2004-10-05
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Chamber Etiquette
Chamber Etiquette
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, this morning we had some unparliamentary behaviour which was getting a bit out-of-hand. I remind you of Standing Order 240A, which says that if you are asked to withdraw from the House, you should do so ‘without debate or dissent’. That is a warning to you all.
Grants Commission Funding
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
The publicly-stated position of federal Labor leader Mark Latham is this:
- It is absurd to suggest, as the Grants Commission does every year, that the community needs in Hobart and Darwin are two to seven times greater than those in Campbelltown or Blacktown.
Do you agree with Mark Latham’s clear inference that Territorians receive more than their fair share of funding from the federal government? If not, why have you not condemned Mark Latham for his comments?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is nice that we start this Question Time with the Opposition Leader giving us a history lesson, which is what this is - a history lesson. The words which were uttered by …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: You asked the question. Do you want to hear the answer? Okay. Those words were said 10 years ago by the Opposition Leader, Mark Latham. He was defending and advocating on behalf of his electorate at the time. The very fine Labor leader - Australia’s next Prime Minister come 9 October - is a strong advocate for the Territory.
Anyone looking at Labor’s initiatives for the Territory in the run-up to this election should be very proud of federal Labor’s recognition of the needs of the Territory, which is keenly focussed on education and health - the key issues for Territorians and Australians. If you look at some of the initiatives from federal Labor …
Mr Dunham: Unfunded.
Ms MARTIN: Funded! As opposed to your mates - the Territory Liberals’ mates - in Canberra. We saw the advertisement in the NT News this morning. The attempt to say this is the CLP, the Territory’s party - hands up who is the Liberal who put their hands in their pockets and paid for the ad? It is the former Liberal leader of the Territory, the member for Brennan.
On unfunded promises, over the last four or five weeks we have witnessed the unedifying sight of the Prime Minister, John Howard - who said: ‘I am economically responsible’ - throw at Australians the most uneconomically responsible promises we have seen. Labor’s promises are costed, deliverable and, for the Territory, they are spot on.
I say, very clearly, whatever Mark Latham said in his maiden speech 10 years ago is irrelevant.
Mr Mills: It stands.
Ms MARTIN: The Opposition Leader can say: ‘It stands’. Rubbish – absolute rubbish! Mark Latham is a strong advocate for the Territory and stands up for the Territory in things such as Defence contracts, where the Howard government is wiping out Territory businesses. What do we have? After five weeks of an election campaign, we have a two-year moratorium. Labor has promised eight years commitment to local businesses with the DIDS contracts. What do we have the member for Solomon standing up for? Two years.
I will finish on one of those treasures – when one attends functions such as the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, one hears these kinds of things from the current member for Solomon. Here we have a group of distinguished women who have done extraordinary things in their businesses, and the member for Solomon stands up and says: ‘Isn’t it terrific? All these women here. It is a great scene. Behind every successful man is a successful woman’.
Alcan Refinery Expansion
Mr KIELY to CHIEF MINISTER
The decision to proceed with the $2bn expansion of the Alcan alumina refinery in Gove was made last month. What benefits can Territorians expect from this development?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we have talked about unreal questions from the opposition. This is a real question for Territorians from the member for Sanderson. It was an exciting announcement …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Members of the opposition, the Chief Minister is on her feet. She has the floor.
Ms MARTIN: This is an exciting announcement of a $2bn investment in the Territory’s future, and the opposition is not interested – it is very sad. On 9 September, the decision was made by the Alcan Board in Montreal. It is a decision which is exciting for the Territory and current Territorians. It means job and business opportunities, and is exciting for new Territorians, who will be drawn to the Territory with the opportunities provided by this significant expansion by Alcan.
Alcan was thrilled with this announcement. I had returned from the Sabah International Expo, at 4.15 pm on 10 September, and David Sutherland from Alcan was at the airport to tell me of the Montreal decision. This is a very important decision for the Territory, and from Alcan it is a real vote of confidence in the Territory’s and our mining future. We have had discussions in the House today, with the opposition putting down and being negative about mining, and here we have Alcan making a strong statement about mining and our future.
Let us look at the benefits of this, because they are substantial for the Territory. Starting with gross state product, over the construction phase of the Alcan expansion there will be an additional $90m into gross state product; and an additional $200m over the operation phase. Our exports will increase by something like $420m and, as soon as those exports start to increase, we will have a $1bn export from the Territory.
