2004-10-07
Federal Labor – Airport Tax Policy
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for TOURISM
Unemployment in the Northern Territory continues to soar, climbing to 8.1% in the ninth consecutive month. Sixteen thousand Territorians depend on our tourism industry as a source of employment. Your Labor leader, Mark Latham’s plan to apply a 30% airport tax will be devastating for tourism. Mark Latham’s plan is bad for the Territory's tourism industry, economy and jobs. Why have you sat silently, spinelessly accepting this plan is good for the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have not. The Opposition Leader needs to gets some facts right. He was wrong on the level of unemployment. You can read the figures as well as anyone else. You said 8.1% when it is actually 8.2%. Let us get it right. The numbers employed in our tourism industry is about 7000 directly, and 8000 indirectly, therefore, we are looking at 15% of our work force. Get your figures right. You are consistently coming in here and getting the numbers wrong.
In regards to the 8.2%, the figure which came out today, I want to defer to the Minister for Employment …
Mr Dunham interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale.
Mr Mills: Can you not get it right?
Ms MARTIN: You did not specifically ask me a question about the unemployment rate, and the minister responsible …
Mr Mills: I asked about your approach to your Labor leader’s plans to increase taxes, which will be devastating to our tourism industry.
Ms MARTIN: I will deal with it. I am just saying …
Mr Mills: That is the nub of the issue.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, order!
Ms MARTIN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The issue of the current sample which the ABS is using for unemployment - they have a two-page disclaimer about this sample. We know the unemployment rate in Darwin is about 3.3%. When we look across the Territory, I cannot give you what those figures are. However, realistically, these figures are seriously out of kilter with what we know is happening in our local employment market. I have a lot of respect for the ABS, but when it comes to actually enumerating our population and getting it right, we are in dispute with them. When it comes to the series of employment and unemployment figures we have seen over the last few months, we are in dispute with them again.
If we had an economy that was not performing, you would say those unemployment figures were right; maybe it would be 8.2%. However, our economy is performing. All the factors of our economy are moving in the right direction. State final demand, motor car figures, consumption figures, housing market, construction and investment are all moving in a positive direction. Therefore, how can that sit with an unemployment figure of 8.2%? I recognise the ABS is stuck with a poor sample. They have a two-page disclaimer, and we will keep on their case until we start seeing those figures really represent the situation across the Territory. Simple! It is a simple situation.
On the departure tax, I have made my objection very clear.
Mr Dunham: Who to? None of us heard about it. Alice Springs has not heard about it.
Ms MARTIN: When a Latham Labor government is elected on Saturday …
Mr Dunham: We will be worse off! It goes up 30%!
Ms MARTIN: My argument is that to increase the departure tax to Sydney and Melbourne might be fine, but for regional areas like the Territory, it is not on. That is what I am strongly arguing for. I would prefer not to see any departure tax.
Mr Dunham: Table the letter!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, order! Member for Drysdale, you are beginning to irritate me. You know when interjections interrupt people listening to the answer, and the speaker, they are not on. Settle down!
Ms MARTIN: I would prefer not to see any departure tax. In the Territory around 50% of tourists used to be international. That percentage figure dropped following 11 September, and is now gradually increasing, I want to see nothing affect our ability to attract international tourists - nothing. I am fighting to ensure the impact of an increase in departure tax is not felt in regional areas like Cairns and, importantly, in Darwin.
National Defence Integrated Distribution System Contract
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for DEFENCE SUPPORT
Could you please advise how the national Defence Integrated Distribution System, or DIDS, contract has impacted on 243 local businesses; how this treatment could have been avoided; and whether the battle is over for our local businesses?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a very important question from my colleague, the member for Nightcliff. If we want to talk about issues of unemployment, then one of the greatest issues hanging over the heads of 240 businesses and their employees in the lead-up to the election, is the total stuff-up of the DIDS contract, and the incompetence and laziness of the federal member for Solomon, David Tollner, in this whole sorry debacle. Since the contract was awarded to TenixToll in December of last year, 240 small businesses have been stuffed around and done over by the member for Solomon.
This issue has been on the agenda since 1999, and the final contract was signed in December last year. Where has the member for Solomon been in advocating for special treatment for the Northern Territory, as this contract was framed and awarded? I do not know where he was. He may have been asleep at the wheel, under a tree - who knows where. It is not just me saying that. I have spoken to many of these businesses and they are appalled about how little effort the member for Solomon made until things recently became very hot. Other federal members, particularly in Victorian electorates, were pushing for – and secured - amendments to this contract years ago when it was first conceived. What was happening here? Absolutely nothing!
