2015-02-18
Terry Mills – Termination from Jakarta Post
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
You personally appointed Terry Mills to his Jakarta post. I seek leave to table the press release and answer to Written Question 204.
Leave granted.
Mr McCARTHY: Yesterday you continued to prove you are unfit to govern, knifing Terry Mills for the second time while overseas, and then unbelievably pretending you knew nothing about it. Terry Mills has been reported as saying he was politically assassinated. You hired him and you have shamelessly hidden behind a public servant to fire him. Tell the truth. Who made the decision to terminate the contract and when was it made?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as I said yesterday in this House, we will debate matters which are important to Territorians. The member for Barkly, as a previous minister, fully understands the employment of anyone below the level of CEO is within the purview of the CEO, and any matters relating to the engagement of any public employee should be put to the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment.
Ice – Call for Action
Ms LAWRIE to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday I called for the immediate establishment of an ice room at Royal Darwin Hospital. Families are desperate for support to tackle this scourge which has horrendous consequences. The staff at Royal Darwin Hospital, in the Cowdy Ward, desperately need an ice room. I also said Labor would establish an interagency task force from Police, Health and Children and Families to bring forward urgent recommendations to tackle the ice scourge. Will you follow our lead and implement these necessary actions?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I did not hear the Leader of the Opposition say that in parliament. I heard her throw mud around the place; she did not raise the issue.
You did not ask me what is happening in relation to ice …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I said it in parliament yesterday.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. It is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: You did not ask it in Question Time and you have not sought a briefing on what is happening with ice. You have not sought the statistics to find out about the prevalence of ice within our communities and what is happening within the Northern Territory …
Ms Lawrie: Are you saying it is not a problem?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: … urban areas or communities. Rather than play politics, get some information. We called yesterday for proper debate on real issues in the Northern Territory. This issue should have been raised yesterday rather than your mudslinging. However …
Ms Lawrie: It was raised in parliament.
Mr GILES: Can you be quiet? Getting on to the issue of …
Ms Fyles: Answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, please pause. Members for Nightcliff and Karama, you are both on warnings. I am getting very tired of your interjections.
Mr GILES: On the issue of ice, we have been concerned about it for a long time. There is anecdotal information about ice and its prevalence in remote communities. I raised it as a subject for discussion at the most recent Chief Minister’s Round Table of Young Territorians, which the Youth minister and I attended. We spoke about it at the non-government organisations meeting on Thursday in Darwin, and on Monday in Alice Springs.
I have been formally updated by police on the prevalence of ice. The advice provided to date states that ice in remote communities is not prevalent, but it is in urban locations. I have asked Acting Commissioner Reece Kershaw to provide a full report on the extent of ice to see how bad it is, and we are looking into a major response to ice and its growing prevalence, especially in urban areas of the Northern Territory.
The number of users is growing in urban locations and a couple of manufacturing bases have been identified. We believe, on rough evidence, approximately 65% of all ice in the Northern Territory is coming from interstate, meaning about 35% is produced in the Territory. There is a firm correlation between hard drugs and property crime. The prevalence of hard drugs being taken goes up as property crime goes up. Prevalence is not being seen in the Northern Territory, but there is some evidence.
We have asked police to provide hard facts. When we receive them I will sit down with the Police minister, the member for Brennan, and discuss how we can create a major response to ice coming into the Northern Territory. It has not been forgotten. We have been working very hard on it and clearly it needs to be done. The effect on families and friends of ice takers in our community is dangerous, and I will provide an update to the House when we get a full report on the evidence of ice in the Territory.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Youth Detention System Review
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER for CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Today you released the Review of the Northern Territory Youth Detention System Report, completed by respected youth justice expert, Michael Vita. Can you please inform the House about whether you plan to implement any of the review’s recommendations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. He has raised with me a number of youth justice issues which affect his electorate in recent times. He wants to be reassured, as all Territorians do, that we have an effective youth justice system in place.
Since coming to government, crime, especially in the Palmerston area, has plummeted. In recent times we have seen an increase and the Chief Minister has referred to that. When these kids come to the attention of police, they end up in our custodial system.
I have made no secret over the last couple of years that I have been extremely critical of the Don Dale Juvenile Detention Centre. It was a fine facility at the time it was built, but it has long since outlived its use-by date. Amongst the Don Dale detention facility’s manifold problems was the situation of there being no toilet facilities available to boys in the dormitories. It was not designed with gender separation in mind, because at the time it was designed we did not keep juvenile females in custody, for various reasons. Since that time, substantial changes have occurred with the nature of the kids in custody and the seriousness of their offending.
