Ms LAWRIE - 2014-08-21
You have had all of Question Time to rethink your stance on protecting your mate, the Deputy Chief Minister. Our society does not accept, in any way, the homophobic bullying rant that took place in the workplace. You know it breaches every test of decency. You have previously allowed a minister to get away with abhorrent and unacceptable language and behaviour. That sends a message to the community that you find these standards acceptable.
Will you step up and do the right thing? Send a clear, defining message to Territorians that homophobic and bullying rants will never be acceptable in the Territory, and sack the Deputy Chief Minister.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for that question. I went to some lengths to answer this in the first question earlier today. I will make it clear that homophobic positions in the Northern Territory are not suitable. There is no suitability within our community for homophobia, xenophobia or any other discriminatory elements.
The story that is in the newspaper does not accurately reflect the conversations which were held in the office. I have had an opportunity to talk to the Deputy Chief Minister, who has spoken with the staff member in question. I have spoken with the member for Daly, whose son we are talking about. There is a very important and personal issue for many people involved on this side. We have ensured the message is clear about having zero tolerance for homophobia and any discriminatory practices across the Northern Territory ...
Ms Lawrie: You are brushing it under the carpet.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader!
Mr GILES: Your interjection was about brushing something under the carpet. That was the first and foremost thing dealt with last week when this incident occurred. We dealt with it. I say a big thank you to the staff member in question and to the member for Daly, to whom these issues have on occasion, over many years, caused some personal interest - if I can put it that way.
The team on this side of the Chamber is enormously united in how we are moving forward in a number of areas, correcting your wrongs over eleven-and-a-half years of government. Your question about whether or not David should be sacked …
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. It was a very direct question. Show some leadership and sack the Deputy Chief Minister.
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a question. It is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: True adversity builds strong teams of people working together. The 13 members on this side of the table are driving forward with the Northern Territory. There is no room for homophobia, bullying or any other discriminatory elements in our society or the workplace. I have dealt with the matter at hand, and we are moving on with growing the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: What is the standing order?
Mr TOLLNER: Offensive comments have been made …
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down! I said there should be standing order numbers …
Mr TOLLNER: I have just had a number of offensive comments thrown at me …
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down! The Chief Minister has the call.
Mr GILES: On this side of the Chamber we are getting on with the job. We have had a personal issue which we have dealt with. There is no room for discrimination, homophobia or any other discriminatory elements in the workplace, society, or otherwise.
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Will you step up and do the right thing? Send a clear, defining message to Territorians that homophobic and bullying rants will never be acceptable in the Territory, and sack the Deputy Chief Minister.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for that question. I went to some lengths to answer this in the first question earlier today. I will make it clear that homophobic positions in the Northern Territory are not suitable. There is no suitability within our community for homophobia, xenophobia or any other discriminatory elements.
The story that is in the newspaper does not accurately reflect the conversations which were held in the office. I have had an opportunity to talk to the Deputy Chief Minister, who has spoken with the staff member in question. I have spoken with the member for Daly, whose son we are talking about. There is a very important and personal issue for many people involved on this side. We have ensured the message is clear about having zero tolerance for homophobia and any discriminatory practices across the Northern Territory ...
Ms Lawrie: You are brushing it under the carpet.
Madam SPEAKER: Opposition Leader!
Mr GILES: Your interjection was about brushing something under the carpet. That was the first and foremost thing dealt with last week when this incident occurred. We dealt with it. I say a big thank you to the staff member in question and to the member for Daly, to whom these issues have on occasion, over many years, caused some personal interest - if I can put it that way.
The team on this side of the Chamber is enormously united in how we are moving forward in a number of areas, correcting your wrongs over eleven-and-a-half years of government. Your question about whether or not David should be sacked …
Ms FYLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. It was a very direct question. Show some leadership and sack the Deputy Chief Minister.
Madam SPEAKER: That is not a question. It is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: True adversity builds strong teams of people working together. The 13 members on this side of the table are driving forward with the Northern Territory. There is no room for homophobia, bullying or any other discriminatory elements in our society or the workplace. I have dealt with the matter at hand, and we are moving on with growing the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: What is the standing order?
Mr TOLLNER: Offensive comments have been made …
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down! I said there should be standing order numbers …
Mr TOLLNER: I have just had a number of offensive comments thrown at me …
Madam SPEAKER: Sit down! The Chief Minister has the call.
Mr GILES: On this side of the Chamber we are getting on with the job. We have had a personal issue which we have dealt with. There is no room for discrimination, homophobia or any other discriminatory elements in the workplace, society, or otherwise.
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016