2004-08-24
Owston Nominees – Legal Proceedings
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Did you brief the Chief Minister on the decision to withdraw the prosecution against Owston Nominees No 2 Pty Ltd; if so, when? Were any other ministers briefed on the decision, and when?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am constrained in answering the question regarding that matter because it has not yet been finalised through our Cabinet processes. Therefore, I cannot go into the detail of who briefed whom on what. All I can say to members is that we are looking at finalising that issue and we will announce our decision when it has been made.
Trade Links with Palau and Federated States of Micronesia
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
We know an exciting new air link between Darwin and the Island of Palau has just started. Could you please advise the House what this government is doing to foster trade links with this nation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama for her very timely question. The President of Palau, Tommy E Remengesau Jr, and a delegation of 70 government and business leaders, will be visiting Darwin next week. They are coming on the newly inaugurated Palau/Micronesia flights to Darwin. If you remember, the new flights are two a week. It is only three-sand-a-half hours between Darwin and Palau.
There is certainly great potential between the Territory and Palau for both trade and tourism. The delegation, which is a large one and very welcome to the Territory, is looking at whether we can supply fresh produce such as dairy and meats, vegetables and bread to Palau. They are also looking at building materials, machinery, and things like repairs and the service aspect of what we can provide to Palau. Of course, it is so close; three-and-a-half hours is a very short flight out of Darwin. The delegation will be visiting, among other places, Darwin Bakery, Fresh Produce Distributors, Independent Grocers and Parmalat.
There is certainly more to the Palau/Territory connection than just our goods and services. Palau is a beautiful series of islands and is renowned for its diving. There are opportunities for both domestic and international travellers for Darwin/Palau packages. We will be looking at that through the Tourist Commission.
We will welcome the President of Palau and his delegation to the Territory. For us, it means closer trade, cultural and, hopefully, sporting relationships and building those connections with our region. We look forward to the president and his delegation visiting next week.
Owston Nominees – Legal Proceedings
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
On 5 August, your government withdrew its prosecution against Owston Nominees No 2 Pty Ltd. In your apology to journalists yesterday over the defamatory remarks you made about Warren Anderson on 11 August, you asked them to believe that:
- At the time I had not been briefed about the subsequent withdrawal and dismissal of the charges against Owston Nominees No 2 Pty Ltd, the company concerned.
I seek leave to table the letter of apology.
Leave granted.
Mr MILLS: Chief Minister, this was almost a week after your government had wasted more than $150 000 of taxpayers’ money on a court case. If, after a week, you had still not been briefed on this matter, are you either incompetent or not doing your job? Which one is it, or are you simply not telling the truth?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the statement I issued yesterday was correct in fact. I said yesterday, quite honestly, that I had made a mistake – that, in light of the threat of defamation proceedings, after good legal advice and analysis of what I had said, I withdrew those comments and made an apology to Mr Anderson. As far as I am concerned, that is the end of the matter.
Oil and Gas Industry – Job Training
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you please advise the House what actions have been taken to train Territorians in skills relating to the oil and gas industry?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nightcliff for her question. It is an important question in light of the new industries such as oil and gas, and the opportunities they put into our labour market for real high-quality jobs, apart from the obvious of adding great momentum to our economy.
We have taken some steps so far to make sure that we will have the people with the skills to fill what will be high calibre and quite diverse jobs. We are providing training and skills development to Territorians, as well as financial incentives under our Jobs Plan for employers taking on apprentices and trainees.
Training for the oil and gas industry has so far focussed on upskilling those with existing trade skills out there in the labour market but, as well, is growing the skilled work force through new apprentices. The department has been working very closely with the oil and gas industry to meet both their current needs and short-term requirements, as well as looking to medium- and long-term needs for the industry and the changing skill requirements as those projects come on stream.
In 2003, 25 local tradesmen were upskilled in welding, and a further 23 completed Certificate II in General Construction. That was targeted at industry shortfalls at the time, at a cost of around $400 000. The government also provided $390 000 to upgrade welding facilities at Charles Darwin University to maximise the training opportunities available that had been identified by the local manufacturing council and associated industries. DEET is currently working with the Welding Training Institute of Australia, the Territory Construction Association and local businesses to further address medium- and long-term skill development for this and other major projects.
This year, the government allocated over $400 000 to upskill indigenous Territorians for skill shortages in the areas of welding, construction and hospitality. So far, 51 people have graduated from these programs, and have gained or are well placed to take up employment opportunities in skills shortage areas in our labour market.
Bechtel has commenced negotiations with the new apprenticeships centre for the employment of 3rd and 4th year and indigenous apprentices on the LNG site, and DEET is assisting in the negotiations. I would like to assure people that they are out of placement 3rd and 4th year apprentices that Bechtel will be looking to pick up wherever they can find them, not taking them from current employment.
Following the provision in June this year of its projected skilled work force for the next two years, DEET now has a clear way through of working with Bechtel and training providers to further develop the training programs to ensure that Territorians applying for jobs on this and other major projects that come forward do have the best possible chance of securing employment with them.
