2010-02-23
Foil Roof Insulation –
Self-Assessment by Installers
Self-Assessment by Installers
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
The disastrous federal insulation program overseen by the federal Environment minister, Peter Garrett, has created safety concerns for hundreds of Territorians who had foil insulation placed in their roofs as part of this program. Are you satisfied with the federal government’s decision to have the installers of the insulation assessing their own work? Will you allow this self-assessment to occur in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his very topical question. The advice I have had is there have been no deaths recorded in the Northern Territory. I am unaware of any records of any injuries to people who have been working installing insulation in the Northern Territory. However, there have been a number of complaints which have emanated from this particular program that have been put to the relevant authorities to resolve.
This issue is a national issue. I have sought advice as to whether this is a significant issue of concern for the Northern Territory government. I have been advised there have been a number of isolated issues, but the systemic issues which have affected this program throughout Australia have not been as prevalent in the Northern Territory. I recognise there are a number of inquiries regarding this program at the moment. It is a federal government program, and it will be dealt with by the federal government.
Palmerston – Future Development
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
Recently, you were invited to speak to the Palmerston City Council about the growth in that city. Can you advise the House about the future development of Palmerston?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. The City of Palmerston is the choice for families in the Top End. There has been some very interesting demographic research conducted into where the city of Palmerston is today, and where it is going into the future.
Over the next five years, we expect to accommodate an additional 15 000 people in Palmerston. Population growth in the greater Palmerston area is around 3.6%, making it one of the highest growth rates in the nation. That is an extraordinary number.
Palmerston is now the most settled part of the Top End. A total of 55% of people own their own homes, as opposed to 45% in Darwin. I must admit, that was a bit of a surprise when that research came across my desk; more people own their homes in Palmerston than in greater Darwin. Just under half of all households are families with children. Single parents occupy around 21% of household numbers, and singles without families occupy around 20%.
Palmerston is still a young city, but we are going to see a big increase in seniors. Our research shows what the typical Palmerston resident will look like in 2018, compared to 2006. They will be older - 36 compared to 29; they will have more income - almost double the current average weekly earnings; and, overall, the population will become more diverse. This research underpins the investment we are making as a government in regard to building new schools, new suburbs, putting in place recreational facilities, and expanding health and ambulance services. Of course, the Tiger Brennan Drive project in Palmerston is the single biggest construction program happening in the Territory right now.
I commend Robert Macleod and the aldermen on Palmerston City Council. We have a very robust working relationship now, where I and the Minister for Lands and Planning meet with the Mayor and other aldermen on a regular basis to jointly progress issues around the growth of Palmerston. It is a relationship that is strengthening from day to day.
Palmerston is going ahead in leaps and bounds. It is one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, and the government is absolutely committed to providing facilities and services those new residents will need.
Nuclear Waste Facility in Territory– Government Opposition
Mr TOLLNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Today, your comrades in the federal parliament have said they will be repealing legislation which allowed the nuclear waste facility to be built in the Northern Territory. However, in the same breath, they are saying they are negotiating to build the facility at Muckaty Station and this, in fact, is their preferred site. It is a fact that your federal Labor comrades ran a completely deceptive and dishonest campaign and intended to place the facility in the Northern Territory the whole way through. Will you continue to oppose the facility coming here, or will you roll over, say one thing at election time, and do another?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is patently clear Territorians know the government’s position has been clear, consistent, and it continues today. We oppose the establishment of a nuclear waste facility at Muckaty Station. We oppose that, unlike the member for Fong Lim and Senator Scullion from the Northern Territory, who support the establishment of a nuclear waste facility in the Northern Territory.
We will continue to oppose the establishment of that facility at Muckaty Station. The reason why we do oppose, and will continue to oppose, that facility is it has not been through the same rigorous, scientific process that occurred from 1992 to 2004 - a process established to look at sites around Australia. It is very clear to me this whole process needs to be revisited and we need to begin again. Scientific criteria need to be established and agreed on for what the site should contain. Sites across Australia which comply with the scientific criteria should be volunteered or nominated for examination.
I have been very clear in the media today, the Australian government should be accepting nominations from other sites around Australia, not just considering Muckaty in isolation. The sites should be narrowed down until the best sites are discussed; full-blown environmental and scientific and heritage assessments should occur; and consultations should occur with the broader local community. Then, and only then, should a final decision be made.
We have been very clear. We have been very consistent. We will continue to oppose the siting of a nuclear waste facility at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory.
