2008-06-12
Teenage Violent Crime
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
The front page of today’s NT News carries disturbing images of teenage girls engaged in a knife fight. Territorians are sick and tired of the rising tide of violent crime. Will there be a police investigation into the violent incidents depicted in these images?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. As I have said on a number of occasions this week, violent crime or acts of violence are totally unacceptable to my government. The type of images that we saw again in the paper today - as grainy as they were, you have to take the story for what it said – is behaviour that is totally unacceptable.
One of the issues and challenges that we face in this digital age is that we do seem to have groups of young people around who think it is smart and clever to promote fights; for one of their mates to film on a mobile phone; and then whack it onto the Internet as some sort of glorification as to how tough they are. Unfortunately, this is becoming a practice that is not only common in the Northern Territory and Darwin, but nationally and globally. If you travel around Australia and pick up any newspaper, nine times out of 10 there is a story about some images that have been captured on a mobile phone and posted on the Internet. Why these people think it is somehow smart, funny and entertaining to provoke these types of fights, and then encourage them for the sake of filming them and whacking them up on the Internet as a bit of laugh is absolutely beyond me.
What I can say, Madam Speaker, is that the police do take these issues seriously. The police do have an evidenced-based approach to identifying and solving crime. I am absolutely confident that police will be accessing those images and, if appropriate, charges will be laid.
Apprentice and Trainee Numbers
Mr STIRLING to CHIEF MINISTER
Three years ago, this government - and I might add, amidst much derision from members opposite - announced an ambitious plan to place 10 000 trainees in training over the next four years, the life of this government. I ask the Chief Minister if he could give us an update on how progress towards that target is being made?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the member for Nhulunbuy, for his very passionate question. As the minister who brought into place the ambitious target back in 2005, I know how passionately he is committed to training, to apprenticeships, and improving the skills base of people in the Northern Territory. I am very pleased to be responding to this question today, to say to the member for Nhulunbuy and to all Territorians that we are well on track in achieving our target of 10 000 new apprentices and trainees over four years.
I advise today that, since then, 9120 Territorians have entered training. That is a huge trend. It has actually doubled the training effort across the Territory. I can also proudly say, on behalf of everybody involved in DEET, in the training industry and also employers across the Northern Territory, per capita, we have more people in apprenticeships and traineeships in the Northern Territory than anywhere else in Australia. That is a magnificent achievement and actually bears out that, sometimes, it is good to be bold in setting targets that you are trying to achieve.
Of those 9120 Territorians, the most popular fields involved include carpentry, plumbing, hospitality, children’s services, and automotive mechanical and engineering, a huge take-up in the traditional blue collar skills training areas. Wherever I go throughout the Northern Territory, entering into a business, I always ask if they have any trainees/apprentices and, if they say yes, I like to meet them. In 1978, I started my apprenticeship as a marine fitter and it is something that I am always really pleased that I did in my life.
We do provide incentives to both employees and trainees to get an apprenticeship or traineeship. There are employer incentives of $4000 to businesses who take on apprentices in skill shortage areas - the fact of life is that that is in most areas of the economy at the moment - and $2000 for employers who take on an apprentice or trainee from a disadvantaged group.
We also support apprentices at the beginning of their training because we know those first few wages are not that crash hot and people do struggle. I take my hat off to people who said they are going to do an apprenticeship or traineeship because they could go out into the economy and, basically, take on unskilled work and be earning a lot more than they do as a first-year apprentice. So, it does come across to those people. There is $1000 available for eligible trade apprentices and $300 for other apprentices and trainees for safety gear, work wear and other costs.
At lunchtime today, I was very pleased to visit Kerry’s Automotive Group on the Stuart Highway. I was there last week on a business visit, talking to Kerry Ambrose-Pearce and Greg Ambrose-Pearce. I asked my question about how many apprentices and trainees they have and they advised me 30 across their group of businesses, which is a huge commitment. They have doubled that over the last couple of years, which is a huge commitment for a business in Darwin. Today, to go back and meet some of those young people was an absolute privilege. I met about eight or nine of them, all of whom were bristling with enthusiasm. One young fellow, an adult apprentice, has just become the best third-year motor vehicle mechanic apprentice across the Northern Territory and is very proud of his achievements - a big well done. Also, a young girl from Taminmin High School, member for Goyder, is doing a school-based apprenticeship there and really wants to go on and do a fully-fledged apprenticeship after that.
The incentives are working. Young people are now looking at these traditional trades and actually saying: ‘Yes, I want to do that’. There was another young fellow there today who had done two years of tertiary study at university, decided that that was not really for him, and he has gone back to an apprenticeship. How times have changed, where people are now choosing to do a blue-collar trade apprenticeship as opposed to going on to tertiary education.
Madam Speaker, I am really proud to be part of a government that took on the challenge. The member for Nhulunbuy, when he was Employment, Education and Training Minister, said we should go for 10 000. Everybody thought we were not going to achieve it. We are well on the way. Congratulations to everybody in DEET, and to the entire training industry across the Northern Territory. Congratulations to those employers who, out of all proportion, are taking on apprentices and trainees across the Northern Territory. Most importantly, our thanks go to those young people, and also those adults who are doing a career change later in their life to get the skills that this economy needs to power the Territory ahead into the future.
