2011-10-27
Live Cattle Trade – Call for
Sacking of Federal Minister
Sacking of Federal Minister
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, this parliament sent a very clear message to Canberra that Senator Ludwig should be sacked as federal Agriculture minister. The Senator’s ill-informed, reckless ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia almost singlehandedly brought the Territory’s cattle industry to its knees and severely damaged relations with our neighbour, Indonesia. The will of the parliament demands that you now lobby the Prime Minister to remove Senator Ludwig. Will you now stand up for the Territory, respect the decision of this parliament, and act on behalf of all Territorians, particularly pastoralists?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr HENDERSON: I can assure the House that every day, as Chief Minister, particularly as the live cattle industry recovers from the ban, I work for pastoralists. I have been speaking to and working with pastoralists since the ban was put in place. I am pleased to see that the trade is slowly recovering. The Leader of the Opposition, yes, that was a cute stunt in here last night. I have absolutely no authority at all regarding who the Prime Minister appoints as Agriculture minister. I have no authority whatsoever and the Leader of the Opposition well knows that. What we have is an opposition …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! The member for Fong Lim will cease interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: What we have is an opposition with no policy and no vision for the Northern Territory. Question after question in here relates to federal government decisions and federal government policies. What we would like to see is the opposition come in here with a vision for the Northern Territory, to have policies for the Northern Territory, for Territorians wherever they live. They just want to play silly political games with issues related to the federal government …
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: My commitment is to …
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: … the pastoralists of the Northern Territory and …
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: … all the industries that surround those pastoralists …
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Mr HENDERSON: … they know that this Chief Minister, this government, and this parliament supports them. They are very disappointed at the silly, little political games the Leader of the Opposition continues to play. They believed, and were very strongly supportive, that we had a bipartisan position. They think the Leader of the Opposition is just playing silly, little political games because they have nothing else to offer the Territory.
Mr Conlan: Focused on the CLP, obsessed with the CLP. Goodness me.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you will cease interjecting!
Territory Government - Delivering for Darwin and Palmerston
Ms SCRYMGOUR to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the House on how this government is delivering for the people of Darwin and Palmerston?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Territory is heading in the right direction and we can see that in so many ways. On this side of the House, we are very optimistic about the future of the Northern Territory and Territorians, whether they are in our capital city of Darwin, our regional cities, or in the bush. Our Territory 2030 vision paints a great canvas for the economic and social development of the Northern Territory; a canvas that was painted by Territorians in consultation, Territorians who have confidence in the future of the Northern Territory and believe we are heading in the right direction.
Our cities of Darwin and Palmerston are progressing at a rapid rate. Under this Labor government, unemployment has reached the lowest levels ever recorded in the Northern Territory’s history at 2.3%, currently at 3.9%; nationally, unemployment is at 5.2%. The greatest failing of any government is to not provide jobs or have long unemployment queues. Under Labor, more than 20 000 jobs have been created in the Northern Territory since 2001 …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Katherine! Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: … that is an extraordinary achievement. We have also …
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Mr HENDERSON: … significantly invested in health care in the Northern Territory. Planning is progressing well with the Australian government for a $110m investment in a Palmerston hospital with an emergency department. We have delivered, with the Australian government, the Palmerston Super Clinic, reducing the pressure on the emergency department at RDH. We have delivered, with the Australian government, a $19m cancer care treatment centre at Royal Darwin Hospital, the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre, and I thank and congratulate all the people who work at that facility. I receive extraordinary feedback about what a fantastic facility that is for the Northern Territory.
We have opened, in partnership with Charles Darwin University, Flinders University, and the Australian government, the first full medical school in the Northern Territory at a value of $28m. The fact that Territory kids today can aspire to do medicine in the Northern Territory is a huge advance for the Northern Territory.
We have opened two brand new schools in Palmerston, the Rosebery Primary School and Middle School, another investment of $60m. Of course, everyone, apart from members opposite, is excited about the new Palmerston water park that is very quickly looming on the horizon for families to enjoy.
A growing economy gives the government the ability to invest in health, education, and in recreational infrastructure. We are doing that for the people of Darwin and Palmerston. We are doing that right across the Territory.
Victoria Daly Shire – Position of Minister on Status
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Yesterday in this House you said:
- … at no point in that conversation did I say I favoured the breakup of the Victoria Daly Shire. At no point did I say that.
Interestingly though, your predecessor, the member for Daly, said it for you. On ABC radio, the member for Daly says he would support the breakup of Victoria Daly Shire providing it had community support, was economically viable, and could maintain good governance.
