2009-02-17
Palmerston – Delay in Increased
Police Patrols
Police Patrols
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
In response to a series of brutal attacks in Palmerston last year, you announced that there would be an additional 24 hour police patrol there. Today, you announced there would be an additional 24 hour patrol in Darwin’s northern suburbs and that the Palmerston patrol will be delayed by a year. Can you explain why you misled the people of Palmerston about enhancing their safety by promising an increased police presence when now you have failed to deliver it?
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order; Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister misled no one.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. No government has done more to crack down on crime than this …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: We have 330 extra police in our police force than we did when the CLP were in government, and our police force solves crime at twice the speed of any other police force in the country, and we continue to do more. In the budget last year …
Mr Tollner: You could not do any less, put it that way.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I am glad that members opposite think that crime and policing, and policing to tackle crime is some sort of laughing matter. They ask a question but, like a bunch of school kids, just do not listen to the answer. We had the kids from Palmerston High School here today and they are better behaved than those opposite.
We announced the Safer Streets initiative in the budget last year - 60 additional police across the Northern Territory for additional 24/7 patrols in Darwin, Casuarina, Palmerston, Alice Springs, and additional police for Katherine and Wadeye - and that is what we are delivering. There was always a schedule for how these police were to be deployed. I can say to the Leader of the Opposition and everyone in Palmerston, we are on track to deliver Palmerston next year, as we committed to last year in the budget; absolutely on track to deliver for the residents in Palmerston.
For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and say somehow this is delayed, is not true. It is on track, we are recruiting more police than ever before in the Territory’s history, there will be an additional 60 police graduate before the end of this year. We are recruiting ahead of attrition; attrition is down. Additional resources are being deployed right across the Northern Territory, and additional resources are on track for Palmerston.
Safer Streets Initiative - Progress
Ms WALKER to CHIEF MINISTER
Last year, the Chief Minister announced a Safer Streets initiative which aimed to increase the size of the Northern Territory Police Force. Can the Chief Minister inform the House on progress made in implementing this initiative?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question, and the opportunity to supply additional information on top of the answer I just gave the Leader of the Opposition. Yes, we did commit in last year’s budget an additional $9.3m to grow our police force across the Northern Territory. As I have said, we are on track and, as well as the extra 60 Safer Streets police, this is on top of the extra 40 police funded under the Closing the Gap initiative. So we continue to build our police force across the Northern Territory.
We have a zero tolerance attitude to crime; absolutely a zero tolerance attitude to crime and anti-social behaviour. That is why we not only have the Safer Streets initiative, but we also have the Police Beats initiative in shopfronts across the Northern Territory, which was opposed by members opposite. We are also rolling out CCTV across Alice Springs. I believe tenders have just closed for an extensive CCTV roll-out in the Top End as well. The Safer Streets initiative will deliver more patrols in Darwin, Casuarina, Palmerston and Alice Springs, an extra four constables to Katherine, and an extra constable to Wadeye.
As well as this, we now have a dedicated Youth Crime Unit. Seven out of those 10 officers have already been recruited, and already they are having significant success in cracking down on the hard core, serial youth offenders who are at the heart of so much of the antisocial behaviour across the Northern Territory.
I was at Casuarina Police Station this afternoon; the new police station is on track to be opened by the middle of this year. I was speaking to the officers there. Already, there are an additional 13 positions based at Casuarina Police Station as part of the police initiative to have additional 24/7 patrols, and we will continue to roll those out. I will stand here on our record in terms of funding our police, recruiting police officers, and giving them the tools to do the job, more than we inherited.
We now have a police force comprised of 1233 paid police officers and there are now 329 more police constables and above, ACPOs and auxiliaries in the force than there were in 2003. We are on track to deliver a further 65 constables and 23 auxiliaries this financial year. That is our commitment to a safer Northern Territory, compared to the demoralised, run-down police force we inherited in 2001.
Police Communications System –
Incident at Palmerston
Incident at Palmerston
Mr CHANDLER to CHIEF MINISTER
Last week, you told this House that police did not receive a call regarding a violent attack on a schoolgirl in front of the Brennan electorate office, even though police eventually arrived an hour-and-a-half later. Did you ever discover how police were able to respond to this incident even though you said they had no record of the call being made?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Brennan for his question. He asked the same question twice last week and I gave him a response. I am happy to answer it again. It just shows how bereft the opposition is that they do not have any new questions this week. We are two days into the sittings and they are already repeating questions they asked last week.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Clearly, the Chief Minister did not hear the question. The question is: have you managed to inform yourself since that time, and can you inform this House what is happening?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I am happy to repeat the answer that I gave twice last week for a third time. Maybe it is third time lucky in the opposition being able to understand the answer. I am quite happy to answer the same questions bowled up all week if that is how you want to waste your Question Time.