Violence in Schools
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Yesterday, you said that your government has a zero tolerance approach to violence in schools. Yesterday, my office was approached by Peter and Nicole Kilgour, parents of a 14-year-old student at Palmerston High School. Three weeks ago, their son was the victim of a brutal bashing at the school by a gang of older students. They were worried about their son’s safety so they kept him at home after the attack. When he did return, he was told to sit in the school office during breaks for his own safety. Despite being in the office on the day he returned to school, he was physically threatened by members of the gang that had assaulted him. His parents were then advised by the police to keep their son out of school until the matter had been resolved by way of an intervention order against the perpetrator of the violence.
The matter still has not been resolved. The 14-year-old boy has now been out of school for three weeks. If you truly had a zero tolerance to violence, why is a victim advised by the police not to attend school for their own safety?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition has form in politicising an issue that is particularly quite sensitive and is being dealt with appropriately. I asked the department for a full briefing on this issue. We do take the issue of violence against any child quite seriously, and principals of every school, as I said yesterday, take a zero tolerance approach to any violence that happens in the school precinct. That is being dealt with, member for Blain.
As I understand, and having being briefed, this issue is a long-running family feud which spilt over into the schoolyard. The police are involved and are working with the families to try to resolve their differences. I can inform the House today that I have been advised, having spoken to the department, that all of the families involved in this dispute have agreed to participate in the restorative justice process being organised by the police. I do not want to jeopardise that process by any comments I may make here.
I am disappointed at the Opposition Leader, because he takes every opportunity to make a political stunt of this, to get his name up in lights and to make a political joke out of what is a serious issue ...
Mr Mills: These parents are concerned, and they are not the only ones.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: It involves a number of families …
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I take offence at the allegations that I am treating this as a joke. I am not treating this as a joke. I take offence at that.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Resume your seat, Leader of the Opposition. The minister has the call.
Mr Mills: It is not a joke.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Of course, it is not a joke, and I have never treated it as a joke. However, you insist on continuing to politicise this whole event.
Madam Speaker, we are doing everything with the police to get these families to the table to participate in the restorative justice process. This has been a long-standing family feud that has come into the school. It is being dealt with, Leader of the Opposition. There are a number of sides to this story, and I have been given a full briefing on a number of those stories. The Opposition Leader needs to show - I reiterate needs to show - some real leadership and responsibility as the Opposition Leader in dealing with this sensitive issue.
As we have always said, any level of violence in our schools is not tolerated - not by me, not by any member of this government, let alone those fantastic principals out there, doing it very hard and ensuring that, where these kids are creating the problems in our schools, they will act. They will get my full support and the full support of the department, to ensure that we protect every other student that is in those schools, because every kid that goes to school is entitled to learn in an environment that is non-threatening and non-violent.
For the Leader of the Opposition to use this for his own political mileage is absolutely disappointing. Rather than trying to get the headlines in this, we are trying to get those families to the table. They will participate; I have been told that every single one of them has agreed to go into this process. We have also agreed, for those children who are not attending school, the schools are providing work at home with those students. Every single one of those students are also being counselled, and we are working with those families. So, we are not sitting on our hands and not doing anything, Leader of the Opposition. There is a lot of case management and work that needs to be done, which includes DEET as well as FACS, to try to diffuse what has been a long-standing family feud.
Economic Growth – Job Prospects
Mr WARREN to TREASURER
Over recent weeks, figures have been released showing the strength of the Territory economy. Many Territory families are most concerned about jobs - jobs for themselves and their children well into the future. Can you please advise the House whether the strong economy is flowing through to more jobs for Territorians and, if so, what are the future job prospects for our community?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am very happy to report to the House that in the Territory there are, indeed, jobs to be had. In fact, we are probably suffering from a lack of readily available workforce. This week, the ANZ produced their job series, which shows, year on year, we have increased job advertisements by 17%. This compares to a minus-2.2% nationwide. Once again, the Territory is bucking the national trend.
In addition, today, unemployment for the month of May came in at 3.6%, a remarkably good figure, which shows the vast majority of Territorians are in work. We acknowledge there is volatility in our figures, but the trend is going in the right direction. The figures also reveal that 110 271 Territorians are in work. As members would know, this does not include the fly-in/fly-out workers or Defence Force personnel who are not counted in our labour market figures, so the real workforce is probably several thousand more than those figures. Importantly, the participation rate in the workforce sits at around 72.3%, one of the highest in the nation.
Given our predicted gross Territory growth of 6.6% and our population growth of 2.4% in the labour market, jobs for all looks set to remain very strong. That is very good news for Territorians, very good news for familles. There are jobs to be had. We have very low unemployment figures. The benefits of our strong economy are showing through in these figures as flowing right through to Territory families.
Youth Crime Policies
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
When the 14-year-old Palmerston High School student returned to school after being bashed, he was told to sit in the school office during his lunch break for his own protection. Why is it that the victim of an assault is confined to the school office during lunch while perpetrators roam free? Would it be more accurate to describe this approach as tolerant of violence? Does it not make a mockery of your youth crime policies?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, no, it does not make a joke of our zero tolerance policy. As I understand, the student, the perpetrators and other students - as I said to the Leader of the Opposition - involved in this whole incident were removed from the school precinct. I believe the principal had contacted their parents and the student was told to sit in the office. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to keep persisting in this - and I know where his sources come from, and I can tell you, Leader of the Opposition, you are better off being properly briefed by the department before you go off on this long project ...
