Mr McCARTHY - 2013-10-09
You claim there are no indicators of things trending badly in the bush, and that you are building up jobs in remote communities. Sadly, the reality for you is the exact opposite. Jobs are being cut in bush schools and lost in health clinics. Community people are losing their jobs in schools and health clinics. Shire jobs are under threat with your new repairs and maintenance tender. In the face of compelling evidence of job losses and rising unemployment, tell us again how good things are under your government in the bush.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the current Deputy Leader of the Opposition. It would be very interesting if there was a local government policy from Labor regarding where they stand. Do they still stand by the shires or do they support our approach to build and develop regional councils and give voices back to people? Do you support our policy or are you going to come up with a policy?
Going to the question from the member for Barkly about jobs in the bush, I was in Tennant Creek last week. I am a fantastic supporter of Tennant Creek ...
Ms Walker: Did you let people know you were coming?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Nhulunbuy!
Mr GILES: I will get to you in a minute, member for Nhulunbuy. You are a disgrace.
We were in Tennant Creek looking at the economic indicators in Barkly, and Tennant Creek in particular, some of the social issues such as alcohol consumption, law and order, domestic violence, and the fact that in the eleven-and-a-half years of the Labor government …
Members interjecting.
Mr GILES: I pose a test. How many public houses did Labor build in Tennant Creek in eleven-and-a-half years? Houses are a very important issue. We talk about cost of living. How many houses? Zero. Not one house in eleven-and-a-half years …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. Town camps in Tennant Creek are full of new houses.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order, sit down!
Mr GILES: I encourage the Leader of the Opposition to talk to her colleague, the member for Barkly, and ask how many new houses were built out of the $36.5m SIHIP money that went into Tennant Creek. In fact, there was one house built in 2010 under the building economic revolution money, which replaced a burnt-out house. Not one house, not one extra bedroom for $36.5m.
Let us get to the heart of the question. We will go straight to Tennant Creek and the Barkly. The real question is what is the economic future of that region? This is part of putting the Chief Minister’s office there to coordinate with all of our agencies, start addressing those issues, coordinating strategies, and working out what the economic strength can be.
I have already spoken to the Minister for Mines and Energy, and Primary Industry to get some topographical mapping, look at the ground and surface water, and the best horticultural opportunities there. Let us look at the mining opportunities. We are already talking to Blue Energy …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. We talked about clinics and schools, and repairs and maintenance ...
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, member for Barkly! Sit down!
Mr GILES: If the member for Barkly wants information, the Wiso Basin will be opened for exploration opportunities for gas by Blue Energy. These things present an opportunity for jobs in the region. The Country Liberals will deliver on jobs and economic growth; something you completely forgot about in your own electorate ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the current Deputy Leader of the Opposition. It would be very interesting if there was a local government policy from Labor regarding where they stand. Do they still stand by the shires or do they support our approach to build and develop regional councils and give voices back to people? Do you support our policy or are you going to come up with a policy?
Going to the question from the member for Barkly about jobs in the bush, I was in Tennant Creek last week. I am a fantastic supporter of Tennant Creek ...
Ms Walker: Did you let people know you were coming?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Nhulunbuy!
Mr GILES: I will get to you in a minute, member for Nhulunbuy. You are a disgrace.
We were in Tennant Creek looking at the economic indicators in Barkly, and Tennant Creek in particular, some of the social issues such as alcohol consumption, law and order, domestic violence, and the fact that in the eleven-and-a-half years of the Labor government …
Members interjecting.
Mr GILES: I pose a test. How many public houses did Labor build in Tennant Creek in eleven-and-a-half years? Houses are a very important issue. We talk about cost of living. How many houses? Zero. Not one house in eleven-and-a-half years …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. Town camps in Tennant Creek are full of new houses.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order, sit down!
Mr GILES: I encourage the Leader of the Opposition to talk to her colleague, the member for Barkly, and ask how many new houses were built out of the $36.5m SIHIP money that went into Tennant Creek. In fact, there was one house built in 2010 under the building economic revolution money, which replaced a burnt-out house. Not one house, not one extra bedroom for $36.5m.
Let us get to the heart of the question. We will go straight to Tennant Creek and the Barkly. The real question is what is the economic future of that region? This is part of putting the Chief Minister’s office there to coordinate with all of our agencies, start addressing those issues, coordinating strategies, and working out what the economic strength can be.
I have already spoken to the Minister for Mines and Energy, and Primary Industry to get some topographical mapping, look at the ground and surface water, and the best horticultural opportunities there. Let us look at the mining opportunities. We are already talking to Blue Energy …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. We talked about clinics and schools, and repairs and maintenance ...
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, member for Barkly! Sit down!
Mr GILES: If the member for Barkly wants information, the Wiso Basin will be opened for exploration opportunities for gas by Blue Energy. These things present an opportunity for jobs in the region. The Country Liberals will deliver on jobs and economic growth; something you completely forgot about in your own electorate ...
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016