Expenditure into the Territory will be $120m during the construction phase. There will be 1700 jobs in construction and, when the plant is expanded, there will be 120 more jobs at the plant in Nhulunbuy.
Mr Mills: Sixty from the Territory.
Ms MARTIN: It is interesting to hear the Opposition Leader asking how many were local. It is interesting because the Opposition Leader dismissed the Alcan project, saying: ‘Only 60 jobs will be in the Territory’. He just made up a figure.
Let us look at what we are basing our confidence on for getting local jobs in this project. There is the Bechtel project, building the LNG plant at Wickham Point. When I talked to Bechtel a couple of years ago, they initially said: ‘If we can get 30% local jobs on the construction, you will be going really well’. Do you know what the percentage is currently, right now, out at Wickham Point? Fifty-four per cent local jobs building the plant - 54%. We are going for that for the Alcan plant, and I believe we can achieve it. The only doomsayer here is the opposition, led by their leader.
For our businesses this is really an opportunity to grow and prosper, and Alcan has significant confidence in the capacity of our businesses to fill their needs on this project. Initially, they thought they would not be able to use much local business. However, looking at the capacity we have developed - and a real congratulations to Territory businesses on this - over building the rail and now the LNG plant, Territory businesses will really benefit. They have the capacity, the commitment and the enthusiasm to take real opportunities from the Alcan expansion. Currently, with the LNG plant, $230m worth of contracts went to local businesses.
Alcan have already given two major industry briefings in Gove and Darwin and businesses turned up. They are listening and ready to work with Alcan. It is a project which will use our rail and port, support local businesses, new opportunities and local jobs. There will be local jobs here, but there will also be new Territorians who will come here to be part of what is a great project. My congratulations to Alcan for their vote of confidence in the Territory and the Territory’s future.
I also put on the record our congratulations to indigenous Territorians and their representative bodies, the land councils, for the support they have given to this project - a real tick. Of course, thanks also to the community of East Arnhem for their support. This will be a great project for the Territory - $2bn is a real vote of confidence in the Territory’s future. Thank you Alcan.
Grants Commission Funding - Federal Labor Leader’s Attitude
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the premise of this question is wrong, and I made that quite clear. Whatever Mark Latham said 10 years ago in his maiden speech is no longer relevant. We have a future Prime Minister with a strong commitment to the Northern Territory, as opposed to the current Canberra government, which ripped $48m from the Territory last financial year. Was there a murmur from the other side of the House? Not a word!
Territory Consequences of Federal Labor Government
Ms LAWRIE to TREASURER
We know the federal election is upon us this weekend, 9 October. Would you inform the House just what a Latham Labor government would mean for the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Karama for her question. Like many in the community, I have probably had enough of this federal election campaign. I, for one, will be pleased to see Saturday come and go. Therefore, it is timely to look at what a Latham Labor government would mean for the Territory. There is no doubt the Territory would be much better off under federal Labor than the John Howard Coalition government we have now.
The federal Labor opposition is absolutely committed to providing opportunities for everyone in the Territory through better education and training, a stronger health system, tax relief for those families who missed out under the Coalition, other incentives for families, and support for local business. Under a Latham Labor government, the Northern Territory will get more resources for hospitals; a Medicare hotspot team at Royal Darwin Hospital to help provide after-hours service requirements; a new Medicare office in Palmerston; and new initiatives to increase the number of doctors in rural and regional areas - something which the Coalition still has not addressed despite an outstanding need for a decade or more. Each of those initiatives in the health area will be backed up by a stronger and healthier Medicare system. This will see an increase in bulk billing incentives for doctors, which will mean more Territorians will be able to see a doctor without having to fork out the full scheduled amount.
A Latham Labor government will provide a $300m dental care program across Australia which will mean better access to dental services across the Territory. A Latham Labor government will provide 400 extra aged-care places in the Territory. There will be more child-care places for working Territory families, and a free day of care a week for four-year-olds.