We are also talking with the Western Australia government, because they have a great deal of information coming from a study that it conducted into skills shortages and training needs of the oil and gas industry. We are acquiring that information to see where that will further add to our knowledge in this quite exciting area of skills development.
Owston Nominees – Legal Proceedings
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
On 25 July 2001, on ABC radio, you told Territorians that, ‘… an Attorney-General must have the trust of Territorians’. Do you agree that it is even more important that Territorians have trust in their Chief Minister? It is simply unbelievable that you did not seek a briefing in relation to your government’s decision to withdraw its prosecution against Owston Nominees. How do you expect Territorians to believe that you are telling the truth?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe I made the position very clear in the previous answer, and yesterday to the media that, I said I made a mistake, I owned up to it and I apologised. That is the situation. The letter that I released says the details. While I suppose I should be across every single issue of government, sometimes ...
Mr Mills: Did you get a briefing or did you not? Unbelievable, that you had no briefing.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, order!
Ms MARTIN: While, in theory, to be across every aspect of government would be something that I would like to achieve, sometimes I am not. However, the important thing is to own up if you are not, stop pretending, maybe, that you know it all like others have in the past, and own up when you make a mistake. It is not always the easiest thing to own up when you have made a mistake. I did it. I withdrew the comments, I made the apology; end of the matter.
Apprentices – Government Entry Level Program
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for CORPORATE and INFORMATION SERVICES
Support for young people is something very important to me and the residents of Millner. Could you please advise the House on the intake of apprentices through the government’s Entry Level Program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for his important question. The Entry Level Programs Unit is an area of my department of DCIS that I take a very close interest in. It coordinates the entry of apprentices and trainees into the public sector, and they do a great job.
If there is one thing that is a real issue in our economy at the moment, it is a skilled work force. Government and the private sector have an absolute responsibility to give young people a go; to really focus on apprenticeships and traineeships. I am pleased to be able to say that this government is certainly putting the shoulder to the wheel to that effect at the moment. It is the role of my department to coordinate and manage the intake of apprenticeships through the new apprenticeships program, and the Structured Training and Employment Project, known as STEP.
Under the NT Jobs Plan, the government allocated funding to agencies to increase employment opportunities in the form of new apprenticeships. As I said, we are looking at the issue of value for money in the procurement process and in tenders for government work, as well as the responsibility of government to invest in young people in traineeships and apprenticeships.
Just eight months into the apprenticeship program for 2004, we can already see significant progress. This year, the total number of apprentices employed across the government is 120, increased from 53 in 2003. I have travelled to all of the DCIS work sites across the Northern Territory, and taken it upon myself to meet as many of these new apprentices as possible. It was absolutely fantastic to see young people out of school Years 11 and 12 in their first few days in the work place, and how excited they are to be given the opportunity.
However, also very importantly, these apprentices are out in the regions. There are nine apprentices in Katherine. I met two of them earlier this year while I was there. That is up from two the year before. Local Katherine people are getting an opportunity in government.
The member for Nhulunbuy will be pleased to know there are four apprentices in his town. There are 20 apprentices in Alice Springs spread throughout the departments. I am sure the member for Barkly will be pleased to hear that there are five apprentices currently in Tennant Creek. Young people across the Northern Territory are being given a go by the government. The remaining number are in Darwin.
I am sure my new CEO is listening to this. As I travelled through DCIS - the department I inherited early this year - visiting NT Fleet, I asked the workshop foreman whether we had any apprentices. He said: ‘No, we have not had an apprentice for years’. I informed him: ‘We had better change that’. We are now in the process of recruiting an apprentice motor mechanic at NT Fleet. It was the same at the Government Printing Office. Again, we had not had an apprentice there for many years. One of the things a minister can do is say: ‘I believe we need an apprentice or two there’. We are now recruiting an apprentice at the Government Printing Office.
I urge all members of this House to get behind the apprenticeship program. It is important that we train our own in the Northern Territory. We are expecting the private sector to do it. It is the responsibility of government to put the shoulder to the wheel, and that is what we are doing.
Building and Construction Industry - Portable Long Service Leave
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
You recently released a paper looking at portable long service leave for the NT building and construction industry. Could you please state clearly which workers would be covered by these changes. Would, for instance, a cabinet-making company subcontracting to build cupboards in the offices of a company at Wickham Point require its workers to come under these proposed new long service arrangements while they work on this construction site? Why does this proposal only apply to the construction industry - why not, for instance, the fishing industry and the cattle industry where people are also laid off because there is no work at certain times of the year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is a good question, because that level of detail about whether the cabinetmaker subcontracting to a larger construction project is covered is one of those questions under consideration. It is still being worked through in collaboration and consultation with the construction industry reference group, which has before it a number of issues the government is looking at, at the moment. The final detail of that level of coverage, as I said, is still being worked through.
