2010-04-29
Redirection of Questions
Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I will be taking questions for portfolio areas of the member for Arnhem; and my colleague, the Treasurer, will be taking questions for portfolio areas of the member for Barkly.
Woodside – Floating LNG Platform
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Today’s announcement that Woodside has decided to build a floating LNG plant in the Timor Sea and not a facility in Darwin is obviously a disappointing commercial decision. What communications have you had with Woodside in relation to this decision? What reasons have they given for the floating LNG option? Will you still endeavour to bring the project to Darwin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his very important question. Yes, I have had a discussion with the CEO for Woodside, Don Voelte, this morning. He will be coming to Darwin next week to personally brief me on the reasons and the rationale behind this decision.
This is a disappointing decision for the Northern Territory, but it is a case where the second prize is still a big prize. Don Voelte assured me this morning that there are still very significant economic benefits, and very significant business opportunities for the Northern Territory as a result of this decision.
The campaign to bring Sunrise to shore has certainly been a long one and a ceaseless one. It is something that has been announced to the stock exchange this morning. I have met, not only with Woodside, but all the other joint venture partners, that being Shell, ConocoPhillips and Osaka Gas, on numerous occasions, not only as a leading minister for Business and Resources under the Clare Martin government, but in my time as Chief Minister. Knowing that this decision was coming close this year, I met with Woodside and all the other players in Perth just before Christmas and again just after Christmas, and have virtually been in weekly telephone contact in regard to the timing of this decision.
Importantly, this decision is determined under an international treaty, an arrangement that requires the most commercial decision for the project. I am advised by Don Voelte today that there was unanimity within the joint venture that the floating facility was commercially the best way to deliver this project. They will be demonstrating that to me next week in Darwin.
I have an absolute commitment from the CEO of Woodside this morning that there will be significant economic benefits and significant business opportunities. This project will have to be serviced and supplied, both during the construction and the operation phase, from Darwin. That really dovetails right into what we have been doing, which is to develop Darwin as a regional service and supply base for the offshore industry as well as for the onshore LNG industry.
As disappointed as I am with the announcement today, this is a case where the second prize is still a very big prize. I will have further advice for the Territory community next week after I have met with Don Voelte.
Environmental Protection Measures
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Can you advise the Assembly of any tough new measures to protect the Territory’s environment, and further, are you aware of any alternative policies in this area?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Like her, I have certainly been disturbed at the recent environmental incidents. As I have said consistently over the past week, I will take strong action against polluters. The package I announced today is a very strong announcement and strong package of actions against polluters.
The initiatives include doubling all our penalties …
Mr Elferink: You will double the fines of a government-owned corporation, so government fines itself?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Elferink: That is tough.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting. Minister, you have the call.
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I said, today’s package certainly has the strongest measures we have introduced in terms of the environment and its protection. Doubling those pollution fines makes the Northern Territory one of the strongest and toughest regimes in the country in fining those polluters who put our environment at risk.
Madam Speaker, as part of the initiatives …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, as part of the initiatives, a comprehensive audit and review of all ports, right across the Northern Territory, high-risk activities such as those in our ports, will now be under strict licensing regimes, with $800 000 towards more environmental officers, what I like to call environmental police officers. They will be out there checking our ports, enforcing, making sure that those people in the ports, and particularly the mining companies, are acting within the law. This comes on top of a 30% increase to our EPA that we announced in Budget 2010-11. And you know, the mob over this side are cackling and laughing about it because the environment is just a joke to them.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, it is an absolute joke to them and the way they are carrying on here at Question Time just shows that …
Mr Chandler: Do we thank you or the media?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Brennan!
Mr HAMPTON: … they are a joke when it comes to the environment: they are environmental wreckers, Madam Speaker. Just to prove a point on this particular issue, the CLP’s last budget, and I am sure listeners would be really keen to hear this, was a paltry $2.2m …
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: ... towards impact assessments, waste management, and pollution control. An absolute paltry $2.2m - what a joke, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: This government’s record compared to that is miles apart …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr HAMPTON: Our budget for the environment last year for the environment was $6.4m, and today the announcement is another $1.2m.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
____________________
Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Darwin High School Year 11 Stage 1 Legal Studies students, accompanied by Ms Jane Farr. I believe this is the second time they have visited Parliament House. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Short-stay Accommodation Village
Ms PURICK to TREASURER
In light of what the Chief Minister said in his reply to the first question, and the fact that Woodside is going to floating LNG, he did say that we will still receive substantial economic benefits. Last year, the Henderson government announced a short-stay accommodation village would be developed on government land in Darwin for workers. The timetable has the contractual close for March 2010, a Crown lease issued by April 2010, which finishes in two days, and site work commencing by April 2010. We are at the end of April 2010, and none of this time lines have been met. Is not this latest failure to deliver accommodation precisely why your government has made Darwin a landlord’s dream and a tenant’s nightmare? Will this village that you have promised 12 months ago ever get built?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her almost dorothy dixer question, because, yes, our government did go out to an expression of interest for key worker accommodation, not just in Darwin though; in Alice Springs as well. We have feedback from the private sector in terms of that expression of interest, an assessment panel has gone through full assessments of those, and we are certainly close to making a decision. So far …
Mr Tollner: Close? They are supposed to be built by now!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Opposition members!