Every school in the Territory will be better off under a federal Labor government than they are today under a Howard Coalition government. Instead of giving and shuffling millions of dollars to wealthy schools in Australia such as Geelong Grammar and Scotch College - those schools who have clients able to pay $30 000 and $40 000 a year in fees and still have their hand in the public purse - there will be equity under a federal Labor government. A Labor government will ensure that under the federal Labor government’s $2.4bn Great Australian Schools Plan, funding decisions are based on need, and that is the key to the Northern Territory getting its fair share.
Territorians will also have better access to training and skilling opportunities. Labor committed to at least 400 extra TAFE and training places in the Territory. This, of course, will give Territorians a chance to learn a trade whilst easing those skill shortages which we have always faced, and will face even more in the midst of major projects upon us. There will be extra university places and more resources for Charles Darwin University. Labor will put an end to those 25% hikes in HECS fees which we see under the Coalition.
A Labor government will provide $20m towards the establishment of a bio-terrorism research facility in Darwin. There will be a renewed focus on the development needs of Northern Australia with the establishment of an Office of Northern Australia. It used to play a useful role in the Northern Territory, but disappeared many years ago. It will be good to see it come back. A Labor government will also establish a gas energy task force to work with the Office of Northern Australia. Territory businesses will get more support under Defence contracts for the entire eight years of the contract; not the measly two-year moratorium belatedly offered by the federal government when they realised how much heat there was around this.
Under Labor, local Defence personnel will be better supported with a range of initiatives including increased air travel. Defence personnel based in Darwin and Palmerston, as well as their dependents, will have the costs of travel to any capital city covered, not just to Adelaide. Two hundred new off-base accommodation places will be created for single ADF personnel in Darwin and Palmerston.
Territory infrastructure will be improved, with commitments of $20m for roads, including the upgrading of the Victoria River Highway and widening sections of the Stuart Highway. There will be $13.7m to upgrade Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Road, the road transport link to the Port of Darwin; $19m extra for roads on unincorporated land in the Territory – and that is a very sore point with this government and something which will please our minister for infrastructure; Myilly Point houses will be gifted to the National Trust; and security in Darwin Harbour will be boosted with $2m for a radar-based vessel tracking system.
They are just some of the commitments which federal Labor has made to the Territory and to Territorians. Every one of those points I made are proof the Territory will, indeed, be better off under a Labor government and, hopefully, that will be the case on Saturday night.
Federal Funding Levels for the Northern Territory
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
The federal Labor leader, Mark Latham, was mouthing the same words as Labor Premiers Bob Carr and Steve Bracks when he questioned the formula under which the Territory receives its federal funding, and said it is absurd to suggest the needs of the Northern Territory are seven times greater than those in Campbelltown and Blacktown.
Why do you not show leadership and back Territorians by condemning Mark Latham for his clear suggestion that Territorians are receiving too much federal government funding?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we just heard the Deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer list the commitments the Labor leader is making to the Territory when he becomes Prime Minister …
Mr Henderson: Huge.
Ms MARTIN: Huge commitments! They are significant commitments which target the needs of the Territory. I have no apology. I do not have to make any apologies for Mark Latham; he is standing up for the Territory. The only thing which you can find to condemn Mark Latham is words that he said 10 years ago when he was in his early 30s. We forgive most people for what they say in their early 30s.
Measure the man by what he is doing now and the commitment he is making to the Territory. Measure John Howard by the fact that, without a word of apology, he whipped $48m away from the Territory last year. I say again, there was not a whimper from those who do his bidding in the Territory. We have an Opposition Leader and a former Chief Minister who are proudly Liberals in the Territory - proudly.
Douglas Daly Region - Development
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
What are the government priorities for development in the Douglas Daly region, and are you aware of any alternative proposals?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. Last year, the government established the Daly Region Community Reference Group. At the same time, we said no dams on the Daly and no commercial cotton will grow in the Territory. We will stick by our statement. The Daly Region Community Reference Group is currently formulating a new framework for ecologically sustainable development. We do not want to put added pressure on land and water resources by having broad acreage crops such as cotton. We certainly do not want to repeat the mistakes which have been made in other parts of Australia.
I was surprised and disappointed to hear the member for Daly say: ‘The CLP supports cotton, but do not put it in my electorate, do not put it in Katherine’. I was also very disappointed …
Mr BALDWIN: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member is actually lying, because I said …
Members interjecting.
Mr BALDWIN: Hear me out, Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Rephrase that.
Mr BALDWIN: I said that we would look at cotton in another area of the Northern Territory which is in my electorate.