Palmerston – Health Services
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Palmerston is the fastest growing region in the Territory. Can you update the House on what this government is doing to expand health services for the area?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, our government is delivering improved health services for the Palmerston and rural area. The Palmerston super clinic is a priority for our government and for the Australian government. Since opening in December 2008, the after hours clinic has treated 10 500 people, that is 26 people a night. Work at the new facility is progressing very well. Last week when I visited, I was very impressed to see the work progressing on the early learning and care centre, and nearly 77% of the slab has been poured. The facility will be ready in the second half of 2010. My department is currently negotiating with Flinders University for the operation of the Palmerston super clinic. That is a unique opportunity, because Flinders, in partnership with the CDU, will be an integral part of the new full medical school of the Northern Territory, and by operating the super clinic in Palmerston, will provide many opportunities for trainees and health workers.
In addition to that, a key priority for our government is the development of the Palmerston hospital. We have employed Ernst & Young to produce a report to our government by April 2010. In contrast to the opposition, our position with the hospital in Palmerston is progressing through consultation with clinicians, by investigating population projections, burden of disease information; technology; workforce; infrastructure; and, financial analysis.
On top of that, we are providing a minibus service to the residents in Palmerston, door-to-door from Palmerston to the Royal Darwin Hospital. That can be utilised by the community in Palmerston. That comes on top of the seven new weekly bus services operating at peak times from the Casuarina Interchange to Royal Darwin Hospital.
Nuclear Waste Facility in Territory– Government Opposition
Mr TOLLNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, put that down, please. Member for Greatorex, put it down. Thank you.
Mr Conlan: You might have to do this yourself, Dave.
Mr TOLLNER: In the 2004 and 2007 election campaigns, Territory Labor spent well over $1m of taxpayers’ dollars to campaign against locating the nuclear waste facility in the Northern Territory. Most of Labor’s vitriol was directed at me, and again I will show you this poster …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: … millions of dollars of Territory government spending on that campaign as well. In 2010, we are back in exactly the same place where we started – the construction of a nuclear waste facility in the Northern Territory – the only difference is, this time it is federal Labor.
Will you run the same strident campaign and spend the same amount of taxpayers’ dollars to campaign against federal Labor at this next election?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fong Lim for his question. If he wants to roll around in this issue, let him. It is the CLP, the member for Fong Lim, which is actually campaigning for this facility for the Northern Territory. They are the ones going to the next election campaigning, as they did in Canberra …
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very simple: will the government be spending the same amount of taxpayers’ dollars in the coming election?
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat. The Chief Minister has the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, there is only one political party in the Northern Territory that actually wants to see a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory, and that is the CLP.
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance. Can the Chief Minister tell how much money the Territory government is prepared to spend campaigning against federal Labor?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. The Chief Minister has the call. Come to the point.
Mr HENDERSON: Obviously the member for Fong Lim is very sensitive on this issue. He should be. He failed to stand up for the Northern Territory in Canberra.
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113:
- An answer shall be succinct, concise and directly relevant to the question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: The member for Fong Lim, the then member for Solomon …
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause, Chief Minister.
Can I remind you, the question also needs to be succinct and direct. While there is one minute, there was a very long preamble, which I believe the Chief Minister is responding to. If you could come to the point fairly quickly.
Mr HENDERSON: I come to the point, Madam Speaker. It was the member for Solomon who actually voted for the overriding of Northern Territory rights in regard to environmental assessment.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Whilst there was a long preamble, there was only one question. That question was very simple: will the Territory Labor government spend the same amount of money to campaign against federal Labor in the coming election?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. Member for Fong Lim, these are timed questions and answers. You have spent time on interjections and points of order. The Chief Minister has a very limited amount of time. Please answer the question, Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, we have been clear and consistent, and will continue to be consistent in opposing a nuclear waste facility at Muckaty Station, unlike the member for Fong Lim, who voted …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … in Canberra to overturn Territory rights. To overturn Territory rights on environmental assessment, on heritage assessment, on consultation. Talking about rolling over! He rolled over in Canberra for John Howard and voted against Territory rights.
I am pleased to note the Australian government has reinstated the rights the member for Fong Lim tore away from Territorians. We continue to oppose the siting of the waste dump at Muckaty Station. I acknowledge and praise the Australian government today for reinstating the rights the member for Fong Lim stripped from all Territorians.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Your time has expired. Resume your seat.
