2002-05-21
Timor Gas Treaty with East Timor
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
It was good news for Territorians that the new treaty regarding the production and taxation arrangements for the delivery of Timor Sea gas was signed by the Australian and East Timorese governments in Dili on Monday. If we put aside for the moment the difficulties regarding Sunrise gas, does this treaty signing mean that Bayu-Undan gas will now flow to Darwin; or are there other issues to be resolved?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I would like to take a little time to talk about what happened in Timor yesterday. It was excellent that the Opposition Leader, and the Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development were there, along with the Mayor of Darwin. The Territory delegation was one that was made very welcome in recognition of the long relationship between the Territory and Timor, and our very strong support over many decades now, and particularly that support over the last couple of years. It was a very important day in Timor. It was a real privilege to be part of that, and to be there at the events that led up to the flag raising, which happened around midnight on Sunday night/Monday morning. It was, again, a special occasion and a real privilege.
It was interesting to reflect on what kind of occasion that was. There was genuinely an exuberance about such a marking of significant change for Timor - that it was independent. But events were also tinged by the kind of activities that took place leading up to midnight. It was tinged by reflectiveness and some sadness. I think the Leader of the Opposition would agree, it was not simply an exuberant celebration, because there was a recognition of the tragedies that had led to independence and a marking, for example, of fallen heroes. It was, in the end, a real marking of a passing of time. I have some memories that will stay with me for a long time.
When UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan embraced Xanana Gusmao as the President of Timor, that was a very memorable moment. When, again, Xanana Gusmao as President, stood there with Indonesian President, Megawati Soekarnoputri, and they raised hands together - another strong symbol for the new East Timor. I would like to congratulate the Indonesian President for being there, for being part of those independence celebrations. The welcome as she came in was quite remarkable, quite an enthusiastic applause for the Indonesian President, and this augers well for the future relationship between Timor, the Indonesian archipelago, and the Indonesian government.
It was a real privilege to be there as part of that treaty signing. The signing was done between the two Foreign Ministers - Jose Ramos Horta and Alexander Downer from Australia - and then those documents were signed by Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, and East Timor’s Chief Minister, Mari Alkatiri. A very important moment, because it does set the framework and the structure for how those oil and gas resources will be exploited in the future - very important to both the Territory and Australia and, of course, to East Timor. For the Territory, it offers us a step change in our economy, which is so critical, but for East Timor it really offers them survival. You do get a real perspective of that when you are in Dili, East Timor, how important those revenues from oil and gas are for this emerging country - the world’s newest nation.
The signing of the treaty sets the framework. The issues that are still outstanding with Sunrise and the unitisation of the field, and Bayu-Undan, are still there. But there was great confidence yesterday that the difficulties over the tax arrangements with Bayu-Undan are almost finalised - from the East Timorese and the Australian point of view, and for Phillips, who are the major equity holders in the field. There was certainly a growing confidence that the difficulties with Bayu-Undan are just about sorted out, and we will see that enormous development - $6bn in the liquids and gas - able to move ahead.
Last Thursday, the early drilling started in Bayu-Undan. The platform is in place and that drilling has started for oil and gas. There is a general confidence all round that the signing of the treaty is yet another step in seeing Bayu-Undan move ahead and - hopefully, for the Territory and for Australia - Sunrise gas come onshore.
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Distinguished Visitor
Madam SPEAKER: Before I go on to the next question, members, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the Gallery of the member for Solomon, Mr Dave Tollner. On behalf of all members, I offer you a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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V8 Supercar Event
Mr KIELY to CHIEF MINISTER
Could the Chief Minister outline the benefits of Darwin hosting the V8 Supercar events last weekend?
ANSWER
Thank you, member for Sanderson. Madam Speaker, it pays tribute to the member’s interests in these important events for the Territory that he asks this question, a question, I am sure, and the answer of which, is keenly awaited by all members in this House.
While I recognise that the initiative of the V8s was one that the previous administration brought in, we are happy to continue it and have made that very strong commitment to continue it until 2007, which is the necessary timeframe at this stage. We recognise the work done by the previous administration and the considerable dollars that have been put into that superb facility at Hidden Valley. You only start realising what a superb facility it is when you start talking to the drivers - how they love coming to the Territory, it’s a great track. They described it as a fun track, they are very complimentary about the facilities in place.
The work that has been done there is really a tribute to the Territory - not only the work for the drivers, but also for the record crowds that we see each year - 37 000 was the crowd over three days of Territorians having a great time. The facilities for those who were there enjoying the races only get better. When you look back to 1998 when, to be generous about Hidden Valley, it was still very much a dustbowl, and look at what it is today, it is far more enjoyable to be there - more shade, more grass and less dust as the cars go round.
It was a great event, and I would like to thank all those involved, from the drivers to all those Territorians who were part of the support services, to the businesses who were there, and to the Territorians who, I think, simply enjoyed the occasion and behaved extraordinarily well.