One assault, as I said last week, is an assault too many. An assault on a teenage girl by a group of other juveniles is absolutely unacceptable. Speaking as a father, as well as the Chief Minister, it is absolutely unacceptable for kids to be bashed by a bunch of other kids. As I advised last week, the advice I have from police is that they went back through their records and could not trace a call. That is the advice that I have from police.
I have also stated that, in regard to an incident like that, in a crowded shopping centre, obviously, they were trying to trace a call from a certain number, maybe it was the member for Brennan’s office number. However, I would have thought that if the assault was so vicious and ferocious, then, maybe a number of other calls came in either after or during ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: Police have advised me - and I can only go on advice I am given by police; I cannot go out there and sit at the computer and go through all the phone records one by one. The advice that I have from police is that they could find no record of that particular call. I would absolutely …
Mr Giles: You have a failure in your systems.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Mr HENDERSON: … expect police, through their command centre at Berrimah that, if they received a call about an attack that was taking place at a point in time, that that would be treated as a priority call and police immediately despatched to that, because that is what our police do. In this case, exactly what happened is unclear. I can only go on the advice that I am being given by police. The advice that I am being given by police is that they were unable to trace the call, as identified by the member for Brennan.
Police Beat Casuarina - Closure
Mr GUNNER to CHIEF MINISTER
On 15 December, the Leader of the Opposition said he would close down the Police Beat in Casuarina. Can the Chief Minister please inform the House whether he is going to adopt the Leader of the Opposition’s position and close the Police Beat in Casuarina?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. I was astounded that the Leader of the Opposition would say that if he was the Chief Minister he would close down these initiatives. I will go through some figures in a moment to demonstrate just how widely regarded, well received, and how effective this particular initiative is, compared to the empty rhetoric and the empty policy initiatives coming from those opposite.
On Monday, 15 December, the Leader of the Opposition said in a radio interview - I assume it is with ABC: ‘I would close down the shopfront. I would open up a tough boot camp and a prison farm’. We are going to open five Police Beats across the Northern Territory, and the policy position of the Leader of the Opposition is that he would close them down.
Let us have a look at how effective these have been, and the police resources that he would take out of the community, cutting our police force again, should he become Chief Minister.
We have committed $12.3m for this initiative, which will provide for the recruitment of an additional 20 police and 10 police auxiliaries across the Northern Territory, aimed at tackling youth crime and antisocial behaviour in highly visible and populated areas for Territorians. Two general duties constables and an auxiliary at each police beat, and I stress, these are not robbing Peter to pay Paul, these are additional resources.
I would urge the Leader of the Opposition to talk to some police officers, talk to the police at Casuarina about how effective this initiative is. The pressure that is has taken off general duties patrols, the significant improvement it has had in the environment of Casuarina Square, the reduction of crime, the policing of trespass orders, the cleaning up of drunks through the area, this has been very successful, and it is not about policing resources.
Let us look at the real results that the Leader of the Opposition would cancel and close down, just in a few short weeks. The following statistics are up to 9 February: the Police Beat opened in Casuarina, I think it was in the third week of December, and I stand corrected, it might have been the second week, but let us look at the results so far - 22 offenders have been arrested; 17 offenders summoned; 868 persons moved on; 368 litres of alcohol tipped out; 101 people have been taken into protective custody; four written warnings were issued to juveniles; and seven trespass notices issued.
That is an extraordinary amount of work conducted by police …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Could the Chief Minister advise how many of those people ended up in gaol for anything?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Chief Minister, continue.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The puerile interjections from the supposed intellectual on the other side of the benches - if the member for Port Darwin is an intellectual we need to redefine the term.
This has been very holistic. You talk to any of the people who are running retail businesses out there and they will say what a success this has been. You talk to any of the people who actually work at Casuarina …
Mr Elferink interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr HENDERSON: … all of those young people, particularly young women, who work in retail out there, you ask them how successful this has been, how much safer they feel. You talk to the families and the teenagers who go to Casuarina and ask how much better they feel about using it, and we are going to replicate this throughout the Northern Territory.
We will certainly let all of the people in Palmerston know when we roll-out the initiative in Palmerston that the Palmerston-based members oppose it; they would close down the Police Beat if it was opened in Palmerston. Members from Alice Springs, when we open the police beats in Alice Springs in the CBD, I wonder whether their constituents know that if they came to government they would close them down.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! At no time has any member from Alice Springs said that we will close the Police Beat in Alice Springs. We want it to be open and leave it there.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I will pick up on the interjection from the member for Braitling, because he is totally at odds with his leader. You might have to redefine your policy position, member for Braitling. I urge you to stand up, because the commitment from your leader is that, ‘I would close down the shopfronts’. That is the commitment …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: … that is the policy position. You opposite this initiative.
