2014-10-30
SeaLink – Alleged Government Subsidy
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
A few kilometres from Parliament House are six family harbour cruise businesses that face being sent to the wall. Why will your government not come clean on whether the South Australian ferry company, SeaLink, is using a government subsidy to undercut them?
These are long-standing Territory businesses whose livelihoods are at stake. Who made the decision to allow the Tiwi and Mandorah ferry operator to move into the harbour cruise market? Will you meet with our harbour cruise operators and explain if the government ferry contract included harbour cruises and whether or not appropriate scrutiny is occurring to ensure there is no cross-subsidy that will undercut their businesses?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as that is a question for the Minister for Transport I will refer it to him.
Mr STYLES (Transport): Madam Speaker, I spoke about this recently and explained it to the Leader of the Opposition; however, she may not have been paying attention.
Governments call for tenders – numerous people responded to that. They put in a price to provide services, and government looks at that.
The government tendered for a service to the Tiwi Islands and a service to Mandorah. At that stage everyone in the Northern Territory and Australia had an opportunity to put in a price and fill out the tender documents.
We do not want to charter these ferries 24 hours a day. It would be an enormous cost to have a ferry at our disposal 24 hours a day. If that is the way that the opposition does business it is probably why we had a $5.5bn debt when we came to government.
Opposition Leader, if you have somebody …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The question was: will you meet with harbour cruise operators and explain if the government ferry contract is being used to subsidise the harbour cruise business. Will you give them advice as to whether or not, specifically, that ferry service contract provides for a harbour cruise?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, Opposition Leader. Minister, you have the call.
Mr STYLES: I would like to get to the answer, but, sadly, the Opposition Leader keeps interjecting. You have asked this question before and you have not understood the answer, so I will try to explain it in simple terms. If you have someone coming to your office each morning, Leader of the Opposition, and you say, ‘I want you to provide X number of hours of your time to do a certain function’ …
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: If it is Standing Order 113, it is no go. The minister is answering the question. Minister, you have three minutes, keep going.
Mr STYLES: If you say, ‘I will pay X number of dollars in the morning, and I want you to provide a service in the afternoon’ and then offer the terms and conditions, can you dictate to that person that they cannot do any other job? If the answer is yes apply the same logic to SeaLink. SeaLink has been asked to provide a service for a price in the morning and a service for a price in the afternoon.
When SeaLink took over it was running lunchtime cruises to Mandorah. Since the hotel has closed they have looked for something else to do. They were approached by the Big Red Bus Company, as the Big Red Bus Company approached others, to see if they were interested in providing a service.
SeaLink was approached by the big red bus, as were the operators. I have met with the operators on two occasions and explained it to them. Obviously they have not explained that to you. I am very happy to meet with them a third time if they would like me to explain it again. If you think you can dictate in between those, I am sure you and your mates would not be very happy.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister your time has expired.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
SeaLink – Alleged Government Subsidy
SeaLink – Alleged Government Subsidy
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER referred to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Your Minister for Transport is completely dismissing the genuine concerns these small business people have. You are also the Minister for Business. As Chief Minister, will you meet with the harbour cruise operators?
ANSWER:
Madam Speaker, the Opposition Leader heard a very concise answer from the Minister for Transport explaining the situation with SeaLink, and how it operates. I encourage the Minister for Transport to respond to the supplementary question again.
Mr STYLES (Transport): Madam Speaker, this issue started when the previous government got rid of Gus Whitnall. That is where a lot of this trouble started. We had to sort out another Labor mess and try to find a sustainable service to the Tiwis. We know those on the other side do not support economic development for the Tiwis and do not support economic development in the bush, otherwise they would fully support what we have done. The trouble is that they did not do it, and because they did not think about it they think everything we do on this side is not right according to their doctrine.
I will again finish …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
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Pairing Arrangement – Member for Arafura and Member for Wanguri
Pairing Arrangement – Member for Arafura and Member for Wanguri
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have a paper here for pairs for Francis Kurrupuwu, the member for Arafura, and Nicole Manison, the member for Wanguri, for the day.
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TIO – Sale
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to CHIEF MINISTER
Two weeks ago you started a conversation with Territorians about the infrastructure improvements that could be funded if the government decides to proceed with the sale of TIO. Could you please update the Assembly on the public response you have received via the Building our Territory website?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for asking me this similar question. She is asking it in the Chamber today but has been asking me relentlessly outside the Chamber. The conversation with Territorians started a long time ago in regard to TIO and how it could move forward, but we have started the conversation about realising the asset value of TIO and how we could give that value back to Territorians. There is a drive to get into economic infrastructure, but we know there is also a huge interest in community infrastructure.
I gave an update last night during debate, talking about some of the ideas that came through on the public website. I also mentioned the level of interest in ideas has been quite outstanding, substantial and well above the ideas that have come forward through the northern Australia development website. Nothing has been set in concrete about where the money will go, although I am very keen to support the development of a future infrastructure fund for the Territory. We are already designing the legislation on that. It should not be too far away, so we can achieve the realisation of those funds in the future, governed by experts, to ensure they are spent for future generations of Territorians.
