2012-02-16
Batten Road Workers Accommodation Project
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
In the House yesterday you said, in reference to the Planning Scheme Amendment for the workers village site at Batten Road, that the process was that: ‘... it went through the normal planning processes’. That assumes a public advertising period, an objection and comment period, independent consent authority assessment, and a decision based on sustainability. Can you assure the House, given this is the normal process, that that process was followed in this case?
Ms Lawrie: It will.
Mr Tollner: What do you mean it will? You said it has already happened ...
ANSWER
No, no, I ...
Mr Tollner: You did say it happened.
Mr McCarthy: No, no ..
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, what I said was normal planning processes - absolutely. I will tell the story about the Batten Road site …
Mr Tollner: You announced this has happened.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: … because what I would encourage you to do is to get it from the horse’s mouth and not run off on your innuendo and all your gossip. That is what happened yesterday.
As I said to this House, we run things through normal planning processes. For Territorians here and for the members opposite who are interested, the Batten Road site is formally zoned SD39, Specific Use Zone. It is to facilitate the use and development of Section 4445 for temporary use …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very succinct and asked for a very specific answer. The minister is not providing that. I ask him to answer the question.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, speaking to the point of order. Members opposite probably do not know that planning is a very technical issue. The minister is explaining the zoning and the process around that zoning. It is quite in order. I am very interested in what he has to say ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, you have the floor, but please come to the point after you have made some explanation.
Mr McCARTHY: Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. I just pulled up Hansard on my screen and I will read what I said:
- Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It is a pretty succinct answer: through the normal planning processes.
Mr Tollner: Read the question.
Mr McCARTHY: And I will. That was my answer ...
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr McCARTHY: That was my answer.
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim! You are about to go on a warning!
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, the member for Fong Lim was bantering after his little slap yesterday and said to me across the benches: ‘No, you have not. No, you have not’, and got into a ‘Yes, I have’, ‘No, you haven’t’ story. So you can carry on about that. I am reading from Hansard because the answer was straightforward.
What I have here is the request for proposal. In the request for proposal, if you want to get it from the horse’s mouth - but you would prefer to go with your rumour and innuendo as you usually do - I will read it out for you: in terms of environmental assessment the successful proponent from the request for proposal for the development and operation of a short-term accommodation village will submit a notice of intent to NRETAS ...
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: I will go on, Madam Speaker. The successful proponent …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There are actually two. One, will the minister table the whole of that document, and second, will he answer the very specific question he was asked?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, are you willing to table the document at the end of the question?
Mr McCARTHY: Yes, Madam Speaker. It is a public document.
Madam SPEAKER: Can you come to the point in the short time you have left.
Mr McCARTHY: I will pick up on the interjection, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired. Can you please table the document? Thank you.
Supplementary Question
Batten Road Workers Accommodation Project
Batten Road Workers Accommodation Project
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
A simple question: was a suitable design provided for the site, or was it just your decision that the land could be rezoned by the flick of a pen and not have any consultation with the local community whatsoever?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! We have to start again because the minister has not actually been called until right now.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, given the site had previously been identified for development for the same intended purpose, it was not considered necessary for a full exhibition of the Planning Scheme Amendment. The successful proposal will require development approval which will entail a public exhibition process - normal processes. So, once again ...
Mr Giles: It was not a normal process.
Mr McCARTHY: That is normal, yes, and you want to run through your rumour and innuendo. Or come and see me, the door is always open. We will walk you through this. It is about options, it is about housing options that these fellows over here cannot handle. It is about our government providing options for development, and strategic and enabling infrastructure to support development. It was already identified. We have put out a request for a proposal, and guess what, Leader of the Opposition, we received plenty of responses. People are interested, so we are about to continue with this request for proposal purpose. That is what it is about. You can read into it and run your innuendo, gossip and media spin but it is a ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired. Order!
Bombing of Darwin - 70th Anniversary
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
This Sunday marks the 70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. While the Bombing of Darwin has been marked for many years, this particular anniversary seems to have captured the popular imagination more than any other. Can you please advise the House how we will be commemorating the Defence of Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. This coming Sunday we will be commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, a very important part of this nation’s history and a vitally important history for this city.
I have had the fortune of having a quick look at the new Defence of Darwin Experience at East Point. I am pleased to advise the House that this is a world-class display ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim! It is the third time this week. You might like to take your phone outside, please.
Mr Tollner: It is turned off, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: No, outside, thank you.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I believe this is a world-class experience. It was very exciting to be there today to see what many thousands of residents of Darwin and thousands of tourists will see over the years. They will have a real experience of what it was like to be here 70 years ago when the bombs fell on Darwin through the eyes of a number of different characters who were here at the time.
