2011-10-26
NAPLAN Results
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, you said that if we get all kids to school every day, they will achieve like all other kids around Australia. If only it were that simple, and after 10 years of Labor, the education debate has been dumbed down to its lowest level. The recent NAPLAN results are deeply concerning and demonstrate decline rather than improvement. The education revolution was a slogan, and your middle school reforms have not produced the promised academic results. Given the poor results in every area across the system looking back over 10 years of Labor, what would you do differently if you were given the chance?
Madam SPEAKER: That is asking for an opinion, a hypothetical. If you can withdraw that last part of the question and reword it, please, Leader of the Opposition.
Mr MILLS: Chief Minister, what is your specific response to the systematic decline and the lack of improvement shown in the NAPLAN results?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, that question has just offended all our teachers and principals in the Northern Territory who work so hard every single day delivering great education outcomes to Territory kids. I say that most sincerely.
What we have is a very simple analysis to do. Very clearly, the NAPLAN results show that the schools with high attendance rates have kids who have high pass marks. All those schools with attendance rates above 90% are performing as well as other schools in the country. That is what is happening.
The tragedy is that we have too many kids not attending school every day. It is very simple. I visit Northern Territory schools on a regular basis. I do not know how many classrooms I have been in across the Northern Territory, but it would run into the hundreds, if not thousands, over the years. What I see, consistently, is our education system in the Territory, where kids go to school every day, is as good as it is anywhere else.
Why the Leader of the Opposition would seek to do what they do all the time over there, which is run the Territory down, trash the Territory, and criticise …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … our schools. For someone who used to be a principal …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Arafura! Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: … I would have thought he would understand this equation fairly well. I talk to principals across the Territory and they say, if the kids come to school every day, they guarantee that students will meet those tests, unless the child has some sort of learning difficulty …
Mr Mills: Or the curriculum might not be well suited.
Mr HENDERSON: That is what our principals say. They guarantee that those kids will get to benchmark, and that is what I guarantee.
The issue is, fairly and squarely, attendance. The other issue is, unlike the CLP for 27 years, we are providing secondary education in the bush and we are testing those kids. We have the same level of expectation for those kids as we do for kids in our urban areas …
A member: No, you do not.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … that is why we test them. Under the CLP for 27 years, there was no secondary education and no testing of kids. We do not care what they are doing out there, but we are not going to test them, we are not going to report on them, and we are not going to be transparent about what is happening in the bush; out of sight, out of mind.
That is not what we are doing. I guarantee that, if kids go to school every day, they will get to benchmark.
A Working Future – Progress Report
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you please update the House on the success of the government’s A Working Future Initiative?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Our A Working Future policy - policy, something that they do not have - is right at the heart of our vision for strong communities in our remote areas; right at the heart of delivering that. It is about working with local people, with the Commonwealth government, to ensure our communities grow into towns, and that those towns have the same services and infrastructure of like-sized towns around the rest of Australia. That is our vision, that is our policy, compared to the vacuum and the empty vessels that sit opposite …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr HENDERSON: No policies, no education policy, no policy for remote communities. This is part of our Territory 2030 vision, which is a comprehensive vision for the Territory by 2030. Our vision for these towns is that they will become the economic and service delivery centres for the region they sit in.
There is an enormous amount of work going on. We are working with the town leaders through the local implementation planning process. For all our 20 towns, we have comprehensive commitments, joined up commitments between the Territory government, the Commonwealth government, and local people about building these communities into towns. It has never happened before in the history of the Northern Territory. Our smaller towns and the outstations that surround them will get the flow-on effects of better services, consolidating those services in the bigger towns.
Like everywhere else in the world, our towns need private investment to function properly. We are developing a long-term Indigenous economic development strategy to provide the right pathways. I know conversations have taken place between the land councils and the major banks about looking at financial vehicles to facilitate investment. I congratulate departments, the land councils and the banks that have participated in those very constructive forums. I am hopeful that we will see new financial vehicles created through our major four banks that will provide for private sector investment and security over that investment for these towns.
We have a vision for the Northern Territory. We have a vision for our remote communities to become towns like anywhere else in Australia. Supporting that vision, we have plans; funding; and a partnership with the Australian government that has seen more money flow to these towns and communities than has ever occurred before, unlike the members opposite, who have no vision, no plans, and absolutely no idea of where the Territory is heading.
