2007-04-17
Alice Springs - Law and Order Protestors
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
Four hundred or 500 local business owners, mums and dads, and residents of Alice Springs assembled at the front of parliament today to protest against your government ignoring law and order problems in Alice Springs. Their view is that you have failed them by not making the town safe for them. Many business owners say that the lawlessness is the worst that they have ever seen. Your preferred line is that anyone who would protest is talking down the town and that criticism of you and your government is unfounded. Are these people who protested outside parliament this morning wrong; are they talking down the town? Do you accept that you have failed them?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the Opposition Leader. It is important when you are asking a question in parliament that you actually base it on facts. I never said that anyone raising issues about Alice Springs was talking down the town or was not right about those issues …
A member interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: It is a very different issue – I will deal with that one later – about what the Opposition Leader does and her hypocrisy about the things she does. That is a totally separate issue and what I want to talk about while I am in Alice Springs.
There is no doubt, as I said this morning, it is tough going to a protest where you get booed; I do not like it. However, I certainly accept the rights of every Alice Springs resident to make their point known about some of the difficult issues that we face in the community of Alice Springs - quite rightly, absolutely. There is no doubt that in some areas of Alice Springs there is an unacceptable level of antisocial behaviour, violence and crime - no doubt about it, and I have never denied that. What this government is doing is working with the community using our government resources to tackle it.
I say quite honestly: we have a long way to go. I have never said to the community of Alice Springs: ‘Your concerns are unjustified’. Therefore, it is important that the Leader of the Opposition actually reflects accurately what I have said.
It gives me an opportunity to talk about what government is doing - not dismissing the issue of what we are doing in policing on the streets; an absolutely critical issue for Alice Springs. It is important to talk about what we are doing to tackle the issues of antisocial behaviour - I wrap them broadly into antisocial behaviour - for Alice Springs. While we need to look at what we are doing, that does not mean we cannot do more, we cannot do differently, and tackle the issues that are here.
We have been working in a systematic way, particularly over the last 18 months to two years, to tackle some of the issues that face Alice Springs and are endemic here. We have been working in a successful partnership, I believe - sometimes a little difficult - with the Australian government and also very productively with the Alice Springs Town Council. I thank Alice Springs Town Council for the productive way that you have worked with us.
Through the Alcohol Task Force and the Town Camps Task Force, some of the things that have happened are: the alcohol supply restrictions that came into place in October last year; the alcohol courts that have been in place since June last year; the legislation for dry areas in public places, for which the Alice Springs Town Council has put an application before the Liquor Commission - that has been heard and a decision is being made which is an important component of dealing with the alcohol problems in Alice Springs; and exciting initiatives like the Clontarf Academy - and I pay tribute to the Education minister – coming to town to link school attendance with sport, a program that has a great track record; and, of course, the Alice Springs Town Camps Task Force and standardisation.
There is no doubt about it: town camps in Alice Springs are some of the sources of the antisocial behaviour that happens in this community. We are determined, working with the federal government - and there is $80m on the table as a starter - to change town camps into suburbs of Alice Springs. It is very important for those who live there and for the community of Alice Springs. I would hate to think that there is not support from that side of the House for that very important initiative. Also, the provision of properly managed visitor accommodation into Alice Springs. The Opposition Leader called the properly managed visitor accommodation an act of bastardry, Madam Speaker ...
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: The member for Araluen calls it an act of bastardry …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Leader of the Opposition!
Ms MARTIN: However, she has not talked to the member for Greatorex, who thinks it is a great idea. They are supporting that …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: … visitors can come to Alice Springs, and properly managed short-term accommodation is an important part of that.
Another key issue is police presence and, in talking to the delegation of people protesting outside today, we talked about the key issue of police numbers. I say to the Alice Springs community: police numbers are at the capacity they should be now. I am pleased, and I know the community is pleased, that over the past few weeks, there have been the addition of 15 members coming to Alice Springs. There is capacity and resources to tackle any issues that apply to Alice Springs. Over last couple of weeks, we have seen a real refocus by our police about tackling the issues raised by the community and I congratulate them for their responsiveness.
They are some of the things we are doing. What we have to ask ourselves is: are these steps, when they are implemented - some have not been implemented yet, of course, like the change to town camps - enough to tackle the issues of antisocial behaviour, and make Alice Springs a safe community?
In the last couple of weeks, there have been calls for a summit. This year, it came from William Tilmouth, the head of Tangentyere Council, supported by the Minister for Local Government and Minister for Central Australia, Elliot McAdam, and by Richard Lim, the member for Greatorex. We have a forum this Friday which has been organised by …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: We have a forum this Friday which has been organised by the Mayor, Fran Kilgariff, to discuss what is currently happening and to get some ideas locally for a response to that. I will be part of that, as will other ministers. However, while I am committing to this summit, because this issue is bigger than Alice Springs, it is about Central Australia, what we need to do, once the Liquor Commission has made a decision about those dry public areas, is to have a summit that calls in regional and local leadership to look at some of the issues we face. They can then take different steps or further steps in the future. That is an important summit. That is a possibility in this summit to be held towards the end of May.