One of the ideas I put forward was for some flood mitigation and remediation works in the seat of Johnston around Rapid Creek. I am sure the member for Johnston would be very keen to see that. Some of the ideas that have come through on the website include – these have not been decided on – a new state-of-the-art TAFE college to create the skilled workers we need for our emerging oil and gas industry; a world-class medical school to keep our doctors at the forefront of their field with better access to ongoing learning; a large music and performing arts stadium in Darwin; a new ambulance centre in Berrimah; an institute of Indigenous studies and museum; a new Katherine rodeo arena; a golf course and resort at East Point; upgrades to the Tanami road; and a rail line linking Darwin and Palmerston, just to name a few.
The other idea that has come forward more recently is what would be known as an ambulatory care centre, which is a broad term generally referring to the planning services provided to patients who are walk in, walk out on the same day. Ambulatory care services can include, but are not limited to, outpatient and allied health clinics, primary healthcare services and day surgery at Royal Darwin Hospital. The proposal that has come forward would allow for expanding the existing bed share capacity from 24 to 41, providing an additional 37 560 occasions of service through an additional 17 treatment spaces at Royal Darwin Hospital. At a cost of around $66m it is something we will put a lot of care and thought into regarding whether we can expand those services at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Chief Minister – Alleged Charter Flight
Mr VOWLES to CHIEF MINISTER
We have been informed that you took a charter flight to Channel Point to attend a buck’s party on 6 and 7 September. Who paid for that charter flight that required two pilots?
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, as it does not relate to a portfolio, you can choose to answer the question or not.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member for Johnston has been misinformed.
East Arm Wharf – Gas Supply Base
Mr HIGGINS to CHIEF MINISTER
The Territory has a growing reputation as a gas supply and processing hub. Can you update the Assembly on exciting advances with Shell’s Prelude supply base at East Arm?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. The parliamentary secretary for northern Australia is very keen to see the development and growth of northern Australia as a gas supply and service centre. He is complimentary of the way the Northern Territory Country Liberals government has brought Shell to Darwin to be part of the centre for the supply base.
I had an opportunity to meet with officials from Shell yesterday and talk about what that means and how we can develop local content. The biggest things that came out of the conversation yesterday were about making sure it is all about local content, how we can build the capacity within Darwin to respond to the needs of Shell, particularly through its floating facility coming soon at Prelude, and how we can make sure we increase the rates of Indigenous employment through Shell operations. Later today I will be officially opening the Shell service centre at East Arm. That service centre will only employ around 20 people because it is not the place where the work is done. It is a coordination site for many services which will be provided to the floating Shell facility.
Shell also said that with our government’s desire to see a greater level of gas come on board in the Northern Territory, particularly deposits such as Petrel, Tern and Frigate out of GDF SUEZ and Poseidon and Lasseters with ConocoPhillips and Santos, there is a greater opportunity for economies of scale in servicing through a supply base than through some of the rig tender work going out of East Arm to some of those areas. The Shell Prelude facility is a great start. We will see what happens with things such as the Woodside facility. We are opening negotiations again very soon in regard to Greater Sunrise and potentially talking about things like Abadi, which is in Indonesian waters, and how we can service that from a Northern Territory point of view. We are advancing …
Ms Lawrie: A great Labor project.
Mr GILES: Can you please be quiet? We are advancing …
Mr McCarthy: The truth hurts.
Mr GILES: … Darwin in terms of its logistical supply base. It is about jobs going forward into the future.
Ms Lawrie: It is fantastic we have a Marine Supply Base.
Mr GILES: I note the negative interjections coming from the other side. I cannot pick them up, but I hear mumbling about the Marine Supply Base. Let us look at the Marine Supply Base; I will go through the costings another day to see how you put Territory finances at risk. The Marine Supply Base is a port facility owned by the Territory government, signed to a company based out of Aberdeen, Scotland under a long-term lease.
The Leader of the Opposition will say you cannot have long-term leases on the port. They signed up to a long-term lease on the port. It is six of one, half-a-dozen of the other. What is the go here? You supported one when you were in government, but not when we are. You must have equalisation in the way your decisions are made here. You created a long-term lease for the Marine Supply Base. We are supporting it, we have delivered it and we are making sure we can now set that up as a service centre for Darwin.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Member for Fong Lim - Reinstatement and Cabinet Reshuffle
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
Your former Treasurer, the member for Fong Lim, has admitted on the public record that he operated on a basis of cash-for-access. His incredible revelation was:
- Your donation will open my door if you ever need to talk to me about something.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not accept the premise of the question. The member for Fong Lim had my full support when he was Treasurer. We understand the comments he made on radio were taken out of context and possibly delivered out of context, but let us put it into reality. When you are a minister in government you receive 50 or 60 requests a day for a meeting. You have to prioritise how to do that.
Mr McCarthy: Money for meetings.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Barkly, I remind you about not calling across the Chamber.