We will continue to build our police force and resources across the Territory, in our remote communities, in our regional communities, in our towns, because it is about a safer Northern Territory. It is about more patrols out in the community, it is about visibility, it is about reassurance, it is about tackling crime and bringing people to the courts. That is what our police are doing. I commend them for the good work they are doing across the Northern Territory, and heaven help them if the other mob ever assume this side of the benches, because they would do what they did in the past. They would cut police resources, and remove police and police initiatives throughout the Northern Territory.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, please resume your seats. Before I call on the next person to ask a question, I remind you of Standing Order 51, regarding no interruptions. As there have been a considerable number of interruptions, I am having difficulty hearing the minister who is answering the question. I also remind you that if you are calling a point of order, you need to refer to the actual standing order number. It is not parliamentary to have frivolous points of order.
Police – Communication System Failure
Mr BOHLIN to CHIEF MINISTER
On 26 October at about 9 pm, Peter Cavanagh, a resident of Langton Road, Howard Springs, saw a stranger in his shed. While he gave chase, his wife phoned the police. About 30 minutes later, after the female intruder had fled the scene, the police were again phoned, but this time they said they were not coming. The following day, Mr Cavanagh attended Palmerston Police Station to follow up the previous night’s complaint, only to be informed there was no record of the call.
Why is the police communication system constantly failing the people?
Madam SPEAKER: Before I call the Chief Minister, member for Drysdale, it is usual in this House not to identify members of the public in such a detailed way. Has the person you referred to given you permission to use their details in the parliament in this way? It is unusual to use a person’s address. This is part of our …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Whilst I appreciate your advice, the fact is that the member stands or falls by the words he utters in this place and, with all due respect, it is not for you to determine what comes out of the member’s mouth.
Madam SPEAKER: Indeed, we do have freedom of speech in this Chamber, as you have suggested, but it is also part of our standing orders that it is the role of the Speaker to ask a member, and to advise a member when they are referring to a person who is unable to respond in this Chamber to bear that in mind. It is merely in that context. Of course, you have the right to do that. I was concerned that the person would have no idea, given that you gave their address.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. I am happy to take that question on notice, refer it to the police to get advice from them about the call. I do not agree with the assertions that he is making. Our police receive thousands of calls every day, across the Northern Territory.
One of the real challenges for the police Command Centre at Berrimah, as the previous speaker would know, is that, with the proliferation of mobile phones in the community - and this is not just an issue in the Northern Territory, this is across Australia and the western world – the number of calls that go into police front areas around Australia are, exponentially, almost doubling every year. There is also the multiple reporting of the same incident.
Members interjecting.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 51 - continued interruptions and interjections.
Madam SPEAKER: Members, Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The police receive thousands of calls across the Territory every day. In 99.9% of those cases, I believe that they would respond appropriately and with high satisfaction levels from people who respond. If, now and again, one call falls through the cracks, that is one too many. That is why every call is recorded. That is why the Command Centre at Berrimah has increased numbers of people in it. That is why there are dedicated superintendents who manage and monitor the call centre, and if one call does fall through the cracks, that is one call too many.
I will take on notice the complaint from the member for Drysdale and have it looked into. However, our police force receives thousands of calls every day. Police are deployed efficiently, effectively, and to a high community satisfaction level in most cases.
Safe Houses - Update
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
Could the minister provide an update on the roll out of safe houses across the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Recently, I was very pleased to be at Ngukurr to open the first of many of our safe houses. We will see the opening of 17 across the Northern Territory. In Ngukurr, we opened the first women’s safe house and the first men’s cooling off centre.
This is just one of the occasions where it does need to be brought to the attention of the House, the importance of these safe houses for both the men and women of the communities. It was an important day for the people in Ngukurr. We were able to talk about the issues. I was also able to speak with them directly about what we will be debating tomorrow, that is, the amendments to the Domestic and Family Violence Act on the mandatory reporting of domestic violence.
All sites will be operational by the end of April. It is a real testament to the combined efforts of both the Northern Territory government and the federal government to ensure that our safe houses across the Northern Territory are opening, but also to provide that resource and training for people in our communities. I look forward to attending more openings, and congratulate the people of Nguiu on the opening of their safe house at the weekend.
Palmerston – Police Street Information
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
The residents of a street in the Palmerston suburb of Durack have been terrorised over recent months by a gang of youths stalking their houses at night. The residents are so concerned that they do not want the street identified, but I can provide you with this address at a later stage. When they phoned the police on Saturday, 7 February, it took the caller a quarter of an hour to explain where the street was so the police could attend. The police said that this street was not on their police databank. How is it that a suburban street in Palmerston can be excluded from the police databank?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I would certainly take the Leader of the Opposition up to give me the details. I accept that people do not want the street named and I will give you an absolutely upfront explanation.
In all of these things, there is an assertion or an allegation that has been made. I would have to get an appropriate response from police as to the veracity or otherwise of that assertion and allegation. So I take the question on face value. I have nothing else that I can say right here, right now. However, I have been to the Police Command Centre at Berrimah on a number of occasions. They have state-of-the-art CAT equipment for receiving calls, for identifying areas, for dispatching vehicles or tracking vehicles where police are deployed.
