2001-10-18
Kyoto Protocol - Ratification
Mr BURKE to MINISTER for LANDS, PLANNING and ENVIRONMENT
Minister, Labor in the Territory has supported federal Labor leader Kim Beazley’s promise to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. What impacts on the Territory does the minister anticipate from such a ratification?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Brennan for his question. Yes, there is going to be an affect on the Territory, especially in the oil and gas industry, and that is going to be a positive affect. The Territory, as you probably know, lacks a lot of the heavy industry that other states have. As a result, we have a very minimal discharge of greenhouse gases, only about 2% of the overall greenhouse discharges from Australia. Establishment of the industry for oil and gas in the Territory will benefit Australia and other places in the world. As you are aware, if an industry uses gas, it will cut the greenhouse gas emissions by 50%.
Mr Burke: They all emit CO2.
Mr VATSKALIS: What matters is the quantity of greenhouse gas emitted. Of course, we know if we are using fossil fuel or any other gas we make CO2. We know that, it is scientifically proven. The quantity you are emitting as an industry depends on the kind of fuel you are using. It is going be a positive effect for the Territory also, and it is going to be a positive effect, not only for Australia, but all over the world.
Capital Works – Budget Shortfall
Mr KIELY to CHIEF MINISTER
This morning, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development reported that the previous government had not allowed sufficient cash to deliver on all the projects they had promised in their last budget. Can you advise the House what this means in terms of the government’s capital works program and what action has been taken to address this shortfall?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. We had the unedifying sight yesterday of the now opposition trying to pretend that they had run the capital works program and our budget in a responsible manner. Yet Territorians know only too well that there was deceit perpetrated on Territorians by the way that the previous administration ran both the budget and, also, as we have seen, their capital works program over the last two years.
To go to that question in detail, the revoted amount for the capital works program in the CLP’s last two budgets - so we are looking at 2000-01 and 2001-02 - increased from $88.6m to $152.2m. What that means is, the revoted amount for ongoing capital works almost doubled between these last two CLP budgets. There was a logic to that for the CLP. They were in an election year, 2000-01, and there were a lot of promises made - uncashed promises, but a lot of promises made. However, as I said, the cash was actually allocated to capital works only, and the cash that was allocated only grew by 5%. So, the revoted amount almost doubled, the cash grew only by 5%. The end result is that by the end of this year, on the previous CLP government’s own estimates, the revoted capital works in the Department of Transport and Works would be greater than the actual cash allocation in the current financial year. What does that mean? That means that new works grind to a halt. The way that the Country Liberal Party did the capital works budget over the last two years, and the deceit and the hollow promises that were made there, new works grind to a halt.
The CEO of the Department of Transport and Works did advise the previous administration that more funds were required, that the level of funding provided by the Country Liberal Party was unsustainable. Increasingly, we are hearing that word ‘unsustainable’ apply to the management of the CLP. With that kind of scenario I have outlined, what was the CLP’s post-election agenda? What would it have been? Would it have been ratcheting up the amount of debt on the Bankcard, it was almost to the limit. Would it have been more ratcheting up the Bankcard, or would it have been the cuts? Would it have been the kind of slash and burn across the public sector that we have seen in the past? I know what it would be. The fact that they are on the opposition benches has saved Territorians from the kind of slash and burn approach we have seen from the Country Liberal Party. We have seen it before.
This government recognises the current needs of the construction and related industries. The CLP has, and would have, left them in the lurch. This government plans to spend significantly more this year on capital works, in cash, than the CLP did last year. This government, through our mini-budget process, will look to expand the capital works program and cash even further.
Kyoto Protocol - Ratification
Mr BALDWIN to MINISTER for LANDS, PLANNING and ENVIRONMENT
Kim Beazley wants to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse emissions. Is the minister aware that the only industrial country to ratify the protocol is Romania? Does that ring any warning bells for the minister? Does he regard the reluctance of other industrialised countries to ratify Kyoto as evidence that such an action is not in the best interests of the Territory?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Daly for his question. It is a federal matter, if I am not mistaken, but it has to start somewhere. If Romania decided to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, well done. I congratulate them. I am pretty sure that European countries will follow suit, and I think Australia should do it. It is the future of our planet, it is the future of our children we are talking about.
Capital Works Program – Spending
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
This morning you stated that the government planned to spend $20.7m more on capital works programs this financial year than the previous CLP government did in its last year in office. Can you advise where this money is being spent?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is important that Territorians and the business community are well informed of this government’s expanded expenditure on capital works. As I told the House earlier today, this government plans to spend some $21.7m more on the capital works program this financial year than the CLP government did in its last financial year. Redevelopment of Alice Springs Hospital and Royal Darwin Hospital is well underway. Over $68m has been set aside for these two major projects. They are on track for completion in October next year.
Construction of a four hectare hard stand area for the intermodal rail to sea transport container terminal and the embankment for the rail terminal at East Arm Port is well underway. This contract is valued at some $38m. Tenders for extension of the wharf and the bulk liquids berth at East Arm are currently being evaluated by the department. These works are valued at over $30m.