Maybe there are going to be proposals. The delegation I met with this morning asked me about further alcohol restrictions. I said: ‘Put it on the table’. It may look at policing strategies, look at what kind of support is needed for the dry areas legislation if it comes into place ...
Mrs BRAHAM: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is Question Time, not ministerial statement time.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. There is no point of order.
Ms MARTIN: I say to the Alice Springs community, usually we try to keep answers to questions pretty short, but this is a major issue.
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, cease interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: I will be quick, but I believe it needed a full answer, Madam Speaker. We will have the summit, and I will certainly commit our government, as we have been doing, to working closely with the people of Alice Springs community to make a safe and prosperous community.
A final thing while I am on my feet, Madam Speaker, is the issue of CCTV. The Alice Springs Council has put $100 000 towards that. They applied to the federal government for another $150 000. I say to Alice Springs Town Council today, we will grant you that money right now.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: The mall is a key area. If the recommendation is that CCTV is going to make that a safer place to be, the $150 000 is there.
Alice Springs – Solar City
Mr HAMPTON to CHIEF MINISTER
Alice Springs has been named as Australia’s next solar city. What is the Territory’s involvement in this exciting development?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his important question. What great news it is that Alice Springs is Australia’s next solar city! For a while, everyone involved in the bid for the solar city thought it was not going to happen. It has been a while since we thought it was. I believe the announcement was going to be last August. Therefore, when the announcement was made by the federal minister for the Environment, Malcolm Turnbull at Madigans yesterday, there was a great feeling of hope and celebration that it finally had happened. I would certainly like to thank the federal government, which will provide $12m towards the project over seven years. That will go together with the Territory government providing $5m over the seven years.
There are a lot of different elements to becoming a solar city. Part of it is a trial of 200 smart meters in homes and businesses; that is, using a time-of-use electricity tariff so you can reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs. That is one that is being trialled all over Australia and it is great to have it in Alice Springs. They are also going to be looking at the installation of grid-connected photovoltaic systems so that, if it is on the roof of your house, you can actually put power back into the system. Of course, there will be a whole range of energy efficient services and products to help Alice Springs properly use solar and become really energy efficient.
Mrs Braham interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: These measures will see Alice Springs become one of the most environmentally friendly – I know the member for Braitling will be delighted to have an environmentally friendly town - and energy efficient towns.
It is a great victory, for everyone who has worked so hard to win the bid - and what a great team effort it was. I thank those who were involved in the Alice Springs Solar City Consortium: the Alice Springs Town Council, of course; the Power and Water Corporation; Chamber of Commerce; Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre; Tangentyere Council; the Arid Lands Environment Centre; and we got behind it too, the Territory government.
I am proud to say that our $145 000 into the bid has made a difference, and yesterday was, for Alice Springs, a real day to celebrate.
Alice Springs Mayor - Comments Made
Ms CARNEY to CHIEF MINISTER
During the last parliament I raised, again, a number of serious issues regarding Alice Springs, including youth gangs, the need for CCTV cameras and high levels of violence. The next day, by media release, your government claimed that what I said was diatribe - which is interesting in light of what you have just said about CCTV cameras - talking down the town and, potentially, damaging the tourism industry. Last week, your friend and Labor candidate, the Mayor of Alice Springs said: ‘The town is in crisis’. Were the Mayor’s comments diatribe, talking down the town, and potentially damaging to the tourism industry, or was the Mayor right?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Mayor in Alice Springs can be targeted as a former Labor candidate; however, she is a wonderful mayor and has my strong support, and I am sure the people of Alice Springs agree with me 100%. There are some critical issues for Alice Springs that, I am very proud to say, our police force, up to establishment numbers, is targeting very effectively. This morning, when I met with a delegation from the group outside, they certainly said the last two weeks, with a change in focus from our police, has made a significant difference in Alice Springs.
There is certainly a strong commitment from government and our police force here in Alice Springs to maintain the focus of what they are doing. From those who gathered this morning, there was a real recognition that the police have responded to those issues that Mayor Kilgariff described as ‘critical’ …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: … that Mayor Kilgariff described as ‘critical’. They are the words of the delegation with whom I met; that, over the last two weeks, they felt, particularly with programs like City Safe in the mall, there had been much better results from what they had been doing. I just indicate, and the Opposition Leader uses words like diatribe and says …
Ms Carney interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: ‘I have raised all these issues’. Words are fine, but actions are the important things to really take into account. For the last 15 months or so - probably it is a little longer than that - I have been the Minister for Major Projects, and Alice Springs is one of my major projects. Since then, I have spent considerable time working with the task force in Alice Springs to find long-term solutions to the problems. That is work I am proud to do. A lot of energy certainly goes in from the Department of Chief Minister to do that. I would have expected that the Opposition Leader, living in Alice Springs, might have actually contacted me once - only once - about issues to do with Alice Springs. We have checked the files over the last 12 months. How many letters? Did she write to me about policing? Did she write to me asking ‘Can I have more information about what you are doing with the town camps? Can I find out what you are doing about alcohol?’, a critical issue for Alice Springs? Do you know whether she has ever done this? No, not once. Therefore, you have to balance the words that are said here, the scream that is delivered on radio, with actually doing something and showing leadership, and being involved in finding solutions. If that is the benchmark, the Opposition Leader has failed.