I would like to put on the record my thanks to Mark Skaife. Not only is he a champion driver, but I had one of the best rides of my life when I got to do three hot laps with him on Friday afternoon. I know the former Chief Minister enjoyed his hot laps as well, the previous year. For someone like myself who had no real appreciation of what it was like to drive so fast in a car, I have certainly changed my mind now. To go 260 km/h in the hands in Mark Skaife and feel perfectly safe, and watch the way those expert drivers …
Mr Burke: You should have a celebrity event next year, we will go against each other.
Ms MARTIN: I think skateboards might be our limit, you know, Denis.
To watch a driver of that expertise manage the car, the bends, the curves, and manage the straight, was a real eye opener for me. I want to personally put on the record my thanks to Mark Skaife. I was certainly converted to Holden and Skaife, and was very pleased when he won the event. Thanks to Events Co, thanks to the drivers, the teams, all Territorians who were part of this, everyone who went in support of this event so strongly, 37 000 Territorians attended. It was a real tribute and I put on record my thanks to Paul Cattermole and his staff for the tremendous work they do. They make it look easy, organising an event like that, and it certainly is not, and Paul’s attention to detail is just extraordinary and we really should treasure the man. He made the event happen and long may he reign.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if they can have a celebrity race in Tennant Creek for the go-karts, it might be worthwhile considering having a celebrity race.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, would you like to drive?
Madam SPEAKER: No, I am just suggesting.
Treasurer’s Quarterly Financial Statement – Department of Health and Community Services
Mr DUNHAM to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Treasurer’s quarterly financial statement for March 2002 shows that your department’s average quarterly expenditure is $123m per quarter. Could you outline to this House how you intend to come in on budget, and where you intend to cut $11m in expenditure on health services in the last three months of the financial year in order to do so?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, my department has a very large budget and, like all health budgets around Australia, is certainly having significant issues with that budget. This is something which has been noted in other parts of Australia, and Victoria recently, in fact, two weeks ago. Victoria has just put $800m extra into health. I wish I was able to do that here in the Northern Territory.
In relation to our budget, it is being monitored on a weekly basis and I have been assured by my department that we will be coming in on budget.
Mr Dunham: Where are the cuts?
Mrs AAGAARD: There will be no cuts.
Public Sector Office Space
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for CORPORATE and INFORMATION SERVICES
Late last year, the government called for expressions of interest to provide public sector office space. What has been the outcome of that process?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for the question, because indeed it is a great day today. The Chief Minister and I had the huge pleasure of going around to the site of the new development and, with the Leeon Consortium, publicly launch the Chinatown development, a $90m project. I will give a few snapshots of what is involved: a retail shopping precinct of 3000m2; two international hotels - 219 rooms in total; a 500 space carpark; 2000m2 of public space with a strong traditional Chinese theme going through it; and a 9 storey office tower. We are looking at 320 construction jobs at the height of the construction and, even more importantly, 250 permanent jobs once the complex is functional.
This is great news for the Territory. When you look at the Chinatown development going in alongside the Mitchell Street development, 43 Knuckey Street, the TIO building, we are looking at a major new boom in building in the Central Business District of Darwin.
Even more importantly, two of those developments have gone ahead on purely commercial decisions. The business community is showing a lot of faith in the future of the Northern Territory under our government, and they are putting their money where their mouth is.
The other thing I would like to say about this development and the process that led to this decision, and I will table this today, and that is the probity auditor’s final sign off on the process saying that it is all squeaky clean, above board, done for the first time ever in the history of the Northern Territory, a fully open, transparent tendering process with a
winner and with the criteria upon which they won the …
Mr Burke: You changed the tender half way through.
Dr TOYNE: … support from the government, clearly outlined in front of an auditor. Now, you mob should have a look at that because if we have the misfortune that you get back into government again, this is the way you do it, fellas and ladies. You follow an open transparent process. You let everyone have a fair and even playing field and you get a great result at the end of it for the Northern Territory. That is how you do it, and maybe you should try it in the future.
Treasurer’s Quarterly Financial Statement – Department of Employment, Education and Training
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
The Treasurer’s Quarterly Financial Report for the three quarters to March 2002 shows that your department’s expenditure is an average of $114m a quarter. Can you detail where you intend to cut $11m from your department’s expenditure in the quarter in order to come in on budget?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, let me assure the shadow minister for Employment, Education and Training that on each week that I meet with the CEO of Education, Mr Peter Plummer - one of the best CEOs we have in the entire public service, he does a great job - we do in fact touch base on the budget. He has not given me any indication whatsoever that there are budgetary problems within the Department of Employment, Education and Training, and I believe him. I trust my CEO, he does a fantastic job. As I said, there is no indication of any problems. I would expect the department to report within budget, on time, at the end of the financial year.
Ms Martin: The Treasurer has that confidence as well.