Progress on the new Girraween Primary School is well underway and it is expected that the $9m facility will be available for the start of the new school year. The Palmerston Secondary Special School is also on schedule to be opened by the start of the new year. The post-primary building at the Ramingining School was destroyed by fire during this year. A new facility costing $1.2m is programmed for completion before the start of the new school year.
Works are continuing on all Northern Territory roads now that access is available to all areas that were cut off by flood waters earlier in the year. The expected cost of flood damage repairs alone is some $18m for this financial year. The list goes on and on.
It is important that the business community is made aware of the unfortunate tactics being adopted by the Country Liberal Party in scaremongering that no capital works are proceeding - they are talking down the Northern Territory’s economy. Coming on top of their disgraceful financial mismanagement, they should be ashamed of themselves. Despite the financial black hole this government has inherited as a result of the CLP mismanagement, the Martin government will spend more on capital works this financial year than did the former CLP government last year. We will address opportunities to expand the capital works program even further through the mini-budget process. I thank members for their positive questions and their positive approach to the Northern Territory economy.
Professional Indemnity Insurance – Home Birth Midwives
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH, FAMILY and CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Recently, my office has been approached by a number of people who are involved in home births. They are concerned that Guild Insurance is intending to cease insuring independently practising midwives who specialise in home births. Guild Insurance appears to be the only company in Australia who will insure these people. Has this government been aware of this threat to women having a choice of where they wish to give birth to their children, and will the government be doing anything to try and rectify the situation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his question. I recently met with representatives of Northern Territory midwives, and am supportive of their concerns. I asked my department to provide me with a comprehensive brief containing options for resolution of this matter, which it has done. Discussions and negotiations are currently occurring between the department and the midwives, and I would be very happy to offer the member for Nelson a brief on this matter.
Kyoto Protocol - Carbon Sequestration
Mr BALDWIN to MINISTER for LANDS, PLANNING and ENVIRONMENT
Given your last answer, can you explain the merits of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol before the issue of carbon sequestration has been properly addressed, and what issues do you see need to be explored in respect of sequestration and its implications for the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as I explained before, the impact on the Territory will be positive. I explained before that we are trying to establish an oil and gas industry, and I congratulate the previous administration because they tried to do the same for the benefit of all Territorians. The oil and gas industry is going to be of great benefit to the Territory for the simple reason, the industries using gas will cut their emission by 50%. We will be able to sell, for example, gas to China - which is a great coal user - and China will be able to cut their emissions by 50%. Where are they going to get the gas from? If possible, from the Territory, if we give the right price. We are proceeding to establish that industry here, the same way the previous administration tried.
Northern Territory Police Service Budgetary Status
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
Can the minister please advise the House of the budgetary situation facing the NT Police?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. The member for Millner would be aware, as would other members, that Police Commissioner Bates is retiring later this year after a quite magnificent stint as Commissioner of Police for the Northern Territory. He has overseen the growth of that police force, incredibly run down by previous CLP administrations …
Mr Burke: Oh, come on!
Mr STIRLING: By your predecessors. 580 police officers when Commissioner Bates came in here, and he is leaving this force with something like 950 police officers. The former Minister for Police did do the job of rebuilding the police force and I commend him for that, but only after it got to a point, I might add, that they were about to close the doors because they simply did not have the resources to even come to grips with the matter of policing in the Northern Territory.
Commissioner Bates is recognised throughout Australia as a man of great integrity and distinction. He has served the Territory well and he goes with this government’s, and certainly with the previous government’s, good blessing for an honourable retirement that he has so thoroughly deserved.
However, he has advised me that the following additional funding will be required to maintain the level of services that the police are required to deliver: $4.58m additional funding this financial year, and additional recurrent funding of $2.48m for financial year 2002-03. Electronic messaging on its own - $400 000, recurrent funding required; Optus Data Communication - $230 000, recurrent funding required; information technology outsourcing of Desktop Computer Support and Maintenance - $1.8m, recurrent funding required, could be as high as $2.4m. They are recurrent and they are required now.
There are also further additional funding requirements, as I mentioned this morning. The Barrow Creek investigation now running at over $900 000, looking probably to get closer to $1m. The commissioner advises me he can probably absorb about $350 000 of this cost, so tight is his budget. In the normal run of events, the Police, Fire and Emergency Services budget, you would expect, would have within it enough around the edges to enable them to thoroughly carry out a major investigation of this nature without having to come back to government for further resources. But so close to the line did this previous administration run our Police, Fire and Emergency Services that there is simply not the ability within current resources to cover it. If he is able to cover $350 000 within budget, it would still leave a funding shortfall of $650 000.
With the vehicle fleet costs - now, here is one they should listen to because they fudged the budget by saying they were going to flog off NT Fleet. The same reasons across the board why that could not be done, and realise the $50m that was put in there to try to convince this House and Territorians it was only a $12m deficit when, in fact, it was at least $62m because you could not flog off NT Fleet for $50m. Those same GST rule changes and impacts, the reasons that you could not sell off NT Fleet, apply to vehicle fleet costs, in your further $800 000 recurrent. We may be able to absorb that amount, but cannot rule out the need for further funding.
