Mrs BRAHAM - 1995-02-22
In light of the current debate in Alice Springs, can the minister inform us whether he supports a ward system for the Alice Springs Town Council?
Mr BELL: A point of order, Mr Speaker! I draw the attention of both the member for Braitling and the minister to the presence on the Notice Paper today of an item relating to exactly that question. This question is anticipating an item on the Notice Paper and therefore is out of order.
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Mr SPEAKER: I do not believe it is out of order. You could very easily stifle debate by putting something on notice if you did not want questions. If you want that principle to operate, that would cause a problem. The question is not out of order.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I would have thought that the member for MacDonnell would be very interested in what the Minister for Lands, Housing and Local Government thought about a question of particular relevance to the community of Alice Springs - that is, whether or not the electoral system for local government there should be changed to a ward system. I thank the member for Braitling for her question because, from the moment that she came into this Chamber, she has demonstrated a very strong interest in the matter and has lobbied quite hard, as has the member for Greatorex. In fairness, I recognise that the member for MacDonnell also has actively promoted the introduction of a ward system.
I have promoted a very high level of public debate in Alice Springs, particularly over the last 12 months. Under the Local Government Act, there can be a review of electoral boundaries and/or ward systems of local governments by 31 May. On 15 September last year, I wrote to the Alice Springs Town Council asking that the question of a ward system be considered in the context of the review preparatory to the 1996 local government election. I wrote again to the council in November and met with a number of aldermen in November/December to discuss the need for a ward system.
I am very strongly in favour of a ward system for Alice Springs. However, equally strongly, I hold the view that, if a minister, particularly a Darwin-based minister, is to exercise his responsibilities properly, he should encourage a high level of public debate and obtain a clear indication of what the local community wants in respect of these types of questions. The Alice Springs Council is the council of the Alice Springs people. My role is to ensure that the views of the Alice Springs people are very clearly heard, understood and taken into account. It is certainly true that, at the end of the day, I have the power as the minister to make the decision one way or the other about the type of electoral system ...
Mr Ede: How about talking to the member who represents that area?
Mr HATTON: As a matter of fact, I am.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Dr Lim: You are never there.
Mr Ede: I have supported it for a lot longer than you have.
Mr HATTON: That is interesting. I have never once heard the Leader of the Opposition speak on the matter of a ward system for Alice Springs. I have certainly heard the member for MacDonnell talk about it. Certainly, I know the views of the CLP members from Alice Springs who are actually the people who represent the Alice Springs community. Two of those local members are ex-aldermen who have a sound understanding of the workings of local government.
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The second issue of particular concern to the Alice Springs community is the voting system for local government. I intend to review that and I am seeking briefings from the Electoral Office to determine whether the processes are appropriate and fair, and to take into account the representations that have been made to me. This matter will be addressed during the course of 1995 in preparation for the 1996 local government elections.
What I will not do is impose a view unilaterally on the Alice Springs community. First and foremost, I will encourage debate and seek the views of the Alice Springs community. I might say that I am very pleased to note that the Alice Springs Town Council has taken up that task. It has appointed an independent consultant to survey the community. From recent discussions with the member for Greatorex and some correspondence I received over the last week, I understand that a public meeting is to be held in Alice Springs to discuss this and other issues associated with a ward system. I am sure that, between now and April/May, there will be a high level of consideration of this question by the people of Alice Springs and I look forward to that. I understand that a number of petitions in relation to this matter are circulating in the Alice Springs community, and they may assist also in determining some of the views in that community.
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Mr BELL: A point of order, Mr Speaker! I draw the attention of both the member for Braitling and the minister to the presence on the Notice Paper today of an item relating to exactly that question. This question is anticipating an item on the Notice Paper and therefore is out of order.
Page 427
Mr SPEAKER: I do not believe it is out of order. You could very easily stifle debate by putting something on notice if you did not want questions. If you want that principle to operate, that would cause a problem. The question is not out of order.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I would have thought that the member for MacDonnell would be very interested in what the Minister for Lands, Housing and Local Government thought about a question of particular relevance to the community of Alice Springs - that is, whether or not the electoral system for local government there should be changed to a ward system. I thank the member for Braitling for her question because, from the moment that she came into this Chamber, she has demonstrated a very strong interest in the matter and has lobbied quite hard, as has the member for Greatorex. In fairness, I recognise that the member for MacDonnell also has actively promoted the introduction of a ward system.
I have promoted a very high level of public debate in Alice Springs, particularly over the last 12 months. Under the Local Government Act, there can be a review of electoral boundaries and/or ward systems of local governments by 31 May. On 15 September last year, I wrote to the Alice Springs Town Council asking that the question of a ward system be considered in the context of the review preparatory to the 1996 local government election. I wrote again to the council in November and met with a number of aldermen in November/December to discuss the need for a ward system.
I am very strongly in favour of a ward system for Alice Springs. However, equally strongly, I hold the view that, if a minister, particularly a Darwin-based minister, is to exercise his responsibilities properly, he should encourage a high level of public debate and obtain a clear indication of what the local community wants in respect of these types of questions. The Alice Springs Council is the council of the Alice Springs people. My role is to ensure that the views of the Alice Springs people are very clearly heard, understood and taken into account. It is certainly true that, at the end of the day, I have the power as the minister to make the decision one way or the other about the type of electoral system ...
Mr Ede: How about talking to the member who represents that area?
Mr HATTON: As a matter of fact, I am.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Dr Lim: You are never there.
Mr Ede: I have supported it for a lot longer than you have.
Mr HATTON: That is interesting. I have never once heard the Leader of the Opposition speak on the matter of a ward system for Alice Springs. I have certainly heard the member for MacDonnell talk about it. Certainly, I know the views of the CLP members from Alice Springs who are actually the people who represent the Alice Springs community. Two of those local members are ex-aldermen who have a sound understanding of the workings of local government.
Page 428
The second issue of particular concern to the Alice Springs community is the voting system for local government. I intend to review that and I am seeking briefings from the Electoral Office to determine whether the processes are appropriate and fair, and to take into account the representations that have been made to me. This matter will be addressed during the course of 1995 in preparation for the 1996 local government elections.
What I will not do is impose a view unilaterally on the Alice Springs community. First and foremost, I will encourage debate and seek the views of the Alice Springs community. I might say that I am very pleased to note that the Alice Springs Town Council has taken up that task. It has appointed an independent consultant to survey the community. From recent discussions with the member for Greatorex and some correspondence I received over the last week, I understand that a public meeting is to be held in Alice Springs to discuss this and other issues associated with a ward system. I am sure that, between now and April/May, there will be a high level of consideration of this question by the people of Alice Springs and I look forward to that. I understand that a number of petitions in relation to this matter are circulating in the Alice Springs community, and they may assist also in determining some of the views in that community.
Page 429
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016