In relation to those other industries not being covered, and why this one now, this was a commitment I made to construction workers as far back as about 1995 or 1996. I challenged the then government to bring in portable long service leave for the construction industry in the Northern Territory on the basis that we were the only jurisdiction that did not offer a participation in what was their state scheme - nationally, obviously - and the ability to cross between that portability and accumulate your entitlements over time - whether you worked in Tasmania, Western Australia or Victoria.
I am very pleased that this government has made that decision and fulfilled that commitment. We are not there yet. Some of the details are still to be worked out, and the member for Nelson put his finger right on one of those little issues. It will be back before government for final consideration, ticked off, and into this House.
Warren Anderson - Alleged Defamatory Comments by Chief Minister
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
In referring to a former Chief Minister, you told Territorians on ABC radio on 25 July 2001 that Territorians must ‘have confidence in the person holding the position that they actually understand what they are doing’. In your apology given to journalists over your defamatory comments about Warren Anderson, you said this …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There have been consistent repeat questions from the Leader of the Opposition. I refer you to Standing Order 114 that goes to repetitive questions. Again, this is yet another repetitive question. If the Opposition Leader wants to waste Question Time, it is up to him, but maybe members of the public want to here some other questions from other members.
Madam SPEAKER: You have a point, but I was waiting to hear the rest of the question. Leader of the Opposition, you do know what the standing order says about repetitive questions.
Mr MILLS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is a very important issue to the capacity of those who lead us, whether they actually have the capacity to do so. Let me continue my question.
In your apology given to journalists over your defamatory comments about Warren Anderson, you said this:
- The presumption of innocence is one of the fundamental hallmarks of our justice system.
Why did you not have the capacity to understand this when you made your remarks about Mr Anderson?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, you are getting repetitious in what you are saying. However, Chief Minister, it is up to you to answer.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to answer the question. I repeat the answer that I have given previously: I made a mistake. I doubt whether there is anyone who has held any position in this Chamber who has not, from time to time, made a mistake. I would not presume to be so arrogant to think that I would not make a mistake. I have stood in this House …
Mr Mills: This is an issue of honesty.
Ms MARTIN: … and said previously …
Mr Mills: No briefing! Unbelievable!
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: I have stood in this spot in the House and said previously when I have made a mistake. I owned up to it and fixed it. This is an example of, if I do make a mistake I own up to it and I fix it.
Mr Mills: It is about your credibility.
Ms MARTIN: To listen to the posturing of the Leader of the Opposition who, very sadly, comes in here and makes mistake after mistake, is a little hypocritical. I put on the record again that I made a mistake, I owned up to it, I withdrew the comments, and I apologised.
Nuclear Waste Storage Facilities in the Territory
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
National environment organisations across Australia have recently expressed their concerns that the Northern Territory is being targeted to become Australia’s nuclear dumping ground. What can the community and/or community organisations do to assist our opposition to this proposed dump?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question, because the community does have a big role to play in preventing the dump. We only have to look at South Australia, which prevented the dump, in large part due to their bipartisan support. John Howard, the Prime Minister, knew a united South Australia would oppose the dump. Unfortunately, we do not have that bipartisan support in the Northern Territory.
This morning in Victoria, Fran Bailey, a minister in John Howard’s government, stated that any plans for a nuclear dump in Victoria was something like out of a script for Monty Python. They are comparing it to Monty Python, while Dave Tollner is calling it ‘our obligation’.
The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Friends of the Earth are two such reputable organisations that believe the Howard government has its sights set on the Northern Territory. These national organisations follow this issue closely, and their assessment should not be taken lightly.
The CLP opposition has given him the green light to override our legislation. The community of the Northern Territory needs to make it clear that they do not support this.
Mr Mills: What is Latham’s commitment on this?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Mark Latham, as we have said previously, is committed to not overriding our legislation. South Australian industry also took up the fight to Canberra …
Mr DUNHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I seek your advice. This matter appears on the Notice Paper and I wonder, under Standing Order 68, whether this is anticipating debate - a debate we cannot engage in, I might add, because it is by way of a question.
Madam SPEAKER: I know we have allowed questions of this nature in the past, but I was going to ask the minister to make sure she calls members of other parliaments by their position, not their Christian names. We have said this over and over again. Minister, if you could remember that.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I will remember that Madam Speaker, thank you. I am not talking about the legislation, but how the community can stop this proposal, and about the environment, so it has nothing to do with the legislation.
South Australian industry also took up the fight to Canberra. In the Territory, the stakes are just as high, if not higher, especially for tourism. We only have to look at the mining industry, and Kezia Purick, who has spoken out on radio about the adverse effects it could have on the exploration industry. When the mining industry is saying: ‘Oppose this nuclear waste dump’ then you should give it serious consideration.
I recently visited some of those remote Aboriginal communities in the Centre that have been targeted, and they have given the message very loud and clear that they oppose it. A united South Australia took on Canberra and won. In the Territory, industry opposes it, the government opposes it and Territorians oppose it. The Martin government will join the community and stand up for the Territory and fight this dump.
