Mr STIRLING - 1995-10-11
Does he support the very heavy-handed intervention of the Minister for Power and Water in what was essentially a sensitive family matter at Galiwinku, based on the minister's own premise that he had some right to intervene because, in his own words, he was `a minister of the Crown' and he `funded the place'? How does the Chief Minister see that statement by the minister fitting in with his own statement that his is a `government for all'?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this matter was brought to my attention by the president of the community on Elcho Island. When I received the letter and the allegations it contained, I raised them with my ministerial colleague. What started to unfold from that point became a very interesting exercise because it would appear that the story had been told very selectively. I am sure that the member for Nhulunbuy will concede that he was not there when the incident occurred. He arrived in the community the day after the event.
Mr Stirling: In fact, I was in the community at the time. I was not at the meeting.
Mr STONE: You certainly were not a witness to the conversation that took place between the minister and other people who were part of what was occurring on Elcho Island at that time. It became evident to me that only half the story had been put to me and only half the story had been told. If you will afford the minister an opportunity to give his version of events, I know he will be delighted to take that opportunity. However, I say this. A trend is beginning to emerge where a minister may go to a community and the next thing we know is that a letter is addressed to the government that is full of allegations and supposed details of who said what to whom. We then have to attempt to pick up the pieces and find out the truth. If this is some sort of tactic that the opposition is running, I can tell members opposite that it will not wash with the communities. They should also be very clear about this. When a minister of the Crown goes into a community, he goes in there as of right. That is a fact.
Mr Stirling: Yes, no problem.
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Mr STONE: You have no problem with that. For a minister of the Crown to be told that he is not allowed or should not go to a community unless he has an invitation or the consent of the council is absolute nonsense. If we are to have proper government and proper administration in the Territory, we do not need any of this nonsense. There were some ugly facts attendant on the incident referred to in the question. I think the key player in all of this is probably fairly remorseful and sorry about what happened. However, as I said ...
Mr Stirling: I think there may be a couple.
Mr STONE: Yes. I do not think that he would thank you for coming in here and flagging it either, unless he has asked you to do it. Perhaps I might ask that. Did he ask you to do this?
Mr Stirling: We have spoken about this.
Mr STONE: I see.
Mr Stirling: After it occurred.
Mr STONE: The minister should be given the opportunity to tell his version of events, and I am sure he will take it.
Mr SPEAKER: The Minister for Power and Water.
Mr BURKE: Mr Speaker, whilst I am happy to give a version of events, I am sensitive to what has been flagged to me by the member for Nhulunbuy and, from the debate that occurred yesterday, I am aware of the cultural sensitivities that might be involved. For those reasons, I do not wish to take this opportunity, but I am quite happy to give my version of events if it is forced on me to do so.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this matter was brought to my attention by the president of the community on Elcho Island. When I received the letter and the allegations it contained, I raised them with my ministerial colleague. What started to unfold from that point became a very interesting exercise because it would appear that the story had been told very selectively. I am sure that the member for Nhulunbuy will concede that he was not there when the incident occurred. He arrived in the community the day after the event.
Mr Stirling: In fact, I was in the community at the time. I was not at the meeting.
Mr STONE: You certainly were not a witness to the conversation that took place between the minister and other people who were part of what was occurring on Elcho Island at that time. It became evident to me that only half the story had been put to me and only half the story had been told. If you will afford the minister an opportunity to give his version of events, I know he will be delighted to take that opportunity. However, I say this. A trend is beginning to emerge where a minister may go to a community and the next thing we know is that a letter is addressed to the government that is full of allegations and supposed details of who said what to whom. We then have to attempt to pick up the pieces and find out the truth. If this is some sort of tactic that the opposition is running, I can tell members opposite that it will not wash with the communities. They should also be very clear about this. When a minister of the Crown goes into a community, he goes in there as of right. That is a fact.
Mr Stirling: Yes, no problem.
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Mr STONE: You have no problem with that. For a minister of the Crown to be told that he is not allowed or should not go to a community unless he has an invitation or the consent of the council is absolute nonsense. If we are to have proper government and proper administration in the Territory, we do not need any of this nonsense. There were some ugly facts attendant on the incident referred to in the question. I think the key player in all of this is probably fairly remorseful and sorry about what happened. However, as I said ...
Mr Stirling: I think there may be a couple.
Mr STONE: Yes. I do not think that he would thank you for coming in here and flagging it either, unless he has asked you to do it. Perhaps I might ask that. Did he ask you to do this?
Mr Stirling: We have spoken about this.
Mr STONE: I see.
Mr Stirling: After it occurred.
Mr STONE: The minister should be given the opportunity to tell his version of events, and I am sure he will take it.
Mr SPEAKER: The Minister for Power and Water.
Mr BURKE: Mr Speaker, whilst I am happy to give a version of events, I am sensitive to what has been flagged to me by the member for Nhulunbuy and, from the debate that occurred yesterday, I am aware of the cultural sensitivities that might be involved. For those reasons, I do not wish to take this opportunity, but I am quite happy to give my version of events if it is forced on me to do so.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016