Mr GILES - 2010-06-10
In 2008, your government announced it would spend $35m constructing an overland conveyor belt to improve bulk ship loading operations, and environmental and traffic safety at East Arm Wharf. Two years on, there is no sign of a conveyor. Can you tell the Assembly why it has taken so long for the conveyor to be built? Can you pinpoint exactly when work on the conveyor will begin?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a good question to get the story out so we are all on the same page. Let us talk about the new conveyor for the export of iron ore and manganese at East Arm. I believe it starts with the opposition needing a briefing. I am pleased to say the member for Braitling is going there tomorrow ...
Mr Giles: I am asking for one now.
Mr McCARTHY: That is great. His question will mean more to him when he has physically experienced the infrastructure …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! To advise the junior minister, I have been there several times for briefings, I do have another one tomorrow.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, that is not a point of order. Minister, you have the call.
Mr McCARTHY: Thank you, Madam Speaker, I welcome the additional title of junior minister; name calling does not faze me. People who want to use that sort of approach, well, every dog has his day, people in glass houses should not throw stones - go for your life.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: Let us talk about …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: I am running out of time, Madam Speaker - let us cut to the chase.
The member for Braitling advised the House he has been to the port. He would then know the capacity of the port, and the three major products we are dealing with and what we need. Please ask about the master plan, because when we talk about phosphate coming online, when we talk about increased bulk commodities, which will be a big future for the Northern Territory, we need to ensure we get this system right.
We have been exploring new customers. We have customers coming from interstate and we expect many more. We are looking at world’s best practice in conveyor systems. We are looking at dust suppression. We are looking at the technology …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It has been two years since the conveyor belt was announced. I asked the minister why it has taken so long …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, that is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: … and when will it be built?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, that is not a point of order. You are on a warning.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! In regard to relevance, I asked a specific question and I would like it answered.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. Minister, you have the call.
Mr McCARTHY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am just about out of time, however, it was nice to see the member for Braitling address this House without any name calling. You are going to learn, young fellow, you are going to learn.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a good question to get the story out so we are all on the same page. Let us talk about the new conveyor for the export of iron ore and manganese at East Arm. I believe it starts with the opposition needing a briefing. I am pleased to say the member for Braitling is going there tomorrow ...
Mr Giles: I am asking for one now.
Mr McCARTHY: That is great. His question will mean more to him when he has physically experienced the infrastructure …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! To advise the junior minister, I have been there several times for briefings, I do have another one tomorrow.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, that is not a point of order. Minister, you have the call.
Mr McCARTHY: Thank you, Madam Speaker, I welcome the additional title of junior minister; name calling does not faze me. People who want to use that sort of approach, well, every dog has his day, people in glass houses should not throw stones - go for your life.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: Let us talk about …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale!
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr McCARTHY: I am running out of time, Madam Speaker - let us cut to the chase.
The member for Braitling advised the House he has been to the port. He would then know the capacity of the port, and the three major products we are dealing with and what we need. Please ask about the master plan, because when we talk about phosphate coming online, when we talk about increased bulk commodities, which will be a big future for the Northern Territory, we need to ensure we get this system right.
We have been exploring new customers. We have customers coming from interstate and we expect many more. We are looking at world’s best practice in conveyor systems. We are looking at dust suppression. We are looking at the technology …
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! It has been two years since the conveyor belt was announced. I asked the minister why it has taken so long …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, that is not a point of order.
Mr GILES: … and when will it be built?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, that is not a point of order. You are on a warning.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! In regard to relevance, I asked a specific question and I would like it answered.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, resume your seat. Minister, you have the call.
Mr McCARTHY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am just about out of time, however, it was nice to see the member for Braitling address this House without any name calling. You are going to learn, young fellow, you are going to learn.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016