Ms LAWRIE - 2013-02-13
The public protest yesterday showed the extent of the outcry against your decisions. You have broken core election promises, stupidly said people should approach drunks and tell them to stop drinking, that seniors are using buses willy-nilly like they are public transport, and that your $2000 Power and Water bill hikes are a superficial issue.
How can you be so completely out of touch with Territorians? Will you admit you have got it wrong?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. The question, if it was really considered on its merits and the context in which it sits, recognises there is a problem that needs to be responded to.
There is a real problem that you are well aware of ...
Ms Lawrie: You!
Mr MILLS: Yes, well, that is how low-level we get.
We need leadership and courage to be able to face these problems properly and honestly, then find a way to make progress in the Northern Territory. By the level of leadership that has been shown by the Opposition Leader, I do not believe anyone in the community will be looking to, and be hopeful it will come from, the Labor Party
The question you ask begs that, given there is a very real debt problem - dismiss it if you wish; however, you cannot - you would then have to assume that how that question is dealt with needs to also be answered by you. If the people who gathered yesterday at the front of the parliament - which is the first time I have seen the great Labor Party have the courage to stand at a public protest - I have never seen the Labor Party front any angry group. You will pay people from Victoria ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Chief Minister, please be seated.
Mr Mills: Oh, now they are upset!
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am not upset. Relevance. The question was clear. Does he admit he was wrong because he is saying Power and Water price hikes are superficial?
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: The relevance - good question. You found your relevance now, have you not? You are in opposition. This is wonderful. You can point at all the decisions a real government is taking, criticise them, and gloat when you have angry protesters we had the courage to present ourselves respectfully to and take those concerns on board ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Why do you not govern for Territorians, not just yourselves and your old mates?
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Please be seated. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: The real question for a considered response is if you are in government, acknowledging there is a massive debt problem, what would you do? All those people who were out there yesterday have to consider what Delia would do in real terms. Nothing …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
How can you be so completely out of touch with Territorians? Will you admit you have got it wrong?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. The question, if it was really considered on its merits and the context in which it sits, recognises there is a problem that needs to be responded to.
There is a real problem that you are well aware of ...
Ms Lawrie: You!
Mr MILLS: Yes, well, that is how low-level we get.
We need leadership and courage to be able to face these problems properly and honestly, then find a way to make progress in the Northern Territory. By the level of leadership that has been shown by the Opposition Leader, I do not believe anyone in the community will be looking to, and be hopeful it will come from, the Labor Party
The question you ask begs that, given there is a very real debt problem - dismiss it if you wish; however, you cannot - you would then have to assume that how that question is dealt with needs to also be answered by you. If the people who gathered yesterday at the front of the parliament - which is the first time I have seen the great Labor Party have the courage to stand at a public protest - I have never seen the Labor Party front any angry group. You will pay people from Victoria ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Chief Minister, please be seated.
Mr Mills: Oh, now they are upset!
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am not upset. Relevance. The question was clear. Does he admit he was wrong because he is saying Power and Water price hikes are superficial?
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: The relevance - good question. You found your relevance now, have you not? You are in opposition. This is wonderful. You can point at all the decisions a real government is taking, criticise them, and gloat when you have angry protesters we had the courage to present ourselves respectfully to and take those concerns on board ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Why do you not govern for Territorians, not just yourselves and your old mates?
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Please be seated. Chief Minister, you have the call.
Mr MILLS: The real question for a considered response is if you are in government, acknowledging there is a massive debt problem, what would you do? All those people who were out there yesterday have to consider what Delia would do in real terms. Nothing …
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016