Ms LAWRIE: Even though it is still April, and given that we actually did meet the assessment time lines in the media release, and given that it is still April …
Mr Tollner: No, you did not meet any time lines. You failed on all of the time lines!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, so far, we are absolutely on track for the key worker accommodation, and it was good to see …
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Treasurer well knows that the government has failed to meet all of the time lines, and she is actually misleading parliament.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, resume your seat. That is not a point of order!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, it is certainly good to see the private sector response to the expression of interest. Very capable and worthy companies have put solid proposals before government. I have worked with other ministers as part of seeing the information …
Mr Tollner: You are misleading parliament.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Fong Lim has made an accusation which can only be made through substantive motion. Either he does that, or he withdraws.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I ask you to withdraw the comment please.
Mr TOLLNER: Which comment was that, Madam Speaker?
Ms Lawrie: You know very well, you grub!
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, withdraw the comment, please.
Mr TOLLNER: I will withdraw, Madam Speaker, to keep you happy.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Fong Lim. Treasurer, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: I have worked very closely with key senior ministers of this government to see the work done by the assessment panel, and I am very confident of the key worker accommodation being announced imminently.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Fong Lim, cease interjecting!
Palmerston – Improved Family Facilities
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please advise the House of the government’s plans to improve facilities for families in Palmerston?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Palmerston is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia, such is the strength of the Territory’s economy, and such is the strength of population growth. More and more people want to come to the Territory to live, and it is important, as well as developing economic infrastructure, that we develop social infrastructure also.
The budget next week will contain $13.6m to build a water park in Palmerston. A fantastic announcement made today, and I will say to the people of Palmerston, the water park will be free. We understand it is important for families to come together to enjoy time together without it costing them the earth.
I congratulate the Mayor of Palmerston, Robert Macleod, and CEO Ian Burfitt for being so constructive in working with government to see this project come to life. The project will contain massive slides. Consultation with young people in Palmerston suggested they want to see those massive slides, wet play areas, a kiosk, raised boardwalks, offices for lifeguards, toilets and change rooms, and headworks to develop the site.
In the 2008 election, we promised $5m for a water park. In what we are delivering, we have certainly trumped that. Palmerston is growing rapidly. There will be an additional 15 000 people living in Palmerston over the next few years, and those families deserve to have a fantastic water park to spend time with families, celebrate birthdays, and it will be a fantastic facility for the people of Palmerston.
NRETAS – Prosecutions for
Environmental Pollution
Environmental Pollution
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
You are planning to double the fines for environmental pollution and claim you are going to come down like a ton of bricks on companies breaking environmental laws. Is it not the case that there have been no prosecutions by NRETAS of companies for polluting the environment during the last four years and perhaps more?
In little over a week, five serious pollution incidents have come to light through whistleblowers. With companies, including government-owned corporations, polluting the harbour at will, can you please advise the House how many prosecutions has NRETAS undertaken in the best part of the last decade?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. This is exactly why I have come out today with tough new measures.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Mr HAMPTON: I am absolutely committed, and I have said it consistently over the last week, to cracking down on polluters of our environment. I will come down on them like a ton of bricks. I think the message is loud and clear out there with heavy industries …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: the answer should be succinct, precise and direct. If he wants to say none, that is how long it should take him to say it.
Madam SPEAKER: In addition, the question needs to be short and concise. The question was, in fact, quite convoluted. Minister, you may continue.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carney: Come on, Karl, say you do not know.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Araluen!
Mr HAMPTON: Thought bubbles are no substitute for policy and resources.
This is exactly why I have come out with tough new measures …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The answer has to directly relate to the question. The question was how many prosecutions.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, the question actually had a number of segments to it. I believe the minister is answering the question. If you can come to the point as soon as possible, minister.
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I said, this is exactly why I have come out with tough, new measures today. These initiatives …
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, clearly they do not want to hear the answer, do they? Because as I …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, as I pointed out in my last answer, the CLP’s last budget, certainly in terms of the environment …
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: the question is very straightforward. How many prosecutions?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. The question in fact had a number of matters in the question. The minister is answering the question. It is up to the minister. But, minister, if you can come to the point fairly soon, as you are actually running out of time. Thank you.
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will not touch on the CLP’s budget, because I know a bit of truth does hurt …
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: In terms of the new announcements, I will be coming down on polluters like a ton of bricks. I will - do not worry about that. I am coming after them.
Regarding the new package, $800 000, which is a boost to the resources that my department does need, to employ more environmental officers. As I said, I liken them to environmental police officers, and that $800000 is to go towards those resources.