After months of pressure - not only from AIDN, but me as Defence Support Minister in the Northern Territory, and my good friend and Labor candidate for Solomon, Jim Davidson who was my advisor for two-and-a-half years - we had many meetings and discussions on how to best extract ourselves from this problem. We now have commitments from both the current Defence minister and the future Defence minister, Kim Beazley, to those 240 businesses. What a gulf there is in regards to those commitments to the 240 businesses, and the hundreds of people they employ.
I will table two letters - one from the Minister for Defence, and one from the shadow minister for Defence - however, before doing so I will quote from them. The weasel words from the Defence minister offer no comfort to those 240 businesses or employees. Such was the panic and the pressure which the Defence minister was under when he was here a couple of weeks ago, he was caught in the mall screaming into his mobile phone: ‘This is the biggest single issue up here and somebody better sort it out’. That was two weeks from election day - where has Dave Tollner been?
I have the letter and will quote the weasel words from the Defence minister. No commitment, no guarantee, just a good argument, is all the Defence minister is prepared to offer. I quote:
- As a result, it seems to me that there is a good argument for a transition period of two years during which TenixToll TTDL would agree to deliver its contractual obligations, wherever possible, through existing Northern Territory industry.
That is the extent of the commitment: ‘Trust me, hope for the best, and we will see what we can do. Those are good arguments and, wherever possible, we will try and help’. That is not good enough - absolutely not good enough for those 240 businesses and employees. Let us …
Mr Dunham interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, again!
Mr HENDERSON: I am surprised. The member for Drysdale, supposedly the shadow Defence minister – oh, he is not the shadow Defence Support minister, that is the member for Brennan - but certainly the shadow Business minister; it crosses both portfolios. I would be surprised if the member for Drysdale has not been lobbied on this issue, and is not fully behind what is best for Territory business and Territorians. That is what this is all about.
Let us see what is best for Territorians. This is from Kim Beazley, shadow Defence minister, to Mark Smith, President of AIDN:
- Having said that, I confirm the advice I provided to you in our teleconference on 5 October 2004, that a Latham Labor Government will as a matter of urgency review the DIDS contract and negotiate with TenixToll a variation to TenixToll’s contract. Labor’s objective is to ensure that Territory-based SMEs continue to have the opportunity to provide defence support services throughout the life of the DIDS contract …
… on terms no less favourable than those currently enjoyed with the Department of Defence.
Negotiations will pay particular regard to the issues of terms of payment, protection of intellectual property and risk of poaching key personnel.
However, the battle is far from over. For the sake of those businesses and their employees, it will be a very important day on Saturday when we vote. Hopefully, Territory voters will give Mr Tollner a chance to have an uninterrupted sleep on Sunday morning. Let us give him some time to spend with Brussel Sprouts and, hopefully, they can disappear into the history of the Northern Territory. Kim Beazley will deliver for those 243 businesses, and so will Jim Davidson. The way this whole contract has been handled from the beginning has been an absolute farce.
Federal Labor – Airport Tax Policy
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for TOURISM
The unemployment rate in the Northern Territory is the highest in Australia, and it is, in fact, 8.1%. I seek leave to table a transcript from the 11 am news and also page 15 of the ABS figures. You need to get your facts straight, Chief Minister. If you are just going to resort to personal attack, it only undermines your credibility.
Madam SPEAKER: What is your question?
Mr MILLS: Darwin’s Top End Tourism president says Mark Latham’s plan to increase departure tax by 30% is bad for our tourism industry, will hurt our economy and, potentially, deter international tourists. The Central Australian Tourism Association says Mark Latham’s plan will result in the loss of millions of dollars for the Territory economy. Our tourism industry has gone through a disastrous three years. Will you continue to sit silent, like a hypocrite, defending Mark Latham’s plan, or will you show some backbone and defend our tourism industry and their jobs, and admit that Mark Latham’s 30% increase in departure tax is a bad thing for the Territory economy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, when it comes to backbone and defending our tourism industry, I have nothing to be ashamed of at all. In the last year, our tourism industry has seen a significant pick-up from the difficulties of the last two years. Since 2001, there is no doubt - we have talked about it here many times - that it has had tough times. We strategically, from government, put $27.5m additional into tourism marketing, infrastructure and development, and we are starting to see the results. We have greater air capacity into the Territory, higher accommodation take-ups, and the impact of The Ghan. Talk to any tourism operator and they will say this season has been better than the previous two. Arrivals at Darwin airport in July were the highest number ever - 148 000 domestic and international travellers coming to the Territory. This is the highest number we have ever had come through Darwin airport.
When we are looking at tourism, this government has nothing to be ashamed of. We have worked hard with the industry. We are working closely with the industry; and putting more money into it than we ever have before. When it comes to the impact a federal initiative might have on the Territory, then I am in there talking and putting our point of view. It would be very interesting if this was an issue which was so at the heart of the opposition, the Territory Liberals. I do not think even a media release went out.