HIH Insurance Levy
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches in relation to the HIH levy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question, because this is the second time that we have seen this come up from the opposition. I guess it is interesting, but at its base it is downright stupid. The Leader of the Opposition has released a press release saying that the opposition will move to repeal in parliament this week the new employer levy provisions in the Work Health Act to stop the Martin government’s HIH jobs tax. They are going to repeal it. We have not even passed it yet. I mean, where do you get off with this idea?
This is the second time he has had a go at this. It demonstrates the ease with which you can say things in opposition from one day to the next, because you are not accountable. You are not accountable for the bottom line. You are not accountable to anyone except …
Mr Burke interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: … and my God they are easy to convince that this is a good idea. We need to look at a bit of the history. He has bounced out of the blocks again, as I said, the second time, and he says: ‘You should be spending all that extra money you are getting from the Commonwealth grants’ that the Chief Minister came back from Canberra with - some $73.4m or $74m extra from the Grants Commission. We need to be very sure about what that money is for - and this has been explained to the opposition before - because it is a recognition of the disability factors that we in the Northern Territory face in relation to the provision of services of health, education, policing and the like because, as we all know, small population bases scattered around a large piece of ground. That is the fact, and that in itself does not go anywhere near the real level of disability, the extra costs that we face in providing the services.
So he would say ‘do not worry about health, education – do not worry about why the Commonwealth have given you this money, let’s put it all into the HIH levy’. It is not a windfall. It is not a gift. It is a recognition, as the shadow spokesman for Health was very clearly explaining before lunch, and it is a pity more of you were not here to hear him, because he spoke at length and he spoke very credibly on this very issue: to not duck your head in relation to this because it is very much a recognition that we are against it in terms of delivery of services on the costs basis.
I want the Leader of the Opposition, and I want everyone else to understand that the only contribution the CLP made to cover this HIH liability in the initial stages was a repayable loan. A repayable loan. It had to be paid back. It was $3m. You put it in there as a repayable loan. You would not even put it in as a grant.
Does he remember for example, that we covered that $3m, put in an extra $1m as a grant - total $9m as a grant. We are not tapping the employers, we are not tapping the business world on the shoulder to get that back, we put that in there as a grant, straight up. You put in $3m as a loan, you wanted it back, but you did not tell anyone it was a loan. Their hypocrisy is breathtaking. They did not do anything for the business world in relation to this and now they say you have to cover the lot. They were not going to do anything at all.
Not only have we put that $9m in, we are placing government fairly in the picture of the liability question by the government regarding itself as an employer over the duration that this liability is going to have to be worked on to get it back to square. That is going to come just about half way as a contributor in the overall liability. It will be up around $800 000 or $900 000 a year, year in, year out. If you read some of the contributions - you are on the record here, the former minister responsible for this - where he indicated that the government was doing the same thing. Maybe they have changed their mind. However, it seems to me they have a very different outlook from the safety of opposition than they had prior to the election last year.
The fact is, this government has done everything it possibly can in order to take the brake off business. It is not the business world’s fault, it is not our fault that HIH fell over. I do not even blame you blokes, and I blame you for a lot of things, but I do not blame you for HIH. The fact is, we have been a lot more positive and doing a lot more for the business world than you blokes would have done. Just have a look at a few things the Leader of the Opposition said over the last few weeks. $24m to repeal the budget improvement levy - he has had a couple of goes at that, that should go of course; $200m for the Sunrise development; cuts to payroll tax - now here is another $40m right here. All of this, of course, is the same $74m, it has gone around five times just in these figures and this is not a comprehensive of all the things you said we should be spending money on. Spend, spend, spend.
I do not know what your household budget looks like, but if you run your household budget the way you would run the Territory, my God, the banks would be on your door. They would be foreclosing and Annette would have to sell the car, she would be walking to work at the Council Chambers. You would not be able to cover it.
It is breathtaking hypocrisy to put out rubbish like this when it is very clear on the Parliamentary Record that we have followed very closely what the CLP government intended to do. They put the legislation in place enabling the levy. Why did you pass that law? Why did you put that legislation in place when you come out now and say you are going to repeal it. Madam Speaker, breathtaking hypocrisy at its worst.
Taminmin High School – Library Vehicle
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
On 17 December last year, you wrote about the library vehicle used at Taminmin High School. You said that in line with efficient budgetary practice a review of that vehicle had taken place. Subsequently, the vehicle lease has not been renewed. Your department then decided that the use of taxis and private couriers and the library staff’s private vehicles was to be the alternative option.
The Northern Territory Library Information Service told Friends of Taminmin Library this was on a trial basis until the end of March when it would be reviewed. Minister, is it true that the review has taken place? Is it true that the library is not being given its vehicle back? Is it true that because the cost of a taxi courier service was high, the government has decided to cut costs by the cancellation of a book delivery service to the house bound, and a reduction of the weekly service to the Bees Creek Old Timers to a fortnightly service? Will you release the review so that I can understand why a Labor government would cut an important service for older members of our community.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, let me go to the last part of the question first and answer that, in that, no, I am not going to release the report. The reason why is that we needed a longer period of time to conduct a further review. The member has concerns, they are genuine concerns that my department is looking at. In the November 2001 sittings, this question was raised and it was the real concern about the library and the vehicle and, yes, we have the question raised again today. Since then, there have been a number of letters to myself, and also media reports regarding the perceived downgrading of services in the Taminmin Community Library.
