Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE - 2012-05-03
I will ask this question gently, without any venom in my voice; I do not want to offend the minister’s sensibilities. In the last three budgets, $10m of federal money has been allocated to construct a heavy vehicle diversion in Katherine. In your latest budget, that $10m figure does not appear. Did the NT receive the money from the federal government, where has the money gone, and why have you not honoured your promise, which I quote: ‘... to go back to the drawing board to develop an alternative heavy vehicle route for Katherine ...’?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for his question. It was not so much the venom; it was the tricks and the mischief. Let us revisit the conversation we had about the heavy vehicle diversion in Katherine, member for Katherine. The $10m was offered by minister Albanese, the federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and the Northern Territory government took that plan to the great people of Katherine in good faith.
I put up three plans, which stretched out to about six different options. The local member was involved, but you cannot remember that, which is interesting. We took this to the people of Katherine. I took it as a local member from the bush with experience with heavy vehicles, and put up the option we discussed, which was Railway Terrace.
I had some support, but I also received much constructive criticism. The good people of Katherine did not pick up on that idea. I went back to the federal government and we engaged the member for Lingiari, who was also very active in this story and lobbied strongly. Word came back, member for Katherine, that if it was not for heavy vehicle diversion, the money was not there. That is why the money has not appeared on any budget papers; it is from the Commonwealth. We were never able to settle on an agreed plan; therefore, the money and the concept are still sitting with the federal government ...
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Part of the question - and this goes to relevance - was why has the minister not honoured his promise to go back to the drawing board, redesigned something, and taken it back to the people of Katherine to consider.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, resume your seat. The minister is answering the question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! You have the call, minister.
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Opposition members!
Mr McCARTHY: Back to the drawing board. Through the Department of Lands and Planning, we have a plan for significant road safety upgrades for Katherine Terrace - the main street. We have taken that back to the federal government and it is under consideration. Remember it is specifically offered to Katherine for heavy vehicle diversion. We are continuing to work with the federal government.
Personally, I hope they take up our option to look at road safety initiatives on Katherine Terrace. However, they are still focused on what is heavy road transport infrastructure - to divert heavy vehicles out of the main street of Katherine.
Mr GILES: Supplementary question, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: A supplementary can only be asked by the member who asked the original question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for his question. It was not so much the venom; it was the tricks and the mischief. Let us revisit the conversation we had about the heavy vehicle diversion in Katherine, member for Katherine. The $10m was offered by minister Albanese, the federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and the Northern Territory government took that plan to the great people of Katherine in good faith.
I put up three plans, which stretched out to about six different options. The local member was involved, but you cannot remember that, which is interesting. We took this to the people of Katherine. I took it as a local member from the bush with experience with heavy vehicles, and put up the option we discussed, which was Railway Terrace.
I had some support, but I also received much constructive criticism. The good people of Katherine did not pick up on that idea. I went back to the federal government and we engaged the member for Lingiari, who was also very active in this story and lobbied strongly. Word came back, member for Katherine, that if it was not for heavy vehicle diversion, the money was not there. That is why the money has not appeared on any budget papers; it is from the Commonwealth. We were never able to settle on an agreed plan; therefore, the money and the concept are still sitting with the federal government ...
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Part of the question - and this goes to relevance - was why has the minister not honoured his promise to go back to the drawing board, redesigned something, and taken it back to the people of Katherine to consider.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Katherine, resume your seat. The minister is answering the question.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! You have the call, minister.
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Opposition members!
Mr McCARTHY: Back to the drawing board. Through the Department of Lands and Planning, we have a plan for significant road safety upgrades for Katherine Terrace - the main street. We have taken that back to the federal government and it is under consideration. Remember it is specifically offered to Katherine for heavy vehicle diversion. We are continuing to work with the federal government.
Personally, I hope they take up our option to look at road safety initiatives on Katherine Terrace. However, they are still focused on what is heavy road transport infrastructure - to divert heavy vehicles out of the main street of Katherine.
Mr GILES: Supplementary question, Madam Speaker?
Madam SPEAKER: A supplementary can only be asked by the member who asked the original question.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016