Members interjecting.
Mr BALDWIN: Yes, it is in my electorate. Get over the Berrimah Line and get out there and have a look. He is misrepresenting me, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: That is a better way of saying it. There is no point of order. Settle down.
Mr Baldwin: Stick to the facts.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly! Come on, let the listeners at least hear something.
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Daly still needs to withdraw his allegation that my colleague was lying.
Madam SPEAKER: No, he raised it as a point of order and I ruled there was no point of order.
Mr VATSKALIS: He also said that the area in Katherine is not suitable for cotton - how come then do we have 60 hectares of trial in Katherine and are going to extrapolate the results from the Katherine region to other regions in the Northern Territory and Western Australia?
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: We support the trial. We are committed to these trials, and …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, cease for a moment.
Mr Baldwin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, settle down - and the member for Drysdale.
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: Further to the government document, in the title it says CRC Cotton …
A member interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, would you direct your remarks through me?
Mr VATSKALIS: Sorry, Madam Speaker. I am really disappointed with the statement by the other side that they support cotton. I was also very disappointed by the silence from the member for Katherine, who has previously stated clearly in a public forum that she would not support cotton and, while her colleague the member for Daly was stating his full support for cotton, she was silent. She did not put …
Mr Baldwin: Now you are contradicting yourself.
Mr VATSKALIS: Well, I invite her to go back to Katherine and tell the people in Katherine that: ‘I changed my mind. I now support cotton’.
Mr Baldwin: That is not what she said. Good try, Kon, but you have bloody fluffed it, mate.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, withdraw that!
Mr WOOD: I warn people this is a non-federal election question.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson please wait. Member for Daly, would you withdraw that last rude remark?
Mr BALDWIN: I apologise for saying ‘bloody’.
Madam SPEAKER: That is not funny. Just withdraw.
Mr BALDWIN: I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Jabiru Town Development Authority
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Why has your government, through the un-elected chairman of the Jabiru Town Development Authority, withdrawn the powers of the councillors or, more specifically, what did they do that was wrong? Under what section of the Jabiru Town Development Act did the chairman exercise this power; what powers do councillors still have; why were powers taken from the councillors and not the town clerk; and when will you release a report stating the reasons your government has done a Yulara on a democratically-elected council?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nelson as it gives me an opportunity to respond. I wanted to this morning, however, we did not have enough time.
What the members for Nelson and Macdonnell need to understand is that the township of Jabiru comes under the Jabiru Town Development Authority. It is an authority.
Mr Elferink: That is right.
Mr AH KIT: Good, you understand that because you put it in place. That is fine - stay with me now. The authority has a chairman, who is Mr David Coles, and representatives from the community and ERA who sit on the authority. That authority decided to take action. There was an election, people were democratically elected. There was a problem there …
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: Hang on; stay with me.
Mr Baldwin: Who administers the act?
Mr AH KIT: You were the previous Minister for Local Government. You should know more than you are making out you do, because you will not sit quietly and listen to the answer …
Mr Baldwin: Not from you, I don’t.
Mr Burke: We are thinking about Warren Anderson at this stage.
Mr Baldwin: That is right, tell us about how that is going.
Mr AH KIT: Well, you can think about Warren Anderson, and that is another matter.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr AH KIT: Madam Speaker, I am trying to be short in my answer but they keep interjecting. I can go for 20 minutes; that is no problem.
Madam SPEAKER: Just give us the answer, minister. Do not react.
Mr AH KIT: It is very hard.
Madam SPEAKER: I know it is hard.
Mr AH KIT: The Jabiru Town Development Authority had a lot of concerns raised with it – yes, there are people democratically elected. What happened was the chairperson chose to walk out with other members, which made for a dysfunctional council. The council could not operate, function or provide services. Therefore, the authority decided to take action. They requested …
Mr Elferink: And give them a breather.
Mr AH KIT: I know the member for Macdonnell, the shadow spokesperson for Local Government, has had a councillor contacting him who has been very forthright in letting people at Jabiru know he is in touch with a member of parliament, and he is briefing him on everything that is happening out there. As a responsible …
Mr Baldwin: Perish the thought I would actually speak to a councillor out there before I said anything, unlike you!
Mr AH KIT: Have you been out there and talked to them? Have you talked to the community?