Mr Mills: I think it needs some action. You have lost control of the schools.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order. Madam Speaker! The Leader of the Opposition is in a very agitated state and continues to interrupt. Even when members have ceased answering the question, he is still interrupting.
Mr Mills: Answering the questions? It is a snow job.
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause. Honourable members, I remind you once again of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance in which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
Accommodation – Shortage
during Peak Tourism Season
during Peak Tourism Season
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for TOURISM
As momentum builds towards the peak of the tourism season, we are all aware of the accommodation constraints that occur. What is the current outlook for tourist accommodation, and are there any developments planned which will expand the stock of accommodation available?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. We are in the middle of our tourism season, and a very good season it is. The information I receive from Alice Springs and Katherine, and by going down the mall, shows the tourists are in town in force. The numbers are going up. However, it is not only tourists, we have many people coming in connection with the oil, gas and mining sectors who are flooding the city to the extent that, yes, we have some problems with accommodation. Because of the influx of these people, Qantas has now started a number of additional flights to and from Perth every week.
When I first came to Darwin, there were two distinctive seasons: one was the Wet when no one was in town, the hotels were empty, and the other was the Dry, when everyone was in town. Recently, we have seen our tourism season extended so that it incorporates the Wet. There are many people coming to Darwin to experience the fantastic climatic conditions during the Wet. Then there are a number of people - the grey nomads - coming to town during the Dry Season.
During our peak season, we do experience some constraints on accommodation in our towns. Between now and 2010, it is estimated that more than 1100 rooms will be built. I am advised that developers are looking for additional land even as far as Palmerston to develop accommodation.
The Mantra Pandanus will officially open next week and will provide 336 rooms. The Darwin Airport Resort is expected to be completed by September and will provide another 121 rooms. The Chinatown development will have 249 hotel rooms; the Medina Grande and Vibe hotels, as part of the waterfront, will be opening early next year offering a total of 241 rooms. This week, we saw the Chief Minister sign an agreement with SKYCITY for a $50m resort on the casino lawns which will provide an additional 122 rooms.
It is not only the tourists who come to town and will require accommodation. Of course, delegates will come here to attend a number of conferences to be held at the brand new convention centre. Next year, we are expecting 23 national and international conventions and, apparently, the management of the convention centre is negotiating for another 47 conventions for next year. With the confirmed conventions, there will be 11 000 delegates. Yesterday, I attended Business at Sunset at the casino; 250 businessmen and businesswomen attended. We had a presentation by the management of the convention centre who advised us that 11 000 delegates will come to Darwin and, from these 11 000 delegates, 30% will bring their spouses and approximately half of them will go on different tours around town.
We have new rooms coming online, and Darwin and the Territory will be able to accommodate more tourists since we became a preferred destination.
Traffic Congestion - Palmerston to the City
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT
This morning, the traffic coming in from the rural area and Palmerston along the Stuart Highway and Roystonea Avenue was backed up for kilometres. This is something that is not uncommon for commuters driving to town each morning. As completion of the Tiger Brennan bypass is still years off - and I welcome the government’s intention to build it - would the government consider building a third lane on the inward section of the Stuart Highway from the Roystonea Avenue/Stuart Highway intersection to the Stuart Highway/McMillans Road intersection to relieve the traffic congestion that is driving motorists mad?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has funding allocated in the 2008-09 Budget to deal with the congestion around the Pinelands section of the Stuart Highway, as well as deal with congestion on the existing Tiger Brennan Drive. We have put aside a few million dollars into the roads budget to deal with those two sections where we are getting congestion before the main Tiger Brennan extension comes online. We recognise there is congestion in that section of the Stuart Highway at Pinelands, as well on the existing sections of Tiger Brennan Drive, which is the commuters feeding from the rural area and Palmerston down into the CBD. Yes, there is congestion. My Roads Network people are planning the work to alleviate that congestion and the funding is in the roads budget for the 2008-09 financial year.
Violence in Schools
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
You have just advised the House that the department is a better source of information than parents about what is happening to their kids. Surely, if you believe that, it demonstrates how remote from Territorians you have become. Have you spoken to Mr and Mrs Kilgour?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. No, I have not spoken to Mr and Mrs Kilgour. However, Leader of the Opposition, it is most offensive of you to say that I do not listen, or that I have not been approached by parents. I talk to parents and people out there all of the time. We are not distant from those families, those kids or those issues in those schools. As I said, we take violence in schools very seriously, Leader of the Opposition.
In my first answer I urged caution, and also expressed my disappointment at the Leader of the Opposition regarding his insistence on making light of what is quite a sensitive and serious issue. Let me tell you, the restorative justice process - and I did not want to go too much into detail with that, and I am not going to, because the school-based constable, Senior Constable Peter Styles, I believe, is facilitating that process. He has managed to work and get all of those families together at the table to try to resolve this issue.