Owston Nominees – Legal Proceedings
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
In light of the Chief Minister’s comments made after the failed and incompetent prosecution of Warren Anderson in which she undermined the public’s confidence in the legal system, have you admonished her for publicly criticising the administration of justice in the Northern Territory, or have you, at the very least, counselled her about her intemperate, ill-informed, and ill-considered remarks?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I had a cup of tea with the Chief Minister and we talked it over.
Northern Territory Nurses and Midwifery Awards
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for HEALTH
There is a group of dedicated health professionals who, for so long, have not received the recognition they so rightly deserve from government. Could the minister please inform the House about last night’s launch of the inaugural Northern Territory Nurses and Midwifery Awards.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, indeed, it is a terrific topic to talk about, because last night was a fantastic night at the first Nursing and Midwifery Awards in 30 years of self-government in the Northern Territory. It is long overdue. It is great to have been there to celebrate the excellence of some of our best nurses from around the Territory.
After we called for nominations on 12 May, we received 56 nominations from a very diverse range of organisations and individuals. We had patients from Aboriginal community-controlled health services, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, general practices in Darwin, the private hospital, universities, aged care facilities and members in remote communities nominating from all over the Territory.
The selection committee consisted of Pat Miller, Deputy of the Administrator; Professor Lesley Barclay of Health Service Development at Charles Darwin University; Dr John Wakerman, Director of the Centre for Remote Health in Alice Springs; Marie Hughes, Executive Director of Nursing, Royal Darwin Hospital; and Greg Rickard, the Principal Nursing Adviser.
The committee had a very difficult task, going from 56 nominations down to the five category winners and then, of course, the Northern Territory Nurse of the Year. The winners, and very worthy winners at that, were: Acute Care Nurse of the Year was Fred Miegel from Alice Springs; Community Nurse of the Year was Maureen Egan from Casuarina Community Care Centre; Mental Health Nurse of the Year was Vicki Norton from Alice Springs; Midwife of the Year was Cynthia Prime from Katherine Hospital; and Remote Nurse of the Year was Sharon Weymouth of Yirrkala. It was a remote nurse this year to whom the Nurse of the Year Award went, and that was to Sharon Weymouth. What a fantastic group of nurses they were!
I can certainly say that the spirit at that event was just fantastic. Every one of the awardees was applauded by everyone present and, obviously, they were very acceptable and credible winners. We will be doing it again next year. This is a group of health professionals …
Mr Burke: You hope.
Dr TOYNE: Well, if you do not take it up …
Mr Burke: You hope, really!
Dr TOYNE: Do you want to go and tell the nurses you are not going to have the awards? Good luck.
Warren Anderson - Apology
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
On 15 May 2004, Dr Wirth, the National Director of the RSPCA, issued a national apology to Mr Anderson in three major Australian newspapers. On 23 August 2004, Clare Martin, the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, issued an apology to Mr Anderson. You are now the only person who has yet to apologise for the persecution of Mr Anderson. Will you now take this opportunity to apologise to Mr Anderson and settle this matter once and for all?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I sort of welcome the question from the member for Macdonnell. However, I have to reiterate, once again, this matter is before the courts.
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: Oh well, you talk about presumption of innocence, and the Leader of the Opposition just mentioned it. This has not gone to court yet. Are you asking me to apologise for something that has not been settled by the courts?
The legal advice that I have received is our lawyers are talking to their lawyers, it is before the courts; let it be dealt with. There will be a full explanation once the courts are settled with the matter. At this point in time, I offer no apology.
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: I am provided with legal advice that says this matter is before the courts. Cannot you understand that?
Hunting Permits - Outlets
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Over two years ago, The Gunsmith Shop at Coolalinga was able to sell wild fowl shooting permits. This enabled permits to be issued on Saturday mornings and up until 6 pm on weekdays. Now that we are in the wildlife shooting season, could you please say if, after all this time, you have found a solution which would enable shooters to obtain permits other than through your department?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nelson. It is true that, some years ago, shooters could obtain their licences directly through gun shops. I believe it may have been longer than two years ago; it may have been three years ago. I believe, in my reading of the briefs on this matter, that it was brought to the attention of Parks and Wildlife that the legal situation was in breach of the act, In that it was not possible to delegate the issuing of licences to gun shops.
The arrangement currently in place is that someone who wants to get a licence can go to a gun shop. They can fill out the application on the spot, which is then faxed to Parks and Wildlife. The licence is posted out on that working day, or the next available working day if it is late in the piece. The reason for that is that there has to be verification of the person’s shooters licence and other things that have to be done by Parks and Wildlife. There is a short delay; however, I believe the system is working well. People can go to a gun or tackle shop and go through the process, and they will receive their licence either the next working day or the working day after that.
Literacy Standards and 100 Additional Teachers
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
The Martin Labor government is committed to improving literacy standards and employing 100 additional teachers. Can you please advise the House of actions taken to implement these commitments?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nightcliff for her question. These were two key commitments made by us before the election: to employ 100 additional teachers in the system across the Northern Territory and to address literacy and numeracy standards in the Northern Territory.