Matters which concern me date back to 2009, 2010 and 2011. As a consequence, late last year I asked the Commissioner for Correctional Services to find an expert and obtain a report on how we are dealing with matters in the juvenile detention facility. This report need not be released to the public, but in the interests of transparency I have determined it should be released in its entirety. It is not a clean bill of health. It is a critique of a number of issues we face as a corrections system dealing with juveniles in our youth detention facilities. It does, however, reassure us that there are no endemic and longstanding problems, and there are steps we can take – 16 steps, according to Mr Vita’s recommendations – to improve youth justice in the Northern Territory. We will implement all 16 of those recommendations. I am certain we will get a better youth justice and detention process out of this report.
We will be moving into the old medium-security section at the Berrimah prison. We have spent $1m bringing that up to speed. That is an acceptable facility, according to the Vita review. I thank Mr Michael Vita for his attention to this matter and I look forward to implementing the recommendations he has made.
Firefighters – Workers Compensation
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES referred to MINISTER for BUSINESS
Yesterday our brave Territory firefighters laid helmets on the steps of Parliament House to represent the lives lost and firefighters who have succumbed to cancer on the job. You have had two years to introduce legislation to support our firefighters who have contracted cancer on the job. Will you now separate this legislation from the shameful reductions in workers compensation you are flagging and introduce it on urgency next week?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, before I refer this matter to the Minister for Business, who is working on that legislation, I remind Territorians it was fantastic to see so many Labor members outside yesterday when there was a demonstration at the front of Parliament House. I do not recall a time they stood outside Parliament House during any demonstration when they were in government.
If this was so important to the Labor Party of the Northern Territory why did they not do anything about this when they were in government? I will refer …
Ms Manison: You have sat on this for two years!
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. Member for Wanguri, I know what is happening. You are on a warning.
Mr CHANDLER: Madam Speaker, I refer this question to the Minister for Business.
Mr STYLES (Business): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister. Yesterday the Labor Opposition Leader engaged in a cynical scam with firefighters as the pawns …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62: offensive.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, withdraw those comments. Rephrase your words.
Mr STYLES: I withdraw and I will rephrase. Yesterday the Labor Opposition Leader engaged in a sham, with firefighters as the pawns ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62: offensive. It is not a sham. These are firefighters with cancer.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down. It is not a point of order.
Mr STYLES: The Opposition Leader promised if she ever became the Chief Minister – God help the Territory if that ever happens – one of her first actions would be to introduce presumptive legislation for firefighters.
This is hypocrisy of the worst kind from the Leader of the Opposition. The Labor Opposition Leader could have done something real to help firefighters. As the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services said, they had 11 years to do this and did nothing. We have been in for two years and we are about to bring the legislation into the House. What a sham and a disgrace by members opposite. The CLP government has taken action and we will soon see the introduction of the presumptive legislation for Territory firefighters. The opposition knows this too well.
I will highlight some of the key points. It is documented that the Territory government has made a decision to provide presumptive legislation for firefighters, including volunteer firefighters from Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Bushfires NT. That is not something they proposed. The legislation will be retrospective to 25 August 2012. The amendments will make processing claims for workers compensation less cumbersome for firefighters, and recognises firefighters are at greater risk of developing certain types of cancers as a result of exposure to hazardous substances whilst performing firefighting activities.
Under the legislation, if a career firefighter is diagnosed with one of the 12 cancers listed in the schedule and served as a firefighter for the relevant qualifying period, it will be presumed the cancer is an occupational disease and therefore compensable.
The bill has been drafted and will come before the House shortly. This follows a comprehensive review by the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Advisory Council. Cabinet has accepted all the recommendations of the review and includes firefighters’ presumptive legislation. You are a disgrace.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Banana Freckle Eradication
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
What is the Country Liberals government doing to eradicate banana freckle in the Northern Territory?
Members interjecting.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, if I could have some peace and quiet from the other side I will answer the question, because it is an important one. The member for Drysdale is doing a fantastic job in making sure she is fully briefed and gets pertinent information to her constituents. I congratulate her for the effort she is putting into that. It is a shame the opposition are laughing at this. They clearly think biosecurity in the Northern Territory is a joke.
I am flabbergasted that for all this time we have been responding to the banana freckle situation, everybody on the other side has been quiet. Apparently today, according to the Labor Party, biosecurity is a joke. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
The Territory government, along with its strategic partners, is doing everything it can to eradicate banana freckle in the Territory. We make no apologies for taking this very strong approach. Joining us on our mission is the Commonwealth government, every state and territory government in Australia, and the banana industry. Regardless of their political colour, all the stakeholders are getting on with this national response. It is the largest ever plant pest response in Australia. Let us not forget it is a huge issue and no mean feat.
It goes without saying that in a widespread approach like this there will always be a pocket of resistance. While we would love to keep unaffected banana plants in the ground, science says this approach is not working.
The first 12 months of the eradication response focused only on those premises infected with banana freckle, but it became apparent that approach was not working and banana freckle was too widespread, including in the northern suburbs.
A panel of experts visited the NT and decided the initial approach was unlikely to eradicate the disease, which is why we went to a more extensive course of action to eradicate it. Every day our field teams are removing about 100 plants from properties. They are visiting about 250 properties across the infected areas.
