Mr BURKE - 2002-02-28
Mr STIRLING (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I point out that the Chief Minister’s laryngitis unfortunately has not fully gone away. I ask that questions that would have been directed to the Chief Minister be directed to me. Mr BURKE: Given the revelations on page 3 of today’s NT News - and I table that extract for the benefit of honourable members - can the minister give this House a categorical assurance that no member of your staff ever sought to have prisoners removed from the transfer list by contacting, not the Commissioner for Corrections, but line officers and, further, that no member of his staff, with or without his knowledge, ever told prison officers that two Aboriginal prisoners should not be transferred to Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it would be nice to be addressed by my proper title, instead of minister for Community Relations.
I welcome the question from the Leader of the Opposition, because I have been briefed by the current minister for Corrections. Let me from the outset, once again, categorically deny that I, at no time, have given any instructions. If you read that article properly you will see from this anonymous person who spoke to the NT News, that there is no substance to my involvement. There are two matters here - whether I gave the direction, which I was accused of on Tuesday; or whether one of my staff gave the direction, which was also an accusation on Tuesday. We have had no evidence substantiated by the member for Goyder, and through the questioning of the opposition this week. In actual fact, I recall that I stated that they were grasping at straws - and they truly are.
I received, from the current minister’s department, a briefing from the superintendent who was named in the paper this morning. He advised, in regards to the transfer of prisoners: the allegations are that Minister Ah Kit’s staff requested two Top End Aboriginals be removed from a flight to Alice Springs, and Prison Superintendent Rodney Williams refused.
That was the point that was being made by the opposition. There is absolutely no truth to these allegations whatsoever.
The former minister for Corrections - who was me - had spoken to ministerial staff and I was informed that no such call was ever made to the prison. The prison superintendent, Rodney Williams, said: ‘It’s rubbish to suggest I refused to halt the transfer of Aboriginal prisoners to the Alice Springs Correctional Centre following an approach by staff of Minister Ah Kit’s office’. He went on and said: ‘No approach was ever made to me from any minister’s office or from any member of my staff to halt the transfer of prisoners’. What’s more, the NT News did not contact Mr Williams to confirm the accuracy of the report.
We have this anonymous person, obviously the same anonymous person who has gone to the legal eagle member for Goyder, the person who is anonymous, does not wish to be named - and we respect that. So, that is very clear - no approach ever.
This story has been baseless and mischievous from the start. The opposition started the week saying the former minister - referring to me - had interfered in the transfer of prisoners. That was false. Today’s story proves that to be false. Now they have turned their attention to my staff and, as I have said, I am informed that allegations against the staff are also false. The opposition has decided its tactics will be to run on rumour and innuendo. It is a low standard and it is a tactic without moral integrity. They should raise real issues of concern to Territorians.
In this allegation, which is unsubstantiated, I gave a letter to the member for Goyder yesterday. He owes me a public apology. I have 180 immediate family members who are concerned. My kids are concerned. I have a good reputation. I have worked hard all my life, and I will not stand in this House or anywhere else and have somebody from the opposition slur me in the manner in which they have. I will await the outcome of the apology from the member for Goyder in this House, and at a press conference, and also on ABC radio.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it would be nice to be addressed by my proper title, instead of minister for Community Relations.
I welcome the question from the Leader of the Opposition, because I have been briefed by the current minister for Corrections. Let me from the outset, once again, categorically deny that I, at no time, have given any instructions. If you read that article properly you will see from this anonymous person who spoke to the NT News, that there is no substance to my involvement. There are two matters here - whether I gave the direction, which I was accused of on Tuesday; or whether one of my staff gave the direction, which was also an accusation on Tuesday. We have had no evidence substantiated by the member for Goyder, and through the questioning of the opposition this week. In actual fact, I recall that I stated that they were grasping at straws - and they truly are.
I received, from the current minister’s department, a briefing from the superintendent who was named in the paper this morning. He advised, in regards to the transfer of prisoners: the allegations are that Minister Ah Kit’s staff requested two Top End Aboriginals be removed from a flight to Alice Springs, and Prison Superintendent Rodney Williams refused.
That was the point that was being made by the opposition. There is absolutely no truth to these allegations whatsoever.
The former minister for Corrections - who was me - had spoken to ministerial staff and I was informed that no such call was ever made to the prison. The prison superintendent, Rodney Williams, said: ‘It’s rubbish to suggest I refused to halt the transfer of Aboriginal prisoners to the Alice Springs Correctional Centre following an approach by staff of Minister Ah Kit’s office’. He went on and said: ‘No approach was ever made to me from any minister’s office or from any member of my staff to halt the transfer of prisoners’. What’s more, the NT News did not contact Mr Williams to confirm the accuracy of the report.
We have this anonymous person, obviously the same anonymous person who has gone to the legal eagle member for Goyder, the person who is anonymous, does not wish to be named - and we respect that. So, that is very clear - no approach ever.
This story has been baseless and mischievous from the start. The opposition started the week saying the former minister - referring to me - had interfered in the transfer of prisoners. That was false. Today’s story proves that to be false. Now they have turned their attention to my staff and, as I have said, I am informed that allegations against the staff are also false. The opposition has decided its tactics will be to run on rumour and innuendo. It is a low standard and it is a tactic without moral integrity. They should raise real issues of concern to Territorians.
In this allegation, which is unsubstantiated, I gave a letter to the member for Goyder yesterday. He owes me a public apology. I have 180 immediate family members who are concerned. My kids are concerned. I have a good reputation. I have worked hard all my life, and I will not stand in this House or anywhere else and have somebody from the opposition slur me in the manner in which they have. I will await the outcome of the apology from the member for Goyder in this House, and at a press conference, and also on ABC radio.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016