Mr Baldwin: Have you been to Barunga lately, Jack?
Members interjecting.
Mr AH KIT: I do not think you have been out there, and I do not think you have talked to the community.
The community had come to a standstill. They had a situation where the authority had no choice but to suspend the council, dismiss them and take action. We have Local Government inspectors working with the authority, and conducting an investigation. When a meeting was held at Jabiru, 100 people turned up. A couple were disappointed action was taken by the authority but, in the main, an overwhelming majority of people supported it. It lifted a burden off their shoulders in terms of getting on and providing services to the community.
They had the Jabiru Wind Festival, which they had concerns about in regards to public liability for the insurance. No community such as Jabiru should be in a situation where they cannot have services delivered. The Jabiru Town Development Authority took the appropriate action, and we have Local Government inspectors who are dealing with staff concerns about harassment. There are also concerns regarding the chief executive officer. They are working through all of that and will deliver a report. I will make that report available, and decisions will be made. As I did with the Ngukurr situation, I want to ensure we put it back on the rails - and properly.
Madam SPEAKER: Before we go on, Leader of the Opposition, I remind the member for Macdonnell not to use people’s Christian names in the House.
GST Funding Formula
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Federal and Territory Labor have campaigned against the GST, which currently guarantees the Territory more federal funds than it has ever enjoyed before. Do you have plans to combat any moves by federal Labor to interfere with the GST funding formula, in the very unfortunate event for the Territory that Mr Latham wins the election on Saturday?
ANSWER
Maybe I am part of a different election campaign than the one the Opposition Leader is talking about. I have not heard any announcements from Labor about the GST. I have not heard any announcement about the GST other than saying the GST is in place and a fact of life. The GST arguments are over - it is in place and it has moved on. I am not quite sure what the Opposition Leader is talking about. However, it is important when you come into this House to actually get some facts right. On this one, he is away with the fairies.
Myilly Point Precinct Development Planning
Mrs AAGAARD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Can you please advise the House of the government’s plan to involve the public in the future planning for the development of the Myilly Point precinct?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. It was my pleasure at lunchtime today to launch a public consultation process about the Myilly Point precinct, which is a very important area for Territorians and, in particular, people in Darwin. Whilst in opposition, the Chief Minister, as shadow minister for Lands and Planning, gave many undertakings that there would be consultation about the integrated approach to development in the area, and that the public would be integrally involved.
We are talking about three blocks of land. One is the old hospital site, where I know many Territorians and Darwin people were born, and many have studied there. I carried out some research there myself when it was a university. The second area is around Flagstaff Park and Crown land at the top of the Myilly Point area. The third is what is called Little Mindil, which is the area between the Casino and Myilly Point itself.
I am sure all members will agree this is a very important area. Government is canvassing public opinion about park land and future development in that area. What I put out today was this brochure, which gives some background about this issue and invites the public to make comment. There are many ways people can do this. There is a web site where they can comment through e-mail, or they can send a fax. There will also be a letterbox drop, with over 40 000 brochures to households in the Darwin and Palmerston area.
Over the years, there have been many different proposals for development of this area. Some of them famously failed under the previous government. This government wants to move forward and look at all the options, including residential and tourist resort-style development. However, we are canvassing the public of the Northern Territory because they value this area. It is Crown land we are talking about. It belongs to the people, and we need to be very careful and sensitive in moving forward. This is a government which is open and transparent. We are consultative, and very interested in what the people have to say on this issue. The consultation period will last until 12 November, and there will be displays in shopping centres. It is going to generate a lot of interest and is very exciting. Government is keen to find out what Territorians think and I believe we are going to receive a lot of interest in it.
Mark Latham – Management of Liverpool Council
Mr BURKE to CHIEF MINISTER
Despite your confidence in Mark Latham, are you not concerned he deludes himself that he was a successful Mayor of Liverpool Council, despite the fact he scarpered out of the Liverpool Council leaving massive debts, and the state Labor government had to put the council on the local government equivalent of a cyclone watch?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I did not hear the second part of the member for Brennan’s question, but I do not think it makes much difference.
Mr Burke: Are you not concerned? He could be the Prime Minister of Australia, and he could not even run his council. If it was up here, the Local Government Minister would have shut it down.