I take the question on notice, but police do have state-of-the-art equipment, and I will identify the veracity or otherwise of the assertion that has been made.
Imparja Cup
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Can you please advise the House how the Territory government assisted in making last week’s Imparja Cup a huge success?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. For the benefit of our guests in the gallery, the Imparja Cup is an Indigenous cricket carnival held over a week in Alice Springs every year.
It was an exciting week, with former Australian cricket legend, Matthew Hayden, on hand running clinics and as guest speaker at the Imparja Cricket dinner on Friday night. I am sure the member for Braitling, who was there on Saturday, enjoyed the games as well.
There were other former Australian players, such as Brad Hogg and Greg Mathews, also in Alice Springs playing for the Australian Cricket Masters in the curtain raiser game against the Indigenous team, and as a curtain raiser to the State and Territory Grand Final on Saturday.
The $10 000 we provided in funding also assisted the NT Cricket Association to conduct cricket clinics and visits to central Australian communities, including the community of Titjikala in my colleague’s electorate of Macdonnell.
All states and territories were represented at the 2009 Imparja Cup, with 26 teams competing. I would like to make special mention of the Victorian teams and congratulate them for competing in what was a traumatic week for all Australians, but particularly for the Victorians.
The Cup has various competition formats which include the 20/20, 40 Over and Super 8 matches. Unfortunately for us, the Territory side came close to a win a few times but lady luck was not on their side, with narrow losses to Western Australia and Queensland in their 20/20 match.
In the State and Territory division, Queensland defeated Tasmania and, in the women’s competition, New South Wales defeated the Alice Springs Bellette Cougars. The Community Division was won by Tangentyere, which defeated the Stuart Highway Mob and, in the Major Centres Division Alkupitja defeated Alice Springs.
Congratulations also to the big hitting Territorian left-hander, Darcy Short, who was selected for the Australian Indigenous side to tour England in June. This team follows the footsteps of the first-ever team to leave our shores, the Australian Indigenous team which toured England in 1868. I am sure Darcy will do us all proud in the upcoming tour. Congratulations must also go to Lord’s Taverners Australia who are sponsoring the Australian Indigenous team’s tour to the tune of $20 000.
Over 500 players and officials participated in this fantastic week of cricket. We have some Northern Territory talent such as Marcus McGregor and Doug McClure to keep an eye on them. I congratulate NT Cricket and Cricket Australia on another successful Imparja Cup.
Crime Statistics – Full Information
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Why is it that the crime reporting system does not contain information on incidents reported to police that were not followed up? Is it not the case that neither the incident involving the member for Brennan, nor the complaint by the gentleman in Howard Springs, will appear as a part of official crime statistics? Are you not deliberately hiding the real state of crime in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the question from the Leader of the Opposition. The opposition likes to do nothing better than to talk down the Territory, and make wild allegations and assertions against police. I do not mind wild allegations and assertions against me, but not against police.
We have had this debate, up hill and down dale, in regard to how police record crime statistics. I give an absolute commitment to this House, and to all Territorians, that our crime statistics are recorded in line with national reporting standards - absolutely.
The Police Commissioner has conducted two media conferences on this issue, because the commissioners-in-exile over there - the four of them who sit on the opposition benches …
Dr Burns: Only three today.
Mr HENDERSON: Oh, there are only three today, sorry. However, the commissioners-in-exile who think that they would do a better job of running the police force than our commissioner have made these assertions that, somehow, the crime figures are doctored. That is an outrageous allegation being made about our Northern Territory Police Force. It is an outrageous allegation. It is not backed up by any evidence whatsoever. The allegation has been completely denied by the Police Commissioner. As I said, he has made substantive and substantial comments on this particular issue and refuted totally the allegations that have been made by the member for Drysdale without any substantiation at all.
Without any substantiation at all, he came in here before Christmas, made the wild assertion that the Police Commissioner had ordered that the crime statistics be doctored, and he could not back it up with any evidence. We had the extraordinary example where the Police Commissioner actually had to say that a member of this House had not told the truth in regard to the recording of police statistics.
I stand here and say that our crime statistics are absolutely recorded in line with national standards. Any assertions or allegations to the contrary need to be backed up by evidence, rather than …
Mr Mills: We provided evidence today. You follow it up.
Mr HENDERSON: There was no evidence, and it was completely refuted by the Police Commissioner.
The Police Commissioner is a man of utmost integrity. It is a very senior job, totally independent of government. I take the advice from our Police Commissioner that our statistics are recorded in line with national standards. The commissioners-in-exile over there do themselves no good in coming in here making unsubstantiated allegations that go to the very heart of the integrity of our police force.
National Parks – Infrastructure Improvements
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PARKS and WILDLIFE
Can the minister please update the House on infrastructure improvements to our national parks?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. This is wonderful news. As minister for Parks, I take this opportunity to congratulate the government on the $4.4m for upgrades to visitor facilities at Litchfield National Park; the Wangi campgrounds upgrade is well under way; and there are also upgrades to Litchfield at the Cascades. I commit to this House, on behalf of the government, that I am a minister who will hold my colleagues responsible for parks infrastructure.