There is a small but vocal group of people opposing this move. I do not say this to be combative, but the resistance and prevention of our officers from doing their job is compromising the biosecurity of the Northern Territory. I ask people to take that into consideration.
Together we must work to eradicate this disease. It is critical for the future of the banana industry. If we have banana freckle in the Northern Territory, there is no future for the banana industry.
Parliamentary Inquiry Time Frames – Fuel Price and Darwin Port
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
Your parliamentary inquiry into the Fuel Price Disclosure Bill started four months ago and is still holding hearings. Your parliamentary inquiry into the privatisation of the port is set down for only five weeks. Do you think Territorians believe the privatisation of their port should be rushed through faster than bringing down petrol prices?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question.
The port is not being privatised. We are looking at getting investment so we can expand its capacity; I think you know that. Yesterday we announced the formation of a parliamentary inquiry, which will be discussed later today. The member for Blain has taken on the role as chairperson and I am sure he will have more to say about that later today. The member for Drysdale will also be a partner in that. I had a chat with Nathan earlier this morning, before Question Time, and told him in the five weeks – yes, it is a quick time frame – I want him to work hard, as everybody else on this side of the Chamber does, to ensure we get the report done on time.
The fuel inquiry is looking at the legislation. The government has been successful in bringing down prices, albeit in combination with lowering the oil price at world price levels. I encourage you to gain the tenacity to work a bit harder. I know that is a challenge for Labor party members.
Work a little harder and do a report within five weeks. Within that time you could probably get to ten ports around Australia and run a legislative review process; you could work with the committee and the library to do the research and find a happy medium with the inquiry.
We on this side of the Chamber work very hard, which is not something Labor does very well. Member for Fannie Bay, I invite to put your shoulder to the wheel and have a go at investigating port operations and management structures around Australia and the world. Identify a way we can expand the port’s capacity to meet the changing nature of the economy in two years’ time, when we move from an INPEX-based construction economy to an export economy, and support the growing terms of trade coming from developments across the Northern Territory. Most notably, this will be from projects such as Seafarms at Legune Station, a $1.45bn prawn farming project announced on Monday to the Australian stock exchange We have worked tirelessly to get that project over the line.
We need the port to deliver on exporting those goods, such as prawns. I think we can all work pretty hard in five weeks.
Stay Out of Pipes and Drains Campaign
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Last year the tragic drowning of Richard Baird was closely followed by the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2014. It stated that Darwin was the drowning capital of Australia and it brought sharp focus on the issues of kids playing in pipes and drains. Late last year the Northern Territory government commissioned a very serious and confronting campaign to make it clear that playing in pipes and drains is deadly. What response has the Northern Territory government’s Stay Out of Pipes and Drains campaign had thus far?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. It is very timely, with the cyclone near Nhulunbuy, that we highlight the dangers of going into flooded waterways, and pipes and drains.
The overwhelming sadness in a community over the preventable drowning deaths of young children hits everyone. Honourable members know the pipes and drains campaign was developed with the Royal Life Saving Society of the Northern Territory and in consultation with the family of Richard Baird.
The advertisements are deliberate, stark and shocking. Although they are not everyone’s cup of tea, we make no apology for trying to get through to the young people of our community.
I am pleased to say the public response to the television advertisement and the Water Safety NT Facebook page has been overwhelming. In the first week the page received the highest ever number of hits for a government YouTube account. Before the campaign the total reach of the six previous posts on the Facebook page was 1263, with an average reach of 210.5.
After the campaign the total reach of the current eight posts is 2795, with an average reach of 349.3, a fantastic increase. This is a 60% increase in the post reach since the pipes and drains campaign began. This can be attributed to an increase in page likes from 877 to 1521, with a total increase of 644 likes, or a 58% increase. The pipes and drains video post-reach was 105 000 views.
The Stay Out of Pipes and Drains campaign was funded entirely by the NT government at a cost of $100 000. This is separate to the $15 000 in funding provided to the Royal Life Saving Society of the Northern Territory for communal education and awareness. The Department of Sport and Recreation has made all marketing material available to all stakeholders, including the City of Darwin and the City of Palmerston, and the campaign will run for the duration of the Wet Season. In the end, it is not only about funding.
If we as a government have managed to save one life this campaign, every cent will have been worth it. We hope this has helped Territorians lead safer lives. I commend all involved with developing and running the campaign, and I thank the Royal Life Saving Society for working closely with us on the campaign. I encourage those in the path of the cyclone to stay clear of flooded waterways.