Oncology Unit – Appointment of
Resident Oncologists
Resident Oncologists
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
The Prime Minister opened the oncology unit on 22 January 2010. The federal minister for Health has said arrangements have been made with Royal Adelaide Hospital to provide consulting oncologists. For best patient care it would be best practice to have resident oncologists. When will the NT department of Health appoint a resident oncologist, and a resident medical oncologist, to provide service to the 300 people you say will be treated in Darwin in the first year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is true, the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre was opened by the Prime Minister, and admittedly is the most modern cancer centre in Australia. Chemotherapy will transfer to the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre in March 2010, and I believe next week the first patient will attend for pre-radiation treatment and assessment.
Specialist staff will be employed by NT Radiation Oncology Pty Ltd, a private partnership with the Royal Adelaide Hospital. On opening, we will have visiting radiation oncologist Dr Michael Penniman; Dr Scott Carruthers; Dr Raghu Gowda; and Dr Rahul Mukherjee from Royal Adelaide Hospital in attendance every second week.
In addition, we will have a resident full-time registrar position on rotation from Royal Adelaide Hospital. As this is a training position, it is entirely appropriate for this position to rotate through the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The Territory’s full-time resident radiation oncologist has been engaged and will commence on 1 October 2010. That will be Dr Sid Baxi. In addition to that, currently, Dr Peter Burke, physician, with support from visiting oncologists from Royal Adelaide Hospital, performs these duties and is supported by Dr Syd Selva, who is well known and respected in the Territory.
The RDH full-time, permanent medical oncologist, Dr Naryan Kranth, commences on 26 March 2010. In addition, there will be a new position for a second full-time, permanent medical oncologist. Recruitment is progressing well and is expected to commence in July 2010.
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Position –
Ms Pat Miller
Ms Pat Miller
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY–GENERAL
On Wednesday, you were asked a direct question by me: had Pat Miller, the woman you handpicked to be the Territory’s new Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, turned down the job? Your response was emphatic, and I quote from Hansard:
- I can confirm we are simply talking starting dates.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Goyder, leading with her chin somewhat there. Last week, absolutely, Pat Miller was discussing starting dates with me. Clearly, over the weekend, she had discussions with her family and, for personal reasons …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: For personal reasons, she came to the conclusion over the weekend that she could not take up the position and we had that discussion yesterday afternoon - simple.
Tiger Brennan Drive Project - Progress
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Can you please update the House on the construction progress of Tiger Brennan Drive?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The $110m Tiger Brennan Drive project is truly transformational and, when completed, will deliver not only less traffic congestion but also improved safety.
It will also provide a very important link to the East Arm Port, which is vital to the Territory’s future economic prosperity. Stage 2 of the Tiger Brennan Drive project is on schedule. The construction includes a 7.5 km four-lane dual highway, two overpasses at the Stuart Highway and Roystonia Avenue, pedestrian bridges, and including public art, I am very proud to say.
The inbound lanes have already been primed ahead of sealing, and 16 km of kerbing has been completed on both carriageways. Macmahon is doing a great job on that project. One of the jewels in the crown for me is the 18 trainees who have been employed on that project. I commend Macmahon for the open day I attended last year, as did my colleagues from government, which really gave the public a firsthand look and hands-on experience of a fantastic major construction project - the largest ever road project that has employed 131 workers directly, and also a myriad of subcontractors.
Stage 2 of Tiger Brennan Drive will be completed this year; we are running on time and on budget.
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner -
Vacant Position
Vacant Position
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
The Country Liberals knew on Wednesday of last week the woman you handpicked as Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Pat Miller, was not going to take the position. Do you seriously expect Territorians to believe the first you knew about Pat Miller reconsidering the position was yesterday?
Will you table details of all communication you have had with Ms Miller since she accepted the position last November? Will you be reconsidering people who nominated and applied for the position the first time round, including Mr Bonson?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for her question. If the CLP knew so emphatically, then they knew what Pat herself did not know. Pat is a woman of integrity. She is a woman of her word and …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … she said to me yesterday that she had spent the weekend considering the personal issues she is now confronting of having to focus on the personal side of life, if she could indeed take up that position, and that she arrived at the decision on the weekend and wanted me to know yesterday.
If they knew …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … that in fact, that a woman of integrity had said to me, then I find that a very strange assertion from the member for Goyder.