The Bombing of Darwin will be commemorated with a visit from the Governor-General, the Prime Minister of Australia, the federal Leader of the Opposition, the Ambassador for the United States, the Ambassador for Japan, and the Ambassador for Indonesia, together with many hundreds of former military personnel who are now getting into very senior years, and many hundreds of senior citizens from Darwin who will be commemorating that event of 70 years ago.
The size and scale of the attack on Darwin at 9.58 am on 19 February 1942 was unprecedented. They were the same planes that attacked Pearl Harbour 10 weeks earlier: 54 land-based bombers and 188 attack aircraft launched from four Japanese aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea. At least 243 people killed, with 300 to 400 wounded, and 683 bombs were dropped on Darwin that day. It must have been a terrifying experience for the citizens of this very small town back in those days. For the pretty poorly equipped military personnel who were based here it must have been a terrifying day. Over the next two years there were another 64 bombing raids on not only Darwin but on other small towns in the Northern Territory and across northern Australia.
We now have a national day of remembrance. We now have this nation commemorating the 70th Anniversary with the presence of the Governor-General, and we now have a Defence of Darwin Experience at East Point which will tell the story of our citizens and our military personnel who were based here.
Charles Darwin National Park – Heliport Zoning Approval
Mr TOLLNER to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
In September last year, I was fortunate to be present at the launch and celebration of the new helipad business at Charles Darwin National Park. A number of other Northern Territory government officials were also present. Why is it that zoning approval for that heliport was not issued until December last year, and only after you made a ministerial decision to amend the Planning Scheme without any consent? Can you tell us why you did not follow the normal planning processes?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I will be happy to brief the House on the new helipad being trialled ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I did not ask for a briefing on the new helipad trial. What I want to know is how he managed to get through these processes that he says are normal two months after the thing was launched.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, the minister had had 10 seconds at that point.
Mr Tollner: He is going to give us a briefing on the helipad.
Madam SPEAKER: I am still listening to what he has to say, which is what I would like to hear now, thank you.
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, let us go back to Dave’s quick quiz. The Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport gave Coolibah Air permission to operate out of Charles Darwin National Park last year. Before the scenic flights could commence, the operator needed to obtain an exceptional development permit. Given the agreement from NRETAS, I approved the operator continuing on a trial basis to determine if there were any adverse impacts prior to considering an exceptional development permit.
The operator applied for an exceptional development permit, which was on exhibition for 28 days allowing for submissions from the public. The exhibition period closed on 10 February and the application will be assessed by the Development Consent Authority, as in normal planning processes. For those members interested, I am advised ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr McCARTHY: ... that the Development Consent Authority plans to hold a public hearing on 9 March. A report will then come to the minister - normal planning processes - for careful consideration prior to any decision.
The minister for Business is supporting development for the Territory. The member for Fong Lim, the shadow, is about stifling business for the Northern Territory. It is as simple as that ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister made an unparliamentary comment and I ask you to ask him to withdraw. I found it offensive.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I do not think that was really unparliamentary.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I was offended by that comment.
Madam SPEAKER: All right, then. Minister, could you withdraw and reword, please.
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, my first application for withdrawal from the member for Fong Lim, I am honoured to withdraw.
Northern Territory Public Service – Government Support
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
How is the government supporting the public service to build a more prosperous and fairer Territory? Are you aware of any alternative policies in this area?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. We have such a bright future in the Northern Territory. This is the land of opportunity; this is the place where kids have a really bright future. We are heading in the right direction. This is in no small part due to the 17 000 hard-working public servants we have across the Northern Territory. They work in all areas of our community: economic sector; health and community sector; education sector; environment sector; and the research sector. They support investment from the private sector and support the development of this fantastic Territory, and it is great we have public servants here today who are part of the bright future of the Northern Territory.
I thank our public servants for their commitment to our Territory in working with the non-government sector, the community-based sector and the private sector to develop opportunities for our kids.
Since Day 1, our government has worked to give our public service the resources, tools and conditions to enable it to get on with the job. There are 400 more teachers across the Northern Territory in our schools - absolutely amazing. There are 700 more nurses in our hospitals and our community health services across the Northern Territory. Two hundred and fifty more doctors are providing medical services to Territorians across the Northern Territory, and 390 more police are on the front line working with our community.
There are better pay and conditions. As government, we have a policy to ensure our wages and conditions are competitive for our public service. We also support career and professional development for our public service. We will continue to do so.
Unfortunately, not everyone in this place shares our appreciation of the hard work of our public service. The CLP’s policy, should it come to government, is to immediately bring the budget into surplus, no matter what the costs are in jobs for the Territory. We know it is CLP policy to slash public service numbers, because it was the policy the CLP took to the last election. The CLP would slash public service numbers ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That assertion is untrue. He knows it is untrue and he is trying to mislead the House when he says it. If he wants to go down this path, we are quite happy to accommodate him with a misleading the House motion ...