Mr GILES: Everybody prioritises their meetings in a certain way. I prioritise family and friends first when it comes to important matters. I also prioritise how we get the best bang for buck for Territorians when it comes to delivering things in regard to those meetings. You simply cannot have 50 or 60 meetings a day; you have to prioritise. The assertions you have just made about the member for Fong Lim are disgusting.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: the Chief Minister is somewhat confused about the quote from the member for Fong Lim:
- Your donation will open my door …
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order. Sit down.
Mr GILES: We prioritise every day. My staff meet some people, as do I. We prioritise to make sure we get the best ...
Ms Lawrie: Cash-for-access.
Mr GILES: Do not make those ludicrous claims – make them outside. We prioritise how we get the best bang for our buck for Territorians when we have these meetings ...
If you want to talk about cash-for-access and dodgy deals, let us look at the link between the corrupt activity of handing over …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask him to withdraw that. You advised the Chamber about …
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not a point of order. The Chief Minister has not directed those comments at a person or organisation. He was halfway through a sentence. I warn you to be careful, Chief Minister.
Mr GILES: The Stella Maris inquiry used the word ‘corruption’. We know that, we have read it in the document. It refers to how the Stella Maris site, a government asset when you were in government, was taken from government, given to your slush fund mates …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: do you agree the member for Fong Lim’s return to Cabinet is untenable, and when will you fill the vacancy?
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, and you know that. Sit down.
Mr GILES: I like to think we could have a Cabinet of 14 people, because there are 14 people on this side of the Chamber all capable of being very good ministers and leading for the Northern Territory, unlike the people on the other side. The only people I will rule out of coming back to Cabinet are the mob of eight over there. You will not be coming back in.
Ms Lawrie: Why will you not fill a spot?
Mr GILES: Look at you – the Leader of the Opposition put the Territory into its biggest debt in the Territory’s history …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Will the Chief Minister direct his comments through the Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Barkly.
Mr GILES: I do not understand why you are so fixated on me having 13 portfolios. The difference is when we are in government we can work in an iron lung. We can get out there and do the operations. The thing that is frustrating you the most is not only am I holding 13 portfolios, but they are all working. Crime and debt are going down and the economy is going up. That is what is upsetting you the most. ‘He is going to crack’ -no, it is working. Crime is still going down. Look at TAFR; we have a $119m operating surplus three full years ahead of schedule. That is what is upsetting you the most.
Do not come in here and make outrageous assertions and slurs against the member for Fong Lim. You should be disgusted with your behaviour in that regard.
AFL Premiership Games in NT
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER FOR SPORT, RECREATION and RACING
The AFL has just released its fixtures for 2015. Can you please inform the House how Territorians will be able to watch AFL premiership games in their back yard next year thanks to the Giles government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am thrilled to announce today the agreement between the Northern Territory government and the AFL, in this case with the Melbourne Football Club. I thank the member for Blain for his question. The AFL has released its fixtures for 2015. It is great to confirm that Darwin and Alice Springs in the Territory will, once again, be recipients of a couple of premiership games in 2015.
The Melbourne Demons will take on Port Adelaide on Saturday, 30 May in Alice Springs at Traeger Park. It will be the curtain-raiser for the Dreamtime at the G game. That will be in round nine, the Indigenous round. It is a perfect fit for Alice Springs to host that game.
It will be fantastic to welcome the Territory Demons back to Darwin in July next year when they take on the West Coast Eagles. These two premiership games are the first under the new two-year agreement. The previous five-year agreement expires at the end of this year, and we have signed on to another two-year agreement. It has worked very well to see two premiership games, one of those in Alice Springs, which is fantastic news. I am particularly thrilled to announce two premiership games, one of those being hosted in Alice Springs, which is fantastic news.
A historic game was held this year as part of the Indigenous round. The AFL, the Melbourne Football Club and the Port Adelaide Football Club have all voted with their feet and shown enormous confidence in Alice Springs as a world-class venue and destination to host another premiership game on top of the one in Darwin involving the West Coast Eagles.
These major sporting events are not just great entertainment for the community, but they have important economic benefits for the Territory. The Demons also do tremendous work off the field to help grow the sport at the grassroots level and promote activity and healthier lifestyles in the rest of the community. They have been great champions in that regard, so I am thrilled to welcome the Territory Demons back in 2015.
We understand the relationship between sport and travel because sport and tourism are intrinsic; they go hand in glove. Our ‘Do the NT’ campaign will continue to be promoted by the Melbourne Demons in 2015, and we will continue to see more visitors arrive as a result of these great relationships we have with our first-class sporting clubs, the Parramatta Eels and the AFL.
Congratulations and thank you to the Melbourne Demons and the AFL for showing confidence in the Territory. We welcome them back for 2015.
TIO – Sale
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday you said we need a mature debate about TIO. The definition of ‘mature’, according to the Australia Oxford Dictionary, is ‘duly careful and adequate’. Last night you said you were seeking final offers, indicating your government has made a decision, not about selling TIO but about which company will buy it. If your debate has been duly careful and adequate, why have you not asked businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, Territory panel beaters, insurance brokers and thousands of TIO customers what they think or are they irrelevant? Have you duly spoken to the people of Katherine?
