Mr BURKE - 2005-02-10
This week, you were completely unable to name one major project that was initiated and completed by your government. Let us look at some of the initiatives you have promised. In April last year, you announced the construction of a facility to house 4000 Chinese students. Where is it? Over 12 months ago, you told Territorians of plans by a Chinese developer for 300 shops to be built at Palmerston. Where are they? Have you turned one brick? A year ago, you told Territorians that Jetstar would begin services to the Territory in November 2004. They have not.
Now, let us look at your promise to build a wave pool on the front page today’s Northern Territory News.Can you give a guarantee that Territorians will be able to use this facility free of charge, or does it need an entry fee to make it viable? If so, how much will that entry fee be?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there are many different elements to that question. The proposal for a facility for Chinese students is a private one that was proposed to government. We get such proposals all the time. I have not had one letter from the member for Brennan asking where it is.
The 300 shops at Palmerston - again, a private proposal. If the Opposition Leader had been on his game this morning, he would have heard the extraordinary number of projects that are under way in the Territory. We are very proud of them. This is a government with a lot of economic activity happening. We have plans and vision for the Territory’s future. It is about enterprises, job opportunities, and an economy that has come off its knees - where yesterday’s man left it - and is starting to really provide opportunities for Territorians.
When the Opposition Leader asks what we have done, where is he looking? There are a number of new jobs right across the Territory. If there is one complaint that business has, it is that they cannot get enough skilled workers. We are working on that. That is a sign of economic activity and an economy that has left the CLP a long way behind.
Let me specifically address the wave pool. If the Opposition Leader had chosen to have a briefing and had, perhaps, listened to some of the things that have been said since we announced his superb waterfront redevelopment project, he would have heard me say that there will be a charge for the wave pool ...
Ms Carter: How much?
Ms MARTIN: At this stage, I do not know; it is a private operation. However, let us look at the logic. If it is too expensive, nobody will use it, so it will be an accessible cost to use it. The other swimming areas will be free. Let us get this straight: the general swimming areas at the waterfront will be free, and the wave pool, quite reasonably, will have a cost. I am sure it will be a cost that we can afford because, otherwise, Territorians will not be able to use it. It is a superb facility.
Sometimes, when I was looking at the model, either in the mall or at Casuarina, I get a little disheartened, because there is a convention and exhibition centre - all this public amenity - and the only thing many people - particularly if they are under about 15 - wanted to talk about was this fantastic wave pool.
Now, let us look at your promise to build a wave pool on the front page today’s Northern Territory News.Can you give a guarantee that Territorians will be able to use this facility free of charge, or does it need an entry fee to make it viable? If so, how much will that entry fee be?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, there are many different elements to that question. The proposal for a facility for Chinese students is a private one that was proposed to government. We get such proposals all the time. I have not had one letter from the member for Brennan asking where it is.
The 300 shops at Palmerston - again, a private proposal. If the Opposition Leader had been on his game this morning, he would have heard the extraordinary number of projects that are under way in the Territory. We are very proud of them. This is a government with a lot of economic activity happening. We have plans and vision for the Territory’s future. It is about enterprises, job opportunities, and an economy that has come off its knees - where yesterday’s man left it - and is starting to really provide opportunities for Territorians.
When the Opposition Leader asks what we have done, where is he looking? There are a number of new jobs right across the Territory. If there is one complaint that business has, it is that they cannot get enough skilled workers. We are working on that. That is a sign of economic activity and an economy that has left the CLP a long way behind.
Let me specifically address the wave pool. If the Opposition Leader had chosen to have a briefing and had, perhaps, listened to some of the things that have been said since we announced his superb waterfront redevelopment project, he would have heard me say that there will be a charge for the wave pool ...
Ms Carter: How much?
Ms MARTIN: At this stage, I do not know; it is a private operation. However, let us look at the logic. If it is too expensive, nobody will use it, so it will be an accessible cost to use it. The other swimming areas will be free. Let us get this straight: the general swimming areas at the waterfront will be free, and the wave pool, quite reasonably, will have a cost. I am sure it will be a cost that we can afford because, otherwise, Territorians will not be able to use it. It is a superb facility.
Sometimes, when I was looking at the model, either in the mall or at Casuarina, I get a little disheartened, because there is a convention and exhibition centre - all this public amenity - and the only thing many people - particularly if they are under about 15 - wanted to talk about was this fantastic wave pool.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016