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. Were you speaking to the point of order, Leader of Government Business?
Dr BURNS: I was, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, if you could come to the point, please.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We know what the Leader of the Opposition thinks of public servants because he berates them in this House and calls them ‘carpet strollers’ ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Unemployment Figures
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
The unemployment rate has surged over the past 12 months from 2.2% to today’s 4.2%. You hail today’s figures as a great success. If that is so, why are there 2400 more Territorians looking for work now than at this time last year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. He fails to understand that unemployment is rising globally and nationally. We remain the second-lowest unemployment rate in the nation: 4.2% in the prevailing global economic conditions is a very strong result keeping Territorians in jobs.
How do you get the nation’s second-lowest unemployment rate in this constrained economic climate where private sector investment has been dramatically impacted on by the GFC? Well, you get it by government shouldering the burden; by the heavy lifting this government deliberately made through successive infrastructure budget spends – $4.7bn – to do the heavy lifting to keep Territorians in jobs and, more importantly, create jobs. We have created 24 000-odd jobs since 2001 when we had flatline, zero economic growth which we inherited from the CLP.
Our unemployment rate is the envy around our nation, and it is globally envied. You are the only fool who simply refuses to understand the GFC impacts occurring in the employment marketplace. At 4.2%, if you want a job, come to the Territory, you will get a job.
Boat Identification Scheme – Support of Howard Springs Fishing Club
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
It has been some time since the meeting was held with the Howard Springs Fishing Club regarding the boat identification scheme, which was supported by the club. I note the club has 500 members. When do you expect to have another meeting with the club? What has been decided about boat identification?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I well recall the question from the member. I spoke to him at the time. Boat identification was one of the conditions traditional owners put on the table during the negotiations on Blue Mud Bay. The Blue Mud Bay negotiations are still ongoing and I hope we will have a resolution very soon. The boat identification scheme is still on the table. It is one of the issues still raised by traditional owners. I shall be very pleased to inform the House in the near future of some outcomes from our negotiations.
Public Servants – Government Support
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Can you please outline to the House how the Henderson government supports public servants? How does this compare to other jurisdictions?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. As the Chief Minister outlined, we value our public servants. We want the Northern Territory government to be the employer of choice. We want to offer them flexibility, home-based work, job sharing, part-time work in terms of paid parental leave - there is a raft of things.
We had a biennial staff survey which, in the main, was very positive. It did point to some areas for improvement in relation to promotion feedback and performance management. They are messages which we will be taking on board.
Interstate, Joe Hockey recently talked about 12 000 jobs being chopped from the Commonwealth public service; Ted Baillieu, 3600; and Barry O’Farrell from New South Wales, 5000.
Regarding policy, I have one of the few CLP policies here. It says:
- It is time for a new direction in Territory administration, and real action to bring management of the government back under control. Government must meet its debt obligations. Provision has to be made for the repayment of recurrent debt.
That is your policy, no argument there. On the second page, it says:
- The Country Liberals have allowed for a general reduction in the service of 700 positions.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Mr Mills: That is misleading, dishonest.
Dr Burns: It is in your policy.
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause. Yes, member for Port Darwin.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I point out to the minister, that provision was a direct lift from your policy.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, that is not a point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, if re-elected, we have given an assurance that there will be no cuts to the Northern Territory Public Service. One has to wonder, given the budget position that we face, on both sides ...
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Dr BURNS: ... in terms of the reduction in GST revenues, how much more than 700 is it? How many more times 700? I reckon you would multiply it by three. The banks have nothing on you. You are cold and heartless. You will be sending at least 700, probably over 2000 people home to tell their families: ‘I have lost my job’, to tell their bank managers they no longer have an income. That is what you are going to do if you are elected. It is in black and white. You are driven by this policy here about recurrent debt, about reduction and coming back into the black, and do not deny it!
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister can slither in here as much as he likes making his allegations. He is spreading fear and untruths.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, that is not a point of order. Resume your seats, members.
Members interjecting.
Mr Mills: Ah, dishonest.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! You are on a warning, Leader of the Opposition!
Mr Mills: Sorry, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I remind you of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
I remind the person who is asking the question, also the person who is answering the question, that you must direct your comments through the Chair. When you speak across the Chamber it gets much more exciting in here which makes it more difficult for the Speaker.
Travelscene Darwin City – Alleged Misuse of Pensioner Travel Concession Funds
Mr STYLES to MINISTER for SENIOR TERRITORIANS
We have recently heard reports about a number of pensioners who have been ripped off to the tune of thousands of dollars as a result of booking overseas travel by a now defunct travel agency, Travelscene Darwin City. How much money did the government give to the agency via the NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme for travel that was never taken? What are you doing to recover the money that has been lost?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the heartbreak that has occurred to many clients of Travelscene Darwin City. I know many customers are trying to recover their costs. They are working with the police, because there are possible fraud charges pending, and Consumer Affairs. The legal aid services are also providing services to some of those clients.