Isn’t it the case your version of a mature debate is like a game of football, where your CLP footy team is already 20 goals up at three-quarter time and you invite the public to play the last quarter, knowing full-well they cannot beat you, but at least you will be able to spin the yarn, ‘We gave them the chance, but the people were just not up to it’?
Mr GILES: Madam Speaker, what was the question?
Mr Conlan: I do not know, something about football.
Mr GILES: Football …
Mr WOOD: The question was: have you spoken to businesses like the Chamber of Commerce, Territory panel beaters, insurance brokers, thousands of TIO customers and also the people of Katherine?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, a range of people have been spoken to, including those from the Chamber of Commerce. TIO has given the Chamber of Commerce a briefing. TIO recommended sale. We are responding as a government. They recommend something needs to be done to assess their risk. TIO has been asked to meet with the Chamber of Commerce, which it has done; it will also meet – they may have already met – the MTA.
I have signed around 1000 letters to organisations informing them of some of the challenges and asking for ideas on the way forward. TIO has briefed a range of industries to date. This process is being run more so by TIO than the government.
The government does not have a policy to sell TIO. The government is responding to an issue TIO has, and a sale is part of that process.
Mr Wood interjecting.
Mr GILES: We are responding to the issue, not leading it through a policy debate, member for Nelson. A range of industry briefings have been run, and I am happy to find out exactly who has been briefed as well as some of the issues raised. A range of consultation has been done across the board in different areas, and we are receiving a lot of feedback. A lot of people are saying it is about time and that it should not be there. Many people who do not have insurance with TIO but choose to go somewhere else are raising concerns, which is part of the issue TIO is facing through the competitive environment.
A consultation process has been undertaken. TIO raised the issue with Cabinet in March and we said we would look at it. We have nearly finished looking at it …
Ms Lawrie: A minister has to bring something to Cabinet, not TIO.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, cease interjecting.
Mr GILES: … and I have been saying publicly, ‘Let us get something going through parliament so people know we are talking about it’, because it is coming down quickly …
Ms Fyles: You are rushing it through.
Mr GILES: We are not rushing it through. If we were rushing it through, we would have done it. We would not stand in here today answering these questions, which is want I want to happen. This is what the public debate is about, so you can ask these questions and get those answers.
I would expect the opposition to come in here saying, ‘You have to make sure the TIO brand stays, Chief Minister’ but I hear nothing from you.
Ms Lawrie: You are a disgrace. We do not want it to be sold.
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Suspension of Member
Member for Karama
Member for Karama
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, I asked you to cease interjecting. Leave the Chamber for one hour pursuant to Standing Order 240A.
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Mr GILES: They are the debates I want, but instead we are receiving some feedback from the member for Nelson, which is accepted, warranted, liked and respected. We are hearing a lot from this side to say these are some of the things you have to do with the criteria if you go to a sale. It looks likely, but that is the debate we want.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Barramundi Management Plan – Amendments to
Mr HIGGINS to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRIES and FISHERIES
Last month you put forward amendments to the barramundi management plan to open up the Mary River for year-round fishing. Can you please update the House on where that is at?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. I know the member for Daly has a particular interest in fishing, with his electorate surrounding the Daly River – an important fishery – and he speaks to me regularly about the management of fisheries across the Northern Territory.
Despite all the negativity and abuse we get from members opposite, despite the member for Barkly wanting to call the Chief Minister outside, this is a government still getting on and getting the job done for ordinary Territorians. We are making the decisions that make a difference to Territorians.
I am pleased to announce that from tomorrow the Mary River will be open for year-round barramundi fishing. The Mary River has been closed to barramundi fishing for the period from 1 October through to the end of January since 1988. Amending the Barramundi Fishery Management Plan will be formally gazetted tomorrow, and anglers are encouraged to get out on the water this weekend. I should note, there are some great tides for fishing this weekend.
The Mary River is an iconic barramundi fishery. It is a favourite amongst Territorians and people from around the world; it goes hand in glove with tourism here in the Territory. As I said before, there are some great tides coming up.
The Mary River is extremely healthy and very lightly fished, with less than 5% of spawning stock fished during that season. In 2012 the Country Liberals government closed Chambers Bay and Finke Bay to commercial barramundi fishing, effectively removing any impact on barramundi stocks from the commercial fishery in that Mary River area.
We are taking an adaptive management approach to our fisheries in the Northern Territory. That fishery, now we have closed Finke Bay and Chambers Bay, is a very healthy one. The fishery has been closed during the breeding season for more than 25 years and now it is time to move on.
This government is adapting to the new science we have and taking some of the decisions that should have been made in years gone by. What did the former Labor government do for the fisheries sector during its 11 years of government? They did nothing. If I talk to fisheries stakeholders across the Territory, they will be critical of the former government for one main reason: they did nothing and made no decisions around the fisheries of the Northern Territory. They have left all the hard decisions because they were too afraid of upsetting people; they were stuck in a state of fear and would not do anything. It is simple and true.