The 100 teacher commitment is now almost complete. Up until the commencement of this financial year, 60 additional above formula teaching positions have been employed. Within those, 24 are contained within new special education positions; three teachers for a Capability Development Unit in Darwin; five teachers employed as assistant principals for group schools across the Territory to strengthen the administration and management in the group schools system; two teachers for Remote Education Resource Development Project; six teachers for alternative education programs engaged in bringing those kids back into the system who have dropped through the floor; 10 positions for English as a Second Language teachers, part of the strong push to address literacy standards, particularly in rural and remote indigenous communities; four teachers for Learning and Technology in Schools; two positions to resource and research literacy approaches in schools; one position allocated to research in effective education intervention; one position of Alternative Provision Manager in Alice Springs, that is similar to that of re-engaging youth who have dropped through and lost their way within the system; and two teacher positions to supplement relief teacher pools in regional centres.
This year, we have made decisions about another 25 positions. These include 11 positions for behaviour management in schools across the system. We have had signals from other state systems in Australia that are looking at what we are doing there, because it is not only in the Northern Territory that behaviour management is right up the list of concerns with teachers and unions. Other states are looking very closely at how we are putting these behaviour management specialists in place as maybe a way forward for themselves. There are two new positions for the School of Music.
Today, I wish to announce the provision of 12 positions for improving literacy in our schools; it is an absolute core issue for this government. I have been constantly working with the department and others to address what is the most fundamental issue in education. It can be a frustrating exercise, because we see these MAP results shift around from year to year.
However, one program that has been producing excellent results is the Accelerated Literacy Program. Earlier this year, I talked about that in the Chamber, and we announced a significant lift in funding for it to the order of $1.2m. The federal government has recently supported us, and announced funding to the tune of $600 000 as well. My thanks to Dr Nelson, because he has seen and recognised the value of this project in accelerating kids who are way behind their numeric age in reading. It has produced quite amazing results, so we thank the federal government for their contribution to this project.
I am also pleased to advise the House that, as part of the expansion of the trial of that program, we will provide 12 new teaching positions and 10 new schools into the trial. The 10 schools that are the beneficiaries of the expansion are: Ngukurr, Wugularr, Jilkminggan, Minyerri, Ali Curung, Nganmarriyanga, Peppimenarti, Ti Tree, Tennant Creek and Anzac Hill.
These are quite exciting developments for the Territory, and ones that I believe we will see the benefits of in years to come. We are, and remain, committed to improving education outcomes in the Northern Territory, particularly for indigenous students. I know, as I have said before, we do have a long way to go, but I am a very strong believer in this Accelerated Literacy Program and the results that it is producing for us. I will continue to support it as long as it continues to produce those results we are seeing.
ABC Radio - Alleged Ministerial Staff Contact
Mr ELFERINK to MINISTER for COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Two days ago, on ABC radio, it became apparent that Chips Mackinolty from your office was on the phone to the media while Mr Warren Anderson was having a private meeting with Parks and Wildlife. It appears that the purpose of this call was to tell the media where Mr Anderson was so that the media pack could track him. Is this how all people are going to be treated when you do not like them?
Mr Ah Kit: When I what?
Mr ELFERINK: When you do not like them.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Macdonnell. As with most media officers in government, they are contacted from time to time on issues relevant to their minister’s portfolios. As this issue started to heat up, Chips Mackinolty, as my media officer, was contacted by many people in the media. As I expect him to do in his job as a good media officer, he passes on information of where they are most likely to contact people they wish to interview. If you think that is not a good position to have and media officers should not do that, then maybe you should make it very clear to the media that we should not pass on that type of information. In their type of work, that is their job, they are employed to do that. I stand by Chips Mackinolty as one of the best media officers in the game in the Northern Territory, let alone in this building. He did his job.
There are certain things that Mr Anderson has said against him. He passes on instructions and information for the media to do their job and to report openly, whether it is Mr Anderson or anyone else, and I will instruct Mr Mackinolty to continue to do his work as he has done in the past.
Beef Roads – Upgrading
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
Can you please advise the House on progress in upgrading the Territory’s beef roads and on progress in getting the Commonwealth to meet its responsibilities in this area?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his interest because, of course, beef roads are an integral part of the economy of the Barkly electorate.
In the 2004 budget, there was $11.5m allocated by this government towards beef roads. Basically, that program included works on the Tanami Road, Finke Road, Central Arnhem Road, Point Stuart Road, Roper Highway, Sandover Highway, Oolloo, Fleming and Cadell Roads, Dorisvale Road, Carpentaria Highway and Wollogorang Road. It is a pretty impressive set of works.
However, as most people would be aware, on top of this, government allocated another $10m for beef roads over the next two years - $6m in the 2004-05 year, then $4m in the following year. The priorities for the way that that money is going be allocated has been reached in very close consultation with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association. They have expressed to me their delight at this extra money, and also their appreciation at the way the department has consulted very closely with them in prioritising those roads. Certainly, relationships between the department and cattlemen have been greatly enhanced through this process.