Moving on from the fact that you have been white-anted by your predecessor, how do you explain the significant difference in the positions outlined by yourself and the member for Daly? When will you stop playing politics with the lives of the people who work for Victoria Daly Shire?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Katherine. I put on the record again to this House, and to the member for Katherine, that our government has had the courage to make historic reforms in local government across the Northern Territory. Our goal is effective democracy across the Northern Territory. I will say to the member for Katherine that it is an absolute disgrace that he comes into this House …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Katherine!
Ms McCARTHY: … and causes great instability to 2500 employees across the Northern Territory and the shires …
Mr Westra van Holthe: Oh, that is just hogwash. Stop playing politics.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine!
Ms McCARTHY: It is absolutely disgraceful that this member cannot come …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale!
Ms McCARTHY: … into the House with what he says is a policy when it is clearly a policy of destructive criticism to all those employees, in particular the ones in the Victoria Daly Shire. I said in this House that I did not support a breakup of that shire; I remain committed to that. I have always remained committed to effective democracy and the strengthening of the local boards is clearly the direction that our government is taking.
The member for Katherine …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine!
Ms McCARTHY: … cannot be invited to a meeting because he calls the shires and their employees ‘toxic’ and ‘in need of surgery’. People are put off by the comments you make, member for Katherine. That is why you are not invited …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I draw your attention to the question. The question was: how do you explain the difference between the minister and the member for Daly in their points of difference?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. Minister, you have the call.
Ms McCARTHY: I welcome mature debate on an issue that is important to all people across the Northern Territory and our shires. But what we hear consistently from the opposition is trashing the Territory, dismantling the shires, the shires are in need of surgery, toxic shires. The member for Braitling, the member for Katherine, and even the member for Fong Lim, all they have as …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms McCARTHY: … a vision for the Northern Territory is hellholes across the Northern Territory. That is the clear difference between our government and the opposition …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I draw your attention to the question. I ask you to direct the minister to answer the question. The question was why …
Madam SPEAKER: The member for Braitling will resume his seat!
Mr GILES: … is there such a difference between the minister …
Madam SPEAKER: The member for Braitling will resume his seat!
Mr Giles: … and the member for Daly?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, do not speak while I am speaking! The minister is answering the question. It had a preamble which she is also responding to.
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, our government is courageous enough to keep working on effective democracy across the Northern Territory and we will continue to do so.
Darwin Super Clinic - Update
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HEALTH
We have delivered the Palmerston Super Clinic and we are fighting for the families of the northern suburbs to have their own …
Mr Conlan: Have you ever been there?
Ms WALKER: Can you please update the House on the progress this government is making with the Darwin super clinic?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I would also like to ask the member for Greatorex: have you been there? You have not. It took you three times to visit the Alan Walker centre ...
Mr Conlan interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr VATSKALIS: … so I am not surprised you have not been to the super clinic.
Our government has worked very closely with the Australian government to deliver the hugely popular Palmerston Super Clinic. Eighteen thousand people have visited in the first year of its operation, and 28 000 people have attended the after-hours urgent care clinic.
The super clinic provides not only integrated patient care, but also provides the training ground for people who are currently training at our medical school at Charles Darwin University. We believe the families of the northern suburbs deserve a super clinic. I know there is no one bulkbilling in the northern suburbs, but the member for Solomon does not. He stated on the radio that there are clinics in the northern suburbs bulkbilling. I suggest he takes a bus, or a taxi, or drives himself to find one and lets me know, because I would like to know of one.
I have had meetings with interested parties; I will have meetings next week with interested parties. I intend to go to Canberra to discuss this issue with the federal minister for Health and demand money is allocated to Darwin for a super clinic.
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Mr VATSKALIS: He is trying to show off because he knows the knives are out for him. There are already rumours about challenging his pre-selection, so he can make some performance ...
Mr Bohlin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: We believe a super clinic in the northern suburbs is absolutely vital, but the only one who does not support the super clinic is the CLP. It does not support families having good quality care, having bulkbilling, and it does not support our people to be trained here. It is undermining families’ wellbeing and undermining the medical school in the Northern Territory.
The CLP fails to understand how the health system works. The member for Solomon says to provide money for doctors to come here. Let me tell you, out of 13 GPs who moved to Darwin over the past 18 months, only two were eligible for the special funding provided by the Commonwealth. There is funding from the Commonwealth to attract GPs to remote areas, but only two out of these 13 people were eligible for this incentive.