Mr Mills: There was indeed. You are making it up. You are fundamentally dishonest.
Ms MARTIN: There was no comment made that reached any public attention. This is such a hard ball issue, yet the silence was absolutely deafening. This mob can say this was an issue which is going to devastate our tourism industry, although they have not approached me or anyone about this. Their silence tells more.
I do not believe we should have a departure tax at all; that is my argument. When it comes to any addition to that departure tax, I am arguing very hard that it should be excluded in areas like the Territory and North Queensland.
Tertiary Education – Member for Solomon’s Record
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Tertiary education, and Charles Darwin University in particular, are crucial to the future of the Territory. Can the minister advise the House on the member for Solomon, Dave Tollner’s record on this important matter for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question, and he has nailed it, because Charles Darwin University and the tertiary education sector are absolute critical parts of the Territory’s make up …
Mr Dunham interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: … and we have worked hard as a government to ensure …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, would you cease for a moment. Member for Drysdale, I have spoken to you once; I will not speak to you again. Stop interrupting.
Mr STIRLING: We as a government have worked extremely hard to ensure that our tertiary sector, and Charles Darwin University, is effective and backed by the resources it needs to deliver tertiary outcomes for the Territory. We do this to support our community overall and our students. Proportionately, we pay enormous amounts more money into our university than any other state or territory in Australia.
You would think that the Territory’s member for Solomon, our representative in Canberra, would be supporting the work we do and not undermining it in the fashion he has by his efforts in Canberra. Given the importance of this sector to our community, the least you would expect if that your federal member would be beside you. However, no such luxury with this dud, the current member for Solomon. He has an interesting record on what he has done and the way he has voted on particular debates around tertiary education.
He voted to increase university fees; to allow a 25% increase in HECS fees for university students; and to allow universities to charge local students and their families up to $100 000 for degrees. Do not come knocking if you have no money. His support for the university has been very poor. He has form for selling us out. On 27 May, the Northern Territory News reported on the increase in HECS fees for Territory students, and the report said:
- … Vice-Chancellor Helen Garnett yesterday confirmed a Northern Territory News report that HECS fees for most students will rise from next year.
The hike - 25% on most courses by 2008 - had been prompted by a shortfall in funding from the federal government.
‘Without additional revenue, the university will not be able to invest in renewal and development programs essential for us to thrive into the future’, she said.
…
Federal MP, Mr David Tollner, said the staggered increase was ‘the best deal in Australia’.
That is the contribution from David Tollner, member for Solomon: ‘the best deal in Australia’. That is tantamount to selling out Charles Darwin University, its students, and our future. If we had a member for Solomon who stood up for the Territory instead of going along with his carpetbagging colleagues - a member like Jim Davidson - the plight of the Territory tertiary sector would be greatly improved. The Northern Territory needs a person like Jim Davidson who will stand up for the Territory, and not go along with his mates like David Tollner.
Employment Figures – Tourism Sector
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for TOURISM
If you make light of the ABS statistics, which reveal that the Territory has the highest unemployment in Australia at 8.1%, and the ninth consecutive increase in as many months, what would you have to say about this week’s Drake quarterly employment forecasts, which say: ‘Significant retrenchments are expected in the hospitality and tourism industry sector, - 11.2%’. Nearly 1100 jobs will be shed in the hospitality and tourism sector, while nearly 600 new positions are expected in the construction sector. You have made light of the ABS figures, what do you have to say regarding Drake’s quarterly employment forecast for tourism?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is interesting when it comes to the health of our economy, we have the other side of the House and the Opposition Leader trying to drag it down, trying to grasp any figure he can. We saw it yesterday. We were talking about a $2bn project by Alcan and the benefits it will bring to the Territory, and what do we get from the opposition? We get bagging and criticism of the project. That is what you heard. That is the fact. They speak out of both sides of their mouth. They say: ‘This is a good project, but …’ It is always a good project, ‘but …’.
Mr Mills: You are fundamentally dishonest in your approach to this.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition!
Ms MARTIN: We sit here and listen to the opposition’s words. They have to pull down everything. In our employment market, we are seeing growth in certain areas. Predictions for tourism figures are looking strong for the next couple of months in the Centre, and also the next month or so in Darwin, before we will see some seasonal impacts. Do not forget, in those seasonal impacts on the Top End we have the impact of The Ghan, which, in the first six months, delivered …
Mr Mills: Didn’t Drake know about that?
Ms MARTIN: I am talking about the facts that we are dealing with.
