Mr VATSKALIS - 2014-03-26
The member for Arnhem might like this question. As part of the 2012 election campaign, the CLP promised to upgrade and seal access roads to barge landings in Arnhem Land, including Gapuwiyak. What has happened with improvements in access to the Gapuwiyak barge landings? When will the member for Arnhem be able to say this election commitment has been delivered?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Casuarina for his question. The government is negotiating with councils in relation to barge landings throughout western and eastern Arnhem Land. Some damage has been caused to different barge landings. In the last 12 months, the government has spent approximately $413m on infrastructure in the bush and remote areas.
Members interjecting.
Mr STYLES: There are land tenure issues, we have plans to build hard stands with these …
Members interjecting.
Mr STYLES: Madam Speaker, they ask a question and they either do not like the answer - there is an answer, they might not like it, and perhaps they do not understand negotiation. I am sure they did it when they were in government, although it seems they did not do it well. We have to negotiate to ensure taxpayers’ dollars are spent efficiently and effectively.
There are many barge landings there. We are aware there are enterprises in the communities wanting to take control of these barge landings and operate them as businesses. They are negotiating with the Northern Land Council and their TOs to ensure land is available so we can build the hard stands.
There is a large amount of investment going into regional and rural areas, with boat ramps and a whole range of other things. We have to build the roads to get to the boat ramps …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The question was: when? If the minister does not know when, can he advise when he does know?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr STYLES: This is interesting, maybe the member for Fannie Bay has some knowledge he might like to share with the House on those negotiations. Perhaps the member for Casuarina knows something behind the scenes about those negotiations. We are negotiating. In the budget …
Members interjecting.
Mr STYLES: They do not want the answer to this. They want an answer to suit them. Negotiations are ongoing. There is money in the budget to be released in May which will demonstrate a clear intention of this government to look after the bush.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Casuarina for his question. The government is negotiating with councils in relation to barge landings throughout western and eastern Arnhem Land. Some damage has been caused to different barge landings. In the last 12 months, the government has spent approximately $413m on infrastructure in the bush and remote areas.
Members interjecting.
Mr STYLES: There are land tenure issues, we have plans to build hard stands with these …
Members interjecting.
Mr STYLES: Madam Speaker, they ask a question and they either do not like the answer - there is an answer, they might not like it, and perhaps they do not understand negotiation. I am sure they did it when they were in government, although it seems they did not do it well. We have to negotiate to ensure taxpayers’ dollars are spent efficiently and effectively.
There are many barge landings there. We are aware there are enterprises in the communities wanting to take control of these barge landings and operate them as businesses. They are negotiating with the Northern Land Council and their TOs to ensure land is available so we can build the hard stands.
There is a large amount of investment going into regional and rural areas, with boat ramps and a whole range of other things. We have to build the roads to get to the boat ramps …
Mr GUNNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. The question was: when? If the minister does not know when, can he advise when he does know?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr STYLES: This is interesting, maybe the member for Fannie Bay has some knowledge he might like to share with the House on those negotiations. Perhaps the member for Casuarina knows something behind the scenes about those negotiations. We are negotiating. In the budget …
Members interjecting.
Mr STYLES: They do not want the answer to this. They want an answer to suit them. Negotiations are ongoing. There is money in the budget to be released in May which will demonstrate a clear intention of this government to look after the bush.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016