Ms MARTIN - 1998-08-12
The federal minister’s speech yesterday speculated that the Indian Ocean Territories and the Ashmore and Cartier Islands will be incorporated into the new state. Have the people who would be directly affected been consulted about such a move? Will Territorians be told of the cost and benefits of such a move? What funding arrangements will be put in place to support these island communities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I despair! I dare say that every one of the people sitting in these galleries yesterday – and the galleries were full – would have understood precisely what the minister said. The minister said that the matter of the Ashmore and the Cartier Islands has to be discussed. It is a matter for negotiation. He did not say, nor did the Prime Minister, that they would become part of the Northern Territory.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: The Keating government created a gerrymander by including these territories in the Northern Territory federal electorate. That is part of the problem the Commonwealth government faces. It was a matter of sheer inconvenience for a previous Labor government. The problem for the current government is where those territories sit in relation to the whole of Australia. Given that statehood will be conferred on the Northern Territory, it is now an appropriate time to consider whether those territories will be part of the Northern Territory. There is no more to it than that. Everyone else understood that the member for Fannie Bay does not have the ability to understand it. It is another matter for negotiation.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr REED: The member of Wanguri interjects and asks whether it will be part of the referendum. It may not need to be part of the referendum because we may say no.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: Let us look at where the 7 dwarfs over there are coming from. During Question Time today, has the opposition asked one positive question in relation to Territory statehood in 2001, and all the benefits that will flow from it? No!
A member interjecting.
Mr REED: The Leader of the Opposition remains the party spoiler. She must have heard on the radio this morning that she is the party spoiler, and she does not want to change her record. All of her comments are negative. The opposition has no vision for the future. It lacks the capacity to see good in anything. The opposition is embroiled in a conspiracy theory. This is an historic moment in Territory history and all it can do is be negative. I am thankful that the 7 dwarfs and their negativity can be heard by people across the Northern Territory through the Territory network because Question Time is being broadcast. Territorians will be ashamed!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: Members opposite saw the positive presentations on every television news station last night. Positive presentations were on the Channel 7 News, the Channel 8 News, and on the ABC News. The ABC news included a 6-minute item, a lead item. It is a national story that excited people. This item attracted people to look to the future and it encouraged them. People in the community have a vision, and the 7 dwarfs cannot see past their noses.
Mrs HICKEY: Point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask that the minister withdraw the remark about the 7 dwarfs. It is unparliamentary.
Madam SPEAKER: Acting Chief Minister, I think you should withdraw the remark.
Mr REED: The Magnificent Seven, Madam Speaker? I am happy to bear in mind their sensitivity, at your request Madam Speaker. They are not the 7 dwarfs.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I despair! I dare say that every one of the people sitting in these galleries yesterday – and the galleries were full – would have understood precisely what the minister said. The minister said that the matter of the Ashmore and the Cartier Islands has to be discussed. It is a matter for negotiation. He did not say, nor did the Prime Minister, that they would become part of the Northern Territory.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: The Keating government created a gerrymander by including these territories in the Northern Territory federal electorate. That is part of the problem the Commonwealth government faces. It was a matter of sheer inconvenience for a previous Labor government. The problem for the current government is where those territories sit in relation to the whole of Australia. Given that statehood will be conferred on the Northern Territory, it is now an appropriate time to consider whether those territories will be part of the Northern Territory. There is no more to it than that. Everyone else understood that the member for Fannie Bay does not have the ability to understand it. It is another matter for negotiation.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr REED: The member of Wanguri interjects and asks whether it will be part of the referendum. It may not need to be part of the referendum because we may say no.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: Let us look at where the 7 dwarfs over there are coming from. During Question Time today, has the opposition asked one positive question in relation to Territory statehood in 2001, and all the benefits that will flow from it? No!
A member interjecting.
Mr REED: The Leader of the Opposition remains the party spoiler. She must have heard on the radio this morning that she is the party spoiler, and she does not want to change her record. All of her comments are negative. The opposition has no vision for the future. It lacks the capacity to see good in anything. The opposition is embroiled in a conspiracy theory. This is an historic moment in Territory history and all it can do is be negative. I am thankful that the 7 dwarfs and their negativity can be heard by people across the Northern Territory through the Territory network because Question Time is being broadcast. Territorians will be ashamed!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr REED: Members opposite saw the positive presentations on every television news station last night. Positive presentations were on the Channel 7 News, the Channel 8 News, and on the ABC News. The ABC news included a 6-minute item, a lead item. It is a national story that excited people. This item attracted people to look to the future and it encouraged them. People in the community have a vision, and the 7 dwarfs cannot see past their noses.
Mrs HICKEY: Point of order, Madam Speaker! I ask that the minister withdraw the remark about the 7 dwarfs. It is unparliamentary.
Madam SPEAKER: Acting Chief Minister, I think you should withdraw the remark.
Mr REED: The Magnificent Seven, Madam Speaker? I am happy to bear in mind their sensitivity, at your request Madam Speaker. They are not the 7 dwarfs.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016