Analysis of how many of those clients claimed the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme entitlement is still under way. I encourage people to come forward to the police and to Consumer Affairs. We are working as closely as we can with the police to get a resolution to this particular problem.
There has been some publicity regarding the Travel Compensation Fund scheme which is being reviewed nationally. We will be participating fully in that review to see where it leads the national bodies regarding compensation.
It is a very unhappy affair for many people. I encourage people if they are using a travel agent to use credit cards – that is a protection credit cards offer. Failing that, go online.
It really is about the travel industry stepping up to the plate. It has affected the reputation of all the travel companies ...
Mr STYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question is: how much money has the government lost in this, and what has been done to recover it? I accept that the minister is claiming generically what is going on, but the question asked how much money the government has lost and what is he doing to recover that money.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you can you come to the question.
Mr KNIGHT: I did answer that part of the question already, Madam Speaker. That is still being analysed. We provide those concessions to our pensioners, the most generous scheme in the nation for our seniors, and that is still being analysed.
It is a very unfortunate incident. It does not happen that often, luckily, but I do believe it is time the travel industry in the Northern Territory does pull together, as it has tarnished the reputation of travel agents and the confidence of people using travel agents in the Northern Territory.
We are working very closely with those clients and the police to get any sort of resolution to this. I am not holding a great deal of hope, member for Sanderson, for these seniors, very sadly.
Public Service – Opportunities for Territorians
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
This government has a major focus on delivering jobs for Territorians. With the strong economic growth ahead of us, jobs will be available across many areas of the public and private sectors. Can you please explain what opportunities are available to Territorians wishing to enter the Territory’s public service?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Fannie Bay. He understands the heavy lifting that public servants do in the Territory. He also understands the importance of getting the pathways right to enter the public service, and the genuine effort we can take in government to help entry level systems into the public service. In that sense, we have a raft of programs aimed at apprentices, graduates, and Indigenous cadets.
If we look at the apprenticeship programs, the opportunity to gain that qualification through structured employment and training sits with the NT Public Service. Apprenticeships are available in over 200 fields ranging from human resources, business, finance, horticulture, lab skills, conservation, and land management. Qualifications range from a Certificate II up to diploma level.
The graduate development program for our university graduates provides that next generation of Territorians who will help to shape our future. One such graduate is Jack Schafer, a graduate trainee with a Bachelor of Economics. Jack started with the Department of the Chief Minister and has gone on to secure permanent, full-time employment with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services.
Indigenous cadetships are offered to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in gaining tertiary qualifications and ongoing employment in our public service. That program is part of our commitment to achieve a more representative number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our workforce.
The entry level is a program that is mainstream in its recruitment process. It aims to simplify the process of entering for base grade administrative work, giving opportunities to many of our young people. Anyone can register with that Entry Level Recruitment service. They are placed into a candidate pool which is made available to NT government agencies when they need to fill those entry level vacancies.
Our government is focused on providing the pathways to give Territorians a leg up into our public service through apprenticeships, graduate programs, and the Indigenous cadetship programs. They are all important embedded pathways to give Territorians an opportunity to help provide and shape service delivery across the Northern Territory through the fantastic work our public servants do. I acknowledge the work done by the Department of Business and Employment in running all those back end programs to assist whole-of-government agencies.
____________________
Distinguished Visitor
Hon Steve Hatton
Hon Steve Hatton
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of former Chief Minister and member for Nightcliff, the Honourable Steve Hatton. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
____________________
Infrastructure on Aboriginal Land – Lease Payments
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Your government supports the Commonwealth’s position which requires all governments, including local government, to pay a lease payment based on 5% to 10% of the unimproved capital value for any infrastructure on Aboriginal land. According to my sources, if the Victoria Daly Shire Council has to pay a lease on all its facilities it will go broke. Why has your government supported this policy? If the government will not change its mind, will you fund councils to pay the leases so they do not go broke?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Our government’s decision to pay rent to Indigenous people across the Northern Territory was an important decision. We want to grow the regions and we recognise that is what our negotiations, together with the federal government, have been about as part of the Australian Constitution and the fair compensation of land.
Part of this has also been about the way the payment has been made and will be made over the coming years. It will still be some time before any payment is made because this is a new way of doing business between government and Aboriginal people, and also with the private sector, across the Northern Territory.
It is important I get these things on the record to the House. Clearly, it is a longer conversation I would be pleased to have with the member.