In regard to the Leader of the Opposition thinking I am completely ignoring the issues in Palmerston, he is sadly mistaken. I take them very seriously. I have had a briefing from the department. I will be going out with the local member and having a look at the school. I have asked DEET and FACS to also …
Mr Mills: I am a local member. I will look forward to it. I will line them up for you.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I do not need you to line up anyone for me, Leader of the Opposition, I am quite capable of doing that myself.
The issues in relation to these families are being facilitated and dealt with appropriately through our agencies, with the police, in trying to facilitate the best outcome that we can get. Regarding the ongoing violence and issues within our schools, of course, we take it seriously. Principals are acting. They are dealing with those issues appropriately. For the Leader of the Opposition to think that we are just ignoring it, he only has to look at the additional resources that our government has put into these schools to deal with this.
Transforming Indigenous Education - Update
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Can you please update the House on the progress of Transforming Indigenous Education following your statement to the House during the last sittings?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Stuart for his question. On 30 April, I announced in the House the government’s commitment to Transforming Indigenous Education in the Northern Territory. At the heart of that strategy is improving attendance and getting better literacy and numeracy outcomes. To reach this goal, key measures that make up Transforming Indigenous Education were: to look at the establishment of community partnership education boards which will give indigenous communities more say, greater responsibility, and ownership of education in their area; establishing early learning and development family centres to help kids get a good start in their education; establishing and looking at community-based residential hostels to provide choices for those families who may want to send their children to secondary residential facilities near their community; increasing health and wellbeing support services, particularly for indigenous kids in town camps to assist in getting to school ready to learn; and increasing the numbers and skills of indigenous teachers and support staff in our schools.
I can now update the House on this project. A special task group within my department of DEET has been formed to put this plan in place. The task group is headed by Rita Henry, who is a long-term senior educational professional with DEET, and Mr Rob Picton. The group has begun engagement and consultation with all stakeholders throughout the Northern Territory. I am pleased to know that the member for Stuart will accompany Rob Picton and Rita Henry to address the Warlpiri Triangle, where we are hoping to look at a trial site around the Warlpiri Triangle.
I have asked to be briefed on a fortnightly basis about actions happening on the ground, and I will certainly undertake to inform the House at each sittings on the progression being made in the transformation of indigenous education.
Violence in Schools – Government Action
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
Yesterday, you told the House there have been no gang-related suspensions in schools. Peter and Nicole Kilgour paint a harrowing picture of youth gangs in and around Palmerston. The point is, your government has repeatedly promised to fix the problem. Apart from glossy brochures and slogans, can you tell us exactly, what are you going to do about it?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. In relation to Peter and Nicole Kilgour, when they spoke - and I believe that maybe some of the truth might have been stretched to Mr Kilgour who probably thought that I said there is no gang mentally or culture in Palmerston High School. Yesterday, when the Leader of the Opposition was going through some of these questions, it was in the context of Casuarina Senior College and the 50 suspensions that have happened over the year, 12 of which were violence-related. I also made the statement that none of those incidents were gang-related.
If the Leader of the Opposition has taken that out of context, and taken it out to Palmerston and said to certain families, who we are trying to work with to deal with a serious issue of violence - not against their child, but also a number of children who are involved here - trying to diffuse a long-standing family feud, I do not know what this bloke does not understand in any of that. This is a long-standing family feud, and we are trying to …
Mr Mills: You need more than glossy brochures to fix it.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: It is not about glossy posters or pictures, it is about …
Mr Mills: That is all you seem to be interested in - slogans.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Madam Speaker, we are working with those families through the restorative justice process to deal with the issue that is impacting on their child as well as every other child. That process is happening. It is not as if it is being ignored.
Racing Carnivals
Ms McCARTHY to MINISTER for RACING, GAMING and LICENSING
Can you provide an update on the recent successes of regional racing carnivals and what we have to look forward to in Darwin for the Cup Carnival?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. Of course, racing is a very important industry to the Northern Territory. It presents tourism opportunities and revenue, but it also allows Territorians to have a great time at the racetrack. There is always a lot of excitement and socialising at the races. The 2008-09 racing calendar got off to a very good start this year with the Darwin Turf Club’s twilight racing series. It attracted, on average, 500 people per meeting, so it is a great and innovative way for Darwin Turf Club to kick-start racing, particularly during the Wet Season.
During April, the Red Centre came alive with the Alice Springs Cup. That is also a great carnival. The member for Nhulunbuy represented me for the cup meeting itself. I was there for the earlier race meeting, but did not have much success. I am not sure about the member for Nhulunbuy, but the bookies got all my money that day. Then, Pine Creek made the 10th a great day. The member for Daly said the Darwin horses had a lot of trouble getting around the tight bend there, so a bit of local knowledge goes a long way. Of course, the member for Katherine spoke last night here about her enjoyment of the Katherine Cup, I am told 2000 were in attendance there and it was a great day for Katherine.
This weekend is the fantastic Adelaide River Cup that everyone enjoys. It is getting bigger and bigger each year. It is a very unique racing carnival with lots of ways for Territorians to celebrate our weather and our lifestyle.
The big event coming up on the racing calendar is the Darwin Turf Club’s Darwin Cup. It is a time, as we build towards it, that nearly every motel and hotel in Darwin is full to overflowing. There are lots of events and people have a great time.
In short, Madam Speaker, racing is going great guns in the Territory and, as a government, we are very pleased and proud to support it.