Very clearly, what I have said is the government will be readvertising the position and will be putting in place head hunters. Everyone who applied previously will be notified by the Department of Justice that we are reopening the position, and if they wish to be reconsidered, they do not have to reapply. If they indicate they want to be reconsidered, that original application will go into the mix.
Minister for Justice and Attorney-General – Trust by Territorians
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
You have a history throughout your parliamentary career of making comments that do not match the facts. In June 2006, you said, when a report of child abuse or neglect is received, you investigate immediately - a comment flatly contradicted by the Territory Coroner. You denied instructing a departmental head to withdraw a prosecution against the owner of a non-compliant building, despite the existence of documentary evidence to the contrary. Now you fail to tell Territorians that, rather than talking dates, Mrs Miller was actually reconsidering her position. Why should Territorians trust you?
ANSWER
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. Of course, that question is asking for an opinion. Attorney-General, if you choose not to answer, that is fine.
Ms LAWRIE: I am happy to answer, Madam Speaker. It was very convoluted. As Child Protection Minister, of course I talked about the investigations process. I was very clear on the public record on the matter regarding the prosecution of Red Rooster. I was willing to …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: … instruct. Despite the muckraking of the CLP, I actually provided the minutes of the CEO meeting at the time, which vindicated what I said on the record publicly. Again, they want to muckrake. It is very disappointing Pat Miller cannot be the commissioner; she would have been a fantastic commissioner.
However, at the end of the day, one of the things you learn in office is to respect a decision someone arrives at. If it is for personal reasons, I respect that decision.
Palmerston – Suburb of Johnston - Developments
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Can you please outline the developments occurring in the new Palmerston suburb of Johnston?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Over the next five years, the Henderson government will be housing 15 000 Territorians in Palmerston.
The first two development areas in Johnston were granted to Hannon Properties and Tomazos Construction, with a total of 200 lots selling off the plan in January, with 149 lots already sold. Nineteen blocks will be sold as affordable housing for no more than $140 000, and developers must also provide for between 22 and 33 affordable town houses.
Last week, I announced two medium-density blocks in Johnston were granted to Mousellis Properties and Mitchell & Thompson Pty Ltd. That means, within two years, we will see hundreds of units on the housing market. We will be providing more choice. The next stage of Johnston will deliver a further 293 blocks for housing, units and seniors accommodation; 15% of the units will be for affordable housing.
On my recent visit to the Johnston site, I was quite impressed with the scope of such a subdivision, and the excellent work government has done in delivering that subdivision. The incredible work the public service and the government has done includes $10.5m in headworks. It is far more than banging a couple of pegs in the ground, I can tell you. It is stuff to be proud of; it is the building of Palmerston.
This investment, combined with the hard work of the public servants in the design and approval process, will soon deliver a great new suburb for Palmerston.
Coolalinga - Landscaping
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Three years ago, your department developed the Coolalinga Landscape Masterplan, with big advertising braces brochures – they are on the member for Goyder’s window and on mine. This plan established that the Stuart Highway at Coolalinga would be landscaped using Northern Territory native plants.
The first stage of that plan was completed a couple of years ago using local native plants. The second stage was completed in January this year. Someone has approved changes which have introduced the use of exotic species, which have ruined this expensive masterplan. If some native plants were not available as per the plan, why were other native species not used? Was Greening Australia’s advice sought on alternative species? Whose decision was it to change from native plants to exotic species? Will you ask your department to remove the exotic species and replant them with the NT native species to reinstate what was originally agreed on and approved by the people in the rural area?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question, and his great knowledge of plants in the Northern Territory. The Coolalinga Landscape Masterplan, along the stretch of the Stuart Highway, was designed as a buffer zone; a buffer for the development of the area. It was there to provide strong, natural landscape.
As per the masterplan, member for Nelson, the transition and park treatments were integrated. I believe the first two garden beds were on the northern end. Tree and plant species included on the Coolalinga Landscape Masterplan that were not available were substituted. They were not available from Greening Australia, however, they were substituted with other native species.
The main tree in the grassed area, I am advised, is the Lilly Pilly. This tree has been planted due to constraints of setback, and also the location and height of overhead powerlines. A range of grevilleas and orange jasmine have also been planted in mulched beds. This will tie in with the exotic plantings at the Coolalinga shops on the side of the highway. In time, I am confident that, with the lower shrubbery, the mulched beds and the rising trees, this will prove to be a very attractive environment for the Coolalinga area.