On 21 February, the Executive Director of Arts, Museum and Library Services attended an informal meeting with the member for Goyder, the member for Nelson, and the President of the Friends of the Taminmin Community Library. The meeting was also attended by two community members and my departmental staff. Concerns were raised in regard to the perception that there had been an erosion of services at the library by the withdrawal of the library vehicle. The decision to withdraw the vehicle was based on a review of the transport arrangements of the entire Northern Territory Library and Information Services. It was not a one-off and it was not just Taminmin being picked upon. This is a result …
Mr Elferink: You should have taken lots of cars away.
Mr AH KIT: If you listen, you might learn something, because you did not learn anything in government.
This is as a result of leasing renewal requirements. Taxi companies and local courier businesses have been engaged for some activities, and administrative arrangements put in place for the library. Also, staff have been eligible to claim mileage allowance when utilising their own vehicles. Arrangements have also been made to utilise the Territory Library and Information Service courier for some of the programs. An evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the changed arrangements was conducted during January to March 2002. The outcomes of the evaluation have been assessed, and it was concluded that the information collected over the three-month period was insufficient to enable an informed decision regarding the future arrangements. Therefore, the trial period will continue for a further three months.
There were concerns raised that there had been a reduction in the library staffing, and that there was no longer casual staff available to assist in the operations of the library. There has been no reduction in the Northern Territory Library and Information Service staffing for the community library. Negotiations are taking place with the Department of Employment, Education and Training on an agreement that we need to put in place regarding the provision of library services between both the public and the schools at this joint-use library. Services are being reviewed and rescheduled by staff to ensure that the community library will continue to provide services for a range of groups in the rural community in the most efficient, effective and equitable way within available resources.
To enable the visits to households and the local crche, the Rural Old Timers will now receive fortnightly visits and the daily …
Mr Reed: Instead of weekly. So that is just a perception, the reduction in services?
Mr AH KIT: Well, it is your Question Time you’re chewing into.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr AH KIT: In conclusion, these combined issues have given some in the community a perception that the government intended to close the library. That is not correct, and we have no intention of doing that at all. An assurance has been given, on several occasions, that the Taminmin Community Library is not under threat of closure. It is a highly valued and regarded service which is providing a vital contribution to the rural community.
Inquiry into Tracy Aged Care Hostel
Mr DUNHAM to MINISTER for BUSINESS, INDUSTRY and RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
You would be aware that the Nursing Board of the Northern Territory has completed its inquiry into 11 matters relating to Pam Fitton, the previous Executive Director of Tracy Aged Care Incorporated. With only three technical charges being found, and those you mentioned in this House under parliamentary privilege, being proved untrue …
Members interjecting.
Mr DUNHAM: … being proved untrue, and I quote from Hansard:
- … particularly a tyranny of rule and management style at the nursing home that is based on fear, intimidation and threats of reprisal.
That was in the Parliamentary Record of 26 June 2001. Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table that in case it is not available to the member.
Leave granted.
Mr DUNHAM: Will you now apologise to this Territorian you have defamed unfairly?
Dr TOYNE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Why is this question being directed to the Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development?
Madam SPEAKER: We will wait until we hear the end of the question, and I would suggest, member for Drysdale, you could shorten it.
Mr DUNHAM: And will you also apologise to those Territorians who call Tracy Lodge their home?
Madam SPEAKER: Why have you sent that to the Minister for Business, Industry and Resource Development?
Mr DUNHAM: Questions are directed to the person who has carriage of it, Madam Speaker, and the apology is within the province of this particular minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you answer it as you see fit.
ANSWER
Thank you, Madam Speaker. This may set a real precedent. I do not have a problem with justifying any comments that I have made in this parliament, but if the opposition want to chew up Question Time, the most important period of the House in terms of asking ministers questions, in terms of their ministerial responsibility, well I suppose it’s on their head.
My colleague, the Health minister, I do not want to intrude too much on her turf here, Madam Speaker, because I have not read …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … because it is not the carriage of which I have responsibility for at the moment, so I have not read the report from the Nursing Board. What I am prepared to say here is that I did not take that Censure Motion lightly in this House. I had extensive consultations with over a dozen nurses from around Australia who previously worked in the Northern Territory, and I stand by the comments I made in the House at the time.
Parks and Wildlife Staff Member – Alleged Involvement in Accident
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for the ENVIRONMENT
Can the minister advise the Assembly if a Parks and Wildlife staff member is involved, or has been involved, in a serious accident this morning and what report he has on the matter?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a tragic story. Early today I was advised that one of my colleagues at the Parks and Wildlife Commission, Mr Tom Nicholls, was involved in an accident. Mr Nicholls was attempting to remove a crocodile from a crocodile trap in the harbour, unfortunately the crocodile bit his hand and I believe the injuries are severe. Mr Nicholls was taken by boat to Dinah Beach and from there to the hospital. I do not have many details on the accident. I believe Mr Nicholls’ condition is stable but he is undergoing treatment.
