Mr HENDERSON - 2010-11-25
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I have some further advice to the House in regard to a question from the member for Braitling in Question Time yesterday in regard to the issue of people moving from Alice Springs to Adelaide. I believe he raised the same issues in adjournment last night.
The allegation, essentially, was that a lady who works in the Office of the Chief Minister in Alice Springs by the name of Tracey Brand, on direction from the Minister from Central Australia, or from me, encouraged people to board those buses and run away to Adelaide.
The advice I have is that Tracey did attend the Seven Mile Camp the evening prior to the group going to Adelaide primarily to ascertain: (1) what was motivating the group to travel to Adelaide; and to inform the office accordingly; and (2) to speak mainly with the women and children within the group to gain an understanding of the events leading to the unrest at Yuendumu; and what their plans were if they travelled to Adelaide.
Tracey had recently joined the Department of Chief Minister from Tangentyere Council and was known to a number of the people of the community. Tracey’s role was purely restricted to the above, and it was her view, along with the Department of Chief Minister’s officers’ view in Alice Springs, that the group’s departure to Adelaide was a mistake and not in their best interest. Plus, she did not share the confidence of a number of the people who were supporting the group at that time, or that arrangements were in place for the group once they arrived in Adelaide.
I absolutely refute, on behalf of Tracey, the allegations that were made by the member for Braitling. The only person I know who was encouraging those people to run away to Adelaide was the member for Braitling.
Mr Conlan: Lurching from one disaster to another. That is where you will end up Bungles, the ministerial scrapheap.
Dr Burns: What would you know? You are going backwards, old boy.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of Government Business, cease interjecting.
Mr Conlan: I will have your measure any day, pal.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you are already on a warning. You can leave the Chamber for one hour, thank you.
Mr Conlan: Certainly.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you have some information for us?
The allegation, essentially, was that a lady who works in the Office of the Chief Minister in Alice Springs by the name of Tracey Brand, on direction from the Minister from Central Australia, or from me, encouraged people to board those buses and run away to Adelaide.
The advice I have is that Tracey did attend the Seven Mile Camp the evening prior to the group going to Adelaide primarily to ascertain: (1) what was motivating the group to travel to Adelaide; and to inform the office accordingly; and (2) to speak mainly with the women and children within the group to gain an understanding of the events leading to the unrest at Yuendumu; and what their plans were if they travelled to Adelaide.
Tracey had recently joined the Department of Chief Minister from Tangentyere Council and was known to a number of the people of the community. Tracey’s role was purely restricted to the above, and it was her view, along with the Department of Chief Minister’s officers’ view in Alice Springs, that the group’s departure to Adelaide was a mistake and not in their best interest. Plus, she did not share the confidence of a number of the people who were supporting the group at that time, or that arrangements were in place for the group once they arrived in Adelaide.
I absolutely refute, on behalf of Tracey, the allegations that were made by the member for Braitling. The only person I know who was encouraging those people to run away to Adelaide was the member for Braitling.
Mr Conlan: Lurching from one disaster to another. That is where you will end up Bungles, the ministerial scrapheap.
Dr Burns: What would you know? You are going backwards, old boy.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of Government Business, cease interjecting.
Mr Conlan: I will have your measure any day, pal.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you are already on a warning. You can leave the Chamber for one hour, thank you.
Mr Conlan: Certainly.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you have some information for us?
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016