The additional works include the Plenty Highway, Buntine Highway, Buchanan Highway, Barkly Stock Route, Larrimah to Western Creek link road, Rankine Road, Ringwood Road and the Maryvale Road.
I would point out that the cooperative and solid way that this government has got behind our beef roads is in stark contrast to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth had promised up big. We had Senator Campbell, the former federal minister for roads, come up here and promise it all - the accounts vary; anything from $20m, to $30m to $40m extra of funding - and we still have not seen the colour of that money. We have seen $1m extra that they allocated. That is essentially it.
Then we had the spectre of the CLP federal representative, Senator Scullion, coming out and trying to claim our $10m as his own. I made the analogy then of someone pretending that they had already shouted around the bar when they had not. That is the way I see what Senator Scullion does.
I know the cattlemen are very hopeful that the Commonwealth will honour their commitments and come through with some extra money for beef roads in the near future. My advice to the cattlemen and to other Territorians in relation to that: make sure you have a polygraph handy.
Warren Anderson – Media Involvement
Mr ELFERINK to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, you made an apology to Mr Anderson for your ridiculous claims about guilt. It now appears that you were talking to the media before his lawyer was given a copy of the apology. Why is the media more important than the innocent in these matters?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we have the member for Macdonnell making allegations about when things happened. My advice was that the documents had been exchanged and that was all appropriate. That had happened around 4 pm yesterday. I was in front of the media at 4.40 pm. That is my information. It is all very well for the member for Macdonnell to waltz in here and say: ‘You have got it wrong’. That is my advice and what I was advised to do. Therefore, at this stage, there rests the matter.
Barramundi Farming – Excess Juvenile Stock
Mr BONSON to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
I understand that baby barramundi are produced each year at the Northern Territory Aquaculture Centre. Can you advise what is being done with the excess juveniles from the centre?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The commercial barramundi farming industry is a success story for the Territory. Production this year has reached 700 tonnes, more than the wild catch. In the last year, we have seen an increase in production of 300% at the two farms at Adelaide River and Port Hurd at Bathurst Island.
Territory barramundi is now well known around the world. Barramundi from the Northern Territory was served at the Danish royal wedding. We export two tonnes of barramundi every week to the United States of America and command really high prices.
In the past few years, barramundi fingerlings have been produced and provided to the industry, but production sometimes exceeds demand. We have produced significant numbers of fingerlings, which remain at the centre as excess barramundi and we decided to restock dams, impoundments, and even Darwin Harbour. At Manton Dam, they have been restocked for a number of years - not very successfully, I might add, because some of the other barramundi swim downstream during the Wet Season. We have now installed a barrier net to stop the large fish migrating. In the past two months, we have stocked 50 000 fingerlings in specific areas where they can shelter from the larger fish. We also restocked 55 000 fingerlings at Lake Bennett, with the agreement of the owners, who will allow day trippers to fish at the lake, and we have provided 16 000 barra fingerlings in the impoundment near Mt Todd.
Before we stock a dam or impoundment, the barramundi are tested to make sure they are free from disease, and are always released in the area where the stock came from to ensure the genetic stock remains the same.
Recently, we put 45 000 barra fingerlings into Darwin Harbour to enhance fishing opportunities. By restocking the dams and impoundments, we provide a safe environment for families to fish. We also give fishermen the thrill of their lifetime, because the barramundi in those areas will grow to significant length and size. It really gives you a buzz to catch one of these trophy fish with a barramundi of a lifetime.
Excess barramundi fingerlings provide additional fishing opportunities for Territorians and tourists alike. The Territory is well known for its fishing opportunities and capabilities, and that is the reason why so many people from down south and overseas come to the Territory to spend a fishing holiday.
Fisherman’s Wharf – Repairs and Maintenance
Ms CARTER to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
For nearly two years, part of Fisherman’s Wharf in my electorate has been fenced off as it is corroding away. How much is it going to cost to fix the wharf, and when is your government going to do it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have been there to inspect this area. It is certainly not going to be a cheap job. There have been some preliminary estimates, but the department is still working on what engineering solutions will be required to restore that wharf. Until that happens, it will remain fenced off.
It is not an insubstantial figure that we are talking about. I would say it will be somewhere close to $1m at least. There have been attempts in the past to fix the problem which, I believe, were unsuccessful. This time, we need to get it right and have a really good look at the proper solution for this particular work.
Lee Point Development
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
In regards to the development at Lee Point, I note that the developer, Defence Housing Authority, developed lands in the Palmerston area in partnership with the Delfin Group. What guarantees can you give that Lee Point will not be over-developed, as has been seen in some of the estates in Palmerston and Parap? Will the government support a minimum house block size of 800 m?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his important question. I have received a number of representations from various people in the community about this. I know that Darwin City Council has a firm position on this issue. The Commonwealth Joint Standing Committee on Public Works came to Darwin and took submissions on this issue. A number of people put their views to that committee. Defence Housing gave evidence before that committee that they were looking at minimum block sizes of 600 m, with an average of 638 m.
I would like to see more options in block sizes. I would not want to see very small block sizes in that development. However, it is still a decision that government has to take. I am listening very carefully to what the community wants. I also want to balance that with proposals by the developer.
