Mr RIOLI - 1999-04-27
Originally the Country Liberal Party threatened local government, in a pamphlet, that if it did not voluntarily undergo amalgamations a more forceful strategy would need to be considered. The latest edition of the same publication leaves out this threat. Has the CLP backed off or is it just now hiding it’s true intentions?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, sometimes it’s very hard to hear the member for Arafura, but you are talking about the amalgamation of councils?
Members interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: Yes, well I can’t hear.
You’re talking about the amalgamation of councils that we proposed as part of our reform agenda, is that right?
Mr Rioli: That’s correct.
Mrs BRAHAM: Okay. We announced this back in February. We stated that this was a process that we were going through. We had a number of meetings with local government and with LGANT, which were held at Pine Creek. Regional forums have occurred. These meetings have been held with regional councils, municipal councils and organisations and it’s noticed that, generally, it’s been a very positive response …
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: No, not true. There is a lot going on out there and I can give you examples of some of the proposals that we are looking at at the moment. These have been initiated by the councils and communities themselves.
It’s not something that we’re imposing. We never said we would impose it upon them. It’s always something that we hoped would grow with time. When we get one amalgamation, people can see the benefits of it. It means that there will be benefits for those communities in the long run because it’ll be more efficient.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs BRAHAM: I will give you some examples of some of the proposals that have come to us which we’re looking at the moment. The member for Arafura will probably know this one - the rationalisation of the Tiwi Island Council and other service delivery organisations. Let’s face it, if you have a number of small organisations out there, communities with small populations of 200, each of them employing a town council clerk, plus a financial adviser, there is not much out of the grants to be spent on projects. But if we put them under an umbrella, there will be benefits for everyone in the long run.
Mr BAILEY: A point of order, Mr Speaker! Quite clearly, the original question was, if they did not voluntarily undergo amalgamation - not what the benefits are - would a more forceful strategy be considered. That’s now dropped off the current information that’s being provided.
Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The minister is answering the question in her way and we will hear her in reasonable silence.
Mrs BRAHAM: I thought I said quite clearly that it was voluntary. There is nothing in any documents that I have seen that said it’s going to be imposed upon councils. Out there in communities there is a general positive response. You lot are going around saying that this is doom and gloom. They are a lot smarter than you. They can see the benefits for it and there are moves already out there in communities saying this could be a good thing and they could benefit from it. For instance, the member for Stuart might be aware that there’s potential for resource sharing down in the southern region. Already we have indications from Amoonguna, Santa Teresa, Titjikala and Aputula to look at this whole process. We have told you quite clearly that it’s a voluntary process, and these councils are responding in a voluntary way.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs BRAHAM: Mr Speaker, it’s obvious that these people over there have it wrong. If they would just read the document and listen to what’s coming back to us, they’d understand that there are good things going out there. People see the benefits of the reform agenda, and they’re not worried about it. They know that it’s not going to happen in a hurry. It’s something they can take their time about, and I believe it will be a very good thing.
While I’m on my feet I will give some additional information to the member for Arafura, because I know he was very interested in the Cyclone Thelma damage. Budget Cabinet approved additional funding for 1998-99 of almost $578 000. Of this, $100 000 will go to Nguiu for road drain repairs, $131 000 to Pirlangimpi for road repairs and general clean-up operations, $312 000 will go to Minjilang for road and drain repairs and general clean-up, and $32 000 to Milikapiti for general clean-up. I expect to be writing to these communities in the next few days.
Mr COULTER (Leader of Government Business): I ask that further questions be placed on the question paper. I remind honourable members that any additional information can be supplied to members during the 10-minute period past 11 o’clock, which has been set aside for such information.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, sometimes it’s very hard to hear the member for Arafura, but you are talking about the amalgamation of councils?
Members interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: Yes, well I can’t hear.
You’re talking about the amalgamation of councils that we proposed as part of our reform agenda, is that right?
Mr Rioli: That’s correct.
Mrs BRAHAM: Okay. We announced this back in February. We stated that this was a process that we were going through. We had a number of meetings with local government and with LGANT, which were held at Pine Creek. Regional forums have occurred. These meetings have been held with regional councils, municipal councils and organisations and it’s noticed that, generally, it’s been a very positive response …
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: No, not true. There is a lot going on out there and I can give you examples of some of the proposals that we are looking at at the moment. These have been initiated by the councils and communities themselves.
It’s not something that we’re imposing. We never said we would impose it upon them. It’s always something that we hoped would grow with time. When we get one amalgamation, people can see the benefits of it. It means that there will be benefits for those communities in the long run because it’ll be more efficient.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs BRAHAM: I will give you some examples of some of the proposals that have come to us which we’re looking at the moment. The member for Arafura will probably know this one - the rationalisation of the Tiwi Island Council and other service delivery organisations. Let’s face it, if you have a number of small organisations out there, communities with small populations of 200, each of them employing a town council clerk, plus a financial adviser, there is not much out of the grants to be spent on projects. But if we put them under an umbrella, there will be benefits for everyone in the long run.
Mr BAILEY: A point of order, Mr Speaker! Quite clearly, the original question was, if they did not voluntarily undergo amalgamation - not what the benefits are - would a more forceful strategy be considered. That’s now dropped off the current information that’s being provided.
Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The minister is answering the question in her way and we will hear her in reasonable silence.
Mrs BRAHAM: I thought I said quite clearly that it was voluntary. There is nothing in any documents that I have seen that said it’s going to be imposed upon councils. Out there in communities there is a general positive response. You lot are going around saying that this is doom and gloom. They are a lot smarter than you. They can see the benefits for it and there are moves already out there in communities saying this could be a good thing and they could benefit from it. For instance, the member for Stuart might be aware that there’s potential for resource sharing down in the southern region. Already we have indications from Amoonguna, Santa Teresa, Titjikala and Aputula to look at this whole process. We have told you quite clearly that it’s a voluntary process, and these councils are responding in a voluntary way.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs BRAHAM: Mr Speaker, it’s obvious that these people over there have it wrong. If they would just read the document and listen to what’s coming back to us, they’d understand that there are good things going out there. People see the benefits of the reform agenda, and they’re not worried about it. They know that it’s not going to happen in a hurry. It’s something they can take their time about, and I believe it will be a very good thing.
While I’m on my feet I will give some additional information to the member for Arafura, because I know he was very interested in the Cyclone Thelma damage. Budget Cabinet approved additional funding for 1998-99 of almost $578 000. Of this, $100 000 will go to Nguiu for road drain repairs, $131 000 to Pirlangimpi for road repairs and general clean-up operations, $312 000 will go to Minjilang for road and drain repairs and general clean-up, and $32 000 to Milikapiti for general clean-up. I expect to be writing to these communities in the next few days.
Mr COULTER (Leader of Government Business): I ask that further questions be placed on the question paper. I remind honourable members that any additional information can be supplied to members during the 10-minute period past 11 o’clock, which has been set aside for such information.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016