Ms MARTIN: It would be lovely to have the opposition come in here and clear up some of the things that seem to be sprouted by the member for Solomon - their man in the House of Representatives - which have so disturbed Territorians. A member of the Territory Liberals, David Tollner the member for Solomon, told Territorians we had an obligation to house every other states’ and the Commonwealth’s radioactive nuclear waste – it was the obligation of the Territory.
I am still listening through this election campaign for the Opposition Leader - or even his pretender to the throne, the member for Brennan – to make clear statements about issues which are at the heart of Territorians’ concern in this federal election. We do not have a clear statement. We have mumbling and fumbling, and defence of the member for Solomon, but no clear statement. All we know is if we send that man back to Canberra, he is probably going to be knocking on the door of Prime Minister Mark Latham saying: ‘We believe the Territory has an obligation’. We do not!
The issues of importance to the Territory are the ones being addressed by Mark Latham and Labor. The Territory Liberals can come in here all they like and ask question after question doubting the credibility of Mark Latham. Mark Latham is delivering for Territorians. Federal Labor in government will deliver for Territorians. It is interesting that we have an opposition which, rather than standing up for the Territory, is simply doing the bidding of the Prime Minister in Canberra.
Nuclear Waste Storage – Impact on Territorians
Ms LAWRIE to MINISTER for the ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
The current federal member for Solomon has stated - as we heard the Chief Minister say - that it is the obligation of the Northern Territory to store the nation’s nuclear waste. What impact will the federal government stance on this crucial issue have on Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a great question from the member for Karama, because …
Ms Carter: What do you think about the bio-terrorism unit?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, I have ignored you for a long time!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: … it is an issue which is concerning for the Northern Territory. We saw this in May when the federal government was encountering opposition to its plans to build a nuclear waste dump in South Australia, the place the scientists said was the safest. In the middle of this debate, on 10 May, the current member for Solomon told his colleagues in Canberra the Territory would be a good site. The member for Solomon backed this up on 14 July when he announced the Territory had an obligation to store the nation’s nuclear waste.
Mr Dunham: Where do you store yours? Royal Darwin Hospital – not a good spot.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: We have a motion coming up and will debate that when it is more appropriate.
His colleagues in Canberra were listening. The Howard government announced South Australia was no longer to be considered and they would start looking elsewhere. Dave Tollner must be popular in South Australia! South Australia was the safest point environmentally, but not politically. This is where policy on the run really started fast.
Let me recap. On 19 July the Prime Minister said it could be onshore or offshore. On 29 July, Dave Tollner stated: ‘John Howard has not ruled out anywhere, including Antarctica’. On 30 August, Dave Tollner told ABC radio that if the safest place was in the Northern Territory, then we would have a responsibility, as Australians, to take that waste on. This is even though the government was still saying South Australia was the safest place. Only last week, on 28 September, four potential sites in the Territory were linked - and if I were the member for Katherine, I would be worried, because there were three sites in Katherine. The Minister for Science, Education and Training, Brendan Nelson, would not rule them out, saying they were going to examine whatever Commonwealth sites they had. Then we saw the last-minute panic of doing and saying anything to try and win the election.
Who knows what they are going to say next? Despite all of this, Labor is being consistent – no nuclear waste dump for the Territory. Last month, we introduced the Nuclear Waste Transport, Storage and Disposal (Prohibition) Bill.
Mr Dunham: You have it at Royal Darwin. What do you call that?
Mr Maley: Jars of SARS in Tiwi. That is fine, that is okay. Anthrax. Anthrax in Darwin is fine, is that what you are saying? You are saying anthrax is fine! Okay.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Goyder. The minister has the floor.
Mr Maley: The jars of SARS.
Madam SPEAKER: You do not have the floor.
Mr Maley: I am responding to the …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! You do not have the floor.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: We could hold up papers as well. If that does not say that is our obligation …
Ms Carter: Pretty scary. This one is for real, that one is not going to happen.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Before even seeing the legislation, the Leader of the Opposition called it a stunt. Our legislation is simple. It bans the storage and transport of other people’s nuclear waste in the Northern Territory. Why the opposition cannot support it is beyond me.
Federal Labor Industrial Relations Policy
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
You have heard a litany of promises under a Latham government - noticeably, there are a few absent. Do you agree with federal Labor’s industrial relations policy, which will attack Territory business by reintroducing a federal payroll tax; reinforce the right of union officials to enter the workplace, including a business office in the family home; abolish Australian workplace agreements; and remove businesses protection from secondary boycotts and abolish junior rates of pay?
