2014-02-11
Madam Speaker Purick took the Chair at 10 am.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received message No 13 from Her Honour the Administrator notifying assent to the bills passed at the November and December sittings. The message is dated 3 February 2014.
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ORDER
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I table a copy of the Administrative Arrangements Order published in the Northern Territory Gazette No S5 dated 3 February 2014. I advise the Assembly that on 3 February 2014 Her Honour the Administrator made the additional appointment of minister of the Northern Territory, namely Mrs Robyn Lambley, Minister for Disability Services.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise of the presence in the gallery of college leaders from O’Loughlin Catholic College, accompanied by Mr David Finch. On behalf of honourable members, I extend a warm welcome to you and hope you enjoy your visit and time at Parliament House.
Members: Hear, hear!
Continued from 16 October 2013.
Mr GUNNER (Fannie Bay): Madam Speaker, the opposition supports this bill. The bill tightens up the Misuse of Drugs Act as it relates to the supply of drugs to Indigenous communities.
In 2008, the former government enacted a series of legislative reforms designed to stem the flow of illicit drugs into Indigenous communities. In response to the devastation that drugs and alcohol were causing in Indigenous communities, the then government increased the penalty for supplying drugs into all Indigenous communities. Maximum penalties for supplying Schedule 2 dangerous drugs into communities were increased. A maximum penalty of nine years was introduced where the drug was supplied to a person in an Indigenous community. This was an increased penalty in excess of the standard five years for the normal supply, i.e. not to a person in an Indigenous community.
Earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled the wording of this provision, ‘supply to a person in an Indigenous community’, required actual supply to a person be proven. If someone was found in possession of drugs destined to be delivered to Mr John Smith in an Indigenous community, they were not in breach of this provision until they had actually supplied the drugs to Mr John Smith in the Indigenous community. Proof of the intention to supply was not captured by this provision. The drugs have to be supplied prior to police making arrests and laying charges that would warrant the higher charge – the nine-year charge – coming into effect.
Normally the intention to supply would be sufficient for the charge to be laid, but the wording here involves use of the term ‘supply to a person’ which means intention is not captured. This is at odds with the clear intention of the legislation. This bill ensures the legislation meets its intent. When it can be proved beyond reasonable doubt they were intending to supply the drug in an Indigenous community, the nine year maximum penalty applies and should apply.
I am aware this issue was raised in the Supreme Court and has been highlighted by other law enforcement officers and legal practitioners.
Of course, when the situation arose, the capacity to charge for the lesser offence involving a five-year maximum sentence still applied. The issue does not result in anyone avoiding their day in court; they just face a lesser maximum penalty. I am unsure if the Attorney-General has information on how often the situation arose, but think it was one particular case.
The second aspect of this bill relates to whether the mandatory imprisonment provision of the act applies when the matter is heard in the Court of Summary Jurisdiction – in other words, the Magistrates Court not the Supreme Court. When the case is heard summarily the maximum penalty is two years. This legislation does not make it clear that supply warrants an aggravating circumstance which would trigger the mandatory imprisonment provisions. This bill ensures the mandatory provision applies when the additional circumstance of supply into an Indigenous community is proven.
The third aspect updates the list of drugs within Schedule 2 of the act. This is not about putting drugs on the schedule and taking them off, but removing duplication and ensuring chemical variations of a drug are clarified, and if a drug is consider hallucinogenic or not is no longer required. The supply of drugs must be cracked down on. Indigenous communities have become easy targets and it is important the legislation is as effective as it possibly can be.
These amendments ensure the legislation is as robust as it can be, its intent is met through its provisions, and the opposition supports this bill. It was the previous government’s intention and we thank the Attorney-General for bringing it forward.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, I also support the Misuse Use of Drugs Amendment Bill the minister has brought forward. I have no intention of going to the committee stage, but I have a few questions to ask the minister. I have read the explanatory statement and the second reading, and much of it is self-explanatory.
I ask the minister the definition of ‘Indigenous community’, given the definition refers to the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007. Minister, has that act not been repealed? If so, what is the definition of ‘Indigenous community’ now? I could not find a definition. When I checked I could not find the current Commonwealth act to allow me to find the definition.
Also, the government has said at times it wishes to remove any distinction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and it does seem – even though I understand why this bill highlights the fact they are trying to stop supply of drugs to Indigenous communities – you have Indigenous communities singled out in this legislation. These drugs are bad for people whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
I understand what is being put forward. I also feel, to some extent, that by singling out Indigenous communities you are sending the message they have a special situation which needs to be dealt with through this legislation. The supply of these drugs applies to everyone.
The other question I want to ask, which the member for Fannie Bay alluded to, is why is there a need to move applicable trafficable and commercial quantities of drugs from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 by regulation and how would that happen?
The second reading says:
I raise those questions as issues I have pulled out of the legislation. I support the legislation. No one wants these drugs, whether it is in Indigenous communities or non-Indigenous communities. We have enough issues with alcohol and other things. I support the bill and will be happy to hear the response from the minister.
Mr ELFERINK (Attorney-General and Justice): Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank honourable members for their support and will address a couple of the issues. Clearly, this is not a difficult legislative instrument, and I am grateful to members for their support. We are tidying up some of the loose ends created by the original legislative instrument.
May I start, particularly for the edification of the member for Nelson, by placing this bill in its historical context? One must recall this original legislation was brought before this House during the operation of the intervention and when it received much of its hype.
I understand, and have some sympathy with, the misgivings the member for Nelson has in relation to peculiarising an offence based on race and am not unmindful of his concern in this area. However, this legislation has come to the government by dint of history; it is what it is and we have not yet determined, on the grounds of racial equality, to abandon the former government’s approach. If the member for Nelson wants to advocate for that, he is welcome to do so. I am happy to meet with him on the topic and it would go through the usual processes.
Therefore, it being what it is, we have a legislative instrument the former government created which is incomplete. It did not quite cover the field in the way the former government expressed it should. The intent, as articulated by Dr Chris Burns, then Attorney-General with carriage of bringing the original legislation to this House – he made it clear he wanted certain things to happen within the second reading speech. While it is now an accepted rule of statutory interpretation in the courts that you can turn your eyes upon a second reading speech to give meaning to a legislative instrument that is in doubt, the court, in this instance, appears not to have determined that was necessary. It found the legislative instrument was clear in what it expressed, in spite of the fact the bill was different to the stated intent of the then Attorney-General.
I do not make anything out of that other than uncertainty in the drafting process and lay no blame at the former Attorney-General’s feet. Sometimes these things, such as legislative instruments, find their way into a court room and courts are then asked to determine what the intent of the parliament was. In doing so, they will look at the legislative instrument and find a way of interpreting it based on what is written there which may not accord with the original intent of the wishes of the parliament.
We have returned to the original intent of the parliament and recreated that through this legislative change. The merits or otherwise of the nature of this legislation are a much broader topic than what is here for debate today. The rights and wrongs of racially specific legislation is something I have always had a fairly conservative and restrained view on. I do not personally like identifying people based exclusively on their race. It is a clumsy tool, and every time legislators try to do it, it leads to clumsy outcomes.
That leads me to the other question asked by the member for Nelson. I draw his attention to the instrument he referred to in relation to the definition of an Indigenous community. What we have essentially done is embraced and enlivened a legislative instrument that no longer has carriage and given it life again within this definitional structure. I draw the member’s attention to 6A of the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations which state:
In relation to the last issue the member for Nelson raised and the member for Fannie Bay touched upon, shifting of drugs from one schedule to another. The member for Nelson is quite correct in saying the effect of doing that will be to expose a person charged with an offence under a specific schedule to a series of penalties. It will expose an individual to a different range of penalties when you move them from one schedule to another. Schedule 2, if memory serves me, carries things like cannabis, and Schedule 1 has the more serious drugs attached to it.
From time to time, people, government and members of the public will change their opinions about specific types of drugs or, alternatively, there will be a suggestion that a specific type of drug is incorrectly scheduled, and I will give you an example of that. Late last year we moved methamphetamine from a Schedule 2 drug, therefore having the legislative impact of cannabis, to Schedule 1, therefore elevating it to the same stature and nature of heroin in the seriousness of the offence.
There was widespread support for that in the community, and I note it was reflected in the opinion of this House. By placing crystal meth and those types of methamphetamine-based drugs into a schedule with cannabis was out of step with public expectation.
The purpose of introducing this legislative instrument is that, from time to time, we have to go through the process of moving a drug from one schedule to another. The crystal meth example made it a laborious change and tied up the time of this House. It is determined in this legislative change and as a matter of policy of government, which is why we bring it to this House, that we do not need to go through that laborious step. There is still oversight because it requires a regulatory change, and the processes of this House are in no way changed by the suggested regulatory change here. Rather than the minister coming into the House with a bill and asking the House to consider whether or not crystal meth should be a Schedule 2 or Schedule 1 drug, the better process, particularly when it comes to the prosecution of these matters in a timely fashion, would be that I make the appropriate regulatory change which would then be laid on the table, as always.
If memory serves me, the standing orders of this House enable a disallowance motion on a tabled regulation. A disallowance motion is considered to be so important in this House that if a member moves disallowance against a regulatory instrument it is the next matter to be brought before General Business. If a member was aggrieved or believed shifting a drug from one schedule to another was the wrong thing to do, that member would table it in this House, and then there is the requisite period within our standing orders which would enable that member to move a disallowance motion. That disallowance motion would be the first order of business. Therefore, it would be a proper review process. It is still done within the harsh gaze of the public eye, but, nevertheless, is a far more effective process of changing these scheduling instruments.
I believe that strikes the balance with the need of operationally making this legislation work and applying it into an environment where we need to be operationally effective with the requisite need for public oversight. If the member for Nelson had any concerns about that structure he would have raised it before coming here or, alternatively, may choose to raise it in the committee stage of the bill.
Beyond that, there is nothing I can add to this debate. I thank honourable members for their support and look forward to this legislative instrument passing so the Misuse of Drugs Act in the Northern Territory can work more effectively to benefit the true welfare of the people of the Northern Territory.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr ELFERINK (Attorney-General and Justice) (by leave): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
A New Future for Nhulunbuy
Mr GILES (Chief Minister): Mr Deputy Speaker, I update the House on the significant efforts my government is making to plan for the future of Nhulunbuy. It has only been 11 weeks since Rio Tinto announced it was suspending production at its Nhulunbuy aluminium refinery. Rio Tinto has determined the refinery is no longer financially sustainable given a range of factors, including changes to the global aluminium market and the relatively high cost of production.
My government understands the enormous economic and social impact Rio Tinto’s decision will have on the residents of the Nhulunbuy region. Shortly after Rio Tinto’s announcement I visited Nhulunbuy and saw firsthand the effect of the decision on residents. Rio Tinto has conducted its own social impact study and the worst case scenario is severe. It includes reducing the workforce to 350, which will reduce salaries and wages in the region from $155m a year to $50m. Rio’s expenditure on goods and services will drop from $217m to $74m, and the $86m spent locally will decline to $46m. The population of Nhulunbuy is forecast to drop from almost 4000 people to 1200, and the school-age population of the town is expected to drop from 947 to 275.
Rio Tinto has primary responsibility for supporting the community as it deals with the impact of the refinery’s suspension. Nhulunbuy is a mining town operated by Rio Tinto. The lease conditions place primary responsibility of the town on Rio Tinto. My government is holding Rio Tinto to account for its lease obligations, including not only its responsibilities in relation to the bauxite mine and the aluminium refinery, but also its responsibilities for the continued maintenance, management and conduct of the town. Rio Tinto will continue to provide essential services such as power, water and sewerage. It was originally established as a mining town, but Nhulunbuy has also developed over time into an important regional centre for the East Arnhem region. It is a hub for the delivery of government services and supports a range of private sector businesses and community organisations. My government wants Nhulunbuy to continue to be a regional service centre into the future.
My government’s approach to planning for the future of Gove is comprehensive. We are working to ensure individuals, businesses and other organisations are supported in the short term to understand and manage the transition to Rio Tinto’s reduced activity levels, but we are doing more than that. We are also looking to the future and developing a plan for Nhulunbuy in consultation with the community and traditional owners so it remains a sustainable and strong community in the long term.
To this end, I established the Nhulunbuy Task Force to develop recommendations to support the diversification of its economy, monitor the progress of the current transition and help generate longer-term structural adjustment initiatives. The task force met for the first time on 16 January 2014 in Nhulunbuy. Its members are: Michael Tennant, Deputy Chief Executive of my department; Mr John Ryan, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Industry, representing the Australian government; Mr John Tourish, Denise Fincham and Timmy Burarrwanga, representing the local community; Mr Sammy Bush-Blanasi, Chairman of the Northern Land Council; and Miss Jo-Anne Scarini, general manager of the Nhulunbuy transition, representing Rio Tinto.
We need to ensure the assistance offered to local business, non-government organisations and the community is what the town needs and wants. To ensure the community’s views are being heard, I also established a community reference group, the Nhulunbuy Community Advisory Committee. The committee will provide a key mechanism for ongoing community engagement and will be instrumental in ensuring the Northern Territory and Australian governments, and Rio Tinto, receive timely information about emerging community issues. It will also provide a conduit for providing clear information back to the community. The committee’s membership covers a range of stakeholders, including local traditional owners. Three members of the community reference group are community representatives on the Gove task force. The community advisory group met for the first time in December 2013, following a public nomination process, and will continue to meet regularly. I encourage all community members to communicate their views and ideas to the community advisory committee.
From the town’s perspective, the community advisory committee provides an important forum and a voice for the concerns of residents, particularly those who have a significant stake in the town’s future and those who have called it their home for the past four decades. I have listened to many representations by the community advisory committee and understand and respect its deep passion for the region’s future.
In my meetings with residents and through the work of Territory government staff who have been focused on building additional economic capacity, we have been growing our relationships and developing our understanding of the critical issues which affect Rio Tinto’s aspirations now and into the foreseeable future. We are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Nhulunbuy when we say it is Rio Tinto’s role to provide immediate support options for not only its own work force but transitional support for the individuals, businesses and other organisations in the region affected by this decision. We have strongly encouraged Rio Tinto to engage with the community and communicate the range of support options it is working through.
Rio Tinto’s plans include a range of strategies and I will outline them:
maintain a bauxite operation that retains 350 employees and contractors who live in the town
develop opportunities for employees and contractors to work on a fly-in fly-out arrangement from Nhulunbuy to other Rio Tinto operations or key Territory projects
in partnership with the Northern Territory government, establish a business hub to provide transitional support for local businesses
offer business mentors and financial planning services to assist local businesses
prioritise company expenditure with local businesses
implement a plan of mentors to help build the capacity of local and Aboriginal businesses to grow
identify opportunities to attract new businesses and business opportunities or government services to Nhulunbuy.
Rio Tinto has also committed to a three-year transitional support package for business and residential property owners in Nhulunbuy. It includes reductions in power tariffs, general rates and rents to business customers for three years, and access to independent financial advice. Residential property investors will also benefit from a reduction in general rates and mortgage subsidies for three years.
Rio Tinto’s employees can remain in their company homes even if they no longer have a role at the operation following suspension of the refinery. Employees who choose this option will maintain their current rental arrangements during 2014, then move to revised rental rates from 2015. This gives residents time to plan for their future. These measures are a welcome start to a difficult process, but it will be up to the government to follow through for the long term.
This government supported a careers day on Tuesday 21 January – around the time the member for Nhulunbuy was not there – called the Rio Tinto Community Careers Fair.
The fair was attended by over 1000 people and other companies from outside the Territory, including one from Saudi Arabia. A number of local companies were also present, along with representatives from government departments. It was reported in the Arafura Times as a huge success.
The Northern Territory government is also holding discussions with Indigenous organisations and traditional owners to expand bauxite and other mineral production in the region.
It will be important for local business and the community to have continued access to finance on reasonable terms. To that end, Rio Tinto is talking to Westpac and other financial institutions about the impact on existing arrangements, but more importantly, about ensuring access to finance for new businesses and projects.
The Northern Territory government has responded quickly and responsibly to help individuals and businesses in Nhulunbuy prepare for the transition. In November I announced the appointment of Mr Mike Chiodo, formerly Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Community Services, as the Territory’s on-the-ground coordinator in Nhulunbuy.
He is playing a key role in assessing the effect of Rio Tinto’s decision on local businesses, the community of Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region. He is coordinating NT government services to ensure they are delivered to best meet the community’s needs. He has been in the community on a full-time basis since December 2013, more than the member for Nhulunbuy. I have made all necessary resources available to him to ensure he can undertake this important role effectively. He is supported by the Chief Executive Officers of key departments …
Ms Walker: You take any holidays Adam?
Mr GILES: … from government and by a – no, I did not, I worked; I was on the job – regional coordination team of senior public servants in Nhulunbuy, as well as support from Darwin.
The reality for the government is we are working to a timetable for curtailment of the refinery – Rio Tinto’s choosing not ours, nor that of local residents.
We are supporting the community’s efforts to negotiate an extension in time for the wind down of the refinery. We also accept that Rio Tinto’s difficult and complex business case is driving the timetable for a transition to bauxite mining only.
The Territory government will continue to provide services to the region, including health, police and education services. Let me make it clear, this commitment to government services is ongoing and not time limited. We will not be withdrawing key services from the region. We will continue to ensure the range of health services available continues and other services, such as housing and policing, meet the needs of the town and the region. Children will receive the educational services they require and all students will have a teacher.
The NT Department of Education is working closely with the principals of Nhulunbuy Primary School and Nhulunbuy High School, as well as both school councils, to ensure a high level of education service is maintained in the town. Full Year 11 and Year 12 subject offerings will remain the same for the 2014 school year. There will be no change to educational services or permanent positions in semester one this year. Any adjustments made during the second semester of 2014 will be in full consultation with school councils.
This government is giving preference to local businesses from the East Arnhem region to undertake government work. My government will ensure businesses are made aware of these opportunities, including capital works, services and supplies.
I have directed all department Chief Executives to review services and procurement, with a view to identifying and packaging initiatives to maximise opportunities and employment for local business and non-government organisations. We want to help as many local businesses and people to get government work as we can.
Important projects planned for the region, such as improving the Central Arnhem Road, and planned government maintenance assets will proceed.
The Department of Health is currently undertaking work to assess what the impact of Rio Tinto’s decision on the future health demands of Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region.
We have already taken steps to ensure people and goods can continue to move in and out of the community. We have had discussions with Qantas and Airnorth, as has Rio Tinto, and are confident the number of flights and the cost of fares should be maintained during the transition period, and we are working to ensure that during the post-curtailment period flights continue to service the region.
My government has made its regional training centre available as a community support centre where residents can obtain information they require from Rio Tinto and the Northern Territory government. Through this centre we are helping residents access services, including counselling, skills development and training, as well as business mentoring and advice.
A senior representative of the Department of Business has been on the ground in Gove since early December, giving advice and assistance to local business. He has already met with approximately 70 businesses and a number of these have already signed up to the government’s Business Growth Program. This program helps Territory businesses engage qualified consultants to provide advice on ways to improve performance and plan for the future.
We have also brought in additional resources to schools to provide counselling services for young people during this uncertain time. Most people affected by Rio Tinto’s decision to suspend production at the refinery are encouraged to enter their details into the government’s Territory Worker Database, which is used by employers located in Nhulunbuy, the East Arnhem region and elsewhere in the Northern Territory to find suitable staff.
A government information line, website and fact sheets are available to ensure the community is kept informed of developments. Rio Tinto has also established a community support line.
The Australian government has a critical role to play because it offers a wide range of services to assist community members with the transition.
I have spoken directly with the Prime Minister about the importance of Australian government support for Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region, and he has assured me he will be closely monitoring these developments. I have also written to him on a number of occasions seeking greater intervention on their part. Discussions have commenced around the Australian government developing packages through both the Department of Employment and the Department of Education for employment and training. In addition, I am working with the Australian government to ensure its services that are being delivered in the region stay in the region. I have asked my federal colleagues to consider what other services could be delivered in Nhulunbuy. These ongoing government services will continue to provide a base to encourage people to stay in the town and encourage new people to move there.
Government services are not enough though. We need to encourage and bring on new economic activity. As we take up this challenge we need to be clear this will take time to develop.
My government is looking at a range of ways it can complement Rio Tinto’s efforts to build a sustainable economy for Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region in the long term. This will require a combined effort from all parties – Rio Tinto, the Australian government, the Northern Territory government, local businesses and the community – to encourage and support the creation of new economic enterprise as quickly as possible.
There is strong community support for sealing the Central Arnhem Road. The Department of Transport is progressively upgrading the road through building bridges and other civil works, and those enhancements will proceed.
We have been working with the federal government to secure roads funding for the region, and that will continue. However, fully sealing this road is a hugely expensive project, estimated at approximately $450m, and in the current fiscal environment with Labor’s $5.5bn debt legacy hanging over our heads, along with federal debt incurred by previous federal Labor governments, we cannot afford to do the work. The Northern Territory government has asked Rio to look into the project and see what broader economic benefits it could bring to the region.
A plan has already been formulated to uncover new tourism-related opportunities for the Nhulunbuy and East Arnhem region following a five-day visit by a team from Tourism NT and the Department of Business.
Education is another potential opportunity for the region. For example, we might look at a series of boarding schools, although in Question Time today the opposition declared it was not interested in that. Perhaps I should have taken that line out? I will skip that line.
The trade training centre in Nhulunbuy could also be built up to supply tradesmen and women throughout the Territory. Now is the time for innovative thinking and taking a fresh look at what might be possible. I have asked Mr Doug McTaggart and Mr Ian Smith, from our expert economic development panel, to prepare an economic development plan for the town and surrounding region.
These gentlemen bring a vast wealth of experience to the community and will help guide our response so it optimises the benefits of the town’s economic future. In particular, they are working on the identification of opportunities in the mining, fishing and tourism sectors and the possibilities to maximise utilisation of existing infrastructure such as wharves.
Discussions have already begun with Rio Tinto about providing access to suitable Rio Tinto assets, including its wharf facilities. I have instructed the Department of Transport to look at the general purpose wharf and its requirements for repairs and maintenance.
We need to make sure our assistance is strategically targeted at realistic potential industries and measures which best support the town going forward. To that end, the ideas and energy generated by the Nhulunbuy Task Force and the Nhulunbuy Community Advisory Committee will be crucial. Nhulunbuy will continue to be a government service centre for the East Arnhem region.
My government is committed to ensuring there will be sufficient public services to meet the needs of the community, and we will work hard to retain as much of the population as possible through the creation of new jobs and new economic activity.
Rio Tinto executive, Sam Walsh, said in November there was nothing more the Territory government could have done to secure a long-term future for the refinery. We did everything in our power. Now we are in the business of building a new future for the town. As Territorians one and all, we stand at the beginning of a new chapter in Nhulunbuy’s future, one where the operations of Rio Tinto will always be of significant economic importance but not the centre of all economic activity.
This new chapter requires a good deal of hard work, ingenuity and a sense of creative vigour to build additional capacity into the region’s economic mainframe. Now is the opportunity to build an economic future for the region which will outlive the mineral leases surrounding the township. This new regional economy will help secure the economic and social fabric of the town and ensure the future generation of Nhulunbuy Territorians will be able to live and work in the region.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing this statement before the House. Rhetoric though it is, in the words of the member for Greatorex who is very fond of labelling ministerial statements ‘puff pieces’ – that is what this statement before the House today is and it is long overdue.
I notice that overnight the Chief Minister has reconsidered and taken out the word ‘Gove’ throughout this statement and replaced it with Nhulunbuy. Good. People use the name for the town interchangeably, but Nhulunbuy is certainly more appropriate.
I make no apologies if I somehow offended the sensibilities of government by circulating the statement to stakeholders last night. I saw it as a significant piece of work which I am sure my stakeholders in Nhulunbuy, including the members of the Gove Community Advisory Committee which I was responsible for establishing – let us be clear here – not the Chief Minister, although NTG provides secretariat support and has carriage of it, and I am a member of it.
I thought it was fit and right to circulate this statement to stakeholders, given they are key players at the table with both levels of government and Rio Tinto in trying to determine what the future of Nhulunbuy might be and trying to hold to account the responsibilities of Rio and both levels of government in this unmitigated disaster we see in the East Arnhem region
I am not sure I will have enough time in my 40 minutes or so on the floor of the House today to respond fully to this statement, given the feedback I have had from stakeholders – numerous e-mails I would like to share with members of this House, because it is my responsibility in the democratic process as the elected representative for the people of Nhulunbuy, whether they voted for me or not.
Some of the responses I had today are from people who certainly did not vote for me, but they have welcomed the opportunity to have their voices heard in this House. I thought the government would stand 200% behind the rhetoric they have put out today and would be happy to see it shared with those who have a vested interest in it: the people not only of the township of Nhulunbuy but the wider East Arnhem region. I find it a little strange we have had a negative reaction from members opposite about my unconventional step to circulate this statement to people I thought needed to see it. The feedback I have received is that people have welcomed the opportunity to look at it.
The Chief Minister cannot back away from his instrumental role in the absolute bungling of the future of Nhulunbuy and the region it supports. He is clearly not up to the job and it is not just me who says that.
Looking at the devastating announcement on 29 November, Rio Tinto employed Charlie Willis – I have known Charlie and his family for a number of years – said:
Charlie Willis is a single dad with two little kids, one in middle school and one in primary school. Where is he going? What is happening to his kids at school? What about local businessman, John Carter. John and Estelle Carter from the Peninsula Bakery and Cafe summarised the view of many people in Nhulunbuy when John said, ‘I am feeling gutted’. That was on 29 November. We are all gutted and continue to feel gutted. There is no beacon of hope for us, thanks to the absence of driving a future for Nhulunbuy. A new future for Nhulunbuy is what this statement is called. Is that meant to be a joke?
I have another quote from the proprietor of the Walkabout Tavern, Mr John Tourish, who is also a member of the Gove Community Advisory Committee and elected in a democratic process to sit on the Gove Task Force. This is what John had to say:
John has also given me permission to read, when I get to them, comments he sent to me via e-mail this morning.
Also, local businesswoman and regional development committee member, and a member of the Gove Community Advisory Committee and the task force, Denise Fincham said – this is from 2 December in The Australian:
True!
A retired refinery employee and retired person in Nhulunbuy is a rare thing. Bob Hemsworth was due to close his house sale on the day the news of the shutdown broke. He said in The Australian on 2 December:
This ministerial statement was due to be brought on by the government last December, but the Chief Minister admitted he was not ready to proceed with it. He told parliament on that day:
We have not heard anything further on the floor of this House since. Clearly he had nothing to say. No plan, nothing to share with the people of the Northern Territory, let alone Nhulunbuy.
It is a pity the Chief Minister could not put more detail into the decision when he reneged on the done deal. It is a pity he did not put more detail into the CLP government’s preparations for curtailment by the company. It is a pity the Chief Minister did not put more detail into his response to the company’s announcement 11 weeks ago. Sadly, it is obvious from your statement you have not made use of the last 11 weeks to educate yourself on the issues facing Nhulunbuy or to bolster your response to the crisis that you, Chief Minister, have created in East Arnhem Land.
You slipped into Nhulunbuy on a couple of occasions, never on a commercial aircraft, always on a charter. He slips in, slips out and has select meetings with a few people. If he brings media it is select media. On his last visit public servants were advised, ‘This is highly confidential, you are not to share it with anybody: the Chief Minister is coming.’ Public servants are wondering what is so secretive about this visit. Next morning on Facebook, ‘It is a beautiful day in Gove’, the Chief Minister announced. Well, not if you have just lost your job or are unsure what you kids will do in three months’ time, or are unsure, if you are not a Rio employee, how you will hold a job, let alone find the $30 000 to ship you and your family out because there are no prospects there.
Sadly, it is obvious from the statement he has not made use of those weeks at all. The Chief Minister has created this uncertainty – singly and squarely we lay the blame at his feet – and plunged the community into crisis. During that period we saw personal attacks from the Chief Minister on anyone who dared speak up for the community, and I am still front and centre of those attacks. Bring it on, Chief Minister, I am made of sterner things than you would know, and you do not even know the resilience that rests in my community.
That has been the immediate reaction from this very arrogant Chief Minister on every occasion. Rather than explain his decision to renege on the member for Blain’s deal, the former Chief Minister, he simply chooses to deflect and blame anyone he can rather than shoulder responsibility.
In this statement he says he stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nhulunbuy. What rubbish! Nobody believes that. The past weeks and months have been characterised by the abject failure of the Chief Minister and the CLP government to stand up for Territorians and the people of the East Arnhem region as they deal with Rio Tinto’s curtailing of the refining operations, the loss of more than 1400 jobs in Nhulunbuy and the consequent devastating impact on the Northern Territory economy. I know the Leader of the Opposition will talk about this.
In October 2012 the company announced a strategic review of operations. We said the then Chief Minister and the Country Liberal government must do everything in their capacity to keep the refinery open to sustain and support not only the township of Nhulunbuy, but the wider region. We said the Chief Minister at the time needed to work with the Commonwealth and other stakeholders to secure gas for Gove. Back then we said the mine was vital to Nhulunbuy and the region, and it was critical that the former Chief Minister secured gas not only for the future of the region, but for business owners and the entire Northern Territory – for the direct flow of business through to Darwin which will now be impacted by this.
To his credit, the former Chief Minister, the member for Blain, acted, delivered and announced a done deal on 13 February. Gas to Gove was not only important for the refinery and the community of Nhulunbuy, but for the whole Northern Territory. The project had the potential to double the size of the gas market, driving further investment in exploration to increase long-term gas supply to attract new industry and create jobs for Territorians. People in Nhulunbuy believed the CLP government in February. They believed your Cabinet – those who are still members of Cabinet – and those who came into parliament after the announcement and crowed about the good work the CLP government and Cabinet had delivered. We believed in people and believed in government, and on the strength of that people invested.
Adam Giles then took the reins of government, took on the role of Chief Minister, and the next thing we knew was, in July, he reneged on the deal. He said, ‘Sorry, you can’t have 300 PJ of gas, you can have 175. Take it or leave it.’ He tried to convince us this was a win/win situation. What sort of signal did that send to the Territory? It sent a global signal that not only could the Chief Minister not be trusted, the Country Liberal Party could not be trusted, furthermore, that the Territory was closed for business. A deal is not a deal when it is done with the Country Liberal Party.
No government worth its salt would trash Nhulunbuy in the way the current Chief Minister has. Even the former Chief Minister stepped up with a plan, a commitment and a promise everyone believed. The current Chief Minister has simply trashed that. The people of Nhulunbuy deserve to see information they are relying upon. They have never been able to see the due diligence report around why the gas deal was canned, only the executive summary. We have called to see the obligations of the 2011 leases. We have never been able to see those leases and the Northern Territory government all the while sits in the background hiding behind the skirts of Rio Tinto, allowing them to take the lead and not standing up for Territorians.
As I said before, responsibility for this unmitigated disaster sits squarely with the Chief Minister. He has created this uncertainty and plunged our entire community and region into a crisis, and the immediate reaction has been defensive and to attack. In September, he even went so far as to attack Rio Tinto when he said he was disappointed Rio Tinto has chosen to scare its employees when they were saying they may have to consider curtailment of operations. Rather than rolling up his sleeves, doing his homework and finding a solution, he has blamed everybody rather than look to himself and the decision he and his Cabinet made.
This announcement has devastated the people of Nhulunbuy and the wider region. The Prime Minister has not responded to a single letter from the GCAC, me, or other stakeholders. However, bless him, at the time he said, ‘The people who I feel very sorry for are those who have bought homes and businesses in Gove on the expectation of a very vibrant, ongoing continuing economy and who are now in a very difficult position. I think these are the people Rio does have a moral debt to, if not necessarily a legal debt.’
Hollow words from the Prime Minister, like the Chief Minister, planting it squarely back on Rio Tinto, ‘Nothing to do with us; not our responsibility’. He is missing in action, along with Senator Scullion. He was all over the electorate during the federal election, but we have not seen him since. What is worse, he lives in Darwin and is a senator of the Northern Territory.
Last Friday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, federal MP Warren Snowdon and Senator Nova Peris came to Nhulunbuy for a full day. Bill Shorten arrived in Nhulunbuy on Thursday night around 10.15 pm and we had our first meeting with union delegates, a stakeholder group which represents workers who represent jobs who represent people and their families. Has the Chief Minister met with any of those people? No way, he hates unions. He is not interested in them any more than the federal Coalition government is. Bill Shorten said he did not notice a traffic jam on the way in to Gove with federal parliamentarians lining up to get there. Absolutely abandoned!
It is laughable the Chief Minister can say with a straight face he will be holding anyone to their commitments after all the backflips on commitments made by him and the CLP government. It has been nearly three months since that announcement, ample time for the Territory government to prepare a comprehensive support package for Nhulunbuy; I am not talking about counselling and financial services.
By the way, the sum made available to businesses, which is 50:50 funded by Rio and the government to provide business advice – businesses are asking if they can have that money for lawyers. They are looking for legal representation. The threats to their businesses and livelihood are very real. There is not a lot some of these businesses can do to turn things around and remain sustainable.
One local business we visited on Friday is paying rent in the vicinity of $11 000 a month. Do you know what they are taking through the till at the moment on a daily basis? Three hundred dollars a day. You do not have to be Einstein or the Treasurer to work out those figures are not sustainable. Those opposite say, ‘Too bad, nothing to do with us. Business needs to stand on its own feet. We are not providing corporate business welfare.’ What happens to some of these core businesses? What do you do in a town without a bakery or a butcher? It is too bad if you want to go fishing, one of your favourite pastimes. It is unlikely that business will stay open.
Last week Rio Tinto announced a support plan – tangible financial packages. The Chief Minister referred to it in his speech and in Question Time today. However, there remains a void of information about what Rio and the Territory and federal governments plan to do with the town and people who are expected to make decisions without any knowledge of what a structural adjustment package might look like. We are not talking about money being handed out to people; we are talking about structural adjustment packages like we have seen in other parts of Australia where there have been major manufacturing downturns.
Look at the 1997 BHP steelworks situation in Newcastle. Look, more recently, at the announcements of Holden and Ford closing, and, yesterday, Toyota. The big difference between those places and what is happening in Nhulunbuy is they have time – three and four years some of them. We have no time, and time is ticking away. Curtailment and closure are on the way and families are leaving. Nobody from that side of the House has exerted any pressure on Rio Tinto or the federal government to slow the process down. ‘Nothing to do with us. It’s a mining town.’ It is shameful and small wonder people are feeling abandoned.
The CLP government has a responsibility to explain future plans to the town and the region, but it is sitting on its hands and, on numerous occasions, letting Rio Tinto take the lead. The best we have heard so far is news of a road which might be sealed if you can convince the federal government to stump up $450m. That will not help people next year or in five years’ time. I would be surprised, though delighted, if I saw it in ten years’ time. Do not forget we are on Aboriginal Land Trust and there have to be extensive negotiations. Talks have been held in recent years about excising a lease over a corridor for the Central Arnhem Road. It is a good plan but is not helping next year, five years’ time, even beyond that.
Irrespective of that, there is the lack of structural adjustment plans, the lack of real information from the Northern Territory government about the impact upon public servants and their jobs, and if you are a teacher you are safe until the end of June. How reassuring is that? Regardless, people have to make tough decisions without the information they need.
The fact is the Chief Minister has had months to prepare for the repercussions of his decision to renege on the done deal on gas to Gove and has done nothing. He has failed to stand up for Territorians at a time when people are looking to the head of government to show some leadership. There is none from the Chief Minister opposite.
This brutal wind down time of eight months is unprecedented compared to what we have seen in major manufacturing downturns in other parts of Australia. It is a clear and sizeable burden on our community, and one that is weighing people down more than you would ever understand. Phase one of the ramp down has already commenced. The first group of employees has already left the refinery and is leaving town.
What has the Chief Minister been doing for the past few months? Why has he not lined up his Liberal mates in Canberra to develop a contingency plan for Nhulunbuy? Why did he not say Nhulunbuy needs more time to adjust and Territorians will not accept the brutal time frame proposed by the company? Why could he not come up with concrete action even remotely resembling something that could be termed a new future for Gove?
It is the role of government to get in before announcements such as this are made. This is what Adam Giles has failed to do. Where is the CLP government’s independent, economic and social impact analysis by experts? I have not seen it. I do not think it exists. The federal government’s social, economic impact analysis, these important research documents, these studies that inform the planning – no one has seen them. The GCAC asked for them to be released. No, it is a secretive government on that side. They do not like releasing reports, probably because they are full of bad news. There is not one.
The best and most accurate body of work we can point to at the moment has come from the grassroots of the community through the GCAC, the Gove Community Advisory Committee, those people who have given up so many hours of their time, sacrificed so much to inform the government and Rio Tinto exactly what is at stake.
What has Mr Giles, as our Chief Minister, done to highlight the importance of the Rio refinery in Nhulunbuy to the township and the thousands of jobs and regional economic development which is all at risk? There is no comprehensive social and economic impact analysis of what is at stake because they do not care. The people who live there think this is out of sight out of mind for the government.
Last year I called on the CLP government to develop contingency plans, which fell on deaf ears. I restate that call on members opposite, the ministers, those who sit around Cabinet, those who do not make their way to Gove – the Mines minister and the Tourism minister. The Attorney-General has been out in his capacity as Corrections minister, but no sign of the Education minister in my schools ...
Mr Chandler: I have been there, Lynne.
Ms WALKER: No, you have not been there. Shamefully, the leader of the federal opposition stepped into a school ahead of you. Thank you for providing permission.
Debate suspended.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, it is with deep regret that I advise of the death, on 6 January 2014, of Mr Sid Parker. Sid Parker had been involved in the cattle industry over the past 50 years. He led the way with the live export trade to Southeast Asia and was a great and true Territorian.
Madam SPEAKER: I advise honourable members of the presence in the gallery of the widow of Mr Parker, Mrs Elvi Tolentino Parker, Ms Bing Tolentino, Mr Brooke Hartley and Mrs Faye Hartley, who knew Sid for over 42 years, Ms Vivienne Inkley and Mr Stewart Young, Mr Ian Bradford, Mr Paul Catermole, Mr David George and Mrs Rozzi George, Ms Janis Adair and Mr Angus McClimont, Mr Lincoln Jenkins, Mr Brian Chin, Mr Kevin Mulvahil, Mr Zip Murphy and Mrs Tricia O’Neill. I extend a warm welcome to you all on this sad occasion.
I remind honourable members and guests that on completion of the debate I will ask members to stand in silence for one minute as a mark of respect for Mr Sid Parker.
CONDOLENCE MOTION
Mr Sid Parker OAM
Mr GILES (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, on Tuesday 14 January 2014 I had the honour of addressing the state funeral held at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral to commemorate the life of Sidney Thomas Parker. I outlined some of the many reasons Sid was, and always will remain, a legendary figure in the history of the Northern Territory.
Today I would like to put on the record a more complete picture of a great Territorian whose life and contributions saw him inducted into the Northern Territory Racing Hall of Fame in 1997 for his exemplary contribution to growing the club and the racing industry in the Top End, the International Trade Hall of Fame in 1999, the Livestock Exporters Hall of Fame in October 2002 and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to the cattle industry and horse racing.
I would also like to thank all those who have shared their memories of Sid Parker with me: the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Mick Palmer; Paul Catermole and Richard Trivett; historians Peter and Sheila Forrest; his many friends in the live cattle industry, including the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association which Sid helped establish in 1979; and the industry publication Beef Central.
Sid Parker was born on 22 June 1925 in Queensland and spent most of his childhood in the township of Comet, between Blackwater and Emerald, where his parents owned a hotel. While still a boy he worked for the horse dealer, Frank Beasley, who exported mounts to the Indian Army and Dutch East Indies.
In 1942 Sid joined the Royal Australian Navy. He later said, ‘I wanted to join up and get into war, so I joined the Navy because they would take you at 17’. In 1944 he visited Darwin for the first time, aboard the Corvette HMAS Echuca, and joined work parties sent ashore. One of his jobs was moving quarters of beef into the chillers at the old Vestey’s Meatworks. After the war Sid returned to Queensland where he joined the Vestey’s Pastoral Company running stock camps.
Following a memorable period at Oban Station southwest of Mt Isa, Vestey’s sent Sid to the Northern Territory as head stockman of Helen Springs Station. He arrived in 1959, the early days of long distance movement of live cattle by road transport, and the description of road train was three single deck trailers with about 30 head in each.
Sid watched deliveries for the live export trade heading for the Philippines, and later Hong Kong, being organised by American entrepreneurs Charlie Henderson and Gus Trippe through their company, North Australian Development. It was during a visit to Darwin in 1959 that he joined these colourful characters as a cattle buyer. This was the start of Sid’s lifelong commitment to the live cattle export business.
Sid would supervise the loading at Frances Bay where cattle and buffalo would be walked across to the hull of a barge sitting in the mud at low tide. A new loading facility was built at Fort Hill Wharf in 1961. Sid met Big Bill Gunn, or Sir William Gunn as he was more formally known, who employed him as the Territory manager overseeing Gunn’s diversified operations, including Goodparla and Gimbat, Douglas Station and the development of the renowned Tipperary Station. During his time he also helped introduce Brahman cattle to the Northern Territory, buying 200 bulls for Elizabeth Downs, part of Tipperary.
When Sid Parker moved on from the Gunn group he stayed in the livestock and meat export industries. His ventures included NT Stock Feeds, which opened at the 18 Mile with a licence to make the first ever supplementary feed in the Territory. Sid was regional supervisor, Arthur Lim the product manager and Richard Trevett the salesman, in joint ownership with Max Bell of Bonrook Station and Meneling abattoir at Batchelor, and butcher shops at Stuart Park and Berrimah, as well as back loading planes which were bringing in products from Asia following Cyclone Tracy – live cattle. He was involved in two 1500 head shipments of buffalo breeding stock to Cuba in 1983, all sourced from the Territory, and held a close association with Carabao Exports and the live cattle export of buffalo until the company was taken over by the Brunei government in 1989. It is probably very fitting that I stand here today, having seen the first shipment of buffalo exported to Vietnam early this morning.
By then the live cattle export trade was increasing, very much driven by Sid Parker and John Kaus, another member of the Carabao team at the time. Markets grew from Sabah, Malaysia and the Philippines to include Indonesia and Brunei, and the Carabao was Australia’s leading exporter in both 1991 and 1992. Transport was mainly by specially commissioned vessels and also included DC9s, two or three planes a week with about 100 steers in each. Despite the sale of the business to the Brunei government, Sid continued as part of the team for a period. Age was absolutely no deterrent and he was, without doubt, the acknowledged expert with personal relationships of trust and respect across northern Australia and Asia nurtured over many a long year.
Sid Parker established South East Asian Livestock Export Services with John Kaus and continued to play an active role right to the end. As mentioned earlier, he was a founding member and chairman of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association. In the association’s own words, Sid Parker was ‘the father of our industry’. His creed was, ‘Understanding cattle, that’s the big thing’, and getting a bit of knowledge about how well cattle will do. With live cattle, it is sending the right product to the customer.
Sid Parker was also an active member of the Northern Territory horse racing industry throughout his life. When he first moved to Darwin he lived at the Vic Hotel. There he met Eileen and their first home was in Douglas Street, conveniently close to the race course where Sid would devote a great deal of his time.
Sid was also instrumental in re-introducing racing to Adelaide River. The first meeting in 1961 featured the Parker high weight, a race for station horses. The winner was a horse named Moonlight and the rider one Sid Parker.
Sid was a committee member of the Darwin Turf Club from 1968 to 2000, and there were some amazing highlights mixed with lows.
In 1970 his horse, Ray Wit, won the first Darwin Cup to be run on the unique oil and sand track. Cyclone Tracy killed nearly all the horses and demolished the stables and rails.
In March 1975, Vestey’s had a sale of horses at Wave Hill. Sid and Paddy Mornane bought 50 to get racing going in Darwin again, and a Dry Season carnival was held just a few months after that purchase. There was no doubt Sid played a pivotal role in the emergence of the Darwin Cup Carnival as a major national racing event. In 1985 he was rewarded with life membership of the club, but, many would argue, the highlight of Sid’s racing career was the day his favourite, On the Beam, won the 1999 Darwin Cup.
Sid Parker passed away on 5 January 2014 aged 88. He was a tenacious Territorian who refused to be told what could not be done. His code was to confront a challenge and find a solution. The chapter in our history titled the Sid Parker story makes it clear exactly what is special about northern Australia and what can be achieved with the pioneering spirit of Territorians such as Sid Parker.
The Darwin Turf Club’s tribute to Sid included:
Ms LAWRIE (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I wish to pay my respects to Sid Parker’s widow, his family and friends. He was a truly outstanding Territorian. We have heard of his many achievements from the Chief Minister, of his life and times, and now I too pay tribute to the efforts of Sid Parker in helping to shape the Territory to what it is today.
As we know, his work in the live export business modernised the industry to what it is today. Both sides of the House considered Darwin and the Territory as Australia’s gateway to Asia, and one of the central planks to that gateway is our live export business.
When we strengthen or open new markets in live export across Asia, it helps other industries start to gain a foothold and, hopefully, more trade for the Territory with our Asian neighbours. None of this would have been possible without Sid.
Sid’s links to the Territory began, as many of our great Territorians do, with that short visit during World War II, bringing Sid to Darwin in the Navy and coming back again in 1959, staying ever since.
I am advised that Sid spent his first seven years in Darwin living at the Vic Hotel; what an incredible experience that would have been.
It was in Darwin that Sid got his first job in the live export business working for, as we have heard, Charlie Henderson and Gus Trippe. While not overly successful, it gave Sid his first taste of the business he would become a master of for the next four decades.
After Henderson and Trippe, he joined up with Sir William Gunn, or Big Bill Gunn. Sir William was an early believer in the potential of the Territory and Sid acquired a job setting up Sir William’s Darwin-based office for all his business dealings.
It was during this job that Sid pioneered supplementary feeding for Territory cattle. It was after Sir William’s businesses started winding down that Sid, who had started branching out on his own, moved into his next passion: horse racing.