Life Skills Program – Alice Springs
Mrs BRAHAM to MINISTER for HOUSING
Tangentyere Council was awarded the contract for the Life Skills Program, which was meant to introduce tenants into living in a suburban house. Do you believe outcomes have been achieved by this program run by Tangentyere? How many tenants have actually completed the course? Are the tenants in town camps, or are they in public housing in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I have always said that, when we have people coming from communities to towns, we have to support and assist them. These people come from communities with back yards of 200 km and we house them in a place where they have a back yard of 200 m. Of course, there are going to be problems, and not only in the Territory. Let me describe what I saw in Western Australia, when I was a health officer in the town of Port Hedland. People would come from the bush, the Western Australian Housing Commission would put them in a house in town and, of course, things would go wrong. Neighbours would complain. I have seen people from the bush lighting fires in the oven to cook on the top of the electric oven because there was no support. People were taken from the bush and put in a three-bedroom house suitable for a family, and things would go wrong.
The Life Skills project is a grant provided to indigenous community housing organisations. We have had 14 Life Skills projects since its inception in 2004-2005, but it will finish in 2009. It will not continue, because we believe that we can then provide a better service if we put together the Life Skills program with the Indigenous Housing Authority service. There is always grounds for improvement. It is my intention, with the changing arrangements with public housing now, if people are in the bush they have to apply where they live for public housing in the city; rather than arriving in the city and expecting to get a house. It certainly will be improved.
It is not only because we want to maintain the houses for a longer period of time or because we want to improve the tenant’s living environment. It is important for people to learn to live with their neighbours. That is very important. Out in the bush, you do not have neighbours, but when you come into a very small place like Alice Springs or Katherine - and let us face it, people come in and they bring their families. Family members arrive and they are going to accommodate them; they are not going to say no. We have to ensure these people understand the limitations in town. We will provide the support for these people to understand these limitations, and some practical support; for example, if things do not work, what to do and what not to do. Some of these people have never seen an electric stove or a toaster. Let us face it, if the hot water system does not work, we do not just leave it there. They can pick up the phone and speak to somebody to repair it.
Yes, Tangentyere has been conducting the program for us; they had a contract for four years This is the third year of a four-year contract; they were awarded $248 000. It is my intention to ensure that every dollar spent, given as a grant, will be accounted for. We have to have outcomes, we have to be able to measure the outcomes, and we have to be able to assess all these organisations to see if they perform the work that we pay for.
Heritage Sites – Projects
Mr WARREN to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
Can you please inform the House what projects will be undertaken within the next 12 months to look after heritage sites controlled by the Northern Territory government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. Since 2004, this government has committed $1m per annum to the repair and maintenance of heritage assets owned by the NT government.
Government is the largest owner of heritage-listed assets; sites that are very important to the tourist industry, a sense of identity, and the great Territory lifestyle. Some great projects have already been undertaken, including work to preserve and reinstate to former glory the Adelaide River Railway station and bridge; the Alice Springs Telegraph Station; and Gregory’s Tree at Timber Creek.
Next financial year, a number of very worthwhile projects are planned. I am sure many people will be delighted to hear that, over the next 12 months, work will be carried out to halt corrosion and refurbish the Sandfly locomotive. Work will be undertaken on the historic windmill tower and mill at Bonney Well in Tennant Creek, and that will be reinstalled following restoration work. The stonemasonry at Ryan Well on Glen Maggie Homestead near Alice Springs will be repaired and stabilised. In Darwin, the Stella Maris Hostel will be reinstated to its original historic form and damaged asbestos fabric removed.
This government value’s the Territory’s unique heritage and is committed to ensuring that Territorians have ready access to the reminders of our important history.
Maternity Services – Update on Review
Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH
It has become quite clear that midwives across the Northern Territory are furious with your indifferent attitude towards their profession. In 2007, you ordered a review of maternity services in which there were 60 recommendations for change. Nearly six months have passed without any action from you. Will you now release the final report and commit to meeting with stakeholders as a matter of urgency for the sake of Territory mothers?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. The facts of the matter are, I have met with stakeholders. Yes, you are right, a report has been prepared and put to the department and, then, to government. It is a very comprehensive report with over 60 recommendations advocating major changes in the delivery of maternity services within the Northern Territory. This is a very important issue. I gave an undertaking in late April/early May that I would release the report in June - I will release the report in June - with comprehensive responses to each recommendation.
The safety of women and their children is paramount in this whole issue. As a government, and as a department, we are looking to take the next steps in progressing birthing and maternity services right across the Territory. We have already invested significant amounts of money in a Birthing Centre at Royal Darwin Hospital and the community midwifery program, and we are ready to take further steps. As I undertook in late April/early May, the report will be released this month.
Indigenous Sports Program
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Can you please outline what this government is doing to further sport and recreation programs in indigenous communities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I recognise that the member for Stuart, being a born and bred Territorian like myself, fully understands the importance of sport and recreation right across the Northern Territory. He is also an accomplished sport and recreation participant, not only in Aussie Rules, but in all sports.
It is with great pleasure that today I talk about the Indigenous Sports Program which supports the establishment and participation of sport and recreation programs in remote indigenous communities. It also supports the community sport and recreation officers. The Indigenous Sports Program is funded through the Australian Sports Commission. It has been a pleasure working with the new government in partnership to really dig down to deal with many of the issues that have been difficult over many years.