At the same time, we know what the CLP does. The CLP intends to downgrade Royal Darwin Hospital. I quote from what the Leader of the Opposition said on Mix FM:
- To have the major hospital, Royal Darwin Hospital, stuck up the, so far away from the centre of population growth I think the real issue is that we need to have a serious consideration about where the major hospital will be built and I do not believe the right spot is Casuarina. That should be a secondary hospital.
Department of Lands and Planning – Energy Rating of New Office Accommodation
Mr TOLLNER to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
On 20 October, you told the House about the department’s move to a new premises in Parap. In the process, you made a curious claim that the building is:
- … a 6-star energy rated commercial building …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I believe the leasing of property stands under the Business minister’s portfolio.
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker! It is the Planning minister. Under the Building Board regulations he would have responsibility for that.
Madam SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Lands and Planning, and if you wish to give it to someone else, you are able to do that.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the member’s question. I welcome the member to join me with the Department of Lands and Planning, and we can walk through the whole process together. I will bring …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr McCARTHY: … the best people in the Department of Lands and Planning to explain that very carefully. Not only that, we might be able to help you with your Internet searches, member for Fong Lim ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113. The question was simply who gave the certification for the 6-star rating of the Parap building.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat.
Mr McCARTHY: As I said, the Department of Lands and Planning is moving into a new building in Parap. I welcome the member for Fong Lim to join me and we will walk through that process together. We will explain to you why we have chosen that building; why the department is setting a great standard in the Northern Territory; why we are backing NT government green policy and what all that means. So, please name the time and date …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: the answer shall be succinct, concise and directly relevant to the question. The question was: who gave the 6-star rating?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you come to the point, please?
Mr McCARTHY: I believe I have answered the question. If the member for Fong Lim wants to take up the offer I will look forward to it.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Resume your seat, thank you. The minister has finished his answer.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, he did not give an answer.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I do not control what people say in this place, except in terms of parliamentary order.
Johnston Subdivision – Soil Slab and Footing Suitability
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
I have been approached by a Territorian who has purchased a block of land in Johnston subdivision Stage 1A. The developer has provided him with a report on the block’s house site in regard to soil suitability for slabs and footings. The site classification based on soil reactivity for this block is Class M, moderately reactive clay or silt sites which may experience moderate ground movement from moisture changes. I have been told work to make this site suitable by replacing the soil with new material will cost between $6000 and $10 000.
Is there any legislative requirement that states any sale to purchasers of urban residential land can only occur if the soil type is suitable for slabs and footings? If there is not a requirement, why not?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question on behalf of his constituent. I will provide some technical advice from the Department of Lands and Planning. I have been advised that, under the development agreement between the Territory and the developer, the developer is required to achieve specified soil classifications under the Australian Standard for residential slabs and footing construction. That is the start of the journey. A Class M site classification under this Australian Standard is a specified soil classification under the development agreement.
Before titles are issued, the developer submits soil investigation reports and certificates for each lot in the subdivision. The Department of Lands and Planning reviews the soil investigation reports and certificates to ensure all lots released by the developer achieve the specified soil classification under the Australian Standard. When entering into contracts with the purchaser, the developer must provide a soil investigation report and site classification certificate to the purchaser, at no cost, to inform them of the site conditions. This is an additional requirement the government has made to ensure purchasers are fully informed prior to making their purchase.
Class M is a soil classification in the Australian Standard meaning, as the member alluded to, it is mildly reactive and the engineer needs to take this into account when designing and constructing a residential dwelling on the site. If problems are then experienced with the block and the soil inspection reports, then this is a contractual matter that needs to be taken up with the developer.
Once again, I thank the member for his question and for his interest in this issue. I welcome the constituent and the member …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Can I ask the minister to table the document he read that answer from?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, is it a confidential document, or is it a personal document?
Mr McCARTHY: Yes, Madam Speaker, of course it is. Sorry, Madam Speaker. We work off ...
Madam SPEAKER: So it is a confidential document?
Mr McCARTHY: Yes.
Madam SPEAKER: No, you do not need to table it. Have you finished your answer?
Mr McCARTHY: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I also welcome the member and the constituent to come and meet with building services section, because we are an open and accountable department. We like to share information so the story is straight. We welcome the member’s question on behalf of his constituent.