Education – Students Meeting Basic Standards
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
More students across the Territory have failed to meet the national minimum standard in reading and writing this year compared to last year. In the graph I have here, the red column shows more students falling behind. Forty-one per cent of Year 9 students did not achieve minimum standards in writing. You constantly refer to improvements in education when your own data suggests otherwise. This is not about the teachers. What is preventing our students meeting basic standards?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the shadow Education minister. He has been talking down the NAPLAN results since they were released. He put out a media release on 9 September 2011, and this is what he said:
- In no measured area across numeracy, literacy and reading has the proportion of students meeting the national standard actually improved in the past three years.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: What the opposition does not like is the fact that commentators, not only in the media but also educational commentators, have pointed to the fact that the rates of improvement in 11 out of 12 domains in the Northern Territory have exceeded the nation ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Are you going to let me answer the question? Lord knows we needed to, given our very low base. I know the opposition object heavily to editorials in the NT News and The Australian which talk about the improvements in our literacy and numeracy. Justine Ferrari wrote in The Australian about our NAPLAN results:
- NT students make great strides in NAPLAN but still behind the Australian average.
Your Say, the Editorial in the NT News:
- Results we can celebrate.
Yet the opposition - and the member for Brennan now has form - waltz out there and say things that are not true; say that in not one area has there been an improvement – not one area. That is what he said, and that is untrue. If you want to sit down with me and go through the tables at the back of the NAPLAN, I will show you where it has improved from year to year, if you are talking about a cohort that did this test in 2009 to 2011, or if you are talking about successive cohorts. Granted, member for Brennan, there is a number of results where there has been no significant change. There has been a number of results where there has been an improvement, and a number of results which have been in the negative. I acknowledge that. However, for you to say in no area has there been an improvement is blatantly wrong.
Moreover, we can point to improvements. We have a strategy. We have engaged Professor Geoff Masters and we have a literacy and numeracy strategy within our schools. The opposition has no policy; all it can do is criticise.
Local Implementation Plans – Local Input
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
A large part of our work to improve service and opportunities in the bush is built around priorities set with local people in local implementation plans for each of our Territory growth towns. Can you please outline how we ensure our government’s work in these areas stays focused and in line with local people’s priorities and expectations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nhulunbuy. As a government, we want to improve the way of life for all people in the Northern Territory. Under our A Working Future policy, the government is determined to ensure we reach out with every agency throughout the Northern Territory, in particular with the growth towns, taking into account the need to grow all our regions and, in particular, allowing choice for people wherever they wish to live - homelands, outstations, smaller communities, the growth towns, or the main town centres along the Stuart Highway.
That is our vision for the Northern Territory; that is where we are going. We want to turn around decades of neglect and look at building the firm foundations for decades of prosperity for all people in the Northern Territory.
I enjoy reporting sincere and genuine feedback to this parliament from wherever I go in the Northern Territory. I work very hard with all my colleagues in their particular constituencies to listen to the concerns of people as they raise them with me.
We have a number of local implementation plans. Of the 29 RSD sites across Australia, 15 are in the Northern Territory. Of the 15, 13 local implementation plans have been signed. I commend the department and the work going on with the shires and all those people in each of those respective remote service delivery sites. In recent weeks, I have also listened to concerns, not only around the growth of these regions, but other issues impacting on the empowerment and disconnect issues that people want to talk to me about.
Most recently, I went to Kalkarindji to listen to the Central Land Council and the people there. I have been working with the member for Arafura on the issues in that electorate, and the same with Nhulunbuy. On Friday, I went to Peppimenarti and listened to the concerns of people from Wadeye and other areas as they like to raise things with me, which is precisely what I am all about. We know, on this side of the House, that with these reforms, whether it is to do with local government or the local implementation plans and A Working Future, there is incredible change across the Northern Territory.
Our government is always listening to what people are raising, because we have the courage to take the steps to make reforms, knowing that they are not perfect, but knowing that we have to consistently work with the people of the Northern Territory in order to provide effective democracy across the Northern Territory.
INPEX Workers Village – Payment for Headworks
Mr TOLLNER to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING referred to TREASURER
I believe it is fair to say that a majority of Territorians support the INPEX project. The Country Liberals are also 100% behind that project. In saying that, Territorians still have a right to be informed on details of that project. Can you tell the House who has paid for the headworks at the workers camp at Howard Springs, such as the installation of power, water and sewerage?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, first I say that INPEX is a major project and will deliver the prosperity that we, on this side of the House, are talking about. Regarding the financials, that is a question for the Treasurer. The Department of Lands and Planning is working very hard in a whole-of-government approach towards supporting this project. For the financials, I will hand over to the Treasurer.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, INPEX, as does any other company, has to cover the on-site headworks required for the construction workers village. As we do with any other site, we proceed into negotiations around the broader headworks to site. We have been very constructive in our discussions with INPEX in that regard. I note that they have put significant funding into a road in that region.