Employment and Labour Market
Ms ANDERSON to TREASURER
Can the Treasurer update the House on recent evidence about the state of the labour market and employment in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her important question. Last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported unemployment in the Northern Territory at 3.5%. Effectively, that means that if you are living in the Northern Territory, if you want a job, you can get one when the unemployment level is that low. Unemployment has been between 2% and 4% over the last few months. There are a couple of reasons for that. ABS statistics regarding the Northern Territory invariably have a degree of strong degree of elasticity related to the size of the labour market and the way they measure their statistics.
However, one thing that is clear and reliable is the downward trend when you are talking about unemployment. It has being moving downward now for the last couple of years. If you look at the jobs growth figures inside the ABS report, they are continuing to show 5.9% growth rate over the last 12 months, which has been around the strongest in Australia. Treasury predicts a little over 3% growth going forward, down to about 2% next financial year, but the economy continues to defy those projections at the moment, with growth currently remaining at almost 6%.
The ANZ Job Advertisement Series is another regular publication that gives us some insight into the labour market. It comes out on a Monday, invariably before the labour force figures are released. It shows job advertisements up 6.6%. The extraordinary thing about that is that it reflects the ongoing growth where. last year, the growth rate was incredibly high. We are coming off of a very high base and still maintaining a 6.5% growth rate in job advertisements. So the rate of growth rate was slow - we accept that - it was at 28% going back 18 months ago, but it is still growing.
If you look at employment and training publications - and I congratulate the Minister for Employment, Education and Training - there are 3141 Territorians in training. To put that into context, up from 2207 in 2001, the year we came into government, that is a 43% increase in numbers in training in the Northern Territory. If we look around the major centres, we see the development going on in Alice Springs in significant capital investment and in infrastructure. In 2005-06, the Northern Territory government spent around $150m in cash alone in the Alice region. Of course, there will be much more to come throughout the rest of this year and the following year. That $100m alone sustains around 900 jobs directly in the construction sector, and thousands more indirectly throughout the community through the multiplier effect.
If you look at indicators, commodity prices are still strong and look set to continue at historically high levels as the demand from China continues to grow apace, with India more recently coming into the commodities market in a strong fashion. Australia is well placed to take advantage of that continuing commodities boom and the Northern Territory, of course, is well positioned in that regard as well. Not only do we have significant mineral resources, we have been putting in the infrastructure to move it.
The indicators across the board, Madam Speaker, are extremely strong: a positive outlook backed up by organisations such Access Economics, the Housing Industry Association, and groups such as that. It is a very positive outlook for employment and the labour market into the future. As I said at the start, if you want a job in the Northern Territory or, if you are down south and you do not have a job, get here, we will give you one.
Alice Springs – Antisocial Behaviour
in Todd Mall
in Todd Mall
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
In a letter to parliament dated 29 January 2007, only a few months ago, in relation to crime and antisocial behaviour in Todd Mall - the same letter in which you rejected any support for CCTV cameras - you said:
- Such incidents occur in Todd Mall from time to time, they are spasmodic in nature.
This month alone has seen an unprecedented number of antisocial behaviour incidents and violence in the Todd Mall - everything from a dentist getting a bottle in the face to a young man belted within an inch of his life, a young kid riding home beaten up, cars vandalised, and windows in restaurants in the mall being broken. How could you be so ignorant of what occurs in Todd Mall after dark then and now?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the Leader of the Opposition. There is no doubt that the events that occurred a fortnight ago in the mall in Alice Springs were serious and very vicious assaults. Also, the incidents that occurred where people were stabbed and one person lost their life were very serious, indeed. I commend the Northern Territory Police Force, who have apprehended most of the people who have been involved in those incidents. In fact, I believe there is only one outstanding arrest to be made and police are confident that they have identified the person in relation to that. Therefore, the first thing to do is to commend our Northern Territory Police Force for the fantastic work that they have done.
However, there is no doubt that these incidents that occurred in the mall a couple of weeks ago were a focus for people of what underlying problems have been occurring in Alice Springs for some time. I acknowledge that.
Dr Lim: Acknowledge it now.