Children and Families – Allegations against Chief Executive
Mr McCARTHY to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
On 4 December 2012, in parliament you said:
Work is a fundamental cornerstone of many people’s lives and all Territorians should be assured that when they go to work they will be protected by the law
.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, once again the Labor Party cannot but get into the gutter on this issue. I will articulate some general principles. If I am made aware of an issue, I refer the matter. On a number of occasions I have referred matters of interest to the Commissioner for Public Employment. You quoted me correctly. The law must apply, which means any issue raised – and I speak generally – is one to which the law must apply. In the absence of an official complaint and any information which substantiates the rumours you are peddling, the law will apply. That is consistent with what I said yesterday at every step along the way. I encourage you to either get out of the gutter or provide evidence. If you have knowledge of something happening, bring it to my attention or to the Commissioner for Public Employment …
Ms Fyles: We have. What about you? Answer the question.
Mr ELFERINK: I have answered the question; you have not been listening
Bring it to the attention of the Commissioner for Public Employment because, as far as I am aware, not one member of this Chamber has brought any substantive evidence to the Commissioner for Public Employment, so all we have is innuendo.
Ms Lawrie: Did you refer this incident?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ELFERINK: I will not climb into the gutter with the members opposite to peddle innuendo. I am satisfied that at every stage, all probity and process has been followed.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. I remind honourable members of the opposition that you are on warnings. This is your last chance.
Mr ELFERINK: They have their answer.
Export from Darwin Port
Mr KURRUPUWU to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Can the minister update the House on export from the Darwin port?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Some of the work reflected through the Darwin port regarding buffalo numbers will affect opportunities for business in his electorate. Having strong trade links with places like Vietnam and the export of buffalo out of our port will make a positive difference to your constituents.
It is pleasing to talk about the good news coming from the Darwin port. Last year was a standout year for the port in live cattle numbers. Late last year I stood in this House and gave an update that we expected close to 500 000 head to be put through the port. In 2014 we nearly got there, with 493 958 head of cattle going through the port, which is an increase of 37% from 2013. Even better still, 66% of those live exports were Northern Territory cattle, which is outstanding. That has a huge knock-on effect and is a fantastic outcome for our local agriculture industry in the Territory.
Indonesia remains the NT’s largest export market, with more than 250 000 head of NT cattle exported there in 2014. That is an increase of around 7000 head and is a huge boost to our economy. You can see the effects of this rippling out through the economy across regional and remote parts of the Territory. The government, along with industry stakeholders, has worked hard to make this happen. I have been to Indonesia three times in the last few years to strengthen our partnership and ensure the industry remains prosperous for years to come.
In 2013-14 we invested an additional $300 000 – new money – ongoing to the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries to establish a Live Animals Export Market Development Unit. This unit is working closely with the NTCA and the NTLEA on a strategic and targeted approach to market development.
We are strengthening links into eastern Indonesia and exploring opportunities for collaboration in Kalimantan. We are working closely with Vietnam and our new partner market in Cambodia. Some of the key figures in 2014: Malaysia, a traditional market, received 15 708 head; the Philippines received more than 11 000 head; and Brunei nearly 5000 head. Brunei also took 488 head of buffalo.
On that note, 5055 head of buffalo were exported through the Darwin port, which is set to increase as we work closely with industry to ensure we get those businesses up and running in remote and regional parts of the Territory.
Indigenous Affairs – Funding
Ms LEE to CHIEF MINISTER
In your capacity as the minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs, is it true that the real reason you resurrected this portfolio and appointed yourself as responsible minister is so your government can take advantage of the funding available as part of Closing the Gap? Rather than spending it on the intended purpose of supporting disadvantaged Indigenous people – my people – your government may use funds to assist in pork-barrelling the northern suburbs in an upcoming election which, by the looks of things, Tollner, should be very soon. Is that true?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, no. I do not know whether I should just sit down now or not.
Ms Fyles: You should have sat down two weeks ago.
______________________
Suspension of Member
Member for Nightcliff
Member for Nightcliff
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nightcliff, pursuant to Standing Order 240A, leave the Chamber for one hour.
______________________
Mr GILES: Madam Speaker, what an opportunity the member for Arnhem had to be part of government and drive reform in Aboriginal affairs. She took off with the member for Namatjira, a two-time Indigenous Affairs minister.
Ms LEE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. It is not about personal attacks, it is about Indigenous affairs. I am Indigenous, in case you do not recognise that; I am from the Northern Territory. I am a traditional owner as well, so answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Sit down.
Mr GILES: She took off with the member for Namatjira, a two-time loser in Aboriginal affairs, not prepared to go the hard yards to deliver for her people – Territorians, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – and stay to fight, in Labor or the Country Liberals. She went to PUP and walked out on PUP, as did you. It is a hard game. You get into politics to have a go and fight for your constituents and Territorians. It is a tough job, if you call it that.
To drive reform in Aboriginal affairs takes generations. To build bridges over the Wilton and the Roper rivers – in your electorate – and to seal the Central Arnhem Highway so people in your constituency have an opportunity for greater connectivity takes a long time to debate and negotiate. Government has been around since the 1970s and we are all working to drive that reform.