Mr Mills: You better get it right, Chief Minister. It cuts both ways. Get it right.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, allow the Chief Minister to finish her reply.
Ms MARTIN: In the first six months, there were 30 000 travellers on The Ghan and bookings are strong. Again, in tourism impact, the Top End has a strong cruise ship season beginning early 2005. Whilst we do have seasonal changes, I am confident we are seeing a significant pick-up in the Territory’s economy, which means a jobs growth. When you look back at the last Sensis report in September on the confidence of Territory businesses – it is strong. The Territory business confidence in the next 12 months is stronger than we have seen it in three years.
We can quote figures from all over the place. We can look at strength in sectors such as the construction industry and its strength. Talk to anyone who is in the building industry. They are working - as they describe it most often to me - in a frenzy. Tourism is telling me they have had the strongest season. The only people trying to talk down our economy is the opposition. You can get figures to support anything and, because we have a small market, our figures can be volatile. However, the trend is for a healthier economy, and greater opportunities for businesses - and the trend certainly is, if you want a job in the Territory you can get one.
Nuclear Waste Storage – Reduction of Risk of Dump
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
The current member for Solomon has advocated the Territory to be the site of a national nuclear waste dump. What can be done in the Territory to reduce the risk of this shocking situation occurring?
Mr Mills: What a beat up.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Opposition Leader says, ‘What a beat up’. Yet, the member for Solomon, who stands up for the Territory, said: ‘We have an obligation to have a national nuclear waste dump in the Territory’. On 10 May, he told the NT News the Territory’s isolation made it a suitable location for radioactive waste.
Whatever that side of the House thinks, the member for Solomon believes we would be a good site - and have an obligation to be the site - for a national nuclear waste dump. Well, Territorians say no, and Territorians have an opportunity on Saturday to say no very clearly to the CLP’s Dave Tollner. We have the Prime Minister, who is not ruling sites in or out. He, with his mate Dave Tollner, knows that the CLP thinks the Territory is a great site for a national nuclear waste dump and, because of our isolation, we have an obligation. We have seen the CLP and, nationally, the Coalition, in damage control, trying to pretend that those comments were never said.
Dr Lim interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, order!
Ms MARTIN: Well, we have made a stand. On our books is legislation, that says: ‘No. We will not be the site of a national nuclear waste dump, and we will not allow transport of nuclear waste from other states into our Territory’. That legislation sends a clear message to Canberra. What we want is a unanimous message, from 25 members in here, to Canberra, about our position on this: no to a national nuclear waste dump!
The member for Blain, the Opposition Leader, described this legislation as Mickey Mouse. Of the strongest stance which a Territory can take, the Opposition Leader says it is Mickey Mouse, and his friend, the member for Brennan, described it as a farce. So we have Mickey Mouse and a farce about this legislation, which is the strongest statement we can make.
On Monday this week, the Opposition Leader said: ‘The legislation is no good. We have been working on amendments to make it stronger’. We are waiting to see where those amendments are. Where are your amendments?
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: This is a serious piece of legislation. We want to test your amendments. If you hand them to me now, we will get the Solicitor-General to give a legal opinion to government about whether, in fact, your amendments will actually strengthen our legislation, because we will listen. He says it is Mickey Mouse legislation and he has the amendments to fix it. We want to see them so we can get a legal opinion about whether they will, in fact, do that.
Can we see your amendments now? Do you have your amendments so we can see them now? We will take them to Solicitor-General and have them assessed legally about whether they will. If they do strengthen it, we will welcome them.
Mr Mills: Bring the debate on!
Ms MARTIN: We will welcome it if they do …
Mr Mills: Bring the debate on!
Ms MARTIN: The challenge is …
Mr Mills: No, I put it back to you, bring the debate on.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I warn you. You have been interrupting all day. Just cease. Chief Minister, please finish.
Ms MARTIN: I conclude. It is a simple question to the opposition. They have called this legislation Mickey Mouse and say they have amendments to strengthen it. We want to test those; this is important legislation. Therefore, if we could have them now, we will obtain some legal advice on their strength and whether they do strengthen, as you claim. We can deal with the legislation in this House.
Mr Mills: You are formally seeking a briefing from us? Not a problem.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I just spoke to you, yet you continue.
Rural Residential Subdivisions - Adequate Water Supply
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Your government recently approved a new zone in the Litchfield Shire called the RR (Rural Residential) zone. Recent correspondence from Power and Water to developers suggest there is no guarantee the Stuart Highway water mains will be adequate to sustain such proposed future subdivisions. After approving a new RR zone which requires town water, such as at Noonamah, and knowing new RR zone applications are coming your way, what is your government doing to improve the headworks so there is adequate water supply to this land? If your government cannot provide the headworks - at least in the short term - won’t that mean that rural land will be in such short supply it will be too expensive for ordinary families to buy? Spoken and authorised by G Wood.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is an important question. However, it is important to get the right perspective on what is going on. It is true that the Litchfield Plan has allowed the development of RR blocks in the rural area, and currently, there is an application to rezone. I believe this is the development the member for Nelson is talking about, and it is a substantial development associated with the rezoning.