Dr BURNS: I am acknowledging it now. What this government has done, member for Greatorex, is to pour more resources into police since the O’Sullivan Report in 2003 identified the need for 200 extra police across the Territory. The O’Sullivan Report also found that the Alice Springs Police Station had been under strength by approximately 50% for some time. The staffing level for Alice Springs Police Station in general duties police, uniformed officers, Aboriginal Community Police Officers and police auxiliaries is approximately 130. Over that time, through the O’Sullivan Report and government investing $75m to build our police force by 200, we built that establishment up to what it should be - approximately 133. Police have shown …
Dr Lim interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Greatorex!
Dr BURNS: Please let me finish, member for Greatorex.
Police have shown that they are flexible to react to the situation within the Todd Mall. Certainly the City Safe project was evidence of that. An undertaking was given to the group which was part of the protest that met with the Chief Minister and I today that City Safe would continue. There was also an undertaking that further efforts would be made within the establishment of the police station at Alice Springs to free up even more general duties police to address issues of antisocial behaviour and itinerancy.
Madam Speaker, I place on the record in this House: every Territorian has a right to feel safe at home, in the streets, and going about their business. That is where I am coming from. I gave an assurance to the people who met with us today that that is my aim. I understand the anger that was out there today. It is understandable. However, as government, we are moving to address that, and I have every confidence that our fine police force is doing likewise.
Local Government Reform – Territory Funding
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Local government is undergoing major changes that will ensure Territorians enjoy better services. Can you inform the House of funding the Territory government will be providing to create a better system of local government?
___________________________
Visitors
Visitors
Madam SPEAKER: While the minister is coming to the lectern, I draw the attention of members to the Speaker’s Gallery and recognise Mr Scott McKenzie, the Clerk of the Tasmanian Legislative Council. On behalf of all honourable members I extend to you a very warm welcome.
The students who have just come into the Chamber are from Gillen Primary School, Years 5/6, with their teacher, Ms Zwerwer; and from Braitling Primary School, Years 5/6 with teachers, Jayne McLean, Alastair Sheriff, Karen Weir and Tracey Russell. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
___________________________
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. The member is a very committed, dedicated representative of her constituents, playing a key role in respect to local government reform, not only here but across the Northern Territory.
Today, I have much pleasure to announce the Northern Territory government has allocated $9.9m to local government reform. As part of the local government reform process, $4.95m for each year will be allocated over a period of two years. It will include recruitment of chief executive officers of the nine new regional shires, and there are also dollars allocated in respect to business in the context of the ongoing management of the new shires right across the Northern Territory. Part of that will also be for information technology and office fit-outs. A portion of the $9.9m will also be used as part of the educational process regarding elections that will occur in October 2008.
The most important thing I have learnt since we have been negotiating on behalf of the Department of Local Government is we have to try to make a difference in respect of those people on remote communities in regional parts of the Northern Territory. For the first time, this reform brings about more certainty than there has been in the past. It certainly brings opportunity for those communities out there which, in the past, have been denied, all within a framework of governance which is recognised by the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments. I honestly believe that this is the first step in a process which is going to bring higher levels of equity in respect of those people who live out there and also in regards to industry.
The other point that I wish to make is that the Commonwealth government is also very committed to this process. We will continue to engage with them in regards to going forward and, to that extent, they made a commitment of $4.9m for the employment of development coordinators across the regions. We very much look to the Commonwealth government to match our dollars in respect of local government reform.
Alice Springs – Dalgety Road Development and Sacred Sites Issues
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Currently, consultation is occurring between custodians over the site clearance for the Dalgety Road development. However, Senator Nigel Scullion said on talkback radio last Thursday:
- I did check with the minister’s office. We are informed by Elliot McAdam that, yes, there are some sacred sites in the area, but they are up on the ridge and in terms of the construction, the level of amenity that we are providing in that area will have no impact on it whatsoever, and the minister’s office … the advice is from the Northern Territory government that there is nothing to impede commencement of the construction, and that is exactly the way the Commonwealth are going.
As an indigenous member of this parliament, do you not respect the local custodians and their wishes? Have you already decided to override any consultation presently occurring? Have you already given your agreement that these sites go ahead? Are you aware that, this morning, the member for Macdonnell was asked by one of the custodians if she would allow her people to camp on this land, and she said: ‘No’? Is Senator Scullion correct; have you given your approval to override the wishes of the custodians? Will you, as an indigenous person, disregard the decisions and wishes of the custodians? Will you support a certificate of clearance or not?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, for future questions, I remind you and all honourable members that when you are referring to members, they are members and they do not need any qualification in relation to what type of member.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not believe I need to say much at all in respect of my background and heritage; I believe it has all been said in this House. The important point I wish to make is that I certainly do respect the rights of traditional owners. I respect the rights of all people who reside in the Northern Territory. As a minister of the Crown, that is my absolute and total responsibility.