In terms of high risk activities in our port, there will be a new licensing regime that they will have to abide by …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Greater Sunrise Field –
Development with Timor-Leste
Development with Timor-Leste
Mr WOOD to CHIEF MINISTER
Now that Woodside is not going to build an LNG plant in Darwin, and bearing in mind that Darwin already has an LNG plant, and a possible second one, would your government support the development of the Greater Sunrise Field by a partnership between Petronas, the Malaysian oil company, and the Timor-Leste government for the benefit of the people of Timor--Leste? As Timor-Leste is the Territory’s closest neighbour, and the poorest country in the world, should not we be doing our best to help create wealth and employment in Timor-Leste as a friend and to make sure of stability in our region?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his very important question. Yes, I agree with the member for Nelson that we have a responsibility here in the north …
Ms Carney: Well, you would agree with the member for Nelson, wouldn’t you?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms Carney: Your job rather depends on it.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen!
Mr HENDERSON: It is amazing that the opposition thinks this question is a joke. It is a very serious …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms Carney: Your dependence on another member is a joke.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen!
Ms Purick: Mr Toddy.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Goyder!
Mr HENDERSON: They are so rude, Madam Speaker. East Timor and …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Araluen and member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: East Timor and the Northern Territory are firm friends. We have a regular ministerial forum where we work with ministers in East Timor to progress development opportunities, education opportunities, and business and trade opportunities with East Timor.
The reality of this announcement by Woodside today is that it is governed by a binding international treaty between East Timor and Australia that requires the operator of the field, which is Woodside, to develop this project in the best commercial interests of the joint venture.
Why does that benefit East Timor? Because this gives certainty for the development to go ahead. It is not a final investment decision. Under the terms of the treaty, East Timor gets 90% of the royalties. That is royalties that will flow to the government of East Timor for them to invest into hard economic infrastructure, and social infrastructure such as schools. My commitment has been, whenever I have met with the President, the Prime Minister, or other ministers in the Timorese government, that the Territory is here to help, to work with East Timor, to work with these multinational companies in the region, to develop job opportunities for Timorese people on these projects.
It is an important question. I give an absolute commitment to the member for Nelson that while I am Chief Minister of the Northern Territory I will be working as hard as I can to continue to develop the very strong and important relationships we have with our nearest neighbour in East Timor.
Budget 2010-11 – Infrastructure Spend
Ms SCRYMGOUR to TREASURER
Can you update the House on the infrastructure spend in Budget 2010-11?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. I believe she recognises the importance of building infrastructure across the Territory; particularly a big spend coming through in Budget 2010-11 for building in the bush, significant to supporting the growth of economic opportunities across the Territory.
Last year, we were faced, post-global financial crisis, with a situation of declining GST revenues and the private sector not in a position to continue the level of spend they had. We made a decisive decision to go into budget deficit in 2009-10; to have a record infrastructure spend of $1.3bn to support the economy through the tough times, through the recovery period post-global financial crisis. Whilst we are in recovery, we are not completely out of the woods in that the private sector spend has not returned to the extent it was. We have major projects on the horizon, so the horizon is looking very strong. If you look at Access Economics and their predictions for the strength of the Territory economy, it is an extremely strong economy in our nation.
That being said, we are making a very focused decision this year, in Budget 2010-11, to make a record …
Mr Giles: How much is revoted? How much will be revoted?
Ms LAWRIE: He cannot help himself.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: The government will make a record $1.8bn spend in infrastructure to support and create jobs. In the work we have been doing through the infrastructure spend, 6000 jobs were created, and we predict some 3600 jobs secured through this $1.8bn spend. We know better schools, better roads, and better hospitals are part of this infrastructure spend …
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 51. Those three members over there, principally the member for Braitling, are having a conversation amongst themselves, interrupting what the Treasurer is saying. Why can they not go outside in the lobby and have their conversation and leave the rest of us to listen to the answer?
Madam SPEAKER: Members, I remind you of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt …
Mr Elferink: What is next year’s deficit going to be?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin! I am speaking. Excuse me, member for Port Darwin, there is actually respect in this House for the Chair. Treasurer, you have the call.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. In the 20 seconds I have left – $725m for housing and land release; $331m for roads; $213m for schools; $148m to upgrade hospitals; and, of course, the $13.8m for the water park - $1.8bn delivering for families now, investing in our future.
Madam SPEAKER: Treasurer, your time has expired.
NRETAS – Prosecutions for
Environmental Pollution
Environmental Pollution
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
For the benefit of the minister I will try to keep it simple. How many companies have been prosecuted for environmental pollution by NRETAS in the last 10 years?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question, again. Regarding the environment, I am absolutely …
Mr Chandler: Committed.
Mr HAMPTON: No, no ...
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: They have all the answers over there, Madam Speaker. That is why they had such a big environmental budget.