Secondary Education Facilities in the Rural Area
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
Taminmin College is the largest high school in the Territory. It is full, with over 1400 students. It is stretched to capacity and does not have enough classrooms. Does the government have plans to build a second high school in the rural area or at Weddell, or is the government considering building a middle school at the Freds Pass District Centre near Bees Creek Primary School to take the pressure off Taminmin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member. Weddell will be a major factor in future planning for a new high school in that region. I am advised that student numbers are stable at Taminmin at present. Palmerston Senior College has some capacity. As members would know, we have already made a massive investment in Rosebery and also in upgrading what was Palmerston High School to a senior college.
The Education department works with Treasury in particular on these issues, such as predicted population growth, the student age and the demography, and condition of facilities of existing schools. As members would also be aware, government has made grants to a number of non-government schools in the rural area and in Palmerston to build and extend schools, so we have been active in that space.
We may not have funded a new school in the rural area; however, I believe it will come, particularly with the planning changes and consultation process that my colleague, the minister for Planning, has foreshadowed. I know you and the member for Goyder are working very closely on coming forward with a reasonable plan for that area. Once we have those plans settled for that region, we will have a better idea of the growth and infrastructure we will require there and, most importantly, schools.
Legislation Relating to Influencing a Member of Parliament
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for JUSTICE and ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Can you advise the House whether Northern Territory legislation has provisions relating to influencing a member of the Legislative Assembly in the exercise of his or her duty, or authority as a member?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. Under the Criminal Code Act, section 59, it is a criminal offence to give, confer or procure, or promise or offer to give, confer or procure, property or a benefit of any kind to an MLA, or to another person, in order to influence the MLA in the exercise of his or her duty or authority as a member.
The Leader of the Opposition has been very clear. He has denied outright that he has ever done any deal with the member for Macdonnell. He has categorically ruled out ever having offered her a ministry, or other inducement, for her to join the CLP. Was he telling the truth? He has form. What he says and what he does are two different things.
I have a document here that I table. The document is an agreement between the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Macdonnell. The agreement contains a series of inducements from the Leader of the Opposition for the member for Macdonnell to join the CLP. There are many inducements, including this one:
- Provide you a Cabinet position (position to be agreed to by yourself and myself) …
He has offered her a Cabinet position to join the CLP. They have done a deal. Interestingly, the document makes it clear that the agreement has not been discussed at a party room level. He offered her a Cabinet spot without discussing it with his colleagues. It is now 100% certain that any future CLP government will have the member for Macdonnell sitting right in the middle of Cabinet. The copy that has been leaked to us is undated and unsigned, but everyone knows it is authentic.
The Leader of the Opposition must immediately explain to Territorians and ‘fess up’ to when was this deal done. Why has he previously denied it?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin. Order! Member for Port Darwin, you are on a warning!
INPEX Workers Village – Effect on Traffic and Social Impact
Ms PURICK to MINISTER for LANDS and PLANNING
The Country Liberals fully support the INPEX-owned gas and downstream processing project. With up to 3500 workers at peak construction times expected at the camp near Howard Springs, what steps are being taken to cater for the additional and massive traffic flow around the Howard Springs-Stuart Highway intersection? Will your government release the study detailing the social impacts of the workers village on the surrounding rural areas?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question; a member from the rural area. The Department of Lands and Planning has an important role with INPEX as part of our whole-of-government approach, and that relates to both transport and lands. Let me say on the record here that public safety is the prime consideration in all our efforts. The road network in that area of Howard Springs is planned to have major upgrades, particularly the intersection of the Howard Springs Road and the Stuart Highway.
We not only have to accommodate for the workers village, but also for the local traffic and growth in that area. We are looking at Whitewood Road as well. I have already been to that area with the member for Nelson regarding traffic congestion. We have looked at interim measures. In the bigger picture, the road networks we are looking at are not only the Howard Springs Road, but also the Arnhem Highway and Jenkins Road, and the Stuart Highway. It is a planning stage; it is a delivery stage. We have committed funds to that; $5m on the Arnhem Highway, for instance, which will be crucial. We are building a new Correctional Services facility off Howard Springs Road and we are looking at major traffic intersections there as well. I can assure the member that there has been significant planning and there is significant work.
Concerning the social impact study, I will take that question on notice, member for Goyder. When we talk about a whole-of-government approach, there has been an incredible number of studies done, and planning for what will be the biggest project the Northern Territory has seen. It will deliver incredible prosperity, not only to the Top End, but to the whole of the Territory.
This is big business coming to town. These are important issues. I can assure the member that the Department of Lands and Planning is working tirelessly across a whole-of-government approach to ensure this project benefits the Territory in every way possible.
Remote Communities – Delivery of Housing
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PUBLIC and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Can you please update the House on the great progress of delivering new and improved housing in remote communities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can tell the House that recently I visited Nguiu and Maningrida with the member for Arafura. We had a fantastic time, particularly at Nguiu, with 90 new houses being built there; 56 have already been handed over. There are 62 rebuilds and 72 refurbishments. Of the 90 new houses, 34 are being built in a new subdivision, which we also visited.