There is some suggestion on the part of Nigel Scullion, as I understand it, on the Matt Conlan show regarding some suggestion that I, as the minister, have given some sort of approval in respect of the site in question, which is the Dalgety site. I state categorically that under no circumstances has Nigel Scullion contacted my office in respect of this matter. He certainly has not spoken to me, nor to any officers in my office in Darwin.
The important point is this: there is a process in respect of the Dalgety site. You would be aware that the NT government put in place some very stringent conditions in respect of management …
Mrs Braham: They do not even have a site clearance certificate yet.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McADAM: Hold on a minute, member for Braitling. I am quite happy to address that. As I said, there were some very strict management conditions put in place. As part of those very strict conditions, there were also conditions with respect to the granting of a certificate in respect of the sacred site.
Of course, that process is presently under way. That is how it should be. Under no circumstances should I, as the minister, in any way interfere in the process. The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority is a statutory body and I am not permitted to interfere in that process.
In conclusion, I want to make it very clear that I do respect the rights of indigenous people and, indeed, all people in the Northern Territory, as I said. There is a process and that is how it is going to be.
Mrs Braham: So when it is against the wishes of the people …
Mr McADAM: It is not! I do not wish to debate this with you. I make it very clear to you that there is a process in place that is presently being undertaken by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority in respect of the sacred site. Of course, they will continue to carry out consultations and they will make a decision in due course. I hope that answers your question sufficiently, but the important point I want to make is that I respect the rights of all people who live in the Northern Territory and, more importantly, I have to respect the rights of agencies that are charged by this government …
Mrs Braham: So they have precedence over …
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Braitling! Cease interjecting.
Mr McADAM: Madam Speaker, I believe I have answered sufficiently.
Alice Springs - Mobile Police Van Operation
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
On or about 13 June 2006, the mobile police van was launched in Alice Springs. The former minister for Police said at the time that it would be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In a letter dated 1 March this year to you from me, I sought various details regarding the operation of the mobile police station. Your letter did not answer my questions. I ask now whether you will do me the courtesy of answering these questions and, if you will not do it for me, at least do it for the people of Alice Springs on whose behalf I ask them.
How many times has the police van been operational in Alice Springs? How many times has the van been located in Todd Mall? What is the average amount of time that the van was placed at various sites? Is the van staffed at all times when it is on location and, if so, by how many police officers? Have there been occasions when the van was operated without being staffed and, if so, when?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. As its name implies, it is a mobile police station. It does move from place to place in the operational requirements of the police and those who direct the police within Alice Springs. The very purpose of such a police van is to deploy where it is needed, so it has been at the National Australia Bank AFL game. It was at the cyanide spill for some time. I am having a reception later this week for Police, Fire and Emergency Services officers who assisted with the cyanide spill cleanup. It has been deployed to the Todd Mall as part of the City Safe operations, and it has been deployed to the north side of Alice Springs to address antisocial behaviour and itinerants in that area.
The Leader of the Opposition has asked some very specific questions about times, dates and serial numbers. I want our police to be getting on with the job of policing ...
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, can you move to the Dispatch Box please?
Ms CARNEY: My point of order, Madam Speaker, is that I asked very simple, very basic questions. You already have the letter and you did not answer. Please, minister, will you answer my questions?
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order.
Dr BURNS: Well, I am answering your question, Leader of the Opposition. What I am saying to you is that police have more to do with their time than chasing after you and the question that you have asked ...
Ms Carney interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I trust our police in the job that they are doing. In Alice Springs - and it has been backed up by the Leader of the Opposition – there is a call for Australian Federal Police to do the job of our Northern Territory police. I reject that. We are a government that has equipped our police force. It has invested $75m to build our police numbers. We have also invested in things like our mobile police stations, up and down the track – Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs – at $100 000 a pop. I have every confidence in the officers who deploy the mobile police station to the best effect for the people of Alice Springs.
Alice Springs - Clontarf Football Academy
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
There is a buzz in education circles around Alice Springs at the moment. Can you please tell us more about the government’s initiatives to re-engage with students in learning skills with the Clontarf Football Academy?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question and his support for the Clontarf Football Academy. This government has made education the highest priority of our government and we acknowledge …
Mr Mills interjecting.
Mr HENDERSON: The member for Blain used to be a teacher, Madam Speaker. I would have thought that, in managing his class, he would have actually talked to students who constantly interrupted when somebody was speaking. I just ask for some manners. The member for Stuart used to be …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Please continue, minister.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, I am sure the good people of Alice Springs want to hear some good news as opposed to interjections from the member for Blain. We know the huge challenges in literacy and numeracy across the Northern Territory, and improving the literacy and numeracy and educational outcomes of our indigenous students. Alice Springs, as we all know, has had their own challenges – but we have listened.