In terms of the initiatives, today I believe Territorians listening to the broadcast and those in the gallery …
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113:
- An answer shall be succinct, concise and directly relevant to the question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, could you come to the point very quickly, or resume your seat.
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I said, the environment being so important, today’s announcement I have made about the tough new measures …
Members interjecting.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevant to the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you come to the point very soon, or I will ask you to resume your seat.
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, I am trying to get to the answer, but the opposition will not allow me. The point of the question is exactly what I am trying to answer. That is what I am saying: this is why we have introduced tough new measures …
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: … because it is clearly not enough …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! If the minister does not follow your directions, I urge you to tell him to sit down.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, are you able to answer the question in terms of what was asked?
Mr HAMPTON: I am trying to, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: I will allow it for a little longer, but if you could come to the point very, very quickly.
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, clearly not enough has been done to protect the environment, that is why we have introduced this tough new measures. That is why I have announced an extra …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is clearly disobeying your direction.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, resume your seat. Minister, are you able to come to the point very soon in relation to the prosecutions?
Mr HAMPTON: There are many interjections and points of order.
Madam SPEAKER: Okay, come to the point straightaway, please.
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker, the answer is there have been none.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Resume your seat.
Mr HAMPTON: There have been no prosecutions to date …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Perhaps he can tell us how tough it was to say that.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. Minister, you have 20 seconds.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is exactly I am introducing tough new measures, and it is something that the opposition do not want to hear, the measures - $800 000 going towards new environmental officers to go out on the ground and do the spot checks - $1.6m. …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, your time has expired.
Budget 2010-11 – Business Growth
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
Could you please explain what Budget 2010-11 will mean for Territory business?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Budget 2010-11 will be delivering now for families and investing in the future of the Northern Territory. As the Treasurer has alluded to previously in Question Time, $1.8bn in infrastructure between Northern Territory and Commonwealth money. This is going into a whole range of areas which are investing in the future growth of the Northern Territory. There is $725m in housing and land release, and anyone who has recently been to Palmerston has seen massive amounts of work going on there for the new subdivision ...
Members interjecting.
Mr KNIGHT: You need to get out there, member for Fong Lim, you need to get out there.
There are workers everywhere, there are roads going in, there is land being cleared, there are parks going in, there is a new substation going in for the Palmerston East area. It is a massive amount of investment by this government into that area of land release. Students would be very interested in the $200m for schools in this budget, the biggest infrastructure budget in the history of the Northern Territory and it is a Labor government that is delivering it. There is $300m for roads …
Mr Tollner interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Fong Lim!
Mr KNIGHT: … much needed for the business community, every sector of the community relies on roads and we have over $300m going into roads. Vital, in the health area, is $150m for hospital upgrades. This is supporting the future growth of the Northern Territory.
Importantly for business is the procurement aspect of this infrastructure budget. The Procurement Review Board has advised that, up to end of March, 80% of contracts valued at more than $200 000 have gone to Northern Territory companies. That is great news - 728 government contracts went out thus far for contracts over $200 000; 580 went to Territory companies. This is supporting jobs; this is investing in the future of the Northern Territory. It is certainly great news.
We have the highest rate of economic growth in the country, right here in the Northern Territory. We have the lowest employment in the country but the biggest jobs growth in the Northern Territory. We effectively have full employment in the Greater Darwin area. Under the CLP, 5%, which grew up to 7%, the legacy of CLP policy.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask if the minister would be so kind as to table the documents he is reading from.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. There is no point of order.
Mr KNIGHT: No, notes. Madam Speaker, 5% unemployment, the economy was dead. The only growth industry in the Northern Territory was the removalists taking everyone out of town; everyone did not have a job, they were heading out of town. So this government, these policies, these investments, is growing jobs, supporting families in the Northern Territory.
Indigenous Visitor Accommodation –
Alice Springs
Alice Springs
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
You recently announced tenders to improve Indigenous visitor accommodation in Alice Springs. Could you please explain where the accommodation village is to be sited, what is the expected cost for the facility, and who will own and manage the accommodation? If this accommodation park for 150 people can be built under a single tender process with money provided by the federal government from minister Macklin’s office, does that mean the federal government and the Northern Territory government has lost faith in its own alliance model for building Indigenous housing?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I did have difficulty hearing the end of it so I might get back to you on that one. In relation to the accommodation, it is very important that it is part of the Alice Springs Transformation Plan …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! In fairness to the minister, he admitted he did not hear the question; it was a reasonably long question. Could you show the minister some courtesy and allow the member for Nelson to ask the question again?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Fong Lim. The minister has indicated he will ask the member for Nelson if he needs to. Remember, this is eating into the minister’s answer time.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, he said he did not hear the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Only the last part, member for Nelson.