Because there will be an increased density of occupation, Power and Water are looking at the capacity of the current systems to establish what will be required to upgrade them to accommodate this development. This is taking some time to complete. However, it is important to make sure the supplies of both sewer and water are adequate, that the systems are adequate, or whether pumping stations or other infrastructure is required. We support appropriate subdivision in the rural area, and I commend Power and Water for the work they are doing investigating the parameters of what is required to support the subdivisions.
Federal Labor - Plan to Scrap Alice Springs Airport Upgrade
Dr LIM to MINISTER for TOURISM
The Howard government recognises the crucial role Alice Springs Airport plays in the Central Australian economy and our tourism industry and plans to install important new radar equipment. Under Mark Latham and Labor, this plan will be scrapped. Why have you not spoken out against this dangerous slap in the face for the people and economy of Central Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, a Latham government listens to the Territory and will be good for the Territory. When we have the nitpicking from the member for Greatorex – the tourism industry is on its feet. It is recovering …
Dr Lim: It will make the airport better.
Ms MARTIN: We have the view of the member for Greatorex here, he says the airport will be better.
Regional Australia tourism will be better under a Labor government in Canberra. We have seen the tourism effort from the federal Coalition to be fairly half-hearted when it comes to the Territory. It has taken a lot of pushing and shoving to get that Coalition to take notice of regional Australia. Finally, we are starting to see some of that, but not with a great deal of enthusiasm. I am confident that a Latham Labor government, working with this Territory government, will further develop our tourism industry.
This Labor government is putting money into roads to see the development of our tourism industry. We heard yesterday how a federal Labor government will put additional funds into roads, particularly our unincorporated roads, something the Coalition never did. It starved us of funds for many of our roads - absolutely starved us for funds.
I am confident our tourism industry will grow and prosper, with a combination of this government fighting for tourism, together with a supportive government in Canberra. Let us hope that a Labor government wins on Saturday.
ABS Employment Figures
Ms LAWRIE to TREASURER
I understand the Australian Bureau of Statistics has put out a two-page disclaimer on their unemployment figures. Could you please explain what this disclaimer contains.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama for her question, which is important. It is something I have never seen in 20 years of following the employment statistics, be they a 20-year history of the Northern Territory from Commonwealth Employment Services and Centrelink statistics years ago, to monthly ABS statistics over the past 14 years I have been in this Chamber.
There is a pattern to employment tradition in the Northern Territory, and it goes something like this. In November/December, January/February, and often March, there is a slow down and a general decline in economic activity right across the Territory, most notably around tourism and hospitality This is usually reflected in the figures. From April/May through to September/October, generally, you get growth and a robust economy with construction picking up as we get to a traditional Dry Season, and incoming tourism.
You do get the odd aberrations. I recall being in this Chamber in about 1997-98, when things were pretty good. The general flow of information coming through and the economic indicators were quite strong, as they are now, and ABS unemployment figures were going through the roof. We ran that line at government, although it did seem at odds with what was going on in the general economy.
Two years ago, around November, coming into the traditional slow down time, we started to get unanticipated, unexpected growth in the size of the labour market. The participation rate went up; the number of employed went up; and the number of unemployed went down through November, December, January, February and March. I thought this strange because we did not believe things were robust in the labour market …
Mr Dunham: Oh, you still don’t.
Mr STIRLING: … and in the economy, yet ABS was showing, on the figures - these clowns do not follow these things, so they would not understand. However, those figures looked very much at odds with what was actually going on. Here we have a repeat of what I have seen - this is the third time in about 20 years - of following these figures. That is, we know all the economic activity indicators are strong, and yet ABS is coming out with a figure of over 8% unemployment.
Interestingly, what ABS did today, which I have never, ever seen them do, is put two pages of explanations to their figures. ABS themselves recognise they have a flawed methodology, in a small jurisdiction like the Northern Territory, with a small labour market and the rotation of the …
Mr Dunham interjecting.
Mr STIRLING: This clown knows it all, so I am not addressing my remarks to him, but other people might benefit from the information.
What ABS has found is that the rotation of the sampling back in April/May, and again in August/September, has been such as to distort the general level of unemployment and employment activity in the labour market. Therefore, we get this over-8% unemployment figure.