We decided on the UCV, the unimproved capital value of the land, so that it was based on a fair and transparent system.
We recognise the shires now have the responsibility of doing business directly with the land councils. I, and this government, believe it is important that relationship now begins. It is a relationship that has not been a top priority, and it now needs to be because it is about respect.
The shire councils represent an independent sphere of government. The Northern Territory government respects the rights of shires to negotiate their own lease arrangements with land councils and traditional owners. We also recognise that the Northern Territory government will be working with the shires to seek assurances from Commonwealth government agencies that funding for shires that require facilities on Aboriginal land will include a lease payment component in the future. Naturally, we will be working with the shires, and we understand this is going to be about costs in the future. Currently, there is a financial sustainability review across the shires and the government will have that information within in the next month or two once that is completed.
Let me put on the record to the House that this is a new way of doing business with Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory. In speaking with the shires and the land councils, I know there is a bit of anxiety about how this step will go forward, but we also know that it is a new way of doing things.
Darwin Port – Use by OZ Minerals
Mr GILES to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Since the well publicised rail accident, OZ Minerals is now sending its products through South Australia for export and will be using newly designed kibbles on the rail. Acknowledging the rail is still being repaired, when will OZ Minerals return to using Darwin Port? Is the port ready to take on the new kibbles? How much is the port losing each week as a result of OZ Minerals now not using Darwin Port?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, OZ Minerals has issued a number of media statements regarding this. It started off with sending its product through South Australia until the end of the Wet Season. This is not only because of the collapse of the rail bridge and the issues on the Edith River, but also OZ Minerals felt there is risk with the rest of the Wet Season, so has said it will send its product through South Australia.
In relation to what the Darwin Port Corporation is doing about the new kibbles and the new portainer method of transporting the copper concentrate, we have been working with OZ Minerals for over 12 months in assessing its plans. What that means for us is to create a modification to the portainer crane, which is basically an adaption that will be used. We are negotiating with the company in relation to the costs of that. The plans for the portainer crane and the adaptor that will be needed to pick up kibbles, turn them over and tip them into the hold of a ship have not been finalised - a far better way to move the bulk product.
The last part of the question was how much are we losing from the rail accident ...
Mr Giles: From OZ Minerals not using the port on a weekly basis.
Mr McCARTHY: Naturally, we are losing. I will have to aggregate that figure. It will be looked at in relation to what was in their storage shed, what has gone out and what has not come through our port. I will take that on notice, Madam Speaker.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Part of the question was: when will the port be ready for OZ Minerals to reuse?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, have you completed your reply?
Mr McCARTHY: Just to answer that last part, Madam Speaker, Genesee & Wyoming is repairing the rail bridge over the Edith River. It has said in media statements that it will be open by the end of February. There have been a couple of issues with some structural components of that southern side. Until that rail connection is open, OZ Minerals will not be exporting through the Darwin Port. In the opening of that question, I did answer the member saying that OZ Minerals already has a plan to export through South Australia until the rail repairs are completed until the end of the Wet Season ...
Mr Giles: Are they coming back at all?
Mr McCARTHY: Yes, absolutely. When we talk about the Wet Season, it is generally to about April or May. OZ Minerals is working with us all the time …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am seeking clarification on when the port will be ready to take the new kibbles.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. Minister, have you finished your answer?
Mr McCARTHY: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Ichthys Project – Government Initiatives for Skilled Workforce
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
The Territory is entering the most significant phase of economic growth in its history with the Ichthys project leading the pack. Can you please inform the House of this government’s initiatives to provide a skilled workforce to take advantage of these projects?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. There is no doubt, entering into the largest economic boom in the Territory’s history brings with it exciting opportunities but, equally, challenges, and particularly challenges regarding the workforce. Those labour force figures out today reflect that we are in a very strong unemployment position, with a great 2.8% increase in full-time employment compared to January 2011, but equally, that very strong low unemployment at 4.2%. It is great news for Territorians, but it does paint a very clear picture that we will have workforce challenges with the major project and the effect that has.
How are we meeting these projects? We have been rolling out consecutive job plans. We put 10 000 trainees and apprentices into the workforce over four years. We invested $24m in training in this financial year alone. Some 24 000 Territorians have commenced training in the past three years; and some 3000 Indigenous Territorians have commenced employment. There is also very clear data coming through that there will be a workforce requirement of around 20 000 over the next four years. That is why we have our employment strategy out for public consultation with industry, businesses and the community.
Our focus, first and foremost, is skilling our own; getting our Territorians into those jobs and that opportunity. Then we will source workers from throughout our great nation - we participate in jobs expos, selling the job opportunities in the Territory. Even with all of that effort there will still be a workforce gap. We need to fill that gap so that we release the pressure valve, particularly on those small- and medium-size enterprises which need a workforce.