Mr WOOD: Minister, if this accommodation park for 150 people can be built under a single tender process with money provided by the federal government through minister Macklin’s office, does this mean the Territory and federal governments have lost faith in the alliance model for building Indigenous housing?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, remember this is part of the answer time.
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank the member for Nelson for his question. As I said, the accommodation park is a very important element to the Alice Springs Transformation Plan, which is under the auspices of the federal minister and me as the lead minister in the Northern Territory government.
It does not mean that, member for Nelson. It is part of the transformation plan. With SIHIP and the alliance modelling, I am happy to have my colleague, the minister for housing, answer that. The visitor accommodation park is a very important part of the transformation plan. Minister Macklin has visited town camps in Alice Springs, and we are committed to making a difference to the lives of town campers.
Alice Springs members know that Alice Springs is a very important service hub for remote communities and for many Indigenous people. Often when they come into Alice Springs they resort to camping in the creek or in town camps or public housing dwellings. The accommodation park is about providing safe accommodation to those people who are visiting Alice Springs to access particular services. The accommodation park a very important element, providing 150 beds to people who are most at need and to those that are visiting Alice Springs.
As for the alliance model, I am happy for my colleague, the minister for housing, to answer that. Both projects, member for Nelson, are critically important in overcoming Indigenous disadvantage, particularly in housing and homelessness that those people do suffer.
Environmental Protection Authority - Funding
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
It has become very obvious that the Henderson government has a dismal record of detecting …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr CHANDLER: … and prosecuting acts of environmental pollution. Next year, you will provide the EPA with a budget of just $1.5m and a staff of five. By way of comparison, in South Australia, the EPA has a budget of $40m and 220 staff. When is the Territory going to get an environmental watchdog with real teeth?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is quite laughable, that question coming from the CLP. As stated previously, they simply have no credibility when it comes to the environment. Through a previous answer, I have quoted the CLP’s last budget; a paltry $2.2m these guys put into the environment. They have the cheek to question this government on our environmental credentials – a paltry $2.2m. Our budget for the EPA is $1.5m. The budget for 2010-11 delivers an extra $0.5m to the environmental watchdog that this government has created.
This government created the EPA. That is a very important point the member for Brenan should listen to. This government created the EPA, something that these guys never did for 26 years. Twenty-six years and they could not manage to get an EPA together. In fact, while I am on the budget, $1.5m for the EPA through this Henderson Labor government, and going through books and looking at the last budget of the CLP, as I said, $2.2m from the CLP in their last budget. I was trying to locate their budget for the EPA and, as I said, how many dollars for the EPA in the CLP’s last budget - none, zero.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr Conlan: Rubbish, $8m to give the EPA more teeth and make it independent. The policy, mate, go and have a look.
Mr HAMPTON: I will pick up on that interjection. I am glad the member for Greatorex is …
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: … post-2001 the member for Greatorex was not even here. So budget for the EPA – zero.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Honourable members, today, as there were yesterday, there are far too many interjections. I would just like to indicate that yesterday afternoon, as I predicted, I did received a large number of phone calls regarding the capacity of people to hear the broadcast. I am sure, member for Fong Lim, that you find that very amusing. Many people actually pointed to you in particular, and I would like to indicate that. That is a concern for me and for people who are trying to listen to this broadcast.
Minister, you have the call.
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
In the little time I have left, as I said, this government is the government that created the EPA. This government is the government that gave it more teeth through legislation. This government is the government that has increased their budget by 30% in Budget 2010-11.
The opposition can grandstand and do what it wants, but the simple facts are there. You look through their budget books: in 2001, budget for EPA – zero, a big fat zero – something that the member for Goyder should be ashamed of, and something that the CLP should be ashamed of.
Mine Management
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Can you please advise the House what this government has done to ensure better mine management across the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, mine safety in the Territory is very important. What is also important is protecting the environment. I have to say that when I became the minister for Resources, the first time in my tenure I found a situation that was absolutely abysmal. No prosecution had taken place against any mine in the Territory for 10 years. Not only that, I found 2000 legacy mines; legacy mines around the Territory, abandoned and not rehabilitated.
The worst mine was the one I had very many sleepless nights over, and that was Mt Todd. The reason it was Mt Todd was because it was a moonscape, a disaster. It was a mine that was leaking heavy metals down the Edith River. In one year, the heavy metals that leaked from Mt Todd was 17 tonnes of copper, aluminium, arsenic and, on top of that, there were two tanks containing 700 000 litres of highly concentrated cyanide sitting on top of Edith River which feeds into Daly River.
Since then, not only have we strengthened the regime against mines and mine safety, I was the minister who first insisted that the major mine in the Territory was taken to the cleaners. ERA was fined $150 000 for breaches of the Mining Act, breaches that had the resulted in the leaching of contaminated water into Magela Creek.
Madam Speaker, we have changed the way we do business. In 2008, we had 221 visits to mine sites; in 2009, we had 296 visits to mine sites. We took Mt Todd and spent $5m replacing pumps and pipes in order to ensure that the legacy of the CLP would not destroy some of our best rivers.