It was very exciting at Maningrida, as I have reported to the House before, with 110 new houses being built; 16 rebuilds and 79 refurbishments. There is a large subdivision on the other side of the airport. They have overcome the difficulties associated with Cyclone Carlos and established that subdivision.
In these two communities, over 420 families have benefitted from new and improved houses. That is a fantastic way forward for those families. One of the recipients of keys in Maningrida was Mr Colin James, who was overjoyed to receive a house and I believe he will be a fantastic tenant. His family and children were very excited about that.
As at August this year, over 2000 families across the Territory are enjoying new or improved housing, with 345 new houses completed and 232 new homes under way; 1709 refurbishments and rebuilds completed; and 47 refurbishments and rebuilds are under way. It is pleasing to see this progress. There is more to go, and I am working closely with local members on the completion of SIHIP.
Nancar Hideout Wilderness Retreat – Status of Road
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION
I received a copy of a letter from a Peter Hollowood at Nancar Hideout Wilderness Retreat on the Daly River. In that letter, he said he is constructing a private access road to his block which he is funding himself. He says that the government has deemed this road a private road. I have also received comments from a number of residents who say the road is public and is needed to access burial sites, sacred sites, and the conservation reserve. Could you please clarify the status of this road?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It is a good question. I must say, it is new country for me. I have not been down that side of the Daly River; however, I have been into that area looking at other incredible infrastructure projects with the hardworking local member who wears out Toyotas nearly as fast as I do.
This is a complicated matter, as you have outlined in your question. I got the maps out and I had some advisors around the table. I did the work of government and took a positive approach to solving this issue. The Nancar Road Reserve was excluded from the Daly River Land Trust area. The road reserve runs from the Daly River Road through a land trust area, a conservation area, through the private property in question the member has outlined, and then onto land registered to the Victoria Daly Shire. That provides access then to ceremonial sites and ceremonial areas, and then on through to the Daly River.
There are a number of issues to be carefully considered, so I asked my office to contact the Solicitor for the Northern Territory to obtain some sound legal advice around that. I am afraid today, in terms of the investigation so far, I cannot give you any specific details. I will keep you updated when that advice is received from the Solicitor for the Northern Territory.
A Working Future – Improvements for Territorians
Ms SCRYMGOUR to TREASURER
This government is investing in making a real change for Indigenous Territorians through our plan for A Working Future. Can you please outline how these investments can deliver improvements for all Territorians across our regions?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura. She knows all too well the importance of investment in our remote and regional Northern Territory. The Territory and Australian governments are working together to invest in better services in the bush, improve the lives of Aboriginal Territorians, and deliver a real working future. In partnership, we are delivering new and upgraded housing under SIHIP; a $30m three-year jobs package to support 530 jobs in our shires; more teachers and education programs to support primary and secondary education in the bush; and new police stations and more police for remote areas.
The Territory government continues to provide funding to boost growth towns and improve services and facilities. Under A Working Future, growth towns will become the economic and service delivery centres for their regions. Over the last two Territory budgets, we have allocated more than $1.5bn for infrastructure to support A Working Future. This unprecedented allocation has seen improvement in roads and regional transport; renal and other remote health services; children and family centres; mobile preschools; school and homeland centre upgrades; more teachers; new police stations and more police in the bush; essential services upgrades; and training and jobs packages. After decades of neglect, there is a mountain of work to do in the bush and this government is determined to do it.
We are seeing improvements in some key indicators and will continue to push so these successes can be built on. We are seeing some improvements in literacy rates. We have seen an increase in Indigenous employment for most of the last decade. The SIHIP program has already put more than 2000 families into new or improved housing. While the CLP knocks this program and only celebrates bad news, it should hang its head in shame. For 27 years, it neglected Territorians in the bush. With attitudes of those currently on the other side, nothing much has changed. This government has a strong and enduring commitment to Indigenous Territorians.
INPEX Workers Village – Proposed Tavern Licence
Mr STYLES to MINISTER for ALCOHOL POLICY
The Country Liberals are 100% behind the INPEX project. It is understood the INPEX workers camp has an application for a tavern licence. Will you support a takeaway licence for the tavern? What restrictions will be placed on that licence should it be granted?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it goes to show his ignorance, because applications for tavern licences go to the Licensing Commission, an independent authority that makes the decisions, not the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing. Perhaps you need a briefing around that.
Growth Towns – Transport Links
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for TRANSPORT
Can you please update the House on how the Territory government is improving transport links for Territorians in growth towns?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I also thank our government for its commitment to support the A Working Future policy in the growth towns. Transport in the bush: I have lived in the Territory bush for more than half my life, and to be able to work with a government delivering transport services into some of the most remote areas of the Northern Territory not only make me proud, but is a very exciting space to be in. Why? Because we understand that access to transport services opens the doors to education, health and job opportunities.