A number of other matters, decisions taken by the previous Cabinet relating to capital purchases and employment costs - $1.5m – they include officer safety equipment, forensic equipment and other expenses, committed to in the last financial year, but to which no cash was committed. These are great commitments. You make the commitment, but do not open your wallet, because they might go and spend it. Well, that is no way to run government and it is certainly not the way this government will run it.
Commissioner Bates knows that if, at any time, the budget was so tight that he had to look at operational requirements, he knows to produce the work required for a Cabinet submission for me to take the required shortfall to Cabinet, and I will certainly do that and support him to the hilt. He has been a great commissioner. I have enormous faith, trust and confidence in those figures, unlike his previous boss who sits opposite.
Kyoto Protocol - Effect on Territory Employment Figures
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
I am sure the minister is familiar with the report on the impact of the Kyoto Protocol on regional Australia by the Allan Consultant Group, and that is the same firm where your recent employee, Percy, used to work. In your knowledge of the report, minister, do you recall that the implementation of the Kyoto agreement would reduce employment in the Territory by 2.5%?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. I can say upfront that I am not aware of the report that he talks about but, in general, Kyoto has to be good for the Territory. What Kyoto is meaning to do, what it is looking to do, the principle, is to switch from fossil fuels that cause greenhouse emissions to clean sources of energy.
This is where the Northern Territory and Timor gas comes in. Previous CLP governments lauded the environmental objectives of bringing gas from Central Australia to fuel the Channel Island Power Station. I have sat in this Chamber many times and heard members opposite, when they were on this side of the benches, talking about what a wonderful environmental outcome gas provides. That is what we are aiming to do as a Northern Territory government, is to get gas from the Timor Sea to the south-east corner of Australia and see energy switching from dirty brown coal-fired power stations to clean gas from the Timor Sea.
Members interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: People sitting opposite are talking down Timor Sea gas as a clean source of energy. Dave Tollner is a goose! We will continue to fight to bring Timor Sea gas onshore, get it to the eastern state seaboard, switch from brown coal-fired power stations to the benefit of the people of the Northern Territory …
Mr REED: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very directly related to a report that indicated that signing the Kyoto Protocol would reduce employment in the Territory by about 2.5% …
Madam SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
Mr REED: The point of order is, the minister has not even gone near the answer or the issue. He is talking about brown coal and gas …
Madam SPEAKER: I think we are well aware that the minister has the discretion to answer. I believe the minister has finished his answer anyway.
Kyoto Protocol - Effect on Territory Employment Figures
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Territorians cannot take any comfort from your understanding of this issue. Are you happy to see that employment in the Territory is reduced by 2.5% if Labor wins government?
ANSWER
As I answered previously, Madam Speaker, I am not aware of this particular report. I will certainly get a copy of the report and have a look at it. But, certainly, what this government is on about - as I have said before - is ensuring that we bring gas to shore in the Northern Territory, get it down to the south-east corner of Australia, and create jobs for Territorians. That is what this government is about - creating jobs for Territorians - $11bn of onshore investment for Australia and that is what Timor Sea gas does.
That is why Kyoto has the opportunity for Australia in terms of being in the best interests of the Northern Territory. This government is about jobs, and you should stop talking the projects down. You should stop talking down the opportunities in terms of jobs growth in the Northern Territory - economic growth - by signing up to these protocols, ensuring that there are the incentives in place in the south-east corner to switch from brown coal-fired power stations to clean gas from the Timor Sea gas fields.
Fishing Industry – Future Security
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Can the minister advise the Assembly on moneys allocated by this government to assist in securing a long-term future for the Territory’s fish stocks and commercial fishing industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly. It is an excellent question because it is a very important issue. Commonwealth export guidelines aimed at ensuring ecological sustainability now require that for exports to be permitted for commercial fish species, in-depth research and management information must be provided. To help fund this research, the commercial fishing industry themselves have raised their licence fees by 50%, earlier this year. So they are doing their bit.
The previous government appeared to be doing the right thing by allocating $250 000 for this research for the current financial year, with no allocation into future years. But, I have been advised by my department that, subsequent to the allocation being made, the Under Treasurer, at the request of the previous Treasurer, directed that the allocation not be used. No reason was given for this decision.
Thus, my department has been unable to proceed with this very important development, which is absolutely necessary for the future operation of our commercial fishing industry. We could lose the whole export component of our commercial fishing industry if this work is not done.
I am very pleased to announce today that our government is putting that $250 000 straight back into where it belongs, and that research and development will now be done, and secure the future of our commercial fishing operations.
HIH Insurance Collapse
Dr BURNS to MINISTER for INDUSTRIES and BUSINESS
Can the minister tell the House what the government has done to reduce the burden on Territory businesses from the collapse of HIH Insurance?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Johnston for his question. HIH is another story in the Northern Territory. It is another example of the previous government’s deceit in regards to what they were telling Territorians …
Mr DUNHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Unless this answer can actually demonstrate that, I ask that you ask him to withdraw that word.
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, I think you should withdraw it. Couch it in another term. You cannot throw allegations across the floor without a motion of censure. This was going to be the new raising of debate, right?
Mr HENDERSON: I withdraw, Madam Speaker. I will move on.