This is what we found, and that resulted in enormous quantities of water from the contaminated pit to the tailings dam had leached out and found its way down Edith River. I find it very rich that these people now, after their road to Damascus, are to become the green Liberals. That reminds me about leopards and spots. I do not think they will change their spots. It does not matter what they say they about the EPA …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: … they are going to be the CLP, the ones who left us this legacy. I am very proud to say that, since we took over, the Territory mining sector …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Members interjecting.
Ms Purick: How can you prosecute, they have gone bankrupt, you are the bloody dill!
Ms Lawrie: What happened to the bond? It did not exist under you lot.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: Madam Speaker, the member for Goyder is right. Companies go bankrupt, but what the government does to ensure that when they go bankrupt there is enough money to rehabilitate the site. That mine had a $900 000 bond, on instructions by Mike Reed, the then member for Katherine and then Treasurer, because if it had not happened, the mine would not have gone ahead – a CLP legacy!
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Darwin Port Corporation - Penalties for Polluting
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Will you apply the proposed new penalties for pollution to the incidents that have come to light during the last five weeks retrospectively? In particular, will you throw the book at the government-owned and operated Darwin Port Corporation, and will they face fines of up to $3m for deliberately concealing pollution of Darwin Harbour with copper concentrate? How effective is government fining itself for polluting the environment?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. The member for Brennan already knows these incidents are under investigation as we speak. I am not going to pre-empt those investigations. I am going to let my officers get out on the ground and do the investigation and report back to me. In terms of the …
Mr Chandler: You said yesterday you were going to prosecute; the day before you were not going to pre-empt it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: He asked the question, but he does not want to listen to it. It is simply rude.
As I said, the member for Brennan knows these investigations are under way. I made sure officers were on the ground the day I heard about it. There is a process in place. We need to give that process the respect and time for it to be done properly.
The measures I announced today are tougher laws, tighter monitoring, and bigger penalties. That is what Territorians want to hear. Territorians want a government to act on this, and we are acting – tougher laws, tighter monitoring, bigger penalties - bigger penalties than these guys ever had.
As my colleague stated in the last answer, what was their performance regarding the environment? How many prosecutions did they have? Did they prosecute the operators of Mt Todd? Did they? Not at all, Madam Speaker. Did they have an EPA? What was their budget for the EPA? They did not even have one ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HAMPTON: Madam Speaker …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex! Deputy Chief Minister! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: As I said, in relation to the question, I will not pre-empt the investigation and what comes out of that. I am letting the work go ahead. As I understand it, the EPA this government created is also going to investigate that and the Darwin Port Corporation is doing their own. Regarding the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act, I have lodged a Pollution Abatement Notice with both the Darwin Port Corporation and OZ Minerals. I am going to let that investigation play out.
As Territorians would expect of their government, I am acting on the environmental issues by introducing tougher new laws – tighter monitoring, getting those environmental police officers out there on the ground doing spot checks, and keeping a close eye on those heavy polluters.
World Geothermal Congress
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Your government has been talking up the opportunities for geothermal energy in the Northern Territory. Could you say if there are any NT government representatives from your department at the World Geothermal Congress being held in Bali as we speak and, if not, why not? If you have, will you be reporting to this parliament on some of the key findings of this conference?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Yes, there will be a geologist from the department attending the conference in Bali this week and, yes, I will be requesting him to provide the report of the conference and I will bring it to parliament when I have this report.
Environmental Protection Authority –
Industry Representation
Industry Representation
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Can you please advise the representation by industry on the establishment of an EPA in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, sometimes things we do in our previous life come back to haunt us, and things we write even worse. The member for Goyder said on the record:
- … the current system of environmental assessment and management by government for the resource industry is objective, fair and open to scrutiny and is relevant for contemporary operations.
She added:
- … major changes to the current arrangements cannot be justified …
She further said:
- I think the word ‘independent’ is grossly misused, it is almost devoid of meaning these days.
In the lead-up to the 2005 election, she took the CLP line that the EPA was not required; now that is the CLP line – the EPA is not required, because, on ABC radio on 11 February 2005, she said:
- We have some of the better legislations in Australia whether it be the Environmental Assessment Act or whether it be the Mining Management Act.
Again, she said:
- … people seem to get hung up on this word ‘independence’.
I rest my case.
Budget 2010-11 – Infrastructure Programs
Mr ELFERINK to TREASURER
You have announced a $1.8bn spend in infrastructure programs. My question is quite straightforward …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ELFERINK: Treasurer, you have announced a $1.8bn spend in the infrastructure budget. The question is very straightforward: how much is the revote?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, put those down, please. Remove those before you start answering. Remove those posters, thank you. Order!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the almost dorothy dixer from the member for Port Darwin, because it took a Labor government to recognise the need to lift the public spend in infrastructure, a record $1.3bn in 2009-10 …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: It took a Labor government, at the same time these clowns were following their Liberal masters and saying ‘no’ to stimulus funding from the Commonwealth …
Mr Giles: It is revoted every year. You are not doing your work. That is what is happening.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Treasurer knows she is not being relevant. That question was a very simple question: how much was the revote?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you have the call. There is no point of order.