I am delighted the Mary River is now open to barramundi fishing all year round. I am looking forward to getting out there to wet a line, and I encourage all anglers in the Territory to do the same.
Political Donations – Inquiry
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Last week your former Deputy Chief Minister said:
- Your donation will open my door …
To return integrity to government, will you hold an inquiry into political donations and what political favours may or may not have occurred as a result of those donations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, you cannot go a day in Question Time without Labor calling for an inquiry. It does not matter what it is for. I might have someone go back – one of my staff who prioritises workloads –and check how many times Labor has called for an inquiry this year.
Let us go through the member for Fong Lim’s quote. He said – this is not selectively quoting, this is what was actually said – in response to Julia Christensen on ABC – a fantastic presenter:
- Now, you know, when I have talked to people about donating money and the like, the best you can say is, ‘Look, your donation will open my door if you ever need to talk to me about something or other’. You are supporting a democratic process and you are supporting a conservative view of the world, but you cannot buy anything more than that.’
That is what he said – ‘you cannot buy anything more than having a chat with me’. You have delivered a horrendous slur against the member for Fong Lim. He said you cannot buy anything more than that, but you have said all his decisions should be brought into question. You are trying to slur a person, but that is your tactic, member for Fannie Bay. I gave you some advice yesterday; I said, ‘When the Leader of the Opposition is kicked out for bad manners,’ as in today, the same as yesterday, ‘it is an opportunity for you to stand up and shine’. Instead, you have taken her playbook, which is to play the man, not the ball. It is your question, you have an opportunity to shine and you have gone straight for the man, instead of the ball.
We had a good question from the member for Nelson when he asked about TIO. During that answer, I asked for sensible questions about the TIO sale; talk about what it means and how we can protect it for the Territory for the future. Instead of asking a good question about TIO and supporting TIO and Territorians, you decided to attack a person by incorrectly quoting something from the ABC show with Julia Christensen.
I do not want to advise you about your tactics, but your Labor tactic of attacking the man is straight from the Leader of the Opposition’s playbook and it does not suit you well. It does not suit anybody who plays that game well. Ask questions about policy, the delivery of programs or the ferry service and how that operates in the harbour; those would be good questions. We will take them on notice and I will talk to minister Styles after Question Time about that. We will see what we can do to support the industry.
They are good things that should be brought up in democracy, not scurrilous slurs against individual members of this government. We will fight for anybody on this side of the Chamber, but you have tried to bring this House, again, into disrepute. You should be embarrassed; it was a serious opportunity for you to stand up and show leadership when the Opposition Leader has been kicked out, and you have failed again.
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The answer should be direct. In the last 10 seconds, will he answer why it is he will not hold an independent inquiry into something that is clearly wrong?
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr Elferink: You are for sale.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, I remind you about calling across the Chamber.
Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Program – Amendment to
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for HEALTH
Can you please update the Assembly on an important amendment that will be introduced soon to move on to the next phase of the alcohol mandatory treatment program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. We will be making some significant amendments to the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Act. It has only been 16 months since this new initiative was rolled out for the first time across the Territory and Australia. We have spent some time reflecting on how to improve alcohol mandatory treatment and have decided to make a few changes to the act.
One of the changes will be to remove the offence provision from the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Act. When we first rolled out this initiative we were very concerned about people absconding. We wanted to keep them in treatment, as they were directed by the tribunal, and we felt having an offence provision in place to keep people there was necessary.
We allowed people, essentially, to abscond twice before the offence provision took effect. In reflection, this provision has not been useful. Absconding has not been a big issue. A number of people have absconded from a few of the facilities. Obviously, we have moved out of the medi-hotel to the Stringybark facility, and absconding is no longer an issue there. Absconding is a challenge for other facilities, but not to the extent we thought it would be when we first launched this initiative. We will remove that offence provision, which I am sure will be approved by those who have taken an interest in alcohol mandatory treatment.
The other amendments we will make to the act involve allowing people who face low-level alcohol-related offences to enter alcohol mandatory treatment. We will open the pathways of referral into alcohol mandatory treatment. At the moment, we have strict guidelines about who is or is not eligible for alcohol mandatory treatment. After being taken into protective custody three times people are then assessed by the tribunal as suitable or not. We want to broaden that and allow people who, for example, might face low-level alcohol offences; they may have stolen a bottle of alcohol or been taken into custody for drunk and disorderly behaviour, drink-driving or taking alcohol into an alcohol-restricted area.
These are very positive changes. We have had time to reflect on how effective our act is, and this will bring more people who require this very important service into treatment …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Graeme Lewis – Removal from Positions
Mr VOWLES to CHIEF MINISTER
Graeme Lewis has conceded that his role as Chair of the Land Development Corporation and director of CLP slush fund Foundation 51 was a conflict of interest. This leaves you as a person who steadfastly refuses to accept this clear and blatant conflict of interest. What does this tell Territorians about your judgment and commitment that your government will act in their best interests? Given that Mr Lewis still holds senior lucrative positions within the government as Chair of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation and a member of the Top End Hospital Network Governing Council, will you finally do the right thing, remove the conflict of interest, and remove Mr Lewis from these positions?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I note when Mr Lewis was on the LDC he always let people know if he thought he had a conflict of interest, which is the right process to go through. I appreciate you trying to play the man again and not the ball, member for Johnston. You are falling for the Leader of the Opposition’s playbook once again.