The collapse of HIH Insurance, under the watch of the federal Coalition government - which is now the subject of a Royal Commission - has led to an unfunded workers compensation liability in the Northern Territory estimated to be around $50m. Northern Territory employers and workers whose workers compensation policies or claims were with HIH are protected under the Work Health legislation. In this regard, the nominal insurer is established to protect injured workers whose employers do not have workers compensation insurance and protect employers and injured workers where an insurer defaults in the payments of the compensation.
At the time of the HIH collapse in March this year, the funding provisions of the nominal insurer would have required each insurer and self-insurer to contribute according to their market share, which would have placed an enormous burden on those insurers. This could have impacted unfairly on small business if insurers sought to pass on the costs of the levy in an equitable basis. There was also the real possibility that an insurer may have found the levy to be too onerous and chosen to leave the scheme, as many have done over the years, and we have far too few insurance companies offering workers compensation at the moment in the Northern Territory.
The previous government introduced legislation in May to amend the Work Health Act to fund …
Mr Baldwin: Which you supported.
Mr HENDERSON: Yes, I will get to that. … to fund the nominal insurer and yes, we did support that, as the member for Daly correctly states.
The Minister for Industries and Business at the time, the current member for Daly, when introducing the bill stated:
- In any event, there will be no levy imposed between now and January 2002, during which time all possible funding options will be explored.
- The government has already advanced $3m to the nominal insurer …
Mr Ah Kit: Trickery!
Mr HENDERSON: Trickery - I will withdraw ‘deception’ - trickery.
- … has advanced $3m to the nominal insurer to cover claims during the first three months since the HIH collapse.
And he further stated:
- We are not about putting undue economic stress on Territory employers and we would make every effort to ensure any levy is affordable and fair to all employers.
The minister at the time said: ‘We are not about putting undue economic stress on Territory employers’. What the previous government failed to tell Territory business is the advance was, in fact, a loan to be …
Mr Baldwin: You asked me and I told you what it was.
Mr HENDERSON: Yes, but you did not tell business. The Minister for Industries and Business did not tell business.
It was an advance, ‘We kicked the money in’. The Treasurer at the time on ABC stated: ‘We kicked the money in’. Business in the Northern Territory thought: ‘How wonderful, the Northern Territory government has given this money to support injured workers for the next three months’. When we asked for the details about this advance - was it a loan or was it a grant - it comes back, it was a loan.
Mr Reed: Yes.
Mr HENDERSON: That is right, you did not tell business, we had to ask the question. Trickery …
Mr Baldwin: Of course we did.
Mr HENDERSON: Oh no, you didn’t, no you didn’t. Madam Speaker, no he did not. I am sure that the Chamber of Commerce, the Territory Construction Association, the Motor Traders Association …
Members interjecting.
Mr Stirling: Timmy, Timmy!
Mr DUNHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Sanderson is offended by people using first names instead of their electorate, and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition has been calling out the first name of the member.
Mr Stirling: I apologise, Madam Speaker, I will not call him Timmy again.
Madam SPEAKER: I think I am going to have to put a penalty board up here soon. That is about three or four times you have been told about that, so please refrain. Otherwise, I will be putting little ticks against your name.
Mr HENDERSON: Trickery, this is the trickery. When I hit the phones later that afternoon to talk to the major employer groups in the Northern Territory, it was news to them. In the briefings that they had had from the minister in regards to this advance, it was portrayed to them that this was a grant. There was no mention that this would have to be repaid by way of a levy at a later time - with interest. In fact, the TCA went as far as to produce in one of their shortcuts, that this new tax was news to them, at the time. So, here is the trickery of the previous government. This would then have been passed onto consumers with a significant impact on jobs, on investment.
Mr Baldwin: Tell us what you are going to do about it?
Mr HENDERSON: So what have we done? What have we done, is the call from the member for Daly? Well, this new Labor government, within 53 days of coming to office, has said that not only would we grant the $3m, we would grant an additional $6m into the scheme, to provide funding until well into 2002, whilst we look at all options as to how we recover and how we fund the rest of this liability. Within 53 days of coming to government, what this Labor government has done, it has taken a tax off business in the Northern Territory that would have been imposed by the previous government, $9m worth of tax, with interest. That is how we have contributed significantly to business in the first few weeks of our government.
Kyoto Protocol - Non-signatory Nations
Mr DUNHAM to MINISTER for RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
It seems to me that there is some confusion about the Kyoto Protocol and matters relating to offshore gas, which I hope I can get cleared by the minister. Minister, there is a real possibility that the $13 bn worth of gas developments earmarked for Darwin could be based in developing countries, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia and Qatar, who are not signatories to the Kyoto Protocol. Is the minister comfortable with this?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. I do not know what crystal ball he has been looking into or to which resource companies he has been talking. Certainly, in my six weeks in the job, I have been talking to all the resource companies involved with gas production in the Northern Territory. Relocating, in terms of putting downstream processing to Malaysia or Qatar, has not been on the agenda. In fact, the resource companies are still very keen to come to Australia and come to the Northern Territory.