We have framed the concept as the Territory government’s Integrated Regional Transport Strategy. This was recommended by the residents of the growth towns. Why? Because we consult. How? Because we have sat down with the people and consulted in good faith; no promises. We have worked together on the ground with the region’s best. As a bush member I know the story and importance of transport, but we asked for guidance from the community. Consequently, we are rolling out regional bus service trials, and they have been valued by the community.
The Territory government has committed $3.1m across two years for 10 new passenger bus service trials into remote communities. These trials are going a long way to relieving the challenges of living in a remote area. Most of these runs are up to five times a week. A great example is the bus trial which commenced on the Gove Peninsula in September last year, which provides five scheduled public services and two worker services each day from Monday to Friday, connecting Yirrkala, Ski Beach and Wallaby Beach to the township of Nhulunbuy and the mine site for a $5 flat fare. More than 12 700 people have used the trial in Gove, with more than 6390 public passengers and 6330 workers. That breaks down to about 49 passengers a day linking up, not only with health and education services, but work opportunities.
We are rolling out new and expanded services. We are working with Territory companies: Alice Springs to Titjikala; Santa Teresa; Areyonga; Ntaria; Nyirripi; Yuendumu; Elliott; and Katherine to Borroloola and Numbulwar. Negotiations have commenced for bus services around the communities of Wadeye and Maningrida.
It has been fantastic to work in this space. This is about real action on the ground; this is about real delivery. We are now talking to communities about how they can be involved in the transport space with further opportunities for jobs …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Victoria Daly Shire – Clarification of Status
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
At the meeting at Peppimenarti last Friday, did you say that you would favourably consider a breakup of the Victoria Daly Shire if a new model for the Daly region was proposed by the people of that region?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am surprised it has taken this long for the question to be put to me. It was a terrific meeting at Peppimenarti, and I thank the Elders who invited me to Peppi, and those who came from Wadeye. It was very good to be able to join with my colleague, the member for Daly, as I have done with other colleagues as I travel across the Northern Territory, which is only right. The issues they raise with me are very real issues regarding their feelings of being disconnected. What I would like to say the House, Madam Speaker …
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! There was no preamble to the question. It was a simple question about what the minister said at the meeting. I ask you to refer the minister to Standing Order 113 regarding relevance and succinctness.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, resume your seat. The minister is answering the question.
Ms McCARTHY: He does not want to hear the answer, Madam Speaker, he wants to waste my time. I am very happy to say that this was one of the very important meetings I have had. I said to those present that there are things I have to do as Local Government Minister, and that is to listen to those concerns, but I also need to listen to what the Victoria Daly Shire and councillors and CEO are saying. I said the same thing to them.
I also said to members at this particular meeting that if you have something you want to work through, you have your local member here, the member for Daly, work with him; but my job as Minister for Local Government is to listen to all concerns. I am very clear, I have been very clear on the record, that effective democracy is the goal of our government, and we will always pursue that in trying to ensure those voices are heard …
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It is really a yes or no question. Did the minister say she would favourably consider a breakup of the Victoria Daly Shire if a new model for the Daly region was proposed by the members of that area?
Members interjecting.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: It is a yes or no question.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! I am not able to direct a minister to answer yes or no; it is unparliamentary. Minister, if you can come to the point as soon as possible, please.
Ms McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, I have answered the question. As I have said consistently in this House, people raise these sorts of questions with me. I said to the people at Peppimenarti, who came from Wadeye and other places, that if they have a proposal they wish to put forward, then to do so through the local member. That is what local government is about. As constituents, your constituents in the shire, you will also hear these types of things. I have said the very same thing wherever I travel across the Northern Territory.
Indigenous Employment Programs
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for BUSINESS and EMPLOYMENT
Can you please outline to the House the programs that are delivered to encourage Indigenous employment across the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, Indigenous employment is a very important subject. On this side of the House, we know it is a very serious and important subject, so we have a policy for it - unlike the other side of the House which has no policy for increasing Indigenous employment.
One of the biggest employers in the Northern Territory is the Northern Territory government. The Northern Territory public sector plays an important role in providing opportunities for Indigenous Territorians. Through the policy, we have the Indigenous Employment and Career Development strategy. This aims to both attract and retain Indigenous employees, and to give them a pathway through the public sector into leadership areas. It also provides effective recruitment and career development opportunities.
Also, from the policy we have that they do not have, is the Indigenous Cadetship Support Program. This program offers cadetships to Indigenous students to continue full-time studies and provides valuable on-the-job experience within Northern Territory government agencies. It includes mentors for guidance and support through their cadetships.