When you were in government you managed to get union officials and delegates on all the boards in the Northern Territory. Many times during Cabinet – we do not talk about Cabinet processes, but I am sure my colleagues would allow me to say this – we have discussed whether union delegates should be on these boards and whether we should be getting experts on these boards. Consideration of what should be done is something that continues to come across our desks. In asking that question, member for Johnston, you have brought something to my mind. Maybe we should be removing those union delegates from those boards in the Northern Territory. I will give it some more thought.
I congratulate you in following the Leader of the Opposition in deciding to play the man and not the ball in here on a day when we will debate TIO and protecting it for Territorians’ interests. It is such an important issue for the Leader of the Opposition. We know at 11 am today there is a motion I am bringing on about TIO, because you would not. It is so important that the Leader of the Opposition cannot even behave herself, gets kicked out of parliament and will not even be a part of the debate. That is how important it is for the Leader of the Opposition. She wants to play the man not the ball and showcase herself as having no dignity in debating the interests of TIO for the Territory. We are leading the debate. Not even the opposition wants to debate the matter …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The Chief Minister has had enough latitude. Will you answer the question? Will you remove Mr Lewis from those boards?
Madam SPEAKER: The Chief Minister is getting to the point.
Mr GILES: I will be putting a lot of consideration into removing the Labor union people, the slush fund blokes for the former Labor government and the people you gave the Stella Maris government site to, the direct connection between a former Labor government and the Labor slush fund Harold Nelson Holdings …
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. If the Chief Minister could come back to the question before him about a conflict of interest with Graeme Lewis in the position he is in.
Mr GILES: They do not like hearing the bad news. You bring up all these allegations and slurs, but the connection between you as government and the Labor slush fund is written in a report about the Stella Maris inquiry.
Multicultural Community – Government Engagement
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER for MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
Can the minister update the House on how the government is better engaging with Darwin’s vibrant multicultural community, and what potential benefits engagement can have?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain. He is very active, as are many members on my side, at a lot of the multicultural events I attend. . Multiculturalism is alive and well in the Northern Territory. The Territory is a great place to live because of our multicultural community. In fact, that is what defines us and what makes this place so special to live in. My family, who visit from time to time, say how great it is in this multicultural community.
It does not just happen. We have to work to make sure multiculturalism is nurtured, looked after and promoted, so it puts us on the map of the world. I have often said in this House that we can be a beacon to the world showing how people can live with one another. Again, it does not come easy; you have to work on it.
The Giles government, through Cabinet, has initiated a Ministerial Advisory Council for Multicultural Affairs. It is a great step in looking after people of different cultures in our community and promoting multiculturalism across the Northern Territory. It met for the very first time in Parliament House on 9 October.
The council is made up of community members from across the Northern Territory, as well as members from peak organisations such as the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia and observers from the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory and federal government departments. MAC MA, as it is called, will provide a voice for the multicultural community to have their say on government policy and is a great way for the community to get involved. They can advise me on emerging issues facing the multicultural community, and their notions and opinions can be put forward during meetings to provide high-level and strategic advice to improve policy outcomes across government.
MAC MA is able to influence change in the Northern Territory, and the opportunities available are fantastic for those communities. Particularly in the current climate, dialogue is essential in maintaining our enviable multicultural community. We in Darwin are an example of how a multicultural community can live in peace and harmony. We as a government support the little hidden gems of Darwin such as the Harmony Soiree, and they go a long way to ensuring much of our treasured diversity remains.
The Giles government is committed to working and engaging with our many multicultural communities in ways such as providing harmony grants. All the information from those events, the Multicultural Council, the Ministerial Advisory Council gives us …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Gay and Lesbian Community – Government Support
Ms LEE to MINISTER for TOURISM
It has been recently reported the NT tourism department will not help fund a recognised Northern Territory entry into the world famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, as it is not in line with the Territory brand. Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table an article from the NT News.
Leave granted.
Ms LEE: By not supporting the gay and lesbian community what message are you sending out? Where does the gay and lesbian community stand in the tourism brand?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the gay and lesbian community is very important to the tourism brand. We supplied a full-time staff member through Major Events for the Outgames. The Department of Sport, Recreation and Racing contributed some $30 000 towards the Outgames. We know the gay and lesbian community is generally high-yielding, so they are a very important market for Tourism NT. That can be put to bed for starters.
Under no circumstances is Tourism NT, or anyone in the Northern Territory government, homophobic. The allegation is nothing more than a monumental dummy spit by the person involved, and to be reported in such a way was a degrading insult to everyone in the Northern Territory government and the public service. With regard to this particular …
Ms LEE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. I am not asking you about a homophobic slur; I am asking you about the gay community. Where is the government supporting them?