The former Deputy Chief Minister is here today, Syd Stirling, the former member for Nhulunbuy. Without putting words in his mouth, he would have been working on trying to get investment into your electorate as well. A lot of money comes to the Northern Territory for Aboriginal affairs. Getting the money in the right place at the right time is tough. Let us look at one thing delivered last year …
Members interjecting.
Mr GILES: Hang on and listen.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: It is a serious question. I am a big fan of connecting people – roads, bridges and telecommunications. Many communities and people in the bush – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – do not have access to mobile phones and data. I am a big supporter of data because information flows and people learn from it.
We formed a partnership last year with Telstra; I think it was called project eight or something similar. We did a deal with David Thodey and put in $3m each to deliver telecommunications to places like Palumpa, Peppimenarti, Papunya, Ampilatwatja and Alpara. People were getting mobile phones and connectivity for the first time. This had not been done before by the Northern Territory government.
We are again working with David Thodey on how we can roll out a broader telecommunications plan. This is about putting investment in. I took the portfolio back because I care about it. It is a personal desire for me to make improvements in this area.
If you cared, you would have stayed in government; you would not be flip-flopping all over the place. You would turn up to parliament every day – for more than an hour – and start contributing to debate and driving reform for Aboriginal people.
Special Needs Support in Schools
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for EDUCATION
Can you please update the House on how the Country Liberal Party is supporting special needs students in Darwin and surrounds?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale, a very active member in her electorate who knows how important special needs assistance is in our schools today. This is another example of how, in the last two-and-a-half years, the Northern Territory government has taken active steps to work in those areas, especially around education and special needs. It has been neglected for many years.
The new Henbury School was long needed – it was well past its use-by date – with $30m being committed by the government. Construction of the new Henbury School, and the $20m put aside for the future Bellamack school in the forward estimates, is another step closer, with the tender open for the design and construction phase of this project.
The tender for construction of the Dripstone Middle School site is expected to be awarded in March 2015. That is not far away. The new Henbury School is expected to be completed in July 2016. This is a leading edge, purpose-built facility that will cater for up to 120 middle and senior years high school, and high-support, special needs students, accommodating growing demands in this area for up to a decade.
The new school will provide additional classrooms, science facilities and a larger outside playground space, therapy rooms, sensory rooms and classrooms adapted to suit students with high needs. The school will also provide facilities to prepare students for life after school, through work training in coordination with post-school providers. This includes providing students with a range of transition to work programs, including screen printing, sewing, woodwork, horticulture and hospitality, as well as a multipurpose hall with training caf and kitchen.
While construction of the facility is under way, the Northern Territory government has put interim measures in place to help ease Henbury School’s growth pressures. This includes construction of a transportable double classroom which will be ready for use at the start of Term 2 this year.
Growth in the Palmerston area is also high and this is reflected in the increasing demand for special needs student places. The infrastructure requirement for schools in the greater Darwin area in the 2013-25 report projected enrolment demand in this sector will lead to an over-subscription of available resources.
In order to meet this demand, forward planning for a new Palmerston special school in Bellamack for preschool, primary and middle years students, with the capacity for another 140 high-support special needs students, has commenced. This government is extremely proud of that.
Indigenous Affairs – Policy
Mr VOWLES to CHIEF MINISTER
Last week you told the Alice Springs CLP branch that you had no Aboriginal affairs policy. I quote your comments at the meeting:
- So if I stand up now and say what’s the policy on this from the party, there is none … there’s no aboriginal affairs policy, there’s no policy on CAL, there’s no policy on local contracting of the Department of Infrastructure, people are still complaining that contracts go outside, but there’s no policy.
There is admittance that after more than two years in government you have failed and are unfit to govern. Why has it taken you two years to understand the need for a minister for Indigenous policy? Why did you create a policy vacuum that has led to a failure in closing the gap?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, we have gone from Tweedledee to Tweedledum.
Madam SPEAKER: Withdraw that comment, Chief Minister.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
Yesterday, if anyone was listening on the other side of the Chamber they would have heard me announce that we are going to double Indigenous employment in the public service from 8% to 16%. When we came to government it was 8% - 30% of the Territory’s population is Aboriginal – and we want to double it. A review – the Callaghan review – has been undertaken by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment. We have determined it will go from 8% to 16%.
Ms Lawrie: Two years.
Mr GILES: The Leader of the Opposition says, ‘Two years before you announce it’. You were in government for eleven-and-a-half years and your performance speaks for itself.
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. Also, I have a couple of policy documents here if the Chief Minister wants to look at them.
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down, member for Johnston; it is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: As I said, we announced yesterday we will be doubling the Indigenous employment rate from 8% to 16% by 2020, giving people opportunities within the public service for employment for the rest of their lives.
In the coming months we will announce measures to facilitate that. We will provide a supportive environment for the broader public service for that change, for those who want to work in the public service as well as those who want to leave the public service to go on to bigger and better things.
The public service is an opportunity for some to develop their skills and then to move back out to the private or non-government sector. For others it is a place to stay for their whole career, and we want to drive it through over a longer period of time.