Today, the Territory government and the federal government have announced that the Top End will have the nation’s first regional migration agreement. That goes out for public consultation. I have been working very closely with the federal minister for Immigration, minister Bowen. Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland have all been vying for the regional migration agreements. We beat them. We are the first that will be negotiated and the Top End will be the first in the Territory negotiated to meet these workforce needs.
We are engaging with industry. Industry is fully supportive of the regional migration agreement; they understand the importance of it. We are driving discussions with businesses as well. This is about ensuring that there are safeguards, but also a streamlining process to ensure we can get those all-important plant operators, mechanics, and other skills. Welding, for example, will be a hot skill required in that major project.
We all went through the experience with DLNG. We saw the pull-up effect from the small- and medium-size enterprises into the major project. The regional migration agreement is one plank in that local training, sourcing locals, sourcing Australians, and then migrant workers, to fill the workforce needs. This positions us extremely well for the boom.
INPEX Workers Camps - Palmerston
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
The INPEX workers camp is under construction at Howard Springs. I understand another two workers camps are planned for Palmerston which will be used by major contractors working on the project. Where will the camps be built and when? How many people will they accommodate? Does the Northern Territory government have to upgrade any Northern Territory government-funded infrastructure to allow these camps to operate efficiently and effectively?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Ichthys/INPEX project is building a major 2500 bed capacity camp at Howard Springs. We also have a request for proposal out for the private sector to build a camp. We are interested in those proposals coming forward. They close on 9 March. I have not received any applications for any other short-term accommodation workers villages. It has not come to me yet, but it would go through the normal processes should they come to me. So my answer is I am not aware of those two camps.
Your question is good. What does the government need to do to support enabling infrastructure for projects? It needs to support the developments, and that is what our government is about. Yesterday, I was honoured to be with the Chief Minister to release our 10-year strategies, our infrastructure, roads and transport strategies. They hang off our overarching 2030 plan that was designed by Territorians for Territorians. Our government is about driving momentum. I encourage the private sector, so if there are conglomerates, consortiums, or companies wanting to get into this space, it feeds right into my dream of having kids from Yuendumu flying into Darwin and flying home to Yuendumu, or the Barkly or wherever. What will secure that is supported workers accommodation and working with the best tradies in the world. The minister for Business has just outlined to the House how our government has a plan to do that.
Member for Goyder, I welcome and encourage that. If you have any contacts interested in providing short-term workers accommodation, please come and see us, let us know, as our government is open for business.
Teachers – Investment by Government
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you please inform the House about the Henderson government’s investment in teachers in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, teachers are the heart and soul of our education system. Since 2002, as a government, we have employed an extra 407 teachers in the Northern Territory. We have also endeavoured to reduce the pressure on our teaching staff and individual teachers in the classroom by employing a number of other people to support them – counsellors, behaviour management specialists, English as a Second Language specialists, PE and health specialists, and ICT support.
We have also established the Centre for School Leadership at Charles Darwin University. That is all about developing highly accomplished and lead teachers within the Northern Territory, also in terms of principal and teacher orientation. There is a function at Parliament House tomorrow where 22 teachers will graduate as highly accomplished teachers, 10 will graduate as lead teachers, and five of the 10 lead teachers will be working in remote Indigenous communities.
I commend the member for Arafura, when she was minister, for developing programs to support Indigenous people to become teachers within the Northern Territory. That is vitally important.
I can also report to the House positive news on retention of our teachers. Since 2010, where the retention rate was approximately 70%; it is now around 83% in 2011, which is over 10% increase in retention. I commend our teachers.
I have spoken in the House before about improved NAPLAN results, and particularly promising early signs in Year 3 for Indigenous kids in literacy and numeracy.
I know the member for Brennan is working on his policy and I will be really excited to read that policy. I have a word of advice for you, and that is, given the budgetary position we find ourselves in, part of what you will have to do with your policy is make sure it fits within the envelope. I will read again the policy of the CLP:
Provision has to be made for the …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Dr BURNS: Don’t you like me reading your policy?
Mr ELFERINK: You are reading your policy. We simply lifted it from your policy and dropped it ...
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr Elferink: ... by the way, given the position that you find yourself in ...
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. That is not a point of order.
Dr BURNS: It is like a red rag to a bull! I will continue with the policy:
- Provision has to be made for the repayment of recurrent debt.
In my book that means you are going to go into surplus. That will be a challenge for you, member for Brennan, and I am interested to see how you are going to rise to it ...
Mr CHANDLER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Given I have my draft policy in my hand at the moment, unless the minister has his ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Brennan, sit down! Minister, you have four seconds.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I ask that the member table the document he has in his hand ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Resume your seat, minister. The question is finished.
