Mr SETTER - 1995-11-30
The Committee on Darwin's recommendation No 76 was that an implementation task force, comprising senior representatives of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Department of the Chief Minister be established to ensure a collaborative approach by the Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments to the implementation of the committee's recommendations. Has such a task force been established and, if so, will the Chief Minister report on its progress to date?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform members that the Committee on Darwin Implementation Task Group has been established. The group held its first meeting on Monday of this week, in Darwin. The Northern Territory members of the task group are the Secretary of the Department of the Chief Minister, the Under Treasurer and the Secretary of the
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Department of Asian Relations, Trade and Industry. The task group is chaired by the Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Housing and Regional Development and also includes a senior officer from the Department of Finance. It is expected that the Commonwealth will nominate shortly a senior officer from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
This week's meeting was a preliminary planning meeting for the purposes of determining a work plan, identifying key planning issues and settling on administrative arrangements. Territory members of the task group were pleased with the positive tone of the meeting. I am encouraged by the task group's decision that, within the framework of the Wran report's recommendations, it will take a broad view of the issues that it is prepared to consider.
One of the most important, if not the most important, single issues that the Territory has identified for consideration by the task group is the Alice Springs to Darwin railway. As members are aware, the Wran committee found that the railway was not economically viable. However, my government is strongly of the view that, in its assessment of the data that was then before it, the committee erred in several respects. More importantly, new data has become available which shows that tonnages expected to be carried by the railway will be higher than previously estimated.
Mrs Hickey interjecting.
Mr STONE: Mr Speaker, I pick up the interjection. Was it from the member for Barkly? I am sure Territorians are interested in this particular issue ...
Mrs Hickey: Absolutely.
Mr STONE: ... in that it does impact on the Territory's future and on the growth of the commercial sector throughout the Territory. Thus, I am sure that they are interested in hearing the answer even though she may not be.
Mr Stirling: We are, but Barry should be giving it.
Mr STONE: The task group will provide the Territory with an opportunity to have this new data considered in detail. I am confident that this will give rise to a more positive assessment of the railway, particularly when seen in conjunction with the major port development now well under way at East Arm.
Mr Stirling: Have you taken over the portfolio?
Mr STONE: Obviously, the member for Nhulunbuy is not interested in what the future might hold ...
Mr Stirling: I am. I just wonder why the minister responsible is not giving this answer.
Mr STONE: ... with the Wran committee recommendations.
Mr Stirling: Do you run everything now?
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Mr STONE: In case you had not noticed - and I am surprised if you have not - ministerial statements etc on the Wran committee and everything it entails are the responsibility of the Chief Minister. It is obvious from the way questions are asked by members opposite that they do not understand who has responsibility ...
Mr Stirling: We would not ask you a question about the railway.
Mr STONE: I ask the member for Nhulunbuy to be quiet and to allow me to finish my answer because I am sure people listening to this broadcast are vitally interested in the recommended outcomes from the Wran committee.
I consider that these interlinked transport issues, together with the recommendations in the Wran report relating to defence, are the key issues which the task group will need to consider. If pursued vigorously and imaginatively, I believe that the implementation of these proposals will bring very considerable benefits to the people of the Northern Territory and indeed to the whole of Australia. The task group will also explore what action can be taken jointly by the Commonwealth and Territory governments to market Darwin as a supply source, particularly for services to East Asia, and to stimulate the rate of migration to the Top End both from overseas and from other parts of Australia. Population growth is a fundamentally important stimulus for economic development.
Although the Territory was disappointed and remains disappointed by the lack of imagination displayed by the Wran committee in its report, nevertheless the report contains recommendations which, if implemented, would be extremely beneficial for the Top End. Now that the joint implementation task group has been established, we look forward to the progressive implementation of these proposals. The task group plans to meet again in Darwin towards the end of January 1996, and will hold further meetings in February and March, leading up to the production of its first report in late April 1996. This should give sufficient time for any funding implications for agreed projects to be included in the 1996-97 Commonwealth budget which the Commonwealth has announced will be brought down in August of next year.