It is the beauty of the Northern Territory that we sell through our tourism. We encourage tourists to visit all our parks. It is important that we take our parks very seriously. It is not just the tourism industry we encourage to have a look at the parks, but also the local Territory people who enjoy going to our parks, like Litchfield and Howard Springs. I take this opportunity once again to thank the government.
Alice Springs – Security Guards in CBD
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Two weeks ago, your predecessor convened a bipartisan meeting of parliamentary members for Central Australia to discuss the rise of violent crime and vandalism in Alice Springs. At that meeting, it was agreed that the Northern Territory government would fund two security guards to patrol the Alice Springs CBD each night between 9 pm and 4 am.
The commitment is yet to be fulfilled and, in the intervening two weeks, Alice Springs CBD has been plagued almost nightly by repeated acts of vandalism. Last night was no different, with a number of commercial premises in Alice Springs having their windows smashed. When is the Territory government going to fulfil its promise to fund security guards for the Alice Springs CBD?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his very important question. Youth crime is unacceptable to all of us in this House, and also to the Alice Springs community. As the member for Greatorex clearly knows, we have all been involved in this bipartisan approach in dealing with this very serious issue. I have talked to the member for Greatorex a couple of times this week on the understanding that we would make an announcement together on Thursday.
It is a package we have all been involved with. A big part of that package is security. I am pleased to say that I have called the Mayor of Alice Springs today and informed him that he can continue those security patrols as of today because of the incidents last night. Certainly, in the spirit of …
Mr Conlan: It was our idea.
Mr HAMPTON: Member for Greatorex, seeing as it was bipartisan and it was your idea, congratulations.
Getting away from the politics, it is a very important matter to the people of Alice Springs. We share the passion for Alice Springs as colleagues on both sides of the House. We had a good meeting the last time in Alice Springs with the Mayor. As you know, we have all worked together on a package of initiatives that includes security, as well as policing, education, and youth services. I am looking forward to Thursday to make that announcement. I have discussed it with my colleagues on this side of the House, so there will certainly be many more initiatives announced on Thursday. I am happy to say that I have talked to the Mayor and those security patrols will commence as of today.
Primary Industries Ministerial Forum
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY and FISHERIES
Our primary industry sector is facing global challenges that have both national and international implications. I understand that they were discussed at last week’s Primary Industries Ministerial Forum in Canberra. What decisions were taken at the forum, and what impact will they have in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his very important question. It is true that climate change will bring major challenges for us. We are going to have warmer temperatures, longer and deeper droughts, extreme weather events and, of course, increased biosecurity risk because of the occurrence of more pests and diseases.
Last week, I attended the fourth Primary Industries Forum in Canberra, where Commonwealth and state and territory ministers discussed the Beale Report’s recommendation about biosecurity. We also discussed measures to deliver drought policy improvements. The Beale Report was commissioned after the recent outbreak of equine influenza, and is an independent review of Australia’s current biosecurity arrangements.
Biosecurity is very important to the Territory. As we are very close to Asia, we can be the entry point for many pests and diseases. The fisheries and primary industries sector is worth $532m to the Territory and directly and indirectly employs 1300 people.
We discussed how we can make strong partnerships between the territories and states and the Commonwealth, and how we are going to approach biosecurity from a scientific point of view. Members of the previous parliament know the arguments I had with the then federal government about strengthening our biosecurity measures in the Territory. We could find illegal fisherman on our coastlines carrying pigs, dogs, chickens, and anything in between, which could bring pests and diseases into the Territory. An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Territory could cost us $80m to ensure it is eliminated. This is a very strong and important issue.
We also discussed the drought policy. The National Drought Policy will be more focused on preparing families for drought, rather than giving handouts and payments when the drought occurs. We also discussed the impact of drought, not only on the individual farmer or individual pastoralists, but also the communities that support the farming community and the pastoral industry.
I had the opportunity to meet with Gary Gray, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia; and Terry Redman, the Western Australian Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, to be briefed about developments at the Ord River Scheme. There is a big development on the Ord River. Our government has committed, and will continue to work with Western Australia, but the Commonwealth government has now come into the game and provided $200m to Western Australia because of the development of the Ord River.
I am following it very closely. I am following what is happening at the Western Australia borders, because the reality is, and this is the funny part, most of the water that goes to Western Australia, the catchment area is in the Territory. Unfortunately, it runs over the border and now, if we are going to develop the Ord on our side, we have to get water from the Western Australians, if there is enough water for them to give us, or if they are going to do the development in such a way that there will be available water for us.
We decided to form a working group. We will be working closely together to be informed about what is happening with the Ord Scheme, and our government will make decisions about our participation in the Ord Scheme.