Child Protection – Indigenous Children in Care
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT referred to CHIEF MINISTER
In June last year, you were both the Minister for Children and Families and the Minister for Indigenous Policy. At that time, you were given a damning report into the state of the child protection system in the Northern Territory. In October last year, four months after receiving the report, you said you were satisfied the Department of Health and Families was doing the best it could with child protection.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: We will just hear the question first.
Mr MILLS: Thank you. Minister, given that 75% of children in care are Indigenous, and given the damning findings that you were directly made aware of, what action did you take as the minister in the Henderson government responsible for Indigenous issues to rectify the crisis that continues inflicting so much pain and suffering on Indigenous children in care?
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 109, we dealt with this last week. The member for Arnhem is not the current Minister for Child Protection, so the question is out of order.
Mr ELFERINK: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker! It is a definitional issue, and as I argued last week, whilst the standing order used the term ‘has’, as far as I am concerned, and I can see, that if a minister had relevant capacity at the time, then the minister should be answering the question.
Dr BURNS: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No. Resume your seat.
Dr BURNS: 109(2) …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, resume your seat, thank you. I will seek advice from the Clerk.
As advised last week, the question can be directed towards the Chief Minister, or to the current Minister for Child Protection.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question is, in fact, directed to the minister responsible for Indigenous Development, with specific responsibility for Indigenous matters. It was in that capacity this question is actually directed; that is the nub of the issue, that is the core of the question, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Except that the question relates to child protection, which the minister does not have carriage of in relation to the standing orders and is unable to make any response in that matter. If it was a more general question, she could answer that, but it is not a general question.
Mr MILLS: In that case, Madam Speaker, I would then …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, do you wish you …
Mr MILLS: It is very unfortunate that process now conceals proper investigation of matters relating to the care of children. I will ask the question of the Chief Minister.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, Leader of the Opposition.
Mr MILLS: Chief Minister, in June last year, the Minister for Children and Families, and the Minister for Indigenous Policy, was given a damning report into the state of the child protection system in the Northern Territory. In October 2009, four months after receiving that report, one of your ministers said the department is doing the best it can with child protection - a damning report.
Given that 75% of the children in the care of the relevant minister, the one behind you, are, in fact, Indigenous, and given these findings are so damning and that you obviously were made directly aware of them, can you describe the actions which followed from you and your Cabinet being made aware of these damning findings, which have been concealed from the view of the public?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as we had a whole Question Time on this issue last week, I will repeat what I said last week. We take, with the utmost seriousness, the responsibility of caring and protecting children across the Northern Territory. As I said last week, the first and foremost responsibility is with the family, then with the community, and then with government where those cracks have fallen through.
We have been the most open, transparent and accountable government regarding child protection. All these reports were commissioned by government ministers. As Chief Minister, I commissioned the most far-reaching, extensive public inquiry into all aspects of child protection in the Northern Territory system. I do not know how more open and accountable we can be on this particular issue.
What we will not do is go to the privacy issues and specific details of individual cases which may identify individual children or families. We will not go down that path. What we do acknowledge is the system needs to be strengthened, which is why I called that inquiry. That is why in the child protection budget, in the suite of services which go towards child protection, we have increased that budget steadily over time, from $7m when we came to government to around $90m today.
That is what we have done as a government. I stand here as the Chief Minister and say we absolutely need to do better; that is why I have called a full public, independent inquiry, with the best experts we could possibly get. I urge everyone who has a critique to make, who has issues to raise, to raise them directly with Howard Bath and his inquiry.
Northern Territory Schools –
Infrastructure Works
Infrastructure Works
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Everywhere you look, there are infrastructure works happening in Territory schools. Could you please update the House on the extent of infrastructure works occurring in our schools?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this government is implementing our plan to give quality education to our kids across the Territory. In support of that plan, we are investing very heavily in infrastructure; a total of $323m in this financial year, which represents approximately a quarter of our total infrastructure budget of $1.3bn, which is a record infrastructure budget.
We are also investing $59m in building schools at Rosebery. There will be a preschool with approximately 100 students; a primary school with 500 students; and, a middle school with 850 students. It is a fantastic project. It is due for completion in November 2010. It will be a great asset to the people of Palmerston, and deliver quality education for the kids of Palmerston.