Most Territory businesses will tell you the problem they have is getting staff, particularly in the skilled trades. We are putting a lot of work into our Jobs Plan in order to address that. With the major projects upon us and coming upon us, that is actually going to be exacerbated. Therefore, we have two rotational samples which have exacerbated what is already flawed methodology in the Northern Territory in relation to a small labour market. The first was in April/May when the figures started to go awry - the first sign of it was in May - and again in August/September, which have really doubled the effect of a poor sampling rotation back in April/May.
They have fessed up in that sense, and credit to them, because they recognise now that the methodology does not work particularly well for the Northern Territory. However, they say in their two pages, that it could take until around mid-2005 before they have a satisfactory methodology in place. Bear in mind, the commencement of the flaw in the sampling came in April/May, so you have to add eight months on from there before you might get back to a more representative sampling. Then in August/September they have picked up another one, so it is another eight months from then before they will flow through the eight month cycle of getting a complete sample.
Nonetheless, ABS have said they are going to address it. They are going to look closely at the methodology as it is employed, and what they might do to strengthen the robustness and accuracy of these figures in small jurisdictions such as the Northern Territory. We welcome this, and Treasury is there to assist in any way they can.
HomeNorth Scheme
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for HOUSING
Can you please inform the House as to the response of Territorians to the HomeNorth scheme?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his question. Providing home ownership opportunities for Territorians on low to medium incomes is the cornerstone of this government’s vision for housing. The revamped HomeNorth scheme, which came into effect only 13 weeks ago, has generated enormous interest among Territorians, not least amongst those people keen to get into home ownership for the first time.
I am pleased to report that, since its introduction on 1 July 2004, $33 114 716 in loans and shared equity investment has been funded, approved and approved-in-principle. This means that, in just three months, we have exceeded the whole of last year’s loan portfolio by over 30%. At 30 September, I am happy to report that 123 individuals and families can now call a patch of the Northern Territory ‘their Territory’. Of this, 88%, that is 108, are buying their first homes, and their bit of the Territory now includes 84 houses and 39 units. With another 62 loan approvals-in-principle, bringing the number of those benefiting from the scheme to 185, HomeNorth is expected to crack the 200 mark some time in the next few weeks. Of the 123 properties, 14 - over 10% - have been Territory Housing Commission. This is a great result for those people as they move from public housing to the private residential market.
More than that, in the last month, we have seen the new scheme start to generate an effect in the construction industry with the building of one new house and four new units. As I reported during the last sittings, the regional response to the new HomeNorth scheme has been heartening for someone like myself who is so committed to the regions. For example, you will be pleased to know that Alice Springs is really leading the way, with around one-third of the Territory total of funded and finally approved loans. Last week, Alice Springs reached the $7m mark in loans under HomeNorth since 1 July. This is more than $0.5m a week going towards housing Territorians in Alice Springs alone.
The figures are also climbing in Katherine with over $0.75m in loans, and the member for Nelson will be happy to know there are four new home owners in the Darwin rural area. The members for Brennan and Blain will be pleased to know Palmerston has 32 new home owners, with loan funding just shy of $6m. In Darwin and the northern suburbs, there are over 50 new home owners, with loan funding of around $7.5m.
Each of these loans represents the hopes and dreams of Territorians wanting to establish a permanent home for themselves and their families. At 42%, we have the lowest home ownership rate in the nation, where the rate is around two-thirds. HomeNorth is about turning that statistic around and moving the Territory forward.
Federal Labor – Costing of Policies
Mr DUNHAM to CHIEF MINISTER
You have used the privilege of this Assembly to claim all of Labor leader Mark Latham’s policies have been costed. Is it not a fact, in accordance with the charter of budget honesty, which Mark Latham enthusiastically embraced, that Labor failed to submit any policies for costing by the required date of 5 pm, 30 September? Is it also true that a glance at the Department of Finance web site will confirm this? Considering the rules relating to telling the truth and misleading this House, will you now correct your claim from yesterday that all of Mark Latham’s policies are costed?
ANSWER
Yesterday I said, very clearly, Labor’s policies are responsible and costed. Let me quote from somebody who is a pretty good and impartial commentator. After we had been talking about this in the House, it was fascinating to read yesterday in the latest Bulletin magazine what somebody of the stature of Laurie Oakes thought about the difference between the responsible policies Labor had, and how he described the Coalition’s policies. I believe Laurie Oakes is a very fine commentator and plays it very straight.
Let me quote from his article. This is pertinent. He is talking about this election, not surprisingly, and Mark Latham’s extraordinarily strict economic discipline:
- That discipline has been applied in the costing and funding of Labor’s election commitments. It is in stark contrast to the way Howard has raided future surpluses to finance the most extraordinary vote-buying splurge seen for a very long time. For Howard to point the finger at Labor as the economically irresponsible party in this context is …
According to Laurie Oakes:
- … breathtaking. But the fact that he is getting away with it is something else for which he can thank Costello.