I am absolutely aghast at the lack of understanding of members opposite in regards to how good gas is going to be in terms of greenhouse emissions for Australia. For Australia to be taking the lead in this regard, and to replace the brown coal-fired fossil fuel power stations, which you as a government for many years lauded, supported by us, about the environmental credentials of gas in terms of energy production. This is what its all about, at an international level, switching from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy. Our move to gas-based industries should, and will be, to the long-term beneficial interests of Australia and the Northern Territory, the thousands of jobs it is going to produce, the millions of dollars of investment.
I am absolutely surprised that the CLP candidate for Solomon, David Tollner - who is not only going to go to Canberra to campaign to put 10% on food for the people of the Northern Territory, he is going to campaign for 10% on food - is actively going to go down to Canberra and campaign against the very industry in the Northern Territory which is going to see economic growth over the years to come.
Northern Territory Mango Industry
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Can the minister advise the House what the Martin government is doing to assist the Northern Territory mango industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama. Indeed, another very important industry for the Northern Territory, a very important primary industry. We have seen the mango industry grow dramatically over the last 10 years in the Northern Territory. We have about 800 000 trees as far as we know - it could be as many as a million trees out there - coming to maturity. With that we are developing an industry that is now worth $35m, with around 1.7 million trays of mangos per season.
Last year, we saw some quite severe problems with the clearing of the crop from the Northern Territory, and it was a combination of factors. What it indicated was that the industry has reached a point in its development where we have to address, quite critically, marketing and infrastructural issues. if the industry is going to now continue to consolidate. It involves a greater effort in exporting our produce, particularly to South-East Asia.
We are almost at the point where - for our part of the year where our fruit is ripening onto the market - we have just about outgrown the size of the domestic market nationally. There is some very important work to be done by the mango industry and, of course, the best people to do that work is the industry itself. This government has provided an assistance package for the Northern Territory mango industry to the total of $11 500, and the provision of a vehicle for four months to support the operation of a Mango Industry Development Officer, and to assist industry development and quality control during the current season. The current season, as you know, is now in full swing. We expect, over the period from now to the end of November, there will be an enormous amount of product being cleared out of the Katherine and Darwin regions.
The mango industry is committed to producing a top grade product and achieving sustainability. We are maintaining, in addition to the specific grants given to the industry association, some $250 000 worth of support through my Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, and through the Department of Industry and Business. The DPI, in association with the peak industry body, the Northern Territory Horticultural Association, has put in place a number of strategies to improve industry outcomes, including formation of a Northern Territory Mango Industry Association with its own constitution, initial development of an industry development plan, and the appointment of an Industry Development Officer for Mangoes.
We intend to staunchly maintain the support for this very important primary industry sector, and you can look forward to seeing the mango industry playing an increasingly prominent role in the Territory economy into the future.
Kyoto Protocol - Effect on Territory Employment Figures
Ms CARTER to MINISTER for RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
The Coalition government recognises the strong possibility of losing jobs to non-Kyoto countries by recognising the need to maintain the competitiveness of Australia’s industry. Does the minister support Kim Beazley’s decision to dump this important position in favour of a policy that will cost the Territory hundreds of jobs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it really is very, very interesting on this side to hear the tone of the questions coming from the members opposite today, which would seek to not maximise the marketing opportunities for gas from the Timor Sea. It is also very interesting to see that members opposite are now actually taking that advice on Kyoto from Percy Allan, the same person that they would not take any advice from in terms of the appalling legacy that you have left this government and Territorians with your deceit in the budget that you handed down in June last year.
In regards to the question from the honourable member about whether we on this side support Kim Beazley’s position, yes, we do, because we support the opportunities to bring gas to shore to develop industries and to have energy replacement on the eastern coast of Australia.
What Howard is talking about is protecting those coal-fired industries and protecting the jobs around those industries on the east coast of Australia. I would have thought that our charter in this House is to be governing in the best interests of the Northern Territory and taking policy positions on the best interests of the Northern Territory. It is amazing about the backflip with twists that the opposition has taken in regard to the opportunities for Timor Sea gas. I am sure the resource companies will be getting copies of this debate just to hear the contributions that you have made on it.
Territory Housing Complexes – Safety and Security
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for HOUSING
As the minister is aware, older residents living at the Territory Housing complexes in Reynolds Court and Hazel Court are concerned about their security. What steps have you taken to improve their safety and security?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Yes, I am aware of the residents’ concerns about their safety and about crime in the two complexes the member referred to. Certainly, I am working very hard to implement the government’s agenda to prevent crime, especially opportunistic crimes that are very common in areas like that. An audit was conducted, and the audit results show that there are a number of areas that need improved lighting. I am very pleased to announce in this House today that we are allocating $9000 to be spent to improve lighting in common areas and passageways in the complexes in Hazel Court and Reynolds Court. I hope this will reduce the residents’ fear about crime and their safety.
Federal ALP Climate Policy
Dr LIM to MINISTER for LANDS, PLANNING and ENVIRONMENT
Kim Beazley also wants to halt land clearing as part of his plan for tackling climate change.
Members interjecting.
Dr LIM: Just be quiet and listen to the question. That will be a death blow for the development of the second stage of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, and the development of further opportunities for agriculture in the Territory. Does the minister agree that Kim Beazley’s policy would have a detrimental effect on the Territory?
