Mr BALDWIN - 2001-11-29
The minister would be aware that Danila Dilba owns quite considerable land in the Darwin CBD. Is the minister aware that Danila Dilba has given more than $10 000 to Harold Nelson Holdings, a company that lists its directors as Catherine Spurr, Zoe Bettison and Charlie Phillips, all current or former office holders in the ALP’s Territory Branch, and at least two of whom are now employed in the Chief Minister’s office?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, no, I was not aware that Danila Dilba provided an amount of money to any particular organisation. It is their business. I am not going to ask them why they give the money. I also recall, very well, that other businesses give money to other political organisations. Do I have to remind how much money the business community has provided to the CLP? The same business community that is providing money ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order1 The minister would expect, at least members on his side, to give him the courtesy to listen.
Mr VATSKALIS: The business community has provided money to different organisations, political or not, and Danila Dilba has any right to give money to any organisation they choose to. At the same time, I would like to remind you that Danila Dilba provides services for 15 000 clients, Aboriginal clients and a larger number of white clients. At the same time, Danila Dilba has a property that was given to them by the Commonwealth government. They also ask a form of donation for the service they provide. Danila Dilba provides a service to the community, provides a mobile service to the people, if they live away from Darwin, and provides free medical care for people who cannot afford to pay for their medicine. Danila Dilba provides a service to the community and must be admired for what they are doing. They are doing a very hard job, a very good job. Where they give the money to, I have no knowledge of it. I do not think I should have any knowledge of it. They choose to provide and donate money, if they see fit to do so.
At the same time, Danila Dilba gives money away to other welfare organisations in order to support them to provide a similar service to the community in Darwin and other areas away from Darwin.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, no, I was not aware that Danila Dilba provided an amount of money to any particular organisation. It is their business. I am not going to ask them why they give the money. I also recall, very well, that other businesses give money to other political organisations. Do I have to remind how much money the business community has provided to the CLP? The same business community that is providing money ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order1 The minister would expect, at least members on his side, to give him the courtesy to listen.
Mr VATSKALIS: The business community has provided money to different organisations, political or not, and Danila Dilba has any right to give money to any organisation they choose to. At the same time, I would like to remind you that Danila Dilba provides services for 15 000 clients, Aboriginal clients and a larger number of white clients. At the same time, Danila Dilba has a property that was given to them by the Commonwealth government. They also ask a form of donation for the service they provide. Danila Dilba provides a service to the community, provides a mobile service to the people, if they live away from Darwin, and provides free medical care for people who cannot afford to pay for their medicine. Danila Dilba provides a service to the community and must be admired for what they are doing. They are doing a very hard job, a very good job. Where they give the money to, I have no knowledge of it. I do not think I should have any knowledge of it. They choose to provide and donate money, if they see fit to do so.
At the same time, Danila Dilba gives money away to other welfare organisations in order to support them to provide a similar service to the community in Darwin and other areas away from Darwin.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016