Mr STIRLING - 1995-10-19
Does the minister agree with his Chief Minister, who insulted the Territory's aged population by telling the Melbourne Age: `I really want young people. I've got nothing against retirees - I'm happy to have their money (but) this is a young person's place ...'? Mr Speaker, I seek leave to table copies of the Chief Minister's comments as reported in the Melbourne Age of 2 October 1995.
Leave granted.
Page 933
Mr STIRLING: Do senior citizens and retired Territorians, who have worked hard to develop the Territory and who have fought and died to defend this place and the country, deserve to have their contributions trivialised and derided in this way?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, since self-government, the CLP government has worked harder than any other in Australia to retain and even to attract senior citizens. That has worked to an enormous extent. Nowadays, people come from interstate and bring their ageing parents with them. That is what this government is all about. I know the Chief Minister's track record, and I will tell member's a little about that in a minute.
Mr Ede: Bring your dollars!
Mr FINCH: This government is about attracting the full spectrum of the family. That is what we have succeeded in doing. After Cyclone Tracy, there was not a single facility for aged people. Excellent accommodation is provided now to our senior citizens through the Housing Commission. They appreciate that and the support services that are available to them here also. There is also Tracy Lodge Hostel. Where would Tracy Lodge Hostel be if it were not for the Northern Territory government?
Mr Reed: Salvation Army.
Mr FINCH: There is the Salvation Army hostel, not to mention the other facilities at Palmerston etc. This government provides concessions to the aged that are second to none in the country.
Whilst the member may like to quote the Chief Minister out of context, let me tell him about the Chief Minister's track record. I do not know about the member's record or whether he has time to visit senior citizens or to attend their functions or facilities, but I know that the Chief Minister does. I know for a fact that he is very proud of having in his electorate Tracy Lodge Hostel and the Salvation Army hostel. He visits Spillett House regularly to meet with the oldies, and he is well recognised and acknowledged there for his support. Do not give us half-baked snippets out of context. This is what Goss was on about for senior citizens. He was not interested ...
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr FINCH: Find out what he was really on about because, in direct contrast ...
Mr Bailey: This is about what your Chief Minister said.
Mr Stirling: Read the article. It is quite instructive.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Page 934
Mr FINCH: I will read the whole article, but I am saying what you should be doing. I happen to know the Chief Minister's attitude towards senior citizens, and not only do I share it myself but all members on this side share it. I never seen you near any senior citizens.
Page 935
Leave granted.
Page 933
Mr STIRLING: Do senior citizens and retired Territorians, who have worked hard to develop the Territory and who have fought and died to defend this place and the country, deserve to have their contributions trivialised and derided in this way?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, since self-government, the CLP government has worked harder than any other in Australia to retain and even to attract senior citizens. That has worked to an enormous extent. Nowadays, people come from interstate and bring their ageing parents with them. That is what this government is all about. I know the Chief Minister's track record, and I will tell member's a little about that in a minute.
Mr Ede: Bring your dollars!
Mr FINCH: This government is about attracting the full spectrum of the family. That is what we have succeeded in doing. After Cyclone Tracy, there was not a single facility for aged people. Excellent accommodation is provided now to our senior citizens through the Housing Commission. They appreciate that and the support services that are available to them here also. There is also Tracy Lodge Hostel. Where would Tracy Lodge Hostel be if it were not for the Northern Territory government?
Mr Reed: Salvation Army.
Mr FINCH: There is the Salvation Army hostel, not to mention the other facilities at Palmerston etc. This government provides concessions to the aged that are second to none in the country.
Whilst the member may like to quote the Chief Minister out of context, let me tell him about the Chief Minister's track record. I do not know about the member's record or whether he has time to visit senior citizens or to attend their functions or facilities, but I know that the Chief Minister does. I know for a fact that he is very proud of having in his electorate Tracy Lodge Hostel and the Salvation Army hostel. He visits Spillett House regularly to meet with the oldies, and he is well recognised and acknowledged there for his support. Do not give us half-baked snippets out of context. This is what Goss was on about for senior citizens. He was not interested ...
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr FINCH: Find out what he was really on about because, in direct contrast ...
Mr Bailey: This is about what your Chief Minister said.
Mr Stirling: Read the article. It is quite instructive.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Page 934
Mr FINCH: I will read the whole article, but I am saying what you should be doing. I happen to know the Chief Minister's attitude towards senior citizens, and not only do I share it myself but all members on this side share it. I never seen you near any senior citizens.
Page 935
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016