Mr STIRLING - 2000-10-10
I thank the Leader of Government Business for extending Question Time to somewhat nearer the hour than it would otherwise have been.
Two years ago after category 5 Cyclone Thelma passed Darwin the government conducted an urgent review of building codes in Darwin’s Emergency Shelter Plans. I ask the minister why has this report been kept a secret from Territorians for that two years? Is it because after 26 years in power the CLP has no effective plan in place?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, what a terrible thing to say about the Counter Disaster Council that they have no plans in place to protect Territorians. That is just an outrageous tail-ender to a question and it places a shadow over the Counter Disaster Council which it does not deserve and it does not deserve it for this reason.
The question would not have been asked if the Counter Disaster Council had not, when Cyclone Thelma did pass by, decided to seek further advice on the buildings. So they were at that time proactive, and it came directly out of the fact that a category 5 cyclone passed nearby and officers asked the question ‘Should we have a look at cyclone shelters and building codes?’ They decided yes. They were proactive and as a consequence of that a consultant prepared a report. And so a report was prepared.
Members interjecting.
Mr REED: The interjections are a clear indication that this is just political muckraking; it has nothing to do with fact or concerns about Territorians, and it completely underlines my opening remarks in answering this question, that they are not interested in the facts. They are into denigrating hardworking Territorians who do, in fact, have the concerns and safety of Territorians at heart. So if they want to hear the answer, then let them listen so that Territorians listening to the broadcast can also listen.
And so, the report was prepared. Police received it in June.
Ms Martin: What year? Sorry, what year? 1999?
Mr REED: It is just like being in kindergarten, isn’t it? It has the mentality of a 5-year-old; ‘it’ being the Leader of the Opposition …
Ms Martin: But June 1999? Come on.
Mr REED: Police received a report in June and they sought advice from the Bureau of Meteorology, the Department of Transport and Works and other specialists. As you would appreciate in terms of this report, it is a very technical report. It is one that does require a huge amount of additional work, not only to understand the technical nature of the report itself but to be able to respond to it. And when the appropriate agencies have responded, and we have the question in the form of the report that was asked by the Counter Disaster Council, ‘Should we have a look at this?’ and the answers from the relevant agencies and professionals: ‘Well, here is what we have determined in relation to the report’. I dare say when all of those agencies have evaluated the report and in turn themselves have reported, all of that information may be well made public and that would be appropriate.
But can I say this, any cyclone is a risk to life. The Counter Disaster Council in the Northern Territory has been proactive in this case. They are recognised nationally as a body that very effectively and very professionally caters for the needs of Territorians when it is most needed, that is when there is a cyclone or a flood or some other natural disaster. They are so well respected nationally, with the exception of seven members sitting opposite, that they are frequently requested to address gatherings of other counter disaster councils in Australia or like bodies, and to explain and provide to those bodies their knowledge and experience, because of their recognised level of expertise in this country.
Mr Stirling: But Territorians don’t need to know?
Mr REED: You don’t have to put them down as the member for Nhulunbuy as the opposition spokesman.
So every cyclone is a risk, and when you are dealing with Mother Nature, you never know what the extent of that risk is, or what it might develop into.
Members interjecting.
Mr REED: The member for Stuart is now saying, ‘Especially when you are not told anything’. Well, you wouldn’t be going to be told anything had the Counter Disaster Council not asked the question in the first place.
When they have finished evaluating the report and determining if or what action might be taken, if action is indeed necessary, then they will likely make it available. But give them a chance to do the job because they are doing it on your behalf.
In terms of the threat posed by natural disasters, I would just implore Territorians to recognise that a category 5, yes, would be something we don’t want. We don’t want a category 1 cyclone. But the real issue is this: In terms of cyclone damage, the most damage is caused by flying objects, and by missiles, by rubbish and …
Dr Toyne: Well, are the houses going to stand up? What are the codes to it?
Mr REED: And the member for Stuart interjects that Territorians haven’t been told anything. Well, there is a wealth of information available to Territorians. Once a cyclone looks like it might be impacting on a particular area, advice is provided, the media are put on direct line so that information can be provided to Territorians, and indeed, I think Neighbourhood Watch and other like community organisations are about to embark on the annual clean-up. I would ask that those groups be listened to and supported and Territorians do as they do every year - clean up their yards, get rid of potential missiles that will create damage or create a risk to Territorians.