Back to the previous question in regard to Indigenous affairs by the member for Arnhem, I sat down after giving that answer and reflected on what a loss it has been over recent years in Indigenous policy, with the current member for Namatjira …
Ms LEE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. We left the government because you took out Indigenous Affairs, if you do not remember.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Arnhem, that is a misuse of standing orders. You are on a warning.
Mr GILES: The current member for Namatjira had an opportunity to be part of that. I think you will recall she was the minister for Aboriginal affairs and nothing was changing. If you can remember, nothing was changing when she was in the former Labor government. Your record in Aboriginal affairs when in government was appalling.
We brought back the portfolio to make a difference. If you oppose the portfolio coming back, members for Johnston and Arnhem, you should say so.
Our reform process on transitioning Territory community health centres to be community controlled is very good. Our full review into Indigenous education to provide a response and improve educational outcomes for remote Territorians is fantastic. It has not been done in the past.
Bob Collins did it decades ago and nothing has changed. School attendance and outcomes have not improved. If you oppose the portfolio coming back, by all means say it publically, but we will drive forward reforms to get the best outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians.
Red Tape Reduction
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER for BUSINESS
I am sure the opposition is interested to find out, as am I, how the Country Liberals government is committed to reducing red tape to build Territory business and industry.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain, who used to be in business and had to put up with all the red tape created by Labor.
This is good news, which we on this side of the Chamber love. I know those opposite do not like good news. We have lots of good news because we are governing and reducing red tape. This demonstrates that we have listened to those who have said they want to get rid of the red tape created under 11 years of Labor.
We have created three things: a Red Tape Reduction in Business Advocate was established in 2013; the Red Tape Abolition Squad was established in 2014; and the Business Advisory Council has continued to give advice as to how we can improve the system and get rid of red tape. We have been saving local businesses and communities millions of dollars, as well as tens of thousands of hours that can be spent more preciously with their families.
I will give some examples of how we are doing this. By removing light vehicle registration stickers the Northern Territory government has saved $2.4m and 60 000 hours of community time, which is an enormous saving. By issuing building approvals online the Northern Territory government has saved over 7800 applicants countless hours and money. That is more savings for the community ...
Ms Lawrie: That was set up by Labor; we created that.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, cease interjecting.
Mr STYLES: At Motor Vehicle Registry you can now renew your vehicle registration, register it online, use the MVR rego app or go into any Australia Post ...
Mr McCarthy interjecting.
Ms Lawrie interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. Member for Barkly, you are on a warning.
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Suspension of Member
Member for Karama
Suspension of Member
Member for Karama
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader, pursuant to Standing Order 240A, please leave the Chamber for one hour.
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Mr STYLES: You can go to the MVR or Australia Post. This is a huge saving for the community and local business. You can now get your vehicle inspected, which then goes online; you do not have to go to MVR to pay your bill. You can have someone deliver it in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon. These are massive savings for our community.
In business there is the old saying that time is money. The NT government is committed to reducing red tape to save the community time and money. We are supporting Territorians in their day-to-day lives, making things simpler and easier by reducing red tape and improving quality of life for Territorians.
I have a list of examples and there is a brochure going out shortly, which is in draft form at the moment. The brochure says, ‘created a concurrent process for rezoning and development applications’. This has taken three months off the approval process, which is a huge advantage for people, creating jobs for Territorians. It also says, ‘reduced NT Build levy rate’; we have saved $2m so people can develop and create the most important thing, which is jobs for Territorians.
Confidence in Chief Minister
Mr McCARTHY to CHIEF MINISTER
Last week when discussing the future of the member for Araluen you told the Alice Springs branch, ‘Shoot one, educate a thousand’. Chief Minister, how can Territorians believe you are fit to govern when you use such threats and intimidation to stay in power?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the answer is because they know we talk about Territorians. We do not come in here talking about ourselves. They know we talk about providing change for the future; increasing Indigenous employment in the public service; building roads, bridges and telecommunications; transferring the centralised model of Labor decision-making to regions and communities; handing over Territory health centres to communities; and putting independent private schools in place.
They also know we are rolling out land release strategies to reduce the cost of living on the price of housing, because you drove it up so much. You did nothing in regard to housing release. They also know we are driving down the price of fuel by putting in fuel pricing determination legislation, sending it to a committee so we can have a positive effect on people’s lives and reduce the cost of living. We talk about what matters to Territorians, not muckraking or getting in the gutter, not playing around with mud and throwing things at each other.
I gave you a lesson yesterday. It was written well by Ben Smee in today’s NT News. He reflected, as I have reflected, that Australians have had a gutful of politicians fighting amongst themselves and talking about themselves. I challenge you again today to talk about policy and the Territory, not about us and our internal bickering. Talk about the Territory; that is your challenge.
