Mr BURKE - 2005-03-22
On 27 January, in a media release, you said ‘Sexual offences against children are truly horrific and disturbing crimes’. Given this statement showing concern about the horror of such crimes, do you believe it is wrong for a minister of government to direct abusive sexual taunts at a person who was a victim of child abuse?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this government takes the issue of child sexual abuse very seriously. We are proud to stand on our record when it comes to protecting victims of child abuse and sexual assault. There is no doubt about that fact that, after years of neglect, we are getting on with the job of reforming child protection right across the Territory. We have nearly tripled the child protection budget - up from $7.8m when the now Opposition Leader was the boss in 2001-02 - to over $20m, a tripling of that budget, in 2004-05.
In addition, we have undertaken major reforms in relation to child sex offences. These include new offences to fill gaps which fail to give adequate recognition and protection to boys; new offences in relation to 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent exploitation of young people by persons in authoritative positions …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very straightforward: does the Chief Minister condone one of her ministers making such comments?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. As you well know, the nature of the reply is at the discretion of the minister. Please, remember your rules.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I am assuming the opposition is taking this issue very seriously and would like to see what the priorities and increased resources of government are.
We have also removed offences that are no longer appropriate in cases of child abuse. We have replaced child pornography offences with new offences dealing with child abuse material. Penalties for child sex offenders have been significantly increased, with sentences almost doubling under this government’s reform.
Madam Speaker, the heart of the question which the Opposition Leader asked was to do with a decision you made in the last session of parliament dealing with relative behaviours of two members of this House. I have spoken to the member of Johnston about responding to provocation - very unseemly provocation …
Mr Burke: That is a lie. It is not true.
Ms MARTIN: … across the House …
Mr Burke: Do not tell lies.
Ms MARTIN: … and Madam Speaker’s response to those situations …
Mr STIRLING: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: There is a point of order called. I would like you to withdraw that remark.
Mr BURKE: Madam Speaker, under standing orders, I can withdraw or move a substantive motion. I am happy to move a substantive motion.
Editor’s Note: Question Time suspended for proposed censure motion.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this government takes the issue of child sexual abuse very seriously. We are proud to stand on our record when it comes to protecting victims of child abuse and sexual assault. There is no doubt about that fact that, after years of neglect, we are getting on with the job of reforming child protection right across the Territory. We have nearly tripled the child protection budget - up from $7.8m when the now Opposition Leader was the boss in 2001-02 - to over $20m, a tripling of that budget, in 2004-05.
In addition, we have undertaken major reforms in relation to child sex offences. These include new offences to fill gaps which fail to give adequate recognition and protection to boys; new offences in relation to 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent exploitation of young people by persons in authoritative positions …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question was very straightforward: does the Chief Minister condone one of her ministers making such comments?
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. As you well know, the nature of the reply is at the discretion of the minister. Please, remember your rules.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, I am assuming the opposition is taking this issue very seriously and would like to see what the priorities and increased resources of government are.
We have also removed offences that are no longer appropriate in cases of child abuse. We have replaced child pornography offences with new offences dealing with child abuse material. Penalties for child sex offenders have been significantly increased, with sentences almost doubling under this government’s reform.
Madam Speaker, the heart of the question which the Opposition Leader asked was to do with a decision you made in the last session of parliament dealing with relative behaviours of two members of this House. I have spoken to the member of Johnston about responding to provocation - very unseemly provocation …
Mr Burke: That is a lie. It is not true.
Ms MARTIN: … across the House …
Mr Burke: Do not tell lies.
Ms MARTIN: … and Madam Speaker’s response to those situations …
Mr STIRLING: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: There is a point of order called. I would like you to withdraw that remark.
Mr BURKE: Madam Speaker, under standing orders, I can withdraw or move a substantive motion. I am happy to move a substantive motion.
Editor’s Note: Question Time suspended for proposed censure motion.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016