I do not have enough time in the three minutes to talk about the myriad of projects under the Building the Education Revolution by the federal government, through the Territory. Part of what we are also doing is building more accommodation for teachers in our remote areas: $18m for 47 two-bedroom residences, which will be welcomed and, as the Chief Minister announced when he was minister for Education, $30m for our special schools.
This is a government which is investing a record infrastructure budget, and within that infrastructure budget there is a very powerful component to support our Smart Territory education strategy to deliver quality education to all our children right across the Territory.
Sport and Active Recreation Policy - Status
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Everyone knows how important it is to play sport and keep physically active. In the Northern Territory, we have one of the highest participation rates in physical activity in the country. Last year the government released a discussion paper on the Sport and Active Recreation Policy.
Where is that policy, and when does the government intend releasing the policy to the public so we can get some direction and leadership to our all-important sporting organisations and sporting participants?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his very important question. Yes, we do know how important sport is in the Northern Territory, particularly in terms of Closing the Gap, but also in preventative and primary health care. It is a very important tool. Many of our young Territorians look up to the role models we will see strutting their stuff this week in the Territory, from the Cowboys right through to my team, Collingwood.
The initial consultation and engagement stages for the first ever Sport and Active Recreation Policy in the Northern Territory have been completed. There were extensive consultations throughout the Northern Territory by consultants and staff from the department of Sport and Recreation.
In total, 38 meetings and workshops were conducted at places such as Warruwi, Galiwinku, Yirrkala, Nhulunbuy, Tiwi Islands, Palmerston, Darwin, Litchfield, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Yuendumu, Papunya, and Hermannsburg with all the shires in the Northern Territory. So very extensive consultations have taken place. A total of 65 electronic and written submissions have been received. I have also been waiting for the Commonwealth government to undertake their Crawford review of sport and recreation at a national level.
With those consultations complete, I am looking forward to an announcement in the very near future.
Child Protection Budget - Clarification
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
The former Child Protection Minister, the member for Arnhem, issued a media release on 28 October 2009, stating the Territory is spending $69m each year on child protection. Last Thursday you claimed: ‘Since we have been in government, we have invested over $90m a year into child protection services’. Territory budget papers show the actual figure for 2009-10 is $25.3m. Will you retract your false statement, and will you apologise for misleading the House about such a vital matter?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, you cannot make a comment like that in a question except by way of substantive motion. Please reword the last part of the question.
Mr MILLS: Chief Minister, will you retract your statement, your misleading statement, and will you apologise for misleading the House about such a critical matter?
Madam SPEAKER: That is the aspect – that is the problem. You cannot actually say the Chief Minister has misled the House, except by way of substantive motion.
Mr MILLS: Please explain the discrepancy, Chief Minister, between what is on the Treasury documents and what came out of your mouth.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. Child Protection is more than just one single line item in budget papers; it is a whole suite of services that go to protecting children. We have significantly expanded this budget, over time, from the paltry $7m a year that we inherited when we came to government, with only a nine-to-five service provided by FACS - no after hours services at all, such was the dire state of Family and Children’s Services and Child Protection when we came to government.
In regard to this budget to support and protect children across the Northern Territory, we need an holistic approach; family and parent support - over $14m to prevent children coming into care. So, $14m to prevent children coming into care. Child Protection Services, over $25m direct service delivery to children and families where there have been allegations of abuse. Out-of-Home Care, over $29m provides services to children who are not able to remain at home because of family circumstances; and family violence and sexual assault services, over $20m a year to establish safe houses and the expansion of sexual assault services to remote communities, as recommended under the Little Children are Sacred report; and independent funding of the Children’s Commissioner of over $0.6m, something we have done.
We also, very significantly, toughened the requirements of reporting of child abuse, and more cases are being reported - more children are being protected.
It is very clear, with youth services over $15m separate as well, there is significant funding, to the total of around $90m that goes directly towards protecting children in the Northern Territory. It is more than just a single line item in the budget. The opposition can be as cute as they like on this, but there is absolutely no escaping the fact that we have very significantly built child protection services right across the Northern Territory, in a whole range of areas, with an holistic approach.
Madam Speaker, I accept there are still children falling through the cracks of this system to terrible tragedy, and that is why I have called the inquiry. Again, I urge all Territorians who have a contribution to make, to make it directly to the inquiry.
