Mr BAILEY - 1998-08-19
In parliament last Tuesday, the Minister for Territories, Hon Alex Somlyay, said some major issues relating to statehood had not been resolved. In parliament on Thursday, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister said that these issues, which include land rights, mining royalties, control over uranium, national parks and industrial relations, had been resolved with all powers coming to the Territory. Who is telling the truth – Hon Alex Somlyay or the Chief Minister?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, why is the Labor Party unable to handle the success of the CLP government in securing statehood? Are members opposite so bitter about the achievement that they sit there and rail against what has been accomplished?
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the member for Wanguri, has framed his question very selectively.
Mr Stirling: No, he has not. It is straight from Hansard.
Madam SPEAKER: I presume the opposition wants to hear the answer.
Mr STONE: Given that I was in Canberra, and given that I am in regular contact with the Prime Minister and have been since he became Prime Minister, I can tell members of the opposition, and Territorians listening to this broadcast, that we have made considerable progress on these issues. While they are still the subject of a formal agreement, I can tell Territorians that very little now divides us. That includes the issues of land rights and royalties. Why cannot members opposite accept ...
Ms Martin: You said that has all been resolved.
Mr STONE: ... without interjection that we have actually moved on with it? We are down to the nuts and bolts of resolving matters that have always been a stumbling point. We have asked whether, if we tackle it this way, the federal government will be prepared to sign off on it. The response has been that, as a matter of principle, that seems to be going in the right direction. Territorians should be pleased that they are dealing with us and not the ditherers sitting opposite. The inescapable fact remains that, for 13 years, Labor held the reins of power in Canberra and it did nothing. It could have delivered statehood but it did nothing. What is so remarkable ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, you need not bother to continue your answer if the opposition will not allow you to give it.
Mr STONE: I want to complete the answer, Madam Speaker. They would win if I did not complete the answer. They do not want Territorians to hear the answer, because it does not suit their political agenda.
What was so remarkable about the Minister for Territories making his statement here in the Chamber while, at the same time, 2 heads of government, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, were sitting in Canberra, further refining the package? Why is that so hard to accept? What is so difficult in understanding that heads of government would be sitting around the table, working through some of the outstanding issues. As I asked from the outset, why is it such a bitter pill for the Labor Party to swallow? Why can’t it rejoice in the decision? Why not rejoice over the announcement, as are the vast majority of Territorians today? Why are they so bitter and twisted about the achievement of statehood? What is wrong with them? Why don’t they stand up proudly as Territorians and say that we have finally won this and we will do something with it. Are they running bare-knuckle politics? What motivates these people? Why are they not prepared to stand up for the Territory? They are an absolute disgrace. That is why they sit as a rump of an opposition, without the confidence of Territorians, and they continue to be rejected at the polls.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, why is the Labor Party unable to handle the success of the CLP government in securing statehood? Are members opposite so bitter about the achievement that they sit there and rail against what has been accomplished?
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the member for Wanguri, has framed his question very selectively.
Mr Stirling: No, he has not. It is straight from Hansard.
Madam SPEAKER: I presume the opposition wants to hear the answer.
Mr STONE: Given that I was in Canberra, and given that I am in regular contact with the Prime Minister and have been since he became Prime Minister, I can tell members of the opposition, and Territorians listening to this broadcast, that we have made considerable progress on these issues. While they are still the subject of a formal agreement, I can tell Territorians that very little now divides us. That includes the issues of land rights and royalties. Why cannot members opposite accept ...
Ms Martin: You said that has all been resolved.
Mr STONE: ... without interjection that we have actually moved on with it? We are down to the nuts and bolts of resolving matters that have always been a stumbling point. We have asked whether, if we tackle it this way, the federal government will be prepared to sign off on it. The response has been that, as a matter of principle, that seems to be going in the right direction. Territorians should be pleased that they are dealing with us and not the ditherers sitting opposite. The inescapable fact remains that, for 13 years, Labor held the reins of power in Canberra and it did nothing. It could have delivered statehood but it did nothing. What is so remarkable ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, you need not bother to continue your answer if the opposition will not allow you to give it.
Mr STONE: I want to complete the answer, Madam Speaker. They would win if I did not complete the answer. They do not want Territorians to hear the answer, because it does not suit their political agenda.
What was so remarkable about the Minister for Territories making his statement here in the Chamber while, at the same time, 2 heads of government, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, were sitting in Canberra, further refining the package? Why is that so hard to accept? What is so difficult in understanding that heads of government would be sitting around the table, working through some of the outstanding issues. As I asked from the outset, why is it such a bitter pill for the Labor Party to swallow? Why can’t it rejoice in the decision? Why not rejoice over the announcement, as are the vast majority of Territorians today? Why are they so bitter and twisted about the achievement of statehood? What is wrong with them? Why don’t they stand up proudly as Territorians and say that we have finally won this and we will do something with it. Are they running bare-knuckle politics? What motivates these people? Why are they not prepared to stand up for the Territory? They are an absolute disgrace. That is why they sit as a rump of an opposition, without the confidence of Territorians, and they continue to be rejected at the polls.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016