He moved out of the Vic Hotel in 1965 to Douglas Street, Ludmilla, as we have heard, conveniently located next to the Fannie Bay racecourse. He joined the committee in 1967 and was secretary of the Turf Club during the period of Cyclone Tracy.
Sid was tasked with setting up races as soon as possible to give people some relief, which was hard considering the horses at the racecourse were killed during the cyclone. With Sid and Paddy’s efforts, they had carnival racing back up and running six months after Tracy, one of the very first recreational activities to start up again in Darwin.
All Sid’s contributions to racing were recognised when he was admitted into the racing hall of fame at Fannie Bay in 1997.
After going into business himself, Sid really hit his groove in the live export market, setting up his own businesses and contacts. He literally became the go-to man if you wanted to export cattle from the Territory.
He knew what everyone had and what everyone wanted and, by and large, put the right people together at the right time. His business, SEALS. or South East Asian Livestock Services, had dealings all over Asia, predominantly in Brunei.
He was a founding member of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association and served as its Chairman in the 1990s, and again into the 2000s. Called the ‘father of live exports’ by many, Sid will leave behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
It has been my privilege, as a former Racing minister, to see the passion Sid had for the racing industry and the support he provided to it. Sid, like the finest of thoroughbreds, was the finest of Territorians, and I am so pleased, on behalf of my colleagues – I know others will contribute as well – to give my deepest and sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Sid Parker. I was unfortunately away from the Territory during the state funeral and could not attend; the member for Nightcliff attended on my behalf.
Sid was passionate about this place and has left an enduring legacy. His life was an extraordinary one. He saw extraordinary times and the growth of the Territory, and to have provided such strength to two industries – live export and horse racing – is truly remarkable. My condolences.
Mr TOLLNER (Deputy Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing on this condolence motion and for giving Sid a state funeral. I know it was appreciated by family and friends of Sid.
I knew Sid as a friend more than someone who was a pioneer of an industry. I would bump into Sid at the Buff Club, have a couple of drinks with him and that type of thing, and saw him as a genuine old bloke. You would never die wondering what Sid thought; he was more than happy to tell you, there were no problems with that.
It has only been in recent times that I have come to grasp the impact Sid had on the Territory and the legacy he has left. When I say recent times, I mean very recent times. It was probably 18 months or two years ago when I was sitting in the Buff Club with a couple of friends – people known in this House – Tina MacFarlane, our former candidate in Lingiari, and her husband, Lindsay. Of course, Lindsay is the son of Les MacFarlane, a former Territory parliamentarian. I was having a beer and a game of pool with Lindsay when he looked at Tina and said, ‘I think that’s old Sid Parker over there’. Tina said, ‘Where, Lindsay?’ They looked over and were awestruck and said, ‘Is that Sid Parker?’ I said, ‘Yes, do you know Sid?’ They said, ‘We know who Sid is, do you think you could introduce us?’
I was quite taken back. They were acting like my boys would act if Michael Jordan was in the room; they felt scared to approach him and talk to him, and those two guys have been around the cattle industry for a long time. They were in total awe of Sid Parker. It was only at his funeral that I started to gather the impact Sid had. I had no clue, having known Sid for such a long time, that in some regards we came from the same place. He is from Comet; I am from a little place called Baralaba in central Queensland not too far from there. I have had several beers in the Comet pub. He came to the Territory and worked in the cattle industry; I came here and was in advertising but then had a bit to do with buffaloes and the land.
Sid brought the first Brahmans into the Territory in 1963, and my family was involved in breeding Brahmans in about 1974. Most people do not have much appreciation for what that meant because back then they looked at the Bos Indicus cattle and called them zebu, which were something from India – skinny razor blade looking cattle. People wondered why you were bringing them into Australia. That was the way my family was treated when we started breeding Brahmans.
Back then there was very little artificial insemination. Embryo flushing and that type of thing was not even heard of. You had to breed cattle to a state where you could breed a pure one, and that meant bringing bulls in from overseas. The fact Sid involved himself in breeding Brahmans back in 1963 tells me he must have had a strong relationship with the Americans. Obviously, Charlie Henderson and Gus Trippe would have had to do that because the only source of Brahman cattle would have been the US.
It is interesting the way the world turns because now, 40 or 50 years down the track, we are exporting Brahmans to the US. Australia has taken over by leaps and bounds when it comes to that. However, that would have been quite a large step and something very few people from the land would have been motivated to do – going overseas, dealing with cattle and trying to organise international trade agreements and the like. I am stunned at the pioneering work he would have done to get something like that happening.
The other thing about Sid’s funeral was the people who turned up – an extraordinary array of people from industry right across the Northern Territory, big name people, many of whom are sitting in the gallery – close friends, former ministers, cattle barrens in their own right, and many well-known Territorians. William Gunn junior came over from the United States, and former National Farmers’ Federation king pin, David Crombie, was also there. It was the who’s who of the cattle industry around Australia, and what a fitting thing it was to have a state funeral for Sid.
I am enormously proud to say I knew the man and disappointed it is only in very recent times I have come to understand the length and breadth of his achievement. Obviously he is held in the same high regard by people from the racing industry. That is another story and not something I am overly familiar with.
Madam Speaker and Chief Minister, thank you very much for the opportunity to say a couple of words in relation to Sid Parker. He was a lovely bloke, very easy to get on with, and a good person most of all, and that is an important thing. Sid, rest in peace, and best wishes to family and friends.
Mr McCARTHY (Barkly): Madam Speaker, I support the condolence motion. I did not know Sid Parker. I came to the Territory and lived on cattle stations for 10 years so I heard the story, and that represents the Territory really – a massive geographic jurisdiction but a small population and, among the pastoral industry, a very close population. You hear the stories and, in my case, it was a bit of a retro-analysis of working out after the events. It is very interesting Territory history to discover the people behind such amazing events which transformed the cattle industry in the Northern Territory.
I came to the Northern Territory looking for a place with no fences, and would spread that brief anecdote to the city folk I left behind. To some degree I experienced that in the gulf country of the Barkly. It was at the end of that amazing era where the wooden yards were still in place, you could witness bronco branding, cattle were still mustered on horseback, bulls and piker bullocks were cut out, and it was actioned packed every step of the way. I tried to involve myself in the working of the stations as much as possible; however, being a school teacher there was a barrier to work through but, in most cases, I got through it.
There was the BTEC program to understand – the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign – and as a school teacher living on pastoral properties I asked myself what would follow. It was a very exciting era, particularly with the bull catching, but I questioned what would follow. What followed represents the story of a man like Sid Parker, and that was the change in industry from a wild catch traditional cattle operation into a highly organised supplement-fed processed beast destined for very specific markets. In regard to a retro-analysis, it is good to look back, learn the stories and understand the legacy of what was left by such gentlemen in the Northern Territory. It is a significant chain of events that not only sophisticated the industry but also set the Northern Territory up for a very fine future. When we look at those developments and see the supplement feed and the processed animal for a specific trade, the Territory has a very bright future.
It is nice to speak in a condolence motion and have the opportunity, as a member of the opposition team, because as an elected community member it is my job to learn and take on the wisdom and knowledge presented by such a gentleman as Sid Parker. We need to be well-informed, have plans and have vision for the future.
I thank the Chief Minister for bringing the condolence motion forward and I offer my respects to family and friends. It is a wonderful story and one we all celebrate. May Sid Parker rest in peace.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing on this condolence motion this afternoon. As the Northern Territory’s Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this condolence motion for the late Sid Parker.
Standing here this afternoon, I feel slightly uncomfortable because many of the comments I make will be directed to the people behind me and I do not like having people behind me when I am talking to them. I apologise for my geographic location in the Chamber, but will continue nonetheless.
First, my condolences to Sid’s family and friends; he certainly was a great man. Sid’s contribution to the many facets of the Northern Territory’s live cattle export industry was colossal by any standards. He forged new overseas markets, was instrumental in establishing the political and business relationships throughout Southeast Asia, and he successfully coordinated logistics and transport in a time where communications were limited and difficult. He certainly operated in those early days in very difficult circumstances.
As we heard today, Sid has had a stand-out career with many highlights. These included establishing cattle exports to the Philippines, the reopening of the live cattle trade to Hong Kong, and the long-standing involvement in Malaysian, Indonesian and Vietnamese markets. However, above all else, Sid Parker was a true friend of the Northern Territory’s pastoral industry. From his time managing cattle stations to his hard work in establishing overseas markets for Territory cattle, by all accounts Sid was a true gentleman and a man of his word.
I had the pleasure of meeting Sid several times, including last year at the life membership awards of the Northern Territory Live Exporters’ Association annual dinner. Although I only knew Sid for a short time, it was easy to see why he was greatly admired and respected by so many Territorians. Sid’s vision for live export opportunities and the efforts he put in to ensure these aspirations were realised are to be commended. Without a doubt, the north Australian pastoral industry and associated business sectors will forever reap the rewards of the efforts of this live cattle export industry pioneer.
On behalf of the Northern Territory’s cattle industry, I thank you Sid for your huge contribution to establishing the live cattle industry, and your lifetime of hard work in ensuring it flourished into the successful industry sector it has become today. The many Territorians involved in the pastoral and live cattle export industry will never forget this great man, what he did for the Northern Territory and, indeed, for northern Australia.
On behalf of the NT government, I express profound gratitude to Sid Parker in recognition of his most significant contributions to the pastoral industry in the Northern Territory. It was a pleasure and honour to have met Sid. As the minister for Primary Industry, it is my intention to do his legacy proud and work hard to ensure the Northern Territory’s live cattle export industry continues to thrive and prosper into the future.
Mr VATSKALIS (Casuarina): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing this condolence motion to this House because Sid Parker did not come from somewhere else to live in the Territory, Sid Parker is a legend of the Territory. I rise to pay my respects to Sid’s widow and family and to thank Sid for what he has done for the Territory and me personally, and I will explain why. Sid came from somewhere else, like many of us, but made the Territory his home and he worked really hard to make it a better place, and he did.
He was born in Comet, Queensland, and grew up with his family in his family hotel. He served, like many Territorians who came here, with the Defence Force in the Navy, and then came to the Territory just for a while – like many of us – but stayed for a long time.
He worked for Vestey’s pastoral industry, which sent him to the Territory. Here he was introduced to the live export trade by working as a cattle buyer for American entrepreneurs, Charlie Henderson and Gus Trippe, who were exporting cattle to Hong Kong. With Mr Trippe and Mr Parker, he was a founding exporter to the Philippines and they still remember him there. The following years witnessed exports flourishing after the war, and falling with the opening of the abattoirs in Darwin and Katherine.
Sid then worked as the Territory manager of Sir William Gunn’s company, which was focused primarily on the development of Tipperary Station, and this really started the export of cattle according to Sid. He then moved to exporter giant AUSTREX which bought out Sir William’s company in 1973. Life outside live exports soon beckoned and Mr Parker, or Sid as everybody knew him, followed a few other things before coming on board with buffalo and cattle exporters, David George and Ian Britten-Jones. This was his return to the live export business full-time, co-ordinating plane loads and then shipments of buffaloes and cattle to a range of Southeast Asian markets for Carabao Exports.
In a 2002 ABC program about Sid’s life, Sid remembered some of his early adventures: He remembered ordering 20 buffaloes weighing 800 pounds to send to Hong Kong, but there was a mistake and the station sent 20 beasts with 800 pounds of meat on them. They weighed 1400 pounds and had massive horns but were put on the plane. The next day Sid received a telex saying ‘No more buffaloes please, they’re still on the plane’. They had to be tranquillised to take them off. It was a rare occurrence for Sid to get a customer’s specifications mixed up.
In the early 1990s, after the business was sold to the Brunei government, Sid established South East Asian Livestock Services, SEALS, with former Carabao colleague, John Kaus. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the company sent buffalo to overseas markets, including Cuba and Nigeria, before a blue tongue scare put a hold on exports for two years. It opened again in the 1980s with high demand for breeder cattle, followed by an Indonesian interest in feeder cattle.
Sid was the founding member of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association and was its chairman from 1995 to 2000, and from 2009. He was a member of the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council from 1985, and SEALS’ core principal and general manager from 1996.
In October 2002, the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association recognised his years of service to the livestock export industry with his induction into the Livestock Exporters Hall of Fame. The NTLEA wrote at the time:
In 2000, to commemorate Mr Parker’s 75th birthday, the Northern Territory government commissioned a book in his honour titled, Old Sid: The Life and Times of Sid Parker. In 2012, Mr Parker’s contributions were acknowledged at large when he received the Order of Australia Medal, OAM.
Aside from cattle, Mr Parker also had a 32-year relationship with the Darwin Turf Club, including prominent roles and awards such as the 2000 Australian Sports Medal. Mr Parker was also an active member of the Northern Territory horse racing industry throughout his life. He was a committee member of the Darwin Turf Club from 1968 to 2000, serving as chairman and vice chairman during that time, and was inducted into the Northern Territory Racing Hall Of Fame in 1997. He was also inducted into the International Trade Hall of Fame by the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce.
The first time I met Sid was in 2005 when I became minister for Primary Industry. I did not know much about primary industry or live cattle exports, so I asked for advice or to speak to somebody who knew something about it, and into my office walked Sid Parker. I looked at him and thought, ‘He is a bit old to still be in the industry, isn’t he?’, but when he spoke to me about live cattle export, where and how to do business, I knew he was not just an old man; he was a living encyclopaedia who knew everything about live cattle export. Not only did he know everything about live cattle export, he knew the right people and the right place with regard to cattle. I visit Sabah and they still remember Sid Parker. I visit the Philippines and they still remember Sid Parker. I went to Kuching and they knew him there too. I went to Jakarta and everybody spoke about Sid.
I followed his advice and we decided to find new markets when things got a bit tough with Indonesia. His advice was, ‘Go to new markets, go back to Malaysia, go back to Vietnam’, and we did. I was pleased to hear the Chief Minister today telling us about the export of buffaloes to the markets we opened in 2011. Well done!
This is Sid Parker’s legacy. This man made Territorians very proud. Sid is survived by his wife Elvi, but he is remembered by all Territorians for his significant contribution in the past 50 years to the development of the live cattle export trade to Southeast Asia and his contribution to making the Territory a better place.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing on this condolence motion. I knew more about Sid Parker than I knew him personally. If you went to St Mary’s Cathedral for his funeral you would have seen that many people knew him because the cathedral was packed. I want to say a few words today because we have farewelled one of the last of what I call old-fashioned Territorians.
There was no spin about him; there was no bull about him. When something had to be done, he did it. Some of the names mentioned today, like Bill Gunn and Charlie Henderson – I knew Charlie Henderson because he flew meat to Bathurst Island in a fixed-wing aeroplane that would just about land on the runway. He pioneered the export of meat from Bullo River. I knew people like Arch McGill, who worked as manager of Tipperary, and Bob Nelson, who was 25 years as head stockman at Pigeon Hole on VRD.
Sid Parker was like those people. They were down to earth people who knew how to get things done. As the ad says, they were about no bull. I believe that, as mentioned by other speakers, you sometimes have to centre on what you know about the man. His legacy is part of the great change to the pastoral industry.
Even when I arrived, live cattle was hardly ever mentioned, certainly stock routes were. There were abattoirs at Katherine, Meneling and Darwin; I am not sure if there was one at Tennant Creek at that stage. The industry was exporting out of the Territory on foot, truck or to the abattoirs. Live cattle exports, although they happened, were not the main focus of the pastoral industry in the Northern Territory.
You only have to look at the pastoral industry, especially in the Top End over the last 40 years or so, to see how it has changed considerably, such as the different breeds of cattle the member for Fong Lim mentioned. I do not remember many Brahmans around, and zebu was the name they was given when coming to the Territory, but people were a bit cynical about them being any good because they looked different. People were used to short horns, long horns and animals that were brown and red in colour, not white and all shades in between.
You see, with a person who has introduced genes into the Northern Territory to improve the Territory herd, to have turned the inward looking focus of our cattle industry to an outward looking focus – the export industry – someone who has left a legacy that will be remembered forever. What you see today would not have happened unless you had people like him and his partners working in that area to achieve the goals they did. He will be remembered as a person who, as I said, was about no spin, no bull. He got things done, and the proof of the pudding is what happened.
Of course, he also became involved in another four-legged industry, the horse-racing industry. The member for Karama has detailed Sid’s love of horses. I did not follow his horses much because I cannot remember betting on the winner of the Darwin Cup, but he was a great person in that industry. He kept going, and when we read his life, as I am sure it will be written again – Peter Forrest has done work on his life but it will probably be updated – you see a history of the Northern Territory pastoral industry as well as the Northern Territory racing industry.
There is a reminder for me now of Sid Parker. The Chief Minister mentioned NT Stock Feeds, which still exists, even though it is in temporary accommodation at Coolalinga. When I go past NT Stock Feeds now – for me it always belonged to the Patsalou’s. Obviously they were not the first owners of NT Stock Feeds, Sid Parker was. There is a living reminder of someone associated with both the cattle and horse industries because that is what NT Stock Feeds is about.
It is obvious Sid Parker did not believe in rusting away because he worked until he wore away. My understanding is, reading the documents, he could have been 87, 88 or 89. Someone might make sure I am correct, but in three pieces of information I have three different ages. We can say for sure he definitely lived a full life and Territorians will miss Sid Parker. My sympathy to his family and all his friends. Thank you.
Madam SPEAKER: I extend my condolences and sympathies to the family of Mr Sid Parker and his friends on his departing. I extend my sincere sympathies to you for what is clearly a great loss, not only to his loved ones but to the Northern Territory. He was a great and true Territorian who will be sorely missed by his loved ones, his family, friends, industry and the community as a whole.
Members stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: I thank honourable members for their contribution to the motion and invite the family and friends of Mr Parker, and interested members, to afternoon tea in the Main Hall.
Mr CLERK: Mr Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Standing 100A, I inform honourable members that responses to petition numbers 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 have been received and circulated to honourable members. The text of the responses has been placed on the Legislative Assembly website. A copy of the response will be provided to the member who tabled the petition for distribution to petitioners.
Continued from earlier this day.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Mr Deputy Speaker, as we suspended the House at midday, I come back to my statement almost three hours later. At that time I was talking about education and – a rare thing – thanking the Minister for Education for providing his approval for federal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bill Shorten, Senator Nova Peris and the member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, to visit Nhulunbuy High School on Friday afternoon. It was an interesting visit; I encourage the minister to make his way to my electorate. Not a single Education minister, of the three we have had in 18 months, has been to Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala or homeland schools to visit staff and students. It is high time, and more so now when people want to know what is happening.
There are 50 Year 11 students at Nhulunbuy High School at the moment and we met with all of them. Their focus was not on their study and getting through these important senior years, it was on their future. They want to know what guarantees they have to complete Year 12 in 2015. There are no guarantees, there is no plan, and it is high time the government stepped up to its responsibilities and started delivering for the people of Nhulunbuy and ensuring the continuation of services. Whether those students are in senior schools or, just as importantly, in the early childhood years and everywhere in between, if we want to attract and retain a viable population in Nhulunbuy, people need to be assured there is quality education, quality health services and sufficient other services – retail and otherwise – to make it attractive for people, otherwise people will not stay there or move there.
I have talked about the appalling relationship between the Territory and federal governments. The Chief Minister, in our local paper after his visit on 21 January, said he was disappointed with the federal government response. He also said it ‘could be doing more’. We need to know what pressure he is putting on the federal government. Why is he not in Canberra banging on the doors of his colleagues, the Prime Minister, Senator Nigel Scullion and the federal Minister for Industry? Why the federal Minister for Industry’s department has carriage of Gove is beyond me. It should be with the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with the self-appointed minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Territorians. The federal government and Cabinet has grand plans for regional and northern Australia, but somehow are not the slightest bit interested in what is happening in Nhulunbuy.
I query where the member for Arnhem is with this. Communities in her electorate such as Milingimbi, Ramingining, Gapuwiyak, Umbakumba, Angurugu, Milyakburra and many homelands rely on Nhulunbuy as a regional service hub. She is absolutely silent on this. I hope she is hammering on the door of the Chief Minister demanding answers to what is happening.
The locals’ focus is on jobs and businesses, even though our voices are going unnoticed. Let us not forget the clubs and associations in Nhulunbuy. We have dozens of organisations with significant infrastructure and liabilities which provide an incredible service to children in our community, but without a membership or volunteer base how will they survive? They are the social fabric of our community and what make it a vibrant and dynamic community. What rounds out our lives beyond work and school is to have these organisations which keep the community and the region buoyant with sports, theatre and cultural programs. You name it, it is there.
This week someone from the Department of Business is talking about obligations under the Associations Act. No one from the Department of Sport, Recreation and Racing is talking to these organisations about how they, particularly in the sporting arena, might be saved.
More than anything, people want to know exactly what the government is doing to hold Rio Tinto accountable to its lease obligations. They are the words in this statement. What is the Chief Minister doing to hold Rio Tinto responsible to its lease obligations? He talked, during the last sittings, about no fewer than four letters he had sent to Mr Sam Walsh, CEO, but he has had no response to those letters. How do we know he is holding this company to account? Why is he not saying to them, ‘If you have finished working that refinery’ – no one believes it will ever restart; everyone knows no one will buy it – ‘why not close it down, decommission it?’ It would keep hundreds of people in work for a couple of years and provide some certainty, then return to the community and the traditional owners …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Pursuant to Standing Order 77, I move that the member be given an extension of time to complete her remarks.
Motion agreed to.
Ms WALKER: Thank you … in the Gove community a prime piece of real estate which can be further developed rather than having what many are worried is a growing environmental risk with a huge refinery and care and maintenance, not to mention the residue disposal area that sits alongside the pristine environment which is Melville Bay.
Many questions need answers.
In the Chief Minister’s statement he refers to Nhulunbuy as a mining town. ‘It is a mining town, nothing to do with us. It is a mining town.’ However, he states:
You cannot have it both ways, Chief Minister. It is a regional service centre. It is not Rio Tinto’s responsibility to look after an entire region and the future opportunities across that region. People are waiting to hear from you. People are growing weary, particularly those feeding into the Gove Community Advisory Committee you talk about. I quote:
Well, 11 weeks on, the energy and ideas are starting to burn out. The ideas have been fed through to a shortlist of 45 potential industries and new economic opportunities. Where are they? Not one has been tabled. Show us the top three, the top five. Even task force members do not have access to this. You are starting to wear out the community members who, with a great deal of goodwill and in their own time, with their own worries about their families, businesses and future, are feeding in to the task force and advisory committee and going where?
We hear the consultants working on an economic development plan will have something to the Chief Minister by April. That is really helpful! We will be about half way through wind down by then. I remember the Chief Minister, on 29 November, saying he had contracted consultants to produce an economic development report. The member for Barkly was sitting alongside me and, on 29 November, that draft report was expected in six weeks’ time. Where is that draft? The consultants were there last week and we were pleased to have them, we welcomed them, but it is getting too late. No one feels a sense of urgency about this – certainly not members opposite or the federal government – other than the people in Gove, who feel abandoned.
I notice a reference to procurement activities and know some companies have benefited. I am pleased for them to be able to deliver services across the wider region to keep certain businesses viable. That is fantastic and I am pleased to see local businesses winning those contracts. In regard to the government’s efforts to look more closely and locally at procurement, will the Chief Minister and the government use Nhulunbuy newsagency to supply stationery to the Education department for local schools? Will government offices utilise that local service provider to keep them viable and provide them with business? At the moment those businesses do not have it, nor are they in a property owned by Rio Tinto which would, according to their new policy, give rent relief of 50%. However, 80% of the commercial properties are not owned by Rio Tinto and those businesses have to go, one to one, cap in hand to their landlord.
If these businesses have to close their doors, as some will, people will walk away. No one will want those premises to open a business. Why would you in a place that is winding down? Importantly, I have had feedback from a number of people in relation to this statement. I cannot put on the record everything I have, but I want to highlight some of the feedback I have received.
Mr John Tourish, who is on the Gove Community Advisory Committee, is also a member of the task force. He is an astute businessman and things in his business, like every other business, are not going too well at the moment. I quote from Mr Tourish’s e-mail in relation to the Chief Minister’s statement:
Another member of the task force, Denise Fincham, has had four generations of her family there and is a former Businesswoman of the Year. She knows what she is talking about and I quote from her correspondence to me:
She goes on:
I have further correspondence from a former student of mine who has raised a young family there and works for Rio, although not for much longer. I think she has already received her redundancy and is finishing, if not already finished and, bless her, she is a union delegate. I quote from her correspondence:
Another union delegate from the AMWU describes this statement as:
He goes on:
I also have correspondence from a dedicated individual who has worked hard as a member of the Gove Community Advisory Committee who acknowledges – I too would like to acknowledge the hard work being done by Northern Territory public servants in Nhulunbuy. Mike Chiodo, Graeme Kevern, Simone Gianelli and Nikki Kokles are working very hard to do the best they can. They are working long hours but need more support from the government. They need a Chief Minister who will announce something concrete and tangible for people. I quote from this gentleman’s e-mail:
Mr Deputy Speaker, I have many other pieces of correspondence in relation to the Chief Minister’s statement. I cannot go through them all; I may do at another opportunity.
Let us not forget the Yolngu people, the traditional owners of the region, they are not going anywhere. That is their home; they are intrinsically linked to their home. We are talking about a population of some 10 000 Indigenous people who are reliant upon the services, economic opportunities and employment and training that exists and is about to disappear before their eyes.
The Chief Minister may well quote one traditional owner, a very well-known TO representing the Gumatj people for whom I have enormous respect, but let us not forget he is not the only traditional owner there. Many clan groups have not had an opportunity to talk with the Chief Minister and make their case known. This statement from the Chief Minister is empty rhetoric, insufficient, and will do nothing to comfort the people of Nhulunbuy that there is any kind of new future for their town or region.
Ms LAWRIE (Opposition Leader): Mr Deputy Speaker, I am surprised a government minister has not contributed to the statement, because if the Chief Minister’s first statement of the parliamentary sittings is around what he proposes to be the new future for Gove and ministers do not support it, it is a sign of just how bereft they are of support for their leader.
The Territory is a small place and we heard loud and clear that CLP Central Council late last year – after the catastrophic events of Rio Tinto deciding to curtail the refinery because Adam Giles, when he became Chief Minister, reneged on the gas to Gove offer – was shouting at one Chief Minister at its meeting. When you look at the lack of support he gets from his own colleagues for his statement on the future for Gove, it gives credence to what we are hearing about how tenuous his grip on power is. It is tenuous because Territorians do not like a Chief Minister who abandons not just an entire township, but a region. Writ large off that abandonment is this statement. Nowhere in this statement is there a clearly articulated plan for the economic and social future of Nhulunbuy and the region.
He sympathises, he empathises, he blames Rio, he points to what Rio is doing and acknowledges it, but nowhere in this statement is there a clear vision and plan from the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory for the economic and social growth of Nhulunbuy and the region. It is extraordinary.
We had planned to bring a matter of public importance to the Chamber today to raise the crisis Nhulunbuy is going through and the genuine fears and concerns individuals and families are grappling with today and have been for months.
It is officially 11 weeks since the announcement, just off the three-month mark, but, realistically, it started a long time before that. It started in October 2012 when Rio formally announced a review into its operations in Nhulunbuy. It was then Pacific Aluminium and they were casting them adrift. Real, genuine, deep concern for the future of Nhulunbuy and the region started then.
We then saw months of prevarication but, eventually, a landing point from the CLP government of the day on securing a deal to sell gas to Rio Tinto. We, on this side of the Chamber, have acknowledged our thanks to the former Chief Minister, the member for Blain, for undertaking what any Chief Minister of any political creed in the Territory ought to do: save a town, a region, a $500m input into the economy, and save 1400 direct jobs along with thousands of indirect jobs.
We have thanked the former Chief Minister, the member for Blain, for those actions. Any leader worth their salt ought to have done that. However, on the Darwin Show Day public holiday the incoming Chief Minister, the man who deposed the former Chief Minister while he was on a trade mission – quite cowardly, did not wait until he came back to town – reneged. This plunged the town and region into crisis. It is real, it is palpable and it is families. I made many trips to Nhulunbuy last year, and on day one on the job this year, after two weeks leave – yes, Chief Minister, I took two weeks leave – I went to Nhulunbuy.
What I found was devastating. I do not know anyone with a moral conscience who could go there and not do everything they possibly could to deliver clarity of a structural adjustment package for the town and region. There are people who genuinely want to stay. They love it. They are not just mine workers; they are members of a community. They are raising their families there and quite a few are second generation. They love it; it is their home. They are not the wealthy fly-in fly-out mine workers some people paint them to be, they are deeply rooted in their community. They are members – as the member for Nhulunbuy said – of local clubs and sporting and recreation organisations which make up the social fabric of the community. They want to stay.
Rio has not been terrific in the way it has treated its workforce. I acknowledge the role of the union delegates across the Gove combined unions for their work in negotiating with Rio Tinto. Hearing they were not keeping on all apprentices, the unions had to go to bat to save jobs. It was shoddy behaviour and shoddy treatment saved through advocacy from the unions, the site delegates and the advocacy I witnessed during the Christmas period from my colleague, the member for Nhulunbuy. She was phoning David Peever, the head of Rio in Australia, alerting him to some very genuine concerns around apprentices.
Chief Minister, I reject your personal attacks on my colleague today. I know she worked through Christmas. I instructed her to take leave because she is part of that community. Her family is affected, her friends are affected and the community needs her to be strong because this fight is only the beginning. It was a short break. I know the work she sustained for months leading up to that to weave a unity of purpose through the community across the Yolngu, the traditional owners, the different clans, the site workers – having been a former worker at Rio then Alcan – and the public sector of teachers, nurses and allied health workers. She is a highly respected member of the community who was trying to keep her community together when it was crumbling around her.
If you watch communications across residents of that community you can see they are crumbling. They do not want to go, but the information on which to base their life decision has not been forthcoming. Public servants working in Nhulunbuy do not know if they have a job to the end of this year. Most do not know beyond March. Teachers, on the whole, do not know beyond June, except if they happen to snare a Year 12 class, then they know they are there to the end of 2014.
In what universe is that okay? Northern Territory government, you have abandoned the public servants of Nhulunbuy because you should have guaranteed them to the end of 2014 so they can make life decisions based on knowledge; based on hearing whether or not there is a structural adjustment plan; what it does or does not entail; what is or is not the situation in the housing market; how does it settle; what economic adjustments occur in the area; can their spouses get alternative jobs, etcetera? There is no commitment from the Northern Territory government and it was not a big thing to ask. They have asked and there has been deafening silence about a structural adjustment plan contribution from the Northern Territory government.
We have heard the Chief Minister say, ‘I really think the federal government needs to provide some funding into a structural adjustment package’. Chief Minister, where is your contribution? What are you doing to leverage that? Have you gone to Canberra to lobby the federal government? Where are the federal ministers? They have not shown up. Where is Senator Nigel Scullion? He is in Cabinet. What is he doing for his constituents? It is pretty shocking when you see people you have known for years – bearing in mind I have been visiting Nhulunbuy for years – people I would never have expected to break down and cry in front of me because of what they are going through, because of the feeling of pure abandonment they have from the CLP government, people whose entire livelihoods and investments are at stake. There is nothing in this statement from the Chief Minister to give them a skerrick of clarity about what will be provided.
People are not, as you heard the member for Nhulunbuy say, asking for a handout. They are asking for information from the government about the economic and social impact analysis. You have appointed advisors, they have had one meeting and their report is already overdue. As each day ticks by, as each member of the workforce receives a severance letter, families have no choice but to pack up and leave because this government has put no alternative plan on the table. We are now three months in from the curtailment announcement, a year from when the uncertainties started to wash around the review of the refinery operations by Rio and eight months after the Chief Minister reneged on the gas deal. What have you been doing? Why is there a complete void – no economic and social impact analysis, no structural adjustment plans?
Out there you can see the genuine opportunity for alternative employment. The place is stunning. Lirrwi is doing an amazing job in Indigenous tourism but does not know whether Airnorth and Qantas will continue to fly. Everyone understands it probably will not be both. Is the government in discussions with the airlines and providing genuine knowledge to the operators about what their business model for Indigenous tourism will look like going forward? You heard the Chief Minister say, ‘Tourism could be an alternative industry’. You cannot have pie in the sky, Chief Minister, you need information and detail to base business decisions on. There is nothing. It is a void.
Infrastructure investment – one-off capital investment in infrastructure for tourism, aquaculture, an aged and respite care facility for Yolngu with Machado-Joseph Disease …
Mr Elferink: How much?
Ms LAWRIE: I pick up on the interjection from the member for Port Darwin. It is your job, mate! You are in Cabinet; this work should have already been done …
Mr Elferink: How much? How much should we spend?
Ms LAWRIE: … you should already have a list of potential projects. You should have already done some analysis on what the capital spend is. You should already have a plan as to the split between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments, but you have done nothing. You have abandoned Nhulunbuy, to your eternal shame! You are a disgrace!
Territorians will judge you on this. It sends shivers down the spine of every Territorian because they see leaders elsewhere in the nation standing up for their communities. They see Dr Sharman Stone railing against her Prime Minister and federal colleagues and standing up for her community.
There is nothing from the Country Liberal Party on the table. There is no plan and no effort to leverage funding from the Commonwealth, nothing. You will be condemned by you inaction but we are calling on you, three months down the track from curtailment, to take action …
Mr Elferink: How much should we spend? I did not think you would have an answer.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A bit of order please Leader of Government Business.
Ms LAWRIE: It is your job, do it …
Mr Elferink: No, you put a figure on it. You tell us how much the taxpayer has to pay for this burden. You are the expert; put a number on it.
Ms LAWRIE: Do your job.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can we have a bit of order please Leader of Government Business. The Leader of the Opposition has the call.
Ms LAWRIE: That is what Cabinets do. They slice and work it out; they understand the leverage and do their job. You are incapable and incompetent.
We know the County Liberal Party is sitting by while $500m is stripped out of the economy. By Treasury’s own admission, that is 2% of gross state product. Goodbye $500m, 2% of gross state product.
We know information is not being provided to the Chamber of Commerce regarding where that flow-on effect kicks in. How many businesses in Darwin are affected? What indirect jobs will be lost? What plans does the government have to stimulate the economy for alternative options? Nothing!
In this statement, the Chief Minister said:
On 29 November the Commissioner for Public Employment issued a bulletin following Rio’s announcement and said:
If there is no change to services, Chief Minister, why can you not guarantee the ongoing employment of public servants in the town? You say one thing but the facts belie that. The Commissioner for Public Employment recognises how education programs are arranged. All school staff in Nhulunbuy with a permanent position for the 2014 school year can be assured their positions will remain unchanged until the end of semester one, which is June.
These are brutal time frames. Because there has been no action, no real plan, no real vision – no vision at all – from the Northern Territory government, just a void, people have to make decisions without the information they need to make a full and wholesome one.
Nhulunbuy Christian College guaranteed staff a full year at the school for 2014 – a small Christian college. It did the ethically and morally correct thing but this government is not. Do at least the same as that small Christian college and guarantee the public servants through to 2014 if you are backing up the Chief Minister’s statement that there will be no reduction in services.
What is happening with the $13m upgrade to the accident and emergency department at Nhulunbuy funded by the Commonwealth? Where is that funding? It is a construction stimulus. Why have you not pressed the green light on that? It is not your funding, it is Commonwealth funding. It is a necessary upgrade. It would send a signal right now that you care, but you cannot even get your act together to spend Commonwealth dollars already there to upgrade the hospital – a construction project which sends a signal that health services are important because the trauma of road accidents and the requirements of the ED department will not disappear as the population dwindles. The upgrade is still necessary and they are Commonwealth dollars. You cannot even get that right.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker! Pursuant to Standing Order 77, I request an extension of time for the member.
Motion agreed to.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you member for Barkly, my deputy leader. The Chief Minister in his statement claimed he has:
If this is true, discussions between the Territory and Commonwealth governments have been breathtakingly ineffective. The best he could get from Tony Abbott is, ‘He has assured me he will be closely monitoring developments’. How on earth are the people of Nhulunbuy and the region meant to get any hope from that?
It is extraordinary that after three months the member for Nhulunbuy and the opposition are continually calling for a social and economic impact analysis of the curtailment and details of a structural adjustment package. As the member for Nhulunbuy pointed out, a seven- to eight-month curtailment is unheard of. Any other major industrial reduction or shutdown gets a minimum of two years. You cannot put the structural adjustments required to find effective alternatives in place in such a brutal time frame.
We understand that when surveyed the community provided 200 ideas to the GCAC, the Gove Consultative Advisory Committee, which was fed through to the task force which has Commonwealth, Territory and Gove representatives on it as well as traditional owners. Two hundred ideas came from the community about what you could do instead of the 1400 jobs at the refinery. Nothing! There was not a word back about any of those ideas. We have heard whispers they were shortlisted to 35, but nothing. People on the task force asked for information on the 35 options the government was looking at to give ideas on what will fly and what will not because, after all, they are locals and understand the local situation. They are not getting that information; it is being withheld from them. Chief Minister, put the 35 ideas you have shortlisted out there if they exist. We know 200 ideas came in and you sliced them to 35. Share them with the task force and let the local knowledge and information give you a good idea of how to get some runs on the board now because people are already losing their jobs.
There are things to do. The member for Port Darwin railed when I suggested a respite and aged care facility for Machado-Joseph Disease sufferers. Groote Eylandt has one. My God, Commonwealth aged care funding, one-off capital – you cannot get that out of the Commonwealth? You cannot get some co-contribution from Rio when it says, ‘Hey, we are there for the Yolngu’, who it has special purpose leases with because it still wants to export bauxite. You cannot do that? You cannot deliver that which is such a dire need out there?
It is a horrible time, a time of adversity and pain, but in these times communities need hope that someone is in their corner fighting for them. They can see the member for Nhulunbuy in the corner fighting for them and see me supporting them. I will do everything I can. I will be back out there again this weekend, but my God, what is wrong with the Northern Territory government fighting for them. Is it not time you do that instead of this statement, which you heard from responses was insulting because it lacked anything to give them hope, a real plan, any concrete proposals?
Then we had the spectacle of the Leader of Government Business, the member for Port Darwin, throwing a tantrum over the fact, when the ministerial statement was distributed last night, we provided members of the Nhulunbuy community a copy and asked what they thought. It was not a political spin e-mail, it was a straight e-mail saying, ‘This is the statement, what do you think?’ It was massive dummy spit from the government. Evidently we are to be punished this week by not having access to ministerial statements until they are being read in the Chamber …
Mr Elferink: Indefinitely now.
Ms LAWRIE: I pick up on the interjection from the member for Port Darwin. I know you did not consult with any of your colleagues about it, but that is how you do it – off the seat of your pants flying along. We are being punished. I asked my colleagues why the government would want to punish us for distributing the statement. You would think they would stand by every word in it and be proud of it. We are promoting what the government is saying, yet it is so bad we have to be punished. Now we are not just being punished this week, we are being punished indefinitely.
How ridiculous does it get when a government is embarrassed about its own statement to the point it will punish the opposition for consulting with people about it? If I was to send the Treasurer’s statement on the economy to small businesses saying, ‘Here is what the Treasurer is saying about the economy’, would that be a bad thing? ‘Do not do that, you need to be punished’.
It is extraordinary behaviour from an arrogant and dogmatic government which does not want to share information with Territorians. What is wrong with sending a statement about Gove, otherwise known as Nhulunbuy, to the residents? It is their future you are talking about. It is a statement on the future of Gove. You are talking about their future, why on earth can they not read about it and comment? Are we in a democracy? Have we walked into some strange, member for Port Darwin new way of going about things? Member for Port Darwin, I am sorry, this is wrong.
If that is your statement about the future for Gove be proud of it. Do not punish us because we are letting people know what you see as their future, even though you know, as do we, there are no future details in there. Grow up and act with a sense of maturity. People deserve to know what you are considering about their future and deserve a right to comment on it. When is that un-Australian? How is it a bad thing? How far do you want to go to shut down democracy in the Territory? It is bizarre and we are not fussed.
We would like the statements overnight because it means you get a more detailed response to the information contained in the statement. Member for Nelson, you are on your own there. Good luck with getting the statements, because he said he would punish the opposition, he did not say he would punish you. All the best …
Mr Wood: I will e-mail them across.
Ms LAWRIE: Do not say that because you will be punished too.
I am happy to say, on the record, that Labor in government – we talked about it in our Caucus – has no problem with members of our community getting copies of our ministerial statements. I put that out there. In fact, thank you. If you are in opposition and we are in government and have a ministerial statement and you distribute it – awesome, that is great and we will not punish you. You are being ridiculous.
The point of distributing ministerial statements overnight – we get them at varying times, but usually about 7 pm – is it gives opposition and the Independent time to research the subject and encourages a policy-based debate. You are shooting yourself in the foot, member for Port Darwin, because without that time, dropping a statement in the Chamber, you will get a purely political debate. I will give you a tip: you will not enjoy it; you cannot stand it. There are glass jaws on that side and you cannot handle it. Your punishment is a tantrum and we ask you to calm down and reconsider because it is foolish and does not contribute to sensible debate in the Chamber. Surely it is a good thing for the people of Nhulunbuy to be given a government statement about its plans for their future. How is that something which should be punished?
I look forward to your contribution, member for Port Darwin.
Mr ELFERINK (Attorney-General and Justice): Mr Deputy Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this and will keep this reasonably brief.
The whole of the opposition’s position in relation to this was defeated with a single interjection from me of ‘how much?’ How much do we spend? The Leader of the Opposition was unwilling to put a figure on it, unwilling to commit the opposition to any form of expenditure in this area. Why? Because they know they cannot put a figure on it.
For 40 minutes I listened to the member for Nhulunbuy complain, deride and accuse the government of all manner of things, but did she offer up a single useful suggestion? No, not one useful suggestion. The Leader of the Opposition did exactly the same thing. She offered no useful suggestions and when I asked her how much she was prepared to spend, her answer was, ‘That is your job, mate’. If you make suggestions and require us to …
Ms Lawrie: I made several – aquaculture …
Mr ELFERINK: I pick up on the interjection. How much should we spend on all these things …
Members interjecting.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can I have a bit of order, please? One person has the call. If anyone interjects they will be out. Thank you.
Mr ELFERINK: There was no attempt to offer a dollar figure of how much should be spent because they know they then have to commit themselves to the people of Nhulunbuy. When they go to the next election they can say, ‘We want $500m to spend on the people of Nhulunbuy’. I heard her throw that figure around in relation to the loss of gross state product. That being the case, according to her, we have lost $500m from the gross state product. Perhaps that is how much we should spend on the town of Nhulunbuy, according to the Leader of the Opposition? Is that the figure we should spend? I did not hear a figure from the member for Nhulunbuy, I did not hear a figure from …
Ms Walker: It is not up to us to come up with a figure.
Mr ELFERINK: Why not? You are making the suggestions.
Ms Walker: It is the federal government. We have a $100m announcement …
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Nhulunbuy, I have already warned everyone.
Mr ELFERINK: This is the tissue thin deceit being played out by the Australian Labor Party, because it will not make a commitment. They will not go to the next election with a dollar figure for the people of Nhulunbuy because there will not be one. They know that because this government continues to struggle with the challenges of the debt legacy from the former government.
I understand they will cloak themselves in anger, some of which can be heard clearly from the opposition lobby. That cloak is not much thicker than the tissue they drape themselves in when it comes to making promises without putting anything on the table. If the Labor Party wants credibility it should describe what it would do. It is the alternative government. What would you do, how much would you spend, and then go to the next Territory election with that promise. That is how an alternative government should conduct itself.
The second point is – I heard the comments from the Leader of the Opposition – in relation to the circulation of statements, which is a procedural thing in the House. Government ministers come into the House under the doctrine of responsible government and are responsible to the people of the Northern Territory through their elected members. They do so by answering questions and making ministerial statements about the position of government and government policy from time to time.
Historically, the minister made a statement in the House and it was the first time the people of the Northern Territory, or whatever jurisdiction, heard it. A protocol was developed over time enabling government ministers to have an appropriate response from members of the House. The statement was circulated the night before, a protocol well understood by the leader of opposition business who agreed with me this morning when I pointed out the protocol had been breached. He said he would take up the issue. Clearly, the decision of the Labor opposition is from now on it will treat the document tabled as a courtesy, as something which should be circulated to the public prior to the minister delivering the statement.
That being the case, I stick to what I said to the leader of opposition business this morning: that courtesy will not be extended. For the opposition to say all you will get out of the debate is politics, well, that will not change. We would be anxious to ensure the minister is still in a position to make a ministerial statement. If they are serious about this, why not follow the suggestion from the Leader of the Opposition and not have a debate? Let the ministerial statement go out the night before and let the public read it. With the ministerial statement in general circulation, the minister will not have to make it because everyone will know what is in it. As a consequence, we could start debate with the second speaker.
The courtesy has been developed over time. The standing orders well reflect that courtesy, and I point out to honourable members Standing Orders 92 and 258. Standing Order 92:
Standing Order 258, which is read in conjunction, reads, inter alia:
This means the standing order has always assumed, and continues to assume, that the ministerial statement is tabled when it is made. The trust placed upon members not to circulate the statement in advance has been a protocol very closely adhered to historically. When we were in opposition we were very cautious about circulating statements because we knew they were given on trust. If we ever sought advice we certainly did not circulate the statement, although we would ask stakeholders about the nature of the issues raised. We have no problem with that. The problem we have is a courtesy, when extended, suddenly transforms into an absolute right. When it does not conform with standing orders it does not have the nature of an absolute right. We, as the government, under the doctrine of responsible government, will make statements in this House in accordance with the standing orders of this parliament.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, I will not talk for long on some of the matters the Chief Minister raised in his statement on Gove. I would like to raise a few points but, because I am not a local, I do not know all the matters happening on the ground. Having read through the minister’s statement I want to ask a few questions and, considering this will be one of the biggest population losses in the Northern Territory for any community, going from 4000 people to 1200, we are talking about something pretty serious. If these people cannot find a job in the Northern Territory we have lost a population of 2800 people. Even from an economic point of view, notwithstanding the social impact, that would be a negative for the Northern Territory. People are scratching their heads and working to see whether they can find ways to keep people employed in the Northern Territory, whether it is in Nhulunbuy, using Nhulunbuy as a base, or whether they find jobs elsewhere in the Territory.