Darwin and Palmerston Water Parks
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
Unlike the member for Fong Lim, I welcome the fact that people like working in Parap. One reason why people love working and living in Darwin is that we have an infrastructure spend which includes building new facilities for our great Territory lifestyle. Can you please update the House on works at Darwin and Palmerston water parks?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, members in this parliament would appreciate discussing the water parks has to be one of my favourite subjects. We are focused on providing community infrastructure for families, and I know …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: … the opposition does not want water parks for Territorians. I know you are against them, but I tell you what …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Ms LAWRIE: … the 100 000 visitors who go to the water park in Leanyer each year beg to differ with the members opposite. We took Leanyer Recreation Park, which was a little-utilised, pretty rancid lake under the CLP, to a large swimming area, with water slides, wet play areas, BMX and skate facilities, and now a very popular basketball court as well. It provides a central community hub for the northern suburbs and right across Darwin with, as I said, more than 100 000 visitors a year. Work is under way to improve this facility with a caf and bistro, and to upgrade the existing wet play area which is currently closed for equipment upgrades and new soft floor …
Mr Elferink: When are you going to start charging entrance?
Ms LAWRIE: I will pick up on the interjection. The CLP has a policy of charging Territorians to attend the water park. That is a shame, because our government policy is that it is free …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Just be honest with the public about that one, CLP. Your policy is to charge for water parks. I picked up on the interjection from the member for Port Darwin …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Labor proudly knows that to help families in the heat with the cost of living, give them free recreation …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Sanderson! Member for Greatorex!
Ms LAWRIE: … where they can have a lot of fun together.
While these works are under way the wet play area remains closed, but the rest of the park is open. The wet play area is due to open in mid-December. Work is about to commence on the duplication of Vanderlin Drive between Patterson Street and Mueller Road, including the entry to Leanyer Recreation Park to make it safer. It will improve entry to the park and safety for pedestrians, and it includes landscaping and beautification.
At Palmerston, the magnificent new water park is taking shape. The Palmerston skyline is being transformed with the construction of the water park slides. The water park at Palmerston will feature a soft fall water play area, play equipment, barbecues, shade, and a kiosk. It will be a fantastic facility for Palmerston families. I know the experience at Leanyer Recreation Park is that families from across the rural area come to use these facilities as well, so they will have a choice of Leanyer, Palmerston, or the Wave Pool at the Waterfront. There are many choices for our Top End families.
The Palmerston water park opening is well-anticipated by our Palmerston community and I look forward to the opening next year. Our government is absolutely focused on delivering for Territory families. We are proud of providing a range of fun and free recreation opportunities for our families.
Foster Carer Recruitment Campaign
Mrs LAMBLEY to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
According to recent tender documents released by your department, the foster care recruitment campaign that coincided with the show circuit generated 146 inquiries and expressions of further interest. This tender is for a third party organisation to process these inquiries. This tender also states that research has shown that delays in responding causes inquirers to lose interest and to take their interest and passion for volunteering elsewhere. Considering the shortage of foster carers in the Territory, why was your department so under-prepared to process these inquiries, and how many potential carers have lost interest?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her very important question. Recruiting foster carers in the Territory is a priority for my department. The difference is, who you are recruiting, what kind of person you are recruiting, what qualities, what qualifications, what police records and inquiries have to take place, and these take time. There is no way we are going to jeopardise children’s safety by recruiting very quickly without doing the necessary background checking. Yes, it will take time, and I make no apologies for that because the safety of the children is paramount for me.
EnvironmeNT Grants Funding – Country Liberals Policy
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
It is obvious to everyone that the CLP is a rabble. It is divided, it has no policy, and it is continuing evidence …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 112(2)(e) and (f). I ask her to rephrase the question.
Madam SPEAKER: No, member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. Member for Arafura, are you coming to the question, please?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I will repeat what I said, Madam Speaker. I said it is obvious …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question may not contain imputations, epithets, ironical expressions at all. So, Madam Speaker, I ask you to have the member reword the question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! I am speaking, thank you. Member for Port Darwin, you are insisting that every single question in this House has no items like that in it? Is that what you are insisting on?
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, absolutely, because I can tell you, I am getting sick of their tawdry little attacks, and they do not comply with standing orders.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: Speaking to the point of order, Madam Speaker, it seems the member for Port Darwin has a very glass jaw because they lead with imputations all the time in their questions.
Madam SPEAKER: Every single question the opposition has asked today has had an imputation in it.
Member for Arafura, I ask you to withdraw the last part and ask the question. I will be listening very carefully to all the questions.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I will just repeat it …
Madam SPEAKER: Just pause, please, member for Arafura, and yes, resume your seat. This means that from now on, every question has to be completely in order, and everything will be ruled out. I will be looking forward to that, member for Port Darwin.