Late last year, I had a meeting with a gentleman by the name of Mr Gerard Neesham in my electorate office in Darwin. He came to visit me to talk about the Clontarf Football Academy that he had established in a number of places in Western Australian. Gerard Neesham, for those people who follow their football, was the first coach of Fremantle Dockers AFL team …
Madam SPEAKER: Excuse me, minister, would the person whose mobile phone just rang please turn the phone off.
Mr HENDERSON: He has coached a lot of indigenous football talent from the Northern Territory and knows the Territory very well. He came across and was extraordinarily convincing to me regarding the outcomes that such a football academy could achieve in Alice Springs, both in the philosophy and the results to date.
It is not about football, it is about education. If you look at what the academy has achieved in Western Australia in the six years or so it has been operating, over 80% of those students who have enrolled in the academy have gone on to achieve completion of Year 12 - 80% of those students have actually been transitioned into a job. It is about completing Year 12, it is about getting a job, and it is now up and running for the first term in Alice Springs. It is a tripartite arrangement between the Northern Territory government, the federal government and local business.
I hosted a lunch, which the member for Stuart and the member for Nhulunbuy, the Deputy Chief Minister attended, with business people from Alice Springs just a month ago, where I and Gerard Neesham made a presentation about the academy and encouraged the business community of Alice Springs to participate, to donate financially, and also work with the academy to find pathways for young people into jobs. There has been a very strong response and I congratulate the business community of Alice Springs for getting behind this particular program.
Currently, nine weeks in, 170 young people are attending the academy across three campuses: ANZAC Hill, Alice Springs High and Yirara College. Just last night, I had the opportunity to have a couple of beers with some of the footballers from the academy who are working with the students at Alice Springs High and Yirara College. What they were telling me last night was that the attendance rate of those students in the classroom at Yirara College for the first term had been the strongest they have been for 14 years. If we look at attendance rates for those 170 young people at ANZAC Hill and Alice Springs High, there is around 90% attendance compared to 40% attendance before.
You are not going to complete Year 12 unless you are in the classroom every day. What this program is about is, these mentors who support and develop the young kids football talent also go and follow them into the classroom. They support these students in the classroom, ensure that they are engaged and are focused on what is being taught to them. We are seeing some strong results. Next year, the academy is going to extend to senior years at Centralian College. Already, in the first term of operation, a number of the young students and the players have visited primary schools in Alice Springs to give our primary school students a real aspiration.
The features of the academy are around enrolment and attendance of students in school - that is the main feature - along with inter-school football competitions, fitness and health, literacy and numeracy, employability skills of graduates, and job prospects with supportive businesses. This is a significant investment in the youth of Alice Springs that I am absolutely certain will deliver fantastic results in years to come. It is going to make an enormous difference to the lives of many indigenous young men in Alice Springs, based on the Western Australian example. There is no reason why it cannot happen here.
We have 170 students enrolled in this program at the moment. On previous attendance and enrolment figures, we would probably be lucky to see 20% of those students going on, reaching and completing their NTCE. With this program, around 140-plus of those students are going to get their NTCE and will get a job. This is going to grow in Alice Springs; it is a significant investment. It is a good news story. I ask everybody here in this particular community: if you are asked to support the Clontarf Football Academy, get out there and support it; go and see the kids when they are playing their games. This is really going to make a big difference to many hundreds of lives and really help build the future of Alice Springs.
Alice Springs – Increasing Crime Rates
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
On your watch, crime has been increasing in Alice Springs. More offences against the person, property crimes, etcetera, continue to go up. You dismissed the idea of CCTV cameras by saying: ‘There is no currently demonstrated need’. You have also dismissed youth curfews. With rising crime, including very violent crime, your continued dismissal of ideas from anyone in Alice Springs to you that might be designed for tackling these measures have been embarrassingly consistent. Even on your occasional visits to Alice Springs, surely you see the need for action? What do you plan to do to address increasing crime rates in Alice Springs so that the people of Alice Springs feel safe?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I have already outlined in a number of responses to previous questions just what I and this government is doing in addressing crime and antisocial behaviour issues in Alice Springs. It would be redundant of me to repeat that.
I made an announcement at lunchtime today of an increase of 15% in the next budget for Police, Fire and Emergency Services in the Alice Springs region. We are a government that is actually resourcing our Police, Fire and Emergency Services to do the job that they have to do. I am not discounting anything that is a constructive suggestion. However, to be honest, I have heard very little from the Opposition Leader …
Ms Carney: In asking for CCTV cameras?
Dr BURNS: Regarding closed circuit television cameras, the initial approach by council was for government to fund the entire closed circuit television network. Under the model that exists elsewhere in Australia, councils stump up that money and look for assistance from governments, be it both state or federal. I have given an assurance regarding closed circuit television cameras. As elsewhere in Australia, I want the police to be working very closely with the council for the security around those closed circuit television cameras to identify hot spots, potentials for proactive policing, and for the apprehension of those who break the law. That is what I am doing.