______________________
Supplementary Question
Supplementary Question
Mr MILLS: A supplementary, Madam Speaker. Given your defence is it is more than a single line item, how is it you quote a single line item to suit your argument when you are referring to the Country Liberals 10 years ago, yet you match that against an holistic amount with the Labor government? Can you therefore advise the House of the holistic spend of the Country Liberals, to be fair?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I certainly will address the issues. I do not have the budget books at hand …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … back to 2001 but they certainly were not investing. There were no services in the bush at all. There was no after-hours call service in the Northern Territory. There was no CAT Force in the Northern Territory. There was no contribution in debate; there were no statements brought forward. It was out of sight and out of mind until Labor came into government.
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Palmerston – Planning for Future
Power and Water Needs
Power and Water Needs
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Can you please explain to the House what the Power and Water Corporation is doing to plan for Palmerston’s future power and water needs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. As members would know, the Power and Water Corporation is embarking on the largest capital and repairs and maintenance expenditure in its history - some $1.4bn over the next five years. That is going to power, water and sewerage services right across the Territory.
As we have heard today, and as we have seen countless times in the newspaper, the Palmerston area has the fastest-growing population in Australia. We have heard about land release and a whole range of services going into Palmerston. With Power and Water, we are investing in a new substation and new water mains into that city. The new Archer Zone Substation will cost some $26m. It is great to see a local company, Sitzler, has the primary contract to construct that infrastructure. That will provide a second substation, powering both Palmerston and the rural area. It is a great project and it is looking after the future growth of Palmerston. The finalisation of the civil construction works has actually been done. The next stage is the electrical work. That work is commencing this year. We hope to have it all finished by mid-year. It is great news.
People who have travelled out of Darwin may have seen the works over the last 12 months on the new water main coming from McMinns. That was done by another local company, DAC. That new line is bringing in more capacity for the growing suburbs of Palmerston. Feeding that line is the raising of the Darwin River Dam wall, which will give an extra 20% capacity - some 9100 million litres per annum extra - which will be going into Darwin River Dam once that work has actually been completed.
It is this government which is investing in Power and Water, looking at the growth of Palmerston, and catering for that growth. It is a great community. I was there on Monday for the seniors function. It was great to be able to meet those seniors. The member for Nelson came for quite some time. The Leader of the Opposition dropped in for five minutes. The member for Drysdale did not turn up. The member for Brennan did not turn up, and the shadow spokesperson for the CLP, the member for Sanderson, did not turn up. It was a great function and it was great to hear the confidence that those senior Territorians have in Palmerston and what we are doing there.
Child Protection – Implementation of Recommendations
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
I have on my table a group of reports on the issue of child protection. You would certainly have copies of all of those. The Jay Tolhurst report contained 41 recommendations to substantially improve the child protection intake system. Yet, despite the damning findings of this report, your government did nothing. Months after the report, child protection workers were speaking out against a system that was failing to properly investigate abuse and protect Territory children.
Are not your promises to implement the recommendations of the current Child Protection Inquiry just hollow promises in the face of your government’s failure to implement the 41 recommendations from the Tolhurst report? Are they just empty? Can Territorians actually trust that you are going to do something with this?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The reports he has alluded to there manifest that this government has commissioned a series of reports to strengthen and improve child protection services in the Northern Territory.
We have also introduced legislation that has toughened the reporting requirements. That means more children are being reported, and more children are being protected. We also established the CAT Force, the Child Abuse Task Force, between dedicated police officers and Children and Families Services officers to forensically investigate allegations of child abuse. More than 90 people have been under investigation, and 50-odd have been charged.
In regard to the Tolhurst review, all of the recommendations have been accepted. A plan is in place for implementation. The department has already fully implemented a number of recommendations, including: increasing staffing at intake from eight to 11; upgrading the client information system; a new decision-making system has been developed; improving communications with police; and developing the targeted family support service trialled at Congress in Alice Springs and now expanded to Darwin.
We have established the most wide-ranging public inquiry into all facets of child protection in the Northern Territory. Again, I urge all Territorians who have a submission or critique to make, issues to raise, to raise them directly with the inquiry so we can strengthen child protection services in the Territory.
Housing Crisis – Emergency Options
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
We know housing is an issue in the Territory. Can you inform the House about a project that will result in more homes becoming available for Territorians, and will also help to improve our emergency housing options?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. This was a significant announcement today. I congratulate the Salvation Army and Darwin entrepreneurs, Osborne Family Holdings, Kerry and Dean Osborne, for a magnificent innovative response to not only increasing emergency housing accommodation options in Darwin, but also regarding the provision of around 300 new apartments into our housing market. It really shows that when the private sector, the non-government sector and government come together to look for an innovative solution, it can certainly be delivered.