Mr CONLAN: I just highlighted a number of examples of how the Northern Territory government supports all sectors of the community to come and enjoy the product and experience we have in the Northern Territory. All sectors and all community members are encouraged to come to the Northern Territory, not only the gay and lesbian community and not only certain sections of the community, but everyone. The Northern Territory government and Tourism NT market the Northern Territory as a preferred holiday and business events destination above all others, to all members of the community, not just one section.
In regard to this issue you have raised, it was a two-paragraph proposal; the choice of words possibly could have been tidied up. It was high-level marketing speak to suggest it did not align with brand NT. That is all it was. We have high-level experts working in Tourism NT with large marketing backgrounds. They were using high-end marketing speak to respond to that. Clearly, it was misrepresented and misunderstood, and resulted in a monumental dummy spit that was a degrading slur on everyone in the Northern Territory government, public service and, in this case, particularly Tourism NT.
If this gentleman in question would like to put in a solid, thoughtful, considered proposal for funding, it will be looked at. On most occasions, Tourism NT does not fund projects or provide funding for projects outside of the Northern Territory. This is a one-off event. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, as big as it may be, is a one-off event and the value we receive back is, on face value, not considered enough to support.
Museums and Art Galleries of the NT –
Donations
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for ARTS and MUSEUMS
Earlier this year the Giles government passed new legislation giving the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory greater powers to attract donations. Can you please inform the House how the new act has, this week, resulted in some good news for the museum?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for this question. This is terrific. As I alluded to last night in debate, we talked about the game changer, the legislation that came to parliament earlier this year on 1 July to create an independent authority through MAGNT. It was largely supported by the opposition and most members in the House. The idea of that was to encourage more private donations. Most donors are reluctant to donate directly to governments but will donate if they see there is significant independence between government and the organisation they are donating to, in this case the MAGNT.
I am thrilled to announce the MAGNT received notice this week that it has secured $125 000 from the Gordon Darling Foundation in Melbourne to support the research and production of its Papunya exhibition, scheduled to open in 2017. This is on top of a private donation of $85 000 that was recently received to support a curator for the project, bringing the total to $210 000. It is a glowing example of how the MAGNT can work more independently than it used to.
I thank the benefactors for their generous donations towards the Papunya exhibition, which will be of huge local, national and international significance and a key highlight for Festivals NT in 2017.
Some in this House are very well aware of the Papunya Boards. This is the most significant collection for MAGNT, consisting of some 226 paintings collected from 1971 to 1980. It was the very beginning of modern Aboriginal art, and MAGNT’s collection is considered to have some of the most significant, unique pieces in Australia.
This week’s generous donation by the Gordon Darling Foundation will greatly assist in planning this exhibition, which is set down for 2017. This is why we acted very quickly to create independence for MAGNT, so we could start attracting donors to enhance exhibitions such as the Papunya Boards. Congratulations to all the team at MAGNT, Pierre and Hugo Leschen from the Department of Arts and Museums and Allan Myers, who is the new Chair of the MAGNT board. He has done a lot of work in this space and we are already starting to see results.
Tiwi Resources – Payment of $1m by Government
Mr VOWLES to CHIEF MINISTER
You have failed to consult properly with Tiwi Islanders and traditional owners concerning the dodgy payment of $1m to Tiwi Resources by the Land Development Corporation.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 112: imputations. There is a clear imputation there which has not been made out in this House. It should be withdrawn.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Johnston, I ask that you reword your question.
Mr VOWLES: In regard to the payment of $1m to Tiwi Resources by the Land Development Corporation, an article in The Australian on 23 October quoted prominent Tiwi leader Emmanuel Rioli on this questionable deal. He said:
- They’re now saying if we don’t want to lease the land we’re going to have to pay the million dollars back. Well, that’s not our problem … We’re leasing our land for the port, we’re leasing our land for the forests and no one is giving us any income.
There’s no way we would’ve given that land away if we’d known that this was the way it was going to be handled.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not accept the premise of the question. I encourage the member for Johnston to get a briefing; I can update him more fulsomely on negotiations that have been conducted to date in that regard.
Homelands Service Provider Review
Mr HIGGINS to MINISTER for COMMUNITY SERVICES
Could you please update the House on the homelands service provider review and how it continues to improve the lives of Indigenous Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I know how he is passionate about the homelands in his electorate; he always talks to me about how best we can help people around Wadeye, Peppimenarti and Daly. It is important they have access to that outstation all year round.
It is also very important for the rest of the Territory’s Aboriginal people who want to live on their homelands, have access to them, perform their cultural business and make sure their kids are healthy living there.
This government supports homelands. Around 6000 Aboriginal Territorians live on over 400 homelands across the Northern Territory and provide contributions to the economic, social and cultural life of the Northern Territory. This government contracts support to homelands and their residents through the provision of services, including municipal, essential and housing maintenance services. This government knows how important it is to do this.