Family Responsibility Orders
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
As you know, unfortunately, a great proportion of criminal behaviour which plagues many parts of the Territory, including Alice Springs, is committed by juveniles. Last year, the Henderson government introduced Family Responsibility Orders to reduce the level of youth crime. How many of those orders have successfully been implemented, and how many plasma screen televisions have been confiscated, as promised?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Araluen for her question. The previous minister spoke about the collaboration with the members of Central Australia and we are very interested in working together with them on a bipartisan approach on the issues of youth across the Northern Territory.
There are two types of family responsibility agreements in the Northern Territory. In terms of the process, we know that we have to look at the needs that are required for our families, and this is a collaboration of all the agencies, in particular the police, my department, and Education. These agreements occurred just before Christmas and, I believe, one just after. As the minister responsible for this area, I am working very closely on, in particular, the concerns I have for the children in my care across the Northern Territory. I know that we need to start honing in on the needs of these children, we have to make a real difference in where these children are growing up, the homes that they have or do not have, their access to education, and the love and support of their families around them.
In my discussions with the member for Araluen and the other Central Australian members, I have asked them to work with me on the family responsibility centre to be launched in Alice Springs. I have asked the members opposite to work with me on that, and I appreciate the support that has been given to me, in good faith. We all know, as members of this parliament, that it is not one particular party that has more of a right to care for our children. It is all of us, as a combined parliament, to show leadership for all the families of the Northern Territory. I look forward to continuing in that bipartisan approach with the opposition.
Madam SPEAKER: I just remind members to make sure that their mobile phones are turned off, and also the people in the galleries, and the media. Thank you.
Katherine Region – Economic Future
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
How is the government working to ensure the prosperous economic future of the Katherine region?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. The Katherine Economic Profile provides us with a snapshot of the Katherine regional economy. I am very pleased to report that the data shows strong business confidence in Katherine and an upbeat business outlook. The Katherine project follows on from the success of the Alice Springs Economic Profile released early in 2008, which shows strong confidence in the Alice Springs economy, and also provides the framework for future profiles we want to roll out across our regions, including Tennant Creek.
More than 168 local businesses took part in face-to-face surveys in the Katherine region. The profile was released in December last year, with a launch in Katherine, and I acknowledge the attendance of the member for Katherine at the launch.
The profile that was released last year showed that business confidence was around 80%, and 65% were experiencing growth in sales. This study takes perceptions of the town from the anecdotal to the factual, and it is real regional development and action. It provides some foundation stones from which we are to build. Before this survey was undertaken, the only information available was out-of-date and not very specific. The profile gives us the baseline data to build on, and will enable us to measure and quantify our success, which is particularly important in times of economic hardship.
This government is committed to growth in our regions, and is using every means possible to encourage and support business development in our regional centres. I look forward to getting out there with my colleagues to inform our business community about the stimulus package which the Chief Minister has announced.
Housing – Energy Rating Scheme
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for PLANNING and LANDS
Last year, ABC Stateline ran a program highlighting national energy rating schemes for houses in the NT. This scheme, if adopted, would mean that new houses would have to be designed for airconditioning, and that new houses with many windows would not be permitted under the scheme. Rod Applegate, from your department, said on the program that he was pretty confident that the Territory would adopt the five star rating.
Minister, do you agree with your director? Or do you think that compulsory five star rating in the Top End is crazy and will just lead to more and more houses having to rely on airconditioning, therefore requiring more energy use, more greenhouse gases, fewer naturally cooled systems, and less common sense?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for the question. It is a COAG requirement that all jurisdictions move down this path of energy efficiency and the buildings ratings. What we have done in the Territory is identify, at the national level, that those ratings have to take into account climatic differences. The ratings in northern Australia, for example, would need to recognise our particular climatic circumstances; there would not be exactly the same requirement for a house in Darwin versus a house in Alice Springs.
What we have done is, we have picked up where the national body of work is at. We have been through a round of consultations through the Building Services Section of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Most of the debate and discussion has involved architects as well, because they have a lot of buy-in to this debate.
We are nearing the latter phases of those discussions in the Territory. I have seen a series of draft recommendations going through all our professionals in the sector and I am waiting for the final recommendations to come to me.
I would be happy to sit down with the member for Nelson, who I know has always shown a vital interest in this area, and take him through the nature of the recommendations. They have been moving through the building sector and, as I say, most actively involved in that have been professionals such as the architects. It is important that we do have those energy ratings and standards coming into play in our buildings in the Territory, but it is equally important that they are the appropriate requirements for our climatic conditions, recognising that just within this one jurisdiction we have a variety of climates at play. As I said, the arid centre is certainly quite different to the tropical Top End.
Fishing – Recreational
Mr GUNNER to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES and RESOURCES
We all know that fishing is more popular in the Northern Territory than anywhere else …
Ms Carney: It is the lure of the Territory, you are meant to say.