The last question was about mobile police vans. We have invested in mobile police vans. Incidentally, when I asked police what they used to do for mobile police vans before the $100 000 vans that they have now, they told me they were given HiAce vans by the previous government.
The Leader of the Opposition is also an advocate of dummy speed vans. That is the sort of sense that comes out of the Leader of the Opposition ...
Ms Carney interjecting.
Dr BURNS: Well, it is in your magazine here. Do you want me to read it?
Members interjecting.
Dr BURNS: You are talking about speed cameras: ‘... this means the use of cameras at night, and also the use of dummy speed vans’, whatever that means.
Madam Speaker, I am interested in constructive ideas from whomever. The people we met today who were part of the demonstration made some constructive suggestions. I am prepared to work with them. I am also prepared to work with the opposition if they are constructive.
Alice Springs Hospital –
Emergency Department
Emergency Department
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for HEALTH
Under this government, resourcing and staffing at Alice Springs Hospital has been significantly increased. During the last election campaign, this government committed to build on and upgrade the Emergency Department at Alice Springs Hospital. Can the minister please inform the House how the government is meeting its commitment to the people of Alice Springs?
Madam SPEAKER: Just as the minister is coming to the Dispatch Box, I ask visitors to please turn off their mobile phones. Two have just gone off. They affect the recording of the Hansard which is going up to Darwin to be recorded, and make it very difficult for those listening .
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. Alice Springs Hospital is an important part of service delivery for health within the whole of the Central Australian region. Before I answer the question specifically, I pay compliment to my predecessor, Peter Toyne, who did a fantastic job as Health Minister. It is a very difficult portfolio. Some call it the poisoned chalice. Peter really did a lot to resource health in general throughout the Territory but, specifically, in Alice Springs.
Since 2001, there has been approximately 60% extra funding into Alice Springs Hospital under this government, and staffing levels have increased by over 20%. Those are very important statistics. The announcement I made yesterday of $6m for a new Emergency Department builds on that investment made by this government in Alice Springs Hospital. It is a very busy hospital. There is somewhere around 30 000 presentations into that hospital per year, which makes it one of the busiest of its size in the country. There is growth, year-on-year, of about 10% in presentations at Alice Springs Hospital.
The new $6m Emergency Department will be a stand-alone facility, so it will not interfere with the very busy operations of the current Emergency Department. It will feature a number of things: it will have extra cubicles; there will be areas where flow can be increased, where people can be set aside; it will reduce patient crowding in the Emergency Department; it will improve patient flow and reduce waiting times; importantly, it will ensure both patient and staff safety; and it will have a fast-track area and a short-stay unit. It is very important to note that it is $6m within the upcoming 2007-08 budget. I am advised that it will go to tender before the end of this calendar year, and I expect that it will be built within the 2008 calendar year.
This builds on our previous work. We have an outstanding election commitment of 24 extra beds for Alice Springs Hospital. I place on the record today that we will stand by that commitment.
Local Government Reform
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
You just announced there would be $9m over two years to help with various local government issues in relation to amalgamation, and one of those was elections. My question relates to that. The definition of a gerrymander - which is not named after me - is the practice of manipulating the boundaries of an electorate or something similar like wards so as to give undue influence on a particular group or party.
At a public meeting on amalgamation of councils held at Girraween Primary School, the CEO of your department would not say if all wards in a new council would be equal in population. Would you categorically say that all wards in a particular council will have the same number of voters, or are you supporting a gerrymander in local government elections?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. It was not $9m; it was $9.9m. I correct that because it is significant. The point that I wish to make is that one vote, one person is something that this government supports. We do intend to go down that path. You will be aware, however, that in certain circumstances in some of the electorates there may be some other consideration but, effectively, the position of this government is one vote, one person. That is the direction we will be taking.
An important point to understand is that we are going through a learning process in respect of the local government reforms, and these are the sorts of issues that will be clarified over time. We are very much aware at the moment that the key issue is to determine the boundaries. You keep referring to the date of 23 March. You know very well, because I have spoken to you about this in Darwin, that date was rolled out and that has been extended to May. Effectively, what will occur from there on is a lot of the detail in respect of wards and how the voting is going to occur - one vote, one person. Of course, a lot of those issues are going to be rolled out once the shire boundaries are in place. The transitional committees …
Mr Wood interjecting.
Mr McADAM: The transitional committees are going to be there. The indicative boundaries were set by us, yes, they were. For all intents and purposes, those boundaries have been supported right across the Northern Territory. Clearly, we can tweak them in certain circumstances in certain areas, but the point I make to you, member for Nelson, is to be engaged and positive and prepared to attend these meetings, and engaging them in a very positive way. However, as you know, and as the member for Greatorex has already said, very clearly, you both support these reforms. We certainly have our differences; however, let us engage in a positive way and do something for those people who live in remote regions of the Northern Territory. Let us give them the same opportunities, the same equity that other people have who live in Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney. It is the first time – and that this government can be very proud - people who live in the bush are recognised and will be given the same opportunities, the same capacities …
Mr Wood: The same rights.