A new two-year agreement was negotiated in 2007-08 and will continue to 2008-09. The Australian Sports Commission provides over $500 000 each year to support the employment of seven indigenous sports officers located across the Northern Territory. This program is a long-term partnership between the Australian government and the Northern Territory government. In addition to the Australian Sports Commission funding, the Northern Territory government invests nearly $3m per year in the delivery of sport and recreation programs to remote communities. This assists the community government councils to employ 52 sport and recreation officers in 46 communities across the Northern Territory. Many of them are doing fantastic jobs because, as we know, in many of these regions sport plays such a vital part of people’s lives.
We also proudly support sport and recreation in the bush through Closing the Gap initiatives. Funding up to $4.5m has been allocated to support sport and recreation programs from 2007-08 to 2011-12. That is right: a total of $4.5m for Closing the Gap. Funding will focus on program development, facilities and the increased employment of community sport and recreation officers in remote indigenous communities.
As a person passionate about sport and recreation, I will continue to do my hardest to ensure that people, no matter where they are in urban, rural or remote areas, continue to enjoy our great lifestyle through sport and recreation.
WorkSafe Regulations –
Additional Construction Costs
Additional Construction Costs
Mr MILLS to CHIEF MINISTER
Yesterday, in parliament, you said that you had not been informed that there would be a substantial cost impost as a result of the OHS laws in the price of a house. On 20 October last year, the issue was the subject of a substantial article in the NT News. The HIA advised us that the minister for Business, the minister for DEET and the Treasurer have been informed about this important issue. I am also advised that government has had numerous approaches from individual businesses on this issue. Your defence of ignorance lacks credibility. However, I am sure you have now been briefed on this important matter. What do you say to Territorians who will have to pay $40 000 more for their houses because you insist on unreasonable and excessive regulations in the workplace?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. One of the words he used in his question was ‘credibility’. There is an issue here of the credibility and the reliability of the assertions that he makes on behalf of industry in the House. Yes, I did go back and research where this issue has come from. What we are talking about here is a national move in regard to harmonising construction safety regulations …
Mr Mills: You cannot take the commonsense approach in the Territory?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms Lawrie: He does not like to listen.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Mills: Do not really like the answers much.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, I remind you of Standing Order 51, No interruptions. From now on, I will put people on notice.
Mr Mills: I trust it is both ways, Madam Speaker. You are looking at me.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, you are on a warning. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr HENDERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It does go to the issue of credibility. I did go and chase this issue up, because the assertion was that houses in the Territory today are costing $40 000 more than they should because of legislation that this government has brought to the Northern Territory. There is nothing further from the truth. That is totally and utterly false in regard to the allegations made, on behalf of industry, by the Leader of the Opposition. You can barely trust a word he says in here.
The issue that industry is talking about - and I have seen the correspondence; it has gone to the Housing Minister - relates to proposed harmonisation of a construction code for Occupational Health and Safety for housing across Australia. This is a proposal; it has not being endorsed by this government or by any of the other states, to my knowledge and understanding, at the moment.
I can give an absolute assurance to the housing and construction industry in the Northern Territory, we will not be endorsing any code without appropriate consultation with all the affected parties in the Northern Territory - the construction industry and their relevant associations, as well as the appropriate unions. As I said yesterday, every Territorian has an absolute right to be able to work in a safe workplace.
For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and say the legislation that we introduced has added $40 000 to the cost of a house is absolutely wrong. The correspondence that I saw from the Housing Industry Association to my colleague, the Housing Minister, said that ‘if’ this national code was adopted ‘it could lead to’ an increase of up to $40 000. That is a long way from the assertion that the Leader of the Opposition made. He comes into this House, makes wild, unsubstantiated allegations, and then has the foolishness to come back and reassert what he got wrong yesterday as fact.
Madam Speaker, I do not have the correspondence in front of me, but I am happy to provide it. It certainly says that if this code was to be adopted, it could lead up to $30 000 to $40 000 more for a house. He is wrong, and I give an absolute assertion to the housing industry and their associations across the Northern Territory, to all Territory workers who work in the construction industry via their appropriate unions and other bodies, that in considering any proposal to move to a national code and harmonisation, there will be full consultation.
Alice Springs Railway Station - Walkway
Mr HAMPTON to MINISTER for TOURISM
I understand that you recently opened a new walkway adjacent to the Alice Springs Railway Station. How will this enhance the experience for travellers on The Ghan, and what level of support was provided by the government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question and I agree with the member, it is a great walkway.
Two weeks ago, I visited Alice Springs for two days and they were a very productive two days. I had the opportunity to launch three projects. First, of course, was the water reuse in Alice Springs. As you probably have seen in the newspapers, the architect who designed the reuse process received one of the architectural awards. It is a fantastic building and project because it leads the way in Australia in how to use and reuse water, rather than let it evaporate up in the sky. It is a valuable resource, and I am very pleased that Alice Springs is the first town in the Northern Territory to reuse its effluent. They use it for production of trees, fruit trees or vegetables at AZRI.