We have the Jobs NT Employment Strategy 2010 to 2012. This is another policy we have that the opposition is devoid of. An initiative in that is the goal to achieve the commencement of 3000 Indigenous Territorians in employment which has been achieved.
The efforts to increase Indigenous employment will continue through the Job Readiness program, that is $7.8m over three years; and also $1.3m for the Northern Territory Public Service Entry Level Indigenous Employment program. The Indigenous training and employment program, which I talked about yesterday, has $1m per year committed to it. We also have the Indigenous Business Development program, with some $600 000 committed annually to support those businesses to grow.
One of the best parts of the policy that we have, that the opposition fails to have, is a local jobs for local people framework. This guarantees a pathway in the Northern Territory Public Service for Year 12 graduates who live in the growth towns. We will offer them a job within the Northern Territory Public Service to develop their career. This is a great incentive for those remote Aboriginal high school students who are going to progress into full-time employment.
On this side of the House, we have a policy because we think Indigenous employment is a serious subject to talk about. On the other side, they are devoid of policy because they basically do not care.
Local Government Shires - Breakup
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Have you had any similar meetings to the one at Peppimenarti on Friday regarding the breakup of shires where you might have also said that you would favourably consider breaking up shires, or have you singled out the Daly region purely for political gain and to save the member for Daly’s political backside?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome this question. It is unfortunate that when we had a matter of public importance before the House that none of this came forward from the member for Katherine. Obviously, what they want to do is dismantle all the shires. That is the CLP policy …
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That was because the meeting was on Friday; the MPI was on Thursday.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, resume your seat.
Ms McCARTHY: With the MPI that came before the House, the member for Katherine stood on his feet for 20 minutes, bagging every shire, and had a policy like this - written with invisible ink. That is the policy of the opposition concerning local government.
Let me be very clear: at the meeting on Friday, which I am surprised you did not turn up to, member for Katherine, I am very surprised you did not turn up to that meeting …
Members interjecting!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is inferring that I had an invitation to that meeting. I did not have an invitation to the meeting.
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.
Ms McCARTHY: I wonder why? I guess if you are trying to cut up all the shires and call them toxic, it is no wonder no one wants you at those meetings.
Let me make it very clear to the House, that at no point in that conversation did I say I favoured the breakup of the Victoria Daly Shire. At no point did I say that. If anything, what I did say to all those present was: we have elections in March, find very good people who want to stand at the next election to ensure that your issues of disconnect are carried through in terms of those things which need to change in strengthening ...
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling!
Ms McCARTHY: ... the local voice of that region. It is disgusting and disgraceful that the member for Katherine cannot bring mature debate about local governance into the parliament. To resort to calling the shires toxic, to resort to calling 2500 employees in the shires absolutely hopeless, is really reflective of the invisible policy that we see coming from the opposition …
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is misleading the House. Those words have never been uttered by me. I ask her to withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order; resume your seat. Minister, you have 20 seconds.
Ms McCARTHY: This side of the House is very committed to seeing reforms ...
Members interjecting.
Ms McCARTHY: ... across the Northern Territory ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling! Member for Sanderson!
Ms McCARTHY: ... where local government is about effective democracy, not destroying the voices of our people in the bush.
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call the next member to ask a question, I will remind you of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make a noise or disturbance, which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
We already have one member on a warning. Other members who choose to interject in a ridiculous fashion will be on similar warnings or be asked to withdraw.
Mining Industry – Employment Prospects in Regional Areas
Ms SCRYMGOUR to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
Given that mining contributes around 25% of our economy, and the majority of the activity is occurring in regional areas, what does the current mining boom mean for jobs in the region?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the member is right. The mining industry contributes more than 25% to the local economy, and what it means for regional areas is jobs, jobs, jobs.
The mining industry in the Territory is thriving, thanks to the initiatives taken by the government. The explorations and discoveries are extraordinary in the Territory. We have invested $25m in the past five years to bring explorers and investors here. We know if there are explorers, there is going to be mining and there are going to be more jobs. In the last year, for exploration only, $195m was spent in the Territory, a 31% increase in exploration from the previous years, and a record exploration expenditure.
Because we support the industry so much, the Minerals Council is right by our side. It has seen the opportunity to provide opportunities for Indigenous employment and have its own Indigenous pre-employment program. It is about providing jobs and opportunities for Indigenous workers to be job-ready for our booming mining industry. A graduation program was held earlier this year to acknowledge the latest Indigenous graduates and industry backers of the program. The council works together with the industry; with BHP Billiton; Territory Iron; ERA; Newmont; Geminex; the Northern and Central Land Councils; and, of course, the Territory and federal governments. Training was provided through the budget of Indigenous Tertiary Education.