Mr VATSKALIS (Lands, Planning and Environment): Unfortunately, I missed the first part of the question. I would like the member to repeat it, and I am sure I will be able to answer it.
Dr LIM: Well, I will repeat that, and you can keep quiet.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Let us have a little silence while these members are asking the questions. Slowly, slowly.
Dr LIM: I said, Madam Speaker, that Kim Beazley also wants to halt land clearing as part of his plan for tackling climate change. That would be a death blow to the development of the second stage of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, and the development of further opportunities for agriculture in the Territory. Do you, minister, agree that Kim Beazley’s policy would have a detrimental effect on the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I apologise for asking the member to repeat the question.
North Western Australia has not suffered from land clearing like other states in Australia, especially Queensland and some of the southern states. In the Northern Territory especially, we only have 1% of the land cleared, and that was necessary to construct roads and other public works, and also to prepare towns.
I do not believe that, if the federal government in Canberra, either Labor or Liberal, wants to put in some guidelines or legislation with regard to land clearing will affect north Western Australia and the Northern Territory. We have cleared so little of our land that it is not going to affect us.
Virgin Blue Operation in the Territory
Dr BURNS to MINISTER for TOURISM
What benefits will Virgin Blue’s arrival bring to the Territory?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Johnston for his question. Madam Speaker, at a time very early in the life of this government - in fact on the fifth day following our swearing-in on the Monday - the Chief Minister met with Sir Richard Branson and signed off on this deal to bring Virgin Blue into the Territory. It was something that had been underway, under discussion and under negotiation with the previous government for at least months - perhaps as long as six months - and we simply could not understand how the CLP were not able to come to an arrangement with such a professional, new, fresh-approached company such as Virgin Blue represent.
This deal was struck, as I said, on the fifth day of us coming into government. We had, at that time, Ansett and Qantas flying in and around the Territory on a daily basis, and we thought that it was just too good an opportunity to get a deal with Virgin Blue because of the low-cut, no-frills nature of the airline, the low overheads that they run, that they would be able to come into the Territory with very, very competitively-priced packages. We had to appreciate, at the same time, that they are a small airline - seven aircraft.
There is enormous pressure on them now to grow and get big as quickly as possible, to help fill the void left by the loss of Ansett. We also understand that they have serious reservations about that themselves. All of us would appreciate, those companies that get big really quickly, tend not to be around for too long. So, they have a mind to their own infrastructure, their own management, their own operating style, and they certainly do not want to head down the way of having those massive overheads that we saw bring Ansett back to earth, and which Qantas, of course, is enormously mindful of. Qantas are heading for a critical meeting with all of their unions on 22 October to address work practices and other matters, given the trade-offs that the workforce is offering Ansett too, to remain competitive.
We do welcome Virgin Blue into the market when they come. The $499 return airfare between Darwin and Brisbane is exactly what we want. We think that will be attractive to the marketplace. We capped a deal at $2m with Virgin Blue to purchase 50 seats per flight and for them to be sold down by the Tourist Commission. We appreciate that may have come at some cost to government when this deal was struck, given that we had Ansett and Qantas and the whole rationale behind this was to keep those major players to the mark in offering absolutely competitive fares to Northern Territorians and, indeed, to visitors to the Territory. We are very confident now, of course, that that won’t cut through the bottom line on a budget effect at all, because we are confident that those seats will be sold down on each flight.
It was interesting dealing with Virgin Blue because it was clear that they were keen to talk. They were keen to do business and, as I said, within five days of being sworn in as ministers, the Chief Minister herself sat in the room with Sir Richard Branson and signed that deal off. To this day, we simply remain puzzled as to why the previous CLP government would not talk turkey with them. They will bring benefits to the Territory, we welcome them, we hope that they will be - and they will be - a permanent player in aviation in the Northern Territory. We expect them to be around for a long time, bringing low fares and benefits to Territorians and business alike.
Kyoto Protocol - Effect on Territory Employment Figures
Mr REED to MINISTER for RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
I again ask the Minister for Resource Development, is he happy - given that they support the Beazley line of signing the Kyoto treaty - that Percy Allan’s firm has found that Beazley as Prime Minister would cost the Territory hundreds of jobs? Now, if a 2.5% reduction in jobs in the Northern Territory is not of concern to the Minister for Resource Development, how big a reduction would it take for him to become concerned? Can I say, given that the minister is not sufficiently across his job to be aware of his consultant’s document, which highlights these very important issues, I seek leave to table the Allan Consulting Group’s report on meeting the Kyoto target, the impact on regional Australia.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the obsessiveness with Kim Beazley is quite fascinating.
In regard to the Allan report that you have there, here is an invitation for members opposite. I am inviting the members opposite to attend the economic summit. Particularly, I think that the session that you should attend is the one where Percy Allan is going to be presenting the Northern Territory government’s current budgetary position which we have inherited from you guys. So, there is the invitation. You might learn something.
Moving on to the question. Gas from the Timor Sea to the Northern Territory is going to produce thousands of jobs. This mythical number about a cost of hundreds of jobs is - you’re talking the projects down. I just cannot believe that you guys do not understand that gas is a clean source of energy and it is beneficial under Kyoto. It is beneficial. Energy swaps, developing gas markets in the south-east corner of Australia that are clean and green, is what we in this House should be championing. For members opposite to be talking down the potential to develop those markets is absolutely abysmal.