In relation to finding work for people in Nhulunbuy who have lost their jobs, the Chief Minister spoke about developing opportunities for employees and contractors to work on a fly-in fly-out arrangement on other Rio Tinto projects, operations or key Territory projects. I wanted more detail on that. When this was first discussed on radio, I remember the CEO of INPEX saying they could possibly employ people from Gove and it might be possible – I am not sure if he said that – for people to stay in Nhulunbuy and work on the INPEX project. I do not know any more than that. That would be a key option to keep people employed and able to continue living in their houses in Nhulunbuy. I hope the minister, in his response, can mention that.
On other issues – ones which seem a bit anomalous – the minister says on page 19 of the document:
However, the Chief Minister says:
One gets the impression from reading the statement that on one hand there will be no change, and on the other hand there will be changes from either semester one or the end of 2014. Will students at Nhulunbuy or the region be able to continue for 12 months with Year 11 and 12 subjects in 2015 and onwards, as the Chief Minister said:
That seems to be in contrast with what has been said. I also hope the Chief Minister has discussed – the Minister for Education, hopefully, will make a statement regarding Mr Wilson’s report on Indigenous education in the Northern Territory – whether some thought has been given to boosting the boarding capacity of the school. I am not sure if there is boarding capacity at Nhulunbuy High School, but what options are there to increase the number of Indigenous students from nearby areas into Nhulunbuy High School which may be lost by students leaving.
That may already be happening, and it may be with the loss of students, even though there are some in Years 11 and 12, there are not enough to continue the subject offerings. Again, it is not very clear. If the government wants to show support and show it is behind the people of Gove, it should not be making statements saying on one hand there will be no change to education services, and on the other hand there will be changes to education services after semester one or at the end of 2014.
The minister also mentioned, in a political way, if we had $430m we could seal the Central Arnhem Road. Regardless of whether the government says we are or are not in debt, we are not likely to find $430m for any road in the Northern Territory. It is a slight exaggeration to push a political point about debt. You can argue the cost of the debt, but it was an unrealistic statement.
The other issue about the Central Arnhem Road – it seems to be washed over every time you raise it – is a fair bit of it is not public road. It seems governments are a bit too blas or just hope for the best, but they talk about spending public money on what is not a gazetted road, except in certain sections. You wonder why they do not sort this issue out.
If you want to develop a road to Nhulunbuy to improve tourism you have to get more people to live there. You will also need a road which does not require a permit. Technically, you need a permit on the Central Arnhem Road – not all, but some of it. If you spend $430m of taxpayers’ money – not that it will happen – you would expect that money to be spent on a public road. I have, on many occasions, raised the issue of government expenditure on roads which are not public. As I said before, if you did the same for a cattle station – there would be a lot of noise about a road into Tipperary or somewhere on their property. I am not saying you should not do it, but the legalities need to be sorted out. My understanding is negotiations about the Central Arnhem Road have been happening for a long time and have been finalised yet.
There was another issue. These are only small issues, but are related when trying to improve services into a town like Nhulunbuy where you want to keep the cost of living down and encourage people to stay. There have been issues about who owns the barge landing in Nhulunbuy and, if Rio Tinto is pulling back, perhaps it is time for discussion to ensure the barge landing is open to all companies and there is no monopoly.
I have been told a number of times that when you have a monopoly on the barge landing the town is held to ransom because there is no competition. That is something we could look at, that services and supplies brought into Nhulunbuy by barge are done in a way where competition rules the price rather than a monopolistic approach from barge companies.
The other issue not discussed much is gas. When you look back, this issue is about the cost of production of bauxite in Gove and if it could be produced at a cheaper rate. There was a lot of discussion about that.
Part of that discussion was the former Chief Minister – if I can call him the former Chief Minister – started negotiations around gas. That gas was not just for Nhulunbuy; there was a hope we could get gas to a number of communities in Arnhem Land which rely on diesel generation of power, which is very expensive. There was hope the provision of gas to Nhulunbuy would have benefits elsewhere. There has not been any discussion because, as the member for Nhulunbuy said, this is not just about Nhulunbuy; it is about the regions around Nhulunbuy which rely on the town as a regional centre. The downsizing of the Nhulunbuy workforce, if services are downsized even though the government says they will not be – I refer to the education statement – will have an effect throughout the community.
Has there been any discussion, since Rio Tinto decided to pull out, about the future of gas into Arnhem Land? The provision of gas to Nhulunbuy, which still has power generated by the company using a form of diesel or oil to generate power – there would be benefits from cheap gas not only from an environmental point of view, but in keeping costs down in the community and those surrounding it.
As I said, this is a serious situation. It will, and has, affected people dramatically. We heard on ABC radio that someone who had been there for many years – I think he was president of the local astronomy club – saw no future and left. I imagine that will happen for many people. We are seeing, unless something can be turned around quickly, the heart of a community disappear from the Northern Territory unless they can find jobs elsewhere.
I hope all governments put a lot of effort into working through the issues. It will not be simple. You cannot create an industry overnight to employ 2800 people. That would be silly, but at least you can see if industries are feasible over time and could keep Nhulunbuy going as a sustainable regional centre. This is not only from a commercial point of view, but also from a government services view, because that must be one of the biggest concerns people in Gove and the region have at this time.
The member for Port Darwin mentioned issuing statements overnight. Some time ago I got into strife over this. I released one to the media many years ago and was told it was not the right thing to do. I might have been a little bit naive at the time, and they said I was not allowed to do it, but I can understand these statements not being released to the media.
If you have a statement like today’s, for instance, from the Treasurer and get a series – I get statements somewhere between 8.30 pm and 11 pm. I wait for them to come in and try to work my way through them. I do not have anyone to help me so sometimes I have to rely on people in industry, people who deal with figures and can give me some idea of what I should say. I do not regard that as giving away trade secrets. If I did I would tell people the document was not for broad discussion or I might ring them and say, ‘Tomorrow the minister will say there is to be a 5% …’, and that is the way I work. I have learnt my lesson. I have occasionally said, ‘The minister will make a statement today’ – but not give any details – ‘and it will be on local government’. Sometimes they ask what is on in parliament and I appreciate that. I do not think it is my job to give material to the media; that is the minister’s job.
I am unsure if I have fallen foul of this, but will probably find out …
Mr Elferink: You said you would pass it on. What will they do with it?
Mr WOOD: I hope they do not. I am telling you what I think should happen. That was a bit …
Mr Elferink: If you are prepared to give us a guarantee …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WOOD: I will not pass it on unless they give me a guarantee it will not be passed on. No, I will not pass it on. For me, the situation is you do not pass it to the media, but I have to be given some latitude to discuss these things before they come to parliament.
If you dump a Treasury report …
Mr Elferink: That is why we do it, to let you do some homework.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but the reality is you get no one to debate it – not with any sense. You will have people saying, ‘That is a load of rubbish’ …
Mr Elferink: Hence the courtesy.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but the standing orders do not say we should not give it out. There is a presumption, that is all, and I understand that presumption. I understand it should not go to the media and, if discussed, it should be with people who know it is not to go any further because the minister will make a statement in the House tomorrow.
That is my point of view. I do not intend to pass it on to others, minister. Statements come to me from the Chief Minister’s department so I will keep to myself what comes through. Unless the Labor Party gave out something which got into the media …
Mr Elferink: There is no way of controlling it.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but delaying their ability to get statements until the day they are on does not serve much purpose. The government has made its point and that is reasonable.
We were talking about a pretty serious subject and I have raised a few issues. Perhaps the Chief Minister, in his response, could at least cover those issues. It is funny how we get so tied up in, ‘You said’ and ‘I said’. I understand the passion the member for Nhulunbuy has. It is her home town and it will disappear by about half the population. That would hurt anyone.
Let us, if we can, funnel that energy into coming up with practical answers to help the people of Nhulunbuy. If that means they can get fly-in fly-out jobs in Darwin at INPEX to keep the airlines going – that is another issue. If you reduce the population by half there is a fair chance the airlines will not fly like they do today. They are not into sympathetic flying; they are in the business of making money. If there are no passengers to take to and from Nhulunbuy they will not be in the sky as often as they are today.
I make that contribution and am interested in the Chief Minister’s response.
Mr GILES (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, thank you to the colleagues who spoke on this matter. Thank you very much to the Attorney-General, Leader of Government Business, for the points he raised about the poor distribution of the statement last night by the member for Nhulunbuy.
Government will continue to update the House about what is happening in Nhulunbuy, advising what government’s actions have been and continue to be. It is no skin off my nose, but to hear the carping, whingeing and whining from the member for Nhulunbuy every time you try to update the House and advise what is happening – it is easier not to update the House, but we want Territorians to read it in Hansard and hear what we are doing. To the residents of Nhulunbuy who may be watching, listening or reading this at a later date, you are being poorly represented by your local member. We are keen to work together to get the best outcomes for Nhulunbuy, but she does not roll out the red carpet for us to provide assistance, and nothing seems to have changed.
I said this morning that for all her carping, whingeing and whining about the residents of Nhulunbuy and what the Rio Tinto curtailment will do, it was interesting to see she was not there over Christmas – missing in action, like she has been for the last five years, like the member for Casuarina since he signed that agreement in 2011 without putting conditions for the lease extension on it, and then they come here and lead with their chins. It is quite surprising. They are playing politics with people’s lives the same way the member for Nightcliff wants to play politics with children’s education; the same way they play politics with everything rather than trying to provide solutions.
The Attorney-General and Leader of Government Business asked what the alternate policy position would be from Labor should it be in government. How much would it spend? Where would it get the money from? Where would it cut expenditure to provide those resources to Nhulunbuy, and what would it spend it on?
The member for Nhulunbuy has no idea where she would spend any money. She cannot tell what the economic drivers would be or the industry creation.
We will continue to update the House, continue to put up with the antics of the whingeing and whining member for Nhulunbuy, but we will get on with governing and trying to do the best we can for residents of Nhulunbuy.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Mr TOLLNER (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, today I provide the Assembly with an update on the state of the Territory economy and the outlook for 2014 and beyond.
The projected $5.5bn debt inherited from the former Labor government still casts its shadow over the economy. Excessive debt restricts the financial capacity of a government to maintain an appropriate level of services due to increased borrowing costs, but it also results in a legacy for future generations. Public debate has been described as a way for the current generation of voters to live at the expense of the next generation.
The former Labor government left a projected debt to income ratio of 98% by 2015-16. Labor’s projected budget deficit for this financial year alone was $1.1bn. This type of reckless behaviour has threatened our credit rating and was a breach of Labor’s own Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act. You only have to look at the social democratic states in Western Europe to see the consequence of high debt levels. Italy, Spain and Greece are crumbling under the weight of debt.
Members on this side of the Assembly believe each generation should be able to make its own decisions without having its cloth cut by a lack of fiscal restraint and reckless spending demonstrated by the previous Labor administration. That is why the Giles Country Liberals government has taken the tough decision to tackle the Territory’s debt mountain while, simultaneously, delivering economic growth.
By 2015-16, the debt to revenue ratio is projected to be approximately 81% -- a massive reduction of 17% from Labor’s level. To add to this task, we arrived in office at a time when the average level of business confidence in 2011-12 in the Territory had slumped to the lowest levels on record. In addition, the outlook for Territory businesses was bleak with more Territory businesses expecting the economy to further deteriorate than improve over the following year. To add to business woes prior to the CLP coming into office, more Territory businesses believe former Territory Labor government policies worked against small business rather than being supportive.
In just over 12 months we have seen significant improvements in the Territory economy. In 2012-13 the Territory economy grew by 5.6%, the highest growth rate of all jurisdictions and more than double the national rate of 2.6%. In comparison, the Territory economy grew by an average of 2.6% per annum in the last three years of the Labor government’s term.
The 5.6% growth in the Territory economy in 2012-13 exceeded all expectations. Record levels of private investment, robust household consumption growth and an increase in the Territory’s trade surplus drove the growth in the Territory’s economy.
The mining and construction industries contributed significantly to overall growth in the Territory economy. This reflects the large scale major resource projects in the Territory, including, but not limited to, the INPEX and Total joint venture Ichthys project, expansions at McArthur River and GEMCO mines, and investment in new iron ore projects in the Roper region.
As a result, in 2012-13 construction work done in the Territory increased by 55% to a record $5.2bn. Construction activity is expected to remain at historically elevated levels out to 2014-15, supported by an acceleration of work on the Ichthys plant at Blaydin Point.
Non-residential and private residential building activities in the Territory were also at record levels in 2012-13. The CLP government’s commitment to accelerating land release has seen private sector residential construction work increase to a record $583m in the year to September 2013. In the September quarter 2013 there were 2316 houses and units under construction, the highest figure on record.
Private sector residential construction activity is expected to remain at historically high levels, supported by this government’s Real Housing for Growth Plan, which includes an additional 2000 new homes across the Territory over the next four years.
Although the economy is performing well at the aggregate level, the Giles Country Liberals government is all too aware there are some sectors of the economy facing enormous challenges.
The government was disappointed with Rio Tinto’s decision to curtail operations at the Gove alumina refinery. We understand the impact this decision will have on the people and local businesses in Gove and the surrounding communities. We are committed to Gove remaining a regional centre for East Arnhem and have established a task force to look at all options to support the local community, including what new business opportunities may emerge.
This government continues to work tirelessly with Rio Tinto, the federal government and the community to ensure the best possible outcome for the community.
There is no doubt retail traders in the Territory and across Australia have experienced challenging conditions, but there are signs of a recovery. Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows trend retail turnover in the Territory has increased for eight consecutive months to December 2013. The outlook is for the retail sector to grow by an average of 4.7% per annum over the forward years, supported by forecast growth in population, employment and major retail developments.
Despite the positive overall retail trade data, the government recognises some retailers are still doing it tough. The Northern Territory government, by being open for business, is committed to ensuring businesses have the best possible environment in which to operate.
The cost of living is a critical issue not only for Territory retailers but all Territorians. Addressing the cost of living is one of this government’s highest priorities and one of our biggest challenges because CPI pressures generally increase in rapidly growing economies.
The increasing costs of housing and rent have been key contributors to the high costs of living in the Territory. This government is tackling the issue through the land release strategy and the Real Housing for Growth Plan. This is aimed at ensuring supply for housing meets demand and addressing the shortage in housing which arose due to the lack of forward planning by the former Territory Labor government.
Many Territorians have raised concerns with me regarding fuel prices in the Territory. While we accept fuel prices will be higher than our southern counterparts due to freight and less competition, we need to ensure Territorians are paying a fair price. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is the main body charged with monitoring fuel prices. We will continue to work with the federal government on this important issue to ensure Territorians are not paying higher than necessary prices for fuel.
However, last year the government made the tough but necessary decision to phase in increases to utility prices. This decision was made to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Power and Water Corporation. The government is committed to improving the efficiency of the organisation, including the structural separation of Power and Water, which will introduce market competition and reduce upward pressure on utility tariffs. Utility prices would fall if the federal Labor Party agreed to drop its opposition to repealing the carbon tax, which would provide relief for all Territorians.
Tourism plays an important role in the Territory economy, particularly in regional areas. Territory tourism has faced very challenging conditions due to the combined effects of a strong Australian dollar and relatively weak economic conditions in our major tourist source markets. As a result, visitor numbers to the Territory are low by historical standards. I am pleased to report the outlook for the tourism sector is improving. The Territory welcomes the return of both Tigerair and Malaysia Airlines. These airlines join existing international operators SilkAir, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Jetstar, Airnorth, and domestic airlines Qantas and Virgin. The increase in airline capacity in the Territory is expected to lead to a growth in visitor numbers, not only in international tourists from Asia, but Europe as well. Combined with the major expansion of Darwin International Airport and the recent announcement by Qantas to increase domestic services from the Territory by 10 flights per week, this is a vote of confidence in the future of the Territory’s tourism market. The positive outlook in the Territory’s tourism industry was recently highlighted in the Deloitte Access Economics Business outlook report which stated:
This government places significant importance on developing the Territory’s trade relationships with our Asian neighbours. This is borne out by the fact that in 2013 the Territory’s top three export destinations were in Asia, and the value of Territory exports to each of these countries grew significantly. Exports to China were up 35%, exports to Indonesia increased by 90% and exports to Japan increased by 7%. The Territory’s trade balance improved significantly over the last year. In 2013, Territory’s goods exports increased by 12.5% to $6.3bn, reflecting higher exports of mineral ores, liquefied natural gas and cattle.
The strengthening Territory economy has seen a steady rise in the number of jobs being created in the Territory. Since March 2013, trend full-time employment in the Territory has grown by over 5000 positions. During 2012-13, employment in the Territory grew by 2.4%. Employment growth is forecast to strengthen in 2013-14 and 2014-15, consistent with the level of economic activity and an acceleration of construction activity at the Ichthys plant over this period.
The Territory continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. In December 2013 the Territory’s unemployment rate was 4.2%, the second-lowest rate of all states and well below the national unemployment rate of 5.8%. The forecast level of economic activity is expected to create many more jobs in the Territory over the coming years and this is expected to drive down the unemployment rate.
We also have the highest participation rate of all jurisdictions. The Territory’s participation rate increased in 2012-13 reflecting increased optimism in the Territory’s economy and encouraging more people to enter the Labor market. The Territory is well placed to build on an excellent result in 2012-13. The outlook for the Territory economy is to continue to expand at a robust pace over the budget and forward years.
Through the remainder of 2013-14 and 2014-15, Territory economic growth is forecast to remain at similar levels to those of 2012-13. The curtailment of the refinery at Gove will reduce economic growth forecast published in the mid-year report. However, growth will remain buoyant, led by the resources sector which will have flow-on effects to other areas.
Despite Rio Tinto’s decision to curtail refinery operations at Gove, which will dampen employment and population growth, forecasts for the Territory over the forward estimates period remain positive.
Demand for labour due to major projects and the level of economic activity is expected to drive population and employment growth over the next two years. Construction activity on the Ichthys project is expected to peak in 2014-15. As the Ichthys project transitions to the less labour intensive production phase and economic activity slows, population employment growth is expected to moderate.
As stated earlier, our strong economic growth is expected to continue to exert upward pressure on Darwin’s inflation over the forward years through increased demand for labour and housing. Nevertheless, Darwin inflation is expected to moderate from 2014 onwards and average 3% per annum between 2014 and 2016.
The positive outlook for the Territory economy has provided a boost to business confidence. Business confidence has improved by 11 percentage points since the CLP came into government. Notably, regional business confidence has nearly doubled in this time. The business outlook over the next twelve months has turned around with more businesses now expecting the economy to be better in a year’s time than expecting it to be worse.
Similarly, more Territory businesses believe the CLP government policies are supportive of small business than against.
Government spending is also an important part of the Territory economy. Importantly, the key factors of stability and predictability are only attainable when the Territory’s finances are in balance and sustainable. This is why this government intends to return the budget to surplus in 2017-18.
On this side of politics we are determined to not live at the expense of our children and our children’s children. As I have outlined, the Territory economy is growing and heading in the right direction. Government needs to ensure this continues, but at the same time it needs to be responsible and disciplined. This way our children make their own decisions and live their lives the way they want to, not the way the profligate nature of the previous Labor government dictated.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Ms LAWRIE (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, the Territory’s economic future under this Treasurer is lacking in an explanation of exactly what will stimulate the future. It is lacking in vision, and they are floundering in a desperate attempt to paper over their deficiencies. It is writ large in Treasurer Tollner’s statement on the economic future of the Territory.
We get the dogmatic mantra of projected, not actual, debt, followed by pages of economic growth figures which were delivered by Labor’s economic stimulus in fast-tracking land supply, the new correctional facility, the new Marine Supply Base and, of course, in securing the nation’s second largest major project the $34bn Ichthys oil and gas development. Nowhere in the Treasurer’s explanation of our economic future does he spell out the future beyond the Ichthys project. He is so lacking in understanding he does not talk about the ongoing benefits at the Marine Supply Base or the opportunities that could be delivered from the city campus of Charles Darwin University, another Labor initiative. He talks about how our mining and construction industry is contributing to economic growth, then goes on to list projects under way under the Labor government.
The Treasurer fails to list a single Country Liberal Party initiative project, not one, not even the language of aspiration and hope in maximising our position in the oil and gas market because we will have significant LNG plants with preapproved trains, a Marine Supply Base and a hydrocarbons institute at Charles Darwin University.
How does the Treasurer manage to miss the bleeding obvious opportunities for the economic future of the Territory? Yes, Treasurer, we know about iron ore in the Roper; they were projects under way when Labor was in government. Incompetence is what we have seen in spades from the Country Liberals. You crow about the improvements in the live cattle trade as if it was your great work. No Treasurer, the trade was well and truly into recovery when the government changed in late 2012, and the domestic beef needs of Indonesia would return the trade to improved growth if managed carefully. Every time you beat your chest you risk the ire of our trade partners. Handle with care rather than the foolish bullish fashion in which you proceed.
The confidence you rely on in the tourism market growth is at odds with what industry is saying. You rely on the Darwin airport expansion project, again something you had nothing to do with, as the basis for saying, ‘It’s all good folks; we will see a return in tourism revenues.’ Where will the tourists stay? They are priced out of the accommodation market right now with no new products to attract visitors. You failed to market the Territory into Malaysia, despite the airline links, and we have seen routes to Vietnam and Manila close under your watch. Your Tourism minister did not seem to think the Jetstar hub closure rated any effort. Incompetence! What marketing is taking place in southern China? The market does not know enough about the SilkAir link to Singapore or the Malaysia Airlines links to Kuala Lumpur because the Territory government is missing in action.
You and your mates take the private jet on a junket, but you fail to deliver any real marketing plan for southern China. It is a disgrace! There are no targets in this statement about the rates of growth for domestic and international tourism. There is no discussion about efforts to attract a five-star hotel – zip.
On a recent visit to Malaysia I met with the Chamber of Commerce. They were very interested in investment opportunities and keen to hear more about the commercial property market, the residential market and hotel investment opportunities. Treasurer and also Minister for Business, are representatives of your Business department drumming up direct business to business links? No! You are too busy sacking you Chief Executive Officer and sending him off to what everyone is referring to as the departure lounge. Exactly what are you investing in to stimulate the domestic economy? Roads! Where? What will be your capital and repairs and maintenance stimulus?
Wait! As Treasurer you are saying it is up to business because you have no money, but Treasurer, you are happy to spend how many millions of dollars splitting up Power and Water? Three corporations, three boards, triplicating services, cross billing and all for what? By your own advisors’ admission, there will not be a generation market for about two years at the earliest. Meanwhile, Territorians will be slugged an extra $1000 in their power and water bills for large households, with more pain passed on through businesses. The cost of living and inflation goes up again. No one is thanking you for the extra 5% in power tariff rises we were slugged in January, or the extra 4% thanks to CPI inflation power price tariffs that will increase in July, or the extra 5% power tariff increases in January next year.
It gets worse. We seek a briefing from your advisor, Alan Tregilgas, and he admits they did not base the tariff increases on any data or evidence, rather on rough benchmarking off the back of southern tariff increases. What on earth are you doing to our Territory? Who on earth left you in control? This is diabolical. Wait, it is about to get worse because your policy is to make Power and Water commercially profitable – profit before people – and because you would split up Power and Water leaving networks in the Power and Water Corporation while you carve out the more profitable generation and retail, we face more power cost increases.
Power and Water sought a networks tariff increase bid of 58% from the Utilities Commission, and you protested by saying we were making it up. No, you are wrong. The Utilities Commission has taken the bid and made a draft determination of 43%. As of July, from your own making, you have to pass that cost on to consumers and we all face hundreds more a year in our power bills or you have to provide an additional $1.1bn in a community service obligation payment. Oh my God, gross incompetence!
What will you do? Pass the cost of your commercial policy to consumers, who are literally being driven out of the Territory because the power and water bills are exorbitant, or add to debt by $1bn a year? This is extraordinary. You have created a fiscal nightmare because you are hell-bent on privatisation. Wait, how do you get out of this jam? Sell generation, sell retail? Last year you promised no privatisation without an election mandate in 2016. Is that, as we found out today, another hollow promise quickly broken by the CLP?
As to your rubbery figures, Treasurer, everyone is sick of them and no one except your CLP cronies believes you. First you claimed Labor debt was $5.5bn. That is wrong, it was projected. Actual general government debt under Labor was $1.8bn. The entire non-financial debt, including Power and Water, was $2.6bn. That is fact, and I refer you to the Auditor-General’s report. You are happy to ignore your own debt projections of $5.1bn. Do you remember the Wanguri by-election, my first test as Leader of the Opposition? You ran the debt, deficit and Delia adverts, posters and flyers and were walloped. We won 70% of the vote because Territorians reject your power and water price hikes and trashing of the public service.
In your statement you make a complete and utter fool of yourself by comparing the Territory’s debt ratios to the PIGS of Western Europe – Italy, Greece and Spain – referred to as the PIGS because others who know what they are talking about will add Portugal. You say our debt is like theirs. No Treasurer with any credibility would make that comment.
If you look at the 2012 figures which capture the period Labor was in government – I have the chart here. I have held it up before and will hold it up again. You can see the Northern Territory and, in regard to gross debt to GSP/GDP, the Northern Territory sits at about 10%. Let us look at Italy – around 110%. The Treasurer is saying 10% compares to 110%, or Japan at 130% or Greece at 165%. The Treasurer, in his statement, compared our debt of 10% gross debt GSP to 165%, 130% and 110%. You have made a complete and utter fool of yourself, Treasurer.
You then did some serious revisionism. ‘It all went bad because of Labor’. I guess the world’s media missed the CLP news that Territory Labor was responsible for the global financial crisis, where, like every developed jurisdiction in our nation, we injected fiscal stimulus into the economy to keep it in growth. Look at the split of the 2010-11 actual figures, Treasurer, and you will see, if you take out the public sector spend, the economy would have been in recession.
Like every jurisdiction in Australia, every state and territory and the federal government, we had no choice, when the global financial crisis hit in 2008-09, but to increase the capital spend to ensure jobs were being created, because private sector investment dried up.
What did we do? Careful stimulus. We invested in roads and infrastructure such as the headworks for Palmerston East and projects across the Territory. We kept the doors of Territory businesses open, created 13 000 jobs and had unemployment at the lowest in the nation. We had low inflation and the gratitude of business and all industry peaks because they received the importance of that fiscal stimulus. The Territory Top End was awaiting the final investment decision from INPEX and Total on a project you, member for Fong Lim, had been telling people would not happen. You were wrong again. You cannot even bring yourself to recognise the economic growth figures here are being driven by the Ichthys project.
The final investment decision gave a flow-on effect to the property market – investment confidence. Just as things were firing, you ripped the rug from beneath Territorians. You stripped away the home finance assistance packages, the first homeowner concession support, and your only housing policy is to create 2000 new rentals from the back of the federal government’s NRAS stimulus.
Worse still, you scrapped the new satellite city of Weddell because you failed to understand that infill alone would not create enough residential lots. Adding insult to injury, you scrapped the Greater Darwin Strategic Land Use Plan developers needed and had been consulted over and replaced it with what? Back to the 1990s and the, ‘Let’s dam the Elizabeth River’ nonsense your own member for Goyder is campaigning against. Do you not remember what Denis Burke went through? Foolish plans from the CLP circus helped contribute to your 2001 election loss.
Despite the fear and loathing nature of your governing, Territorians will fight inappropriate development. You fail to understand the measure of the love we have for our Territory. We are not without plans. We have well-researched and highl-consulted alternatives in the Greater Darwin Strategic Land Use Plan you scrapped: Weddell, Cox Peninsula, infill, public housing redevelopments and Gunn Point for heavy industry are all detailed in Labor’s Greater Darwin Strategic Land Use Plan which you scrapped.
Let us get back to debt, which is rising under the CLP. You came in with the big pretend, Treasurer; your mid-year report is pretending to reduce debt. The reality is that budgets across the public sector are buckling under the strain and you have hit the panic button, with the Chief Minister writing to CEOs across the Christmas period demanding a 10% cut now. Corrections is being asked to cut $13m while its expenditure is increasing day in, day out because we have more prisoners – more adults and more juveniles. They are transferring juveniles from Darwin to Alice just to cope.
You have already cut our public service to the bone and, in places like education, too far. Try these further cuts of 10% to meet your rubbery figures, Treasurer, and more services will close. Territorians will punish you even more than they are threatening to do now. Surely, even you hear the public servants and business people call you a one-term government.
The other thing I hear – I am not sure you hear or have a handle on it – is that before the end of this year, and as soon as possible, Territorians want to see the back of you as Treasurer and the back of the member for Braitling as Chief Minister. They are no longer accepting your gross arrogance and incompetence. As Opposition Leader, I will tell you straight what they are saying. What has surprised me is even your own CLP membership is saying it. Then again, given the lack of vision in this statement, given you are unable to inspire us with a plan for the Territory’s economic future beyond the Ichthys project, it is a good thing you will not be around for too much longer if Territorians get their wish.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I support this statement from the Treasurer providing an update on the Northern Territory’s economic future, notwithstanding the Chicken Littles on the other side of the House who would like to convince Territorians the sky is falling. It was, nonetheless, heartening to hear that in the short time this government has been in office there has been a significant improvement to the Territory’s economy due to the changes made by the Country Liberals to ensure the Northern Territory offers business the best possible environment in which to operate. While we acknowledge some sectors of the economy face enormous challenges, there are other sectors whose future is rosy. My portfolios of Mines and Energy, and Primary Industry and Fisheries, in particular, cover some of the sectors and industries providing real jobs which create lasting economic development to benefit Territorians.
In particular, I refer to oil and gas exploration and extraction, both onshore and offshore, and the bounce-back of the live cattle industry. I have spoken at length about the future of the Northern Territory’s gas industry and the growing amount of exploration activity under way across the NT. Indeed, a key economic driver for northern Australia is the development of minerals and energy resources, and the Territory is ideally placed to be the hub of the growing north Australian resources sector. However, most of the Territory’s defined mineral resources being mined are projected to be exhausted within 20 years, and the Territory’s considerable potential for unconventional petroleum development remains unrealised.
The key to the sustainability and growth of these industries is to ensure sustained high levels of exploration leading to a strong pipeline of emerging projects. The Department of Mines and Energy is working through the existing core, creating opportunities for resource exploration initiatives to stimulate exploration activity for gas and minerals in northern Australia through new pre-competitive geoscience programs and exploration incentives to open up new areas for exploration and development. There is no doubt the potential of the unconventional gas industry is one of the most exciting prospects for the development of northern Australia, with the Territory having some of Australia’s most prospective geological basins. While exploration remains at relatively early stages, hundreds of millions of dollars is expected to be spent over the next few years on shale gas exploration in the Northern Territory.
Under the core initiative the Department of Mines and Energy, through the NT Geological Survey, is committed to rapidly increasing the knowledge of the scale and potential of these unconventional gas and oil reserves to maximise the opportunities of early development in this industry. Next month, the department’s NT Geological Survey team will release a volume summarising the current understanding of the Territory’s onshore petroleum geology and potential. The team is also commencing a major program of geoscience data acquisition and shale gas resource assessment in key emerging petroleum provinces which will underpin energy policy development and promote the gas potential of these basins to the global industry.
The department is also planning to undertake programs to simulate exploration in East Arnhem Land, which remains one of northern Australia’s most prospective but least explored regions. My department is also negotiating future collaborative opportunities with the Commonwealth agency, Geoscience Australia, to accelerate these exploration activities under the mutual aim of accelerating northern Australia development.
Notwithstanding the contribution made to the Territory economy as a whole by the mining industry, my Department of Mines and Energy has adopted responsible policy initiatives which encourage economic development in regional areas. Northern Territory mining operations provide direct employment and flow-on benefits from increased economic activity and provision of services in the regions. This makes it even more important for the Northern Territory government to provide geoscience data and incentives which lower exploration risk and make us more competitive in attracting exploration.
Earlier I mentioned the bounce back of north Australia’s live cattle trade. With the devastating knee-jerk reaction by the then federal Labor government to ban live trade of cattle into Indonesia several years ago, it is no small feat that this industry, which was brought to its knees, has fought back and, against all odds, is once again a major contributor to the Northern Territory’s economy.
In 2013, there were 308 784 head of Northern Territory cattle exported through the Port of Darwin. This is a record, up almost 4000 head from the previous peak in 2009 and almost 75 000 head in 2012. This increase can be attributed to the emerging Vietnamese market and the additional quotas to Indonesia in the second half of 2013.
Commencing in 2014, the Indonesian government will replace the meat and live cattle importation quota system with a price-based system which is set to significantly increase the amount of beef cattle and productive heifers required by that country. This is positive news for the live cattle export industry, north Australian cattle producers and, of course, the Northern Territory economy.
As well, this morning the first ever shipment of live buffalo left the Port of Darwin for Vietnam. This is the first of what is promising to become many shipments of buffalo from the Northern Territory to Vietnam.
The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries is working with buffalo importers to provide technical advice and assistance in animal management, nutrition, animal handling and feedlot management pre- and post-shipment of buffalo from the Northern Territory.
As the Treasurer said in his statement:
Madam Speaker, I strongly support the Treasurer’s statement which provides an update on the Northern Territory’s current economic conditions.
This government is committed to growing those industries which will contribute most to the economy of the Northern Territory. I spoke about some of the factors causing growth in our economy through the primary industry and the minerals and energy sectors. Make no mistake; all that can be done will be by this government in supporting those industries which contribute so significantly to the Northern Territory economy. That will include a continuation of the work I have been doing in my portfolio areas to attract investment from overseas into our minerals and energy sector, and we will be seeking new markets for our cattle and buffalo.
It is no secret I will be going to Vietnam in the next few weeks, following a similar trip by the Chief Minister. We will be continuing our work in building the relationships which count so much in having trade open up and remain sustainable and strong. This is where the federal Labor government failed so dismally when it was in power in dealing with issues around live export. I have said in this House many times – and there is still plenty of scope to say it from time to time – the decision to suspend live export for those few months was one of the worst policy decisions, if not the worst, I have ever witnessed a government make.
Not only has it had a serious effect on the cattle industry across Australia, it also significantly damaged relations between Indonesia and this country. I have spent, as has the Chief Minister, an inordinate amount of time repairing that relationship by putting our feet on the ground in those countries, relating to the people with whom we once had a good relationship and rebuilding it after the terrible damage caused. The saddest part for Northern Territory cattle producers was the lack of support they received through this process by the former Northern Territory Labor government. There was precious little done by the NT Labor government during that crisis period. I remember former Chief Minister Paul Henderson standing beside the former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, nodding in agreement with the decision to ban the live cattle trade …
Members interjecting.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: I hear the interjections from the other side. They are all boohooing it, but it did happen.
As a history lesson, former Chief Minister Paul Henderson, in doing so, made a policy statement from the Northern Territory government. He agreed the live cattle trade had to be suspended. Therefore, he was representing the views of the former Northern Territory Labor government.
Ms Walker: He did not, you fool.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: I hear the interjection from the member for Nhulunbuy, ‘He did not’. Yes he did, but let us not get into that, it becomes a bit childish.
As minister for Primary Industry, I will do anything I can to avoid causing damage or grief to the cattle industry or the broader agricultural sector across the Northern Territory. Only a Country Liberals government will stand up for cattlemen, pastoralists, the mining industry and, by extension, the Northern Territory’s economy.
Ms Walker: Oh for goodness sake, listen to it.
Mr Vatskalis: Tell us about Vista Gold.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Casuarina
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Now I have stirred the opposition up – they were listening intently -it was a bit quiet and boring over there and we have stirred them into life. It is good to see there is still some life in the opposition. They will be feeling fairly dejected today and down in the dumps because of all the good news from government during Question Time. We can talk about the success of alcohol protection orders, huge drops in crime and drops in domestic violence offending as well. The Chicken Littles on the other side of the House are not interested in good news. They would much rather spend their time trying to convince Territorians the sky is falling.
I am pleased to support the Treasurer’s statement this afternoon. The Northern Territory’s economy is on track, heading in the right direction and this government’s policies will drive the future sustainable growth of the Northern Territory.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for bringing forward a statement like this every now and then so we can discuss the Territory’s economic future.
There is no doubt if you go past the Howard Springs turn-off between 5 am and 8 am you will see an enormous number of vehicles travelling up and down which, on the surface, would suggest the Territory’s economy is booming, and to some extent it is.
The question is, is it booming for Territorians or for people who have come to the Territory. That is an issue some businesses would dispute with the government. There is no doubt the Territory is benefiting from a lot of development, especially INPEX, especially the service industry and some aspects of the retail industry. However, a middle range of businesses in Darwin are not doing so well. If they do not have a contract with big companies like INPEX they are really struggling. I have heard that from people who know those businesses and want me to ask the Treasurer if he would pop out there with me to talk to some of them directly to find out their view on the state of the economy.
On the surface it is booming, there is no doubt about it, but a lot of that is the fly-in fly-out economy. Yes, they go to my local pub. They probably go to the pizza shop because they probably get tired of eating fly-in fly-out food. Some of the car hire companies are doing pretty well. How many Thrifty vehicles do you see? Some parts of the economy are doing well, but the government needs to be a little cautious, dig a little deeper and talk to some of the industries that are not benefiting from the boom in the gas and oil economy in the Northern Territory.
Remember, INPEX bought all its accommodation from China. Even though some of the material originated from Australia, like the iron ore, most of it came from China. I was at the wharf when we sent a shipment of iron ore from Sherwin Iron late last year. There was a very long concrete stanchion heading to INPEX. I said, ‘What is that doing on the wharf?’ He said it had just been imported from China, which surprised me. Why are we importing concrete stanchions from China? Why can we not make them in Australia? In some cases these big developments have not helped our own industries, except perhaps carting things from the ship to the site, so we need to keep a lid on our excitement.
Treasurer, I have already asked what the direct benefit is to the government from a big project like INPEX? I guess there is no great benefit financially to the Territory through the government coffers, except perhaps in stamp duty, payroll tax and car registration. There are still lots of interstate registration plates in this part of the world. You can easily pick them because the tray on the four-wheel-drive is not quite the same as ones made in Winnellie. Those are the limitations on what the government can get from these big developments, and that is important. I am not knocking it, but we need to keep things in perspective.
The minister said there has been accelerated land release. I know from previous discussions that to release land – the previous Minister for Housing would know and it has been said before – you need a four-year lead time. I am interested to know how you achieved accelerated land release if you were not in power four or five years ago. If you are setting the parameters now putting in the headworks, etcetera, in a couple of years’ time you could say you accelerated the number of blocks being released. I do not think that is fair. You cannot develop more blocks of land at the flick of a switch. It had to be done previously, and what you say in your statement is spin. You might want more houses and release more land, but to say you released land at this time does not make any logical sense.
You also discussed the Power and Water structural separation. This concerns me and I cannot see the logic because none is given. The Treasurer says this will make things more efficient. When asked to show proof he says the evidence is down south and that it has been done before. The Territory is not down south. Power and Water is only a small corporation compared to other places and we would still like some logic. Pardon me if I am a little simple sometimes, but if you have a big company with one administration and you split that company – still doing the same job – into two, you have two administrations. One company is interlinked. For instance, a company with power, water and sewerage is interlinked because you need electricity to drive the water pumps and sewerage pumps. All those things are interlinked. When you split it you will have two sets of administration and …
Mr Styles: I do not believe what I am hearing.
Mr WOOD: Maybe you cannot believe it, Minister for Transport. Do not blame me for trying because your minister, while twiddling his thumbs over there, has not explained the logic behind splitting it. It is no good shaking your head; I will not be convinced it is a good idea until I see some meat on the bones, not a broad statement: ‘It is a good idea because the Country Liberal Party is open for business and has seen it down south’. It is a shallow statement for something so serious.
Provide an independent assessment of splitting up Power and Water which shows this will be better for Territorians: we would get cheaper electricity, water and sewerage. Minister for Transport, you might think it is funny, but the minister’s statement says it will be more efficient. It is a serious matter and he does not have anything to back it up. I do not mind if I am wrong. You can laugh all you like and say, ‘You are an idiot’. I have nothing from government to say, ‘This is an independent assessment of what would happen to Power and Water if it was split’. Show that splitting a company into two would not have more administrative costs.
You will have two CEOs who will have their group of people behind them. Will you revamp all the cars? ‘This is Power, that is Water’. Will you have different groups of people doing different jobs managed by different processes? All your telephones, addresses and e-mails will probably change. You might even need a new building; there is plenty of vacant space at the moment in the boom. Minister, if you are telling us this will benefit Territorians, give it to an independent person to assess. Give it to the Auditor-General when you come up with the figures. It will not cost us big mobs of money to ask the Auditor-General; we pay him. Let us not say Power and Water will be more efficient when it is split without putting the facts behind it. If it is, we will look at it when you put the figures to parliament.
I believe part of the reason you want to split Power and Water is because you are deadly interested in privatising power. Many people can see an opportunity to make a quid out of power. Let us not forget that the people who end up being worse off are not at the high end of electricity usage; they will have to pay the higher prices.
You laughed before during Question Time, member for Fong Lim, when I said essential services belong to Territorians. You said, ‘Oh, you are only off with the Labor Party’. Those off the cuff remarks blur the debate and do not do you or the debate any good. I am quite capable of thinking for myself and quite capable of believing essential services are a human right.
You may laugh at that, and I can see you rolling your eyes. I have been down this path before. In fact, if I was a fortune teller I would have bet the member for Fong Lim would roll his eyes because this is too deep for him. He does not understand the provision of power and water is a human right. It should not be for the benefit of shareholders in a company that might not even be Australian. It should be for government to provide a secure provision of services at a reasonable price that ordinary Territorians can afford. That is the proper philosophy for provision of those services.
You can privatise whatever else you like, but those things – if you include sewerage – are essential services the government should keep. I will fight the government as much as we fought the sale of TIO if you attempt to sell Power and Water, because you are doing a disservice to the Northern Territory and it will not help the debt. I do not see how the debt can be lowered if you sell it to a private company because they want to make a profit which will not go back to Power and Water. A bit will, but they will make enough to keep their shareholders happy, whereas if a government runs it, it will make a profit to ensure Power and Water is run for the benefit of the shareholders: the people in the Territory.
I am concerned about the wishy washy statements coming out. One minute you are not privatising, next minute you might think about it at the next election. If you were not thinking about it you would not bother at the next election; you would tell people you are not privatising it. I am really concerned that is what this government wants to do.
The minister can say, ‘It is not our job to subsidise power’. Then I would say. ‘Scrap subsidised power in isolated communities and see what happens’. That is what the government does through Indigenous Essential Services Pty Ltd; it subsidises power. Please do not say it is not the job of government to subsidise power. It is the job of government to run a business-like enterprise called Power and Water. It does not have to become some great profit-making business for a company which might have no relation to the Territory at all.
The minister also spoke about unemployment, saying how great the figures were. These figures were bandied around for years when the Labor Party was in government, and now I hear them from you. Who will tell me the unemployment rates for Yuendumu, Papunya, Santa Teresa, Ngukurr, Nguiu – remote communities? The same story concerns me. Employment is booming in big towns like Darwin, but that is the haves. The have-nots are still not benefiting from the boom in our economy. Has INPEX, except for Aboriginal people in Darwin, benefited people in Yuendumu, Papunya or places like that? You can fly people in and out, but where do people in Howard Springs come from? All over the place ...
Mr Tollner: Who pays the taxes for the welfare in Yuendumu?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr WOOD: If the member for Fong Lim wants to talk about welfare I am happy to have that debate. I do not agree with welfare in those communities. People should have employment in those communities ….
Mr Tollner: Doing what?
Mr WOOD: Work in those communities occasionally and you might find out.
Mr Tollner: There is plenty of opportunity …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I have asked you to cease interjecting. You are on a warning.
Mr WOOD: What I am saying is, with the economy booming in some areas there are the haves – the people who have jobs with the oil and gas industry – and, on the other hand, we have high unemployment in other parts of the Northern Territory. We have a system which allows people from other states to fly in to work in these places. Why can we not set up a system which allows Aboriginal people to fly in? ACCo, the abattoir, is look at something similar, and I hope that happens. I fear we can talk about the great economy of the Northern Territory but the benefits of that economy do not spread across all people in the Territory.
Of course, some of these debates are far beyond the depth of thinking of the member for Fong Lim. Today’s debate is about the economy and not everybody, unfortunately, benefits from the boom in our economy.
Minister, I thank you for your statement, there are some good things in it. The minister for Primary Industry said live cattle exports have improved this year with the changes to weight limitations and numbers, and that is great to hear.
He mentioned tourism, and I presume the minister for Tourism – there have been some improvements in tourism with the number of flights coming into the Northern Territory and that is great.
Except for Nhulunbuy, more mines have come on site, such as Sherwin and Western Desert Resources, and that is good. However, they were not established overnight. Again I hear, ‘Look at us, look at us, the economy is booming because of what we did’. I cannot imagine Sherwin Iron got itself going in the time you have been in government. I cannot imagine Western Desert Resources getting all its approvals in the time you have been in and the road to Bing Bong constructed. Many of those things were done by other governments. When you say, ‘That was us; look at us’, some of that groundwork was not done by this government. It is encouraged by this government, and I welcome those developments because they create employment and wealth for the Northern Territory. Sometimes the spin is one-sided, as if these things fell out of the sky when you were elected into government in 2012.
There are good things here; there is no doubt about it. I raised a couple of issues, especially unemployment, because you are not the only government to say unemployment is improving, yet in some of the communities unemployment is staggeringly high and needs to be looked at. I would be happy to take up that debate.
I have recently written to Nigel Scullion about the issue of welfare and the possibility that local government could be the centre for unemployment benefits in communities so people can go there to get a job. You need to start somewhere; you do not want people on welfare. I have heard the member for Namatjira say that many times, and we need to be progressing that so we do not have people sitting around doing nothing. We need to give them jobs in communities. They are part of the economy and sometimes, when we discuss employment rates, we seem to conveniently forget the high unemployment rates in remote communities.