Ms LAWRIE: At the same time these clowns were saying no to Commonwealth stimulus dollars, which were critical in supporting jobs …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It seems a trait with these guys. It is very difficult to get them to answer a single question …
Members interjecting.
Mr Tollner: Well, she needs to be relevant and to answer the question: how much of $1.8bn is a revote?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, there is far too much cross-Chamber chatter, making it extremely difficult to hear either the question being asked or the answer being given. Minister, if you could answer the question as closely as possible to the one being asked.
Ms LAWRIE: I say it is a dorothy dixer because I am very proud that, under the Construction Division, we have a $1.3bn record infrastructure budget, recognising we have major projects which go across financial years - we do Dry Season construction in the Territory, some people may be aware of that. As of March, year to date, we have put $913m out the door into construction …
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: A $913m spend in the Territory. That smashes all records; it is a record spend in March, bearing in mind we undertake – and I will repeat it, because they are a bit thick at times – bearing in mind we undertake Dry Season construction activity in the Territory, for obvious reasons. It is very hard to be out there pumping your construction activity in the Wet; we have had a good Wet Season in the Top End, we have had a good Wet Season in Central Australia. Despite that …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! She has had two-and-a-half minutes and the question still remains unanswered. It is a very succinct question.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, come to the point; there is 20 seconds remaining.
Ms LAWRIE: … $913m March spend out the door …
Mr Elferink: How much is the revote?
Ms LAWRIE: Work it out! If you cannot work it out …
Members interjecting.
Mr Elferink: You have restrained $400m from last year’s budget.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, cease interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: … the largest ever spend, it completely smashes all records in the Territory. I am proud of the work the Construction Division has done to get this money out the door.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Remote Schools Infrastructure
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Since 2001, this government has invested heavily in remote schools infrastructure. Could you advise the House of plans to continue these important investments?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question; I know by her vital interest in education. Since 2008, we have spent approximately $50m on infrastructure in our remote areas. Some of the highlights of that include $3.2m for a new school at Alpara; $1.95m for a new school at Yilpara; $15.63m in upgrades at Ramingining, Yuendumu, Ngukurr, Alekarenge, Yirrkala, Gapuwiyak, Gunbalanya, Lajamanu, Numbulwar and Alyangula schools. In the budget, I have already announced $2m for seven homelands learning centres in the upcoming budget. That is not even including the BER spending money in the remote areas of $93m. We are also investing in teacher accommodation, $18.2m; and we are on target to meet our 200 extra teachers in that four-year project.
Madam Speaker, $8.5m in 2010-11 for new remote capital works in primary school upgrades including, as I mentioned yesterday, $1.25m for new school facilities at Hermannsburg; that will be for multipurpose arts and natural sciences, and a covered area for outdoor sports and recreation. Apart from that, since 2008, at that school, $1.15m funded upgrades and extensions for the administration block and new furnishing; $4.63m Australian government funding for three new classrooms, home economics upgrade, a new building for preschool and transition classes, and five two--bedroom accommodation units at $1.27m.
We are investing heavily in remote education in a range of ways; not just in infrastructure, but also programs to support literacy and numeracy. We have the literacy and numeracy task force which I announced in conjunction with the federal government.
What is the contrast, Madam Speaker? The Leader of the Opposition announced his education platform. There was not one mention of Indigenous education, not one mention of remote schools …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: … the old CLP, that is where they will go if they ever get back into government. This is a government investing heavily in our remote areas.
Darwin Port Corporation - Sinclair Knight Merz Report on Handling Copper Concentrate
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION referred to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Could you now tell the House why the Port Corporation wanted any reference to the loading of copper concentrate at East Arm Wharf expunged from the SKM report? Can you also outline the relative costs between loading copper concentrate by conveyor belt as opposed to container? Will you table the draft SKM report, the one written before your government ordered a key recommendation to be taken out? Will you also table the final tampered report; and will you table any interactions between the Port Corporation and SKM?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there are many allegations being flung around by the member for Brennan. What I can advise the Chamber is that SKM is the owner of the report; it is not the government’s report, it is not the port’s report, it has ownership by SKM. I have been advised SKM are providing the report to the investigation currently under way; that is appropriate and I certainly am pleased to hear that.