Katherine East Child Care Centre Financial Situation
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH, FAMILY and CHILDREN’S SERVICES
Can the minister please advise what she has done about the Katherine East Child Care Centre and its financial situation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. I am pleased to report that on 3 October 2001, I approved a grant to Katherine East Child Care Centre of $36 000 to ensure its continuation of services. This is the government fulfilling its election commitment to ensure a healthy child care sector. It is also part of this government’s determination to provide quality services beyond the Berrimah line.
Federal ALP Climate Policy
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for LANDS, PLANNING and ENVIROMENT
Can the minister inform honourable members of the level of input you and your colleagues on the front bench have had into Kim Beazley’s climate policy? Surely, you were consulted considering the importance of the gas projects north of Darwin. What did you tell him?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, before you answer this question, can I refer opposition members to Standing Order 114. You are very close to asking a question that has been repeated over and over again. Look at Standing Order 114.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it seems like the federal campaign has moved into the Territory parliament. They are especially trying to redirect the attention of the public from the poor performance of their candidate, and the other person who is still battling about his citizenship. I have to say that yes, we are a consultative government. Yes, we are talking to governments in Canberra, Labor or Liberal. Sometimes we are in the same positions, like you were with the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, with regards to the detention centre at Coonawarra - we speak loudly and we are not heard.
With regards to the Kyoto agreement, personally, I support it. I do not believe there are going to be 100 jobs lost in the Territory, for the simple reason we do not have the industry in the Territory to lose the jobs. Go out there and have a look. Where are the smelters? Where are the refineries? Where are the coal power stations? Twenty-six years of CLP government - we have not seen any of these developments in the Territory! The defence forces had to fix their tanks, they had to service their equipment, and they had to put it on trailers to take down to Melbourne. There is nothing here. There are no jobs to be lost in the Territory, there are jobs to be gained.
Recreational Fishing - Limits
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Can you please inform this House of the recently reported changes to fish possession limits and bait net sizes in the Territory, and the reaction to these changes from the recreational fishing fraternity?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Sanderson for an excellent question. Unlike the opposition, we are not in Kyoto for the whole of today, we are actually talking about things that are important to Territorians. One of the most important things for Territorians is their angling. We all know the importance of the amateur fishing body in the Northern Territory, the importance of this activity to every Territorian.
I am very pleased to say that the bag limits that my department announced, which will come into play on 1 January, have won overwhelming support from the amateur fishermen. Finned fish will be included in bag limits for the first time in the Northern Territory’s 30 fish bag limit. This effectively takes the bag limit from 50 fish - which currently was 30 unmanaged fish, and then five of each of four managed species, so giving you a 50 potential bag limit. We are going down to 30, and we are taking another species, the Golden Snapper, into the species that are declared managed species. All of those managed species are now in the 30 bag limit that an amateur fisherman can have in his possession.
The tropical rock lobsters will come into line with mud crabs, and a personal possession limit of 10 per person with a maximum of 30 per boat will apply. A 10 litre personal possession limit for molluscs with shells intact will also come into effect.
The laws regarding amateur drag nets will also be changed, and we are giving amateur anglers two years to adjust their equipment to go from the current drag nets - which can be up to 40 m long and have a mesh size of 65 mm - down to 16 mm in length, 2 m in drop and 28 mm in mesh size. The reason for the change to the drag nets is that fishermen have been catching juvenile specimens of some of the other targeted species, such as juvenile Barramundi, in these larger mesh size nets that they have been using to date. What we will see happen when these new drag net specifications come into use is that the fishermen using drag nets will target bait species - things like mullet and pilchards and so on - and not catch juvenile specimens of the species that we want to grow large, so that an amateur fisherman can still catch a big barra or a big jewie, or something like that.
We are very pleased with that, and I table the media release from AFANT offering fulsome support for the measures that we brought in. This is very much in line with the advice we received from the Amateur Fishermen’s Association, Northern Territory. It is also in line with my own ministerial Advisory Committee on Fishing, so it is a good decision. I am very pleased that the angling community have received it so well. It guarantees into the future that amateur fishermen can catch a big fish around Territory waters.
Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal
Mr MALEY to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Minister, what, if any, upgrade work is anticipated by the government on the Cullen Bay ferry terminal? How long will it take, and what arrangements are you going to put into place to ensure residents of Mandorah can travel to and from work with ease?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is very interesting to get these questions on the budget. As I said yesterday, I have no problems in finding the response for the member for Goyder. However, I find it a bit rich where they take humour from poking holes in their own budget, because that is what Territorians are starting to laugh about. You sit there and you put questions together, trying to stump the experts. What you are actually doing, you silly idiots, you are having a shot at your own budget. You need to understand that, because you put it together. You did it, it is your budget, and since we came into office, it is our budget. We have inherited their budget, and we are continually finding holes in the budget. The black hole is there, it is $107m and climbing. You people are responsible, you tried to deceive Northern Territorians before the election.