One of the things I am going to ask my department immediately is to give me a briefing about how and why it happened, knowing that Mr Nicholls is an experienced officer, being with the Commission for 21 years and has been working with the crocodile management problem since 1996. I want to assure the House, and Mr Nicholls and his family, that he will receive every possible support from my department and myself.
Members: Hear, hear!
Public Liability Insurance – Work Experience
Mr MALEY to CHIEF MINISTER
The continuing crisis surrounding public liability insurance is affecting communities and groups right across the Territory. It is the sporting clubs, the charities, the ordinary folk that are having their lives and lifestyles threatened by the inability of government to come to grips with the issue. The latest category appears to be work experience for our schoolchildren. Can you tell us what your government is doing about the issue, and can you tell us why you will not move now to introduce a scheme in the Territory to indemnify sporting and non profit organisations and allow some reasonable logic to return to the whole issue of public liability insurance?
Madam Speaker, to avoid a supplementary question, can I ask the Chief Minister that Territorians do not want to hear about irresponsibility.
Mr STIRLING: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Can we get one question.
Madam SPEAKER: That is not the question. Resume your seat. Members of the opposition, your questions are far too heavy for today. Adding a comment like that at the end of that is not on.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is good that the member for Goyder is aware of the difficulties being faced right across this country, and right across the Territory, on the issue of public liability. I certainly hope that he has asked for a briefing. I do not actually remember it coming our way, that he has asked for a briefing about what initiatives are in place and the considerable work that is going on to deal with this very difficult issue, not just to deal with public liability but rising premiums across the board and in the area of medical indemnity, a key one that also affects the community. I think the phrase he used in his question, which was a very long one, was the ‘inability of government to do anything’, that is the last way that I would describe what is happening in government about the whole issue of public liability.
For the first time, on an issue that is affecting the whole country, there has been a real coming together of states and the federal government, and I congratulate the federal government because they needed to be the lead in tackling this issue. There was a states and federal meeting last month, and a whole range of issues were looked at. Maybe the opposition thinks there is some simple way of tackling public liability and the rising costs, there is no simple way. If the member for Goyder had had a briefing he would have understood this.
It is a very complex area. You have to look at everything from the Trade Practices Act, section 68, through to Tort Law reform, to look at the whole …
Mr Reed: Well, how come all other governments are making announcements about what they have done and you are explaining to us that you have done nothing?
Ms MARTIN: Rest assured please, that work is being done. If the member for Goyder, and the opposition generally, had been interested, then a briefing would have been sought and you would have understood some of the initiatives that are taking place.
You must understand, and I am sure that you do, that the Territory, in terms of numbers, is very small. When premiums are being assessed, they are done on a national level, and we have to be working for any benefits to come to the Territory.
Mr Burke: How many claims have there been in the Territory?
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, can you ask the Leader of the Opposition to be quiet? He has not asked for a briefing on this.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, your interjections are too frequent.
Ms MARTIN: We are small numbers in the Territory. Premiums are affected by what happens around the country, and we have to be working closely with other jurisdictions so that the impact is felt here. This is why it is a national issue. This is why all the states are working together. This is why we had the meeting last month in Canberra. This is why there is a second meeting, with considerable reports going to that meeting, something like 20 different areas being explored, and that meeting will be held on 30 May, and it is a very important one.
We have established a hotline, and that is well publicised, so we can deal with community organisations, with businesses, and give them the best options available. I say again - there is no quick fix solution to this - and the ones that are being explored and the ones that will, I am confident, be adopted nationally and in the Territory, will make a difference, not just immediately but in the long run, to that important issue of public liability insurance.
I thank the member for raising the issue, because it is an important one, and it is one that goes to the very heart of Territory activities; it is one that goes to the heart of national activities, how we can have communities enjoy everything from show days to sporting events to fetes, to whatever. We have to be able to be confident that they are going to be able to continue. It is an important issue and I say to the opposition, get a briefing. Show that you are not just coming in here with political rhetoric for the occasion, but you are genuinely interested in the issue. I am confident that 30 May will really demonstrate that the hard work is being done, and it is being done in a very short timeframe, and that we will be able to offer comprehensive solutions to start moving on that rising public liability insurance.
Cawood Court, Alice Springs - Redevelopment
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for HOUSING
I understand that the government has accepted a proposal from Australian Property Projects for the redevelopment of the Cawood Court site in Alice Springs. Is the minister satisfied with the conduct of the selection process and the specifications of the proposed development?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, my question is to, sorry, my answer …
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: Well, you are too dumb to write intellectual questions. The public listening to this want to hear responses from government ministers who are proactive, and if you cannot write them, then we have to get some of ours to ask some nice, sensible questions.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: I would like to hear the answer to this question. I am sure many of the Central Australian people would, so minister, on with the answer.