In 2014-15 a total of $37m has been allocated to provide homelands services. This funding is made up of $32m in Commonwealth funding and $5m from the Territory government. The delivery of services takes place through 36 local organisations that employ many Territorians, including Aboriginal people from the regions. The programs will provide municipal and essential services; the 2014-15 municipal and essential services budget allocation is over $16m. The aim of the program is to assist with the delivery of repairs and maintenance, minor works and the general operational costs in delivering municipal and essential services for homelands and town camps across the Northern Territory.
The 2014-15 housing maintenance program allocation is $7m. The aim of the program is to assist homelands residents to live in a safe and healthy environment. The housing maintenance program is designed to assist with housing repairs and maintenance of dwellings on homelands and town camps.
The 2014-15 Commonwealth-funded NT jobs package allocation is $5.5m …
Ms Walker: Just table the document you are reading from, Bess.
Mrs PRICE: I am reading it because you do not want to have a …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
______________________
Distinguished Visitor
Mr Kon Vatskalis
Distinguished Visitor
Mr Kon Vatskalis
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of a past member of this Chamber …
Mr Vowles: Daryl Manzie.
Mr Higgins: He is much younger looking.
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not Daryl Manzie. Kon Vatskalis, welcome – they do look very similar.
____________________
Tiwi Resources – Payment of $1m by Government
Mr VOWLES to CHIEF MINISTER
In a recent article in The Australian concerning a shonky payment of $1m by the Land Development Corporation ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is okay, member for Port Darwin, it has only just started. I will listen carefully to the full question.
Mr VOWLES: … to Tiwi Resources stated:
- Respected Tiwi elder Marius Puruntatameri said last month the TLC had become ‘dangerously’ close to the CLP. He accused staff of ‘manipulating’ Tiwi leaders.
…
‘It’s a dirty game of psychology that has been happening for too long.’
These comments contradict your claims that Tiwi Islanders and landowners have been properly consulted about the shonky $1m deal and totally undermines the agreement prepared on your instruction and signed by Mr Gary Barnes and Mr John Hicks. Will you now explain this shonky deal and admit you got it terribly wrong?
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not a point of order because in the past the Chief Minister has used ‘shonky, dirty, dodgy deals’. It is not a point of order.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, you have just reignited my memory on the dirty, dodgy Delia deals done by that disaster of a government that was Labor ...
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62: offensive. He should also refer to members by their electorate names.
Mr GILES: Let us look at the report card …
Madam SPEAKER: No. Chief Minister, put it down.
Mr GILES: Does anyone remember the report card? $1.8bn dirty debt by Delia; Asset Management System $70m over budget ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, please refer to members by their electorate name.
Mr GILES: Sorry, Madam Speaker, I forgot because she has been kicked out today for bad behaviour again. Is it three times this week?
Mrs Price: Three times.
Mr GILES: Three days of parliament and the Leader of the Opposition has been kicked out three times. On a day when it is so important to debate TIO, she is kicked out. She will not be here for the start of the debate ...
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I do not know the standing order, but the Chief Minister …
Madam SPEAKER: You should.
Mr VOWLES: I am sorry, I am pretty good on them normally. Standing Order 65: referring to members by their electorate names. He also knows he is playing games here. The member for Karama will be participating in the motion later.
Madam SPEAKER: No, it is not a point of order. Sit down.
Mr GILES: I will not read out all of these areas where Labor failed on the cost of living, land release, increases in crime and rent, poor asset management systems and $1.6bn of Power and Water debt. However, I am reminded about the debt and deficit of the disaster of a former Treasurer, namely the Leader of the Opposition, who is not in the Chamber because she was kicked out for bad behaviour, yet again.
I note the comments being made by the member for Johnston and the disgusting way he is portraying public servants in the Northern Territory, who have done an outstanding job of working on this Tiwi Islands deal.
It brings me to the point of reflecting on the Public Service Awards coming up on 14 November this year. They will be bigger and better than ever before in the Northern Territory. For the first time we are offering $100 000 prize money to support Northern Territory public servants who have invested in their future and career through training and development. We need a big pat on the back for those people supporting the Northern Territory government, public servants and those who invest so much time in the Territory.
Let us think about the people the member for Johnston is attacking. These are people who work in the Department of Land Resource Management; the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment; the Department of the Chief Minister; the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries; the Department of Treasury and Finance; and the Department of Infrastructure. They have all worked together cooperatively to solve the issue on the Tiwi Islands and supported them to get forestry up and running and the woodchip out through the port.
You are talking about officials across all those agencies, and have named the head public servants you want to sack, should you gain government. That is outrageous. You criticise …
Ms WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance, which calls for a direct and relevant answer to the question. There has been a certain amount of latitude here, but there are very serious allegations around this $1m deal. It is now 14 months on. Leases should have been signed at the six-month mark. Could he answer the question?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Nhulunbuy. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr GILES: I do not have much time, but I will give a bit of advice. There has been a shortlisting process for the Public Service Awards on 14 November, and more than 40 people were nominated, teams and so forth. I am proud to announce the Tiwi Islands economic development project is a major finalist in one of the categories for the hard work done across government in the public service. It is outstanding.
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016