I have said many times that there are ways to change things around. I have not heard anyone from either side say it is a silly idea. Welfare is a killer when trying to develop economies in local communities. Give people a chance to take the step up and work for INPEX. That is missing here and we need to push it. We need more local people working. I am not against interstate people, but let us hope we can get local people …
Mr Elferink: What part of my Corrections policy leaves you with the impression I do not think employment is important?
Mr WOOD: Minister, I congratulate you on your policy; I do not have a problem with it. I would like to see a few more work camps and the prison farm at Katherine go ahead.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr McCARTHY (Barkly): Madam Speaker, I contribute to the debate on the Northern Territory economy. It starts with when I left this House last December and took some leave, which was deemed acceptable by the electorate. I tried to articulate comments coming from the regions and also Darwin that this Country Liberal Party government is the worst government in the Northern Territory’s history.
I do not initiate that sort of negative comment, it was from constituents. I struggle to articulate what that really means. It came to me last night, 10 February, watching the ABC Q&A, when Mark Dreyfus articulated it. He said, of the Abbott federal Liberal Coalition, ‘When will this government take on being a government instead of continuing to be an opposition?’ That really marked the spot. When will the CLP take on the responsibility of government and give up trying to be an opposition? It is the dysfunction that is preventing it from moving forward and the lack of a team.
When this statement was delivered, being the good Labor team we are – we are a great Labor team in government and in opposition – I went to seek advice and deconstruct the Treasurer’s statement with a former Treasurer and former integral Labor minister in successive Labor teams who delivered eight successive budget surpluses. I said, ‘Can we break this down, look at the content and work through it?’ One of my questions was, ‘Do you think this statement was produced by Treasury?’
The Leader of the Opposition, who is very learned, immediately responded with, ‘No, this is pure political spin. This does not reflect any of the empirical evidence of Treasury.’ I based my contribution to debate knowing this was a fifth floor product. With respect to the spin doctors on the fifth floor, you have to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. You have to make these guys look good. The Treasurer is a game lad with more front than Woolworths. He can throw these things around, but when you start to unpack them you see some serious deficits in the statement and the economic management of the Northern Territory.
I used a bit of macroeconomics around deconstructing this statement and reflecting on some of the others. The front row of the Country Liberals continues to cling to this debt and deficit myth which was well and truly busted last February by the Auditor-General when he handed down his audit report of Labor’s last budget outcome for the 2011-12 financial year. The findings show Labor left a general government sector debt of $1.8bn, not the $5.5bn consistently claimed by the Country Liberals. However, the spin doctors have added that important word to all the statements now – ‘projected’. The Audit-General, a respectable and real commentator on these issues, has really put the facts on paper.
The Auditor-General also identified that Labor left a nett operating balance surplus of $16.7m as at 30 June 2012, not long before the general election, not a deficit as erroneously claimed by the Country Liberals. The Auditor-General pointed out that the Northern Territory had suffered from lower GST revenues from the Commonwealth, which we know is a direct result of the global financial crisis. This resulted in massive reductions in revenue beyond the control of the Territory government – any Territory government – and all state and territory jurisdictions were hit with similar revenue reductions.
The global financial crisis meant a massive contraction in private sector spending. To keep Territorians in work, Labor doubled the infrastructure budget. The responsible action worked. Labor created 13 000 jobs in the global financial crisis years, and kept the Territory economy growing.
The Treasurer’s statement talks about the legacy of that fiscal strategy. The difference is Labor also had a fiscal step-out plan but, unfortunately, Labor was beaten in the general election and new management took over the Territory and its books.
To bring this debate up to speed, I will cut to the chase on a wonderful encounter last December where the Treasurer brought in his mid-year report at about 5.30 pm on the last day of parliament, when the Christmas party was in full swing, and dropped it on the table with a very quick exit. What really fell out of that report was under the CLP – with economic policies and a clean slate, having been in for 18 months at that stage – the debt was rising by $1bn a year. That was the essence of the statement presented to parliament.
We are now talking about the new management, with new fiscal strategies which are not delivering what was promised to Territorians – poor economic management. A couple of Chief Ministers, quite a number of Treasurers, seven ministerial changes – there might be more now – is not stability from a Liberal team. You can see why things have run amok in fiscal management.
Adding to that is a $1bn debt rising under CLP fiscal management. We saw the machinations of their 2012-13 accounts which showed they ripped an extra $55m from the pockets of Territorians through rampant revenue raising, $32m of that in power and water price hikes. They then snatched $67m from Territory businesses in additional taxes and charges. At the time they were on an $84m spending spree so we asked, as the Labor opposition, what was it spent on? We had debt rising, increased taxes, reduced infrastructure, and an $84m spending spree we cannot really put a finger on, and the Treasurer is not in the mood to tell us. Estimates will no doubt be an interesting exercise in 2014. We will prosecute this argument across all ministries and, one by one, the real numbers will start to roll out for Territorians to see what chaotic fiscal management is occurring on the other side which translates into political spin statements from a Treasurer who does not get down to tin tacks.
I go to a comment from the Northern Territory News on Monday 27 January 2014 which reflects the political nature of this debate. We all live on the NT News, and I remember this mob in opposition throwing it around the Chamber on a daily basis. Let us see what the editorial in the NT News on Monday 27 January 27 2014 said in the closing paragraphs:
Essentially, that is what I was looking for in this statement – the news story about responsible fiscal management and how the CLP plans to deliver on its massive election promise to reduce the cost of living.
We heard in Question Time today, utilities charges – another 4% on 1 July, followed by an additional 5% in January 2015. In the Barkly, let alone the rest of the Territory, families are hurting in real time.
The Treasurer, over the summer break, seemed to be hanging his hat on the CommSec economic report of 20 January 2014. That became regular fodder for the spin doctors on the fifth floor. They pulled out the important parts they needed to tell this wonderful economic story.
On page three, under retail trade, it says the:
The Treasurer was very quick to crow about that; however, when we talk to the community, the retail sector, they say it is seriously hurting. It did not translate into the general retail sector.
Essentially, it links with the housing construction market. The Treasurer, in his statement, talks about an accelerated land release program, but 19 months in we still have no new Country Liberals greenfield site announcement. I expected it to be called Elferink Heights, or something reflective of the egos and massive self-importance of Country Liberal Party ministers, but there is nothing.
I can say five suburbs in Palmerston, a combination of government subsidised and private sector – five suburbs in Palmerston East, Coolalinga under Gwello, then I can look at Muirhead and down the track to Katherine and Tennant Creek. I will get to the debacle in Alice Springs, where the bungling efforts of the member for Braitling risk destroying Kilgariff – a land release with a capacity of 3000 lots over 20 years – with this little pocket that could destroy the natural drainage plans and master plans done under the previous Labor government to deliver this essential housing infrastructure to Alice Springs for Central Australia.
That is something members should be concerned about and asking the Chief Minister questions about. When you do, ask where the Alice Springs Town Council sits with this, because I think it has walked away from the deal. When the Chief Minister destroys Kilgariff – in a tiny pocket in the corner, without any understanding of the master planned suburb of Kilgariff – you might find the Alice Springs Town Council will not accept it and you will be in hot water. However, that is for another day, and I think CLP members should be asking those serious questions.
The CommSec report of 20 January 2014 talks about equipment investment:
That is easy to recognise in the regions and remote areas, but I draw the minister’s attention to a media release from the Minerals Council Australia NT Division titled, ‘Another Day, Another New Tax on NT Mining’ saying:
That was a contradiction in the Liberal economic management strategy. The minister for Resources mentioned some great opportunities in the Territory with one hand, and has the other hand in the mining sector back pocket ripping out important investment resources through new taxes imposed by the Country Liberals.
I listen to all ministers because that is what I have to work from. The minister for Resources talked about some interesting projects for the future which were absent from the Treasurer’s statement, but there was no talk of the Ord River. I am concerned. Has the Ord River dropped off the agenda, ladies and gentlemen? It was one of the major crowing points when we were in this House last year. It seems to have disappeared off the Treasurer’s agenda, and the minister for Resources, one of the major roosters in the hen house making a lot of noise about the Ord River, seems to have become quiet as well. That might be in relation to the infrastructure demands they suddenly realised.
Back to the CommSec report. Under the construction work section it says:
It is easy to see this is good stimulus money into the economy, but, unfortunately, the Treasurer is claiming it all as his. We know that is a lot of rot; the Territory knows it is a lot of rot. The Territory wants to know what is next, what is new? When will Elferink Heights be delivered? You sacked Weddell, where the Labor government put on head services going right past the door. You are talking about the Howard Peninsula with no enabling infrastructure. We have not seen any new greenfield development under the CLP other than the $20m in last year’s budget for Zuccoli stage two, the master plan suburb commenced under the previous Labor government.
When we talk about housing finance there is a problem, Treasurer. This says the Northern Territory is the weakest economy for housing finance with trend commitments 19.2% lower than the decade average. The CommSec January report said the Northern Territory is the weakest economy for housing finance. That directly relates to the warning you were given by the Leader of the Opposition, the previous Treasurer, about your bungling of stamp duty in stimulating housing construction. You pulled back what Labor had in place starting to kick in and really get a hold, and you guys bungled it. CommSec highlighted that as a major flaw in the fiscal management of the Northern Territory.
The CommSec report, under other indicators, says:
I think we understand what is happening there. The Treasurer wants to ignore the disputes with unions and our frontline workers. That will be your Achilles heel, Treasurer, unless you play some catch up football and deliver the baseline cost of living increases under CPI. It was nice to hear the Chief Minister say in his short and evasive answer, ‘No, we are still in the tent. Do not worry about that, we are still in the tent.’ I hope you are because these are our frontline workers and teachers need to be consulted first cab off the rank.
To conclude, it is interesting to have a government hanging its hat on the economic major projects of the Darwin Correctional Precinct, the Marine Supply Base and the Ichthys project. I sat on that side for four years and listened to Liberals bag them, and everyone, out. It went on and on. The irony is a Liberal government in the Territory really hitting the wall and the emergency button and crowing about these projects, which are the only real indicators of this boom economy we have under this government which were delivered by Labor.
Last but not least, to all those members from the bush, the cake is being cut up. It is budget Cabinet time. You should be knocking on ministers’ doors. Do not forget Tennant Creek and Barkly; do not forget your countrymen in Central Australia. Knock on the ministers’ doors and get the best deal you can because, at the moment, the front row is not passing the ball. I ask the members for Arnhem, Arafura, Stuart, Namatjira and Daly to get on board, get your piece of cake. When you get it, do not forget a piece for Barkly as well.
Mr CONLAN (Central Australia): Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, please thank Wyatt Earp for that lecture. It was outstanding work from the member for Barkly. I do not know what that is around your neck, but you look like a bloody idiot today.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, withdraw those comments.
Mr CONLAN: I withdraw, Madam Speaker, but it had to be said.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62: offensive words. We have become used to it. That is all he has.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Barkly, he has withdrawn.
Mr CONLAN: I would like to recognise the member for Casuarina, who is back from China. How did it go, Kon?
Mr Vatskalis: Very well.
Mr CONLAN: No one has seen or heard anything from you since your return. I draw your attention to the transcript of a radio interview on 23 December 2013 on Mix 104.9. The member, under the shroud of a taxpayer fact-finding mission, visited his wife and her family in China, which is very interesting. It is obvious for the world to see …
Mr VATSKALIS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I find his words offensive. He makes accusations without any basis.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, withdraw the comments.
Mr CONLAN: I withdraw the comments. There is no foundation for the trip because you said:
What have we heard? How long have you been back?
Mrs WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am sure, in accordance with the RTD, the shadow minister will be tabling his report in the fullness of time.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order, sit down.
Mr CONLAN: He may well do that, member for Nhulunbuy, but it flies in the face of what he said in the radio interview on 23 December 2013. He is coming back, he will engage with industry. What does the industry do? Why have we not heard from him? He may have had some meetings, but no one has any idea what he has done. He has not contacted Tourism Top End or Tourism NT. As far as I know, Tourism NT has no idea what the shadow minister for Tourism did while he was in China. No one has heard what he did or any finding from his trip to China …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 67: digression and tedious.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order, member for Barkly. The minister is speaking to a statement and can speak on anything to do with the statement.
Mr CONLAN: I am speaking to the statement and the allegations raised by opposition members regarding tourism, the way the Northern Territory government is handling tourism and its contribution to the NT economy. I have also seen no media release from the shadow minister since returning. How long have you been back from your so-called China mission?
Mr Vatskalis: Three days.
Mr CONLAN: Where is the media release? I thought you would have had one cocked and loaded. We all know why you went …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, address your colleagues through the Chair and not across the Chamber.
Mr CONLAN: Sorry, Madam Speaker, I did not hear you.
Let us look at some of the accusations raised by the member for Karama, the Leader of the Opposition. She talked about the Jetstar hub, another great contribution from the member for Casuarina. The Jetstar hub signed up to an agreement the airlines and the government could not possibly meet – impossible targets.
This is what the member for Casuarina said in this interview again. This is about Jetstar pulling out:
First, I did not say it was no big deal. On 31 March 2014, Jetstar will reduce the overall number of weekly departures operating out of Darwin from 54 to 49 – a reduction of five flights a week. I said a reduction from 54 Jetstar services to 49 per week is anticipated to have little effect on visitor numbers in the Northern Territory. Let us look at some scheduling changes, member for Casuarina.
Increasing flights between Darwin – these are some of the scheduling changes – and Cairns from three per week to daily, decreasing flights between Darwin and Denpasar from eight per week to daily, decreasing flights between Darwin and Brisbane from nine per week to daily, suspending the four times weekly service from Darwin to Manila and Tokyo, decreasing flights between Darwin and Singapore from nine per week to daily services, with the operation of these flights transferred from Jetstar Airways to Jetstar Asia. That is it, a total of 54 flights down to 49.
I do not know how you think airline loads work, but between Darwin and Gove, QantasLink and Airnorth are sharing about 22% each. An airline cannot operate with a 22% load. You guys would think, ‘We should continue to prop those airlines up to keep them flying into a destination. Let us keep propping the airlines up’, so you can say you have a number of airlines flying to and from a destination. Airlines cannot operate on a 22% load factor, member for Casuarina. That is exactly what has happened with the Jetstar operation.
The flipside is SilkAir operates on the Darwin to Singapore route so there is more capacity on this sector than before and a variety of airline carriers for consumers to choose from. There is also a newly introduced Kuala Lumpur to Darwin service operated by Malaysia Airlines. Philippine Airlines continues to operate its full service to Manila three times per week. It has a comprehensive international network from our tourism target markets in both north Asia and North America, providing strong links for travellers wishing to visit the Northern Territory through Darwin. In other words, with Malaysia Airlines you can fly to London from Alice Springs on one ticket with oneworld Alliance. That is pretty good.
The growth in carriers and frequency in services to the Northern Territory over the past year has resulted in strong growth in aviation capacity into the Northern Territory. Tourism NT is focused on increasing consumer demand for these services in source markets to ensure aircraft are filled and the services become sustainable over the longer term. You cannot just split the pie up and think because you have another carrier or another aircraft they will be full. It does not work like that, member for Casuarina. I thought you might understand this, but clearly not when you signed up to some ludicrous, unreachable agreement with the Jetstar group. Outrageous!
Jetstar had indicated the decision to relocate aircraft from Darwin was made in response to increased capacity in competition. Hello, no kidding! That is all it was, particularly on international routes from foreign carriers. This was a commercial decision from Jetstar.
On 22 July 2008, the then Northern Territory government and Jetstar Airways entered into that now infamous five-year agreement to establish a regional international hub in Darwin. The Northern Territory agreed to provide the following support for establishment of the hub: establishment funding of $5m. The Territory, through DBE, made this payment in full late in 2008, and international marketing support – a total of $3m was to be paid over 5 years – $600 000 per year through Tourism NT.
Under the agreement, Jetstar was obliged to base three aircraft in Darwin by 30 June 2009, and seven by 30 June 2012. As we know, this did not eventuate. That is the aviation story for those on the other side. In case you forgot, that is how it all unfolded, largely courtesy of the member for Casuarina, the then Minister for Tourism.
Let us look at some of the other claims regarding hotels: there are no new hotels; most of the hotels are taken up by business people or the mining, oil and gas industry. Let us look at some of the facts. There are 700 hotel rooms and serviced apartments coming online this year which will provide more accommodation options to our touring public. This includes the lan Soho, with 300 hotel rooms, 167 residential and 88 serviced apartments; Lee Point Holiday Village, 238 rooms; Quest Berrimah, 60 serviced apartments; and Argus on Shepherd an additional 101 rooms …
Mr Vatskalis interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: It does not matter, member for Casuarina, because you said there are no new hotel rooms coming online in Darwin. I have just highlighted 700 new hotel rooms and serviced apartments coming online in 2014.
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 49. Could the Minister for Tourism direct his comments through the Chair?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Johnston. Member for Greatorex, if you could address your comments through the Chair. Member for Casuarina, cease calling across the Chamber.
Mr CONLAN: The idea was to highlight to the member for Casuarina that the radio interview was farcical and embarrassing. I cannot tell you how many people rang me and commented on the interview you conducted on 23 December. No new hotel rooms! I have just highlighted the fact there are 700 new hotel rooms and serviced apartments coming online next year. We need 200 per year to reach our target over the next six years to create a $2.2bn tourism economy in the Northern Territory. We are well and truly ahead of the target and no thanks to you.
Of course, you would not know. You were apparently in China undertaking high level meetings with – who were they, who did you meet? I would love to hear about it. I believe you met with China Eastern Airlines. You sent them into a tailspin. They had no idea who you were, and apparently you were bringing all this knowledge back to the Northern Territory to generate the Chinese market for us.
This leads me to the other disturbing comment you made in the radio interview. It is very telling of where the former Minister for Tourism sits. He said:
The member for Casuarina must have missed the media release of 12 October 2013 which talked about a delegation of tourism operators on the second of our missions to China. I also travelled to China in October with the Chief Minister and the Minister for Education and attended the Australia China Business Council of the Northern Territory’s Strategic Investment Forum – very successful. During the forum I was a member of an industry panel where I drove the message, along with other panellists, about investment in the Northern Territory. Despite the member for Casuarina’s ignorance, it is extraordinary we have the 2013 …
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62: I seek your guidance on the reflection of the member for Casuarina and I ask the sometimes honourable Minister for Tourism withdraw those comments.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Casuarina, were you offended by any of the comments?
Mr VATSKALIS: I am offended by every comment, but we would be here all day.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you have the call.
Mr Vowles: Will you withdraw?
Madam SPEAKER: The member for Casuarina was not offended by his comments.
Mr CONLAN: Despite the member for Casuarina’s ignorance, we have the 2013 China Market Activation Plan. Through the Chair, Madam Speaker, has the member for Casuarina familiarised himself with our China Market Activation Plan? Probably not. Of course, Tourism NT has the Asia Product Partnership Program, and I am not sure if he has seen that either.
We are identifying agents and wholesale companies to sell the Northern Territory product, and we continue to build strong relationships with current and new airlines which service the Chinese market to Australia, despite what the member for Casuarina claimed in his radio interview. We continue our partnerships with new airlines, particularly the Chinese market into Australia, and we customise our NT research with Chinese consumers to better understand them. We also measure return on investment. While China is an emerging market, we must invest sensibly. It is important the member for Casuarina understands that because it leads me to the next point.
If he had his way we would be removing money from our traditional markets and pouring it all into an emerging market. No one really has any idea what we need to put in front of Chinese consumers to get them to the Northern Territory. I bet you have no idea either because the global tourism industry still has no idea what will attract a Chinese holidaymaker to a high-adventure playground like the Northern Territory. It is embarrassing, ridiculous and a blight on the Northern Territory government to have this guy in China suggesting we rip money out of our traditional markets at the behest of tourism operators in the Northern Territory.
He also said:
In other words, he is saying forget America, forget the UK and Germany. Is that what you are saying? Forget our traditional markets, the only ones keeping the poor tourism operator alive at the moment. Throw all that money away and stick it into China, where no one has any idea how to attract the Chinese holidaymaker to the Northern Territory.
Let us do that, let us rip out the millions of dollars we invest into Germany, the UK and the United States, our three biggest markets. Let us rip it all out and stick it into China. It is a great strategy, just like your Jetstar strategy – a complete disaster.
Let us look at some of the statistics concerning places the member for Casuarina is suggesting we walk away from. International visitor statistics for the year ending September 2013: 35 000 visitors from the UK, up 3.5%, and 34 000 visitors from Germany, up 9.6%, but let us walk away from it. Let us walk away from the traditional growing market and invest into China, the great unknown. There were 35 000 from the USA.
Before I go on, this is interesting – people have to promote the Territory, not in America, with 35 000 visitors, up 13% for the September 2013 quarter, but let us walk away from it. Let us put all our money into the great unknown of China, and the member for Casuarina cannot even tell us what we have to put in front of the Chinese consumer to attract them to the Northern Territory.
There were 800 000 Chinese visitors to Australia last year. Do you know how many we got? Less than 1%. Do you know why? According to you, it is because we are not marketing the Northern Territory well enough. The Chinese consumer is not that interested in the Northern Territory. It is not their desired holiday …
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 49. Can the honourable minister direct his comments through the Chair.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you have the call.
Mr CONLAN: In contrast, we have 19 000 visitors from the entire northeast Asia region. Again, 35 000 from the UK, 34 000 from Germany, 35 000 from the USA – all up! Thirteen per cent up from the USA, another market the member for Casuarina says we should not be investing in. He says we should walk away from our biggest market of all, the United States of America, and concentrate on the 19 000 visitors from the entire northeast Asia bowl: China, Hong Kong, Korea and Thailand. That is it! It is no wonder Tourism NT was on the bones of its backside under the previous Labor administration. I thought this bloke had some idea before Malarndirri McCarthy took over and destroyed the industry completely. Thank God you are not in charge anymore.
Madam Speaker, I support this statement and tourism is on the way up.
Mr VATSKALIS (Casuarina): Madam Speaker, I am pleased the Treasurer brought this statement to the House. I must have hit a raw nerve with the member for Greatorex; I have never seen him so animated. Yes, I have. When I was Minister for Health and he was trying to tell us how bad Health was.
The member for Greatorex is the worst Tourism minister we have ever had in the Territory, including the CLP days. They had some really good ministers at the time, but this guy takes the cake. I cannot believe that after two years as Minister for Tourism he is saying, ‘Why should we spend money in China? We do not know anything about China.’ What have you been doing for the past two years? Did you ever think to find out what people in China want? He has the audacity to tell me I went to China to visit my wife’s family – the guy will spend two weeks in Europe shopping.
I will tell you what I did in China. Before I went to China I met the tourism industry. I had briefings with Darwin International Airport about the extension, and they gave me information to take with me. I flew to Hong Kong and met with Cathay Pacific. I flew to Guangzhou and met with China Southern Airlines. In Hong Kong I met with Tourism Australia and tourism operators. Before I went I looked at the Tourism NT web page and found it has people operating in China. I wrote to those people in Guangzhou and said, ‘Please, I need some information from the Minister for Tourism. I would like to meet you and give you some information.’ Within one day I received an e-mail from a public servant saying, ‘How dare you talk to our tour operators in China’. I beg your pardon, I did not realise Chinese companies need approval from a minister of the Northern Territory government to provide information to a member of parliament.
I then wrote to the CEO of the department saying, ‘I am pretty sure your minister would agree we have to be Team NT here. This is not about politics. We want to promote the Territory in southeast Asia.’ I am still waiting for an answer. When I saw the CEO of the department I said, ‘I sent you an e-mail. When will I get an answer from you?’ He said, ‘You are not going to get one’. I e-mailed Tourism Australia and received a response immediately. Not only did I receive a response from Tourism Australia, but I received a contact name and number in Hong Kong.
I flew to Hong Kong and met with Cathay Pacific. I made a presentation on behalf of Darwin International Airport, told them what was happening in the Territory and said nothing about politics. I said the Territory was booming with the mining industry doing well, petrochemical companies doing well, but we need more tourists. I also told them there are opportunities for Cathay Pacific because it is currently servicing Perth. Perth is another mining centre, and Cathay Pacific was quite interested to find out the Territory shares with Western Australia the same booming economy because of the mining industry. I told them it would not be a good idea to fly the big airplanes here, but Dragonair, its subsidiary, can fly its Airbus 320 or 321, and is quite interested. As a matter of fact, Dragonair advised me it is currently examining fleet capabilities of flying to Darwin.
After my meeting with Cathay Pacific I met with Tourism Australia, which advised that China has now changed its situation with tourism. Previously, Chinese tourists wanting to go to Australia had to go as a group. They will now be allowing – following an agreement with the Australian government – individual Chinese tourists to visit Australia.
This is a unique opportunity for us. While I was in Hong Kong I read China Daily, which stated that next year 130 million Chinese will travel abroad.
I met with tourist operators in Hong Kong who advised me they have visited the Territory. They also told me the Territory government has a representative in Shanghai who visits them regularly and provides information. They also said this government has never undertaken a campaign to promote the Territory to people in Hong Kong.
The Minister for Tourism asks why we should take money out of America and the UK and spend it on China. He threw a few numbers around – 35 000 from the UK. How many of those were backpackers? There were 34 000 from Germany; how many came to the Territory as tourists or were backpackers passing through trying to get a job in Australia to stay for a year? These are traditional markets. We have spent a lot of money there and, in the past, have had promotions there. We are getting 35 000 people from America, a country of 260 million people. Are you serious? You might as well give them $100 each to stay home rather than spending our money.
Let me tell you something else about Europe the minister seems to know so well. Southern Europe is in a dire economic situation. As a result, they promote tourism in northern Europe and are attracting enormous numbers of tourists. Why? Because it is an easy three-hour flight from Stockholm to Greece, Spain or Italy. You can get cheap accommodation and meals, and you can cruise the Mediterranean cheaply. Greece is predicting 18 million tourists this year because of the situation there and how cheap it is to holiday in Greece.
I was dismayed when I looked at the promotional material tourist operators in Hong Kong had to offer. They had a fantastic map of Australia with lines telling people how to travel from Guangzhou to Sydney, and from Sydney they had trips to Melbourne, Adelaide, one to the Rock, then back to Sydney and out again. When I pointed out we have SilkAir and Malaysia Airlines flying to Darwin they said nobody had advised them of this. I undertook to advise the airline industry here so they can talk to tourist operators. People have told me they do not know much about the Territory because the government has not done any promotional work in Hong Kong or China. Yes, they have someone in Shanghai to talk to tourist operators, but the general public has no idea what the Territory has to offer because the Territory government has not spent money there. The minister asked why we should spend money in the great unknown of China.
If we had that same logic we would not have a mining industry today. Why spend money in China when our traditional mining industry markets are Britain, Canada and America? Wrong. You have to take risks to promote the Territory when people do not know about it. I took the liberty of putting some of my own photos in my presentation. They were not commercial photos, not professional photos, just photos I took myself, and the people were impressed with what they saw.
Following my trip to Hong Kong I flew to Guangzhou. In Guangzhou I met with the general manager of China Southern Airlines, who is in charge of the airline expansion, and his team. I met with eight people who listened to what I had to say about the expansion of Darwin International Airport. They told me Darwin could be a target for them. They would like to meet with the Darwin International Airport executive for more information about flying, potentially to Darwin, during their expansion into Asia.
My meetings were fruitful. They told me exactly what I wanted to know: what the Chinese want to know to come to the Territory. Currently they know nothing because Tourism NT has not done the promotion. Yes, I understand it is really good to fly to America, Germany and England, much better than flying to places like the middle of China, but at the same time we should target our tourism to places where we can bring more tourists. One-hundred-and-thirty million people will leave China next year for tourism. Ten per cent of 13 million – 1% is 1.3 million. Even if we get 10% of the 1%, we get 130 000 people to the Territory.
The minister says, ‘What have you done since you returned?’ I came back to work on Thursday. On Friday I had my first meeting with Darwin International Airport and briefed them on my trip to China. My intention, following these parliamentary sittings, is to meet with and brief the industry on what I heard in China. I also briefed the industry on comments tourist operators made about the services in Darwin and the Territory in general, and the response by tourist operators in Darwin. We have to address these issues because the services need to meet the needs of tourists.
What do people want to know? Some tourist operators told me that during their recent visit the translator could not speak Mandarin; he spoke Cantonese. Mandarin is the official language of China and what most people speak. Having a Cantonese interpreter address people who speak Mandarin was a bad decision.
The minister said there is no problem with Jetstar reducing its flights. I do not know who is advising you but, minister, talk to the people. Do you think there is no impact on the Territory from suspension of flights to and from Brisbane? Do you think there is no impact on the Territory if there is a suspension of flights to and from Manila or Tokyo? If this is what you think, it would be a good idea for the Chief Minister to give you a new portfolio, because obviously you are totally incompetent as Minister for Tourism in this government.
Talking about hotel rooms – yes, you have 700 new hotel rooms in the Territory, but can the minister tell us the vacancy rate of these hotel rooms? Can the minister tell us the occupancy of these rooms and how many are taken by the mining industry? I was at a meeting of the industry recently when a gentleman said next year the new lan Soho Hotel will come online with 550 rooms. He guaranteed he could offer 25% of those rooms to tourists. When we asked where the other rooms would go he said long-term contracts, business and the mining industry. Out of 550 hotel rooms next year, only 25% will be available to tourists.
We have a problem and the minister refuses to face it. The minister lives in cuckoo land if he thinks that because we have 700 hotels room in the Territory this year they will all be allocated to tourists, because the mining industry will take them; INPEX will take them. ConocoPhillips will take them because they have the big refit in May this year lasing three or four months, smack in the middle of our tourist season.
I took the trip under my entitlements, not the RTD, and I find the comments from the Minister for Tourism offensive. I find all his comments offensive, because when he stands to talk he seems to be drawn into the argumentative mode he used when he was a second-rate shock jock at a second-rate radio station in Alice Springs. This is a parliament, not a radio station.
I am proud of what I did. I did what he should have done a long time ago. He told us he went to China with the Chief Minister, but he did not go to the cities to find out what tourist operators want. He did not take his team to places with strange names where people do not speak English, not London, Berlin or Paris. Like it or not, the next wave of tourism will not come from Europe or America, it will come from Southeast Asia and China. Anybody who does not understand that must be living on another planet.
The Chief Minister, quite rightly, went to China because it is where the future of Australia and the Northern Territory is. The reality is we have the mining resource they need, but China has the money and people and they will come to Australia for tourism.
I have friends in China who told me they will not come to Australia to shop because they do not want to buy things made in China. On the contrary, they would like to come to Australia to see the empty spaces, the clear air and drive where they cannot see another car for 20 minutes.
On my trip to Singapore a few years ago I heard exactly the same comments. The Northern Territory is missing out because the government will not promote the Territory in Singapore. Singaporeans fly to Perth for a weekend but not to Darwin. When I asked why I was told they know nothing about Darwin. People who dare venture to the Northern Territory rave about the time they had here. They love the place and the environment. Some of them even love the train trip to Alice Springs.
I opened the Strait Times on the weekend and there were pages and pages about Perth, Margaret River, Midland wineries, the Barossa Valley but not one photograph or item about Darwin or Katherine. When people in China saw pictures of Katherine Gorge they were amazed. When I told them there was a four-star hotel, the Cycad Lodge, in Katherine, they said, ‘Why don’t we know about that?’ It is because the Minister for Tourism and his team did not tell them about it because the minister likes the traditional market.
It is like promoting the same thing to people who already know about it. What is the point of me telling Germans to come to the Northern Territory? They know about it. We have been promoting it for years and years, and the minister is proud to say 34 000 people came from Germany, a 13% increase. That means 3500 more Germans came to the Northern Territory after you spent millions of dollars promoting the Northern Territory to Germany. Are you kidding me?
Minister, I strongly suggest you have a serious look at where your department spends the money and does the promotion. Seriously, I do not think you get any return for your money. If you want a return for your money, start thinking outside the square. You are enclosed in that square and cannot get out. You probably do not want to because you love the comfort of flying to Europe business class rather than going economy class to China and flying on airlines with strange names.
Madam Speaker, I went to China because this is how we discovered China when I was Minister for Mines – by going there and learning what the Chinese wanted. I bought those lessons back, put them into place and gave them what they wanted. Today, the CLP government to made an announcement about mines that started in 2006 and 2007 because we went to the great unknown China. The Minister for Tourism has to do exactly the same thing. He has to tell his CEO and his team, ‘We have to go to China. We have to spend time in China.’ That is not meeting people in a big hall, but letting the operators know about the Northern Territory, and not only bringing them here, but us taking an exhibition to China. Show people what we have to offer. Buy advertisements in the newspaper and show the Northern Territory in all its glory and colour.
The Chinese like Indigenous culture. CCTV-9 came to the Territory in 2009 and made a documentary about Indigenous culture and Indigenous people in the Northern Territory. It was shown on television and seen by 700 million people. In the Air China magazines I was surprised to see photographs and articles written in Chinese.
Minister, I do not want to offend you, but your performance is less than impressive. Obviously someone has given you the wrong message and you believe it. I suggest you get out of the traditional and comfortable area and try something new. You have to speak to the airlines. You can have as many hotel rooms as you want, if you cannot bring tourists to the Northern Territory these hotels will be of no use to you. The only way to bring international tourists to the Territory is through the airlines. We have to attract the airlines to the Territory. The question they asked was, ‘How can we work with the government?’ I gave them the same model the minister tried to ridicule – a joint promotion like we did with Jetstar. We had a good agreement, and if Jetstar did not do their bit funding would be cut.
This is the only Territory minister who has not brought new tourists to the Territory. He is also the only minister in the Territory – Labor or CLP – to have lost an airline. He lost 30 planes, including 100 jobs – they went to Adelaide. If Jetstar was not that good, why did the South Australian government offer them incentives to base their hub in Adelaide? Of course, losing an airline is a big thing but, compared to losing an industry and a town – Nhulunbuy – an airline is a small matter.
I am pleased I went to China, and thank you very much for approving my entitlement, Madam Speaker. I do not care what the Minister for Tourism says. After all, empty vessels make the loudest noise.
Mr STYLES (Transport): Madam Speaker, I speak on the Treasurer’s economic statement. I was interested in what the member for Nelson said about bringing competition into the generation side of electricity in the Northern Territory. I could not believe what I heard. I would like to correct the member for Nelson because when you get rid of competition and have one entity – it is communist doctrine to have one supplier.
In small economies and small places it is often the case the government needs to take the lead. For quite some time governments are required to do those types of things. However, when you reach a certain point you can introduce competition. We saw it in relation to Telstra when it had the monopoly on communications. We now see competition in the marketplace, and anyone who received a bill from Telstra, or the old Telecom, would have seen prices go down substantially due to competition. My colleague has reminded me that this goes back to the PMG.
Competition has brought innovation and better business practices, and causes people to think about how they can do things better. If you do not introduce competition into the Northern Territory electricity market – when we look at the expansion that will happen in the next few years we need to set up a good competitive industry. To do that we need to create good competitive services. This is one way to start a process in an area where you can have competition in generation. That will provide the basis for people to work out how they can do things more effectively and efficiently. Anyone who has studied economics will know they are the two most important words – effectiveness and efficiency. Without them things cost a lot of money and, in this case, taxpayers’ money.
My point in relation to the member for Nelson’s comments is we need competition to set up the Territory so we can start producing electricity at a cheaper price per kilowatt hour.
We have heard from both the Treasurer and the Chief Minister that the Territory is open for business. The development can be attributed to the mining industry, agribusiness, tourism, the railway and the aviation industry, all of which need infrastructure support to continue this exciting growth period and all of which continue to add weight to our growing economy.
We have seen significant improvements in the Territory economy in the last 12 months. Yes, we have faced challenges; however, we are starting to get on top. We are starting to see the rewards as opportunities are provided in gas, tourism, education, aviation and agribusiness, as we heard from the member for Katherine earlier.
There is a high amount of business confidence in the Territory as our government, under the Chief Minister, is framing an economy that is creating wealth and jobs. The interesting thing is when you talk to people there is a buzz; they are far more confident now than 12 months ago and there is far more confidence in the economy than several years ago. What has changed? The government has changed. We now have a government supportive of industry, business, getting on with the job and creating an environment where people from national and international companies are looking at the Territory because they know there is a supportive government and know we are open for business.
We are continuing to see business confidence in the Territory rise because we are open and prepared to have a competitive, innovative economy. It is exciting to see engineering construction levels at a historically high level. The increase was driven by the Ichthys project, the Montara oil field development and mine expansions and developments throughout the Territory. We heard a lot about those from the member for Katherine during his presentation.
All this exciting industry growth needs infrastructure assets to support it. Roads need to be improved for the heavy vehicles the mining and cattle industries require, buildings for new housing, commercial blocks, rail lines, schools and health facilities.
We heard earlier that new mining ventures are opening up. Mining ventures need railway lines and roads to get their product to market. We are now exporting buffalo to Vietnam; trucks need more roads to bring buffalo out. There are buffalo right through the Northern Territory. In fact, I heard in Arnhem Land there is in excess of 100 000 in one area alone. We need to get those out so we need infrastructure for transportation of those buffalo to ports and other facilities.
Infrastructure spending in the 2014 budget remains high at $1.2bn, comprising a $550m capital works program, and a repairs and maintenance program of $257m. We are maintaining a high level of funding for roads and providing increased funding for housing, in addition to more funding for improved school and health facilities across the Territory.
In response to this growth the government has reshaped the infrastructure program to ensure maximum benefit for all Territorians. While the global spend has reduced in 2013-14 and over the forward estimates in comparison to recent years, the investment pipeline into the future is very strong.
This government is about targeted infrastructure investment to maximise opportunities for the Territory and all Territorians. In 2012, for instance, our government made an election promise to improve roads to ensure transportation of cattle was effective and efficient. This includes two key commitments: the reinforcing of existing roads and extending the seal on key priority cattle roads.
The CLP government is delivering on this promise and helping growth in agribusiness. More than 10 km of existing sealed cattle roads have been upgraded, including seal widening and pavement strengthening. About 8 km of previously unsealed cattle roads will be upgraded and sealed to standard width. About 13 km of existing sealed cattle roads will be upgraded, including seal widening and pavement strengthening, and 9.4 km of overtaking lanes at four different locations will be built on the Arnhem Highway. Two truck parking bays will be upgraded on the cattle roads.
There is also a high indication of strong economic growth in the Northern Territory.
The Department of Infrastructure is currently providing project management services for the $521m NT Secure Facilities.
As we know, transport infrastructure is critical to Territorians with our cities, towns and communities separated by vast distances. The Northern Territory government is developing a road map for future integrated transport planning and investment. The road map will outline the government’s long-term vision for transport, and will result in an overarching plan for improving transport infrastructure and services to drive economic and social development for all Territorians. This road map will define the Territory’s transport infrastructure and service needs and priorities, bottlenecks and barriers. It will determine where we need to invest in the future and how projects can best be funded and delivered.
The road map will incorporate a number of focus strategies, plans, reviews and reforms covering the freight and logistics industry requirements, road and bridge infrastructure provision, motor vehicle registry services, maritime industry reform and passenger transport needs, including aviation, public transport and commercial passenger vehicle requirements. Transport infrastructure enables the movement of people and goods across the Northern Territory. Therefore, the Country Liberals government has allocated $373m of the 2013-14 capital works program to upgrade and improve important transport infrastructure, including roads, airstrips, barge landings and investment in Darwin port.
The Giles Country Liberals government is constantly looking at framing the future for the Territory as a prosperous one. Our aviation industry is continuing to grow and prosper. Qantas has announced up to 10 new return services per week to the Top End. This represents an estimated 10% increase in Qantas’ existing seat capacity to Darwin. Darwin will have additional Qantas flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The changes are anticipated to become fully operational between March and May.
Tigerair will return to Darwin from April, with seven return flights from Brisbane. We are estimating an increase of more than 2500 weekly seats to and from Darwin as a result of Tigerair flights alone. This speaks highly of the confidence these airlines, and many others, have in the Territory and its future.
From March, Virgin Airlines will re-time its services between Brisbane and Darwin from night departures to day time, providing convenient departure times. Jetstar will increase flights between Darwin and Cairns from three per week to seven per week after March.
SilkAir will add one additional weekly service between Singapore and Darwin. From June, SilkAir will operate five flights per week between Singapore and Darwin and upgrade to a Boeing 737-800 aircraft later this year.
Overall, scheduled inbound weekly seat capacity into the Northern Territory was 10.4% higher in February 2014 compared to February 2013. Our airport and aviation industry is anticipated to continue to grow throughout the next two years, and I look forward to the results.
Our railway recently celebrated 10 years of operation, and this way of travel is continuing to grow. This is a crucial freight supply route and is said to become a critical link with Asia and mining projects. Ten years after the opening of the 1420 km railway line, approximately two passenger services and 30 mining and general freight trains now provide services along the route each week.
Since 2004, the rail service has carried over 10 million tonnes of freight, including iron ore, manganese and general freight. Since its inaugural journey on 1 February 2004, the iconic Ghan passenger service has carried over 500 000 passengers into the Territory, and nearly 400 000 have travelled between Darwin and Alice Springs.
To build on the success of the railway, the Northern Territory government will continue to work with the rail owner and operator, Genesee & Wyoming, to optimise future opportunities for attracting and transferring the Territory’s expanding mining and resource freight to rail transport to bring the Territory’s rail infrastructure use to full capacity.
The Northern Territory government will continue to support the railway and the economic development that will partner it. We need to take advantage of these significant infrastructure investments due to our proximity to Asia and the significant markets to our north.
Projects such as the new port, the new rail lines and bulk exports, large scale industrial parks and increased urban and communications infrastructure are all just over the horizon. With the confidence in Territory businesses already at a high, we can expect the growth period to continue and for the Northern Territory to continue riding on this wave of success.
Madam Speaker, the CLP government has led much of this. We see so many increases in productivity going on. We have percentage increases in our trade and tourism, and percentage decreases in a range of social issues with crime reducing.
There is a bright future for us. I have three children who have grown up and live in the Territory. They see a bright future for themselves. I see a bright future for them, and I commend this statement to the House and ask that you note it. Thank you.
Mr TOLLNER (Treasurer): Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank everyone who has contributed to this debate. It was rather depressing listening to the Leader of the Opposition who says everything was roses when they were around and now everything is really bad because they are not around. You would expect the Leader of the Opposition to say such things.
It was also interesting listening to the contributions from the members for Greatorex and Casuarina. It was a great debate on tourism, and it will be interesting to see how the member for Casuarina reacts to the good news which seems to continually come from the Minister for Tourism.
An issue was raised by the member for Nelson which stunned me, and I think it stunned the Minister for Infrastructure. The view is because Power and Water Corporation is a government-owned entity we have no option but to keep it as a government-owned entity and keep pouring bucket loads of money into it.
Rightly, the member for Nelson identified that we subsidise essential services in the bush. I do not know if the member for Nelson understands we also subsidise water and sewerage for the vast majority of Territorians. Only a handful of businesses in the Northern Territory pay what it costs to produce electricity. Pretty well every resident in the Northern Territory is on some type of government handout. I understand the other side of the Chamber considers that entirely appropriate. In fact I had – I will not name names – somebody approach me and ask, ‘Why does government not give everybody free electricity? We provide electricity for nothing and, if we do, everyone in Australia will move here because they will get free electricity. If everybody in Australia moves here we receive more taxes and, because for every dollar we pay in tax we get $5.40 back in GST revenue, we would be the richest jurisdiction in the world simply by giving everybody free electricity.’ That almost seems to echo the sentiments put forward by the member for Nelson. It is interesting listening to the questions in Question Time and the concerns the opposition has with privatising government assets.
Government assets, as far as the opposition is concerned, are sacred cows always to be run by government and stuff it if private operators are willing to take on the job. It is almost like we have no option but to keep some of these assets.
The Minister for Infrastructure made the point about Labor’s privatisation of Telstra. In hindsight, most Australians now see the benefit of this. When telecommunication was first invented there was no industry to take up the cudgels and provide telecommunication services around Australia. The Postmaster-General was charged with the task and the PMG started putting in poles and wires around the country creating communications, all government owned, because there was no industry to do it.
I know it very well; I grew up in a post office and my family worked with the PMG. I remember the great times we had in a little country town when a party line was connected and four or five farms were connected up. It was a wonderful thing. Times have changed; there are now thousands of competitors in Australia who deal in telecommunications. The question has to be whether the government should not only be the regulator of telecommunications, but also one of the major players in the industry. We know it is probably not such a good thing and does not help competition. It does nothing to draw our prices down when government has monopoly ownership of something which other players in the business world can do more efficiently, cheaper and with better service delivery.
In many ways this is what is driving our changes in the Power and Water Corporation. We recognise Territorians are paying a lot of money. The opposition does not seem to understand that taxpayers’ money is Territorians’ money. The money we put into Power and Water Corporation could be money for Gove, for instance, or better schools, hospitals or roads to the bush. It seems to be lost on them. Their view is it does not matter how inefficient Power and Water is, or how we keep shovelling buckets of money into the organisation, it is what they call an essential service. It is something the government has to own and has an obligation to pour money into. It does not matter how inefficiently the business is run, we have to keep doing it.
In my mind that is nonsense. I would like to limit, to some extent, the taxpayers’ money that goes into the Power and Water Corporation because it could be better spent providing other essential services such as health and education, roads in the bush, or police to reduce crime and allow people to feel safe and secure in their communities. To shovel money into the Power and Water Corporation because that is what Labor governments do is not a good reason to not make changes.
Government is looking at all areas of expenditure to see how we can produce the most efficient and effective services. The Power and Water Corporation has a big red X on it, considering the amount of money we are pouring into it.
The Opposition Leader asks bizarre questions around the proposed increase in the network’s tariff. It is possibly 43%; we do not yet know what the Utilities Commission’s final determination will be, but if there is a 43% increase in the network’s charge, perhaps the Opposition Leader should ask herself why there is a requirement for it. The Utilities Commission is an independent body not dictated to by government. This says the opposition never invested enough money into the network to ensure it would cover costs.
