Mr MILLS - 2004-02-17
Is it not a fact that the only existence of Asian Relations and Trade within the present Territory government is in the minister’s title? Is it not a fact that Asian Relations is listed as the sixth priority out of seven in the policy development coordination sub-branch of the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, and Trade is listed as the fourth priority of five in a completely different branch of the department? Why has the government dropped the ball on Asian Relations and Trade and downgraded it to an afterthought? The CLP government would once again give it the emphasis that it should have in the crucial role that it plays in the development of the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe the Opposition Leader is starting to believe his own rhetoric, and believes that if he comes in making statements about what the government is doing then it is right. The Opposition Leader, again, is wrong.
Working with countries to our north is a very high priority of this government. Let me tell you in terms of this year where I am intending to go: China, Singapore, and the Philippines, for a start. I, as Chief Minister, will be going to talk trade and tourism in China; to talk trade in the Philippines; and in Singapore to talk new tourism opportunities.
I will be travelling reasonably frequently into countries to our north this year, and to the rest of Australia, talking up the Territory. It is a pity the opposition can do no more than whinge and carp and be negative; part of what we need is every Territorian to be talking up the Territory. We have ten on thisat side of the House who cannot bring themselves to do that because their own political ambitions are so much more important than talking up the Territory.
Regarding the question asked by the Opposition Leader, if he looked at the strategic travel done by my Minister for Asian Relations and Trade and other ministers over the last year, he would realise what a significant part Asian Relations and Trade does play in this government’s activity. We can provide him with a list of the travel that was undertaken, not only by the Asian Relations minister, who was in Jakarta only last month, but other ministers as well.
Just because you want to stand up and make the point that you believe is the truth, it is not always right. As we saw in your attempted censure this morning, Leader of the Opposition, you have to get the facts right.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe the Opposition Leader is starting to believe his own rhetoric, and believes that if he comes in making statements about what the government is doing then it is right. The Opposition Leader, again, is wrong.
Working with countries to our north is a very high priority of this government. Let me tell you in terms of this year where I am intending to go: China, Singapore, and the Philippines, for a start. I, as Chief Minister, will be going to talk trade and tourism in China; to talk trade in the Philippines; and in Singapore to talk new tourism opportunities.
I will be travelling reasonably frequently into countries to our north this year, and to the rest of Australia, talking up the Territory. It is a pity the opposition can do no more than whinge and carp and be negative; part of what we need is every Territorian to be talking up the Territory. We have ten on thisat side of the House who cannot bring themselves to do that because their own political ambitions are so much more important than talking up the Territory.
Regarding the question asked by the Opposition Leader, if he looked at the strategic travel done by my Minister for Asian Relations and Trade and other ministers over the last year, he would realise what a significant part Asian Relations and Trade does play in this government’s activity. We can provide him with a list of the travel that was undertaken, not only by the Asian Relations minister, who was in Jakarta only last month, but other ministers as well.
Just because you want to stand up and make the point that you believe is the truth, it is not always right. As we saw in your attempted censure this morning, Leader of the Opposition, you have to get the facts right.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016