Mr Elferink: Thank you, Madam Speaker, so long as we get a point of order calling on that.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, would you like me to repeat that so you can rule …
Madam SPEAKER: Just the part, thank you, member for Arafura.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I said that they are divided, they have no policy …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Arafura, just come to the question, please.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Earlier today, the member for Goyder outlined a policy on grants to non-government organisations. What are the implications of this announcement?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. As a former minister for the Environment, she knows how important and how welcome EnvironmeNT grants are to our community. It is quite obvious when you talk about the environment, members on the other side get very touchy and feely about it, because we know what they think about scientists and what they think about the EPA.
Getting back to the EnvironmeNT grants funding, this side of the House supports those non-government organisations. They are very important community organisations in the Northern Territory. Over the past seven years, this Northern Territory Labor government has supported this program very well. In financial support terms there was $3.5m to fund a diverse range of projects across the Northern Territory for very important community groups, school groups, industry associations and education providers which benefited from this Territory Labor government’s EnvironmeNT grants.
This morning, the member for Goyder was absolutely scathing about the grants programs. In particular, the member thought it was inappropriate that peak environmental non-government organisations in the Territory, such as the Environment Centre, receive some funding support from the government. She does not believe they should. I wonder if the member for Goyder has read her own party’s 2008 platform. Under a heading of ‘Support Community Environment Work’, their platform commits to funding each year through grants totalling $485 000 to the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory for the organisation’s annual costs, and a further $300 000 for its COOLmob household environmental audit project. I wonder if the member for Goyder has read that platform; I do not think so.
It only gets better. The platform commits a CLP government to grants to the Environment Centre NT of $1.94m over four years. Again, I wonder if the member for Goyder is aware of comments made by the Leader of the Opposition when he launched their policy on 28 July 2008. This is what the current Leader of the Opposition had to say:
- The Country Liberals recognise the important role of the Environment Centre of the NT as an advocate for environment and a vehicle for reducing household energy use …
Well, we all know that:
- As a consequence, the Country Liberals would increase funding to the Environment Centre and its COOLmob Household Environmental Audit project to $485 000 per annum.
That is the current Leader of the Opposition, yet the …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: … member for Fong Lim said that the Environment Centre is a nonsense organisation. He does not believe it should be supported. The member for Goyder does not believe it should be supported. It is quite obvious that the member for Fong Lim has rolled his leader …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Mr HAMPTON: … they are an opposition divided on policy and divided on leadership.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, your time has expired. Resume your seat.
NTPS Promotion Appeal Provisions
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
I have been approached by someone who has concerns in regard to how an issue has been handled by the government. This person has given me permission for their name to be used in parliament. At this stage I will not use it; however, I believe the minister knows who I am referring to.
This person applied for a promotion and won the position. An unsuccessful applicant appealed and won the appeal. The original successful applicant submitted a grievance with the Public Employment Commissioner who advised the only avenue available to this person was the Supreme Court. This person went to the Supreme Court and won.
Considering a large amount of public money has been spent on this court case, with the ruling on costs due in November, who made the decision to take this matter to court instead of negotiating a settlement?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I need to correct your preamble. It is not the government that makes decisions in these matters. As every member of this House would know, public employment is bound and governed by the Public Sector Employment and Management Act, and there are statutory processes that are followed within that act for issues such as the ones you have raised.
There is a statutory process for public sector appeals. I just add that, out of nearly 1600 promotions per year in the Northern Territory - I have a table here which I am more than happy to table - around 4% of those were subject to appeal. By and large, the process goes well.
I understand people may be dissatisfied with the result of a promotion and have an avenue to appeal. That, too, is a statutory process. There are boards that consider this that are separate from the Commissioner for Public Employment. The Commissioner cannot reverse those decisions by the appeals board and agencies are bound by statute to accept the results of those appeals. Also, the appeals board itself cannot reverse the results. That is in the PSEMA.
The avenue exercised by this person was to go to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. I am advised they were successful in their approach to the court. As you say, the matter is ongoing regarding costs, so I cannot quantify the costs. As I understand it, the court has directed that a new appeals process be undertaken.
I am sorry that this person had to go through this process; however, I will emphasise that the number of appeals overall is small and that this process is bound by statute.