I made it very clear that Labor’s policies are responsible. They are costed in an effective way by Labor. Many of those policies have gone to Treasury, and probably more policies have gone to Treasury than the Coalition’s. If you look at the latest figures, as of Monday, 70 of the Labor Party’s policies had gone to Treasury, and 57 of the Coalition’s.
If we are going to look at the economic responsibility here, I defer to Laurie Oakes. Here we have a runaway Coalition raiding the surplus, as Laurie Oakes says, clearly vote-buying in the most extraordinary way: take a billion here, a billion there. It is extraordinary. The Prime Minister has spent the Territory’s budget about 10 times over in this election campaign. I believe he is up to promises of somewhere near $60bn. Laurie Oakes, who is a tough man to impress, said:
- That discipline has been applied in the costing and funding of Labor’s election commitments.
It is not one you will find with the Coalition. That says enormous amounts. The economically responsible John Howard – that is the tag he has worn for so long – is just buying Australia’s votes on Saturday.
Daly Region Community Reference Group Report Update
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Could you update the House on the progress made by the Daly Region Community Reference Group in developing an important draft report to the Northern Territory government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama, whose interest in our environment is well known.
The Daly Region Community Reference Group, of which Rick Farley, a man with a very strong national reputation for dealing with complex issues - particularly strong in the environment and indigenous issues - is the chair, was commissioned in December last year. It was to develop an integrated regional land use plan for the two million hectares of the Daly region.
We all know what had been happening. Left untackled by the previous government, the issues concerning the Daly were causing extraordinary controversy and angst in our community. Whether it was the proposal to grow cotton, water allocation, the health of the Daly, or how do we manage competing land use in that area, it was totally ignored by the previous government’s succession of ministers who said: ‘I cannot hear you over these issues’. The concern was so loud, from many different areas of our community, that we acted and set up the Daly Region Community Reference Group.
The group is a cross-section of regional stakeholders and community representatives. They include pastoralists, horticulturalists, local residents, and indigenous Territorians. There are also 12 peak organisations including recreational fishing, AFANT, the Cattlemen’s Association, Territory horticulturalists, Minerals Council, Katherine Regional Tourist Association, Northern Land Council, ATSIC - the list goes on.
As chair, Rick Farley’s task was to tackle the issues associated with the region, have the interest groups represent those issues, and come up with a plan for the future. Rick Farley, not surprisingly, says the issues surrounding the sustainable resource use in the Daly region are extremely complex. We knew that, and the work over the last 10 months has reinforced it.
Rick says land use and water allocation issues are strongly linked to scientific knowledge and, very sadly for us at this stage, that knowledge base is very incomplete. As a result, the group has now advised government that it is not in a position to deliver a draft integrated regional land use plan for the Daly region at this stage. However, it will be making recommendations about an ongoing management and planning process. Unfortunately, it means the integrated land use plan will not be finalised by the end of this year as we were hoping. However, the community reference group’s recommendations will be finalised and presented to government by November.
These recommendations will be released for further public comment to ensure we get maximum community input into where we are going in the Daly region. The Daly Region Community Reference Group is assisting this process and, as you are probably aware, is made up of government experts, together with external experts, scientists and those with a great understanding of the region. This consultative process about the Daly region will be ongoing, as we will not be making important decisions regarding the region until we can be properly informed as to environmental effects of any development.
We have to balance agriculture and horticulture with recreational fishing, tourism, indigenous landholders, and a whole complex range of, sometimes competing or complementary, interests. It is a challenge. We will not have the Integrated Land Use Plan by the end of this year; however, we are not going to rush it. We will have ongoing consultation, and I am confident this government will find an effective and supportive balance for what we do in the Daly region, which will serve the Territory well into the future.
Television Coverage of Sporting Events
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
During the year, I have had a number of complaints about the television coverage in Darwin of rugby league, motor racing and, particularly, the V8s. Could your government lobby the powers-that-be so either Imparja or Channel 10 can be beamed into the Darwin region so sporting fans who do not follow the AFL can watch their favourite sport at a reasonable time and not well after midnight - or will they have to continue to stay up late or drive to Batchelor to get some satisfaction?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I have had these concerns raised with me. There were a couple of constituents at Nhulunbuy who complained about rugby - not just the coverage or lack of, but also the commentating of games on Saturday afternoon. The radio and television stations have their own policies in regards to what, and how, they broadcast. They have boards which need to be lobbied. If members of this Chamber believe they can assist their constituents by lobbying to ensure V8s, football, soccer or whatever it may be, is broadcast at better hours, then that is what we need to do - individually, as members representing our electorates.