I was also able to launch the fence that separates the rail station from the main avenue - a fantastic project designed and installed by a local company. It pictures the trip you do from South Australia all the way up to Darwin. However, what I was really impressed with - and I congratulate the person who designed it - it has the gap in the fence that follows the natural route of the highway. As you can see, on the back of the fence, you face it and at the car park end you can see the rippling effect like the waves.
One of the things that really impressed me in Alice Springs was the Discovery Walkway. We know very well that many people who get off the train walked along the railway lines to the main avenue, crossed at the lights to the central business district, and it was a well beaten path. We thought we could do something to show something about Alice Springs. I was very pleased to provide $330 000 to Great Southern Railway to design and construct a pathway. They put money in themselves. I was in Alice Springs with Mr Tony Braxton-Smith, the CEO of Great Southern Railway, and I have to tell you, I was very impressed.
The footpath follows the original footpath along the railway line, but is designed in such a way as to imitate the landscape of Alice Springs, with the red soil, the dry river beds, and the trees that grow in the region. Some of it is bush tucker and some is of the history of Alice Springs - big boards that state the history of Alice Springs from the very beginning to today. All of it was constructed and designed by local people. The walkway design was by Atomiq Design Group; Sitzler Brothers constructed the pathway; Ilparpa Nursery did all the landscaping; the signage and artwork was by Adam Levot of AA Signs and Designs. The wording on the interpretive signs was written and developed by Linda Wells, Philip Drake and Shahieda Drake. The camel sculpture was by artist, Janine Stanton, and the signage graphic design by Rose Hannigan.
One thing that Mr Braxton-Smith told me was that they wanted to put an aeroplane there for the Royal Flying Doctors, but they could not because of the size of the aeroplane. I suggested that the famous spitfires, that became famous when the member for …
Dr Burns: The ones that got stolen.
Mr VATSKALIS: They were stolen, I remember.
Members interjecting.
Mr VATSKALIS: I was in Perth when I heard that. He was freaking out because someone stole the spitfires but, a few hours later, it was, ‘Sorry, we took them to renovate’.
By coincidence, a train had arrived that day and a number of tourists walked from the train. The media approached two tourists from England who had already gone through the footpath, and come back. They gave the best third party endorsement because they were absolutely rapt about the pathway that was constructed, and what they learned about Alice Springs. It was their first time in Alice Springs and, within 400 m, they read the history of Alice Springs from the very beginning to today, and they were absolutely thrilled. I am very pleased about the project, $330 000 bought a lot of goodwill for Alice Springs.
Of course, it is going to get bigger and better, because Great Southern Railway are going to introduce the Platinum Class, which will go up to Alice Springs all the way to Darwin. It is going to bring the people who can afford to pay a high price ticket and, of course, they will be able to stay in Alice Springs for a period of time and spend more money.
Congratulations to all the local manufacturers and designers. It was a project well done. Now, we are looking forward to actually seeing the last part of the sculpture and the pictures that will be put in the pathway.
Gamba Grass - Classification
Mr WOOD to MINISTER for NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT and HERITAGE
When I asked about gamba grass on 17 October 2006, I was told it was being assessed under the weed risk assessment process by an industry and community-based steering committee. However, at the next Question Time it was handballed to the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee. That committee’s report has now been issued. What does the government intend to do about gamba grass - declare it a weed, allow it to be grown on a restricted basis under a new weed classification, or retain the status quo? Surely, the pastoral industry, local government councils, landowners and those concerned about the environmental impacts of gamba would like a straightforward answer.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Gamba grass is recognised as one of several tropical invasive grasses which has the potential to alter our environment, particularly on a landscape level. By altering the intensity and frequency of fire, gamba grass can impact on the biodiversity, can alter the air emissions from bushfires, and pose health and public safety risks. The decision to declare or not to declare gamba grass as a weed under our legislation has been a very topical issue for some time and, as the member for Nelson clearly stated, there are strong views either side of the argument.
The Sessional Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development has made some specific recommendations on gamba. I am looking very carefully at all the scientific information and public views expressed to the sessional committee.
There is no easy decision, member for Nelson. In a situation such as this where a species has such weed properties and is valued by some landholders, a balance needs to be struck. Government will reach a decision that takes into account the significant impact of gamba grass and the feasibility of control and management across different regions.
When this balance has been achieved, I will make the announcement.
Safe Pool Scheme – Update
Ms ANDERSON to MINISTER for LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Can you update the House on the Safe Pool Grants?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question. I know she is very interested in pool safety and the safety of young children.
The Northern Territory Swimming Pool Safety Act we have is supported by a financial assistance scheme which is designed to help property owners make their pools and spas that were installed prior to 1 January 2003 come up to the safety standards which are recognised across Australia. The Safe Pool Grant scheme that commenced in January 2003 has been very important to raise the standard of those older pools and to protect the most valuable resource we have in our society - our young children - from drowning. Most of us here have children, and I cannot think of a worse thing than losing a child, so this scheme is vital in ensuring that does not happen.
I am advised that over 2000 pool owners each year have utilised this scheme and brought their pools up to that standard. So, it is a revolution this Labor government introduced in the Territory to provide better safety. The scheme is required by law. You cannot sell a property, or even rent a property, before your pool is upgraded to that standard. I can announce that, in Budget 2008-09, this scheme has been extended by another 12 months.