For the member for Nelson, or others, we reviewed the PSEMA recently, as you are aware. If you have any suggestions for amendments to the PSEMA, you can come forward with them. Government and ministers do not preside over matters of public employment. That is my answer to you, member for Nelson.
Education Achievements in the NT
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
The language of your government is creating a blame culture in Territory schools. This is a recent and very clear shift …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The initial part of this question, I would not have normally done this, but it contains an imputation.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member is allowed to lay the foundations for his question by stating facts. We made no comment about the current state of the ALP.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Brennan, I ask you to keep the question within order, please.
Mr CHANDLER: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
You have begun blaming parents as having sole responsibility for the appalling rates of education achievements throughout the Northern Territory. Your attitude is that Territory kids …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is the second imputation. They are hoist on their own petard. The genius for Port Darwin has now hobbled the whole Question Time. I am more than happy to take questions …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of Government Business! Order! Order! Resume your seat.
Dr BURNS: … but let us apply the same rule on both sides.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, resume your seat! The time has expired but, member for Brennan, have you actually finished the question?
Mr CHANDLER: No, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Well, can you just ask the question and that is it?
Mr CHANDLER: Madam Speaker, this shift in language demonstrates you have clearly run out of ideas. Why do you not step aside and give someone the reins who just might have a plan?
Madam SPEAKER: Pause, minister, before I call you.
Member for Brennan, that is actually not a question of the minister’s policy area. Do you actually have a question?
Mr CHANDLER: No.
Madam SPEAKER: We will have another question then, thank you.
Palmerston East Development – Benefits for Families
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
Can you please update the House on how the development of Palmerston East is benefiting Territory families?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Even from Fannie Bay, you can walk, jog, cycle, drive, or take the bus to have a look at the wonderful development in Palmerston East. I regularly take the turn-off coming into this fair city, go down Lambrick Avenue and drive through Johnston and Bellamack to have a look at Zuccoli at the construction there, and the families who have moved in.
This would not be possible without the support of this government and this budget this year of $20m in headworks. $20m-worth of headworks supports land release ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling! Member for Drysdale!
Mr McCARTHY: … which is five times faster than ever seen in the Northern Territory before - quite an historic event. $20m in headworks employs a great number of people and moves a great deal of dirt, and involves many Territory companies with many machines that need servicing. I could go on.
I will share with members in the House some statistics, because it is about the development of homes for Territorians and the development of housing choice. The new suburb of Bellamack - and what a beautiful place that is - will provide a total of 678 lots. A total of 280 lots have already been developed, and 267 have been sold to Territory families. The first 12 Bellamack HomeFirst affordable house and land packages are now complete, with families living in their homes. A further 21 affordable house and land packages are currently available. Take that offer!
In the new suburb of Johnston, the first stages have been completed. Titles have been issued to 198 lots, with 56 building approvals having been issued, and eight homes now completed. Stage 2 of Johnston will provide another 284 lots. It is being developed by Urbex Pty Ltd. Once again, another incredible achievement in land release and getting Territorians into homes.
Zuccoli is the next part of Palmerston East. It has a capacity of 1400 lots. The first stage of Zuccoli is being developed in a joint venture partnership - the Land Development Corporation and Urbex Pty Ltd - with a capacity to provide over 400 lots. The Development Consent Authority recently approved the first subdivision to create 184 lots.
It really is exciting. I hear the other side ramble on about this issue. Many of them live out that way; they must see it and celebrate it. As I said, take a walk, a jog, cycle, or catch a bus. If you want to drive, drive, but get out to Palmerston East and have a look at it …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex!
Mr McCARTHY: … then I can take you down the track and show you Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. It is all about land release with this government - land release, land release, and more land release, matching the growth of the Territory.
Alice Springs – Breakdown in Law and Order
Mr CONLAN to CHIEF MINISTER
A report on the ABC yesterday told about the devastating effects of a breakdown in law and order in Alice Springs. Kay Eade from the Chamber of Commerce had this to say:
- Retail is down, morale is down, tourism is down, but I think everyone has got in a bit of a slump … People in town just have the feeling that we are not listened to, anyway.
Why do people in Alice Springs feel that you have stopped listening to them?
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, that is actually asking for an opinion.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I ask the member for Greatorex why he revels and relishes any bad news that might come from Alice Springs. He is never happier than when he is wallowing in some bad story or another from Alice Springs. I have never heard him come into this parliament with a vision, optimistic about the future of Alice Springs and speak positively about Alice Springs.