INPEX – Onshore Gas
Mr KURRUPUWU to CHIEF MINISTER
Can you update the Assembly on recent good news regarding INPEX and its intention to explore for gas onshore in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a question about the future of the Northern Territory, the gas development industry and production, and putting infrastructure and jobs into urban centres and regions of the Northern Territory.
I must pay credit to the former Minister for Mines and Energy, who was doing a fair bit of work in regard to the gas regulation and exploration environment. But I will tell the story.
Many gas exploration leases have been issued or are under application in the Northern Territory where sufficient work is not being undertaken. There is a work schedule, but it is not always undertaken for a range of reasons, but we will not get into that.
We produced a use it or lose it policy which was announced at APPEA; I think it was in 2013 in Perth. If you have an exploration lease, start exploring, not just holding it up and land banking – or lease banking – in the Territory.
We made a change to Falcon Energy Group’s lease area around the Beetaloo Basin and 35% was taken off it. We went to tender seeking someone to take over 35% of the lease area. It went to a public process and INPEX was the successful bidder.
I was in Japan two-and-a-half weeks ago. I formally offered acceptance of that acreage. It could not be formally announced until the company accepted it as part of the legislative and regulatory requirements. It has now done that and we have announced INPEX coming onshore.
This is a big message to the Northern Territory, Australia and the industry that there is a significant player taking the acreage and it is not coming in on a farm-in model; it is taking it up holus-bolus, which is a good opportunity. This means exploration work will be undertaken in an opportunistic area in the Beetaloo Basin. There will be money going to drilling companies, fuel companies and accommodation providers, and people will get jobs out of this use it or lose it policy, and issuing the lease to INPEX. It will say to other companies around Australia that INPEX is here to have a good crack at that from an onshore point of view. For people in the greater Darwin area, not only is INPEX building two trains, providing economic injection and activity in the Top End, but it is also looking at how it can advance that. There is much speculation about train three, four, five or six, or whatever it may be. We know INPEX is very interested in looking onshore.
We are putting in place a very strong regulatory environment in regard to gas exploration and development. The new Minister for Mines and Energy will have more to say about that soon. I thank INPEX, Kitamura-san and Kuroda-san very much for taking that up. We look forward to working with you and to having more jobs for Territorians.
Herbert – Lagoon Drainage
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE
Your department is constructing a major drain in the Herbert area to lower the water in a lagoon which flooded a number of rural blocks some years ago. I seek leave to table a document showing the drain.
Leave granted.
Mr WOOD: This flooding caused the previous government to buy a number of landowners out. Can you please outline the cost of building this drain? How much is the developer paying? After all, he must take some responsibility for this debacle because of his poor plan. Were any environmental studies done to see what permanent effect reducing the water in the lagoon will have on its biodiversity?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for demonstrating another mess this government continues to clean up which was created by the actions of the previous Labor government. This is an example of land that should never have been built on in the first place, but was approved under the former Labor government. It provided the wrong section of land, flooded houses, and even today there are people who do not want to leave the area. It left a problem for this government to clean up.
The Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment is the client, and the Department of Infrastructure is undertaking the work. As you pointed out, some of that land was purchased from the original owners. The problem we had was, coming very close to another Wet Season, the work needed to be done sooner rather than later. Costs are around $385 000 to have this constructed. An environmental management plan was undertaken, developed by the contractor, including an erosion and sediment management plan.
Whilst I was the Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment, this was the reason we introduced into the process that anyone who develops land across the Territory needs a land capability study to occur before any approvals are given. This is to ensure land developed in the future will not leave people inundated with water.
The upsetting thing in all of this is the developer probably made a bit of money out of it, but it should not have been approved in the first place. The former government made a mistake in approving that land development. At the end of the day, the negotiations with the developer were ongoing. I made the decision, as minister at the time, to bring forward the works because I did not want to put residents in that area at further risk coming into another Wet Season.
Those negotiations are continuing, but at the moment government is wearing the cost of $385 000. When this work is done, a number of blocks will be suitable for rural living and can be on-sold to recover some of that cost. We hope this will be a cost negative exercise. The point is to ensure that with land capability studies this does not happen again.
Permanent Care Orders
Mrs FINOCCHIARO to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
In the media in recent days there has been talk of the introduction of legislation to establish permanent care orders. Can you reassure Territorians this legislation is being created with children’s best interests at heart?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the short answer is yes, I can reassure Territorians that children’s interests are being kept at heart. In recent times it has reached my ears through various mechanisms that people are trying to misrepresent permanent care orders …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is in anticipation of debate; we will be talking about this later in the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister for Children and Families, do you believe the legislation will be reached on the Notice Paper today?
Mr ELFERINK: This is not about the debate. This about media reports in relation to the government’s intention.
Madam SPEAKER: I will allow it.