Mr AH KIT: They are so provocative. Cabinet approved the sale and redevelopment of the Cawood Court site on 19 October 2001. The assessment criteria established by Cabinet included the balance of three very crucial points. These were price, the enhancement of the neighbourhood and economic benefit to Alice Springs. There was significant publicity surrounding the Cabinet decision, including a press release issued by the former Minister for Housing, my colleague, Kon Vatskalis. There were also letterbox drops to the residents in the surrounding areas of Cawood Court. In all of the publicity, the government’s clear intent was that the complete demolition of the Cawood Court site was not an option, not an option at all.
Madam Speaker, you yourself would be aware of the publicity this decision received in Alice Springs, and there should have been no doubt that the government had made a decision to overturn the former CLP government’s plans to bulldoze Cawood Court. Instead, we wanted to see proposals for the redevelopment of the existing complex.
The member for Greatorex is quoted in the Centralian Advocate on 26 October last year, saying that he could not see any developer moving to knock down the existing buildings. However, I am disappointed, and this could clear up something for the member for Greatorex. I am disappointed that subsequent advertisements and documentation that was prepared by my department contained an error, in that it called for expressions of interest for the refurbishment and/or demolition and redevelopment of Cawood Court.
Dr Lim: That’s right.
Mr AH KIT: Well, hang on, you will learn something. Reference should have been made to the fact that only part demolition would have been acceptable. I have discussed this with the acting CEO of my department and requested that he ensure that there are improved and appropriate quality control measures implemented within the department. Notwithstanding this error, let me make two points crystal clear. Given the level of publicity in Alice Springs surrounding the decision, nobody should have been left in any doubt whatsoever that a proposal involving total demolition would never be successful. Any proposal involving total demolition was inevitably going to fail on price because of the costs of the demolition and the loss of value of existing buildings.
I now turn to the successful proposal, and I should just emphasise that the selection process was conducted by my department, and it was the department that had carriage for making the final decision. That said, I must say that I am absolutely delighted with the decision which has been made by them. The sale was awarded to the Australian Property Projects Group. They were assessed as meeting all the selection criteria and providing the best balance between price as well as enhancement of the neighbourhood and the economic benefit to the town. The Australian Property Projects proposal will enhance the neighbourhood as well as providing a raft of new housing opportunities for Alice Springs.
Finally, there has been some criticism that a South Australian company has been selected. The fact is that APP have significant property investments, both in Alice Springs and the Top End. They have operated in the Territory for some 12 years. They have over 100 staff. In terms of economic development in the Territory, one has to wonder, how long does a company have to stay here, establish themselves, continue to compete in the market place and provide millions of dollars to the Territory economy.
Unlike the former minister in the former government, we heard it many, many times before, they claim to have run an open, honest, accountable and transparent government. We, as ministers, will not interfere in the process that the department has in terms of how they make their selections. I am more than satisfied that the decision taken by the department for the Australian Property Projects redevelopment of Cawood Court was definitely the right one.
Trade Waste Water Management Charges
Mr REED to CHIEF MINISTER
In the mini-budget last year in November, announced last year by the Chief Minister and Treasurer, she foreshadowed the introduction of a new impost on business and industry in the form of …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Could the member advise who this question is being directed to?
Madam SPEAKER: Your question is to?
Mr REED: I ask the Chief Minister and Treasurer to reply - given that she refused to inform the House last week - about the level of impost in relation to the waste water management charges to be imposed on industry and business; what the minimum charges will be, what the maximum charges will be? Will there be quantity variations to the amount of waste water and toxicity of water that industry and business uses and disposes of? And will she now take the opportunity - given that six months has passed since her foreshadowing of this new import on business and industry - to advise what the extent of it is, how much extra money will be taken out of the business community, and how many people will not be employed as a result of it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I think it is easier if the member actually directs questions initially to who is to answer them, because otherwise …
Mr Reed: It’s a bit hard for you, is it?
Ms MARTIN: No, I just think it’s a basic courtesy and a convention of …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Let me talk about the trade waste charges, and let’s just look at this.
The introduction of trade waste charges was something initiated by the Country Liberal Party when they were in government. It was something that you did not make a loud noise about, but something that, when we came to government, we were informed that a lot of consultation had taken place with relevant businesses and that …
Mr Reed: But no decision was made.
Ms MARTIN: Well, we know that the previous administration did not take a lot of decisions - that you simply looked at them and sat on your hands …
Mr Reed: You decided what the rate would be. What are they?
Ms MARTIN: Maybe it is part of the reason you are now sitting on that side of the House.
The introduction of trade waste charges is a component of the national agreement on Reform of Water Policy, which was entered into by the former government. Let’s just look at what …
Mr Reed: But you established the fees.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, can we have a little quiet from the member for Katherine, who does not seem to be able to control his nerves and his mouth today?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, we would like to hear the answer in silence.
