Ms ANDERSON - 2008-05-08
Can you please inform the House how the budget invested in interpreter services in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. The Aboriginal Interpreter Service and the Interpreter and Translating Service NT do a fabulous job in our community. I recently attended the 20th anniversary of the organisation, and they are truly a delightful group of people.
Last year alone, they did 3000 interpretations, so it is a lot of work for a diverse group of people. This work is expected to grow. I will pick up on the comments of the Chief Minister at the start of Question Time in relation to Burma. We actually have four interpreters who can speak Burmese. I am sure however they may help in the response from the Northern Territory government, will be offered to those health and police services.
The Northern Territory government recognises the importance of the Interpreting and Translating Service and, in this year’s budget, have invested an extra $350 000 to assist in that expansion of services they are providing. This is showing an investment in this important work. As we all know, English, for a great many people within the Northern Territory, particularly Darwin, is a second or third language. Interpreters play an extremely vital role in providing that language breakdown and legal advice interpretation. In fact, for the interpreters who have come to this great place, the Northern Territory, it has been one of their first jobs they have secured. For a great many Aboriginal people it has been one of the first full-time jobs that they have taken on.
Not only is the interpreter service providing a valuable service to the wider community, it is actually encouraging employment. This is another example of the Henderson government providing for the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. The Aboriginal Interpreter Service and the Interpreter and Translating Service NT do a fabulous job in our community. I recently attended the 20th anniversary of the organisation, and they are truly a delightful group of people.
Last year alone, they did 3000 interpretations, so it is a lot of work for a diverse group of people. This work is expected to grow. I will pick up on the comments of the Chief Minister at the start of Question Time in relation to Burma. We actually have four interpreters who can speak Burmese. I am sure however they may help in the response from the Northern Territory government, will be offered to those health and police services.
The Northern Territory government recognises the importance of the Interpreting and Translating Service and, in this year’s budget, have invested an extra $350 000 to assist in that expansion of services they are providing. This is showing an investment in this important work. As we all know, English, for a great many people within the Northern Territory, particularly Darwin, is a second or third language. Interpreters play an extremely vital role in providing that language breakdown and legal advice interpretation. In fact, for the interpreters who have come to this great place, the Northern Territory, it has been one of their first jobs they have secured. For a great many Aboriginal people it has been one of the first full-time jobs that they have taken on.
Not only is the interpreter service providing a valuable service to the wider community, it is actually encouraging employment. This is another example of the Henderson government providing for the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016