Alice Springs Sewage Ponds
Dr LIM to MINISTER for TRANSPORT and INFRASTRUCTURE
You have failed to keep to your promise that the overflow water from the Alice Springs sewage ponds would be harvested and stored in an aquifer south of the Gap. For over a month now, large volumes of water have poured under the Stuart Highway to form stagnant pools of fermenting, foul-odoured water at St Mary’s Creek at the northern edge of the Old Timers Home. Apart from the stench, with the weather warming up, mosquitoes will be breeding in those stagnant pools of sewage. Minister, how can you sit there and ignore the problem? What will you do about it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is interesting to hear the member for Greatorex complain about this. This is a problem that this government has taken on. We have given assurances to the Alice Springs community about overflow in the dry weather an the wetter months of the year. We have allocated $6.2m towards this project, and already substantial works have been carried out with pipes being laid to the Arid Zone Research Institute.
As well as that, I am not sure whether the member is aware, but there has been a lot of scientific work going on in determining the feasibility of aquifer recharge. There are some very good scientists who are working on that particular project and, if the member for Greatorex wants, I am more than prepared to arrange for him to go there and find out more about that particular project. It is a very good project …
Mr Dunham: Are you going to do it?
Dr BURNS: Well, we are doing it; Power and Water have allocated $6.2m …
Dr Lim: Stop the water flow. Stop the smell. Stop the mosquitoes.
Dr BURNS: What you seem to be ignoring is the fact that not only will this provide a solution to those overflows, it is also going to provide capacity for new horticultural industries in that particular region. There has been a contract let already, and there is considerable interest in developing horticultural industry in Alice Springs.
As usual, the opposition can only find the negatives. This government is interested in solutions and moving the Territory ahead.
Return to Home Program
Mr KIELY to MINISTER for HOUSING
Throughout the Territory, a range of community organisations and government agencies have been working together to deliver programs of activities for homeless people and people stranded away from their homes. Could you please give the House an update on the progress of the Return to Home Program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. The Community Harmony Strategy is working very effectively in reducing both the numbers of itinerants and the incidence of antisocial behaviour in Darwin and Palmerston. The Community Harmony Strategy …
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: Madam Speaker, I know they want to be provocative, but I am just going to ignore them.
The Community Harmony Strategy has also been implemented in Alice Springs, Katherine and the Barkly region, and is already showing good results and gaining support from various agencies from all levels of government.
One of the strategies behind Community Harmony is to assist people to return to their communities through the Return to Home Program. In Darwin, Larrakia hosts the Day Patrols, and Marla elders have supported the successful Return to Home Program using Centrelink agreements to repay fares. Over 1175 clients have returned home between May and July this year, with a re-presentation rate of about 7%. I am pleased to say that the service is operating at close to 100% cost recovery.
In Katherine, the government has also funded the Kalano Community Association to establish a Return to Home scheme. This scheme started on 18 February this year and, to date, approximately 100 people have gone back to their communities: 75 of these returned to Ngukurr, eight to Alice Springs, seven to Western Australia, and one or two to Borroloola, Darwin, Kununurra, Lajamanu and Tennant Creek. There has been a great deal of positive feedback about this program; it is highly successful. I was interested to read the editorial in the Katherine Times on 28 July 2004, which read:
- There have been some knockers of the Katherine Region Harmony group, Kalano Community Association and the programs they are involved in, but this one seems to be working.
Return to Country so far appears to be the success story the Katherine community has been waiting for.
The member for Katherine, in her recent call for banning tables and chairs in the median strip in Katherine Terrace as a solution to community harmony, spoke to none of the groups praised by the Katherine Times about her proposal. Other regional centres have requested the Return to Home Program and options are being developed with key stakeholders and Regional Harmony groups. The Return to Home Program is only one part of the Community Harmony Program. It is only early days; there is much to be done. However, I am confident that, with the hard work of my staff and the other agencies involved, we will continue to have success with the program.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister has just quoted from the whole briefing note. I am asking if he can table the whole briefing note.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, would you table the brief? Did you speak from a brief?
Mr AH KIT: Madam Speaker, I was speaking off the brief.
Mr Elferink: No, you read it!
Madam SPEAKER: The whole brief?
Mr AH KIT: They are notes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: You do not wish to table the notes?
Mr AH KIT: No, I do not wish to table them; they are notes.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, speaking to the point of order …
Madam SPEAKER: I think you can …
Mr AH KIT: Speaking to the point of order, how many times …
Madam SPEAKER: A yes or no, minister, that is all I want to know.
Mr AH KIT: Well, they do not seek briefings, they are too lazy.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not unusual for a minister to table the papers that they read from, you know that.