Mr Reed: Yes, hope we get to it, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: Well, I think it’s important to give it a context; I think this is important. So, we have two facts established: the trade waste charges initiated by the former government …
Mr Reed: Not the charges, the charges were not established.
Ms MARTIN: The introduction was flagged, was looked at by the previous government …
Mr Reed: Flagged! Thank you for being a little honest; I know it’s hard for you.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine!
Ms MARTIN: Close your mouth; settle down!
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, would you resume your seat for a moment? Member for Katherine, you are having a fair go, but you know continuous interjections that interrupt the flow of the answer are not on. So, could we …
Mr Reed: Thank you, Madam Speaker, I appreciate that …
Madam SPEAKER: No, I don’t want to hear. Okay?
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I will just do it quickly before he starts again.
The introduction of trade waste charges is planned to achieve environmental objectives - good ones - through charging polluters appropriately, and by improving the quality of treated waste water that is ultimately discharged back to the environment. Certainly, we, as an Assembly, would support that motive.
This government is concerned to ensure that the imposition of trade waste charges is focussed on those who impose the greatest cost on the treatment of waste water, and those who impose the greatest environmental costs, quite logically. I am sure that is what the previous administration was also attempting to do when you initiated the moves towards introduction and had those extensive business consultations.
The planned introduction of the trade waste charges is being reviewed. We are very concerned that any charges are being imposed appropriately, and that they are clearly focussed and targeted to reflect environmental and treatment costs. We will watch this very carefully - don’t you worry, member for Katherine - and certainly do not want to see any undue impost on Territory businesses. I am sure Territory businesses very much share the concern of this Assembly that we are looking at environmental concerns. One of the hallmarks of this government is our concern about the environment and those trade waste charges for those who are impacting most on the trade waste area. Those are the areas where the costs will be clearly focused, and the bottom line is that we are looking after our own environment.
Breast Screening Services in Central Australia
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH and COMMUNITY SERVICES
The opposition raised the claim last week that breast screening services had been closed for 14 of the last 17 weeks in Central Australia. Could the minister advise the House of the true state of affairs in regards to this important service.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to answer this question today, and I thank the honourable member for her question. Last week, the member for Araluen claimed in the House that the breast screening service had been closed for 14 out of 17 weeks from November 2001 to March 2002. Then, later in the day, she had a press release on this same subject where she said the service had been closed for 14 of the past 17 weeks. Unfortunately, two different claims on the same day.
The facts are actually somewhat different. I am advised that there were no breast screening sessions scheduled for December, so it is mischievous to say that the services were actually closed. They were not closed, there were none scheduled. My department provides a breast screening service across the Northern Territory. The service is provided from Darwin for the Top End, and Alice Springs for Central Australia.
One person taking on the dual roles of a half-time coordinator and a half-time radiographer, staffs the Central Australian service. Screenings and assessment clinics are timetabled for four times each year, with the assessment clinics usually occurring within six weeks of the screening rounds. In Central Australia, the staff member who takes on the dual role of coordinator and radiographer has been on sick leave since 22 January this year. Prior to going on sick leave, the January screening was started though not completed, but it was completed in March. An experienced breast screening mammographer was engaged as a locum to undertake the March screenings. She provided a block of full-time screening over a three week period, with 212 women being screened at that time.
This is large number of women, I am very happy about this, that women in Central Australia are certainly not being marginalised in terms of breast screening. Dr Jones and Partners provided a locum service for the two assessment clinics. The level of service has been similar to that provided by the department. The next round of screening is as planned for July and August. So, once again, there have been no cuts or reductions in services to breast screening in Central Australia.
Mining in National Parks and Conservation Reserves
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for BUSINESS, INDUSTRY and RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
What national parks and conservation reserves in the Northern Territory currently have or are being considered for mining leases, exploration leases and/or temporary reserves over them, and by which companies? Is it the intent of the government to allow continued exploration of national parks in the Northern Territory, bearing in mind the government’s pre-election promise that Labor will ban mining in national parks and assess conservation reserves on a case by case basis.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is an important question, and members of this House would probably have been following the recent debates on this particular issue. I can advise honourable members and Territorians that the government has committed to a multiple land use policy for Territory parks and reserves. I can also advise members that there are no current applications before government for mining in any Northern Territory government run park or reserve at the moment. Honourable members will also be aware that recently I refused the grant of a number of exploration licence applications for the West MacDonnell National Park after consultation with Cabinet decisions, and then went on and placed the entire West MacDonnell National Park under a reservation from occupation under the Mining Act.
For honourable members who might not understand the terminology, that means that unless this order is revoked by the Administrator, and it would only occur obviously on advice from Executive Council, that the West MacDonnell National Park will not see any exploration or mining in that particular park. The government will assess applications for exploration and mining on a case by case basis and make a determination on that issue. I can assure Territorians there are no applications for mining currently lodged with the Northern Territory government. We will ensure that the reasons for which the park or the reserve has been gazetted as a park or reserve are uppermost in government’s mind in terms of even contemplating the assessment of any exploration licence or application.