I have said many times, the mining industry provides opportunities in areas where there are not many jobs available. The industry is providing jobs. In Tanami, Granites has 100 Indigenous people employed out of 500. At Newmont, 14% of their employment is Indigenous. We have seen the same in Groote Eylandt, and we are seeing the same at McArthur River.
This is a great story for the Territory. We have a number of projects coming online; about 10 projects, with six of them that will have a 20-year lifespan, with a capital expenditure of up to $2.5bn. During the construction period, there will be up to 3000 jobs, and 1200 jobs during the operation of the projects. I know there is argument about fly-in fly-out people, but if you have people living in the area, why would you want to fly-in fly-out people in Groote, Borroloola, or the Tanami? There are many young Indigenous people who aspire to get a job in the mines, and the mining industry is providing the opportunity.
I have said before that the mining industry is thriving under this Labor government. I well recall when my colleague, the member for Wanguri, became the Mines minister, he arrived at his office and found 600 applications for exploration sitting on his desk because the CLP government simply would not approve them. That was the state of the Territory mining industry at the time. The mining industry has faith in our government and we support our mining industry. That is why I am heading to China next week, once again, to promote the Territory as a place to do business.
Civil Construction Industry – Licence Equity
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for CONSTRUCTION
The call by the civil construction industry to have the same allowances that are granted to so-called closed mining sites is a good initiative. This would allow young school-leavers, some around 16 years of age, to apply for a special licence to drive equipment over 4.5 tonne on worksites only. This industry competes with the mining industry for employees and wants to encourage young local people to stay close to home and work. Is your department supportive of this initiative? What is it doing to resolve this issue?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, in answer to the member’s question, I invite him to have a briefing from the Department of Construction and Infrastructure. Not only do we have a very active cadet program, but we also have a very active Indigenous recruitment program. I have been working with the Department of Construction and Infrastructure from an industry base, where industry operators have told me they want to get Territory youth in younger. They want to get these kids when they are 16, when they are at an age where they are still impressionable and can be guided by very positive role models within industry.
Through the Department of Lands and Planning, we have been looking at the Motor Vehicle Registry legislation around that and looking at the opportunities for special licensing. The Department of Construction and Infrastructure has been liaising with industry.
It all comes down to government policy about being in school, being in training, or being in employment. I encourage the member to seek a briefing, because I cannot really do it justice in the time I have available. There are some exciting initiatives happening and, in principle, that is the way I have also been guiding the department and working with industry to look at these opportunities.
The minister for Resources gave a very good answer to a question regarding Indigenous opportunities. This is an area I am passionate about, coming from an area in regional Northern Territory. There are opportunities we need to explore. I am also looking at sharing that prosperity across the Territory and am very interested in the fly-in fly-out culture. Do you know where we are going to fly-in fly-out from? It will be places like Yuendumu, Tennant Creek and Wadeye. We can work in our regions, we can stay at home, but we can also work in one of the biggest projects the Territory will ever see, the industry supporting both offshore and onshore oil and gas.
Member for Nelson, that is a great question. That is where we are heading and I have been doing much work around that. We now have to put that into a legislative framework and ensure we get that tight. It is what industry wants and what this government is determined to deliver, because focused young Territorians with positive role models, in real world workplaces and real world experiences, will go home and drop a fishing line in the billabong, will go back to a growth town, and will experience real prosperity. That is the direction we are heading in. Thank you for the question.
Childcare Facilities in Palmerston
Mr BOHLIN to MINISTER for EDUCATION and TRAINING
You would be aware of a childcare centre in Palmerston that has announced its closure come December. In today’s paper there are two childcare facilities up for sale. Are you aware of any other centres in Palmerston struggling to keep their doors open? Can you now give a firm date on when the promised Farrar childcare facility will start caring for children?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his very good question. In relation to the childcare centre he mentioned that is closing down in December, that was a bit of mischief made in the media. It is not closing in December, and it was very regrettable it was reported that way. The current providers are moving to a new facility at Wulagi. I am advised the owner of that facility, I believe it is in Gray, will be either getting new people in to run that childcare centre, or that person will be running the childcare centre themselves.
In relation to the other Palmerston childcare centre, I am advised the final contract was signed on 19 October. That contract has been signed off, member for Drysdale. There was a delay in relation to that. There are a number of elements in your question; I would have appreciated a few questions.
In relation to that particular centre, there were a number of minor works that had to be carried out earlier this year to bring it up to standard. Even though it had been built to practical completion as far as the Building Code, it still needed some further work to have it ready before the tender could go out. The advice I have is that, following the signing of the final contract, there will be fit-out and furniture over the next four to eight weeks. The aim is that this particular centre will be operational at or around the end of 2011-12.
There is no doubt there are a number of childcare centres which are experiencing difficulties for a range of reasons, not least of all that they are not being patronised by parents and they are not up to their capacity. However, work is happening in Palmerston and Alice Springs to increase capacity for childcare centres. It is an important issue.