There were law and order issues last year in Alice Springs. They have been canvassed up hill and down dale. The police have admitted publicly at many forums that I attended that they took their eye off the ball. They apologised to the Alice Springs community about taking their eye off the ball. They have significant operations in play in Alice Springs now to deal with those issues. We have canvassed all those issues.
For the good folk of Alice Springs, I can say this is a government that works very hard to continue to see the economy grow, to see improvements in services, to work with the Australian government; $80m to transform those town camps in Alice Springs. Do you ever hear anything positive from members opposite about that? Transforming the lives of people on the town camps, turning them into suburbs, all the money that is going into social programs in Alice Springs …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I would just like to congratulate the Chief Minister for putting power poles in the middle of the roads in the town camps. Well done.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. That is not a point of order, member for Braitling. You are on a warning!
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. … investments that have been unprecedented in the history of Alice Springs to try to turn around some of the social issues that affect the people of Alice Springs.
The members opposite can get on board and put forward some positive solutions, or they can wallow in, and celebrate, the problems of the town. That is all the member for Greatorex does.
I will point out some good news concerning confidence in Alice Springs, and it would be great if the member for Greatorex put out a media release celebrating this, but Bunnings have announced it is going to invest in Alice Springs. Bunnings has said the new warehouse, if approved, will create more than 110 jobs for local residents, investing more than $23m in the town for a 12 000 m site consisting of a warehouse, kids playground, nursery, caf, and parking for over 200 cars. David Forrest said the sale shows the confidence that major companies such as Bunnings have in Alice Springs, and in the wider region, and it should be a lift for local industry.
So, you can wallow in the doom and gloom, you can come in here and slag Alice Springs at every opportunity that you do, or you can work to address the problems, and we accept there are significant problems. We are working with the Australian government and the Alice Springs Town Council. I pay tribute to the Mayor, Damien Ryan. The member for Greatorex does himself no service by never having anything positive to say about Alice Springs …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Palmerston - Sports Facilities
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for SPORT AND RECREATION
At the last election, the Henderson government promised to deliver new sports facilities in Palmerston. Can you please update the House on progress with the new sports and recreation infrastructure works in Palmerston?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his very good question. One of my favourite topics is sport. Sport not only plays an important role in preventing young people getting onto the wrong side of the law, but it is also very important social infrastructure for growing cities, not only my home town of Alice Springs, but also the growing city of Palmerston.
I have had the opportunity to take a drive, as my colleague, the member for Barkly said, to look at what has been done in Palmerston, and it is really exciting.
At Gray oval, there are facilities being built for football, or as other people call it, soccer - fantastic facilities going ahead in leaps and bounds. The Raiders Rugby League facility is being constructed on Crown land at Rosebery. There is a new tennis and netball facility being constructed at the current netball and tennis site adjacent to the Palmerston Aquatic and Leisure Centre. We cannot forget about the No 1 sport in this country - I think it is - Australian Rules Football, and the Palmerston Magpies’ facilities at the CDU site are going ahead in leaps and bounds, with the construction of lighting and a grandstand.
This government is honouring its election commitments from the last election to the people of Palmerston; $33m that those opposite would not put in if they were in government. They did not think about this, they did not listen to the Palmerston community about what people needed. It is only this government that has a vision for the people of Palmerston, and I am very proud that sport and recreation facilities are a part of that vision.
Quarterly Crime Statistics – Decision to Not Release
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Madam Speaker, it is very interesting what this government has chosen not to speak about.
Your decision, your government’s decision, to stop releasing quarterly crime statistics is an absolute disgrace. What this shows is that your government will do anything it can to hide the true extent of the tsunami of violence that has hit the Territory under your watch. You can talk about all the things you like to try to create an impression; you are not hiding it from Territorians.
Why has your government decided to conceal the crime statistics from Territorians? Why is your government so dishonest that it is prepared to end a longstanding practice just months out from a Territory election? Be honest with Territorians.
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call you, Chief Minister, I will note that the member for Port Darwin wanted all questions to be in order. That question had imputations, epithets, inferences, as well as ironical expressions. Chief Minister, if you wish to answer the question, you may.
ANSWER
Thank you, Madam Speaker, I will answer the question. The feigned indignation from the Leader of the Opposition; he well knows that a decision was taken …
Mr Conlan: That is my line of action. You are covering up your crime scene.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you are on a warning!
Mr HENDERSON: … in regard to releasing crime statistics on a nationally-consistent basis. That is what we have decided to do. The ABS national figures will be out in June …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Mr HENDERSON: … next year, as I understand it. The police annual report will be tabled during these sittings of parliament, which will have comprehensive crime statistics in them, so absolutely open and transparent.