Mr ELFERINK: This is why I am addressing this issue. It has reached my ears that a number of people are misrepresenting what this legislation means. To find a child in a position where they would possibly be subject to a permanent care order means any number of steps has to be proceeded with. What is being misrepresented to people is that none of those steps are being identified. A child coming into the care of the CEO of Children and Families has already been removed from their family because of neglect or physical or sexual abuse, and there is no chance the child will be reconciled or returned to a member of that family. This is what DCF process tries to achieve. This means many orders are now issued for children to be in care until they are 18.
A permanent care order provides capacity for a family or foster carer who has taken over the care and protection of a child to have security and certainty about providing those services in the future. I am anxious that those environments are stable and that the child in question is not constantly subject to review and the uncertainty those reviews bring, because they are in their own way traumatising to children.
If a child is in a happy, healthy, supportive home, any sensible human being realising there is no chance of reconciliation with a prior family would determine it normal and proper to give that child security in the future. That is what these permanent care orders, and the government, is about. For those who misrepresent the intention of government in this space, be very careful because this is potentially a very emotive issue, therefore sobriety and temperance must be applied in this debate.
Treasurer – Portfolio and Remarks
Mr McCARTHY to TREASURER
Last week you denied losing the Treasurer’s job for making homophobic slurs. When you resigned late last year, the Chief Minister said:
- I want to make sure that Territorians know they have a government who stands up for all … and will provide leadership on what those community expectations are.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I say straight up I am not a homophobe at all. I will not discuss what has occurred in the past. That is in the past. My job at the moment is Treasurer of the Northern Territory. I am keen to see the Northern Territory get onto a firm financial footing, as was committed to a couple of years ago by the Chief Minister. We said we would balance the books by 2017-18. That is my focus, member for Barkly. At this point in time I am already working on this year’s budget.
I can give you a heads up; this will be another belt-tightening budget. We said two years ago that we would not do slash and burn budgets. We said we would not sack public servants and the like. Labor members made a big deal of that at the time; they said thousands of jobs would disappear. The reality is – as the minister said yesterday – we have the same number of public servants now as we did in 2012 when we came to government. We are finding efficiencies and savings within the public service without laying off staff.
Ms MOSS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The question was about whether or not you will issue an apology, not to do with this year’s budget.
Madam SPEAKER: The minister does have a couple of minutes to answer the question, but can you get to the point.
Mr TOLLNER: I answered that. I said I would not dwell on the past. The fact is I am making sure the books of the Northern Territory are balanced by 2017-18; the government is on track. This next budget will be another responsible one. We will continue to find the savings we need in order to reduce Labor’s projected $5.5bn debt.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. I thank the Treasurer for the lecture on Treasury, but it is obvious that he is not prepared to apologise to the gay, lesbian and transgender community on this matter.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Barkly, please be seated.
Mr TOLLNER: Madam Speaker, as I said, we are not getting into the gutter and we are not talking about ourselves. The Chief Minister adequately made that point over the last couple of days. We are focused on good government of the Northern Territory; that is what I am focused on and I think it is what Territorians want to know about. I have read the tea leaves; I realise I have had a couple of run-ins with my friends from the NT News. I have put it behind me and let bygones be bygones. My focus now is the good government of the Northern Territory.
Regional Investment Activities
Mr BARRETT to MINISTER for MINES and ENERGY
Can you please update the House on the opportunities being delivered through regional investment activities, such as the opening of the ABM Resources Old Pirate mine in the Tanami?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for my maiden question as Minister for Mines and Energy. It is a good question. Not many people are aware of what ABM Resources is doing on the Old Pirate project. It is a good news story to update the House on what has gone on in the Tanami in the last 6 to 12 months.
On 23 December last year the Chief Executive of the Mines department signed and issued a mining authorisation to ABM Resources to start mining at the Old Pirate in the western Tanami area. The initial mine plan for one year envisages about 150 tonnes of ore to be processed, which will yield somewhere between 50 000 and 60 000 oz of gold.
This will be the first new mine in the Tanami region for some years and will hopefully create many new employment opportunities. The project will see the creation of a new mine with a potential yield of over 600 000 oz of gold. This is the first stage of the overall Twin Bonanza Project, which has a resource of about 1.7m ounces of gold at what the industry tells me is about 1 g per tonne.
The mine will commence development immediately, with mobilisation planned for mid-February and production expected to start in the first half of this year. Commissioning has been delayed due to access problems and closures of the Tanami Road following heavy rains in the region this year. Ore from the project will be processed approximately 80 km away, on the other side of the Western Australian border at the Coyote Plant which belongs to Tanami Gold NL. This is part of a recently concluded lease – an option to buy agreement between ABM and Tanami Gold – which is good cooperation between the two companies.
This is a good news story. ABM is actively recruiting staff and opening a head office in Alice Springs in March 2015. I have not been involved in this project; all credit belongs to the former Minister for Mines and Energy, and the Chief Minister. They were very firm with ABM in saying we will assist them, but we want to see the head office in Alice Springs, not in Perth, and we want to see Territorians employed, especially Indigenous Territorians.
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016