Mr McADAM: And same rights as well.
Alice Springs – Flood Warning System
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted extreme volatility in rainfall across Australia, including increased flooding events. What measures have been taken to warn residents of Alice Springs of an imminent flood?
Mrs Braham: This is a joke; it did not work.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. We all know the member for Braitling’s response in relation to this. In responding to the great question from the member for Stuart, while the saying goes, ‘You can only call yourself a Centralian if you have seen the Todd River flow three times in your life’, I am sure some of the old timers – and the member for Braitling should be embracing this - did not think it could happen in a space of a few months. When she made her comments a couple of months ago, she called the new flood broadcasting system to be put in place in Alice Springs a total joke and a waste of money, I believe it was a bit immature.
I always thought it was urban myth; every time I come to Central Australia the Todd River has always been dry. It was to my delight, a few months ago when I camped out, and recently, that we did see the Todd River in flow. It is not an urban myth, it does happen.
There were some residents of Alice Springs who were, indeed, anxious a couple of months ago with that heavy rainfall over much of Central Australia where the Todd River flowed through the town early in the morning. Whilst the last major flood in Alice Springs occurred in 1988, we cannot be complacent about it, despite the member for Braitling saying it was a joke.
International evidence on climate change overwhelmingly points to increased variability in weather events in rural Australia, including the arid zones. That is something the member for Braitling should do: pick up the Stern report, have a look at what is happening in climate change, embrace what is going to happen, particularly the impact that it will have in the arid zones.
We cannot be complacent and rest on our laurels. We are a government that is looking at a number of key strategies. We have them outlined in our greenhouse strategy Putting in place a new flood forecasting system for Alice Springs is part of that. My department has introduced new technology, using interstate and international flood forecasting in environments similar to what we see in our arid zones in Central Australia. This new technology will allow forecasters to predict the height of the flow of waters in the Todd River. If the member for Braitling or any of the members in Central Australia would like to look at the maps of what could be the potential if the Todd does flood. When we look at 1 in 50 or 1 in 100 year floods and their impact, particularly with the possibility of other areas, it does pay to be proactive and look at all our options and make sure they are in place.
The new flood forecasting will certainly allow my department to advise Police and Emergency Services if a flood is imminent and the level that it is likely to reach and this, clearly, has huge benefits for residents. If we look at some of our communities in the Top End where the recent floods have been, they have been catastrophic. The impact of those floods that we have seen in Oenpelli and in Katherine can have a huge impact on families and the ability of those communities to recover.
Madam Speaker, I do not consider improving flood forecasting a joke at all, despite the rhetoric that comes from the member for Braitling. I am sure that the people of Alice Springs, when faced with a potential of a flood to come through, if the banks of the Todd River broke - because we do see a lot of rainfall in those catchments, and then the Todd starts flowing as we have seen a couple of weeks ago, and three times in such a short period of time. I am proud to be able to provide, through my department working with the community of Alice Springs and other agencies, with improved flood warnings for residents.
Alice Springs – Ineffectiveness of
Anti-gang Laws
Anti-gang Laws
Ms CARNEY to MINISTER for POLICE, FIRE and EMERGENCY SERVICES
On 29 November 2006, when talking about police powers, your colleague, the Attorney-General, said that the government has set into place laws that allow them – namely, the police - to get on with the job. The new anti-gang laws of last sittings that will come into effect is but one example. Gang activity is increasing in Alice Springs. One edition of the Centralian Advocate this month screamed: ‘Shock night of gang violence’. Your gang laws, as predicted, are not working and it is clear that much more is required in Alice Springs. When will you deliver?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I am sure the new gang laws are employed all the time by the police, because those gang laws have special powers that enable police to stop people congregating in certain areas. This government introduced the gang legislation. I believe it is a step forward in enforcement. I have heard from a number of people over the past few weeks regarding Operation City Safe. Things are a lot better in Alice Springs …
Ms Carney: They are not, you are lying. You are telling …
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I ask that you withdraw your comments.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Move Motion of Censure
Move Motion of Censure
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I withdraw my comments and move that so much of standing orders be suspended that would prevent this House from censuring the Chief Minister and minister for Police for, one …
Mr HENDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! This is going to be a censure motion. The government accepts the censure motion. It is an important motion, and I ask that you remind the television and radio people to cease broadcasting.
I also ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Madam SPEAKER: If you could stop filming and photographing.
________________
Distinguished Visitor
Dr Peter Toyne
Dr Peter Toyne
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the public gallery of the former member for Stuart, Dr Peter Toyne. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016