Mr GUNNER: As some would say, it is the lure of the Territory. What initiatives are in place to ensure that fishing experiences available today will continue into the future?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I am so encouraged to see even the members from Alice Springs agree that fishing is the lure of the Territory. I said in my report yesterday that, yes, fishing is the most popular recreational activity in the Territory. One in two Territorians go fishing at least once a year, and we have one of the highest rates of boat ownership - one in four houses has a boat, whether a small dingy or a big boat; or one of those that we dream about.
Fishing is also a major drawcard for tourists. We have thousands of people coming from down south because, in our rivers, we not only have water, but you do not have to have a licence to put your line into the water, and it is guaranteed you are going to catch something - at least most of the time - either barramundi or, if you want to go on the ocean, a jewfish.
Fishing is an important part of our Territory lifestyle. The last time we did a survey was in 2001. Since then, things have changed a lot. We have more people coming to the Territory, more Territorians buying boats, more Territorians spending money buying fishing gear, and the development of technology now makes fishing very easy. You can put the codes into a GPS and it will take you to exactly the same place you went last week to catch more fish.
However, that puts enormous pressure on fishing stocks, so we want to know what is happening. We want to know how many people go fishing, where, how, what they catch, and how much they spend, because fishing is not only an entertainment, but they spend a lot of money - $1.8m a year - just to buy fishing gear. That is an enormous spin-off for the Territory economy.
The recreational fishing survey is under way now, and will go until March 2010. If you get a phone call from people asking questions about fishing, it is not coming from India, it is coming from us. We want to know your habits, when you go fishing and what you catch so we can ensure that our fishing stock remains healthy for the future. It is not good enough for you and me to go fishing, but our children and our grandchildren would like to continue fishing and enjoy the recreational activity and the lifestyle of the Territory.
Madam Speaker, all the information that will be collected will be confidential. Even if you do not go fishing yourself, please provide some of the answers because that will be vital for us to complete our study and find out what actually happens with recreational fishing in the Territory.
Alice Springs - Criminal Activity by
Young Children
Young Children
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for CHILDREN and FAMILIES
On the weekend, a gang of young children smashed their way into the Living Waters Primary School in Alice Springs and stole pens, paints and a number of other items. These children ranged in age from four to 10 - young kids. Children so young being involved in such serious criminal activity almost certainly lack proper parental supervision and are in need of an intervention from government. Have these children been declared at risk by the Department of Children and Families and, if not, what action will your department take in relation to these children?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is, naturally, concerning that any child across the Northern Territory is caught up in issues that require the police to be involved, with behaviour that is most questionable and, at the worst, entering into areas of crime. I can say, for the record, regarding the particular incident that the member refers to, that an investigation is ongoing. That is all I would like to say in regard to that particular case. I am happy to brief the member as we go along with that from here on.
It is alarming and I am very concerned, as the minister for Children, to hear of these reports. However, I am also very confident that we have members on this side of the House - and I know on the other side of the House - who are prepared to work with me in tackling these very difficult challenges that we have with many of our families across the Northern Territory.
We have identified a number of families within Central Australia and are trying to work with those families. In my role as the Minister for Children and Families in the Northern Territory, I make it categorically clear to this House that I am particularly passionate about wanting to work with every single family who is involved and who needs this support through my department. I am confident in the work of my department, knowing that they are committed. They know what I expect of them and want from them. In my travels across the Northern Territory, I have made it abundantly clear to every single employee that I have been able to meet, that they have my full support. At the same time, I request from them a considered report on what is going on across the Northern Territory, because we have to recognise the challenges that are facing our children of today.
I am very dedicated and want to provide the support and information that is required to any member of this House in regard to assisting me to ensure these families get the support they need to get on the right track.
Fire and Rescue Services – Pay Offer
Ms WALKER to MINISTER for PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
I was pleased to hear that the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services has accepted the government’s latest pay offer. Can the minister advise what this will mean for Territory firefighters?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is only this side of the House that actually values the hard work of public servants in the Northern Territory.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr KNIGHT: It is welcome news that we have some new pay and conditions for our firefighters. It has been very important this last week, where we have seen the work that the fire and rescue services do throughout Australia. These firefighters put themselves in very dangerous situations, in domestic situations with homes, also commercial buildings, and when they are out on the roads with the rescue services. They do a great job.
It was welcome to see that we could resolve this negotiation. The ballot process and offer was overwhelmingly received. I congratulate the staff of the OCPE who did a great job in negotiating these offers. The agreement will see a 12% pay increase over the next three years. There will be further allowances for outstation relief work, vehicle allowance …
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Madam Speaker, can I ask the minister whether they will actually pass the no disadvantage test?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Minister, you have the call.
Mr KNIGHT: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The enterprise agreement, member for Fong Lim, was very amicably received. This government has a great working relationship with our public servants, unlike the other side of the House.
This further allows them short term periods of transfer, and for training and instruction. There will also be professional development; and medical and health matters considered in this new agreement.