The Salvation Army at Salonika Street will be relocated to Beaton Road in Berrimah. Their accommodation will expand from 27 beds to 55 beds, doubling the number of beds available, and also much needed upgrades in the services they provide for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. This will be a fantastic new premises for the Salvation Army, and it was well received today.
On the site at Salonika Street, Parap, the Osborne group will develop a project with up to 300 apartments with commercial and retail space, which will provide, between the two projects, around 400 new jobs for Territorians. Congratulations to Osborne Family Holdings, to the Salvation Army, to officers in government who have worked so hard over quite a long period of time to put this arrangement together. This will benefit the Salvation Army and their clients who need emergency accommodation, rehabilitation services, and will also grow housing stock in the Northern Territory for people to buy or to rent.
Child Protection - Bath Report
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
In 2007, your minister received a report which said you need to assess family foster carers. In 2008, and again in 2009, your minister said it was implemented. In 2009, your minister received a report with 41 recommendations which said central intake was overworked and in crisis. In 2009, your minister said things were okay. In 2009, your government cut the child protection budget.
Mr Henderson: No, we did not!
Mr MILLS: Read your budget papers. In 2009, a baby, whose mother dies of swine flu suffers injuries which result in permanent brain damage.
Do you accept that, had your government actually implemented the Bath recommendations and had not cut funding to child protection, that baby may well not have suffered permanent brain damage?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the Leader of the Opposition’s question. I can stand here and say we did not cut the budget for child protection, never have, and I absolutely deny that allegation.
I can confirm the budget for Families and Children output group for the financial year 2008-09 is an increase of $5.08m. I say again, as I said last week, we obviously still have significant issues with child protection in the Northern Territory. That is why I have commissioned the widest-ranging public inquiry in the Territory’s history into Families and Children’s services.
The deaths of children are a tragedy for all concerned. As a parent, when you hear these stories and read the reports, your heart really does melt. Tragically, they occur all over Australia, all over the world. No system is 100% certain of protecting every child. What we have to do is significantly strengthen the services we have in place. That is why we have commissioned this inquiry.
I am very confident of all the reports provided to government over the years. We have built capacity in this system; strengthened legislation regarding the obligation for mandatory reporting of allegations of child abuse; seen increasing numbers of children referred to the system and we have stepped up funding to provide for that. There is no doubt there is significant additional funding in the budget today. There is a significantly increased capacity in that agency today than there was when we came to government, when there was a paltry $7m, no FACS present in remote parts of the Northern Territory, and no after hours service provided in the Northern Territory.
We have continued to build and strengthen the system. We have more work to do, as any government does in Australia. I stand here to say that we commit to the recommendations which come out of this inquiry.
McArthur River - Diversion and
Revegetation of Riverbank
Revegetation of Riverbank
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE, referred to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
I am on record as a supporter of the diversion of the McArthur River. However, I have some concerns. Is your department monitoring this diversion? Could you say if the riverbanks have been revegetated? If not, what is your department doing to ensure the revegetation happens and the riverbanks are not being eroded?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as my colleague, the minister for Resources, has responsibility within a mining lease for that particular development; I will refer the question to him.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): My department is actually monitoring the activities at McArthur River. I remind the member for Nelson, it was an independent assessor paid for by the Commonwealth to provide independent advice and information to my department which we follow up and take McArthur River to task.
With regard to the diversion of the river and the planting of natural vegetation, the reason the company did not commence to plant natural vegetation in the diversions was because the Northern Land Council took the company to court. Because of that, every activity on the diversion had to stop. As you probably saw on the news, the manager of the company admitted they had lost their growing season because they had to stop due to the court case.
Since then, they have commenced to plant the diversion and will continue to plant with native vegetation in order to meet their responsibilities as requested under the mining management plan, and as pointed out by the independent assessor.
Health Legislation – Review and Audit
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for HEALTH
The coroner in this report found that failure to comply with legislation led to the death of a young girl - that was his finding. You have carriage of 47 acts and regulations. How many of these acts have been reviewed and audited in a timely fashion?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I would be very happy to bring a complete list to the Leader of the Opposition at the next parliamentary sitting. As he said, I have responsibility for 47 acts covering health and other portfolios. I will commit myself to bring a list of the acts, when they were reviewed and how they were reviewed, at the next sitting.
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016