Mr BELL - 1994-06-30
I refer the minister to the statement in his department's most recent annual report, the 1992-93 report, that $8.3m-worth of untied local roads funding was spent in 1992-93. Can the minister account to the people of the Northern Territory, particularly those in my electorate, as to how that money was spent in that year and how the equivalent sum was spent in the 1993-94 financial year which concludes today?
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am able to make such account. Obviously, the details are not available to me at the moment, but there is no problem in providing that general information. I remind the member that $7.8m was redirected in regard to local roads. We know that $4.1m of that sum went to Aboriginal community councils and has caused a major problem in many areas, including in the member's electorate. I am very pleased to see that the federal government recognises now that the problem is real and that concrete action is being taken to form a committee which will involve all concerned. That committee will be able to examine and sort out the problems that have been brought about by the interference of Mr Snowdon supported by the member for MacDonnell.
Mr Bell: Garbage!
Mr MANZIE: I am glad to note that those matters will be resolved positively now. Some of the spurious information that the member for MacDonnell has circulated to some of his constituents, which is along the line that the Territory government is withholding moneys and that type of thing ...
Mr BELL: A point of order, Mr Speaker! The imputation that I tell lies with ...
Mr Manzie: I did not say that.
Mr BELL: ... 'spurious information' is the type of allegation in relation to which the minister is in the habit of calling a point of order. Ordinarily, I am sufficiently robust to accept it but, in view of the Attorney-General's attitude yesterday, I call a point of order.
Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am able to make such account. Obviously, the details are not available to me at the moment, but there is no problem in providing that general information. I remind the member that $7.8m was redirected in regard to local roads. We know that $4.1m of that sum went to Aboriginal community councils and has caused a major problem in many areas, including in the member's electorate. I am very pleased to see that the federal government recognises now that the problem is real and that concrete action is being taken to form a committee which will involve all concerned. That committee will be able to examine and sort out the problems that have been brought about by the interference of Mr Snowdon supported by the member for MacDonnell.
Mr Bell: Garbage!
Mr MANZIE: I am glad to note that those matters will be resolved positively now. Some of the spurious information that the member for MacDonnell has circulated to some of his constituents, which is along the line that the Territory government is withholding moneys and that type of thing ...
Mr BELL: A point of order, Mr Speaker! The imputation that I tell lies with ...
Mr Manzie: I did not say that.
Mr BELL: ... 'spurious information' is the type of allegation in relation to which the minister is in the habit of calling a point of order. Ordinarily, I am sufficiently robust to accept it but, in view of the Attorney-General's attitude yesterday, I call a point of order.
Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016