You cannot have it both ways. You cannot say, ‘You have to retain everything and keep shovelling money into it’, or ‘You can’t sell it and allow others to run things more cheaply’. I am not advocating the privatisation of anything, but we only have a certain number of levers we can use to fix the mess Labor left us.
If the opposition does not support raising taxes, reducing government spending or privatisation of some assets, what is the only lever left to government to fund all the things Labor wants funded …
Mr Styles: Rob banks
Mr TOLLNER: The member for Sanderson, the Minister for Infrastructure, has belled the cat. ‘Rob banks’, he says. That is another way of saying, ‘Go further into debt’ ...
Mr Westra van Holthe: Rack it up on the credit card.
Mr TOLLNER: Yes, rack it up on the credit card. The opposition seems to have this fixation with debt that it does not matter. Debt never matters, we just go further and further into debt because all that matters is the here and now.
It is like a heroin addict who needs more every time he has a hit. You need more and it does not matter where you get it from, whose home you rob to get the money to pay for your habit, the main thing is you get more. I hear the Opposition Leader crowing about Labor’s stimulus package. The way Labor ran its stimulus package was not thought out, it was just, ‘Get the money out the door as fast as we can. We have to get money out there.’ It did not matter what they spent the money on, it did not have to be an outcome; the only outcome was getting the money out the door ...
Ms Walker: You were happy enough to come to BER openings. I remember acknowledging you at Kormilda College.
Mr TOLLNER: I turned up to one or two schools where they built a hall. However, I was not supportive of sending $900 to dead people, sending money overseas, building halls at schools that already had them or putting pink batts in roofs and watching houses burn down. That is nonsense spending and spending for the sake of it.
While Labor wants to crow about what a good job it did spending, in 2014 we have a massive headache, and unless we do something to reduce this crazy spending we will leave a debt legacy for our grandchildren and their children. This government is about reducing spending, trying to live within our means, being adult, being responsible and understanding not only do we have rights, we have responsibilities as well, and a responsibility to leave the finances in better shape than we received them.
We understand Territorians want hope and opportunity, and that is not for the government to provide. It is the government’s job to get out of the way and let the private sector provide that. Ultimately, what drives economies is enterprise and people wanting to have a go. The Territory has been built on people having a go. We live on a frontier – pioneering people built the place. We had a condolence motion this afternoon for Sid Parker. Sid was a pioneer, a bloke who had a go, opened up markets and created industries. Where else in the world could you do that? Labor does not want that. It wants people regulated, checked, kept in order and is trying to do everything possible to dampen that enterprising spirit and put the dead hand of government on their shoulders.
It is not on. We have a different view on this side of the Chamber. We want to get out of the way of business and give them their head. We want to let enterprising people have a go, encourage entrepreneurialism …
Ms Walker: You want to let 1100 jobs go in Nhulunbuy, and they have gone.
Mr TOLLNER: The member for Nhulunbuy charges in. We want to let 1100 jobs go! What a load of nonsense. Goodness me. Prior to the election I did not hear any talk of the government providing assistance to the people of Gove and the region. There is nothing. This issue magically appeared the day after the election, according to the member for Nhulunbuy. The fact is the former Chief Minister, the member for Blain, stuck his oar in the water and tried to do something. The current Chief Minister, the member for Braitling, has been there having a go. The member for Katherine has been there ...
Members interjecting.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Could we have some order please? Can all comments be directed through the Chair, and cease interjecting across the Chamber please, member for Nhulunbuy.
Mr TOLLNER: Pretty well every minister in this parliament has been to Nhulunbuy to see what we can do to resolve the situation. We worked tirelessly to come up with an energy solution for Rio Tinto …
Ms Walker: There was one.
Mr TOLLNER: Here we go! What was that solution, member for Nhulunbuy? Get the Northern Territory government, and all Territorians, on the hook for a few billion dollars to prop up an industry because that is the Labor way. You do not care about taxpayers’ money, you do not care how it is spent, and you do not care that when you were last in government you projected a $5.5bn debt …
You think it is okay we have a $1.1bn budget deficit this year. Well, good on you. That is why you are in opposition. As Bill Clinton said – that great Democrat – ‘it’s the economy, stupid’. Wake up, look around and see the mess you left the Territory in. It is our job to be fiscally responsible. We are making the tough decisions. We understand a lot of people do not like it, but we need to reduce our spending and start living within our means. We need to lift some of the dead hand of government off people with an enterprising nature and let them have a go. I commend the ministers in this government for doing the job they are. What the member for Katherine has done to allow farmers to finally get water and have a go …
Ms Walker: Giving a water licence to CLP mates!
Mr TOLLNER: ‘Giving a water licence to CLP mates,’ here you go. You are shrill and hopeless. Goodness me, someone wants to do something in Mataranka and you are offended by it. He got rid of your stupid tree clearing legislation. You were introducing a Vegetation Act, how bad was that? You would need a full-blown EIS to prune trees in your garden. That is the Labor way. People cannot have a nice looking garden or develop some economy on their land, everything is sacred. You cannot touch this, you cannot do this and you cannot do that. That is the Labor way. You are only happy if it is one big national park where nobody is allowed to do anything and tourists are treated as a blight on the environment. That is the Labor way.
The Minister for Infrastructure is talking about building things, our Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Correctional Services is finding new ways of dealing with criminals. It is not just about punishment; it is also about helping them live a decent life and giving them some hope and opportunity. I could talk on this for hours Mr Deputy Speaker, but will not.
I will close debate by saying thank you to everyone for their contributions. It has been interesting to listen to. There have been some high points and some low points, but it has been an interesting debate.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I table seven travel reports from the members for Johnston, Nhulunbuy, Wanguri, Barkly, Blain and Arafura pursuant to Clause 4.12 of the Remuneration Tribunal Determination.
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Mr Deputy Speaker, we are at 6.45 pm on the first day of sittings for the year and are adjourning. I would have expected – certainly my constituents in Nhulunbuy – that the statement before the House today from the Chief Minister would have seen every government – there were two speakers from the government side on this statement. This is the single biggest thing in the Northern Territory at the moment insofar as the collapse of a regional economy, the population of a township plummeting from 4000 to 1200, and nearly three months after an announcement we have a government which could not care less.
We had the Chief Minister delivering his statement at breakneck speed for 16 minutes. We had the Leader of Government Business on his feet for 10 minutes, and half of that was a whinge about me issuing this statement to constituents last night. Why is the government so sensitive about its assessment of the situation in Nhulunbuy and what is it doing to assist the community and work with Rio? Why is it so sensitive to that having been released by me yesterday evening and inviting comment from people about the Chief Minister’s assessment of the situation there right now, and whether or not they shared the view about the new future for Nhulunbuy?
When it came to the wrap, we heard from the Chief Minister for two minutes. It is shameful that no other minister from that side of the House chose to speak. The Leader of the Opposition and I spoke on this statement. We both used the full time available to us, including an extension of time. We are talking about the curtailment of the Gove alumina refinery, the largest private employer in the Northern Territory. Eleven hundred jobs will be gone by August. Those jobs have already started to go and, as I said, the population will plummet from 4000 to 1200 in the coming months. There is not three or four years, like other major manufacturing sectors in Australia have to wind down. That population will be plummeting – our population in Nhulunbuy – by August.
Clearly, the CLP government does not see it as an important enough issue to have ministers speak to it. It is happy to put rhetoric on paper and talk about what it might do, what it is talking about doing, about the discussions it is having, about the meetings it is having, but nothing concrete has come out of this statement today to give assurances to the people of Nhulunbuy and the Northern Territory. If it can happen in Nhulunbuy it can happen in any other region. We are the fourth-largest service town in the Northern Territory, servicing an entire region, putting $500m into the Northern Territory economy annually.
All taxpayers, Territorians and Australians have been abandoned by the CLP government, and abandoned by the CLP today with only two speakers to a statement. Why did they not stand up? Why did the ministers opposite not put on the record what they and their departments are doing to assist the fourth-largest community in the Northern Territory which is about to lose the biggest private employer in the Northern Territory? Why were they not talking about what is happening in my region? I guess the answer is simple: (a) there are no concrete plans, and (b) they do not care. It is not on the Stuart Highway, it is not a CLP held seat at Territory or federal level, and they simply do not care.
Why did we not have a contribution from the Minister for Tourism? Gee whiz, he did not mind speaking to the Treasurer’s statement giving us a rant. Yes, I acknowledge, as per the Chief Minister’s statement, a delegation from Tourism NT went to the East Arnhem region for a few days and met with stakeholders. Good, so they should, but where is the minister in this? Since the election, since becoming minister not only for Tourism but now Housing, he has not set foot out there. He spilled the beans this afternoon when talking about reduction of air services, viability of flights – 22% capacity of Qantas and Airnorth on their daily services into Nhulunbuy. Are you pre-empting an announcement, minister? In his statement the Chief Minister said airline services are confirmed through this transition phase and everything is being done to hold on to services beyond. It does not sound like it to me.
Why did we not have a contribution from the Mines minister, who also has Primary Industry? There was a statement today about the buffalo industry and the first export of buffaloes to Vietnam. Fantastic! Any government worth its salt should be making those types of announcements, stimulating the economy and looking for new industry and opportunity
The Chief Minister announced buffaloes on 29 December at the Regional Economic Development Committee in Nhulunbuy. ‘Yes, we are thinking about buffaloes and tourism opportunities’. What are we hearing from the Primary Industries minister about the future of the buffalo industry? He has not been there since the pat on the back for getting gas to Gove in February last year. Shortly after, the member for Blain was knifed in the back and we had a new Chief Minister – an inferior Chief Minister who is not up to the job.
We have not seen the Mines minister there, who also has responsibility for Primary Industry. He talks up business, regions and the great north but cannot set foot in Nhulunbuy. Why not? There is no plan for buffaloes and further industry there is what it spells to us.
What about the Minister for Education? The Chief Minister, in his statement, said education is another ‘potential opportunity’ and the CLP ‘might look at a series of boarding schools’. Again, the Minister for Education has not set foot in Nhulunbuy or Yirrkala. The federal Leader of the Opposition sets foot in Nhulunbuy High School, but not the Minister for Education. What is the great plan for potential opportunities for education? How do we know if the Minister for Education makes no contribution during a statement on the future of Nhulunbuy? It does not stack up.
What about the Minister for Business, the Treasurer of the Northern Territory? I give him some credit, he has made a couple of visits. In fact, he is pushed out the front door when others want to run away, but we have not seen him for a while. Why did he not talk on this statement? He is the Minister for Business and has responsibility for employment and training.
One of the great hopes for the future of Nhulunbuy is a trade training centre, quoting from the statement:
‘Could also’, ‘maybe’, ‘perhaps’; this is the language, the rhetoric of this statement. Why could the Minister for Business not give us some concrete details of what he and his agency are doing to deliver on this for the people of Nhulunbuy and the wider East Arnhem region?
Why did the Minister for Infrastructure not address this statement? Why did he not talk about his efforts to build upon Labor’s $25m spend to put three bridges across the Central Arnhem Road? These are key crossings and will keep the road open for 11 months of the year. Tell us where he will find the $430m and the stage plan to seal the Central Arnhem Road. We would love to hear that contribution. As Minister for Infrastructure we would also love to hear why there are hold-ups with the $13m project on upgrading the accident and emergency department. Last time we saw the Infrastructure minister in Nhulunbuy he came to the big party Rio Tinto threw in March. Representing the Chief Minister he said, ‘Are we not fantastic? We saved your town, you can depend on us.’ Since then, we have not seen nor heard him, nor was he prepared to speak to this statement in the House today. It is shameful.
What about the Community Services minister? She does not say boo. Why could she not talk on this statement, provide some assurances and tell us about the consultation she has had with the Laynhapuy and Marthakal Homelands, and other sizable communities in northEast Arnhem Land, that there will be no interruption to services and the Indigenous organisations will be well supported …
Mrs Price interjecting.
Ms WALKER: Well, come on out. Do not play the race card with me, minister. You need to get on a plane, get out there and talk to people. You need to talk with Dhimurru, talk with the rangers …
Mrs Price: I have been out there.
Ms WALKER: Not recently. I have not seen you there.
Members interjecting.
Ms WALKER: You have not been out there that I have heard of. What about the Health minister …
Mrs Price: I was there when you were not.
Ms WALKER: Standing Order 51, Mr Deputy Speaker. You might remind members opposite of that.
What about Health? The Minister for Health has been there and put an article in the paper. That is great. She said she would feed suggestions and questions back to Cabinet colleagues. There has been nothing from her today and nothing from the Housing minister. There is nothing in this statement and nothing from this government to give Gove people any faith in this government supporting the future of Nhulunbuy, and that is shameful.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Mr Deputy Speaker, bitter and twisted, the member for Nhulunbuy. For your information, I asked my colleagues not to speak on the statement because I wear the responsibility of trying to assist the people of Nhulunbuy. All you are is bitter and twisted. It makes us not want to give a statement to update the House on matters about Gove and speak directly to the people in the region.
The member for Nhulunbuy will remain bitter and twisted. She does not have a positive word to say, and is it any wonder she does not hear what is happening? Is there any wonder people are not talking to her? She is one of the saddest people I have ever seen.
Tonight I advise the House of a remarkable honour awarded to a former Territorian. A formal announcement has been made by Her Majesty the Queen that Dr Neil Conn is the new Lord Prior Designate of the most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. This is the highest non-royal office in the order.
To put this into perspective, let me outline the structure of the organisation. First, there is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sovereign Head of the Order of St John. His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester is Grand Prior. Next in the hierarchy are the great officers of the Order, which will be headed by the new Lord Prior, Dr Conn.
The order of St John is the parent organisation of the St John Ambulance Service, which does a great job providing ambulance services in the Northern Territory. There are approximately 25 000 members of the order world-wide. The Order of St John originated in 11th century Jerusalem, where it began as a religious and military order providing care to the poor and sick of any faith. This care extended to all in need without discrimination, and has earned a high level of trust which has enabled St John to work in places where others cannot go and do things others cannot do.
Membership of the Order is an honour granted by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of outstanding merit in furthering the work of the Order of St John in the provision of health or related care services, the prevention of injury, illness or disease, or in the training and development of young people.
Queen Victoria formally recognised what became the modern Order of St John. There are now St John activities in 43 countries, comprising 10 Priories, including Kenya and Singapore – created recently – 32 St John associations, and the magnificent St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, which treated 115 000 Palestinians last year.
The centenary of the foundation of St John in Australia was celebrated in 1983. In the Northern Territory, the first reference to St John was made in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette on Thursday 16 September 1915, noting that an entrance fee of two shillings and six pence would be charged to defray cost of bandages, splints, lighting, etcetera. A St John Ambulance certificate would be issued to all who passed the examination at the end of training.
In Alice Springs, the first record of any St John activity was in 1952 when assistance was provided to the Centralian Football Association. In the same year, first aid training commenced in Tennant Creek, and a visit to Tennant Creek by the Queen and Price Philip in 1963 resulted in the formation of the Tennant Creek section of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
I take this opportunity to reaffirm we are immensely grateful for the vital contribution of the St John Ambulance in the Northern Territory. On behalf of the Northern Territory government, I thank the many generations of volunteers who have built St John into the great organisation it is today.
Mr Deputy Speaker, the Lord Prior provides leadership of that Order. It is an immensely important position and we know Dr Conn is well placed to take on such a role. He will be the first Australian to be given the job.
Territorians will best remember Dr Conn for his services as Administrator of the Northern Territory from 17 February 1997 to 30 October 2000. I know he retains a great love for and interest in the Northern Territory.
Prior to his services as Administrator, Dr Conn served in senior roles in the Northern Territory public service, including as Under-Treasurer from 1986-96. In the 1996 Australia Day Honours, Dr Conn was appointed an office of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to the Northern Territory Treasury and the community.
Dr Conn’s service with St John dates from 1997. Following his retirement as Administrator, he joined the board of St John Ambulance Australia NSW, going on to serve as Chairman from 2004-07. He was appointed chancellor of St John Ambulance in Australia in 2007, and his subsequent six-year term included a three-year appointment to the steering committee of Grand Council.
In addition to his volunteer work for St John, Dr Conn has also served as a National Chairman, then President, of the Order of Australia Association. Dr Conn will succeed the current Lord Prior, Professor Tony Mellows on 24 June this year. This is a great honour for Dr Conn and a fitting recognition of his long years of service. On behalf of all Territorians, I congratulate Dr Conn on a high honour bestowed on him by Her Majesty the Queen.
I will come back to the point about Nhulunbuy. To shed a more positive light on what we are trying to do in Nhulunbuy for the residents, it would be good if the local member had a more positive approach and outlook instead of coming in here cranky, yelling, ranting and screaming. It is not helping anybody. It is not helping the Chamber, democracy and, least of all, the people of Nhulunbuy. She does a huge disservice and discredit to the residents of the region and her electorate. She will be remembered as the person who allowed curtailment of the refinery and the slow-down of the economy in her own electorate.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Mr Deputy Speaker, this evening I talk about the fantastic achievements of some young women involved with Girl Guides in the rural area.
Since 1910, the program for girl guides has seen a number of changes as the association tries to meet the needs of present day girls and young women while maintaining the original philosophy set down by Baden Powell. Girl Guides Northern Territory for many years functioned under the care of Girl Guides South Australia. However, in November 1987 Girl Guides Northern Territory became a guiding state in its own right under the guidance of Mrs Lyn Mounsey as State Commissioner, and Mrs Norma Simmons and Mrs Carol Lynch as assistants.
The Humpty Doo Brumby Guides have been in operation for almost 10 years and are now under the excellent leadership of Michelle Leach and Becky Myers. A recent addition to the Girl Guide program is the Commonwealth Award, which is open to guides 13 years and older, and the Olava Program for members 18 to 29 years from all Commonwealth countries. This award strengthens the bonds between girls living in the Commonwealth by allowing them to learn about one another’s history and culture. Girl guides are encouraged to work on other programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, for which Mrs Leach is the Girl Guides Northern Territory coordinator, and the Junior Leadership Program.
So far, only five young women in Australia have achieved the Commonwealth Award. Northern Territory Girl Guides, and in particular the Humpty Doo Brumby Girl Guides and their dedicated leaders, proudly claim three recipients who had their awards presented by the Administrator, Honourable Sally Thomas, at Government House in October 2013. Lia Leach, one of the guides, completed her Queen’s Guide Award, Junior Leader Award, Commonwealth Award and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. Natasha Bond completed her Queen’s Guide Award, Commonwealth Award and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Jazlyn Bailey completed her Commonwealth Award and her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.
In regard to the Commonwealth Award, this is a synopsis of their achievements:
History of Guiding: be able to talk about its beginning at Crystal Palace in 1909 to the present date, share information on the development of world guiding, guiding development in Australia and know the aims and principles of guiding. Lia Leach, Natasha Bond and Jazlyn Bailey each prepared and shared a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation for this category.
Knowledge of the Commonwealth: share information on the development of the Commonwealth of Nations, be able to talk knowledgably about a Commonwealth country other than Australia, including a day in the life of the people, culture, religion, how guiding began and developed and share this information in a practical way. Lia Leach researched Greece and its guiding history, Natasha Bond chose Malta and Jazlyn Bailey chose England. Each girl prepared a tailored meal, made a craft, played a game and shared the country’s anthem, religion and a slideshow on guides in the country.
Service within the Community: carry out service within the community of no less than 20 hours over a minimum of three months. Lia Leach volunteered by making a cake each week for morning tea for Humpty Doo Living Waters Op Shop and United Church. Natasha Bond volunteered as an instructor and mentor for young girls at belly dancing. Jazlyn Bailey volunteered at Living Waters Op Shop sorting, folding and hanging clothes. Each guide also used this service for the Duke of Edinburgh program.
Cultural Heritage: know about your cultural heritage in your country, share art and craft, produce a collection of items and be able to demonstrate your chosen one, and present your findings on three religions, denominations and faiths in Australia. Lia Leach, Natasha Bond and Jazlyn Bailey participated in a cultural road trip from Humpty Doo to Mataranka. Over five days the guides visited World War II sites, cemeteries, pioneer settlements and the Top Didj Cultural Centre in Katherine where they made a painting, made fire with sticks, and learnt how to throw a spear. The guides also used this activity for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Active Living and the Community: participate in a camp of not less than two nights on two occasions within three years. Lia Leach and Natasha Bond have both participated in nine camps each over the last three years. The most memorable was camping at Pine Creek, competing their trifold three in canoeing which enabled them to canoe Katherine Gorge later in the year to the fourth waterhole and walk a trail for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards.
Another exciting opportunity was the Wacky Quacky road trip over five days exploring the history and settlement of the Top End. They also held the last big bush bash for the rubber ducky patrol which ended Lia’s nine year guiding journey.
Public Speaking: participate in an organised debate as the principal speaker for or against the motion. Jazlyn Bailey participated in the debate at Charles Darwin University and debated the Syrian crisis and what would happen if North Korea launched a missile attack.
As you can see, Mr Deputy Speaker, in achieving this Commonwealth Award the girls have undertaken extensive and comprehensive community service, training, physical activity and citizenship. As I said at the beginning, there are only five in Australia and three from the Northern Territory, and those three are from the rural area.
To Natasha Bond, Lia Leach and Jazlyn Bailey, congratulations on achieving this award. I know you will go on to bigger and better things, whether it be in the guide movement, the Duke of Edinburgh movement, or anything else you do in the community, because you will achieve greater heights than you have already. Thank you
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker, Darwin Harbour is a busy working harbour providing many important services to the Territory’s growing economy.
Currently the harbour is experiencing unprecedented levels of activity related to the INPEX Ichthys LNG project and other associated developments. The harbour is used by and is precious to many Territorians, and the Territory government recognises the importance of maintaining a healthy harbour.
Darwin Harbour is an important habitat for a diverse range of marine wildlife, and one of the most widely known and iconic species within the harbour is dolphins. Territory government scientists are currently working in partnership with INPEX to monitor the dolphins to ensure they continue to make the harbour their home.
Three species of coastal dolphins live in Darwin Harbour: the Indo-Pacific Humpback, Bottlenose and Snubfin. All three species occur in coastal waters throughout the Territory but until recently very little was known about them, including how they respond to both human and natural disturbance. You may be aware that concerns have been raised about local dolphin populations being affected by coastal and harbour developments elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
Systematic monitoring of Darwin’s dolphins started 12 months prior to the start of dredging activities in the harbour for the Ichthys project and will continue for at least six months after all dredging and jetty construction has been completed. The boat-based dolphin surveys occur twice a year and extend to Bynoe Harbour and Shoal Bay, which are used as reference areas to assess any change within the harbour. Using photographs of the dolphin’s dorsal fin, scientists are able to identify individual animals and, hence, estimate the size of the population, their rate of survival and distribution, and movement in and out of Darwin Harbour. A dedicated Darwin database has been designed to store this information.
The dolphin monitoring is a collaborative effort between government and the private sector, and I acknowledge the ongoing commitment by the Department of Land Resource Management and INPEX Australia to the monitoring of dolphins in Darwin Harbour. Furthermore, the project works with internationally renowned scientists, Professors Ken Pollock and Lyndon Brooks, who have contributed to the development of the survey methodology and provided independent analysis.
I would also like to acknowledge the involvement of Indigenous traditional owners in the program. Marine rangers from Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Belyuen community are employed to work alongside scientists during the dolphin surveys. In addition to the benefits of employment, rangers are gaining valuable experience which will enable them to win future work and contribute to managing their sea country.
To date, results from the monitoring show no measurable impact on the dolphin populations in the harbour. The size of the population is small with around 80 humpback, 30 bottlenose and 30 snubfin dolphins occurring across the three survey areas, and the populations of all three species have remained stable after the first dredging season. Interestingly, there is quite a lot of movement of the humpback dolphin between Bynoe and Darwin Harbours.
The dolphin monitoring program has been carefully designed to be statistically robust and is held in high regard. The independent Ichthys dredging expert panel, which provides advice to INPEX and government regulators, has stated the program is ‘world-class’. Furthermore, the Australian government considers the survey methodology to be an excellent model for future coastal developments around Australia. The dolphin monitoring is part of a comprehensive program put in place by INPEX to monitor the impacts on Darwin Harbour of works associated with the Ichthys project. The dolphin monitoring program is one of 13 that include fish, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass and water quality. It is pleasing to see INPEX maintaining its commitment to not only minimising the environmental impacts of its development, but also ongoing monitoring of any impacts on the marine environment.
This dolphin monitoring program showcases the ability of the Northern Territory government to work closely with private industry to promote development of the Territory while ensuring it is done in a responsible and sustainable manner. Information from this program, and other monitoring programs now under way, will act as a benchmark to assist decision-making in maintaining a healthy Darwin Harbour and can be applied to developments in other coastal areas of the Northern Territory.
This is one of the good news stories coming out of my Department of Land Resource Management. I take this opportunity to once again commend the work being done by my department in this area. You will see boats around Darwin Harbour carrying my staff as they become involved in doing this work.
This is a good news story for the harbour and a sign of the commitment of this government to ensure industry and the environment are catered for at the same time. Thank you.
Mr STYLES (Sanderson): Madam Speaker, tonight I speak about a matter which occurred late last year but, sadly, I was unable to get this into the Parliamentary Record before sittings ended in December. This is an opportunity for me to say thank you to Department of Transport staff.
I take the opportunity to thank all Department of Transport public transport staff for their consistent prompt and efficient responses to community feedback. Their efforts and ability to implement improvements to the delivery of public transport services is critical to achieving government’s commitment to improving public transport in the Territory.
The Department of Transport has contracted bus operators and provides over 700 urban public transport services and over 350 school transport services across the Territory every school day. This equates to the movement of approximately 300 million student trips per year. The department is responsible for the ongoing management and planning of these services to achieve the best and most efficient delivery of services to the community, which is a challenging task.
I was recently made aware of an example of the day-to-day operational work public transport does in managing transport services across the Territory. In response to a request from the community, key public transport staff acted promptly in consultation with key staff in the Department of Education and bus operator, Buslink, to find an efficient solution and improve school service coverage from Sacred Heart Primary School to the Palmerston suburbs. Public transport staff were able to review the travel route and provide a workable solution to facilitate the school. Whilst this might sound easy on the surface, it needs to be acknowledged that the school bus network is highly complex and relies on connections being met so students can get where they need to safely and efficiently, and often on more than one bus. Therefore, a simple tweak of the school bus network has a flow-on effect through other services, so this needs to be taken into consideration when looking at any changes to the network.
Furthermore, this example shows the great working relationship that exists between the Department of Transport, the Department of Education and the bus operator, Buslink, in responding to feedback from the community and providing cost effective and workable solutions. The community can provide feedback about public transport planning through the department’s dedicated online feedback system, or in writing at any of three bus interchanges. As highlighted in the above example, the department takes this feedback on board and, where possible, will incorporate suggestions into current and future planning.
I personally thank members of the Public Transport Branch at the Department of Transport, Alex Rae, Shaan Novak and Ben Mountcastle, who arranged this service change. I also thank Ian George, Trudy Dixon, Pantelitsa Rigas, Paul Andrews and Tania Wright Clunne, who make such an important contribution to delivering efficient public transport services for the community, allowing Territorians both in greater Darwin and Alice Springs to get to their destinations quickly and securely every day of the week.
It is great and encouraging to hear these stories coming out of not only my department, but other departments. It reinforces that the public service is full of fantastic, talented, hard-working people who on a daily basis, without the requirement for any recognition, get on with the business of government, providing services and ensuring people are safe and get to where they need to on time. It is a pleasure to see examples like this from time to time, be able to thank these people and put on the public record that they make a great contribution every day of their working lives.
Thank you for the opportunity to put this on the public record.
Ms MANISON (Wanguri): Madam Speaker, this evening I congratulate Abbey Holmes from Waratah Football Club, who made history this week not just in the Territory, but across Australia as the first woman to ever kick 100 goals in an AFL sanctioned competition.
This is a huge achievement. I played for six seasons and have never seen a player like Abbey before. Her 100 goals was a sign of what a classy player she is. I had the privilege last season of being the runner for Waratah, which was also Abbey’s first season at the club. What I saw in Abbey Holmes as a player is that you should not let her good looks fool you; she is tough. She gets in, gets her head over the ball and takes a lot of hard knocks because they know she is a good player. She is the type of player who when you run to her and say, ‘You look a bit battered and bruised, would you like a spell?’ will say, ‘Absolutely not’ every time. She is a fierce competitor. She has incredible smarts on the field, is a dynamic player, has wonderful skills and has the perfect timing you want in the forward line. This, I would say, can be attributed to the talented netballer she is too, playing in the A grade competition, where she has also represented the Northern Territory.
In her first season alone she kicked 67 goals. It would have been more if not for the fact she looks like she would be good on the wing or as an on baller, but once they got her into the forward line she was pretty unstoppable and has stayed there ever since. This season she has kicked 103 goals so far. There is another game next Sunday against Buffalos.
To put in context how great this is, the closest goal kicker in the competition is on 37 goals. That is a lady named Natasha Medbury, a fantastic player for Palmerston. She is a bit feisty – a real competitor, as I am sure you will attest to. Anyway, Abbey kicked 16 goals in one game against Southern Districts, which is huge. I am sorry to inform you of that, Madam Speaker.
Two weeks ago there was huge media hype locally, and there was a fair bit nationally as she had to score nine goals against Nightcliff at TIO, Marrara. I was watching and hoping she would get over that day. The conditions were horrendous; it poured with rain before the match. TIO had to have a spell the week after because the field was complete muck and full of mud, yet in those conditions she managed to kick seven goals. It was not the nine she needed, but it says a lot about the class of player she is. It was wonderful to see Channel 9, ABC and the NT News all covering the story.
The ladies are used to getting a bit of coverage around Grand Final time but not for regular games, but it really had a lot of interest. It was wonderful to see. This week she sealed the 100 goals, with five goals in Waratah’s 117:1 win against Tracy Village. It was a huge achievement for Abbey and has put Territory football on the map. It is wonderful to see the publicity surrounding it. I hope this encourages more girls to take up footy and have a go.
I asked Colleen Gwynne, a veteran of ladies football in Darwin, for her thoughts on Abbey’s achievement. Colleen has seen the best players, and is captain of Waratah ladies team and had the privilege to coach that day. She said it was a joy. I asked Colleen if she wanted to make some comments. She wanted to place on the record:
It was a great effort by Abbey, but it was also a reflection of a great team effort to support her in every way and help her reach that milestone. Good luck against Buffalos this week, Abbey. Hopefully, you will kick a whole lot more goals. They are their arch rivals and the tightest competition going into finals. Abbey, well done for putting women’s football in the Top End on the map across Australia. Hopefully, we will see many more goals kicked by ladies in the competition because you have set the bar and showed ladies they can kick a tonne. Congratulations Abbey, you have made history and we are all very proud of you.
Mrs PRICE (Stuart): Madam Speaker, as Minister for Women’s Policy I also congratulate Abbey for her 100 goals. What an achievement! I would like to brag about my daughter as well, who played for Saints and introduced female football to Alice Springs. There is a competition there now – I think they have eight teams. It is all because she was involved in the football competition in Darwin. Congratulations to Abbey on her achievement.
As Minister for Women’s Policy I mark the passing of a remarkable woman born Ms Lena Bertha Verboot, but known to many as Lena Walters. Her parents moved from the Netherlands to Indonesia in 1917, and Lena was born and brought up in what was then known as the Dutch East Indies. Life changed drastically following the outbreak of WWII and the subsequent Japanese invasion. In March 1942, Lena’s father was told to attend an important meeting from which he did not return until three years and seven months later. The women and girls were all interned in a prisoner of war camp and memories of the hardship of those years never left Lena.
At a book club meeting held more than 50 years later in Humpty Doo, the members were considering Vikram Seth’s book, An Equal Music. They each played a piece of music which meant a lot to them. Lena’s contribution was unforgettable. She had heard The Sunken Cathedral by Claude Debussy played by a young pianist as a piano was being removed on the back of a flatbed truck through the centre of the prisoner of war camp.
Lena married Peter Walter, a survivor of Changi and Burma Road camps. In 1951 they immigrated to Australia, landing in Darwin, where the airport was simply an old Sidney Williams hut at the end of the runway which is now Hudson Fysh Avenue.
Their first home in the Northern Territory was in Katherine where musical skills were in high demand with evenings of tango, rumbas and folk songs. Ten years after arriving in Australia the Walter family moved to Nightcliff. Lena became known for being involved on every committee of every organisation she joined. There were many of them, including U3A, bridge and a book club, a chamber orchestra group, a national group of women and the international club. She was also a foundation member of the Northern Territory branch of the Penguin Club established in 1963. The early members went on to train others and opened six groups throughout the Northern Territory, including the only Penguin group of the air run through the School of the Air for women on cattle stations.
As was noted at Lena’s funeral by Ms Wendy James OAM, ‘Lena was the glue that held us all together. A skilled chairman, speaker and critic, always there to help as mentor, friend and wise counsel.’ For nearly 40 years she consistently held committee positions and was honorary organiser for six years. She represented the Northern Territory nationally and was awarded the rare honour of life membership. She did all this with six children to look after.
Lena gave the club a wonderful gift when she wrote and published the history of the Northern Territory branch titled Penguins in the Tropics. In the acknowledgement she wrote:
Lena also wanted to fulfil a personal ambition of attaining an academic qualification, but Cyclone Tracy intervened. The family survived unscathed, but Lena admitted there was more fear during this experience than at any other time, including the war years. After the cyclone when life had settled down, Lena began to pursue academic ambitions. She commenced accountancy studies while working in the office of Waters James and O’Neil, and in 1981, at the age of 56, received her degree.
As her many friends have reported, it was a privilege to know Lena, a lady with an elegant, old-world charm, a strong character, who was intelligent, passionate about what she believed in and a great sense of humour. It is timely, as we commemorate the Bombing of Darwin that we remember someone for whom war time memories could have caused failure, self-pity and sadness, but instead was one of the most inspirational Territorians one is ever likely to encounter. Thank you, Lena. Rest in peace.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, tonight I update members on some matters particular to the seat of Port Darwin. I pay tribute to the constituents who have received Northern Territory citizenship awards on Australia Day.
Starting with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, I would like to welcome Ms Rebecca Nancorrow, the school’s new deputy principal and teacher for Room 11. Ms Nancorrow had been working in Catholic education for 13 years and, although originally from Melbourne, has been in the Territory for three years and worked at Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic Primary School on Bathurst Island, an experience she said was challenging but very rewarding. This is Ms Nancorrow’s first appointment as a deputy principal and she is extremely excited to join the St Mary’s school community, both as deputy and a Year 5/6 teacher. I wish her the very best in her endeavours and welcome her, professionally at least, to the seat of Port Darwin.
I would also like to welcome many of the new staff who have joined St Mary’s Catholic Primary School this year:
Mrs Shannon Feldtman, Year 1/2 Room 7
Ms Sofia Bonomelli, Year 1/2 Room 3
Ms Courtney Ralph, Year 5/6 Room 10
Mrs Helen Bradbury-Smith, Science teacher and Year 3/4
Mrs Sheila Brill, canteen manager and cook.
My sincere congratulations to school captain, Shanis O’Campo, who was awarded the Australian Day Student Citizenship Award for St Mary’s school this year. Shanis is a worthy recipient of this award, displaying many great qualities, including her generous, helpful and caring nature. Her valued contributions to the school and the wider community are greatly appreciated. Shanis attended the Australia Day Ceremony on 26 January with her family and received a certificate and a medallion in recognition of her achievements.
Moving on to Larrakeyah Primary School, which is another fantastic school in my electorate of Port Darwin, I would like to welcome their new teachers:
Michael Webb, Year 5
Joanna Koulouriotis, Year 4
Leisa Beynon, Year 5/6.
My congratulations go to another bright student, Tiranie Lokukalu Arachchige for being awarded the Australia Day Citizenship Award for Larrakeyah Primary. Tiranie is also a very worthy recipient of this award. Tiranie is known for being an extremely caring and helpful part of the school community and I am pleased this important contribution has been recognised.
Moving on to the citizenship awards, Australia Day was a chance to acknowledge many worthy contributions to the community. I would like to take this opportunity to place on the Parliamentary Record my congratulations to the following people:
the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Sally Thomas AM – awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia
Tonight I also update members of this House on one of the policies we have driven forward in government: no smoking in prisons. I have been concerned for some time, as the Correctional Services minister that there would come a time when tortuous actions would be taken against the Northern Territory government for failing to protect prisoners. Cigarettes are now recognised to be fairly toxic products and, as a consequence, I was concerned about our continued provision of cigarettes in the Corrections environment. I was also concerned about how to stop smoking in our Corrections environment, because we know how irritable one person is when trying to give up smoking, let alone hundreds at a time.
To the enormous credit of the Department of Correctional Services – I congratulate Ken Middlebrook for being persistent in this – a smoking ban was forewarned for a number of months. Education programs and nicotine replacement programs were made available to prisoners. The smoking ban also applied to staff as well. Prisons are now completely smoke free.
I thank the Prison Officers Association and all those prison officers who understood what government was trying to do. Once again, the Prison Officers Association and prison officers have shown their sterling support for good and sound government policy. I am grateful to them and often place on the record my gratitude to prison officers, the rank and file in particular, who have continued to assist the strong commitment to moving forward in the Northern Territory Corrections system. To that end, I have encouraged strong communication between prison management and the rank and file and understand that has been occurring. While it has led to a couple of teething problems, the level of communication in our Corrections system between rank and file staff and senior management is as good as it could possibly be.
As of 1 January 2014, the Department of Correctional Services introduced its smoke-free policy. There has been little evidence of disruption at any of the prisons due largely to significant planning around the smoke-free roll-out.
As in all parts of Australia, in the majority of cases prisoners come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and, as such, have poorer health outcomes. While they are in prison there is an opportunity to address these health concerns. Benefits to having a smoke-free custodial facility are: improving general health outcomes; meeting the legal obligations and eliminating the risk of prosecution for non-compliance and cost and litigation compensation resulting from passive smoking illnesses; providing for a safer, cleaner and healthier workplace environment; educating staff and prisoners on the risks of smoking and benefits of quitting; the positive effect of learning to overcome negative behaviours; and promoting a healthy corporate image and increasing productivity.
Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, continues to be available only for those in reception who are assessed as nicotine dependant, and to all staff.
The prison smoke-free program now moves into phase two and there will be a focus on highlighting the health benefits of smoking cessation. Health programs will develop additional promotional material, including producing a video to capture prisoners’ and prison officers’ positive stories about life without tobacco. There have been 47 people on the NRT program in the Darwin Correctional Centre, 42 on NRT in Alice Springs, and none in the Barkly area. We hope to wean people off it and, when you come into the prison system in the Northern Territory, it is now a no smoking zone.
This has attracted attention nationally. We are the first jurisdiction in the country to go down this path. Some of my colleagues in other jurisdictions have spoken to me about it, having the same reservations and fears I had, particularly in relation to the first few days after the policy was implemented. We are happy to assist any other jurisdiction by sharing our experience in the Northern Territory with them with a view to seeing that jurisdiction – if they choose to follow our lead – introduce a smoke-free environment
I add the recognition the Northern Territory has been given in relation to female genital mutilation legislation. The legislation was recently passed in this House with the support of all members. It has received a strong pat on the back in the national media from various interested parties. I am proud to stand by that legislation, as I am sure all members of this House are. I again congratulate people in the departments who raised this issue with me and thank them for their efforts. We will continue to protect the victims of crime as much as we possibly can as a government, whether they are victims in this jurisdiction or made victims in other jurisdictions, contrary to the laws operating in the Northern Territory.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I would like to raise an issue following what the minister said about healthy habits in prison. I see prisoners umpiring football on a regular basis. This is good not only because they learn some skills they can take back to their own communities, but they also keep fit. It is good for other umpires to mix with these people realising they are ordinary Territorians who have gone down the wrong path. It is a good project both Northern Territory umpires and the Department of Correctional Services are undertaking.
I would also like to congratulate Abbey Holmes. As the member for Wanguri said, she has kicked more than 100 goals. There was a women’s match the week before when she did not quite get the numbers. I should also give a free plug to the number of women who umpire football, and a bigger free plug because two of the umpires on that day where my daughters. It is good to see women participating in what used to be a male-dominated sport.
The Minister for Education:
We have inherited a debt.
Also the Minister for Education:
Minister for Transport:
Chief Minister:
Then there is a media release from the Minister for Transport:
They tell us why they cannot spend money on more education facilities, why they cannot keep GEMS going, why they cannot afford a swimming pool in the rural area or a badminton facility in Darwin, cannot fix the Tanami Road, or why power and water charges must go up. They say debt will be something the next generation must bear, and then throw in some crocodiles while telling us how bad things are in the Territory because of the debt caused by the previous government.
Guess what? They find $3.1m to fix a road which did not need fixing. It was just to fulfil an election promise that must have the lowest priority of all the political and ridiculous promises ever made. What is even more cynical about this is the government will not release any of the reports taxpayers have paid for – more money spent while we have a $5.5bn debt – which are the basis for the trial and upgrade of the Stuart Highway. Obviously, the only way will find out about this sensitive ASIO-type material is to employ WikiLeaks or Mr Snowden because our open and transparent government, in name only, will not do it.
This leads us to another point. If the Stuart Highway was suitable for open speed limits why did the government have to find $3.1m to upgrade it? One can only presume from the secret road reports that it was not suitable for open speed limits. However, so the CLP could fulfil this lowest of low priorities it found, even though it had a humongous ball and chain around its neck, even though we are $5.5bn in debt and the next generation will have this legacy of debt, $3.1m so a few people could drive flat out down the highway to make sure the cowboys running our Territory get their picture in the next edition of some Hot Bike or Tattoo magazine.
Next time I hear any minister rabbit on about debt or fiscal responsibility I will have to ask the Speaker to kick them out. Standing Order 62 will be ideal:
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATOR
Message No 13
Message No 13
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received message No 13 from Her Honour the Administrator notifying assent to the bills passed at the November and December sittings. The message is dated 3 February 2014.
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ORDER
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I table a copy of the Administrative Arrangements Order published in the Northern Territory Gazette No S5 dated 3 February 2014. I advise the Assembly that on 3 February 2014 Her Honour the Administrator made the additional appointment of minister of the Northern Territory, namely Mrs Robyn Lambley, Minister for Disability Services.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise of the presence in the gallery of college leaders from O’Loughlin Catholic College, accompanied by Mr David Finch. On behalf of honourable members, I extend a warm welcome to you and hope you enjoy your visit and time at Parliament House.
Members: Hear, hear!
MISUSE OF DRUGS AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 55)
(Serial 55)
Continued from 16 October 2013.
Mr GUNNER (Fannie Bay): Madam Speaker, the opposition supports this bill. The bill tightens up the Misuse of Drugs Act as it relates to the supply of drugs to Indigenous communities.
In 2008, the former government enacted a series of legislative reforms designed to stem the flow of illicit drugs into Indigenous communities. In response to the devastation that drugs and alcohol were causing in Indigenous communities, the then government increased the penalty for supplying drugs into all Indigenous communities. Maximum penalties for supplying Schedule 2 dangerous drugs into communities were increased. A maximum penalty of nine years was introduced where the drug was supplied to a person in an Indigenous community. This was an increased penalty in excess of the standard five years for the normal supply, i.e. not to a person in an Indigenous community.
Earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled the wording of this provision, ‘supply to a person in an Indigenous community’, required actual supply to a person be proven. If someone was found in possession of drugs destined to be delivered to Mr John Smith in an Indigenous community, they were not in breach of this provision until they had actually supplied the drugs to Mr John Smith in the Indigenous community. Proof of the intention to supply was not captured by this provision. The drugs have to be supplied prior to police making arrests and laying charges that would warrant the higher charge – the nine-year charge – coming into effect.
Normally the intention to supply would be sufficient for the charge to be laid, but the wording here involves use of the term ‘supply to a person’ which means intention is not captured. This is at odds with the clear intention of the legislation. This bill ensures the legislation meets its intent. When it can be proved beyond reasonable doubt they were intending to supply the drug in an Indigenous community, the nine year maximum penalty applies and should apply.
I am aware this issue was raised in the Supreme Court and has been highlighted by other law enforcement officers and legal practitioners.
Of course, when the situation arose, the capacity to charge for the lesser offence involving a five-year maximum sentence still applied. The issue does not result in anyone avoiding their day in court; they just face a lesser maximum penalty. I am unsure if the Attorney-General has information on how often the situation arose, but think it was one particular case.
The second aspect of this bill relates to whether the mandatory imprisonment provision of the act applies when the matter is heard in the Court of Summary Jurisdiction – in other words, the Magistrates Court not the Supreme Court. When the case is heard summarily the maximum penalty is two years. This legislation does not make it clear that supply warrants an aggravating circumstance which would trigger the mandatory imprisonment provisions. This bill ensures the mandatory provision applies when the additional circumstance of supply into an Indigenous community is proven.
The third aspect updates the list of drugs within Schedule 2 of the act. This is not about putting drugs on the schedule and taking them off, but removing duplication and ensuring chemical variations of a drug are clarified, and if a drug is consider hallucinogenic or not is no longer required. The supply of drugs must be cracked down on. Indigenous communities have become easy targets and it is important the legislation is as effective as it possibly can be.
These amendments ensure the legislation is as robust as it can be, its intent is met through its provisions, and the opposition supports this bill. It was the previous government’s intention and we thank the Attorney-General for bringing it forward.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, I also support the Misuse Use of Drugs Amendment Bill the minister has brought forward. I have no intention of going to the committee stage, but I have a few questions to ask the minister. I have read the explanatory statement and the second reading, and much of it is self-explanatory.
I ask the minister the definition of ‘Indigenous community’, given the definition refers to the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007. Minister, has that act not been repealed? If so, what is the definition of ‘Indigenous community’ now? I could not find a definition. When I checked I could not find the current Commonwealth act to allow me to find the definition.
Also, the government has said at times it wishes to remove any distinction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and it does seem – even though I understand why this bill highlights the fact they are trying to stop supply of drugs to Indigenous communities – you have Indigenous communities singled out in this legislation. These drugs are bad for people whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
I understand what is being put forward. I also feel, to some extent, that by singling out Indigenous communities you are sending the message they have a special situation which needs to be dealt with through this legislation. The supply of these drugs applies to everyone.
