Ms LAWRIE - 2014-08-21
We read with disgust in this morning’s NT News of the undisciplined offensive homophobic rant by the member for Fong Lim against the son of the member for Daly. In the private or public sector, such repugnant language, bullying and disrespect for a colleague’s son would result in the sacking of an employee. As with Conlan-gate earlier this year, your leadership has again been found wanting. An apology simply does not cut it. What message does it send to the member for Daly, his son and our community to let this behaviour go unpunished? Will you show some leadership and sack the Deputy Chief Minister?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. As the Leader of the Opposition and many other people know, I have no tolerance for discrimination in any form, whether it is based on race, religion, sexual preference, political preference or otherwise. Political preferences have been the subject of much debate over the last few Question Times.
I have had the opportunity to chat with the Deputy Chief Minister about his comments. As people will read, he has had a conversation with the staff member in question and also with the member for Daly. It is an in-house matter these gentlemen had a conversation about. Both members of parliament are distressed that these matters have been aired in public. It has been dealt with internally, as it is an internal matter. Regrettably, from time to time these things go outside the confines of private communications within our team. The member …
Ms Fyles: If it had not have gone out would you have accepted it?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: This is a pretty serious matter, member for Nightcliff. The member for Daly is distressed – he loves his son, no doubt – as the Deputy Chief Minister is distressed. Having said that, the matter was dealt with last week. We are moving on and getting on with business.
Thank you very much to the member for Daly, the Deputy Chief Minister and the team for coming together. These are difficult times and no one likes to see commentary around discriminatory matters. The Deputy Chief Minister and the staff member in question are good mates and operate through a jovial relationship; the matter has been dealt with internally. We will now get on with governing for the Northern Territory.
Last night, I had the opportunity of being at a dinner for SEAAOC, which is operating in Darwin. It is a fantastic opportunity to catch up with many leaders and world leaders who operate in the offshore and onshore gas environment.
I can update the House that we have been working at length over the last two years, especially over the last 18 months, to ensure that post-first tranche for INPEX in the second half of 2016 we have a long and continual supportive base for our economy to make sure we have jobs going into the future.
Out of the conversations I had last night, there appears to be some significant lights on the horizon, and the future looks very bright post-INPEX tranches one and two. I look forward to making announcements in the near future.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. As the Leader of the Opposition and many other people know, I have no tolerance for discrimination in any form, whether it is based on race, religion, sexual preference, political preference or otherwise. Political preferences have been the subject of much debate over the last few Question Times.
I have had the opportunity to chat with the Deputy Chief Minister about his comments. As people will read, he has had a conversation with the staff member in question and also with the member for Daly. It is an in-house matter these gentlemen had a conversation about. Both members of parliament are distressed that these matters have been aired in public. It has been dealt with internally, as it is an internal matter. Regrettably, from time to time these things go outside the confines of private communications within our team. The member …
Ms Fyles: If it had not have gone out would you have accepted it?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: This is a pretty serious matter, member for Nightcliff. The member for Daly is distressed – he loves his son, no doubt – as the Deputy Chief Minister is distressed. Having said that, the matter was dealt with last week. We are moving on and getting on with business.
Thank you very much to the member for Daly, the Deputy Chief Minister and the team for coming together. These are difficult times and no one likes to see commentary around discriminatory matters. The Deputy Chief Minister and the staff member in question are good mates and operate through a jovial relationship; the matter has been dealt with internally. We will now get on with governing for the Northern Territory.
Last night, I had the opportunity of being at a dinner for SEAAOC, which is operating in Darwin. It is a fantastic opportunity to catch up with many leaders and world leaders who operate in the offshore and onshore gas environment.
I can update the House that we have been working at length over the last two years, especially over the last 18 months, to ensure that post-first tranche for INPEX in the second half of 2016 we have a long and continual supportive base for our economy to make sure we have jobs going into the future.
Out of the conversations I had last night, there appears to be some significant lights on the horizon, and the future looks very bright post-INPEX tranches one and two. I look forward to making announcements in the near future.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016