ANSWER
I am proud to be a member of the Labor Party, and I am proud of federal Labor’s policies going into this election. Labor has a strong tradition of standing up for workers in Australia and the Territory. Workers’ rights - that is what we have from our federal colleagues.
It is interesting to hear the Opposition Leader trumpet workplace agreements as though they are the salvation for Australian workers. After eight years of a Liberal government in Canberra, it is fascinating what percentage of workplaces have AWAs in place – it is 3%. If you do not have Australian workplaces indicating what kind of industrial relations approach they are taking when you look at 3% after eight years, then I believe every Territory worker should be embarrassed by the Opposition Leader coming in here promoting them. You are an embarrassment to Territory workers.
We are a party which stands up for workers; we stand up for Territorians. What we have here is an opposition that is only standing up for the policies of the Liberals in Canberra. Where are your own? You are just a mouthpiece for Canberra. We saw the advertisement in today’s paper. There was a time when we had some admiration for the Country Liberal Party. The Country Liberal Party would stand up for Territorians. Now, these pale imitation Liberals, who stand for nothing for the Territory, simply sprout John Howard’s policies. Stand up for the Territory. Where are your policies? Silence! You are still looking for the $50 to pay for them.
I am proud we go into this election with strong policies from federal Labor - strong policies which stand up for business and workers. It will be a close election, but let us hope, come Saturday, we will have a Labor member for Solomon and a Labor government in Canberra.
October Business Month
Mr McADAM to MINISTER for BUSINESS and INDUSTRY
The Martin Labor government has in place a host of programs to support Territory small businesses. Can you update the Assembly on the exciting activities taking place for October Business Month, and what has been the response from small business throughout the Territory?
ANSWER
I thank the member for Barkly for his question. It is a good, timely question. October Business Month was opened last week by me in Alice Springs and in Darwin, and it is going to be a great month for Territory business. I know, Madam Speaker, that you attended the launch in Alice Springs along with other members.
The response from Territory businesses registering for events in October Business Month at this stage of the month is a record. It is getting bigger and better every year. It is a month which is looked forward to by Territory businesses. Our government and the department organised it in order to give small business operators across the Northern Territory an opportunity to learn from the skills, expertise and experience of people in business who have made it – with practical hints, tips and strategies flowing through to businesses throughout the Northern Territory to take advantage of the strengthening and growing economy here. It is not only boosted by major projects such as Alcan, the LNG plant and Defence projects, but by growing tourism across the Northern Territory and the strong private sector investment we are seeing, not only in Darwin but across the Northern Territory.
Only last week Access Economics predicted the Territory to have the strongest economic growth rate of all the states for the next five years of 5.2%.
Mr Dunham: They said that last year but it did not happen did it?
Mr HENDERSON: The constant moaning, groaning, whining and carping of the member for Drysdale is an embarrassment for him and the people who he represents. You only have to go across the Northern Territory and talk to Territory business to see the tide has turned. Which is fantastic! I would have thought each and every one of us here, who represent businesses in all of our electorates, would be very pleased the tide has turned.
The biggest issue facing Territory business is getting access to staff, wanting to put people on and trying to find staff to grow their business and take advantage of those opportunities.
More than 90 events will be held across the Northern Territory on topics including marketing, business management, time management and retail customer service. A new event this year is the Home-based Business Expo in the Chan Building. Around 4700 home-based businesses operate in the Territory. Approximately 63% of all businesses registered in Darwin are home-based. A Home-based Business Expo is to commence this year, hosted by the Business Enterprise Centre. I congratulate Jack Hughes and his team at the BEC in Winnellie for the initiative, which is sponsored by Telstra. This is the first time people have been able to register for OBM events on-line. Already, there have been over 900 hits on the OBM site.
In conclusion I thank our major sponsors this year - Yellow Pages, the Australian Tax Office and Airnorth - and particularly those members of my department who work for months putting on this event. They do an absolutely fantastic job and are recognised by business across the Northern Territory. I urge all members to obtain copies of the calendar of events and give them to businesses in your electorate. Again, congratulations to everybody who has been involved in putting on October Business Month this year.