The other question I want to ask, which the member for Fannie Bay alluded to, is why is there a need to move applicable trafficable and commercial quantities of drugs from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 by regulation and how would that happen?
The second reading says:
- Clause 6 of the bill amends the regulation making power in section 43 of the act by inserting a new subsection which allows for regulations to be made to move a dangerous drug reference, and the applicable trafficable and commercial quantities, from Schedule 2 to Schedule 1 by regulation. This will have the effect of enabling the maximum penalties for offences involving prescribed dangerous drugs to be increased by regulation.
I raise those questions as issues I have pulled out of the legislation. I support the legislation. No one wants these drugs, whether it is in Indigenous communities or non-Indigenous communities. We have enough issues with alcohol and other things. I support the bill and will be happy to hear the response from the minister.
Mr ELFERINK (Attorney-General and Justice): Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank honourable members for their support and will address a couple of the issues. Clearly, this is not a difficult legislative instrument, and I am grateful to members for their support. We are tidying up some of the loose ends created by the original legislative instrument.
May I start, particularly for the edification of the member for Nelson, by placing this bill in its historical context? One must recall this original legislation was brought before this House during the operation of the intervention and when it received much of its hype.
I understand, and have some sympathy with, the misgivings the member for Nelson has in relation to peculiarising an offence based on race and am not unmindful of his concern in this area. However, this legislation has come to the government by dint of history; it is what it is and we have not yet determined, on the grounds of racial equality, to abandon the former government’s approach. If the member for Nelson wants to advocate for that, he is welcome to do so. I am happy to meet with him on the topic and it would go through the usual processes.
Therefore, it being what it is, we have a legislative instrument the former government created which is incomplete. It did not quite cover the field in the way the former government expressed it should. The intent, as articulated by Dr Chris Burns, then Attorney-General with carriage of bringing the original legislation to this House – he made it clear he wanted certain things to happen within the second reading speech. While it is now an accepted rule of statutory interpretation in the courts that you can turn your eyes upon a second reading speech to give meaning to a legislative instrument that is in doubt, the court, in this instance, appears not to have determined that was necessary. It found the legislative instrument was clear in what it expressed, in spite of the fact the bill was different to the stated intent of the then Attorney-General.
I do not make anything out of that other than uncertainty in the drafting process and lay no blame at the former Attorney-General’s feet. Sometimes these things, such as legislative instruments, find their way into a court room and courts are then asked to determine what the intent of the parliament was. In doing so, they will look at the legislative instrument and find a way of interpreting it based on what is written there which may not accord with the original intent of the wishes of the parliament.
We have returned to the original intent of the parliament and recreated that through this legislative change. The merits or otherwise of the nature of this legislation are a much broader topic than what is here for debate today. The rights and wrongs of racially specific legislation is something I have always had a fairly conservative and restrained view on. I do not personally like identifying people based exclusively on their race. It is a clumsy tool, and every time legislators try to do it, it leads to clumsy outcomes.
That leads me to the other question asked by the member for Nelson. I draw his attention to the instrument he referred to in relation to the definition of an Indigenous community. What we have essentially done is embraced and enlivened a legislative instrument that no longer has carriage and given it life again within this definitional structure. I draw the member’s attention to 6A of the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations which state:
- For paragraph B the definition of indigenous community in section 4B(1) of the Act, the areas that were prescribed areas under section 4 of the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act (Cth) …
… immediately before its repeal are prescribed.
In relation to the last issue the member for Nelson raised and the member for Fannie Bay touched upon, shifting of drugs from one schedule to another. The member for Nelson is quite correct in saying the effect of doing that will be to expose a person charged with an offence under a specific schedule to a series of penalties. It will expose an individual to a different range of penalties when you move them from one schedule to another. Schedule 2, if memory serves me, carries things like cannabis, and Schedule 1 has the more serious drugs attached to it.
From time to time, people, government and members of the public will change their opinions about specific types of drugs or, alternatively, there will be a suggestion that a specific type of drug is incorrectly scheduled, and I will give you an example of that. Late last year we moved methamphetamine from a Schedule 2 drug, therefore having the legislative impact of cannabis, to Schedule 1, therefore elevating it to the same stature and nature of heroin in the seriousness of the offence.
There was widespread support for that in the community, and I note it was reflected in the opinion of this House. By placing crystal meth and those types of methamphetamine-based drugs into a schedule with cannabis was out of step with public expectation.
The purpose of introducing this legislative instrument is that, from time to time, we have to go through the process of moving a drug from one schedule to another. The crystal meth example made it a laborious change and tied up the time of this House. It is determined in this legislative change and as a matter of policy of government, which is why we bring it to this House, that we do not need to go through that laborious step. There is still oversight because it requires a regulatory change, and the processes of this House are in no way changed by the suggested regulatory change here. Rather than the minister coming into the House with a bill and asking the House to consider whether or not crystal meth should be a Schedule 2 or Schedule 1 drug, the better process, particularly when it comes to the prosecution of these matters in a timely fashion, would be that I make the appropriate regulatory change which would then be laid on the table, as always.
If memory serves me, the standing orders of this House enable a disallowance motion on a tabled regulation. A disallowance motion is considered to be so important in this House that if a member moves disallowance against a regulatory instrument it is the next matter to be brought before General Business. If a member was aggrieved or believed shifting a drug from one schedule to another was the wrong thing to do, that member would table it in this House, and then there is the requisite period within our standing orders which would enable that member to move a disallowance motion. That disallowance motion would be the first order of business. Therefore, it would be a proper review process. It is still done within the harsh gaze of the public eye, but, nevertheless, is a far more effective process of changing these scheduling instruments.
I believe that strikes the balance with the need of operationally making this legislation work and applying it into an environment where we need to be operationally effective with the requisite need for public oversight. If the member for Nelson had any concerns about that structure he would have raised it before coming here or, alternatively, may choose to raise it in the committee stage of the bill.
Beyond that, there is nothing I can add to this debate. I thank honourable members for their support and look forward to this legislative instrument passing so the Misuse of Drugs Act in the Northern Territory can work more effectively to benefit the true welfare of the people of the Northern Territory.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mr ELFERINK (Attorney-General and Justice) (by leave): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
A New Future for Nhulunbuy
Mr GILES (Chief Minister): Mr Deputy Speaker, I update the House on the significant efforts my government is making to plan for the future of Nhulunbuy. It has only been 11 weeks since Rio Tinto announced it was suspending production at its Nhulunbuy aluminium refinery. Rio Tinto has determined the refinery is no longer financially sustainable given a range of factors, including changes to the global aluminium market and the relatively high cost of production.
My government understands the enormous economic and social impact Rio Tinto’s decision will have on the residents of the Nhulunbuy region. Shortly after Rio Tinto’s announcement I visited Nhulunbuy and saw firsthand the effect of the decision on residents. Rio Tinto has conducted its own social impact study and the worst case scenario is severe. It includes reducing the workforce to 350, which will reduce salaries and wages in the region from $155m a year to $50m. Rio’s expenditure on goods and services will drop from $217m to $74m, and the $86m spent locally will decline to $46m. The population of Nhulunbuy is forecast to drop from almost 4000 people to 1200, and the school-age population of the town is expected to drop from 947 to 275.
Rio Tinto has primary responsibility for supporting the community as it deals with the impact of the refinery’s suspension. Nhulunbuy is a mining town operated by Rio Tinto. The lease conditions place primary responsibility of the town on Rio Tinto. My government is holding Rio Tinto to account for its lease obligations, including not only its responsibilities in relation to the bauxite mine and the aluminium refinery, but also its responsibilities for the continued maintenance, management and conduct of the town. Rio Tinto will continue to provide essential services such as power, water and sewerage. It was originally established as a mining town, but Nhulunbuy has also developed over time into an important regional centre for the East Arnhem region. It is a hub for the delivery of government services and supports a range of private sector businesses and community organisations. My government wants Nhulunbuy to continue to be a regional service centre into the future.
My government’s approach to planning for the future of Gove is comprehensive. We are working to ensure individuals, businesses and other organisations are supported in the short term to understand and manage the transition to Rio Tinto’s reduced activity levels, but we are doing more than that. We are also looking to the future and developing a plan for Nhulunbuy in consultation with the community and traditional owners so it remains a sustainable and strong community in the long term.
To this end, I established the Nhulunbuy Task Force to develop recommendations to support the diversification of its economy, monitor the progress of the current transition and help generate longer-term structural adjustment initiatives. The task force met for the first time on 16 January 2014 in Nhulunbuy. Its members are: Michael Tennant, Deputy Chief Executive of my department; Mr John Ryan, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Industry, representing the Australian government; Mr John Tourish, Denise Fincham and Timmy Burarrwanga, representing the local community; Mr Sammy Bush-Blanasi, Chairman of the Northern Land Council; and Miss Jo-Anne Scarini, general manager of the Nhulunbuy transition, representing Rio Tinto.
We need to ensure the assistance offered to local business, non-government organisations and the community is what the town needs and wants. To ensure the community’s views are being heard, I also established a community reference group, the Nhulunbuy Community Advisory Committee. The committee will provide a key mechanism for ongoing community engagement and will be instrumental in ensuring the Northern Territory and Australian governments, and Rio Tinto, receive timely information about emerging community issues. It will also provide a conduit for providing clear information back to the community. The committee’s membership covers a range of stakeholders, including local traditional owners. Three members of the community reference group are community representatives on the Gove task force. The community advisory group met for the first time in December 2013, following a public nomination process, and will continue to meet regularly. I encourage all community members to communicate their views and ideas to the community advisory committee.
From the town’s perspective, the community advisory committee provides an important forum and a voice for the concerns of residents, particularly those who have a significant stake in the town’s future and those who have called it their home for the past four decades. I have listened to many representations by the community advisory committee and understand and respect its deep passion for the region’s future.
In my meetings with residents and through the work of Territory government staff who have been focused on building additional economic capacity, we have been growing our relationships and developing our understanding of the critical issues which affect Rio Tinto’s aspirations now and into the foreseeable future. We are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Nhulunbuy when we say it is Rio Tinto’s role to provide immediate support options for not only its own work force but transitional support for the individuals, businesses and other organisations in the region affected by this decision. We have strongly encouraged Rio Tinto to engage with the community and communicate the range of support options it is working through.
Rio Tinto’s plans include a range of strategies and I will outline them:
maintain a bauxite operation that retains 350 employees and contractors who live in the town
develop opportunities for employees and contractors to work on a fly-in fly-out arrangement from Nhulunbuy to other Rio Tinto operations or key Territory projects
in partnership with the Northern Territory government, establish a business hub to provide transitional support for local businesses
offer business mentors and financial planning services to assist local businesses
prioritise company expenditure with local businesses
implement a plan of mentors to help build the capacity of local and Aboriginal businesses to grow
identify opportunities to attract new businesses and business opportunities or government services to Nhulunbuy.
Rio Tinto has also committed to a three-year transitional support package for business and residential property owners in Nhulunbuy. It includes reductions in power tariffs, general rates and rents to business customers for three years, and access to independent financial advice. Residential property investors will also benefit from a reduction in general rates and mortgage subsidies for three years.
Rio Tinto’s employees can remain in their company homes even if they no longer have a role at the operation following suspension of the refinery. Employees who choose this option will maintain their current rental arrangements during 2014, then move to revised rental rates from 2015. This gives residents time to plan for their future. These measures are a welcome start to a difficult process, but it will be up to the government to follow through for the long term.
This government supported a careers day on Tuesday 21 January – around the time the member for Nhulunbuy was not there – called the Rio Tinto Community Careers Fair.
The fair was attended by over 1000 people and other companies from outside the Territory, including one from Saudi Arabia. A number of local companies were also present, along with representatives from government departments. It was reported in the Arafura Times as a huge success.
The Northern Territory government is also holding discussions with Indigenous organisations and traditional owners to expand bauxite and other mineral production in the region.
It will be important for local business and the community to have continued access to finance on reasonable terms. To that end, Rio Tinto is talking to Westpac and other financial institutions about the impact on existing arrangements, but more importantly, about ensuring access to finance for new businesses and projects.
The Northern Territory government has responded quickly and responsibly to help individuals and businesses in Nhulunbuy prepare for the transition. In November I announced the appointment of Mr Mike Chiodo, formerly Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Community Services, as the Territory’s on-the-ground coordinator in Nhulunbuy.
He is playing a key role in assessing the effect of Rio Tinto’s decision on local businesses, the community of Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region. He is coordinating NT government services to ensure they are delivered to best meet the community’s needs. He has been in the community on a full-time basis since December 2013, more than the member for Nhulunbuy. I have made all necessary resources available to him to ensure he can undertake this important role effectively. He is supported by the Chief Executive Officers of key departments …
Ms Walker: You take any holidays Adam?
Mr GILES: … from government and by a – no, I did not, I worked; I was on the job – regional coordination team of senior public servants in Nhulunbuy, as well as support from Darwin.
The reality for the government is we are working to a timetable for curtailment of the refinery – Rio Tinto’s choosing not ours, nor that of local residents.
We are supporting the community’s efforts to negotiate an extension in time for the wind down of the refinery. We also accept that Rio Tinto’s difficult and complex business case is driving the timetable for a transition to bauxite mining only.
The Territory government will continue to provide services to the region, including health, police and education services. Let me make it clear, this commitment to government services is ongoing and not time limited. We will not be withdrawing key services from the region. We will continue to ensure the range of health services available continues and other services, such as housing and policing, meet the needs of the town and the region. Children will receive the educational services they require and all students will have a teacher.
The NT Department of Education is working closely with the principals of Nhulunbuy Primary School and Nhulunbuy High School, as well as both school councils, to ensure a high level of education service is maintained in the town. Full Year 11 and Year 12 subject offerings will remain the same for the 2014 school year. There will be no change to educational services or permanent positions in semester one this year. Any adjustments made during the second semester of 2014 will be in full consultation with school councils.
This government is giving preference to local businesses from the East Arnhem region to undertake government work. My government will ensure businesses are made aware of these opportunities, including capital works, services and supplies.
I have directed all department Chief Executives to review services and procurement, with a view to identifying and packaging initiatives to maximise opportunities and employment for local business and non-government organisations. We want to help as many local businesses and people to get government work as we can.
Important projects planned for the region, such as improving the Central Arnhem Road, and planned government maintenance assets will proceed.
The Department of Health is currently undertaking work to assess what the impact of Rio Tinto’s decision on the future health demands of Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region.
We have already taken steps to ensure people and goods can continue to move in and out of the community. We have had discussions with Qantas and Airnorth, as has Rio Tinto, and are confident the number of flights and the cost of fares should be maintained during the transition period, and we are working to ensure that during the post-curtailment period flights continue to service the region.
My government has made its regional training centre available as a community support centre where residents can obtain information they require from Rio Tinto and the Northern Territory government. Through this centre we are helping residents access services, including counselling, skills development and training, as well as business mentoring and advice.
A senior representative of the Department of Business has been on the ground in Gove since early December, giving advice and assistance to local business. He has already met with approximately 70 businesses and a number of these have already signed up to the government’s Business Growth Program. This program helps Territory businesses engage qualified consultants to provide advice on ways to improve performance and plan for the future.
We have also brought in additional resources to schools to provide counselling services for young people during this uncertain time. Most people affected by Rio Tinto’s decision to suspend production at the refinery are encouraged to enter their details into the government’s Territory Worker Database, which is used by employers located in Nhulunbuy, the East Arnhem region and elsewhere in the Northern Territory to find suitable staff.
A government information line, website and fact sheets are available to ensure the community is kept informed of developments. Rio Tinto has also established a community support line.
The Australian government has a critical role to play because it offers a wide range of services to assist community members with the transition.
I have spoken directly with the Prime Minister about the importance of Australian government support for Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region, and he has assured me he will be closely monitoring these developments. I have also written to him on a number of occasions seeking greater intervention on their part. Discussions have commenced around the Australian government developing packages through both the Department of Employment and the Department of Education for employment and training. In addition, I am working with the Australian government to ensure its services that are being delivered in the region stay in the region. I have asked my federal colleagues to consider what other services could be delivered in Nhulunbuy. These ongoing government services will continue to provide a base to encourage people to stay in the town and encourage new people to move there.
Government services are not enough though. We need to encourage and bring on new economic activity. As we take up this challenge we need to be clear this will take time to develop.
My government is looking at a range of ways it can complement Rio Tinto’s efforts to build a sustainable economy for Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region in the long term. This will require a combined effort from all parties – Rio Tinto, the Australian government, the Northern Territory government, local businesses and the community – to encourage and support the creation of new economic enterprise as quickly as possible.
There is strong community support for sealing the Central Arnhem Road. The Department of Transport is progressively upgrading the road through building bridges and other civil works, and those enhancements will proceed.
We have been working with the federal government to secure roads funding for the region, and that will continue. However, fully sealing this road is a hugely expensive project, estimated at approximately $450m, and in the current fiscal environment with Labor’s $5.5bn debt legacy hanging over our heads, along with federal debt incurred by previous federal Labor governments, we cannot afford to do the work. The Northern Territory government has asked Rio to look into the project and see what broader economic benefits it could bring to the region.
A plan has already been formulated to uncover new tourism-related opportunities for the Nhulunbuy and East Arnhem region following a five-day visit by a team from Tourism NT and the Department of Business.
Education is another potential opportunity for the region. For example, we might look at a series of boarding schools, although in Question Time today the opposition declared it was not interested in that. Perhaps I should have taken that line out? I will skip that line.
The trade training centre in Nhulunbuy could also be built up to supply tradesmen and women throughout the Territory. Now is the time for innovative thinking and taking a fresh look at what might be possible. I have asked Mr Doug McTaggart and Mr Ian Smith, from our expert economic development panel, to prepare an economic development plan for the town and surrounding region.
These gentlemen bring a vast wealth of experience to the community and will help guide our response so it optimises the benefits of the town’s economic future. In particular, they are working on the identification of opportunities in the mining, fishing and tourism sectors and the possibilities to maximise utilisation of existing infrastructure such as wharves.
Discussions have already begun with Rio Tinto about providing access to suitable Rio Tinto assets, including its wharf facilities. I have instructed the Department of Transport to look at the general purpose wharf and its requirements for repairs and maintenance.
We need to make sure our assistance is strategically targeted at realistic potential industries and measures which best support the town going forward. To that end, the ideas and energy generated by the Nhulunbuy Task Force and the Nhulunbuy Community Advisory Committee will be crucial. Nhulunbuy will continue to be a government service centre for the East Arnhem region.
My government is committed to ensuring there will be sufficient public services to meet the needs of the community, and we will work hard to retain as much of the population as possible through the creation of new jobs and new economic activity.
Rio Tinto executive, Sam Walsh, said in November there was nothing more the Territory government could have done to secure a long-term future for the refinery. We did everything in our power. Now we are in the business of building a new future for the town. As Territorians one and all, we stand at the beginning of a new chapter in Nhulunbuy’s future, one where the operations of Rio Tinto will always be of significant economic importance but not the centre of all economic activity.
This new chapter requires a good deal of hard work, ingenuity and a sense of creative vigour to build additional capacity into the region’s economic mainframe. Now is the opportunity to build an economic future for the region which will outlive the mineral leases surrounding the township. This new regional economy will help secure the economic and social fabric of the town and ensure the future generation of Nhulunbuy Territorians will be able to live and work in the region.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing this statement before the House. Rhetoric though it is, in the words of the member for Greatorex who is very fond of labelling ministerial statements ‘puff pieces’ – that is what this statement before the House today is and it is long overdue.
I notice that overnight the Chief Minister has reconsidered and taken out the word ‘Gove’ throughout this statement and replaced it with Nhulunbuy. Good. People use the name for the town interchangeably, but Nhulunbuy is certainly more appropriate.
I make no apologies if I somehow offended the sensibilities of government by circulating the statement to stakeholders last night. I saw it as a significant piece of work which I am sure my stakeholders in Nhulunbuy, including the members of the Gove Community Advisory Committee which I was responsible for establishing – let us be clear here – not the Chief Minister, although NTG provides secretariat support and has carriage of it, and I am a member of it.
I thought it was fit and right to circulate this statement to stakeholders, given they are key players at the table with both levels of government and Rio Tinto in trying to determine what the future of Nhulunbuy might be and trying to hold to account the responsibilities of Rio and both levels of government in this unmitigated disaster we see in the East Arnhem region
I am not sure I will have enough time in my 40 minutes or so on the floor of the House today to respond fully to this statement, given the feedback I have had from stakeholders – numerous e-mails I would like to share with members of this House, because it is my responsibility in the democratic process as the elected representative for the people of Nhulunbuy, whether they voted for me or not.
Some of the responses I had today are from people who certainly did not vote for me, but they have welcomed the opportunity to have their voices heard in this House. I thought the government would stand 200% behind the rhetoric they have put out today and would be happy to see it shared with those who have a vested interest in it: the people not only of the township of Nhulunbuy but the wider East Arnhem region. I find it a little strange we have had a negative reaction from members opposite about my unconventional step to circulate this statement to people I thought needed to see it. The feedback I have received is that people have welcomed the opportunity to look at it.
The Chief Minister cannot back away from his instrumental role in the absolute bungling of the future of Nhulunbuy and the region it supports. He is clearly not up to the job and it is not just me who says that.
Looking at the devastating announcement on 29 November, Rio Tinto employed Charlie Willis – I have known Charlie and his family for a number of years – said:
- I am feeling very, very blank. Men keep up brave faces but deep down they need to provide, and there’s all this uncertainty.
What’s their strategic plan, knowing this wouldn’t succeed? I think they’ve just been caught.
How is the Territory government going to deal with 2000 displaced people?
Charlie Willis is a single dad with two little kids, one in middle school and one in primary school. Where is he going? What is happening to his kids at school? What about local businessman, John Carter. John and Estelle Carter from the Peninsula Bakery and Cafe summarised the view of many people in Nhulunbuy when John said, ‘I am feeling gutted’. That was on 29 November. We are all gutted and continue to feel gutted. There is no beacon of hope for us, thanks to the absence of driving a future for Nhulunbuy. A new future for Nhulunbuy is what this statement is called. Is that meant to be a joke?
I have another quote from the proprietor of the Walkabout Tavern, Mr John Tourish, who is also a member of the Gove Community Advisory Committee and elected in a democratic process to sit on the Gove Task Force. This is what John had to say:
- This will pull the fabric of the community apart.
It’s like a slow, strangling death.
John has also given me permission to read, when I get to them, comments he sent to me via e-mail this morning.
Also, local businesswoman and regional development committee member, and a member of the Gove Community Advisory Committee and the task force, Denise Fincham said – this is from 2 December in The Australian:
- They’re upset that no economic- or social-impact study has been undertaken by either the federal or Northern Territory governments or Rio Tinto.
True!
A retired refinery employee and retired person in Nhulunbuy is a rare thing. Bob Hemsworth was due to close his house sale on the day the news of the shutdown broke. He said in The Australian on 2 December:
- It was like winning the lottery one day and someone ringing up the next day and saying, it’s all a mistake. If I can’t find someone to rent it, I will just have to … walk away.
This ministerial statement was due to be brought on by the government last December, but the Chief Minister admitted he was not ready to proceed with it. He told parliament on that day:
- … I will not be making my statement today, I will make it on Thursday probably and have more detail ...
We have not heard anything further on the floor of this House since. Clearly he had nothing to say. No plan, nothing to share with the people of the Northern Territory, let alone Nhulunbuy.
It is a pity the Chief Minister could not put more detail into the decision when he reneged on the done deal. It is a pity he did not put more detail into the CLP government’s preparations for curtailment by the company. It is a pity the Chief Minister did not put more detail into his response to the company’s announcement 11 weeks ago. Sadly, it is obvious from your statement you have not made use of the last 11 weeks to educate yourself on the issues facing Nhulunbuy or to bolster your response to the crisis that you, Chief Minister, have created in East Arnhem Land.
You slipped into Nhulunbuy on a couple of occasions, never on a commercial aircraft, always on a charter. He slips in, slips out and has select meetings with a few people. If he brings media it is select media. On his last visit public servants were advised, ‘This is highly confidential, you are not to share it with anybody: the Chief Minister is coming.’ Public servants are wondering what is so secretive about this visit. Next morning on Facebook, ‘It is a beautiful day in Gove’, the Chief Minister announced. Well, not if you have just lost your job or are unsure what you kids will do in three months’ time, or are unsure, if you are not a Rio employee, how you will hold a job, let alone find the $30 000 to ship you and your family out because there are no prospects there.
Sadly, it is obvious from the statement he has not made use of those weeks at all. The Chief Minister has created this uncertainty – singly and squarely we lay the blame at his feet – and plunged the community into crisis. During that period we saw personal attacks from the Chief Minister on anyone who dared speak up for the community, and I am still front and centre of those attacks. Bring it on, Chief Minister, I am made of sterner things than you would know, and you do not even know the resilience that rests in my community.
That has been the immediate reaction from this very arrogant Chief Minister on every occasion. Rather than explain his decision to renege on the member for Blain’s deal, the former Chief Minister, he simply chooses to deflect and blame anyone he can rather than shoulder responsibility.
In this statement he says he stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nhulunbuy. What rubbish! Nobody believes that. The past weeks and months have been characterised by the abject failure of the Chief Minister and the CLP government to stand up for Territorians and the people of the East Arnhem region as they deal with Rio Tinto’s curtailing of the refining operations, the loss of more than 1400 jobs in Nhulunbuy and the consequent devastating impact on the Northern Territory economy. I know the Leader of the Opposition will talk about this.
In October 2012 the company announced a strategic review of operations. We said the then Chief Minister and the Country Liberal government must do everything in their capacity to keep the refinery open to sustain and support not only the township of Nhulunbuy, but the wider region. We said the Chief Minister at the time needed to work with the Commonwealth and other stakeholders to secure gas for Gove. Back then we said the mine was vital to Nhulunbuy and the region, and it was critical that the former Chief Minister secured gas not only for the future of the region, but for business owners and the entire Northern Territory – for the direct flow of business through to Darwin which will now be impacted by this.
To his credit, the former Chief Minister, the member for Blain, acted, delivered and announced a done deal on 13 February. Gas to Gove was not only important for the refinery and the community of Nhulunbuy, but for the whole Northern Territory. The project had the potential to double the size of the gas market, driving further investment in exploration to increase long-term gas supply to attract new industry and create jobs for Territorians. People in Nhulunbuy believed the CLP government in February. They believed your Cabinet – those who are still members of Cabinet – and those who came into parliament after the announcement and crowed about the good work the CLP government and Cabinet had delivered. We believed in people and believed in government, and on the strength of that people invested.
Adam Giles then took the reins of government, took on the role of Chief Minister, and the next thing we knew was, in July, he reneged on the deal. He said, ‘Sorry, you can’t have 300 PJ of gas, you can have 175. Take it or leave it.’ He tried to convince us this was a win/win situation. What sort of signal did that send to the Territory? It sent a global signal that not only could the Chief Minister not be trusted, the Country Liberal Party could not be trusted, furthermore, that the Territory was closed for business. A deal is not a deal when it is done with the Country Liberal Party.
No government worth its salt would trash Nhulunbuy in the way the current Chief Minister has. Even the former Chief Minister stepped up with a plan, a commitment and a promise everyone believed. The current Chief Minister has simply trashed that. The people of Nhulunbuy deserve to see information they are relying upon. They have never been able to see the due diligence report around why the gas deal was canned, only the executive summary. We have called to see the obligations of the 2011 leases. We have never been able to see those leases and the Northern Territory government all the while sits in the background hiding behind the skirts of Rio Tinto, allowing them to take the lead and not standing up for Territorians.
As I said before, responsibility for this unmitigated disaster sits squarely with the Chief Minister. He has created this uncertainty and plunged our entire community and region into a crisis, and the immediate reaction has been defensive and to attack. In September, he even went so far as to attack Rio Tinto when he said he was disappointed Rio Tinto has chosen to scare its employees when they were saying they may have to consider curtailment of operations. Rather than rolling up his sleeves, doing his homework and finding a solution, he has blamed everybody rather than look to himself and the decision he and his Cabinet made.
This announcement has devastated the people of Nhulunbuy and the wider region. The Prime Minister has not responded to a single letter from the GCAC, me, or other stakeholders. However, bless him, at the time he said, ‘The people who I feel very sorry for are those who have bought homes and businesses in Gove on the expectation of a very vibrant, ongoing continuing economy and who are now in a very difficult position. I think these are the people Rio does have a moral debt to, if not necessarily a legal debt.’
Hollow words from the Prime Minister, like the Chief Minister, planting it squarely back on Rio Tinto, ‘Nothing to do with us; not our responsibility’. He is missing in action, along with Senator Scullion. He was all over the electorate during the federal election, but we have not seen him since. What is worse, he lives in Darwin and is a senator of the Northern Territory.
Last Friday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, federal MP Warren Snowdon and Senator Nova Peris came to Nhulunbuy for a full day. Bill Shorten arrived in Nhulunbuy on Thursday night around 10.15 pm and we had our first meeting with union delegates, a stakeholder group which represents workers who represent jobs who represent people and their families. Has the Chief Minister met with any of those people? No way, he hates unions. He is not interested in them any more than the federal Coalition government is. Bill Shorten said he did not notice a traffic jam on the way in to Gove with federal parliamentarians lining up to get there. Absolutely abandoned!
It is laughable the Chief Minister can say with a straight face he will be holding anyone to their commitments after all the backflips on commitments made by him and the CLP government. It has been nearly three months since that announcement, ample time for the Territory government to prepare a comprehensive support package for Nhulunbuy; I am not talking about counselling and financial services.
By the way, the sum made available to businesses, which is 50:50 funded by Rio and the government to provide business advice – businesses are asking if they can have that money for lawyers. They are looking for legal representation. The threats to their businesses and livelihood are very real. There is not a lot some of these businesses can do to turn things around and remain sustainable.
One local business we visited on Friday is paying rent in the vicinity of $11 000 a month. Do you know what they are taking through the till at the moment on a daily basis? Three hundred dollars a day. You do not have to be Einstein or the Treasurer to work out those figures are not sustainable. Those opposite say, ‘Too bad, nothing to do with us. Business needs to stand on its own feet. We are not providing corporate business welfare.’ What happens to some of these core businesses? What do you do in a town without a bakery or a butcher? It is too bad if you want to go fishing, one of your favourite pastimes. It is unlikely that business will stay open.
Last week Rio Tinto announced a support plan – tangible financial packages. The Chief Minister referred to it in his speech and in Question Time today. However, there remains a void of information about what Rio and the Territory and federal governments plan to do with the town and people who are expected to make decisions without any knowledge of what a structural adjustment package might look like. We are not talking about money being handed out to people; we are talking about structural adjustment packages like we have seen in other parts of Australia where there have been major manufacturing downturns.
Look at the 1997 BHP steelworks situation in Newcastle. Look, more recently, at the announcements of Holden and Ford closing, and, yesterday, Toyota. The big difference between those places and what is happening in Nhulunbuy is they have time – three and four years some of them. We have no time, and time is ticking away. Curtailment and closure are on the way and families are leaving. Nobody from that side of the House has exerted any pressure on Rio Tinto or the federal government to slow the process down. ‘Nothing to do with us. It’s a mining town.’ It is shameful and small wonder people are feeling abandoned.
The CLP government has a responsibility to explain future plans to the town and the region, but it is sitting on its hands and, on numerous occasions, letting Rio Tinto take the lead. The best we have heard so far is news of a road which might be sealed if you can convince the federal government to stump up $450m. That will not help people next year or in five years’ time. I would be surprised, though delighted, if I saw it in ten years’ time. Do not forget we are on Aboriginal Land Trust and there have to be extensive negotiations. Talks have been held in recent years about excising a lease over a corridor for the Central Arnhem Road. It is a good plan but is not helping next year, five years’ time, even beyond that.
Irrespective of that, there is the lack of structural adjustment plans, the lack of real information from the Northern Territory government about the impact upon public servants and their jobs, and if you are a teacher you are safe until the end of June. How reassuring is that? Regardless, people have to make tough decisions without the information they need.
The fact is the Chief Minister has had months to prepare for the repercussions of his decision to renege on the done deal on gas to Gove and has done nothing. He has failed to stand up for Territorians at a time when people are looking to the head of government to show some leadership. There is none from the Chief Minister opposite.
This brutal wind down time of eight months is unprecedented compared to what we have seen in major manufacturing downturns in other parts of Australia. It is a clear and sizeable burden on our community, and one that is weighing people down more than you would ever understand. Phase one of the ramp down has already commenced. The first group of employees has already left the refinery and is leaving town.
What has the Chief Minister been doing for the past few months? Why has he not lined up his Liberal mates in Canberra to develop a contingency plan for Nhulunbuy? Why did he not say Nhulunbuy needs more time to adjust and Territorians will not accept the brutal time frame proposed by the company? Why could he not come up with concrete action even remotely resembling something that could be termed a new future for Gove?
It is the role of government to get in before announcements such as this are made. This is what Adam Giles has failed to do. Where is the CLP government’s independent, economic and social impact analysis by experts? I have not seen it. I do not think it exists. The federal government’s social, economic impact analysis, these important research documents, these studies that inform the planning – no one has seen them. The GCAC asked for them to be released. No, it is a secretive government on that side. They do not like releasing reports, probably because they are full of bad news. There is not one.
The best and most accurate body of work we can point to at the moment has come from the grassroots of the community through the GCAC, the Gove Community Advisory Committee, those people who have given up so many hours of their time, sacrificed so much to inform the government and Rio Tinto exactly what is at stake.
What has Mr Giles, as our Chief Minister, done to highlight the importance of the Rio refinery in Nhulunbuy to the township and the thousands of jobs and regional economic development which is all at risk? There is no comprehensive social and economic impact analysis of what is at stake because they do not care. The people who live there think this is out of sight out of mind for the government.
Last year I called on the CLP government to develop contingency plans, which fell on deaf ears. I restate that call on members opposite, the ministers, those who sit around Cabinet, those who do not make their way to Gove – the Mines minister and the Tourism minister. The Attorney-General has been out in his capacity as Corrections minister, but no sign of the Education minister in my schools ...
Mr Chandler: I have been there, Lynne.
Ms WALKER: No, you have not been there. Shamefully, the leader of the federal opposition stepped into a school ahead of you. Thank you for providing permission.
Debate suspended.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Death of Mr Sid Parker OAM
Death of Mr Sid Parker OAM
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, it is with deep regret that I advise of the death, on 6 January 2014, of Mr Sid Parker. Sid Parker had been involved in the cattle industry over the past 50 years. He led the way with the live export trade to Southeast Asia and was a great and true Territorian.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: I advise honourable members of the presence in the gallery of the widow of Mr Parker, Mrs Elvi Tolentino Parker, Ms Bing Tolentino, Mr Brooke Hartley and Mrs Faye Hartley, who knew Sid for over 42 years, Ms Vivienne Inkley and Mr Stewart Young, Mr Ian Bradford, Mr Paul Catermole, Mr David George and Mrs Rozzi George, Ms Janis Adair and Mr Angus McClimont, Mr Lincoln Jenkins, Mr Brian Chin, Mr Kevin Mulvahil, Mr Zip Murphy and Mrs Tricia O’Neill. I extend a warm welcome to you all on this sad occasion.
I remind honourable members and guests that on completion of the debate I will ask members to stand in silence for one minute as a mark of respect for Mr Sid Parker.
CONDOLENCE MOTION
Mr Sid Parker OAM
Mr GILES (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, on Tuesday 14 January 2014 I had the honour of addressing the state funeral held at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral to commemorate the life of Sidney Thomas Parker. I outlined some of the many reasons Sid was, and always will remain, a legendary figure in the history of the Northern Territory.
Today I would like to put on the record a more complete picture of a great Territorian whose life and contributions saw him inducted into the Northern Territory Racing Hall of Fame in 1997 for his exemplary contribution to growing the club and the racing industry in the Top End, the International Trade Hall of Fame in 1999, the Livestock Exporters Hall of Fame in October 2002 and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to the cattle industry and horse racing.
I would also like to thank all those who have shared their memories of Sid Parker with me: the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Mick Palmer; Paul Catermole and Richard Trivett; historians Peter and Sheila Forrest; his many friends in the live cattle industry, including the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association which Sid helped establish in 1979; and the industry publication Beef Central.
Sid Parker was born on 22 June 1925 in Queensland and spent most of his childhood in the township of Comet, between Blackwater and Emerald, where his parents owned a hotel. While still a boy he worked for the horse dealer, Frank Beasley, who exported mounts to the Indian Army and Dutch East Indies.
In 1942 Sid joined the Royal Australian Navy. He later said, ‘I wanted to join up and get into war, so I joined the Navy because they would take you at 17’. In 1944 he visited Darwin for the first time, aboard the Corvette HMAS Echuca, and joined work parties sent ashore. One of his jobs was moving quarters of beef into the chillers at the old Vestey’s Meatworks. After the war Sid returned to Queensland where he joined the Vestey’s Pastoral Company running stock camps.
Following a memorable period at Oban Station southwest of Mt Isa, Vestey’s sent Sid to the Northern Territory as head stockman of Helen Springs Station. He arrived in 1959, the early days of long distance movement of live cattle by road transport, and the description of road train was three single deck trailers with about 30 head in each.
Sid watched deliveries for the live export trade heading for the Philippines, and later Hong Kong, being organised by American entrepreneurs Charlie Henderson and Gus Trippe through their company, North Australian Development. It was during a visit to Darwin in 1959 that he joined these colourful characters as a cattle buyer. This was the start of Sid’s lifelong commitment to the live cattle export business.
Sid would supervise the loading at Frances Bay where cattle and buffalo would be walked across to the hull of a barge sitting in the mud at low tide. A new loading facility was built at Fort Hill Wharf in 1961. Sid met Big Bill Gunn, or Sir William Gunn as he was more formally known, who employed him as the Territory manager overseeing Gunn’s diversified operations, including Goodparla and Gimbat, Douglas Station and the development of the renowned Tipperary Station. During his time he also helped introduce Brahman cattle to the Northern Territory, buying 200 bulls for Elizabeth Downs, part of Tipperary.
When Sid Parker moved on from the Gunn group he stayed in the livestock and meat export industries. His ventures included NT Stock Feeds, which opened at the 18 Mile with a licence to make the first ever supplementary feed in the Territory. Sid was regional supervisor, Arthur Lim the product manager and Richard Trevett the salesman, in joint ownership with Max Bell of Bonrook Station and Meneling abattoir at Batchelor, and butcher shops at Stuart Park and Berrimah, as well as back loading planes which were bringing in products from Asia following Cyclone Tracy – live cattle. He was involved in two 1500 head shipments of buffalo breeding stock to Cuba in 1983, all sourced from the Territory, and held a close association with Carabao Exports and the live cattle export of buffalo until the company was taken over by the Brunei government in 1989. It is probably very fitting that I stand here today, having seen the first shipment of buffalo exported to Vietnam early this morning.
By then the live cattle export trade was increasing, very much driven by Sid Parker and John Kaus, another member of the Carabao team at the time. Markets grew from Sabah, Malaysia and the Philippines to include Indonesia and Brunei, and the Carabao was Australia’s leading exporter in both 1991 and 1992. Transport was mainly by specially commissioned vessels and also included DC9s, two or three planes a week with about 100 steers in each. Despite the sale of the business to the Brunei government, Sid continued as part of the team for a period. Age was absolutely no deterrent and he was, without doubt, the acknowledged expert with personal relationships of trust and respect across northern Australia and Asia nurtured over many a long year.
Sid Parker established South East Asian Livestock Export Services with John Kaus and continued to play an active role right to the end. As mentioned earlier, he was a founding member and chairman of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association. In the association’s own words, Sid Parker was ‘the father of our industry’. His creed was, ‘Understanding cattle, that’s the big thing’, and getting a bit of knowledge about how well cattle will do. With live cattle, it is sending the right product to the customer.
Sid Parker was also an active member of the Northern Territory horse racing industry throughout his life. When he first moved to Darwin he lived at the Vic Hotel. There he met Eileen and their first home was in Douglas Street, conveniently close to the race course where Sid would devote a great deal of his time.
Sid was also instrumental in re-introducing racing to Adelaide River. The first meeting in 1961 featured the Parker high weight, a race for station horses. The winner was a horse named Moonlight and the rider one Sid Parker.
Sid was a committee member of the Darwin Turf Club from 1968 to 2000, and there were some amazing highlights mixed with lows.
In 1970 his horse, Ray Wit, won the first Darwin Cup to be run on the unique oil and sand track. Cyclone Tracy killed nearly all the horses and demolished the stables and rails.
In March 1975, Vestey’s had a sale of horses at Wave Hill. Sid and Paddy Mornane bought 50 to get racing going in Darwin again, and a Dry Season carnival was held just a few months after that purchase. There was no doubt Sid played a pivotal role in the emergence of the Darwin Cup Carnival as a major national racing event. In 1985 he was rewarded with life membership of the club, but, many would argue, the highlight of Sid’s racing career was the day his favourite, On the Beam, won the 1999 Darwin Cup.
Sid Parker passed away on 5 January 2014 aged 88. He was a tenacious Territorian who refused to be told what could not be done. His code was to confront a challenge and find a solution. The chapter in our history titled the Sid Parker story makes it clear exactly what is special about northern Australia and what can be achieved with the pioneering spirit of Territorians such as Sid Parker.
The Darwin Turf Club’s tribute to Sid included:
- Sid is considered one of the original elders of the Darwin Turf Club and played an extremely important role ...
…
He was a true gentleman of the track and a great friend to the Darwin Turf Club ...
Ms LAWRIE (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I wish to pay my respects to Sid Parker’s widow, his family and friends. He was a truly outstanding Territorian. We have heard of his many achievements from the Chief Minister, of his life and times, and now I too pay tribute to the efforts of Sid Parker in helping to shape the Territory to what it is today.
As we know, his work in the live export business modernised the industry to what it is today. Both sides of the House considered Darwin and the Territory as Australia’s gateway to Asia, and one of the central planks to that gateway is our live export business.
When we strengthen or open new markets in live export across Asia, it helps other industries start to gain a foothold and, hopefully, more trade for the Territory with our Asian neighbours. None of this would have been possible without Sid.
Sid’s links to the Territory began, as many of our great Territorians do, with that short visit during World War II, bringing Sid to Darwin in the Navy and coming back again in 1959, staying ever since.
I am advised that Sid spent his first seven years in Darwin living at the Vic Hotel; what an incredible experience that would have been.
It was in Darwin that Sid got his first job in the live export business working for, as we have heard, Charlie Henderson and Gus Trippe. While not overly successful, it gave Sid his first taste of the business he would become a master of for the next four decades.
After Henderson and Trippe, he joined up with Sir William Gunn, or Big Bill Gunn. Sir William was an early believer in the potential of the Territory and Sid acquired a job setting up Sir William’s Darwin-based office for all his business dealings.
It was during this job that Sid pioneered supplementary feeding for Territory cattle. It was after Sir William’s businesses started winding down that Sid, who had started branching out on his own, moved into his next passion: horse racing.
He moved out of the Vic Hotel in 1965 to Douglas Street, Ludmilla, as we have heard, conveniently located next to the Fannie Bay racecourse. He joined the committee in 1967 and was secretary of the Turf Club during the period of Cyclone Tracy.
Sid was tasked with setting up races as soon as possible to give people some relief, which was hard considering the horses at the racecourse were killed during the cyclone. With Sid and Paddy’s efforts, they had carnival racing back up and running six months after Tracy, one of the very first recreational activities to start up again in Darwin.
All Sid’s contributions to racing were recognised when he was admitted into the racing hall of fame at Fannie Bay in 1997.
After going into business himself, Sid really hit his groove in the live export market, setting up his own businesses and contacts. He literally became the go-to man if you wanted to export cattle from the Territory.
He knew what everyone had and what everyone wanted and, by and large, put the right people together at the right time. His business, SEALS. or South East Asian Livestock Services, had dealings all over Asia, predominantly in Brunei.
He was a founding member of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association and served as its Chairman in the 1990s, and again into the 2000s. Called the ‘father of live exports’ by many, Sid will leave behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
It has been my privilege, as a former Racing minister, to see the passion Sid had for the racing industry and the support he provided to it. Sid, like the finest of thoroughbreds, was the finest of Territorians, and I am so pleased, on behalf of my colleagues – I know others will contribute as well – to give my deepest and sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Sid Parker. I was unfortunately away from the Territory during the state funeral and could not attend; the member for Nightcliff attended on my behalf.
Sid was passionate about this place and has left an enduring legacy. His life was an extraordinary one. He saw extraordinary times and the growth of the Territory, and to have provided such strength to two industries – live export and horse racing – is truly remarkable. My condolences.
Mr TOLLNER (Deputy Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing on this condolence motion and for giving Sid a state funeral. I know it was appreciated by family and friends of Sid.
I knew Sid as a friend more than someone who was a pioneer of an industry. I would bump into Sid at the Buff Club, have a couple of drinks with him and that type of thing, and saw him as a genuine old bloke. You would never die wondering what Sid thought; he was more than happy to tell you, there were no problems with that.
It has only been in recent times that I have come to grasp the impact Sid had on the Territory and the legacy he has left. When I say recent times, I mean very recent times. It was probably 18 months or two years ago when I was sitting in the Buff Club with a couple of friends – people known in this House – Tina MacFarlane, our former candidate in Lingiari, and her husband, Lindsay. Of course, Lindsay is the son of Les MacFarlane, a former Territory parliamentarian. I was having a beer and a game of pool with Lindsay when he looked at Tina and said, ‘I think that’s old Sid Parker over there’. Tina said, ‘Where, Lindsay?’ They looked over and were awestruck and said, ‘Is that Sid Parker?’ I said, ‘Yes, do you know Sid?’ They said, ‘We know who Sid is, do you think you could introduce us?’