The Council of Territory Cooperation looked at this issue of crime statistics and recommended that there should be consistency with the release of those and the national reporting regime. There is absolutely nothing to hide there.
I again point out that, in reducing crime, you have to crack down on alcohol. That is what we are doing. The stark difference between this side of the House and that side of the House is that we know that if you really want to reduce crime statistics across the Northern Territory and crack down on alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour, you have to get tough with alcohol. That is what we are doing with our Enough is Enough reforms …
Mr Elferink: And hiding the crime statistics.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin!
Mr HENDERSON: One thousand five hundred-plus people across the Northern Territory are now banned from accessing grog. In the three months since that occurred - and we did say we would take a snapshot after three months - violent assaults and alcohol-related crime across the Territory is down 15%; in Darwin 20%; in Palmerston 23%. These are the facts.
We know, come the election in August next year, they will be running on a platform to turn the tap back on to several thousand people who will be back on the register by then. It will be: ‘Off you go, boys and girls. Get back on the juice again, get out there, belt up your partners. You can get taken into protective custody night after night, off you go, away you go and do that again. You can drink and drive and not lose your licence to drink’. That will help the road toll …
Mr Bohlin: That is rubbish.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale, you are on a warning!
Mr HENDERSON: That will be the policy of those opposite. We are determined to make our roads safer. We are determined to improve the lives of women and children throughout the Northern Territory. We are determined to improve the lives of those destitute people who get picked up and taken into protective custody night after night across the Northern Territory. We are investing $75m to clean up the Territory in terms of alcohol-related crime.
We know what the opposition will do. Those 1500 people - it will be party time again. Back out on to the grog, back drinking and driving, back belting up the missus …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired. Resume your seat, Chief Minister.
Mr HENDERSON: … back neglecting the kids, back out onto the streets. That is the difference between this government and that rabble of an opposition.
Freedom of Information Legislation – Application to Members of the Legislative Assembly
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Can you please advise the House whether the Northern Territory freedom of information legislation applies to agreements between individual members of the Legislative Assembly?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, freedom of information relates to government documents. There is a precedent for this. Members will recall that the Leader of the Opposition tried to use FOI to find out who in his party had leaked his private job offer conversation with Leo Abbott, the private job offer conversation he had denied took place. His attempted witch-hunt in his own party was denied as the leaked e-mails were not deemed to be government documents. Similarly, an agreement between members of the Legislative Assembly would typically not be considered a government document.
The government has been perfectly open and transparent in making public the agreement the Chief Minister has with the member for Nelson. This is in stark contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who kept his agreement to make the member for Macdonnell a Cabinet minister a secret from even his own colleagues. Last week, the member for Macdonnell was appointed to the position of shadow parliamentary secretary for Indigenous Affairs, Parks and Wildlife, Arts and Museums without even a media release. Yesterday on ABC radio, the Leader of the Opposition three times declined to deny he has agreed with the member for Macdonnell that she will be a Cabinet minister should the CLP ever reach government. Three times he refused to deny a new deal exists. It is clear: a vote for the CLP is a vote for the member for Macdonnell in Cabinet.
Any new agreement he has reached with the member for Macdonnell is unlikely to be subject to FOI; however, the Leader of the Opposition should be transparent. He should tell this parliament and Territorians if he has struck another agreement to make the member for Macdonnell a minister.
It is simple, Leader of the Opposition: do you have an agreement with the member for Macdonnell to make her a minister should you ever make government? Walk into this Chamber and tell us.
Government Failures
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
That which has just occurred gives rise to what I am about to say to this Chief Minister by way of a question.
Your government has become a monument of failure, deceit and resorting to such grubby tactics …
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to withdraw that. You know it is out of order.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Move Motion of Censure
Move Motion of Censure
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, I move that so much as standing orders be suspended as would prevent this House from censuring the government for the following …
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, we will accept this weak censure.
Madam SPEAKER: We will listen to the motion first, thank you.
Mr MILLS: Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent this House censuring this sad government for:
1. conduct leading to the government being in a state of crisis …
Members interjecting.
Mr MILLS: … you may laugh - namely:
an inability to properly address law and order;
repeatedly ignoring the motions of this House;
This is a government …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of Government Business, are you accepting this?
Dr BURNS: I have already accepted, and if we could have it distributed. I do not know if they have enough paper – hopefully they do.
Madam SPEAKER: As soon as possible.
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