In the terms of a cyclone, it doesn’t matter if it is a category 1 or a category 5. I implore Territorians to heed the advice that is provided to them, obtain copies of the information that is made readily available for them particularly at this time in the lead-up to the cyclone season, and to ensure that they are ready and that they follow that advice if the need arises. I mean, you just have to look at circumstances internationally. Look at the central and southern US, with the tornadoes that are impacting on some of the communities there, or do impact on some of the communities there. It is economically the strongest country in the world and they do not have the capacity to turn the tornado away or to prevent it from damaging a particular location. We are in the exactly the same position. Nor do they have the capacity to provide shelters for the whole of their community.
The point is that when a cyclone risk comes, listen to the advice, adhere to it, take the responsibility that as an individual you must, and in terms of …
Dr Toyne: What are the building codes?
Ms Martin: What about public cyclone shelters?
Mr SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr REED: And in terms of the evolutionary process of advice to Territorians, ensuring that there are shelters available, that they are well known, you should be proud of the fact that the Counter Disaster Council has been proactive enough to get the report and to be continuing to work through it with the authorities, and then to be able to make that information as it is necessary available to Territorians.
Of course, from the point of view of questions that have been asked about evacuations, well, when cyclone Thelma was humming around, some people decided to go down the track. They are individual decisions that people will make, but the important thing is to take notice of the advice that is provided. Don’t, as the member for Nhulunbuy and the opposition spokesman responsible for these particular issues, denigrate the Counter Disaster Council and the Emergency Services …
Mr Stirling: No, you and your government.
Mr REED: No, you can’t flick pass it, Syd.
Mr Stirling: You and your government.
Mr REED: You. You stood up and said that they were not performing the way they should - and they are. They are recognised nationally for doing that. They are a very professional group with the points on the board, and the only reason we are discussing this matter today is because they were proactive enough and concerned enough about the future safety of Territorians to initiate a report and to be following it through.
Two years ago after category 5 Cyclone Thelma passed Darwin the government conducted an urgent review of building codes in Darwin’s Emergency Shelter Plans. I ask the minister why has this report been kept a secret from Territorians for that two years? Is it because after 26 years in power the CLP has no effective plan in place?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, what a terrible thing to say about the Counter Disaster Council that they have no plans in place to protect Territorians. That is just an outrageous tail-ender to a question and it places a shadow over the Counter Disaster Council which it does not deserve and it does not deserve it for this reason.
The question would not have been asked if the Counter Disaster Council had not, when Cyclone Thelma did pass by, decided to seek further advice on the buildings. So they were at that time proactive, and it came directly out of the fact that a category 5 cyclone passed nearby and officers asked the question ‘Should we have a look at cyclone shelters and building codes?’ They decided yes. They were proactive and as a consequence of that a consultant prepared a report. And so a report was prepared.
Members interjecting.
Mr REED: The interjections are a clear indication that this is just political muckraking; it has nothing to do with fact or concerns about Territorians, and it completely underlines my opening remarks in answering this question, that they are not interested in the facts. They are into denigrating hardworking Territorians who do, in fact, have the concerns and safety of Territorians at heart. So if they want to hear the answer, then let them listen so that Territorians listening to the broadcast can also listen.
And so, the report was prepared. Police received it in June.
Ms Martin: What year? Sorry, what year? 1999?
Mr REED: It is just like being in kindergarten, isn’t it? It has the mentality of a 5-year-old; ‘it’ being the Leader of the Opposition …
Ms Martin: But June 1999? Come on.
Mr REED: Police received a report in June and they sought advice from the Bureau of Meteorology, the Department of Transport and Works and other specialists. As you would appreciate in terms of this report, it is a very technical report. It is one that does require a huge amount of additional work, not only to understand the technical nature of the report itself but to be able to respond to it. And when the appropriate agencies have responded, and we have the question in the form of the report that was asked by the Counter Disaster Council, ‘Should we have a look at this?’ and the answers from the relevant agencies and professionals: ‘Well, here is what we have determined in relation to the report’. I dare say when all of those agencies have evaluated the report and in turn themselves have reported, all of that information may be well made public and that would be appropriate.