Alice Springs – Workers Camp
Mrs LAMBLEY to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA referred to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION
This week we have heard about the workers accommodation facility proposed for Darwin. In 2009, you put out a media release announcing you would build a workers accommodation facility in Alice Springs, but you have been silent ever since. What is the current status of the Alice Springs workers camp? Is the government still committed to providing a workers camp in Alice Springs, or is this just another broken promise?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is not my direct portfolio responsibility and I am quite happy to flick that over to my colleague, the member for Barkly ....
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question relates to Central Australia; he is the Minister for Central Australia.
Madam SPEAKER: He is advising that the Minister for Construction has the portfolio responsibility.
Mr ELFERINK: The question was about his media release, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, do you have responsibility for this portfolio?
Mr McCARTHY: Yes.
Madam SPEAKER: You do. Then the question is to you.
Mr McCARTHY (Construction): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you for the question, member for Araluen. I hope you are okay with an answer from a Central Australian, someone who works closely with the member for Stuart, and someone who is talking about a lands and planning issue in terms of my ministry of Lands and Planning.
The concept of supported workers accommodation is what this government has been trialling across the Territory for a number of years. We are very interested in any town or community that wants to run with this, and we are working closely with the private sector to deliver it.
Unfortunately, in Alice Springs there was no private sector interest willing to take up our offer. In terms of lands and planning, we have been trying to attract the private sector to the market. Unfortunately, the bids in Alice Springs and the interest level was way out of the ballpark, to be colloquial. However, it reflects a good concept that we are seeing a lot of interest in Darwin which directly relates to a very big project.
As we said yesterday when we spoke about Central Australia, negative on that side, positive on this side ...
Mrs LAMBLEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is not answering the question: what is the current status of the Alice Springs workers camp you proposed in 2009?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you come to the point.
Mr McCARTHY: I will repeat it for the member for Araluen: we are waiting for a credible private sector interest to come forward. Member for Araluen, it relates directly to development. We talk positive, we are building infrastructure in Alice Springs, we are about supporting development, and we hope there is an interest that comes forward so we can debate ...
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Mr McCARTHY: ... the concept and the concept is supported by government. We have gone forward and offered that to the business sector. Unfortunately, no real bids have come back in, but we are still open for business in Central Australia.
Local Government – Workforce Building
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Local government has a very important role as the third sphere of government. Can you please provide an update to the House on what is being done to build a strong local government workforce in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his very important question. It is timely for this House to recognise that 149 positions are now open for local government council positions in shires and municipalities across 16 councils. Our government is very supportive of shire reform across the Northern Territory and of local government.
This time last year we were fighting for jobs on behalf of the shires. I am proud to say that the eight large shire councils employ 2508 staff in total, 1852 of whom are Indigenous people. The average percentage of Indigenous employees in the eight shires is 72%. I also say to the House - and this is an important and remarkable step in progress for employment across the regions – that we have seen the total employment positions in the shire councils increase by 40%, excluding CDEP. That says an enormous amount about our government’s commitment to the local government sector and to employees and employment right across the regions ...
Mr Tollner: How much in rates do they collect?
Ms McCARTHY: I pick up on the interjection from the opposition. It is disappointing that all the opposition wishes to do is call the shires toxic. All they wish to do is trash the Northern Territory. All they wish to do is bring about utter despair in causing confusion out there to people who are trying to do the best they can within their local communities and regions to improve the lives of their people ...
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The interjection was about how much rates are to be paid by land councils. If she is going to respond to the interjection, maybe she can.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat.
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, if only they could show so much interest in local government, because we know their policies are all written with invisible ink and look about as good as this piece of paper. They have nothing whatsoever to say to the 2500 staff across our shires in the Northern Territory ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! In relation to invisible ink, I draw the honourable member’s attention to the map for the Batten Road site tabled by the Planning minister ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat.
Mr Elferink: Where is the map of the Batten Road site? Invisible ink, goodness, gracious.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin! You are on a warning, member for Port Darwin. Also, that is your fourth frivolous point of order today.
Mr Tollner: She is being rather provocative, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, they are obviously very touchy on that side. To all the staff and councillors across the region, good luck with the council elections next month, and well done for the job you have done across our shires and councils.
Glasgow Rangers Football Club – Proposed Visit to Darwin
Mr BOHLIN to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
On 30 November 2011, you, and the member for Nightcliff, announced the 140-year-old Glasgow Rangers Football Club would visit the Northern Territory for a series of coaching clinics in June this year. Overnight, news broke in Glasgow that the Rangers had been placed into administration with tax debts of upwards of 75m. Can you reassure Territory families who have prepaid upwards of $400 to partake in Rangers clinics that they will still go ahead?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Drysdale. I believe it is your first question in nearly three years ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: I was pleased to attend the function at Nightcliff Sports Club with the local Glasgow Rangers supporters club. I am now a Glasgow Rangers supporter as well as supporting Manchester United. I am proud of what this government has done for football, with Larrakia Park and the support we have given the great sport, the world sport, member for Drysdale.