This is another example how the Labor government has been proactive, introducing very positive legislation to protect children and improve the lifestyle within the Northern Territory. I encourage members of the community, and members of this House to take advantage of this scheme - it will end in this next 12 months, so please make use of it. If anybody has any questions, the officers in the Water Safety Branch within the Department of Local Government are there to help. Again, another great initiative of this government.
Violence in Schools – Family Feud
Mr MILLS to MINISTER for EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION and TRAINING
You have made much of the claim that this is a family feud in Palmerston. My office has been advised that there is no family feud. The only time that families have met was after the son was a victim of a vicious assault. Do you stand by your assertion that this is a family feud, or will you withdraw it and admit that this is a failure of your government to act in a real way on a very serious matter?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, our government has not failed to act. We have dealt with this appropriately. It is being dealt with. The Leader of the Opposition is a man who is attacking the credibility and integrity of a very effective and efficient principal of Palmerston High School, who has been working with this issue and dealing with it quite effectively. It is a family feud, I have been advised by the department. We have also been in touch with …
Mr Mills: You have not spoken to the families, though.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: … Family and Community Services who are dealing with issues associated with those other families. I suggest to the Leader of the Opposition, as this is a high school in his electorate, if he was a good and effective local member, why has he not sought a briefing from the principal, and sat down with the principal and gone through all of the steps that she has taken and the work that she and all the teachers and the schools are doing?
The members for Brennan and Drysdale work with the school and have been trying to get these families and this process in place. We, on this side, treat this issue very seriously. We do have - and I reiterate - a zero tolerance approach. I do not tolerate it, no member of this government tolerates it. We have put the resources in to deal with it. I suggest the Leader of the Opposition talks to the principal, who has been doing a fantastic job. I take my hat off to Jenny Nash. Jenny Nash does a fantastic job and she has handled this whole matter to the best of her ability. DEET is supporting her and so is everybody else.
I suggest that the Leader of the Opposition allow those families to go through the restorative justice process without his political interference.
Northern Territory Institute of Sport – Assistance to Athletes
Ms SACILOTTO to MINISTER for SPORT and RECREATION
Could you please advise the House what the Northern Territory Institute of Sport is doing to help our athletes?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her question. The Northern Territory Institute of Sport does many different things to support athletes in the Northern Territory. We have some 150 Territory athletes each year going through the NTIS program. The program aims to support elite athletes in their developmental programs. It also makes significant contributions to national and international sport around the world. We saw this recently with the Kookaburras coming up - and I will talk about that more later in the answer.
As the centre of sporting excellence, NTIS provides integrated coaching and sport enhancement services to talented Northern Territory athletes from a range of sports. There are squad scholarships for 10 sports programs at the Northern Territory Institute of Sport. These cover a broad section of the sporting community. They include the Australian Rules Football, where we have seen magnificent athletes come through that NTIS program for a long period of time ...
Mr Kiely: Champions.
Mr BONSON: Champions like young Cyril Rioli playing for the Hawthorn Football Club and, of course, young Cameron Stokes, the son of Steven Stokes, a long-term staff member of the Legislative Assembly. They all wear the brown and gold. There are many other Territorians, some 27 of them, but we are just talking about the brown and gold for the moment.
We also have cricket as a scholarship program. We have seen the magnificent contribution made by the Northern Territory government of some $2.1m in conjunction with Cricket Australia’s $1m to produce a magnificent facility for both elite and international sports, plus grassroots cricketers. The NTIS is another piece of the jigsaw puzzle which the Northern Territory government supports in ensuring that athletes get the best opportunities they can to compete at all levels.
Cycling is another sport, as well as hockey, netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, tennis, tenpin bowling and weightlifting. In addition, there are also sports that have individual scholarships. They include athletics, baseball, judo – and judo was a good one. They had me out the front here on your beautiful lawns, Madam Speaker, doing judo moves on me. I was in the full get-up, of course; I was being dealt with by professionals and I was not injured. There is also swimming, touch football, triathlon, wheelchair basketball and yachting.
Services offered by the NTIS include high performance management; coaching; strengthening and conditioning; physiology; nutrition; biomechanics and skills analysis; physiotherapy; psychology; and career and education guidance. It sounds like this House could use some of those programs. Support for training, competition and clothing is also provided.
In addition to helping local athletes over the last two years, the NTIS has provided support for Australian Olympic teams. The NTIS is currently working closely with the national men’s hockey team, the Kookaburras, to assist with their preparations for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
As we know, this government proudly supported the Four Nations Tournament which occurred between 28 April and 5 May. Anyone who took the opportunity to go there - and I know the Treasurer, the Chief Minister, the member for Sanderson, and many other members did and watched the best of the best. Out of the few billion people who live on the planet, they were playing there. One of them, of course, was a local Territorian, Des Abbott.
The information they will be using from the NTIS is all about cooling techniques. This work provides vital information to assist with the Kookaburras preparation and performance for Beijing. This is likely to provide similar support to other Olympic teams as the Beijing Olympics draws nearer. The teams likely to be included are sports like football or soccer, clay target shooting and wheelchair tennis.
Madam Speaker, the Northern Territory Institute of Sport shows that the Territory continues to punch well above their weight in all sporting endeavours.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016