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Distinguished Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of Ms Dawn Lawrie and Mr Barry Coulter, former members of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. On behalf of all members, I extend to you a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Alice Springs – Filipino Nurses
Dr LIM to MINISTER for HEALTH
Why have you not put any procedures in place to retain the Filipino nurses who are currently working in Alice Springs? Royal Darwin Hospital has made every effort to retain the Filipino nurses in Darwin, whereas the Filipino nurses in Alice Springs have not been particularly valued. At least one nurse, who had already attained full registration in England, had to travel to Darwin to do an English test before he could qualify to stay in Alice Springs. They are now being courted by New South Wales, with promises of sponsorship of Australian permanent residency. What are you going to do to ensure we do not lose our Filipino nurses, especially those who have been working here for at least the last 12 months and are eager to extend their contracts to work in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have met quite a number of those nurses, and I have heard some very positive comments from many of them about working in our health system. In fact, they said the shift hours here are much better than in the Irish system, where many of them trained and worked before they came here.
If there is a problem with one or two of the nurses going through the process to be established in our system, I will talk to my CEO about it. However, I am not convinced there is a broad problem here. If there is a problem with an individual nurse, that is an operational matter that my CEO will take care of.
Madam SPEAKER: The member for Greatorex had a very good solution, if I remember, at the Mabuhay night. He urged everyone to marry them.
Dr Lim: That is right, but Darwin has to do something about it too.
Heritage Week Activities
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Could you advise the Assembly of what is happening during Heritage Week, and what the government is doing to support any Heritage Week activities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama for her question, because heritage is an important area. It is about conserving and preserving our heritage for future generations so that they may enjoy it.
This year, Heritage Week in Darwin runs from 12 to 19 September. Alice Springs has already celebrated Heritage Week. The week’s activities in Darwin get under way with an open day at the Myilly Point Heritage Precinct on Sunday, 12 September. Of course, Myilly Point is a very appropriate place to reflect on heritage, with the beautiful buildings that remain there, having survived the bulldozers on a few things that we saw many years ago.
My Office of Environment and Heritage has worked closely with the National Trust to undertake restoration and repairs of Audit House which, together with the other three houses and gardens at Myilly Point, will be open to the public. I encourage all members of this House to attend.
My Office of Environment and Heritage has also contributed to Heritage Week by creating a photographic exhibition entitled Darwin Then and Now, which will be opened on Sunday, 12 September, and can be seen at Burnett House during Heritage Week. This exhibition reflects on the way the built environment of Darwin has changed over the years – and it certainly has changed, particularly in the CBD - with a special focus on historic places that still survive.
Of course, not all the changes have been for the better. Some very important buildings have not survived, and it is to the CLP’s shame that only photos now remain of a Darwin icon, the Hotel Darwin.
Mr Baldwin: Where are you going to? Burnett House?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: The Office of Environment and Heritage is pleased, as always, to make a contribution to Heritage Week …
Mr Baldwin: Hope you have Wesleyan Church on your list.
Mr Stirling: You ran away, Timmy.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Dunham: I do not think you are supposed to call him ‘Timmy’, Syd. It offends the Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I do not think that is funny; that is half smart. You know the rules, members for Drysdale and Nhulunbuy. Do not mock this House.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Heritage is an important issue. All credit goes to the National Trust for initiating the week and for putting an enormous amount of work into its realisation; almost all of it by their tireless volunteers.
This government is also supporting heritage across the Territory by making available community grants totalling $197 000 this year, part of more than $1m this government is spending on grassroots environment and heritage projects. The heritage grants will, for example, enable a conservation and management plan to be prepared for the old Railway House at Stella Maris, and for repairs to be made to the Magistrate’s House at Myilly Point. I am proud that government is showing vision by spending $1m on repairs and maintenance of government-owned heritage property, ensuring that they continue to support our cultural identity and the tourism industry.
This is a dedicated spend that simply did not exist under the CLP, and I encourage everyone in Darwin to get involved with Heritage Week …
Dr Lim: Rewrite history, don’t you.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Well, what did you spend? Your legacy stands for itself.
Members interjecting.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Once again, my congratulations to the trust for all their work in bringing Heritage Week to realisation.
Madam SPEAKER: Of course, minister you will give me an answer about that other building that is under threat in Alice Springs. We are still waiting on that as well.
Larapinta Stage 4 – Land Availability
Dr LIM to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
A transcript of an ABC radio program in Alice Springs on 23 September 2003 reads as follows:
- The Territory Lands and Planning Minister says by the end of October Alice Springs residents will have the opportunity to buy affordable land to build a house.
Announcement after announcement - at least six - have been made with great fanfare about the land release at Larapinta Stage 4. Precisely when will land be available from Larapinta Stage 4?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is getting late in the piece for Question Time, and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the one who seems to have all the questions in his back pocket. I am amazed that he would ask a question about this, after all the nay saying that he and the member for Macdonnell have gone on about all of this. They said it would never happen, that government had to do this, government had to do that. We are the government that has delivered on this particular promise.
An agreement has been signed, and I am informed that, within the next six to eight weeks, this land will be released for sale. I compliment the landowners there in the way that they have been able to deal with government and move forward and come to a commercial agreement with a real estate company. People in Alice Springs applaud that. They do not applaud the negativity of the member for Greatorex.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016