I was quite taken back. They were acting like my boys would act if Michael Jordan was in the room; they felt scared to approach him and talk to him, and those two guys have been around the cattle industry for a long time. They were in total awe of Sid Parker. It was only at his funeral that I started to gather the impact Sid had. I had no clue, having known Sid for such a long time, that in some regards we came from the same place. He is from Comet; I am from a little place called Baralaba in central Queensland not too far from there. I have had several beers in the Comet pub. He came to the Territory and worked in the cattle industry; I came here and was in advertising but then had a bit to do with buffaloes and the land.
Sid brought the first Brahmans into the Territory in 1963, and my family was involved in breeding Brahmans in about 1974. Most people do not have much appreciation for what that meant because back then they looked at the Bos Indicus cattle and called them zebu, which were something from India – skinny razor blade looking cattle. People wondered why you were bringing them into Australia. That was the way my family was treated when we started breeding Brahmans.
Back then there was very little artificial insemination. Embryo flushing and that type of thing was not even heard of. You had to breed cattle to a state where you could breed a pure one, and that meant bringing bulls in from overseas. The fact Sid involved himself in breeding Brahmans back in 1963 tells me he must have had a strong relationship with the Americans. Obviously, Charlie Henderson and Gus Trippe would have had to do that because the only source of Brahman cattle would have been the US.
It is interesting the way the world turns because now, 40 or 50 years down the track, we are exporting Brahmans to the US. Australia has taken over by leaps and bounds when it comes to that. However, that would have been quite a large step and something very few people from the land would have been motivated to do – going overseas, dealing with cattle and trying to organise international trade agreements and the like. I am stunned at the pioneering work he would have done to get something like that happening.
The other thing about Sid’s funeral was the people who turned up – an extraordinary array of people from industry right across the Northern Territory, big name people, many of whom are sitting in the gallery – close friends, former ministers, cattle barrens in their own right, and many well-known Territorians. William Gunn junior came over from the United States, and former National Farmers’ Federation king pin, David Crombie, was also there. It was the who’s who of the cattle industry around Australia, and what a fitting thing it was to have a state funeral for Sid.
I am enormously proud to say I knew the man and disappointed it is only in very recent times I have come to understand the length and breadth of his achievement. Obviously he is held in the same high regard by people from the racing industry. That is another story and not something I am overly familiar with.
Madam Speaker and Chief Minister, thank you very much for the opportunity to say a couple of words in relation to Sid Parker. He was a lovely bloke, very easy to get on with, and a good person most of all, and that is an important thing. Sid, rest in peace, and best wishes to family and friends.
Mr McCARTHY (Barkly): Madam Speaker, I support the condolence motion. I did not know Sid Parker. I came to the Territory and lived on cattle stations for 10 years so I heard the story, and that represents the Territory really – a massive geographic jurisdiction but a small population and, among the pastoral industry, a very close population. You hear the stories and, in my case, it was a bit of a retro-analysis of working out after the events. It is very interesting Territory history to discover the people behind such amazing events which transformed the cattle industry in the Northern Territory.
I came to the Northern Territory looking for a place with no fences, and would spread that brief anecdote to the city folk I left behind. To some degree I experienced that in the gulf country of the Barkly. It was at the end of that amazing era where the wooden yards were still in place, you could witness bronco branding, cattle were still mustered on horseback, bulls and piker bullocks were cut out, and it was actioned packed every step of the way. I tried to involve myself in the working of the stations as much as possible; however, being a school teacher there was a barrier to work through but, in most cases, I got through it.
There was the BTEC program to understand – the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign – and as a school teacher living on pastoral properties I asked myself what would follow. It was a very exciting era, particularly with the bull catching, but I questioned what would follow. What followed represents the story of a man like Sid Parker, and that was the change in industry from a wild catch traditional cattle operation into a highly organised supplement-fed processed beast destined for very specific markets. In regard to a retro-analysis, it is good to look back, learn the stories and understand the legacy of what was left by such gentlemen in the Northern Territory. It is a significant chain of events that not only sophisticated the industry but also set the Northern Territory up for a very fine future. When we look at those developments and see the supplement feed and the processed animal for a specific trade, the Territory has a very bright future.
It is nice to speak in a condolence motion and have the opportunity, as a member of the opposition team, because as an elected community member it is my job to learn and take on the wisdom and knowledge presented by such a gentleman as Sid Parker. We need to be well-informed, have plans and have vision for the future.
I thank the Chief Minister for bringing the condolence motion forward and I offer my respects to family and friends. It is a wonderful story and one we all celebrate. May Sid Parker rest in peace.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing on this condolence motion this afternoon. As the Northern Territory’s Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this condolence motion for the late Sid Parker.
Standing here this afternoon, I feel slightly uncomfortable because many of the comments I make will be directed to the people behind me and I do not like having people behind me when I am talking to them. I apologise for my geographic location in the Chamber, but will continue nonetheless.
First, my condolences to Sid’s family and friends; he certainly was a great man. Sid’s contribution to the many facets of the Northern Territory’s live cattle export industry was colossal by any standards. He forged new overseas markets, was instrumental in establishing the political and business relationships throughout Southeast Asia, and he successfully coordinated logistics and transport in a time where communications were limited and difficult. He certainly operated in those early days in very difficult circumstances.
As we heard today, Sid has had a stand-out career with many highlights. These included establishing cattle exports to the Philippines, the reopening of the live cattle trade to Hong Kong, and the long-standing involvement in Malaysian, Indonesian and Vietnamese markets. However, above all else, Sid Parker was a true friend of the Northern Territory’s pastoral industry. From his time managing cattle stations to his hard work in establishing overseas markets for Territory cattle, by all accounts Sid was a true gentleman and a man of his word.
I had the pleasure of meeting Sid several times, including last year at the life membership awards of the Northern Territory Live Exporters’ Association annual dinner. Although I only knew Sid for a short time, it was easy to see why he was greatly admired and respected by so many Territorians. Sid’s vision for live export opportunities and the efforts he put in to ensure these aspirations were realised are to be commended. Without a doubt, the north Australian pastoral industry and associated business sectors will forever reap the rewards of the efforts of this live cattle export industry pioneer.
On behalf of the Northern Territory’s cattle industry, I thank you Sid for your huge contribution to establishing the live cattle industry, and your lifetime of hard work in ensuring it flourished into the successful industry sector it has become today. The many Territorians involved in the pastoral and live cattle export industry will never forget this great man, what he did for the Northern Territory and, indeed, for northern Australia.
On behalf of the NT government, I express profound gratitude to Sid Parker in recognition of his most significant contributions to the pastoral industry in the Northern Territory. It was a pleasure and honour to have met Sid. As the minister for Primary Industry, it is my intention to do his legacy proud and work hard to ensure the Northern Territory’s live cattle export industry continues to thrive and prosper into the future.
Mr VATSKALIS (Casuarina): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing this condolence motion to this House because Sid Parker did not come from somewhere else to live in the Territory, Sid Parker is a legend of the Territory. I rise to pay my respects to Sid’s widow and family and to thank Sid for what he has done for the Territory and me personally, and I will explain why. Sid came from somewhere else, like many of us, but made the Territory his home and he worked really hard to make it a better place, and he did.
He was born in Comet, Queensland, and grew up with his family in his family hotel. He served, like many Territorians who came here, with the Defence Force in the Navy, and then came to the Territory just for a while – like many of us – but stayed for a long time.
He worked for Vestey’s pastoral industry, which sent him to the Territory. Here he was introduced to the live export trade by working as a cattle buyer for American entrepreneurs, Charlie Henderson and Gus Trippe, who were exporting cattle to Hong Kong. With Mr Trippe and Mr Parker, he was a founding exporter to the Philippines and they still remember him there. The following years witnessed exports flourishing after the war, and falling with the opening of the abattoirs in Darwin and Katherine.
Sid then worked as the Territory manager of Sir William Gunn’s company, which was focused primarily on the development of Tipperary Station, and this really started the export of cattle according to Sid. He then moved to exporter giant AUSTREX which bought out Sir William’s company in 1973. Life outside live exports soon beckoned and Mr Parker, or Sid as everybody knew him, followed a few other things before coming on board with buffalo and cattle exporters, David George and Ian Britten-Jones. This was his return to the live export business full-time, co-ordinating plane loads and then shipments of buffaloes and cattle to a range of Southeast Asian markets for Carabao Exports.
In a 2002 ABC program about Sid’s life, Sid remembered some of his early adventures: He remembered ordering 20 buffaloes weighing 800 pounds to send to Hong Kong, but there was a mistake and the station sent 20 beasts with 800 pounds of meat on them. They weighed 1400 pounds and had massive horns but were put on the plane. The next day Sid received a telex saying ‘No more buffaloes please, they’re still on the plane’. They had to be tranquillised to take them off. It was a rare occurrence for Sid to get a customer’s specifications mixed up.
In the early 1990s, after the business was sold to the Brunei government, Sid established South East Asian Livestock Services, SEALS, with former Carabao colleague, John Kaus. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the company sent buffalo to overseas markets, including Cuba and Nigeria, before a blue tongue scare put a hold on exports for two years. It opened again in the 1980s with high demand for breeder cattle, followed by an Indonesian interest in feeder cattle.
Sid was the founding member of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association and was its chairman from 1995 to 2000, and from 2009. He was a member of the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council from 1985, and SEALS’ core principal and general manager from 1996.
In October 2002, the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters’ Association recognised his years of service to the livestock export industry with his induction into the Livestock Exporters Hall of Fame. The NTLEA wrote at the time:
- Sid Parker is quite simply a legend in our industry. For experience and longevity he is without peers. In an industry that has claimed many careers, Sid has survived and thrived for more than 40 years – making him in the eyes of many, the father of our industry.
In 2000, to commemorate Mr Parker’s 75th birthday, the Northern Territory government commissioned a book in his honour titled, Old Sid: The Life and Times of Sid Parker. In 2012, Mr Parker’s contributions were acknowledged at large when he received the Order of Australia Medal, OAM.
Aside from cattle, Mr Parker also had a 32-year relationship with the Darwin Turf Club, including prominent roles and awards such as the 2000 Australian Sports Medal. Mr Parker was also an active member of the Northern Territory horse racing industry throughout his life. He was a committee member of the Darwin Turf Club from 1968 to 2000, serving as chairman and vice chairman during that time, and was inducted into the Northern Territory Racing Hall Of Fame in 1997. He was also inducted into the International Trade Hall of Fame by the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce.
The first time I met Sid was in 2005 when I became minister for Primary Industry. I did not know much about primary industry or live cattle exports, so I asked for advice or to speak to somebody who knew something about it, and into my office walked Sid Parker. I looked at him and thought, ‘He is a bit old to still be in the industry, isn’t he?’, but when he spoke to me about live cattle export, where and how to do business, I knew he was not just an old man; he was a living encyclopaedia who knew everything about live cattle export. Not only did he know everything about live cattle export, he knew the right people and the right place with regard to cattle. I visit Sabah and they still remember Sid Parker. I visit the Philippines and they still remember Sid Parker. I went to Kuching and they knew him there too. I went to Jakarta and everybody spoke about Sid.
I followed his advice and we decided to find new markets when things got a bit tough with Indonesia. His advice was, ‘Go to new markets, go back to Malaysia, go back to Vietnam’, and we did. I was pleased to hear the Chief Minister today telling us about the export of buffaloes to the markets we opened in 2011. Well done!
This is Sid Parker’s legacy. This man made Territorians very proud. Sid is survived by his wife Elvi, but he is remembered by all Territorians for his significant contribution in the past 50 years to the development of the live cattle export trade to Southeast Asia and his contribution to making the Territory a better place.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing on this condolence motion. I knew more about Sid Parker than I knew him personally. If you went to St Mary’s Cathedral for his funeral you would have seen that many people knew him because the cathedral was packed. I want to say a few words today because we have farewelled one of the last of what I call old-fashioned Territorians.
There was no spin about him; there was no bull about him. When something had to be done, he did it. Some of the names mentioned today, like Bill Gunn and Charlie Henderson – I knew Charlie Henderson because he flew meat to Bathurst Island in a fixed-wing aeroplane that would just about land on the runway. He pioneered the export of meat from Bullo River. I knew people like Arch McGill, who worked as manager of Tipperary, and Bob Nelson, who was 25 years as head stockman at Pigeon Hole on VRD.
Sid Parker was like those people. They were down to earth people who knew how to get things done. As the ad says, they were about no bull. I believe that, as mentioned by other speakers, you sometimes have to centre on what you know about the man. His legacy is part of the great change to the pastoral industry.
Even when I arrived, live cattle was hardly ever mentioned, certainly stock routes were. There were abattoirs at Katherine, Meneling and Darwin; I am not sure if there was one at Tennant Creek at that stage. The industry was exporting out of the Territory on foot, truck or to the abattoirs. Live cattle exports, although they happened, were not the main focus of the pastoral industry in the Northern Territory.
You only have to look at the pastoral industry, especially in the Top End over the last 40 years or so, to see how it has changed considerably, such as the different breeds of cattle the member for Fong Lim mentioned. I do not remember many Brahmans around, and zebu was the name they was given when coming to the Territory, but people were a bit cynical about them being any good because they looked different. People were used to short horns, long horns and animals that were brown and red in colour, not white and all shades in between.
You see, with a person who has introduced genes into the Northern Territory to improve the Territory herd, to have turned the inward looking focus of our cattle industry to an outward looking focus – the export industry – someone who has left a legacy that will be remembered forever. What you see today would not have happened unless you had people like him and his partners working in that area to achieve the goals they did. He will be remembered as a person who, as I said, was about no spin, no bull. He got things done, and the proof of the pudding is what happened.
Of course, he also became involved in another four-legged industry, the horse-racing industry. The member for Karama has detailed Sid’s love of horses. I did not follow his horses much because I cannot remember betting on the winner of the Darwin Cup, but he was a great person in that industry. He kept going, and when we read his life, as I am sure it will be written again – Peter Forrest has done work on his life but it will probably be updated – you see a history of the Northern Territory pastoral industry as well as the Northern Territory racing industry.
There is a reminder for me now of Sid Parker. The Chief Minister mentioned NT Stock Feeds, which still exists, even though it is in temporary accommodation at Coolalinga. When I go past NT Stock Feeds now – for me it always belonged to the Patsalou’s. Obviously they were not the first owners of NT Stock Feeds, Sid Parker was. There is a living reminder of someone associated with both the cattle and horse industries because that is what NT Stock Feeds is about.
It is obvious Sid Parker did not believe in rusting away because he worked until he wore away. My understanding is, reading the documents, he could have been 87, 88 or 89. Someone might make sure I am correct, but in three pieces of information I have three different ages. We can say for sure he definitely lived a full life and Territorians will miss Sid Parker. My sympathy to his family and all his friends. Thank you.
Madam SPEAKER: I extend my condolences and sympathies to the family of Mr Sid Parker and his friends on his departing. I extend my sincere sympathies to you for what is clearly a great loss, not only to his loved ones but to the Northern Territory. He was a great and true Territorian who will be sorely missed by his loved ones, his family, friends, industry and the community as a whole.
Members stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: I thank honourable members for their contribution to the motion and invite the family and friends of Mr Parker, and interested members, to afternoon tea in the Main Hall.
RESPONSES TO PETITIONS
Mr CLERK: Mr Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Standing 100A, I inform honourable members that responses to petition numbers 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 have been received and circulated to honourable members. The text of the responses has been placed on the Legislative Assembly website. A copy of the response will be provided to the member who tabled the petition for distribution to petitioners.
- Petition No 22
Private Sale of fireworks across the Northern Territory
Date presented: 15 October 2013
Presented by: Ms Purick
Referred to: Minister for Business
Date response due: 18 February 2014
Date response received: 23 January 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
Thank you for your letter dated 6 October 2013 requesting a response to Petition No 22 (read in the Legislative Assembly on 15 October 2013) seeking amendment of legislation to cease the private sale of fireworks across the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction in Australia where private possession and ignition of fireworks is permitted. Territory Day is an important celebration and it is highly valued by most Territorians.
NT WorkSafe has proposed amendments to the Dangerous Goods Regulations as a result of feedback from the Competent Authority and other parties such as the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services. The proposed amendments include:
a ban on pyrotechnic items that produce a loud report
provisions to allow the Competent Authority to cancel or suspend a licence if the applicant is found guilty of an offence in another jurisdiction
an increase in penalties for infringement notices.
Further, NT WorkSafe is reviewing the conditions placed on wholesale licence holders to monitor the import and export of fireworks in the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory government will continue to work to reduce the level of general disturbance to the community caused by the improper or unsafe use of fireworks.
Petition No 23
Supply of gas to Gove
Date presented: 16 October 2013
Presented by: Ms Walker
Referred to: Chief Minister
Date response due: 19 February 2014
Date response received: 23 January 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
On 29 November 2013, Rio Tinto announced that they were suspending alumina production at their Gove refinery. The announcement came after Rio Tinto determined that the refinery is no longer a viable business in the current market environment. Rio Tinto advises that key factors influencing this decision is the continuing low alumina price, a high exchange rate and substantial after tax losses for the refinery despite efforts to improve refinery performance. Rio Tinto has stated that it will continue its bauxite operations at the plant, keeping approximately 350 jobs.
Rio Tinto states that there is nothing more the Northern Territory government could have done to help secure a long-term future for the refinery.
The Northern Territory government went straight to action and to date have implemented the following:
appointed Mr Michael Chiodo as the Gove on the ground coordinator to ensure that community has a direct Northern Territory government contact that is easily accessible. Since his appointment immediately after the announcement, Mike has met with over 830 individuals and continues to meet with individuals and business owners in the region
- established the community support centre in Nhulunbuy where Mr Chiodo is based, which has Northern Territory government and Rio Tinto staff available to meet with community members
Petition No 24
Birth choices in Darwin
Date presented: 17 October 2013
Presented by: Ms Fyles
Referred to: Minister for Health
Date response due: 20 February 2014
Date response received: 6 December 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The Department of Health (DoH) provides a range of maternity care and birthing services for Darwin women, including midwifery led care, home birth, the Community Midwifery Program, midwifery group practice, antenatal clinic and obstetric services through the maternity service at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH). The determining factor for the appropriate service provider for women is based on which service can provide safe and optimal care for the woman and her baby.
DoH has supported women to have the option for home birth in establishing a public home birth service in both Darwin and Alice Springs. These programs employ experienced midwives.
The home birth service provides a birthing choice for women in accordance with the criteria of the Australian College of Midwives National Midwifery Guidelines for Consultation and Referral 3rd Edition (2013) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recommendations.
DoH supports midwifery care provided by all maternity services, including the Home Birth Service, to be safe, respectful, personalised and kind to women, their partners and their families. The midwives are guided by the principle that birth is a normal, physiological process and a culturally significant social event. The woman and her family are provided with care that shows respect for individual privacy, dignity, religious, social and cultural beliefs.
The petition has raised a number of issues, please find the responses below.
Community Health Home Birth Service operations and services include unimpeded provision of care to women wishing to VBAC at all levels and in all settings.
Women seeking to access the home birth service are carefully assessed for the program to ensure that they meet the criteria for an anticipated normal pregnancy and delivery. The midwives are the primary care givers responsible for their professional decision-making. If problems occur during the pregnancy, birth or postnatal period, the midwife will consult and refer appropriately.
RANZCOG recommendations for planned vaginal birth after caesarean section do not support trial of labour after caesarean section in the home birth situation and this is not the practice in any other publicly funded home birth service.
RANZCOG recommendations state that the trial of labour should be carried out under a controlled environment in a delivery suite where the woman has access to continuous monitoring, intravenous therapy and ready access to the operating theatre.
Immediate reinstatement of home birth after caesarean as an option for birthing women through the Community Health Home Birth Service:
The Darwin Home Birth Service has in the past supported a small number of women to have a trial of labour following caesarean section. This is no longer supported by DoH obstetric team and in the interest of safe practice will no longer continue.
The Darwin Home Birth Service will work with the obstetricians and midwifery team at RDH to provide the women who request individual care from the home birth service to develop a collaborative care plan consistent with the RANZCOG recommendations, maximising the continuity of care model for the women and minimising risk to mothers and babies.
Commencement of access to VBAC at the Darwin Birth Centre through the Community Health Home Birth Service:
The Birth Centre at RDH provides a birthing facility for low risk births. It is on the ground floor of RDH and, therefore, geographically distant to the delivery suite where there is direct access to medical support. Currently, the birth centre policy does not include access for women with high risk pregnancies to birth in this environment. This policy has been developed in collaboration with the obstetricians and takes into account safety issues for the mother and baby.
That consumer groups be engaged and consulted as a matter of process regarding any future changes made to maternity care in the Northern Territory:
DoH maternity services value the partnership with consumers and consumer advice and input. Decisions regarding clinical practice and safety are the responsibility of the health practitioners who are regulated to be accountable for clinical care and the protection of public safety. Hence, at times decisions are made in the best interest of the health and safety of mothers and babies that may not meet with the agreement of advocacy groups.
DoH, as part of the new departmental structure of health services, is currently developing the clinical networks to provide the forum for stakeholder involvement in the services. Consumer representatives will be invited to participate in the maternity and newborn services clinical network.
Wherever infrastructure and services allow, women are guaranteed access to the same birth choices across the Northern Territory.
The new services framework for DoH facilitates the integration of maternity services in the Top End and Central Australia. The service focus is based on the underpinning principles and vision of the National Maternity Services Plan, ‘Maternity care will be woman-centred, reflecting the needs of each woman within a safe and sustainable quality system’. The new structure will provide a safe and sustainable quality framework for the maternity service with a focus on primary care and services close to where women live.
Current legislation is amended to allow midwives to practice privately across the Northern Territory in line with legislation Australia wide.
I have directed DoH to prepare documentation to progress proposed legislative changes to enable privately practising midwives to practice in the Northern Territory.
Thank you for your interest in this issue. DoH is working towards ensuring that continuity of care models are provided for all women accessing maternity services and, in particular, those with more complex needs.
- Petition No 25
Historic town of Southport infrastructure
Date presented: 27 November 2013
Presented by: Mr Higgins
Referred to: Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment
Date response due: 19 March 2014
Date response received: 30 January 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The petition is in two parts and relates firstly to funding from land auctions for untraceable landowners, and secondly requests the formation of a development committee for consultation and advice on development priorities.
Pursuant to the Local Government Act, the Litchfield Council (the Council) recovers unpaid rates from absentee landowners by lodging an overriding statutory charge on the land title. If extensive efforts to locate the landowners or next of kin are unsuccessful, the Council then exercises its powers under the Local Government Act and proceeds to auction the land. Revenue from the auction is used to recover its costs and other statutory charges (such as Bushfires NT for firebreaks and Power and Water Corporation for electricity). Any further remaining is deposited with the Public Trustee and cannot be ‘reinvested’ by either the Council or the Territory to upgrade infrastructure for the Southport community.
Further infrastructure works for the locality will be delivered in accordance with current government strategic land use planning and land release objectives.
The Northern Territory government established an independent NT Planning Commission on 1 January 2013 to drive strategic land use planning and guide the Territory’s long-term growth. The Commission’s primary role is to prepare strategic plans, guidelines and assessment criteria for inclusion in the NT Planning Scheme.
On 17 December 2013, the NT Planning Commission released a document Towards a Darwin Regional Land Use Plan that sets the framework for facilitating growth in the region. The plan covers the sub-regions of Darwin, Palmerston, Litchfield, East Arm, Cox Peninsula, Finniss and Coomalie, and will be on exhibition until 10 March 2014.
The land use plan visually identifies proposed land uses within the Darwin region. New growth areas, including inner urban and rural activity centres, will be identified for their potential to support future land needs.
Copies of the plan have been distributed to both the Litchfield Council and the Southport Progress Association as stakeholders to participate in this consultation process. The petitioners are invited to provide input into this important piece of work to shape the strategic land use planning for the Darwin region.
I consider that the work by the Commission and the Development Consent Authority provides adequate public consultation process for the future development of the Town of Southport. Additionally, I am further advised that my Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment is currently undertaking a review of infrastructure in the Berry Springs District Centre. This review will inform government on matters of the future development of the Town of Southport.
Petition No 26
Education cuts – staff numbers
Date presented: 26 November 2013
Presented by: Ms Purick
Referred to: Minister for Education
Date response due: 18 March 2014
Date response received: 30 January 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The new teacher staffing allocation model places more emphasis on the importance of early years schooling and ensures a more equitable approach to educational delivery across all stages of schooling. While the middle years and senior stages will be impacted upon, the student teacher ratios will be comparable to those in other jurisdictions. In addition, maximum class sizes will remain at 27 students unless otherwise agreed as per the current Northern Territory Public Sector Teacher and education 2010-2013 Enterprise Agreement.
Principals have worked closely with their staff and school communities to undertake workforce planning to align staff resources with educational program delivery in their schools.
The Department of Education is currently undertaking a review of Indigenous education and will undertake additional reviews of education in middle and senior years. The outcomes of these reviews will provide the Department of Education with clear evidence for future staffing and resourcing needs for Northern Territory schools.
Petition No 27
Education cuts – staff numbers
Date presented: 26 November 2013
Presented by: Ms Purick
Referred to: Minister for Education
Date response due: 18 March 2014
Date response received: 30 January 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The new teacher staffing allocation model places more emphasis on the importance of early years schooling and ensures a more equitable approach to educational delivery across all stages of schooling. While the middle years and senior stages will be impacted upon, the student teacher ratios will be comparable to those in other jurisdictions. In addition, maximum class sizes will remain at 27 students unless otherwise agreed as per the current Northern Territory Public Sector Teacher and education 2010-2013 Enterprise Agreement.
Principals have worked closely with their staff and school communities to undertake workforce planning to align staff resources with educational program delivery in their schools.
The Department of Education is currently undertaking a review of Indigenous education and will undertake additional reviews of education in middle and senior years. The outcomes of these reviews will provide the Department of Education with clear evidence for future staffing and resourcing needs for Northern Territory schools.
- Petition No 28
Education cuts – staff numbers
Date presented: 26 November 2013
Presented by: Ms Anderson
Referred to: Minister for Education
Date response due: 18 March 2014
Date response received: 30 January 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The new teacher staffing allocation model places more emphasis on the importance of early years schooling and ensures a more equitable approach to educational delivery across all stages of schooling. While the middle years and senior stages will be impacted upon, the student teacher ratios will be comparable to those in other jurisdictions. In addition, maximum class sizes will remain at 27 students unless otherwise agreed as per the current Northern Territory Public Sector Teacher and education 2010-2013 Enterprise Agreement.
Principals have worked closely with their staff and school communities to undertake workforce planning to align staff resources with educational program delivery in their schools.
The Department of Education is currently undertaking a review of Indigenous education and will undertake additional reviews of education in middle and senior years. The outcomes of these reviews will provide the Department of Education with clear evidence for future staffing and resourcing needs for Northern Territory schools.
- Petition No 29
Teaching position cuts Ramingining community
Date presented: 26 November 2013
Presented by: Ms Lee
Referred to: Minister for Education
Date response due: 18 March 2014
Date response received: 30 January 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The new teacher staffing allocation model places more emphasis on the importance of early years schooling and ensures a more equitable approach to educational delivery across all stages of schooling. While the middle years and senior stages will be impacted upon, the student teacher ratios will be comparable to those in other jurisdictions. In addition, maximum class sizes will remain at 27 students unless otherwise agreed as per the current Northern Territory Public Sector Teacher and education 2010-2013 Enterprise Agreement.
Principals have worked closely with their staff and school communities to undertake workforce planning to align staff resources with educational program delivery in their schools.
The Department of Education is currently undertaking a review of Indigenous education and will undertake additional reviews of education in middle and senior years. The outcomes of these reviews will provide the Department of Education with clear evidence for future staffing and resourcing needs for Northern Territory schools.
Petition No 30
Stop the destruction of NT education by slashing teacher funding
Date presented: 27 November 2013
Presented by: Ms Lawrie
Referred to Minister for Education
Date response due: 19 March 2014
Date response received: 30 January 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The new teacher staffing allocation model places more emphasis on the importance of early years schooling and ensures a more equitable approach to educational delivery across all stages of schooling. While the middle years and senior stages will be impacted upon, the student teacher ratios will be comparable to those in other jurisdictions. In addition, maximum class sizes will remain at 27 students unless otherwise agreed as per the current Northern Territory Public Sector Teacher and education 2010-2013 Enterprise Agreement.
Principals have worked closely with their staff and school communities to undertake workforce planning to align staff resources with educational program delivery in their schools.
The Department of Education is currently undertaking a review of Indigenous education and will undertake additional reviews of education in middle and senior years. The outcomes of these reviews will provide the Department of Education with clear evidence for future staffing and resourcing needs for Northern Territory schools.
Petition No 31
Stop the destruction of NT education by slashing teacher funding
Date presented: 27 November 2013
Presented by: Ms Lawrie
Referred to: Minister for Education
Date response due: 19 March 2014
Date response received: 5 February 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The new teacher staffing allocation model places more emphasis on the importance of early years schooling and ensures a more equitable approach to educational delivery across all stages of schooling. While the middle years and senior stages will be impacted upon, the student teacher ratios will be comparable to those in other jurisdictions. In addition, maximum class sizes will remain at 27 students unless otherwise agreed as per the current Northern Territory Public Sector Teacher and education 2010-2013 Enterprise Agreement.
Principals have worked closely with their staff and school communities to undertake workforce planning to align staff resources with educational program delivery in their schools.
The Department of Education is currently undertaking a review of Indigenous education and will undertake additional reviews of education in middle and senior years. The outcomes of these reviews will provide the Department of Education with clear evidence for future staffing and resourcing needs for Northern Territory schools.
Petition No 32
Eviction of badminton from Sports House
Date presented: 5 December 2013
Presented by: Mr Wood
Referred to: Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing
Date response due: 27 March 2014
Date response received: 5 February 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The Northern Territory government is unable to support the proposal for a new badminton, judo and table tennis multipurpose sports complex. This is not a direct reflection on the sport; there is simply a greater demand and call for government expenditure elsewhere.
The two options provided to government, an air-conditioned venue at a cost of $9.6m and non-air-conditioned at $6.8m, are simply not achievable in the current financial climate. The Northern Territory government must reduce debt and allocate monies in areas that will assist the greatest possible number of Territorians.
The statement contained within the petition that the Department of Sport and Recreation has been unable to identify a suitable venue is not correct. In addition to providing details of available recreation centres and school facilities, an offer put forward by my office to offset 50% of the rent for a dedicated suitable venue was rejected by the Northern Territory Badminton Association (NTBA). This facility has subsequently been leased to another organisation.
The Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment has granted an extension for NTBA to remain at Sports House until 31 March 2014. A stay past this period cannot be supported. It is imperative that NTBA look towards options other than a new facility or a further extension of time to remain at Sports House.
The Department of Sport, Recreation and Racing and the Department of Infrastructure have undertaken an evaluation of the option to relocate (recycle) the current hall to an alternative location, as suggested by the member for Nelson, Mr Gerry Wood MLA, during sittings. Unfortunately, this would also prove to be a very expensive exercise – $3.6m plus program fees and land – which cannot be accommodated in the current fiscal environment.
This government must be financially responsible in the current difficult economic environment with the decision not to support a new facility essential if other higher priority concerns for the community are to be supported.
Petition No 33
Eviction of badminton from Sports House
Date presented: 5 December 2013
Presented by: Mr Wood
Referred to: Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing
Date response due: 27 March 2014
Date response received: 5 February 2014
Date response presented: 11 February 2014
Response:
The Northern Territory government is unable to support the proposal for a new badminton, judo and table tennis multipurpose sports complex. This is not a direct reflection on the sport; there is simply a greater demand and call for government expenditure elsewhere.
The two options provided to government, an air-conditioned venue at a cost of $9.6m and non-air-conditioned at $6.8m, are simply not achievable in the current financial climate. The Northern Territory government must reduce debt and allocate monies in areas that will assist the greatest possible number of Territorians.
The statement contained within the petition that the Department of Sport and Recreation has been unable to identify a suitable venue is not correct. In addition to providing details of available recreation centres and school facilities, an offer put forward by my office to offset 50% of the rent for a dedicated suitable venue was rejected by the Northern Territory Badminton Association (NTBA). This facility has subsequently been leased to another organisation.
The Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment has granted an extension for NTBA to remain at Sports House until 31 March 2014. A stay past this period cannot be supported. It is imperative that NTBA look towards options other than a new facility or a further extension of time to remain at Sports House.
The Department of Sport, Recreation and Racing and the Department of Infrastructure have undertaken an evaluation of the option to relocate (recycle) the current hall to an alternative location, as suggested by the member for Nelson, Mr Gerry Wood MLA, during sittings. Unfortunately, this would also prove to be a very expensive exercise – $3.6m plus program fees and land – which cannot be accommodated in the current fiscal environment.
This government must be financially responsible in the current difficult economic environment with the decision not to support a new facility essential if other higher priority concerns for the community are to be supported.
MOTION
Note Statement – A New Future for Nhulunbuy
Note Statement – A New Future for Nhulunbuy
Continued from earlier this day.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Mr Deputy Speaker, as we suspended the House at midday, I come back to my statement almost three hours later. At that time I was talking about education and – a rare thing – thanking the Minister for Education for providing his approval for federal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bill Shorten, Senator Nova Peris and the member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, to visit Nhulunbuy High School on Friday afternoon. It was an interesting visit; I encourage the minister to make his way to my electorate. Not a single Education minister, of the three we have had in 18 months, has been to Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala or homeland schools to visit staff and students. It is high time, and more so now when people want to know what is happening.
There are 50 Year 11 students at Nhulunbuy High School at the moment and we met with all of them. Their focus was not on their study and getting through these important senior years, it was on their future. They want to know what guarantees they have to complete Year 12 in 2015. There are no guarantees, there is no plan, and it is high time the government stepped up to its responsibilities and started delivering for the people of Nhulunbuy and ensuring the continuation of services. Whether those students are in senior schools or, just as importantly, in the early childhood years and everywhere in between, if we want to attract and retain a viable population in Nhulunbuy, people need to be assured there is quality education, quality health services and sufficient other services – retail and otherwise – to make it attractive for people, otherwise people will not stay there or move there.
I have talked about the appalling relationship between the Territory and federal governments. The Chief Minister, in our local paper after his visit on 21 January, said he was disappointed with the federal government response. He also said it ‘could be doing more’. We need to know what pressure he is putting on the federal government. Why is he not in Canberra banging on the doors of his colleagues, the Prime Minister, Senator Nigel Scullion and the federal Minister for Industry? Why the federal Minister for Industry’s department has carriage of Gove is beyond me. It should be with the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with the self-appointed minister for Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Territorians. The federal government and Cabinet has grand plans for regional and northern Australia, but somehow are not the slightest bit interested in what is happening in Nhulunbuy.
I query where the member for Arnhem is with this. Communities in her electorate such as Milingimbi, Ramingining, Gapuwiyak, Umbakumba, Angurugu, Milyakburra and many homelands rely on Nhulunbuy as a regional service hub. She is absolutely silent on this. I hope she is hammering on the door of the Chief Minister demanding answers to what is happening.
The locals’ focus is on jobs and businesses, even though our voices are going unnoticed. Let us not forget the clubs and associations in Nhulunbuy. We have dozens of organisations with significant infrastructure and liabilities which provide an incredible service to children in our community, but without a membership or volunteer base how will they survive? They are the social fabric of our community and what make it a vibrant and dynamic community. What rounds out our lives beyond work and school is to have these organisations which keep the community and the region buoyant with sports, theatre and cultural programs. You name it, it is there.
This week someone from the Department of Business is talking about obligations under the Associations Act. No one from the Department of Sport, Recreation and Racing is talking to these organisations about how they, particularly in the sporting arena, might be saved.
More than anything, people want to know exactly what the government is doing to hold Rio Tinto accountable to its lease obligations. They are the words in this statement. What is the Chief Minister doing to hold Rio Tinto responsible to its lease obligations? He talked, during the last sittings, about no fewer than four letters he had sent to Mr Sam Walsh, CEO, but he has had no response to those letters. How do we know he is holding this company to account? Why is he not saying to them, ‘If you have finished working that refinery’ – no one believes it will ever restart; everyone knows no one will buy it – ‘why not close it down, decommission it?’ It would keep hundreds of people in work for a couple of years and provide some certainty, then return to the community and the traditional owners …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Pursuant to Standing Order 77, I move that the member be given an extension of time to complete her remarks.
Motion agreed to.
Ms WALKER: Thank you … in the Gove community a prime piece of real estate which can be further developed rather than having what many are worried is a growing environmental risk with a huge refinery and care and maintenance, not to mention the residue disposal area that sits alongside the pristine environment which is Melville Bay.
Many questions need answers.
In the Chief Minister’s statement he refers to Nhulunbuy as a mining town. ‘It is a mining town, nothing to do with us. It is a mining town.’ However, he states:
- My government wants Nhulunbuy to continue to be a regional service centre into the future.
You cannot have it both ways, Chief Minister. It is a regional service centre. It is not Rio Tinto’s responsibility to look after an entire region and the future opportunities across that region. People are waiting to hear from you. People are growing weary, particularly those feeding into the Gove Community Advisory Committee you talk about. I quote:
- To that end, the ideas and energy generated by the Gove Task Force and the Gove Community Advisory Committee will be crucial.
Well, 11 weeks on, the energy and ideas are starting to burn out. The ideas have been fed through to a shortlist of 45 potential industries and new economic opportunities. Where are they? Not one has been tabled. Show us the top three, the top five. Even task force members do not have access to this. You are starting to wear out the community members who, with a great deal of goodwill and in their own time, with their own worries about their families, businesses and future, are feeding in to the task force and advisory committee and going where?
We hear the consultants working on an economic development plan will have something to the Chief Minister by April. That is really helpful! We will be about half way through wind down by then. I remember the Chief Minister, on 29 November, saying he had contracted consultants to produce an economic development report. The member for Barkly was sitting alongside me and, on 29 November, that draft report was expected in six weeks’ time. Where is that draft? The consultants were there last week and we were pleased to have them, we welcomed them, but it is getting too late. No one feels a sense of urgency about this – certainly not members opposite or the federal government – other than the people in Gove, who feel abandoned.
I notice a reference to procurement activities and know some companies have benefited. I am pleased for them to be able to deliver services across the wider region to keep certain businesses viable. That is fantastic and I am pleased to see local businesses winning those contracts. In regard to the government’s efforts to look more closely and locally at procurement, will the Chief Minister and the government use Nhulunbuy newsagency to supply stationery to the Education department for local schools? Will government offices utilise that local service provider to keep them viable and provide them with business? At the moment those businesses do not have it, nor are they in a property owned by Rio Tinto which would, according to their new policy, give rent relief of 50%. However, 80% of the commercial properties are not owned by Rio Tinto and those businesses have to go, one to one, cap in hand to their landlord.
If these businesses have to close their doors, as some will, people will walk away. No one will want those premises to open a business. Why would you in a place that is winding down? Importantly, I have had feedback from a number of people in relation to this statement. I cannot put on the record everything I have, but I want to highlight some of the feedback I have received.
Mr John Tourish, who is on the Gove Community Advisory Committee, is also a member of the task force. He is an astute businessman and things in his business, like every other business, are not going too well at the moment. I quote from Mr Tourish’s e-mail in relation to the Chief Minister’s statement:
- Unfortunately, it does not report a new future for Gove. It raises a thought process of a new future, but to date there is no meat on the bones. Those people who have no choice than to be committed to Nhulunbuy and the Gove district into the future, businesses, operators, property owners, investors, both residential and commercial, have no options than to watch the situation unfold before them with dire financial consequences.
That is without considering the Yolngu or those other families who call the region/town home. The Northern Territory government has commenced a process to try and mitigate the consequences, but to date no concrete plans are on the table further fuelling the fear and uncertainty ahead as the town’s population moves into a major descent.
The Northern Territory government and Australian government need to show some ticker when it comes to corporate bullies who are very happy to take when it suits but fail to pay for the privilege. Many of us here left in Nhulunbuy are losing hope despite our combined and personal efforts.
Another member of the task force, Denise Fincham, has had four generations of her family there and is a former Businesswoman of the Year. She knows what she is talking about and I quote from her correspondence to me:
- Chief Minister Giles says he is holding Rio to account for its responsibilities under their lease but still we, the community, do not know what those responsibilities are because the government and Rio will not tell us.
As yet, the Northern Territory government or Rio have not created one job to replace the 1150 Rio sacked. They think the community should do this. Who would invest one dollar in the region with the lack of information required to make such investments?
She goes on:
- The line, ‘We accept Rio’s difficult and complex business case is driving the timetable’ is distressing to the people of our region. It demonstrates that Northern Territory government do not intend joining the community in appealing to the decision-makers of Rio, their board, to slow-down the process. We understand that Rio’s concern is for their shareholders. The concern of the Northern Territory government should be their shareholders, the Territorians who they are supposed to represent.
I have further correspondence from a former student of mine who has raised a young family there and works for Rio, although not for much longer. I think she has already received her redundancy and is finishing, if not already finished and, bless her, she is a union delegate. I quote from her correspondence:
- To me it sounds like the Northern Territory government are wiping their hands of any responsibility for our town. They would rather spend money on consultants and public servants to pat us on the back than any other meaningful assistance. How is Chief Minister Giles holding Rio to its lease obligations? I suppose we’ll never know because no one is prepared to show us the lease. If Mr Giles thinks this is all Rio Tinto’s responsibility, what is he doing to ensure they are held accountable? Holding numerous meetings might allow him to make a big list of what he is doing but nothing else. Now is the time to announce some serious plans, not make a list, not hold another meeting and not pretend it will go away if he pays enough consultants.
Another union delegate from the AMWU describes this statement as:
- … mostly just empty rhetoric.
He goes on:
- It would still appear all the feds are doing is monitoring closely despite Giles having written to Abbott on a number of occasions.
Gove needs directions and actions from its elected government, not just monitoring and fanciful ideas.
I also have correspondence from a dedicated individual who has worked hard as a member of the Gove Community Advisory Committee who acknowledges – I too would like to acknowledge the hard work being done by Northern Territory public servants in Nhulunbuy. Mike Chiodo, Graeme Kevern, Simone Gianelli and Nikki Kokles are working very hard to do the best they can. They are working long hours but need more support from the government. They need a Chief Minister who will announce something concrete and tangible for people. I quote from this gentleman’s e-mail:
- I would like to ask the Chief Minister where the real on the ground assistance packages are that are going to ensure Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem district remain a vibrant and viable community in the short and long term. The community needs to know what Nhulunbuy will look like and what services and infrastructure will be here in 12 months, two years and five years. What is the Northern Territory government willing to offer these people in the way of real projects, infrastructure, guarantees to ensure that these people choose Nhulunbuy for their home for the short and long term?
Mr Deputy Speaker, I have many other pieces of correspondence in relation to the Chief Minister’s statement. I cannot go through them all; I may do at another opportunity.
Let us not forget the Yolngu people, the traditional owners of the region, they are not going anywhere. That is their home; they are intrinsically linked to their home. We are talking about a population of some 10 000 Indigenous people who are reliant upon the services, economic opportunities and employment and training that exists and is about to disappear before their eyes.
The Chief Minister may well quote one traditional owner, a very well-known TO representing the Gumatj people for whom I have enormous respect, but let us not forget he is not the only traditional owner there. Many clan groups have not had an opportunity to talk with the Chief Minister and make their case known. This statement from the Chief Minister is empty rhetoric, insufficient, and will do nothing to comfort the people of Nhulunbuy that there is any kind of new future for their town or region.
Ms LAWRIE (Opposition Leader): Mr Deputy Speaker, I am surprised a government minister has not contributed to the statement, because if the Chief Minister’s first statement of the parliamentary sittings is around what he proposes to be the new future for Gove and ministers do not support it, it is a sign of just how bereft they are of support for their leader.
The Territory is a small place and we heard loud and clear that CLP Central Council late last year – after the catastrophic events of Rio Tinto deciding to curtail the refinery because Adam Giles, when he became Chief Minister, reneged on the gas to Gove offer – was shouting at one Chief Minister at its meeting. When you look at the lack of support he gets from his own colleagues for his statement on the future for Gove, it gives credence to what we are hearing about how tenuous his grip on power is. It is tenuous because Territorians do not like a Chief Minister who abandons not just an entire township, but a region. Writ large off that abandonment is this statement. Nowhere in this statement is there a clearly articulated plan for the economic and social future of Nhulunbuy and the region.
He sympathises, he empathises, he blames Rio, he points to what Rio is doing and acknowledges it, but nowhere in this statement is there a clear vision and plan from the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory for the economic and social growth of Nhulunbuy and the region. It is extraordinary.
We had planned to bring a matter of public importance to the Chamber today to raise the crisis Nhulunbuy is going through and the genuine fears and concerns individuals and families are grappling with today and have been for months.
It is officially 11 weeks since the announcement, just off the three-month mark, but, realistically, it started a long time before that. It started in October 2012 when Rio formally announced a review into its operations in Nhulunbuy. It was then Pacific Aluminium and they were casting them adrift. Real, genuine, deep concern for the future of Nhulunbuy and the region started then.
We then saw months of prevarication but, eventually, a landing point from the CLP government of the day on securing a deal to sell gas to Rio Tinto. We, on this side of the Chamber, have acknowledged our thanks to the former Chief Minister, the member for Blain, for undertaking what any Chief Minister of any political creed in the Territory ought to do: save a town, a region, a $500m input into the economy, and save 1400 direct jobs along with thousands of indirect jobs.
We have thanked the former Chief Minister, the member for Blain, for those actions. Any leader worth their salt ought to have done that. However, on the Darwin Show Day public holiday the incoming Chief Minister, the man who deposed the former Chief Minister while he was on a trade mission – quite cowardly, did not wait until he came back to town – reneged. This plunged the town and region into crisis. It is real, it is palpable and it is families. I made many trips to Nhulunbuy last year, and on day one on the job this year, after two weeks leave – yes, Chief Minister, I took two weeks leave – I went to Nhulunbuy.