Unemployment Figures
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Unemployment nationally is trending down, yet in the Northern Territory under your administration, it has risen every month this year and is now the highest in Australia. Mark Latham says the Territory’s federal funding should be cut. If it is, you will have to increase taxes and make cuts, causing businesses to lay off staff and put more Territorians out of work. Why do you not show the same spine as the Labor Premier of Tasmania, Paul Lennon, and the Labor federal members, Dick Adams and Sid Sidebottom, who have dismissed Mark Latham as silly, and are standing up for their state and the threat which he represents to Tasmanian jobs?
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Could I ask what the member’s question is?
Madam SPEAKER: I ask members not to make derogatory remarks about members of parliaments in other states. I believe we know the question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I think that very long and circuitous question is about standing up for the Territory, isn’t it? Am I right - it is about standing up for the Territory?
Mr Mills: Yes. The same as your colleagues in Tasmania.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, standing up for the Territory is actually having a policy for Territorians. There is a dearth on that side of the House about policies for Territorians.
Mr Henderson: Who won the $50?
Ms MARTIN: You need to up the ante on the $50 for the policies.
Mr Henderson: Make it $100.
Ms MARTIN: Maybe $100 would help with the policies. The Opposition Leader’s question started with unemployment …
Mr Mills: It is the highest of any state or territory under your policies.
Ms MARTIN: I hate to quote the member for Solomon, but this is quite convenient. Here we are, a brochure which went to households from the member for Solomon saying: ‘Local unemployment rate: tick - 3.3%’. That was the member for Solomon’s campaign brochure. He said the local unemployment rate is 3.3%. I agree with him. In Darwin …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Members, it is getting impossible to hear the Chief Minister.
Ms MARTIN: In Darwin, when you talk to the ABS – we know, we have had discussions in this House - the unemployment figures are unreliable for the Territory. The Treasurer and employment minister have spoken about this. Over the last few months we have seen, anecdotally, all the signs of jobs growth in the Territory. They are not reflected in our unemployment figures. It is a sample which will work through the system for eight months, and then you will start seeing more reliable figures.
The unemployment figures are not reflected in our local community. If the opposition chose to go and talk to members of our business community, right throughout the Territory, they would find the difficulty is - and something we need to tackle, and we are tackling - getting people into jobs; getting the skills needed. That is why we have a Jobs Plan which is tackling that. We will not just say: ‘There is the Jobs Plan’. We are committed to the Jobs Plan. We are talking to businesses constantly about the opportunities for employing apprentices and trainees right across the board - not only in Darwin but across the Territory.
Unemployment in Darwin is 3.3%. The Opposition Leader needs to get his facts right. I hate to say it to him, but he probably needs to talk to the member for Solomon who might have it right. On this one occasion, the member for Solomon might just have it right.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The issue here is that the figures being quoted are for the seat of Solomon. We are talking about the unemployment figures for the entire Northern Territory, which are currently the highest of any state or territory …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order.
Mr MILLS: … under this government’s policies.
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat.
Ms MARTIN: I will conclude by saying the gloom and doom the opposition is trying to create about the Territory in here today, for the purposes of, somehow, bringing down federal Labor and Mark Latham, is so out of kilter with the current optimism in the Territory. We are seeing, finally, optimism right across our wonderful Territory - from Alice Springs to Darwin and across to Nhulunbuy - about the growth in business confidence, and the opportunities which are occurring. The latest Sensis survey showed Territory businesses are looking forward to the next 12 months. They are looking forward to increased profits, and employing more people in their businesses. Yet, what we hear in this House is the doom and the gloom, and the selling down of the Territory.
If this is the way the opposition believes we should stand up for the Territory, then you are very wrong. You have it wrong! We are standing up for the Territory. We are seeing good jobs growth, and businesses with new opportunities. We will continue to stand up, and will be supported by our federal Labor colleagues.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was to address a fundamental concern with the rising unemployment in the Northern Territory, and at the precise time the economy in the nation …
Members interjecting.
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as to move the following motion of censure of the Chief Minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Wait a moment. I had called the member for Nelson for his question, but you will have to resume your seat. The Leader of the Opposition has been trying to get this up for a while now. I ask the cameramen to cease filming. Question Time is over.
[Editor’s Note: Question Time ceased due to proposed motion of censure being moved.]
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016