It is welcome news: another enterprise agreement successfully negotiated by this government, which does care about our public servants.
Violent Crime – Territorians’ Safety
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
In the report on government services, the number of Territorians who feel unsafe while jogging or walking at night is 32.7%, compared with the Australian average of just 21.2%. While you claim that much of the spike in violence in the Northern Territory is domestic violence, Territorians do not appear to support you or believe you. Why are you right and the citizens wrong?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I am happy to debate the report on government services that was released two or three weeks ago. It also shows in that report that, per capita, we have about four times more police in the Northern Territory than anywhere else in Australia. The clean up rates for crime are right up there amongst the best in Australia. In all of those statistics, in some areas we are up, in other areas we are down. We will continue to work to improve outcomes in regard to antisocial behaviour and crime across the Northern Territory.
Since this government has introduced an additional 330 police officers into our police force since 2003, there has been a significant reduction in all areas of crime, apart from violent crime associated with domestic violence.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr HENDERSON: Those opposite do not like to hear the success that our police force is having. They are very quick to highlight individual cases and failures, but let us look at some of the statistics over time.
Since 2001, there has been a drop in murders or homicides of 55% throughout the Territory. There has been a 57% drop in house break-ins; a 68% drop in motor vehicle theft and related offences; total property offences - this is commercial and domestic residential - since 2001, have dropped by 29%, that is 9104 fewer property offences year on year in the Northern Territory than there were when we came to government. That is 9100 fewer victims of crime than when we came to government.
I acknowledge that in this report some of the figures are up and some of the figures are down, but there is no doubt that more police has led to reduced crime rates across the Northern Territory. There is more to do - there is always more to do. We have debated about crimes of violence over the years, up hill and down dale, and, tragically, over half of all the reports of violent crime in the Northern Territory are domestic violence-related. Tragically, most of these are alcohol-related. That is why we have dedicated domestic violence squads in Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and Darwin, that never existed when the CLP were in government. The abuse of alcohol is a very significant issue affecting antisocial behaviour and crime. We continue to crack down and look for innovative policy solutions to alcohol-related crime.
The First Response Patrol is another example of that. We have alcohol management plans on Groote Eylandt. We have seen the alcohol management plan in Nhulunbuy. We have an evaluation going on at the moment in Alice Springs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.
The facts are, more police has led to a reduction of crime in the Northern Territory. In regard to community perceptions, I would encourage the opposition to actually get out there from time to time and make some positive comments about the great work that our police force is doing, and the successes police are having in driving down crime throughout the Northern Territory.
Christmas Welfare Grants
Mr GUNNER to TREASURER
The Northern Territory government provided $175 000 in one-off grants to welfare organisations in the lead up to Christmas. Can you please update the House on how the Christmas welfare packages assisted Territory families?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. The Henderson government proudly supports our families in need. Last December, we provided one-off grants of $25 000 to seven welfare organisations which provide support services to people in need across the Territory.
The agencies which received the grants were: Anglicare NT; Centacare; St Vincent de Paul; The Salvation Army; Red Cross; Mission Australia; and Somerville Community Services. The grants assisted these groups to meet the extra demand for crisis support for our vulnerable families and individuals across the Territory over the Christmas period.
The funding could be used flexibly by agencies, but could not be used as cash payments to clients. For example, Mission Australia split the funds amongst its various programs: Youth Beat supported 40 families, and young people were assisted; the Indigenous Youth Mobilisation Program provided Christmas cheer for some 22 young people coming into town from remote communities to access education and training; and they also provided additional funds to support the sobering-up shelter. The grants provided for food hampers; essential cards, which are $20 food vouchers; Christmas gifts for children; and gifts of pushbikes to some young Indigenous people who successfully completed an apprenticeship under the Indigenous youth mobilisation program so that they could ride to work.
Centacare contributed to the children’s Christmas party in Darwin, and to Christmas gifts for children in communities where Centacare has a presence, including Belyuen, Wadeye and Daly River. They provided support to the aged and youth in the Tennant Creek area. Funds also contributed to setting up a soup kitchen in Wadeye and some emergency relief was provided.
Other agencies spent the funds on food hampers and were able to put better quality products inside, such as tins of ham, because of the extra funding. We saw emergency relief and Woolworths’ food and Wish vouchers and Christmas gifts. St Vincent de Paul provided Christmas lunch at Ozanam House and a proper Christmas meal with all the trimmings for those people accessing the food bus. These welfare groups warmly welcomed the extra assistance at Christmas, a time when extra pressure is placed on families and individuals and people with limited support.
The $25 000 one-off grant was targeted at those organisations which service our most vulnerable Territorians over the Christmas period and who we knew could implement the grants to the people in most need.
I met with Bishop Eugene Hurley of the Catholic Church in Darwin and he described the sort of work that Centacare could do, and was very supportive of this package of Christmas cheer for our vulnerable Territorians.
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