I am not aware of any tampering. I am not aware of the allegations. What I am aware of is that the government saw the expenditure at the port of $1.25m to meet environmental assessment in terms of modifications to the loading process to accommodate the copper concentrate. What modifications occurred, unlike – and as the Infrastructure minister yesterday explained - with other ores, they are stockpiled out in the open. With OZ Minerals, the ore is brought in, in sealed containers, into a purpose-built shed, and that ore is then loaded onto the conveyor. The modifications, the $1.25m, in accordance with the SKM recommendations, I am advised, included canvas to enclose the conveyor belt system, trays underneath the conveyor belt system, and water sprays in and around the conveyor belt system.
I am advised that SKM did give specific environmental advice to the port in how to provide for modifications to the loading system to ensure the copper concentrate was properly loaded. The advice I have received is that all reports from SKM would be provided to the investigation, and I am pleased to hear that.
Secure Care Facility in Rural Area –
Community Consultation
Community Consultation
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for HEALTH
There was a meeting at the Litchfield Council last night at which many people expressed their concerns regarding the proposed secure care centre proposed by your department. In your own department fact sheet of December 2009, it says:
- The location for the services has not yet been decided. Community consultation will occur prior to finalising plans for any new construction or renovation.
Is it not true that there has been no community consultation? Would you now put this proposal on hold until your department consults with the community?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I am very pleased he has raised the issue again. I believe the members for Nelson and Goyder received a briefing today, and the member for Greatorex is receiving a briefing on Friday regarding the site in Alice Springs.
Member for Nelson, I have to tell you that I am far from impressed with my department’s performance. I specifically asked for consultation. I know this situation is sensitive. I have told them that when they go out publicly, they have to speak to the people, explain what the facility is, who is going to live in the facility, because people are going to ask.
At the same time, I have to say that I am very disappointed when I see these kinds of pamphlets: ‘high risk mental asylum in rural area’. This is not the label we should use. These are redneck pamphlets. This does not belong here in the Territory.
This facility is …
Members interjecting.
Ms PURICK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Deputy Chief Minister is insinuating that I am responsible for this pamphlet that the minister is holding, by looking directly at me and saying it is appalling, and the other comments.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Member for Goyder, resume your seat. If you wish to make a personal explanation you can approach me later.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: This is a question that I would like to ask the member for Greatorex, because there is no name or address or any telephone number. It was put in the post boxes, and that is really disappointing.
The people who are going to be housed there are people with mental illness. They are people who currently live in our community in some group houses. For various reasons, they refuse to take their medication and they have to be under supervision. This is not going to be a prison. This is not going to be surrounded by barbed wire. This is going to be a facility for people with serious illness who have to be looked after by our community.
I have instructed my department to continue consultation with the public. I asked my department to have one-on-one discussions, to attend the meetings in Alice Springs and in Litchfield in order to explain to people where this place is and what it is going to be.
I have also heard allegations that this is five minutes from the schools. Well, if you can walk 60 km/h, it is five minutes from the school, because it is 3 km away from the schools. To give you a perspective, if this facility was here today, 3 km would be at the old hospital site. That is how far away it would be.
I understand people’s concern. I sympathise with the people. The department stuffed up and the department has been told to go out and consult with the community. When they come back to me, after full consultation, then there will be a decision regarding the sites.
Channel Island Power Station –
Additional Turbines
Additional Turbines
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for ESSENTIAL SERVICES
It was recently announced that two additional turbines have been purchased for the Channel Island Power Station. What will these generators mean for the Territory’s future electricity needs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is only the Henderson Labor government that is committed to rebuilding Power and Water after decades of neglect by the CLP. The Power and Water Corporation is our own government-owned corporation. It is owned by Territorians. It is a vital institution in the economic prosperity, the social cohesion of this town and this whole Territory. It is a very important organisation.
Investing in that organisation is also vitally important. The Henderson government has a capital and repairs and maintenance budget of $1.5bn over the next five years. That is an incredible amount of money, never before seen by the Power and Water Corporation in its existence. This is needed because we have the strongest economy in the country; we have the strongest jobs growth in the country; we have the lowest unemployment in the country. That is because of the policies and the investment of the Henderson Labor government. With that growth, we have to invest in our essential services to meet that growth.
Thousands of people are coming to the Northern Territory because of our booming economy and we must invest in our power generation. That is why we have invested in these two 45 MW turbines to be installed at Channel Island. It goes on top of power generation investment in Alice Springs - some $134m being spent on the Owen Springs Power Station, and we have just seen the first lot of generators going down there.
This new generation capacity at Channel Island will increase our capacity by 25%, getting way ahead of our growth in demand. We have a plan for the growth of the Territory; it includes investing in our power, water and sewerage needs.
The only plan the CLP ever had was to strip out and sell off the Power and Water Corporation. They sacked 130 skilled workers within Power and Water. We have suffered since that time and we are now rebuilding Power and Water. This investment of $1.5bn by the Henderson Labor government will see the prosperity of the Northern Territory is assured. Power and Water is rebuilding, it is growing, and we are employing more and more staff to rebuild the organisation. We are retraining, training, and upskilling each staff member in Power and Water. This is a great investment by the Northern Territory government.
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