Mr STIRLING - 1994-10-12
In his letter to the Litchfield Shire Council telling it that he intended appointing himself consent authority for the Gunn Point area, the minister gave as the very first ground that the land in Question is owned by the Northern Territory government. Mr Speaker, I seek leave to table a copy of that letter.
Leave granted.
Mr STIRLING: Over 90% of the Gunn Point land is owned actually by the Northern Territory Land Corporation which is supposedly independent of government, as is clearly set out in section 6 of the Corporations (Northern Territory) Act. Does the minister now consider land that is corporation land to be the same as Northern Territory government land?
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I remind the honourable member of the responses I gave in answer to Questions from the member for Nelson on this subject last week when, by way of interjection, I believe the member for Wanguri made the point that this land was held by the Northern Territory Land Corporation. I said: 'Well, if that is the case, then I am wrong and I apologise'. On that basis, I maintain the same position. We do accept the fact that, if the land is with the Northern Territory Land Corporation, it is not government land. We have maintained that position continuously. That issue has been corrected already in this House ...
Mr Bailey: You gazetted it in the Government Gazette, you table it in the Planning Authority.
Mr HATTON: Shut up, will you! Just take it easy because these microphones are so sensitive that people on the radio cannot hear what is being said, and they may be interested.
Mr Bailey: They may be interested if you mislead them.
Mr HATTON: Mr Speaker, I dealt with this issue last week. We have maintained that position consistently. If the land is with the Northern Territory Land Corporation, it is alienated Crown land.
I was advised at the time of providing the answer that it was our title. I answered on that basis. As a result of the interjection that it was Northern Territory Land Corporation land, I checked subsequently and found that to be the case. I accept that it is alienated and not vacant Crown land.
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Leave granted.
Mr STIRLING: Over 90% of the Gunn Point land is owned actually by the Northern Territory Land Corporation which is supposedly independent of government, as is clearly set out in section 6 of the Corporations (Northern Territory) Act. Does the minister now consider land that is corporation land to be the same as Northern Territory government land?
Page 234
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I remind the honourable member of the responses I gave in answer to Questions from the member for Nelson on this subject last week when, by way of interjection, I believe the member for Wanguri made the point that this land was held by the Northern Territory Land Corporation. I said: 'Well, if that is the case, then I am wrong and I apologise'. On that basis, I maintain the same position. We do accept the fact that, if the land is with the Northern Territory Land Corporation, it is not government land. We have maintained that position continuously. That issue has been corrected already in this House ...
Mr Bailey: You gazetted it in the Government Gazette, you table it in the Planning Authority.
Mr HATTON: Shut up, will you! Just take it easy because these microphones are so sensitive that people on the radio cannot hear what is being said, and they may be interested.
Mr Bailey: They may be interested if you mislead them.
Mr HATTON: Mr Speaker, I dealt with this issue last week. We have maintained that position consistently. If the land is with the Northern Territory Land Corporation, it is alienated Crown land.
I was advised at the time of providing the answer that it was our title. I answered on that basis. As a result of the interjection that it was Northern Territory Land Corporation land, I checked subsequently and found that to be the case. I accept that it is alienated and not vacant Crown land.
Page 235
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016