular event.
In the past month or so, I have had the pleasure of attending major sporting events at Traeger Park including the annual Imparja Cup and Alice Springs second Wizard Cup challenge round between Richmond and Freemantle. Both these events saw a national sporting focus on Alice Springs and, from both sporting codes, I heard nothing but praise for Traeger Park as a first-class sporting venue. With the increased resources we are putting in to Traeger Park it will only get better in the future. This follows use of Traeger Park by many sectors of the Central Australian sporting community, not to mention through national events such as the Alice Springs Masters Games, which last year celebrated its 10th games as the nation’s longest running Masters with record participation levels. Next year, we will once again be celebrating the Masters Games in Alice Springs and, indeed, it will be the 22nd anniversary of the use by the games of sporting facilities such as …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: I thought he was about to finish.
Mr AH KIT: I just getting there.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: I know what you are going to say. Minister, please finish quickly.
Mr AH KIT: If you did not jump I would have been finished by now; however, you cannot help yourself. The Masters Games are, indeed, the 22nd anniversary of the use by the games of sporting facilities such as Traeger Park, facilities which this government is dedicated to improving. As a dual Masters Games darts team silver medallist and an Alice Springs born and bred lad, I am more than proud of the gold medal winning efforts of this government to improve facilities in my home town.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you forgot to tell us what you got it in. Goodness! The gallery is setting a precedent by applauding the minister twice. That is a bit of a worry.
Alice Springs Hospital – Safety and Defects
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, your Minister for Planning and Infrastructure said in this House that your government has acted every time problems at the hospital have been brought to its attention, and that your government is committed to fixing up the hospital in an orderly fashion. Can you explain why it is that your government has been sitting on at least one report that we know of, dated April 2003, which lists massive building and safety defects at the hospital, and why you and your government failed to act on it for the better part of two years?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, while I welcome the question, it was answered by the minister earlier - very clearly and honestly, I thought. I can ask the minister to repeat what he said if the member for Araluen missed that. The minister involved clearly articulated how the problems emerged, what government has done in response, and that we are committed to spending the $10m to rectify those faults. As the minister clearly said, we are looking at our legal options.
I can ask the minister to repeat the answer if that has not satisfied the member for Araluen. Because she asked a question that the minister dealt with before, I should give him the opportunity to restate that.
Dr BURNS (Transport and Infrastructure): Madam Speaker, I will answer the question. To repeat what I said before - and it is a very important element of my answer - the type of contract involved in the refurbishment of Alice Springs Hospital was to design, build, commission and certify the building. In other words, under the contract set up by the previous government, the certifier actually worked for the principal consultant. It is a bit like parties to the purchase and sale of a house having the same lawyer. We know that, for protection, each party should have their own lawyer. Under the contract that the previous government had, there should have been a certifier to look after the government and taxpayer’s interest.
I can assure this House that redress of these issues, the repair of these defects, is being done under a completely different model whereby our certifier is involved. We are employing the certifier, and that is the principal difference.
In relation to the allegation the member for Araluen has made that government is sitting on reports, I say two things: government has not been sitting on its hands for a start. There has been a very active process to try to resolve the issues with the principal contractor regarding the original contract. Unfortunately, as I said before, it now looks as though legal action is pending. Senior executives of the principal contractors have been invited to Alice Springs Hospital to view these defects for themselves. One hopes that, when those senior executives of the principal contractor see the defects, they may come to the party about redress of the situation.
The member for Drysdale has written to me on the issue of reports and whatever. I have written back offering him a full briefing. I have also said that some of these issues are sensitive; some are pending legal actions. I am asking him to come along and be apprised of this information on a confidential basis.
Darwin Rural Area – Water Supply for oncoming Dry Season
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
As you know, it has been a dry Wet - if you can call it that - in the north, even with the rain from Cyclone Ingrid. If aquifers in the Darwin rural area are not filled, it is possible that some rural residents may not have sufficient water in their bores by the end of the oncoming Dry Season. Will you instigate an independent review of the effect of Power and Water’s production bores and proposed bores on domestic bores in the rural area? If this shows that there is an effect on rural domestic bores, will your government either cut back or cease pumping from the production bores so that rural people have sufficient water for the Dry?
On a related matter, what is your government doing about proposed new water storage dams, or are you using production bores to put off building such dams?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is actually in my portfolio area of Lands and Planning, because water falls under that, although I take what the member for Nelson has said about Power and Water production bores in the area. Essentially, the question the member for Nelson has asked is about the dry Wet that we have had a this year. This is the northern part of the Northern Territory. Some people would disagree, after Cyclone Ingrid, particularly those residents of Croker Island.
I am advised that the levels of the aquifers were checked towards the end of February. In a usual Wet Season, they rise between 8 m and 10 m. Up to that time at the end of February, they had risen about 7 m. That was prior to Cyclone Ingrid. I am advised that it is quite likely the levels of those aquifers will come up to the levels that would be required to sustain water production through the Dry Season, if it is a normal Dry Season.
The member for Nelson has asked an interesting question about private bores in that area. I would have much rather had a question about water and disposal of sewage effluent in Alice Springs, and the mighty job we are doing at AZRI - $6.2m through Power and Water. That is a great project for aquifer recharge. However, that might have to wait for another day.
Basically, there are 4500 private bores in the rural area. For the information of the member for Nelson, it is estimated that private unlicensed bores extract 5500 ML per year, compared to 3500 ML per year extracted by Power and Water bores, so private extraction is quite a lot more than Power and Water bores. Licensed irrigators take some 13 000 ML per year.
In closing, I believe that some of the CLP candidates in the rural area have been running around saying that the government is going to put water charges on bores. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I welcome the opportunity from the member for Nelson to lay that on the record.
Yulara - Medical Support for Tourists and Residents
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you advise the House of medical support being provided for tourists and residents of Yulara and the surrounding communities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question, because it gives me an opportunity to talk about one of our remote-based delivery sites. It is very important, with the number of times we seem to be talking about hospitals in debates on health in this House, for the opposition to realise that the health system actually is a lot more than our hospitals, as important as they may be. Every remote clinic is part of our health system. Every remote retrieval service, such as the one I will be talking about, is part of our health system. Every community health service – we never hear about that from the opposition, they never go to the remote clinics or the smaller delivery sites. I would really like to see them out there and, maybe, we can talk about the whole health system instead of two hospitals.
The government, through my agency, provides funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service for the operation of an ambulance and primary health care service operated to the Yulara community for tourists and residents alike. Given the huge number of tourists that go through there, it is a very important delivery site for us.
Negotiations between my agency and the Royal Flying Doctor Service have recently been concluded, and I am happy to advise that the new service agreement, from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2007, has now been accepted. Additional funding has been provided. We will provide additional operational recurrent funding; one-off funding for the 2005-06 year for ambulance fit-out, equipment replacement, repairs and maintenance; and one-off funding in 2006-07 for vehicle replacement and ambulance fit-out. This funding will help to ensure that visitors, and residents alike, continue to receive a high quality health service in this very important part of Central Australia. I believe both the tourists and residents of Yulara and surrounding communities can rest easy, they will have a good retrieval service.
Editor’s Note: Question Time ceased due to proposed motion of censure.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016