For the honourable member’s information, there are many parks across the Northern Territory that have reservations from occupation upon them. I am quite happy to give the member a detailed briefing, or even provide a list of all those parks and reserves in this House. For example, the Vernon Islands, Fogg and Harrison dams, Holmes Jungle, Territory Wildlife Park, Casuarina Coastal Reserve and Litchfield Park all have reservations from occupation under them. In and around the Top End - and also if we look at other areas throughout the Territory, Watarrka, Keep River, Gregory, Elsey; there are many, many reservations from occupation across Territory parks and reserves. There are no applications before government.
I am pleased, even though the opposition did not actually rush out with a ringing endorsement of government’s decision over the Western MacDonnells, there was no critical comment. Certainly, all of the feedback that I have had from Central Australia, particularly from the tourism industry, have welcomed very much the government’s commitment to preserving the integrity of that park to allow us, over time, to develop the tourist potential of the park, and also respecting the wishes of the traditional owners in terms of keeping the cultural integrity of that park in place.
Government will make these decisions on a case by case basis, but we will take the decisions in the broader community interest. There is no application for mining in any Territory park before government at the moment, and we will continue to keep that balance between the environment and the mining industry, which is so vital to our economy and our future prosperity.
Trade Waste Water Management Charges
Mr REED to CHIEF MINISTER
Will the Chief Minister and Treasurer now enlighten the business community of the Northern Territory and explain to them what the charges are for waste water disposal, or has she been misleading the House in her previous question? Power and Water Authority officers are visiting businesses as we speak. One businessman gave me the detailed information in relation to the brief about the waste management system, the form to be filled out, and has been told that the minimum charge will be $400 for his establishment. How, under those circumstances, can the Chief Minister can say that the charges have not been determined as yet? Is she misleading the House, and will she explain to the business community the extent of the impost that her government is placing upon them? I seek leave, Madam Speaker, to table these documents.
Leave granted.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It goes to the heart of why he should not undertake motor mouth activities when I am answering a question, because he simply was not listening. I did not say that the charges had not been determined; I said we were reviewing them, that we had introduced trade waste charges, it was an initiative that was pursued by the previous government, and you were not listening. You were simply not listening.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: I said, very clearly, that we are concerned about this, we are concerned about the impact, and what we are saying is, we are reviewing it. If we could have a little silence from the opposition to hear the answers so you weren’t wasting the time of the Assembly. We are looking very carefully at the imposition of those charges, and whether they are being clearly focussed, and whether they are being appropriately targeted, and that is our commitment. We are looking at that, we are reviewing it. The bottom line is that it is important to recognise the impost of those trade waste charges in to the system. That has to be reflected by cost recovery. Also, the bottom line is that we are looking after the environment. I do not see anyone here putting up their hand saying: ‘Do not do that as an Assembly; do not do that as a government.’ So, listen - it is being reviewed. Yes, we are concerned, and I take on board the concerns of business that have been raised with government.
Land Availability in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
One of the issues that has frequently been raised by residents in Central Australia is the lack of available land to expand the housing needs of Alice Springs, and the need to provide serviced small industrial blocks in Tennant Creek. Can the minister advise what he is doing about this?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Perhaps we can have a bit of quiet as we hear the answer.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the issue of native title in Tennant Creek and Alice Springs has been with the residents since 1995. What did the previous government insist on in the past seven years? Go to court. Lock the whole process in the court, and nothing happened.
We have a big problem now in Alice Springs. We have an equally big problem in Tennant Creek. Within three months of coming to government, I went to Tennant Creek and invited the Central Land Council to sit down to discuss native title issues and the release of land in Tennant Creek. We had a very fruitful discussion that culminated in further discussions in Alice Springs.
I wish to advise the Chamber that we had a series of discussions very recently, and I believe that very soon we will have some very positive results, especially in Tennant Creek with the release of some land for light industrial use, and also in Alice Springs, because as we know Alice Springs has a big problem with land. We had about 100 blocks of land; only 48 of them got to the market, to the very highest calibre of the market. We all want the Larapinta area to be released, and I believe the members from Alice Springs will agree with me on that. I would like to sit down with the Central Land Council to negotiate a form of agreement about the release of Larapinta, in exchange for provisional services to the Aboriginal people. It is a win/win situation. We are going to get the land we want in Alice Springs, that the people in Alice Springs want, and at the same time provide much desired services to the Aboriginal community.
We are not going to court. I am not going to waste money paying lawyers and making lawyers rich. I am going to sit down with the people and negotiate solutions that are going to benefit everybody.
As for the questions, yes, the member for Barkly asked the questions seeing as the shadow minister has not asked any questions yet. We will continue to ask questions of each other if the shadow ministers on the other side have not got the time to sit down and prepare questions.
Mr STIRLING (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016