Mr McCARTHY - 2012-10-31
In the 100-day plan of the CLP - your plan - you promised you would seek expressions of interest for the head of your independent EPA and your planning commission. Instead, you broke the promise. You handpicked your mate, Gary Nairn, former CLP President, former Liberal politician. I ask you to table the salaries of your mates and their budget for travel and hospitality.
In relation to your 100-day plan, Day 5: open up expressions of interest and applications for the appointment of chair of your independent planning commission and chair of the independent EPA. We hear all about honesty and accountability. Why did you break your promise to Territorians?
ANSWER
You must be running short on questions. You asked this question last week ...
Mr McCarthy: I have not asked this question before.
Mr MILLS: No, you are a part of a team.
Mr McCarthy: You have it now, so answer it.
Mr MILLS: I answered it last week. You are quite right; you did not see an advertisement in the paper. As Chief Minister, I made a decision to identify those people would be able to do the job. I was criticised at the time for doing it. It is a matter of making the right decision. Ultimately, the fifth point of the five-point plan is hold us accountable ...
Ms Lawrie: What is his salary?
Mr MILLS: Just relax. Wait to see the results of this decision in regard to quality planning!
By the way, Mr Nairn was sought after and accepted a position working for the Labor government in Tasmania, such is the respect they have for him. He provides support right across the country and is highly regarded nationally. It is a good thing we have been able to secure his services in the Northern Territory. If you wanted to run the imputations of your line of questioning in the view of the wider community …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance – 113. What is the salary, what is the travel and hospitality budget of these two handpicked positions?
Mr MILLS: You can probably guess what I will say. I will not hide that; it will be made known to you. The point is, this is not what you are after - thinking you will get us. These things are not hidden; they will be made known to you.
However, making a decision to put a quality person who is highly regarded nationally and has been so well supported in the Territory community to do a particular job - you will see the results of this decision in time, so bear with us. Regarding the ...
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Ignoring an expression of interest process across our nation and the Northern Territory is out of order ...
Madam SPEAKER: No, there is no point of order, please be seated.
Mr MILLS: I accept responsibility for that and, ultimately, you will see. Those who have been chosen …
Mr Henderson: You lied to Territorians!
Mr MILLS: … you could not have better ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Wanguri should withdraw that allegation or make it by way of substantive motion.
Mr HENDERSON: I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Wanguri. Chief Minister.
Mr MILLS: I have answered the question.
In relation to your 100-day plan, Day 5: open up expressions of interest and applications for the appointment of chair of your independent planning commission and chair of the independent EPA. We hear all about honesty and accountability. Why did you break your promise to Territorians?
ANSWER
You must be running short on questions. You asked this question last week ...
Mr McCarthy: I have not asked this question before.
Mr MILLS: No, you are a part of a team.
Mr McCarthy: You have it now, so answer it.
Mr MILLS: I answered it last week. You are quite right; you did not see an advertisement in the paper. As Chief Minister, I made a decision to identify those people would be able to do the job. I was criticised at the time for doing it. It is a matter of making the right decision. Ultimately, the fifth point of the five-point plan is hold us accountable ...
Ms Lawrie: What is his salary?
Mr MILLS: Just relax. Wait to see the results of this decision in regard to quality planning!
By the way, Mr Nairn was sought after and accepted a position working for the Labor government in Tasmania, such is the respect they have for him. He provides support right across the country and is highly regarded nationally. It is a good thing we have been able to secure his services in the Northern Territory. If you wanted to run the imputations of your line of questioning in the view of the wider community …
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Relevance – 113. What is the salary, what is the travel and hospitality budget of these two handpicked positions?
Mr MILLS: You can probably guess what I will say. I will not hide that; it will be made known to you. The point is, this is not what you are after - thinking you will get us. These things are not hidden; they will be made known to you.
However, making a decision to put a quality person who is highly regarded nationally and has been so well supported in the Territory community to do a particular job - you will see the results of this decision in time, so bear with us. Regarding the ...
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Ignoring an expression of interest process across our nation and the Northern Territory is out of order ...
Madam SPEAKER: No, there is no point of order, please be seated.
Mr MILLS: I accept responsibility for that and, ultimately, you will see. Those who have been chosen …
Mr Henderson: You lied to Territorians!
Mr MILLS: … you could not have better ...
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Wanguri should withdraw that allegation or make it by way of substantive motion.
Mr HENDERSON: I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Wanguri. Chief Minister.
Mr MILLS: I have answered the question.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016