It is important to place on the record that the Northern Territory is the regulator of childcare services, and that the Commonwealth is the funder of childcare services. I have told the department to work proactively with childcare centres, particularly regarding their business plans, to try to assist them to provide the service that is very much needed by parents in the Northern Territory.
Community Sport and Recreation Officers – Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
How are community sport and recreation officers helping to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his very good question. I am very proud of this government’s achievements in sport and recreation, with the funding and the programs we are delivering in the bush. It is a very important part of our A Working Future policy and Territory 2030 policy.
As I travel around the Territory, I always keep my eye open for role models. That is a positive thing to do in the bush; we want to see role models come through the system. There is one in particular I am very proud of, and that is Liam Jurrah. Liam has shown that kids from the bush who have started kicking the footy around in the dust in the bush communities can make it to the very top of their chosen sport. I will quote from a Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service media release this week. It quoted Liam Jurrah and the importance of good, strong community sport and recreation programs, and the difference it made for his life. It says:
- Jurrah has made an amazing journey from the red dust of the Yuendumu sports oval to the lush green grass of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. But it may never have happened without his participation in a youth activities program during his adolescence.
Liam Jurrah knows that life is not a game. He is under no illusion that young people growing up in the bush need the direction and discipline of thoughtful program activities if they are to make the most of their chances.
How true is that? A young role model, Liam Jurrah, is saying how important youth, sport and recreation programs are to the lives of people in the bush.
That is why I am proud of our government’s commitment and achievements. That is why over $3.5m in grants to 47 peak sport and 13 active recreation organisations throughout the Territory has been provided by this government, The Northern Territory government also provides funding of over $2m annually for the employment of 58 community sport and recreation officers. That is all important.
As I said today in debate on the alcohol policy statement, we need to get our kids active no matter where they live. We need to give them opportunities and chances in life. No doubt, there are plenty more Liam Jurrahs out there kicking the footy around in the dust. This government will continue to support those activities because we want to see more Liam Jurrahs at the MCG.
Darwin Harbour - Report on Health
Mr CHANDLER to MINISTER for HEALTH
Charles Darwin University has delivered a preliminary report into the health of Darwin Harbour, but you have refused to release that information. In the interests of openness and honesty, why will you not release that information to Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am very happy to respond to that. I work very closely with my colleague, the minister for Environment, in that particular area. We have asked for a report. I have not officially received the report yet, so I cannot comment. I do not know how you got hold of the report, because it has not been given to our officers; I am very surprised.
Local Government Workforce
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
As part of our budget this year, you announced a three-year package to grow our own and develop the local government workforce in our new shires. Can you please update the House on progress with this important initiative?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the excellent question from the member for Nhulunbuy. This side of the House is very much about ensuring that our 2500 employees across the shires in the Northern Territory not only remain in their jobs, but to offer more jobs to those who wish to work in the shires. Already our eight large shire councils employ 2500 in total, of whom 1852 are Indigenous. The Indigenous workforce in the shire councils averages out at around 72%, a significant figure that is unmatched in any other industry sector …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms McCARTHY: I hear the interjection from the member for Katherine, from the side which wants to get rid of all the jobs, which wants to dismantle the shires, which has no thoughts whatsoever about those 2500 employees and their families …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Katherine!
Ms McCARTHY: All the other side is interested in is a policy that is invisible, written with invisible ink. It cannot bring in anything to debate and discuss in the House other than causing muckraking and instability to all those employees in the regions.
We are about developing our local government workforce and providing employment opportunities. Early this year, I was very proud to announce a $30m local government jobs package. That was to all the shire mayors, presidents and CEOs, and it was a meeting that the member for Katherine was at. It was actually one he was invited to …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms McCARTHY: … obviously not one where he was prepared to tell them how toxic they were …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Katherine! Member for Greatorex!
Ms McCARTHY: … but maybe that is something the member for Katherine might want to learn here: once you start calling people names and calling people toxic …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, you are on a warning!
Ms McCARTHY: … you are going to lose a few friends, member for Katherine …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale!
Ms McCARTHY: I am certainly proud to be part of a government building …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Ms McCARTHY: … a working future for all Territorians. That entails working with our local government councillors and senior staff to build a skilled local workforce, improving core local government services across the Northern Territory; working with LGANT and our shires to ensure we have innovative workforce development plans in place, with trainees, apprentices, and older workers developing new skills, and building local employment across all levels of the local government sector. The program is already supporting approximately 460 full-time and part-time positions, with greater focus on the development of individual personal development plans and mentoring.
I commend all those who work for the shires across the Northern Territory, all those mayors and presidents, all those councillors and employees, who are under incredible …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms McCARTHY: ... strain because of the opposition’s vile comments.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
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