In regards to my powers as the Minister for Sport and Recreation, I have none in telling them what they can and cannot do with their policies. This answer is not providing you with any satisfaction, member for Nelson; however, basically, that is the story. You need to lobby them individually, and let them know that people have concerns. At the end of the day, it is their policy - they are out to make a dollar and will schedule their programs how they wish.
Mark Latham –Management of Liverpool Council
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Mark Latham has promised Australians he will deliver a surplus budget, the same promise he made when he became Mayor of Liverpool Council. Instead, when he left his job as mayor, he left behind a massive deficit of $15m, with liabilities for creditors increased by 51%, and borrowings increased by 45%. Is it true that the incompetence of Mark Latham, Mayor of Liverpool Council, was described by a fellow Liverpool Council ALP alderman and the council …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Questions are supposed to be short and to the point. He is making a statement. I urge you to ask the honourable member to deliver his question.
Mr BURKE: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker, I was only on the second paragraph. We listen to the diatribe of these ministers through Question Time and I cannot even ask my question.
Madam SPEAKER: Just ask the question!
Mr BURKE: Is it also true that the incompetence of Mark Latham as Mayor of Liverpool Council was described by a fellow Liverpool Council ALP alderman, who was also the council Finance Chairman as, I quote: ‘A giant stuff-up’? With this woeful track record of fiscal management, how can you ask Territorians to trust Mark Latham’s promise if he becomes Prime Minister?
ANSWER
Is it not fascinating? We have the former leader of the CLP parroting a Liberal Party advertisement. Is that not extraordinary? Does that not show what a Territory party these guys really are. Who is the president of the Liberal Party again? A former CLP Chief Minister who has directed Question Time strategy this week. It is so apparent. Has Shane been on the phone every day saying: ‘Listen, guys, this is what you do? I am President of the Liberal Party nationally and I am telling you what to do’. It has not been very effective, let me tell you, but he has obviously been directing it.
Now, to add insult to injury, the member for Brennan reads out – I reckon it is word for word; I saw the ad a few times – a Liberal Party advertisement. How does he have any credibility? This is the former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory who produced the 2001-02 budget, and said: ‘We will have a deficit of $12m, but we can wear it’, and went to the election telling Territorians that he was managing our economy! What was the real deficit? It was an absolute lie. Our first week in government …
Mr DUNHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, withdraw that.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I ...
Madam SPEAKER: Withdraw it. You know you are not allowed to use the word ‘lie’.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the use of the word ‘lie’.
How can a question like that, from the former CLP leader who was not accurate with Territorians - in a very large way, when he went to the last election and put misrepresented figures in the budget books - have any credibility? The question has no credibility on two counts. First, the Territory party, the proud CLP, is now doing the bidding absolutely of the Liberal Party. Where is their credibility? The second is their economic management has no credibility as well.
Madam SPEAKER: All I can say is: bring on Saturday.
Recreational Fishing - Infrastructure
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
Can you please update the House on recent progress on the Martin Labor government’s commitment to upgrade infrastructure for recreational fishing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the member’s question. Recreational fishing is great for Territorians - we all love it and this government has made some great commitments towards it. Earlier this year, we announced the $500 000 upgrade to Buffalo Creek – 37 car parks, fencing, security lights, boat ramp, barbecue area, and a caretaker has been installed.
What has been attracting a lot of comment is the $700 000 upgrade to the Dinah Beach boat ramp, which was completed recently. It is 8 m wide, 80 m long and …
Mr Dunham: It was this wide, and this long!
Dr BURNS: What are you talking about?
Mr Kiely: The thickness between his ears.
Dr BURNS: Okay. It has been doubled in width, and people can launch boats as well as retrieve them. It also allows people to launch and retrieve in just greater than 90% of all tides. I have a scaled-down version here. If I could …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, the number of car parks has been doubled and provides for car/trailer combinations, which is very important.
This is probably the most important bit - I went there the other day and it was great to see people taking their boats out while others were being launched, with few bottlenecks, and people using the car park. I have received a lot of comments in the last week from anglers saying how great that facility is. I would like to relate one.
A Greek gentleman in my electorate told me that he was retrieving his boat last week, and who should be launching their boat? The member for Solomon, going out fishing – and good luck to him. I am envious. My constituent pointed out that this was a fantastic facility, and this was a fantastic government looking after recreational fishermen. I hope the member for Solomon had a great fishing expedition. Perhaps he was out there looking for islands, I am not sure. If he has gone fishing, good luck to him, and good luck to all those who are going to use this fantastic facility.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: I wish we had such enthusiasm from both sides for other questions.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016