In relation to …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member asked a question in relation to the families who forked out money. I note the Treasurer thinks the Glasgow Rangers might need the money, but the question was, will the families be out of pocket given the club has gone into administration?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you come to the question, please.
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, I will take the question on board and have my department look into the issue. I am not the minister for Glasgow Rangers, but I will do what I can to protect Territory families.
As I said, this government, more than any other government, has done much work in supporting families particularly with sport and recreation, with grants to many of our peak body sports, ensuring kids get the best opportunities to reach out and touch their idols. I will take that point on board, member for Drysdale, and thank you for your very first question in a couple of years.
Skilled Health Workforce – Government Initiatives
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for HEALTH
The Henderson Labor government is committed to building a strong and skilled health workforce. Can you please update the House on the major initiatives this government has introduced to build and strengthen the Territory’s health workforce?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Over the past 10 years, this Labor government has a proud record of building and supporting our health workforce. We recognise our workforce is our greatest asset, and all Territorians recognise and acknowledge it also.
The other day I was very pleased to hear the member for Goyder praising the accident and emergency department of the Royal Darwin Hospital when she unfortunately needed to go there. I thank her very much and ...
Ms Purick: On occasion.
Mr VATSKALIS: ... I passed your good wishes to the people working there.
This government has put more doctors and nurses in the Northern Territory than any other government. Since 2001, we have had an additional 725 nurses, a 55% increase; and 250 doctors, a 93% increase. We implemented the Nursing Hours per Patient Day model in our hospital to ensure that every person who goes to hospital receives adequate care. For that reason, we employed an extra 95 nurses in our hospital system to implement the Nursing Hours per Patient Day model.
This year, we are going to employ 120 nurses upon graduation to fill the needs we have in the hospitals. We employ 40 graduate and trainee midwives and specialist nurses in our priority areas of ICU, Emergency Care, Renal, Chronic Disease, and Paediatrics. We have developed career pathways for a skilled nursing workforce, and we provide them with salary packages very similar to other states.
Our stability in the Health Department is now 83%, the highest ever in the history of the Northern Territory. We have a strategic workforce plan, and we plan the future for our workforce on the information we receive from our people, because we ask the people what they want and where they want to be.
The reality is, this is the government that built a strong healthcare workforce. I had the fortune to work for the Health Department during Country Liberal Party years. I have to tell you, it was a really sad story. In 1999, the department’s annual report showed that the Country Liberal Party government, between 1996 and 1999, got rid of 200 nurses. They closed Ward 3B and 30 beds at Royal Darwin Hospital. I was lucky enough to participate in Planning for Growth, the official review. Unfortunately, it was pruning for growth …
Mr Elferink: There were tumbleweeds everywhere.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Mr VATSKALIS: ... because the review, orchestrated by Mr Col Fuller, was to cut costs. It was so well done that he did not cut the costs; he cut the number of public servants and increased the costs. The public servants that left, or were forced to leave, had to be replaced by contractors which cost twice as much.
Compare our record with the CLP: 725 more nurses, 250 more doctors, and 30 more beds in Royal Darwin Hospital. This is the Labor government’s legacy in the health system.
Katherine WorkSafe Office – Closure
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Madam Speaker, the Health Minister must be in that parallel universe I described last night.
The WorkSafe office in Katherine has been closed for almost 12 months, and remains closed. It used to have three staff; you dropped it to two - or at least your government did. The two safety officers who have retired from their positions in town have still not been replaced. Why have you not replaced those staff in Katherine? When will you advertise those positions? Why are the people of Katherine being denied basic services like safety checks, such as those around the storage of fireworks, exposing them to potentially dangerous incidents?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for his question. First, I acknowledge the two officers who have retired. I believe one was in his 60s, and did a fabulous job for the Katherine community. He went well beyond that and extended his service within WorkSafe ...
A member: Do you know their names?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: ... great work, and I think you should have at least acknowledged that, member for Katherine, that these were retirements and they certainly did great work.
We have been advertising and we have been trying to recruit. It has been difficult as these are quite specialised roles. We will continue to do that.
Under this government, we have improved and upgraded our role within WorkSafe, unlike the CLP, which hacked into this particular area. Much of this activity was never reported or investigated. Under our government, we have increased the safety of workers and the safety of workplaces, and we will continue to do that.
We have been actively trying to recruit to those positions. Those positions will go down there. Again, I thank those officers for their long and dedicated service; they are retiring after long periods in the NTPS. I thank the member for Katherine for his lovely question.
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