What happened was, it did not go to plan. What you wanted to do was to go into an election, con Territorians. I called the member for Katherine, the former Treasurer, a bodgie bookkeeper in the past, in this House, and I stand by that statement. He was the gentleman …
Mr Burke: We want to hear what you’re going to do.
Mr AH KIT: We will spend every cent that you left us. We will spend every cent that they left us. Every cent you left in the capital works budget, we will spend it on capital works. In fact, as I said this morning, we will spend an additional $21m in capital works - $21m more than what they spent last year. This is, of course, the programs where the cash is allocated to the projects. In many cases, a lot of promises were made but there was no cash allocated across. You can see the former Treasurer slinking in his chair, and he should be ashamed of himself, because the fellow on his right is also equally to blame. You are having a shot at your own budget, and we are cleaning up your mess.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: I have to admit, minister, that you were not really addressing the question. There is some leeway today, but next you are asked a question, you really must try to make your answers as relevant as possible.
Support for Survivors of Torture and Trauma
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for ETHNIC AFFAIRS
Can the minister tell this House what the Martin government is doing to support the survivors of torture and trauma?
ANSWER
Thank you very much to the member for Karama for that question. Madam Speaker, Australia in the past 50 years has welcomed many migrants from a number of countries around the world. Some of these migrants came from countries where they suffered the consequences of war and, in some cases, civil war. Unfortunately, a large number of these people have suffered trauma and torture in their countries. Recently, we have seen a number of these migrants arriving in Darwin from African countries, and some of these people have suffered the consequences of trauma and torture.
The Trauma and Torture Survivors Service, a support service in the Northern Territory, provides a valuable service to these migrants, providing referrals, counselling and also a service to the community, by providing training for the community, education, and some meeting facilities.
I was very pleased, last month, to provide government funding of $15 400 to the Trauma and Torture Survivor Service for their rent, and also to send one of their representatives to a conference in Melbourne. This government - and I am pretty sure the opposition - will support the service for the valuable service they provide to the community, and especially to these people as they arrive in Australia. Because, unfortunately, people who suffer trauma and torture, they never forget it, they live all their lives with the consequences.
Kyoto Protocol - Ratification
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Chief Minister, neither your Minister for Resource Development, nor your Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment, understand the difference between agreeing to the principles of the Kyoto Protocol, and actually ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. The reason why developed countries such as the United States and Australia have not agreed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol is because there are unresolved issues around off-sets because of carbon sequestration, and the issue of jobs that will be lost, particularly with projects going to developing countries who are not signatories to Kyoto. I ask you then, Chief Minister, would you please explain to this House why you so quickly agreed to the ratification of these Kyoto Protocol when these outstanding issues have not been resolved?
ANSWER
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. It really is interesting that, when there are very key issues in the Territory to deal with, the only thing that the opposition can do over an hour of Question Time is to ask questions to try and shore up their very poor-performing candidate for Solomon in the upcoming federal election. I think it has been a very appalling performance in that, on the second day of our parliament, in terms of having the process of government, that the opposition have demonstrated what a very poor and lazy opposition they are.
Here we have the Country Liberal Party who are akin to the federal Coalition …
Mr Reed: The question was about ratifying the Kyoto Protocol …
Mr Burke: Why did you ratify the Kyoto Protocol?
Ms MARTIN: Let me just tell you what your mate, Robert Hill, said in the last week - the federal Environment Minister, said about Kyoto. Senator Hill said on a national radio program on 12 October, that the government - meaning the Howard government - accepts that the Kyoto target is fair, and that his government is seeking to achieve it.
Now, we have a problem here with the Country Liberal Party. Here we have the federal Environment Minister agreeing with Labor nationally about the important principles of Kyoto, about the importance of moving through the Kyoto agreement, and all we can hear from the Country Liberal Party is whingeing and whining and negative talk. When it comes down to it, this is about gas, and this is about our future. We need every bit of support to get gas onshore for the future benefit of the Territory. We need every pressure that can apply. Kyoto is one of those pressures, because it is all about clean energy. It is all about the energy that is absolutely typified by gas.
We know that the previous administration worked hard to get gas onshore. Yes, made some mistakes - made some major mistakes - but worked very hard. We also, in a bipartisan way, supported that, and we have worked tirelessly in our 53 days as a government to move that bringing of gas onshore. Kyoto will do that, and it is very distressing, as Chief Minister, to have Territorians listen to the kind of whingeing and whining approach that we have seen from the opposition through this entire Question Time.
This is not about the future of the Territory that this discussion is happening. This is about a lazy opposition who are trying to do the work for their federal masters, and are getting it wrong in supporting their dud candidate for Solomon.
Mr STIRLING (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that further questions be placed on the Question Paper. I just note, there were 17 questions yesterday, 24 today and they are out of ammunition. Second day in government and they have run out of questions. They have had to ask the Kyoto question nine times. You have had months to get questions together. You are the laziest opposition who ever sat in this Chamber and you should get your act together.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Resume your seat. May I just point out to members that we had not closed down the cameras, so if that outburst is shown on television tonight, it serves you right. I advise the cameraman in the Chamber that Question Time has now ceased. Members should remember that in future.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016