But can I say this, any cyclone is a risk to life. The Counter Disaster Council in the Northern Territory has been proactive in this case. They are recognised nationally as a body that very effectively and very professionally caters for the needs of Territorians when it is most needed, that is when there is a cyclone or a flood or some other natural disaster. They are so well respected nationally, with the exception of seven members sitting opposite, that they are frequently requested to address gatherings of other counter disaster councils in Australia or like bodies, and to explain and provide to those bodies their knowledge and experience, because of their recognised level of expertise in this country.
Mr Stirling: But Territorians don’t need to know?
Mr REED: You don’t have to put them down as the member for Nhulunbuy as the opposition spokesman.
So every cyclone is a risk, and when you are dealing with Mother Nature, you never know what the extent of that risk is, or what it might develop into.
Members interjecting.
Mr REED: The member for Stuart is now saying, ‘Especially when you are not told anything’. Well, you wouldn’t be going to be told anything had the Counter Disaster Council not asked the question in the first place.
When they have finished evaluating the report and determining if or what action might be taken, if action is indeed necessary, then they will likely make it available. But give them a chance to do the job because they are doing it on your behalf.
In terms of the threat posed by natural disasters, I would just implore Territorians to recognise that a category 5, yes, would be something we don’t want. We don’t want a category 1 cyclone. But the real issue is this: In terms of cyclone damage, the most damage is caused by flying objects, and by missiles, by rubbish and …
Dr Toyne: Well, are the houses going to stand up? What are the codes to it?
Mr REED: And the member for Stuart interjects that Territorians haven’t been told anything. Well, there is a wealth of information available to Territorians. Once a cyclone looks like it might be impacting on a particular area, advice is provided, the media are put on direct line so that information can be provided to Territorians, and indeed, I think Neighbourhood Watch and other like community organisations are about to embark on the annual clean-up. I would ask that those groups be listened to and supported and Territorians do as they do every year - clean up their yards, get rid of potential missiles that will create damage or create a risk to Territorians.
In the terms of a cyclone, it doesn’t matter if it is a category 1 or a category 5. I implore Territorians to heed the advice that is provided to them, obtain copies of the information that is made readily available for them particularly at this time in the lead-up to the cyclone season, and to ensure that they are ready and that they follow that advice if the need arises. I mean, you just have to look at circumstances internationally. Look at the central and southern US, with the tornadoes that are impacting on some of the communities there, or do impact on some of the communities there. It is economically the strongest country in the world and they do not have the capacity to turn the tornado away or to prevent it from damaging a particular location. We are in the exactly the same position. Nor do they have the capacity to provide shelters for the whole of their community.
The point is that when a cyclone risk comes, listen to the advice, adhere to it, take the responsibility that as an individual you must, and in terms of …
Dr Toyne: What are the building codes?
Ms Martin: What about public cyclone shelters?
Mr SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr REED: And in terms of the evolutionary process of advice to Territorians, ensuring that there are shelters available, that they are well known, you should be proud of the fact that the Counter Disaster Council has been proactive enough to get the report and to be continuing to work through it with the authorities, and then to be able to make that information as it is necessary available to Territorians.
Of course, from the point of view of questions that have been asked about evacuations, well, when cyclone Thelma was humming around, some people decided to go down the track. They are individual decisions that people will make, but the important thing is to take notice of the advice that is provided. Don’t, as the member for Nhulunbuy and the opposition spokesman responsible for these particular issues, denigrate the Counter Disaster Council and the Emergency Services …
Mr Stirling: No, you and your government.
Mr REED: No, you can’t flick pass it, Syd.
Mr Stirling: You and your government.
Mr REED: You. You stood up and said that they were not performing the way they should - and they are. They are recognised nationally for doing that. They are a very professional group with the points on the board, and the only reason we are discussing this matter today is because they were proactive enough and concerned enough about the future safety of Territorians to initiate a report and to be following it through.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016