I am pleased with the cooperative atmosphere that has been displayed by the task group in the follow-up to the Wran report, and I assure members of this House and indeed all Territorians that my government will be working vigorously to ensure that we reap the fullest benefits possible for Territorians.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform members that the Committee on Darwin Implementation Task Group has been established. The group held its first meeting on Monday of this week, in Darwin. The Northern Territory members of the task group are the Secretary of the Department of the Chief Minister, the Under Treasurer and the Secretary of the
Page 1099
Department of Asian Relations, Trade and Industry. The task group is chaired by the Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Housing and Regional Development and also includes a senior officer from the Department of Finance. It is expected that the Commonwealth will nominate shortly a senior officer from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
This week's meeting was a preliminary planning meeting for the purposes of determining a work plan, identifying key planning issues and settling on administrative arrangements. Territory members of the task group were pleased with the positive tone of the meeting. I am encouraged by the task group's decision that, within the framework of the Wran report's recommendations, it will take a broad view of the issues that it is prepared to consider.
One of the most important, if not the most important, single issues that the Territory has identified for consideration by the task group is the Alice Springs to Darwin railway. As members are aware, the Wran committee found that the railway was not economically viable. However, my government is strongly of the view that, in its assessment of the data that was then before it, the committee erred in several respects. More importantly, new data has become available which shows that tonnages expected to be carried by the railway will be higher than previously estimated.
Mrs Hickey interjecting.
Mr STONE: Mr Speaker, I pick up the interjection. Was it from the member for Barkly? I am sure Territorians are interested in this particular issue ...
Mrs Hickey: Absolutely.
Mr STONE: ... in that it does impact on the Territory's future and on the growth of the commercial sector throughout the Territory. Thus, I am sure that they are interested in hearing the answer even though she may not be.
Mr Stirling: We are, but Barry should be giving it.
Mr STONE: The task group will provide the Territory with an opportunity to have this new data considered in detail. I am confident that this will give rise to a more positive assessment of the railway, particularly when seen in conjunction with the major port development now well under way at East Arm.
Mr Stirling: Have you taken over the portfolio?
Mr STONE: Obviously, the member for Nhulunbuy is not interested in what the future might hold ...
Mr Stirling: I am. I just wonder why the minister responsible is not giving this answer.
Mr STONE: ... with the Wran committee recommendations.
Mr Stirling: Do you run everything now?
Page 1100
Mr STONE: In case you had not noticed - and I am surprised if you have not - ministerial statements etc on the Wran committee and everything it entails are the responsibility of the Chief Minister. It is obvious from the way questions are asked by members opposite that they do not understand who has responsibility ...
Mr Stirling: We would not ask you a question about the railway.
Mr STONE: I ask the member for Nhulunbuy to be quiet and to allow me to finish my answer because I am sure people listening to this broadcast are vitally interested in the recommended outcomes from the Wran committee.
I consider that these interlinked transport issues, together with the recommendations in the Wran report relating to defence, are the key issues which the task group will need to consider. If pursued vigorously and imaginatively, I believe that the implementation of these proposals will bring very considerable benefits to the people of the Northern Territory and indeed to the whole of Australia. The task group will also explore what action can be taken jointly by the Commonwealth and Territory governments to market Darwin as a supply source, particularly for services to East Asia, and to stimulate the rate of migration to the Top End both from overseas and from other parts of Australia. Population growth is a fundamentally important stimulus for economic development.
Although the Territory was disappointed and remains disappointed by the lack of imagination displayed by the Wran committee in its report, nevertheless the report contains recommendations which, if implemented, would be extremely beneficial for the Top End. Now that the joint implementation task group has been established, we look forward to the progressive implementation of these proposals. The task group plans to meet again in Darwin towards the end of January 1996, and will hold further meetings in February and March, leading up to the production of its first report in late April 1996. This should give sufficient time for any funding implications for agreed projects to be included in the 1996-97 Commonwealth budget which the Commonwealth has announced will be brought down in August of next year.
I am pleased with the cooperative atmosphere that has been displayed by the task group in the follow-up to the Wran report, and I assure members of this House and indeed all Territorians that my government will be working vigorously to ensure that we reap the fullest benefits possible for Territorians.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016