What I found was devastating. I do not know anyone with a moral conscience who could go there and not do everything they possibly could to deliver clarity of a structural adjustment package for the town and region. There are people who genuinely want to stay. They love it. They are not just mine workers; they are members of a community. They are raising their families there and quite a few are second generation. They love it; it is their home. They are not the wealthy fly-in fly-out mine workers some people paint them to be, they are deeply rooted in their community. They are members – as the member for Nhulunbuy said – of local clubs and sporting and recreation organisations which make up the social fabric of the community. They want to stay.
Rio has not been terrific in the way it has treated its workforce. I acknowledge the role of the union delegates across the Gove combined unions for their work in negotiating with Rio Tinto. Hearing they were not keeping on all apprentices, the unions had to go to bat to save jobs. It was shoddy behaviour and shoddy treatment saved through advocacy from the unions, the site delegates and the advocacy I witnessed during the Christmas period from my colleague, the member for Nhulunbuy. She was phoning David Peever, the head of Rio in Australia, alerting him to some very genuine concerns around apprentices.
Chief Minister, I reject your personal attacks on my colleague today. I know she worked through Christmas. I instructed her to take leave because she is part of that community. Her family is affected, her friends are affected and the community needs her to be strong because this fight is only the beginning. It was a short break. I know the work she sustained for months leading up to that to weave a unity of purpose through the community across the Yolngu, the traditional owners, the different clans, the site workers – having been a former worker at Rio then Alcan – and the public sector of teachers, nurses and allied health workers. She is a highly respected member of the community who was trying to keep her community together when it was crumbling around her.
If you watch communications across residents of that community you can see they are crumbling. They do not want to go, but the information on which to base their life decision has not been forthcoming. Public servants working in Nhulunbuy do not know if they have a job to the end of this year. Most do not know beyond March. Teachers, on the whole, do not know beyond June, except if they happen to snare a Year 12 class, then they know they are there to the end of 2014.
In what universe is that okay? Northern Territory government, you have abandoned the public servants of Nhulunbuy because you should have guaranteed them to the end of 2014 so they can make life decisions based on knowledge; based on hearing whether or not there is a structural adjustment plan; what it does or does not entail; what is or is not the situation in the housing market; how does it settle; what economic adjustments occur in the area; can their spouses get alternative jobs, etcetera? There is no commitment from the Northern Territory government and it was not a big thing to ask. They have asked and there has been deafening silence about a structural adjustment plan contribution from the Northern Territory government.
We have heard the Chief Minister say, ‘I really think the federal government needs to provide some funding into a structural adjustment package’. Chief Minister, where is your contribution? What are you doing to leverage that? Have you gone to Canberra to lobby the federal government? Where are the federal ministers? They have not shown up. Where is Senator Nigel Scullion? He is in Cabinet. What is he doing for his constituents? It is pretty shocking when you see people you have known for years – bearing in mind I have been visiting Nhulunbuy for years – people I would never have expected to break down and cry in front of me because of what they are going through, because of the feeling of pure abandonment they have from the CLP government, people whose entire livelihoods and investments are at stake. There is nothing in this statement from the Chief Minister to give them a skerrick of clarity about what will be provided.
People are not, as you heard the member for Nhulunbuy say, asking for a handout. They are asking for information from the government about the economic and social impact analysis. You have appointed advisors, they have had one meeting and their report is already overdue. As each day ticks by, as each member of the workforce receives a severance letter, families have no choice but to pack up and leave because this government has put no alternative plan on the table. We are now three months in from the curtailment announcement, a year from when the uncertainties started to wash around the review of the refinery operations by Rio and eight months after the Chief Minister reneged on the gas deal. What have you been doing? Why is there a complete void – no economic and social impact analysis, no structural adjustment plans?
Out there you can see the genuine opportunity for alternative employment. The place is stunning. Lirrwi is doing an amazing job in Indigenous tourism but does not know whether Airnorth and Qantas will continue to fly. Everyone understands it probably will not be both. Is the government in discussions with the airlines and providing genuine knowledge to the operators about what their business model for Indigenous tourism will look like going forward? You heard the Chief Minister say, ‘Tourism could be an alternative industry’. You cannot have pie in the sky, Chief Minister, you need information and detail to base business decisions on. There is nothing. It is a void.
Infrastructure investment – one-off capital investment in infrastructure for tourism, aquaculture, an aged and respite care facility for Yolngu with Machado-Joseph Disease …
Mr Elferink: How much?
Ms LAWRIE: I pick up on the interjection from the member for Port Darwin. It is your job, mate! You are in Cabinet; this work should have already been done …
Mr Elferink: How much? How much should we spend?
Ms LAWRIE: … you should already have a list of potential projects. You should have already done some analysis on what the capital spend is. You should already have a plan as to the split between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments, but you have done nothing. You have abandoned Nhulunbuy, to your eternal shame! You are a disgrace!
Territorians will judge you on this. It sends shivers down the spine of every Territorian because they see leaders elsewhere in the nation standing up for their communities. They see Dr Sharman Stone railing against her Prime Minister and federal colleagues and standing up for her community.
There is nothing from the Country Liberal Party on the table. There is no plan and no effort to leverage funding from the Commonwealth, nothing. You will be condemned by you inaction but we are calling on you, three months down the track from curtailment, to take action …
Mr Elferink: How much should we spend? I did not think you would have an answer.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A bit of order please Leader of Government Business.
Ms LAWRIE: It is your job, do it …
Mr Elferink: No, you put a figure on it. You tell us how much the taxpayer has to pay for this burden. You are the expert; put a number on it.
Ms LAWRIE: Do your job.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can we have a bit of order please Leader of Government Business. The Leader of the Opposition has the call.
Ms LAWRIE: That is what Cabinets do. They slice and work it out; they understand the leverage and do their job. You are incapable and incompetent.
We know the County Liberal Party is sitting by while $500m is stripped out of the economy. By Treasury’s own admission, that is 2% of gross state product. Goodbye $500m, 2% of gross state product.
We know information is not being provided to the Chamber of Commerce regarding where that flow-on effect kicks in. How many businesses in Darwin are affected? What indirect jobs will be lost? What plans does the government have to stimulate the economy for alternative options? Nothing!
In this statement, the Chief Minister said:
- We will not be withdrawing key services from the region.
On 29 November the Commissioner for Public Employment issued a bulletin following Rio’s announcement and said:
- Accordingly, to give Northern Territory public employees certainty, any permanent public servants currently based at Nhulunbuy can be assured that there will be no change to their job circumstances before 31 March 2014.
If there is no change to services, Chief Minister, why can you not guarantee the ongoing employment of public servants in the town? You say one thing but the facts belie that. The Commissioner for Public Employment recognises how education programs are arranged. All school staff in Nhulunbuy with a permanent position for the 2014 school year can be assured their positions will remain unchanged until the end of semester one, which is June.
These are brutal time frames. Because there has been no action, no real plan, no real vision – no vision at all – from the Northern Territory government, just a void, people have to make decisions without the information they need to make a full and wholesome one.
Nhulunbuy Christian College guaranteed staff a full year at the school for 2014 – a small Christian college. It did the ethically and morally correct thing but this government is not. Do at least the same as that small Christian college and guarantee the public servants through to 2014 if you are backing up the Chief Minister’s statement that there will be no reduction in services.
What is happening with the $13m upgrade to the accident and emergency department at Nhulunbuy funded by the Commonwealth? Where is that funding? It is a construction stimulus. Why have you not pressed the green light on that? It is not your funding, it is Commonwealth funding. It is a necessary upgrade. It would send a signal right now that you care, but you cannot even get your act together to spend Commonwealth dollars already there to upgrade the hospital – a construction project which sends a signal that health services are important because the trauma of road accidents and the requirements of the ED department will not disappear as the population dwindles. The upgrade is still necessary and they are Commonwealth dollars. You cannot even get that right.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker! Pursuant to Standing Order 77, I request an extension of time for the member.
Motion agreed to.
Ms LAWRIE: Thank you member for Barkly, my deputy leader. The Chief Minister in his statement claimed he has:
- … spoken directly to the Prime Minister about the importance of Australian government support for Nhulunbuy and the East Arnhem region.
If this is true, discussions between the Territory and Commonwealth governments have been breathtakingly ineffective. The best he could get from Tony Abbott is, ‘He has assured me he will be closely monitoring developments’. How on earth are the people of Nhulunbuy and the region meant to get any hope from that?
It is extraordinary that after three months the member for Nhulunbuy and the opposition are continually calling for a social and economic impact analysis of the curtailment and details of a structural adjustment package. As the member for Nhulunbuy pointed out, a seven- to eight-month curtailment is unheard of. Any other major industrial reduction or shutdown gets a minimum of two years. You cannot put the structural adjustments required to find effective alternatives in place in such a brutal time frame.
We understand that when surveyed the community provided 200 ideas to the GCAC, the Gove Consultative Advisory Committee, which was fed through to the task force which has Commonwealth, Territory and Gove representatives on it as well as traditional owners. Two hundred ideas came from the community about what you could do instead of the 1400 jobs at the refinery. Nothing! There was not a word back about any of those ideas. We have heard whispers they were shortlisted to 35, but nothing. People on the task force asked for information on the 35 options the government was looking at to give ideas on what will fly and what will not because, after all, they are locals and understand the local situation. They are not getting that information; it is being withheld from them. Chief Minister, put the 35 ideas you have shortlisted out there if they exist. We know 200 ideas came in and you sliced them to 35. Share them with the task force and let the local knowledge and information give you a good idea of how to get some runs on the board now because people are already losing their jobs.
There are things to do. The member for Port Darwin railed when I suggested a respite and aged care facility for Machado-Joseph Disease sufferers. Groote Eylandt has one. My God, Commonwealth aged care funding, one-off capital – you cannot get that out of the Commonwealth? You cannot get some co-contribution from Rio when it says, ‘Hey, we are there for the Yolngu’, who it has special purpose leases with because it still wants to export bauxite. You cannot do that? You cannot deliver that which is such a dire need out there?
It is a horrible time, a time of adversity and pain, but in these times communities need hope that someone is in their corner fighting for them. They can see the member for Nhulunbuy in the corner fighting for them and see me supporting them. I will do everything I can. I will be back out there again this weekend, but my God, what is wrong with the Northern Territory government fighting for them. Is it not time you do that instead of this statement, which you heard from responses was insulting because it lacked anything to give them hope, a real plan, any concrete proposals?
Then we had the spectacle of the Leader of Government Business, the member for Port Darwin, throwing a tantrum over the fact, when the ministerial statement was distributed last night, we provided members of the Nhulunbuy community a copy and asked what they thought. It was not a political spin e-mail, it was a straight e-mail saying, ‘This is the statement, what do you think?’ It was massive dummy spit from the government. Evidently we are to be punished this week by not having access to ministerial statements until they are being read in the Chamber …
Mr Elferink: Indefinitely now.
Ms LAWRIE: I pick up on the interjection from the member for Port Darwin. I know you did not consult with any of your colleagues about it, but that is how you do it – off the seat of your pants flying along. We are being punished. I asked my colleagues why the government would want to punish us for distributing the statement. You would think they would stand by every word in it and be proud of it. We are promoting what the government is saying, yet it is so bad we have to be punished. Now we are not just being punished this week, we are being punished indefinitely.
How ridiculous does it get when a government is embarrassed about its own statement to the point it will punish the opposition for consulting with people about it? If I was to send the Treasurer’s statement on the economy to small businesses saying, ‘Here is what the Treasurer is saying about the economy’, would that be a bad thing? ‘Do not do that, you need to be punished’.
It is extraordinary behaviour from an arrogant and dogmatic government which does not want to share information with Territorians. What is wrong with sending a statement about Gove, otherwise known as Nhulunbuy, to the residents? It is their future you are talking about. It is a statement on the future of Gove. You are talking about their future, why on earth can they not read about it and comment? Are we in a democracy? Have we walked into some strange, member for Port Darwin new way of going about things? Member for Port Darwin, I am sorry, this is wrong.
If that is your statement about the future for Gove be proud of it. Do not punish us because we are letting people know what you see as their future, even though you know, as do we, there are no future details in there. Grow up and act with a sense of maturity. People deserve to know what you are considering about their future and deserve a right to comment on it. When is that un-Australian? How is it a bad thing? How far do you want to go to shut down democracy in the Territory? It is bizarre and we are not fussed.
We would like the statements overnight because it means you get a more detailed response to the information contained in the statement. Member for Nelson, you are on your own there. Good luck with getting the statements, because he said he would punish the opposition, he did not say he would punish you. All the best …
Mr Wood: I will e-mail them across.
Ms LAWRIE: Do not say that because you will be punished too.
I am happy to say, on the record, that Labor in government – we talked about it in our Caucus – has no problem with members of our community getting copies of our ministerial statements. I put that out there. In fact, thank you. If you are in opposition and we are in government and have a ministerial statement and you distribute it – awesome, that is great and we will not punish you. You are being ridiculous.
The point of distributing ministerial statements overnight – we get them at varying times, but usually about 7 pm – is it gives opposition and the Independent time to research the subject and encourages a policy-based debate. You are shooting yourself in the foot, member for Port Darwin, because without that time, dropping a statement in the Chamber, you will get a purely political debate. I will give you a tip: you will not enjoy it; you cannot stand it. There are glass jaws on that side and you cannot handle it. Your punishment is a tantrum and we ask you to calm down and reconsider because it is foolish and does not contribute to sensible debate in the Chamber. Surely it is a good thing for the people of Nhulunbuy to be given a government statement about its plans for their future. How is that something which should be punished?
I look forward to your contribution, member for Port Darwin.
Mr ELFERINK (Attorney-General and Justice): Mr Deputy Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this and will keep this reasonably brief.
The whole of the opposition’s position in relation to this was defeated with a single interjection from me of ‘how much?’ How much do we spend? The Leader of the Opposition was unwilling to put a figure on it, unwilling to commit the opposition to any form of expenditure in this area. Why? Because they know they cannot put a figure on it.
For 40 minutes I listened to the member for Nhulunbuy complain, deride and accuse the government of all manner of things, but did she offer up a single useful suggestion? No, not one useful suggestion. The Leader of the Opposition did exactly the same thing. She offered no useful suggestions and when I asked her how much she was prepared to spend, her answer was, ‘That is your job, mate’. If you make suggestions and require us to …
Ms Lawrie: I made several – aquaculture …
Mr ELFERINK: I pick up on the interjection. How much should we spend on all these things …
Members interjecting.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can I have a bit of order, please? One person has the call. If anyone interjects they will be out. Thank you.
Mr ELFERINK: There was no attempt to offer a dollar figure of how much should be spent because they know they then have to commit themselves to the people of Nhulunbuy. When they go to the next election they can say, ‘We want $500m to spend on the people of Nhulunbuy’. I heard her throw that figure around in relation to the loss of gross state product. That being the case, according to her, we have lost $500m from the gross state product. Perhaps that is how much we should spend on the town of Nhulunbuy, according to the Leader of the Opposition? Is that the figure we should spend? I did not hear a figure from the member for Nhulunbuy, I did not hear a figure from …
Ms Walker: It is not up to us to come up with a figure.
Mr ELFERINK: Why not? You are making the suggestions.
Ms Walker: It is the federal government. We have a $100m announcement …
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Nhulunbuy, I have already warned everyone.
Mr ELFERINK: This is the tissue thin deceit being played out by the Australian Labor Party, because it will not make a commitment. They will not go to the next election with a dollar figure for the people of Nhulunbuy because there will not be one. They know that because this government continues to struggle with the challenges of the debt legacy from the former government.
I understand they will cloak themselves in anger, some of which can be heard clearly from the opposition lobby. That cloak is not much thicker than the tissue they drape themselves in when it comes to making promises without putting anything on the table. If the Labor Party wants credibility it should describe what it would do. It is the alternative government. What would you do, how much would you spend, and then go to the next Territory election with that promise. That is how an alternative government should conduct itself.
The second point is – I heard the comments from the Leader of the Opposition – in relation to the circulation of statements, which is a procedural thing in the House. Government ministers come into the House under the doctrine of responsible government and are responsible to the people of the Northern Territory through their elected members. They do so by answering questions and making ministerial statements about the position of government and government policy from time to time.
Historically, the minister made a statement in the House and it was the first time the people of the Northern Territory, or whatever jurisdiction, heard it. A protocol was developed over time enabling government ministers to have an appropriate response from members of the House. The statement was circulated the night before, a protocol well understood by the leader of opposition business who agreed with me this morning when I pointed out the protocol had been breached. He said he would take up the issue. Clearly, the decision of the Labor opposition is from now on it will treat the document tabled as a courtesy, as something which should be circulated to the public prior to the minister delivering the statement.
That being the case, I stick to what I said to the leader of opposition business this morning: that courtesy will not be extended. For the opposition to say all you will get out of the debate is politics, well, that will not change. We would be anxious to ensure the minister is still in a position to make a ministerial statement. If they are serious about this, why not follow the suggestion from the Leader of the Opposition and not have a debate? Let the ministerial statement go out the night before and let the public read it. With the ministerial statement in general circulation, the minister will not have to make it because everyone will know what is in it. As a consequence, we could start debate with the second speaker.
The courtesy has been developed over time. The standing orders well reflect that courtesy, and I point out to honourable members Standing Orders 92 and 258. Standing Order 92:
- Notwithstanding Standing Order 90, reports of standing or select committees, papers and ministerial statements may be presented at any time when other business is not before the Assembly.
Standing Order 258, which is read in conjunction, reads, inter alia:
- … provided that copies of the statement are available for distribution to Members when the Minister commences their statement.
This means the standing order has always assumed, and continues to assume, that the ministerial statement is tabled when it is made. The trust placed upon members not to circulate the statement in advance has been a protocol very closely adhered to historically. When we were in opposition we were very cautious about circulating statements because we knew they were given on trust. If we ever sought advice we certainly did not circulate the statement, although we would ask stakeholders about the nature of the issues raised. We have no problem with that. The problem we have is a courtesy, when extended, suddenly transforms into an absolute right. When it does not conform with standing orders it does not have the nature of an absolute right. We, as the government, under the doctrine of responsible government, will make statements in this House in accordance with the standing orders of this parliament.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, I will not talk for long on some of the matters the Chief Minister raised in his statement on Gove. I would like to raise a few points but, because I am not a local, I do not know all the matters happening on the ground. Having read through the minister’s statement I want to ask a few questions and, considering this will be one of the biggest population losses in the Northern Territory for any community, going from 4000 people to 1200, we are talking about something pretty serious. If these people cannot find a job in the Northern Territory we have lost a population of 2800 people. Even from an economic point of view, notwithstanding the social impact, that would be a negative for the Northern Territory. People are scratching their heads and working to see whether they can find ways to keep people employed in the Northern Territory, whether it is in Nhulunbuy, using Nhulunbuy as a base, or whether they find jobs elsewhere in the Territory.
In relation to finding work for people in Nhulunbuy who have lost their jobs, the Chief Minister spoke about developing opportunities for employees and contractors to work on a fly-in fly-out arrangement on other Rio Tinto projects, operations or key Territory projects. I wanted more detail on that. When this was first discussed on radio, I remember the CEO of INPEX saying they could possibly employ people from Gove and it might be possible – I am not sure if he said that – for people to stay in Nhulunbuy and work on the INPEX project. I do not know any more than that. That would be a key option to keep people employed and able to continue living in their houses in Nhulunbuy. I hope the minister, in his response, can mention that.
On other issues – ones which seem a bit anomalous – the minister says on page 19 of the document:
- The Territory government will continue to provide services to the region, including health, police and education services. Let me make it clear: this commitment to government services is ongoing and not time-limited. We will not be withdrawing key services from the region. We will continue to ensure the range of health services available continues and other services, such as housing and policing, meet the needs of the town and the region. Children will receive the educational services they require and all students will have a teacher.
However, the Chief Minister says:
- Full Year 11 and Year 12 subject offerings will remain the same for the full 2014 school year. There will be no change to educational services or permanent positions in semester one this year. Any adjustments made during the second semester of 2014 will be made in full consultation with school councils.
One gets the impression from reading the statement that on one hand there will be no change, and on the other hand there will be changes from either semester one or the end of 2014. Will students at Nhulunbuy or the region be able to continue for 12 months with Year 11 and 12 subjects in 2015 and onwards, as the Chief Minister said:
- Let me make it clear: this commitment to government services is ongoing and not time-limited. We will not be withdrawing key services from the region.
That seems to be in contrast with what has been said. I also hope the Chief Minister has discussed – the Minister for Education, hopefully, will make a statement regarding Mr Wilson’s report on Indigenous education in the Northern Territory – whether some thought has been given to boosting the boarding capacity of the school. I am not sure if there is boarding capacity at Nhulunbuy High School, but what options are there to increase the number of Indigenous students from nearby areas into Nhulunbuy High School which may be lost by students leaving.
That may already be happening, and it may be with the loss of students, even though there are some in Years 11 and 12, there are not enough to continue the subject offerings. Again, it is not very clear. If the government wants to show support and show it is behind the people of Gove, it should not be making statements saying on one hand there will be no change to education services, and on the other hand there will be changes to education services after semester one or at the end of 2014.
The minister also mentioned, in a political way, if we had $430m we could seal the Central Arnhem Road. Regardless of whether the government says we are or are not in debt, we are not likely to find $430m for any road in the Northern Territory. It is a slight exaggeration to push a political point about debt. You can argue the cost of the debt, but it was an unrealistic statement.
The other issue about the Central Arnhem Road – it seems to be washed over every time you raise it – is a fair bit of it is not public road. It seems governments are a bit too blas or just hope for the best, but they talk about spending public money on what is not a gazetted road, except in certain sections. You wonder why they do not sort this issue out.
If you want to develop a road to Nhulunbuy to improve tourism you have to get more people to live there. You will also need a road which does not require a permit. Technically, you need a permit on the Central Arnhem Road – not all, but some of it. If you spend $430m of taxpayers’ money – not that it will happen – you would expect that money to be spent on a public road. I have, on many occasions, raised the issue of government expenditure on roads which are not public. As I said before, if you did the same for a cattle station – there would be a lot of noise about a road into Tipperary or somewhere on their property. I am not saying you should not do it, but the legalities need to be sorted out. My understanding is negotiations about the Central Arnhem Road have been happening for a long time and have been finalised yet.
There was another issue. These are only small issues, but are related when trying to improve services into a town like Nhulunbuy where you want to keep the cost of living down and encourage people to stay. There have been issues about who owns the barge landing in Nhulunbuy and, if Rio Tinto is pulling back, perhaps it is time for discussion to ensure the barge landing is open to all companies and there is no monopoly.
I have been told a number of times that when you have a monopoly on the barge landing the town is held to ransom because there is no competition. That is something we could look at, that services and supplies brought into Nhulunbuy by barge are done in a way where competition rules the price rather than a monopolistic approach from barge companies.
The other issue not discussed much is gas. When you look back, this issue is about the cost of production of bauxite in Gove and if it could be produced at a cheaper rate. There was a lot of discussion about that.
Part of that discussion was the former Chief Minister – if I can call him the former Chief Minister – started negotiations around gas. That gas was not just for Nhulunbuy; there was a hope we could get gas to a number of communities in Arnhem Land which rely on diesel generation of power, which is very expensive. There was hope the provision of gas to Nhulunbuy would have benefits elsewhere. There has not been any discussion because, as the member for Nhulunbuy said, this is not just about Nhulunbuy; it is about the regions around Nhulunbuy which rely on the town as a regional centre. The downsizing of the Nhulunbuy workforce, if services are downsized even though the government says they will not be – I refer to the education statement – will have an effect throughout the community.
Has there been any discussion, since Rio Tinto decided to pull out, about the future of gas into Arnhem Land? The provision of gas to Nhulunbuy, which still has power generated by the company using a form of diesel or oil to generate power – there would be benefits from cheap gas not only from an environmental point of view, but in keeping costs down in the community and those surrounding it.
As I said, this is a serious situation. It will, and has, affected people dramatically. We heard on ABC radio that someone who had been there for many years – I think he was president of the local astronomy club – saw no future and left. I imagine that will happen for many people. We are seeing, unless something can be turned around quickly, the heart of a community disappear from the Northern Territory unless they can find jobs elsewhere.
I hope all governments put a lot of effort into working through the issues. It will not be simple. You cannot create an industry overnight to employ 2800 people. That would be silly, but at least you can see if industries are feasible over time and could keep Nhulunbuy going as a sustainable regional centre. This is not only from a commercial point of view, but also from a government services view, because that must be one of the biggest concerns people in Gove and the region have at this time.
The member for Port Darwin mentioned issuing statements overnight. Some time ago I got into strife over this. I released one to the media many years ago and was told it was not the right thing to do. I might have been a little bit naive at the time, and they said I was not allowed to do it, but I can understand these statements not being released to the media.
If you have a statement like today’s, for instance, from the Treasurer and get a series – I get statements somewhere between 8.30 pm and 11 pm. I wait for them to come in and try to work my way through them. I do not have anyone to help me so sometimes I have to rely on people in industry, people who deal with figures and can give me some idea of what I should say. I do not regard that as giving away trade secrets. If I did I would tell people the document was not for broad discussion or I might ring them and say, ‘Tomorrow the minister will say there is to be a 5% …’, and that is the way I work. I have learnt my lesson. I have occasionally said, ‘The minister will make a statement today’ – but not give any details – ‘and it will be on local government’. Sometimes they ask what is on in parliament and I appreciate that. I do not think it is my job to give material to the media; that is the minister’s job.
I am unsure if I have fallen foul of this, but will probably find out …
Mr Elferink: You said you would pass it on. What will they do with it?
Mr WOOD: I hope they do not. I am telling you what I think should happen. That was a bit …
Mr Elferink: If you are prepared to give us a guarantee …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr WOOD: I will not pass it on unless they give me a guarantee it will not be passed on. No, I will not pass it on. For me, the situation is you do not pass it to the media, but I have to be given some latitude to discuss these things before they come to parliament.
If you dump a Treasury report …
Mr Elferink: That is why we do it, to let you do some homework.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but the reality is you get no one to debate it – not with any sense. You will have people saying, ‘That is a load of rubbish’ …
Mr Elferink: Hence the courtesy.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but the standing orders do not say we should not give it out. There is a presumption, that is all, and I understand that presumption. I understand it should not go to the media and, if discussed, it should be with people who know it is not to go any further because the minister will make a statement in the House tomorrow.
That is my point of view. I do not intend to pass it on to others, minister. Statements come to me from the Chief Minister’s department so I will keep to myself what comes through. Unless the Labor Party gave out something which got into the media …
Mr Elferink: There is no way of controlling it.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but delaying their ability to get statements until the day they are on does not serve much purpose. The government has made its point and that is reasonable.
We were talking about a pretty serious subject and I have raised a few issues. Perhaps the Chief Minister, in his response, could at least cover those issues. It is funny how we get so tied up in, ‘You said’ and ‘I said’. I understand the passion the member for Nhulunbuy has. It is her home town and it will disappear by about half the population. That would hurt anyone.
Let us, if we can, funnel that energy into coming up with practical answers to help the people of Nhulunbuy. If that means they can get fly-in fly-out jobs in Darwin at INPEX to keep the airlines going – that is another issue. If you reduce the population by half there is a fair chance the airlines will not fly like they do today. They are not into sympathetic flying; they are in the business of making money. If there are no passengers to take to and from Nhulunbuy they will not be in the sky as often as they are today.
I make that contribution and am interested in the Chief Minister’s response.
Mr GILES (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, thank you to the colleagues who spoke on this matter. Thank you very much to the Attorney-General, Leader of Government Business, for the points he raised about the poor distribution of the statement last night by the member for Nhulunbuy.
Government will continue to update the House about what is happening in Nhulunbuy, advising what government’s actions have been and continue to be. It is no skin off my nose, but to hear the carping, whingeing and whining from the member for Nhulunbuy every time you try to update the House and advise what is happening – it is easier not to update the House, but we want Territorians to read it in Hansard and hear what we are doing. To the residents of Nhulunbuy who may be watching, listening or reading this at a later date, you are being poorly represented by your local member. We are keen to work together to get the best outcomes for Nhulunbuy, but she does not roll out the red carpet for us to provide assistance, and nothing seems to have changed.
I said this morning that for all her carping, whingeing and whining about the residents of Nhulunbuy and what the Rio Tinto curtailment will do, it was interesting to see she was not there over Christmas – missing in action, like she has been for the last five years, like the member for Casuarina since he signed that agreement in 2011 without putting conditions for the lease extension on it, and then they come here and lead with their chins. It is quite surprising. They are playing politics with people’s lives the same way the member for Nightcliff wants to play politics with children’s education; the same way they play politics with everything rather than trying to provide solutions.
The Attorney-General and Leader of Government Business asked what the alternate policy position would be from Labor should it be in government. How much would it spend? Where would it get the money from? Where would it cut expenditure to provide those resources to Nhulunbuy, and what would it spend it on?
The member for Nhulunbuy has no idea where she would spend any money. She cannot tell what the economic drivers would be or the industry creation.
We will continue to update the House, continue to put up with the antics of the whingeing and whining member for Nhulunbuy, but we will get on with governing and trying to do the best we can for residents of Nhulunbuy.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
The Territory’s Economic Future
The Territory’s Economic Future
Mr TOLLNER (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, today I provide the Assembly with an update on the state of the Territory economy and the outlook for 2014 and beyond.
The projected $5.5bn debt inherited from the former Labor government still casts its shadow over the economy. Excessive debt restricts the financial capacity of a government to maintain an appropriate level of services due to increased borrowing costs, but it also results in a legacy for future generations. Public debate has been described as a way for the current generation of voters to live at the expense of the next generation.
The former Labor government left a projected debt to income ratio of 98% by 2015-16. Labor’s projected budget deficit for this financial year alone was $1.1bn. This type of reckless behaviour has threatened our credit rating and was a breach of Labor’s own Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Act. You only have to look at the social democratic states in Western Europe to see the consequence of high debt levels. Italy, Spain and Greece are crumbling under the weight of debt.
Members on this side of the Assembly believe each generation should be able to make its own decisions without having its cloth cut by a lack of fiscal restraint and reckless spending demonstrated by the previous Labor administration. That is why the Giles Country Liberals government has taken the tough decision to tackle the Territory’s debt mountain while, simultaneously, delivering economic growth.
By 2015-16, the debt to revenue ratio is projected to be approximately 81% -- a massive reduction of 17% from Labor’s level. To add to this task, we arrived in office at a time when the average level of business confidence in 2011-12 in the Territory had slumped to the lowest levels on record. In addition, the outlook for Territory businesses was bleak with more Territory businesses expecting the economy to further deteriorate than improve over the following year. To add to business woes prior to the CLP coming into office, more Territory businesses believe former Territory Labor government policies worked against small business rather than being supportive.
In just over 12 months we have seen significant improvements in the Territory economy. In 2012-13 the Territory economy grew by 5.6%, the highest growth rate of all jurisdictions and more than double the national rate of 2.6%. In comparison, the Territory economy grew by an average of 2.6% per annum in the last three years of the Labor government’s term.
The 5.6% growth in the Territory economy in 2012-13 exceeded all expectations. Record levels of private investment, robust household consumption growth and an increase in the Territory’s trade surplus drove the growth in the Territory’s economy.
The mining and construction industries contributed significantly to overall growth in the Territory economy. This reflects the large scale major resource projects in the Territory, including, but not limited to, the INPEX and Total joint venture Ichthys project, expansions at McArthur River and GEMCO mines, and investment in new iron ore projects in the Roper region.
As a result, in 2012-13 construction work done in the Territory increased by 55% to a record $5.2bn. Construction activity is expected to remain at historically elevated levels out to 2014-15, supported by an acceleration of work on the Ichthys plant at Blaydin Point.
Non-residential and private residential building activities in the Territory were also at record levels in 2012-13. The CLP government’s commitment to accelerating land release has seen private sector residential construction work increase to a record $583m in the year to September 2013. In the September quarter 2013 there were 2316 houses and units under construction, the highest figure on record.
Private sector residential construction activity is expected to remain at historically high levels, supported by this government’s Real Housing for Growth Plan, which includes an additional 2000 new homes across the Territory over the next four years.
Although the economy is performing well at the aggregate level, the Giles Country Liberals government is all too aware there are some sectors of the economy facing enormous challenges.
The government was disappointed with Rio Tinto’s decision to curtail operations at the Gove alumina refinery. We understand the impact this decision will have on the people and local businesses in Gove and the surrounding communities. We are committed to Gove remaining a regional centre for East Arnhem and have established a task force to look at all options to support the local community, including what new business opportunities may emerge.
This government continues to work tirelessly with Rio Tinto, the federal government and the community to ensure the best possible outcome for the community.
There is no doubt retail traders in the Territory and across Australia have experienced challenging conditions, but there are signs of a recovery. Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows trend retail turnover in the Territory has increased for eight consecutive months to December 2013. The outlook is for the retail sector to grow by an average of 4.7% per annum over the forward years, supported by forecast growth in population, employment and major retail developments.
Despite the positive overall retail trade data, the government recognises some retailers are still doing it tough. The Northern Territory government, by being open for business, is committed to ensuring businesses have the best possible environment in which to operate.
The cost of living is a critical issue not only for Territory retailers but all Territorians. Addressing the cost of living is one of this government’s highest priorities and one of our biggest challenges because CPI pressures generally increase in rapidly growing economies.
The increasing costs of housing and rent have been key contributors to the high costs of living in the Territory. This government is tackling the issue through the land release strategy and the Real Housing for Growth Plan. This is aimed at ensuring supply for housing meets demand and addressing the shortage in housing which arose due to the lack of forward planning by the former Territory Labor government.
Many Territorians have raised concerns with me regarding fuel prices in the Territory. While we accept fuel prices will be higher than our southern counterparts due to freight and less competition, we need to ensure Territorians are paying a fair price. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is the main body charged with monitoring fuel prices. We will continue to work with the federal government on this important issue to ensure Territorians are not paying higher than necessary prices for fuel.
However, last year the government made the tough but necessary decision to phase in increases to utility prices. This decision was made to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Power and Water Corporation. The government is committed to improving the efficiency of the organisation, including the structural separation of Power and Water, which will introduce market competition and reduce upward pressure on utility tariffs. Utility prices would fall if the federal Labor Party agreed to drop its opposition to repealing the carbon tax, which would provide relief for all Territorians.
Tourism plays an important role in the Territory economy, particularly in regional areas. Territory tourism has faced very challenging conditions due to the combined effects of a strong Australian dollar and relatively weak economic conditions in our major tourist source markets. As a result, visitor numbers to the Territory are low by historical standards. I am pleased to report the outlook for the tourism sector is improving. The Territory welcomes the return of both Tigerair and Malaysia Airlines. These airlines join existing international operators SilkAir, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Jetstar, Airnorth, and domestic airlines Qantas and Virgin. The increase in airline capacity in the Territory is expected to lead to a growth in visitor numbers, not only in international tourists from Asia, but Europe as well. Combined with the major expansion of Darwin International Airport and the recent announcement by Qantas to increase domestic services from the Territory by 10 flights per week, this is a vote of confidence in the future of the Territory’s tourism market. The positive outlook in the Territory’s tourism industry was recently highlighted in the Deloitte Access Economics Business outlook report which stated:
… the continuing rise of Darwin and surrounding national parks as international tourist destinations, the falling Australian dollar and an expansion to the Darwin airport will ensure that tourism revenues continue to rise in the NT.
This government places significant importance on developing the Territory’s trade relationships with our Asian neighbours. This is borne out by the fact that in 2013 the Territory’s top three export destinations were in Asia, and the value of Territory exports to each of these countries grew significantly. Exports to China were up 35%, exports to Indonesia increased by 90% and exports to Japan increased by 7%. The Territory’s trade balance improved significantly over the last year. In 2013, Territory’s goods exports increased by 12.5% to $6.3bn, reflecting higher exports of mineral ores, liquefied natural gas and cattle.
The strengthening Territory economy has seen a steady rise in the number of jobs being created in the Territory. Since March 2013, trend full-time employment in the Territory has grown by over 5000 positions. During 2012-13, employment in the Territory grew by 2.4%. Employment growth is forecast to strengthen in 2013-14 and 2014-15, consistent with the level of economic activity and an acceleration of construction activity at the Ichthys plant over this period.
The Territory continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. In December 2013 the Territory’s unemployment rate was 4.2%, the second-lowest rate of all states and well below the national unemployment rate of 5.8%. The forecast level of economic activity is expected to create many more jobs in the Territory over the coming years and this is expected to drive down the unemployment rate.
We also have the highest participation rate of all jurisdictions. The Territory’s participation rate increased in 2012-13 reflecting increased optimism in the Territory’s economy and encouraging more people to enter the Labor market. The Territory is well placed to build on an excellent result in 2012-13. The outlook for the Territory economy is to continue to expand at a robust pace over the budget and forward years.
Through the remainder of 2013-14 and 2014-15, Territory economic growth is forecast to remain at similar levels to those of 2012-13. The curtailment of the refinery at Gove will reduce economic growth forecast published in the mid-year report. However, growth will remain buoyant, led by the resources sector which will have flow-on effects to other areas.
Despite Rio Tinto’s decision to curtail refinery operations at Gove, which will dampen employment and population growth, forecasts for the Territory over the forward estimates period remain positive.
Demand for labour due to major projects and the level of economic activity is expected to drive population and employment growth over the next two years. Construction activity on the Ichthys project is expected to peak in 2014-15. As the Ichthys project transitions to the less labour intensive production phase and economic activity slows, population employment growth is expected to moderate.
As stated earlier, our strong economic growth is expected to continue to exert upward pressure on Darwin’s inflation over the forward years through increased demand for labour and housing. Nevertheless, Darwin inflation is expected to moderate from 2014 onwards and average 3% per annum between 2014 and 2016.
The positive outlook for the Territory economy has provided a boost to business confidence. Business confidence has improved by 11 percentage points since the CLP came into government. Notably, regional business confidence has nearly doubled in this time. The business outlook over the next twelve months has turned around with more businesses now expecting the economy to be better in a year’s time than expecting it to be worse.
Similarly, more Territory businesses believe the CLP government policies are supportive of small business than against.
Government spending is also an important part of the Territory economy. Importantly, the key factors of stability and predictability are only attainable when the Territory’s finances are in balance and sustainable. This is why this government intends to return the budget to surplus in 2017-18.
On this side of politics we are determined to not live at the expense of our children and our children’s children. As I have outlined, the Territory economy is growing and heading in the right direction. Government needs to ensure this continues, but at the same time it needs to be responsible and disciplined. This way our children make their own decisions and live their lives the way they want to, not the way the profligate nature of the previous Labor government dictated.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Ms LAWRIE (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, the Territory’s economic future under this Treasurer is lacking in an explanation of exactly what will stimulate the future. It is lacking in vision, and they are floundering in a desperate attempt to paper over their deficiencies. It is writ large in Treasurer Tollner’s statement on the economic future of the Territory.
We get the dogmatic mantra of projected, not actual, debt, followed by pages of economic growth figures which were delivered by Labor’s economic stimulus in fast-tracking land supply, the new correctional facility, the new Marine Supply Base and, of course, in securing the nation’s second largest major project the $34bn Ichthys oil and gas development. Nowhere in the Treasurer’s explanation of our economic future does he spell out the future beyond the Ichthys project. He is so lacking in understanding he does not talk about the ongoing benefits at the Marine Supply Base or the opportunities that could be delivered from the city campus of Charles Darwin University, another Labor initiative. He talks about how our mining and construction industry is contributing to economic growth, then goes on to list projects under way under the Labor government.
The Treasurer fails to list a single Country Liberal Party initiative project, not one, not even the language of aspiration and hope in maximising our position in the oil and gas market because we will have significant LNG plants with preapproved trains, a Marine Supply Base and a hydrocarbons institute at Charles Darwin University.
How does the Treasurer manage to miss the bleeding obvious opportunities for the economic future of the Territory? Yes, Treasurer, we know about iron ore in the Roper; they were projects under way when Labor was in government. Incompetence is what we have seen in spades from the Country Liberals. You crow about the improvements in the live cattle trade as if it was your great work. No Treasurer, the trade was well and truly into recovery when the government changed in late 2012, and the domestic beef needs of Indonesia would return the trade to improved growth if managed carefully. Every time you beat your chest you risk the ire of our trade partners. Handle with care rather than the foolish bullish fashion in which you proceed.
The confidence you rely on in the tourism market growth is at odds with what industry is saying. You rely on the Darwin airport expansion project, again something you had nothing to do with, as the basis for saying, ‘It’s all good folks; we will see a return in tourism revenues.’ Where will the tourists stay? They are priced out of the accommodation market right now with no new products to attract visitors. You failed to market the Territory into Malaysia, despite the airline links, and we have seen routes to Vietnam and Manila close under your watch. Your Tourism minister did not seem to think the Jetstar hub closure rated any effort. Incompetence! What marketing is taking place in southern China? The market does not know enough about the SilkAir link to Singapore or the Malaysia Airlines links to Kuala Lumpur because the Territory government is missing in action.
You and your mates take the private jet on a junket, but you fail to deliver any real marketing plan for southern China. It is a disgrace! There are no targets in this statement about the rates of growth for domestic and international tourism. There is no discussion about efforts to attract a five-star hotel – zip.
On a recent visit to Malaysia I met with the Chamber of Commerce. They were very interested in investment opportunities and keen to hear more about the commercial property market, the residential market and hotel investment opportunities. Treasurer and also Minister for Business, are representatives of your Business department drumming up direct business to business links? No! You are too busy sacking you Chief Executive Officer and sending him off to what everyone is referring to as the departure lounge. Exactly what are you investing in to stimulate the domestic economy? Roads! Where? What will be your capital and repairs and maintenance stimulus?
Wait! As Treasurer you are saying it is up to business because you have no money, but Treasurer, you are happy to spend how many millions of dollars splitting up Power and Water? Three corporations, three boards, triplicating services, cross billing and all for what? By your own advisors’ admission, there will not be a generation market for about two years at the earliest. Meanwhile, Territorians will be slugged an extra $1000 in their power and water bills for large households, with more pain passed on through businesses. The cost of living and inflation goes up again. No one is thanking you for the extra 5% in power tariff rises we were slugged in January, or the extra 4% thanks to CPI inflation power price tariffs that will increase in July, or the extra 5% power tariff increases in January next year.
It gets worse. We seek a briefing from your advisor, Alan Tregilgas, and he admits they did not base the tariff increases on any data or evidence, rather on rough benchmarking off the back of southern tariff increases. What on earth are you doing to our Territory? Who on earth left you in control? This is diabolical. Wait, it is about to get worse because your policy is to make Power and Water commercially profitable – profit before people – and because you would split up Power and Water leaving networks in the Power and Water Corporation while you carve out the more profitable generation and retail, we face more power cost increases.
Power and Water sought a networks tariff increase bid of 58% from the Utilities Commission, and you protested by saying we were making it up. No, you are wrong. The Utilities Commission has taken the bid and made a draft determination of 43%. As of July, from your own making, you have to pass that cost on to consumers and we all face hundreds more a year in our power bills or you have to provide an additional $1.1bn in a community service obligation payment. Oh my God, gross incompetence!
What will you do? Pass the cost of your commercial policy to consumers, who are literally being driven out of the Territory because the power and water bills are exorbitant, or add to debt by $1bn a year? This is extraordinary. You have created a fiscal nightmare because you are hell-bent on privatisation. Wait, how do you get out of this jam? Sell generation, sell retail? Last year you promised no privatisation without an election mandate in 2016. Is that, as we found out today, another hollow promise quickly broken by the CLP?
As to your rubbery figures, Treasurer, everyone is sick of them and no one except your CLP cronies believes you. First you claimed Labor debt was $5.5bn. That is wrong, it was projected. Actual general government debt under Labor was $1.8bn. The entire non-financial debt, including Power and Water, was $2.6bn. That is fact, and I refer you to the Auditor-General’s report. You are happy to ignore your own debt projections of $5.1bn. Do you remember the Wanguri by-election, my first test as Leader of the Opposition? You ran the debt, deficit and Delia adverts, posters and flyers and were walloped. We won 70% of the vote because Territorians reject your power and water price hikes and trashing of the public service.
In your statement you make a complete and utter fool of yourself by comparing the Territory’s debt ratios to the PIGS of Western Europe – Italy, Greece and Spain – referred to as the PIGS because others who know what they are talking about will add Portugal. You say our debt is like theirs. No Treasurer with any credibility would make that comment.
If you look at the 2012 figures which capture the period Labor was in government – I have the chart here. I have held it up before and will hold it up again. You can see the Northern Territory and, in regard to gross debt to GSP/GDP, the Northern Territory sits at about 10%. Let us look at Italy – around 110%. The Treasurer is saying 10% compares to 110%, or Japan at 130% or Greece at 165%. The Treasurer, in his statement, compared our debt of 10% gross debt GSP to 165%, 130% and 110%. You have made a complete and utter fool of yourself, Treasurer.
You then did some serious revisionism. ‘It all went bad because of Labor’. I guess the world’s media missed the CLP news that Territory Labor was responsible for the global financial crisis, where, like every developed jurisdiction in our nation, we injected fiscal stimulus into the economy to keep it in growth. Look at the split of the 2010-11 actual figures, Treasurer, and you will see, if you take out the public sector spend, the economy would have been in recession.
Like every jurisdiction in Australia, every state and territory and the federal government, we had no choice, when the global financial crisis hit in 2008-09, but to increase the capital spend to ensure jobs were being created, because private sector investment dried up.
What did we do? Careful stimulus. We invested in roads and infrastructure such as the headworks for Palmerston East and projects across the Territory. We kept the doors of Territory businesses open, created 13 000 jobs and had unemployment at the lowest in the nation. We had low inflation and the gratitude of business and all industry peaks because they received the importance of that fiscal stimulus. The Territory Top End was awaiting the final investment decision from INPEX and Total on a project you, member for Fong Lim, had been telling people would not happen. You were wrong again. You cannot even bring yourself to recognise the economic growth figures here are being driven by the Ichthys project.
The final investment decision gave a flow-on effect to the property market – investment confidence. Just as things were firing, you ripped the rug from beneath Territorians. You stripped away the home finance assistance packages, the first homeowner concession support, and your only housing policy is to create 2000 new rentals from the back of the federal government’s NRAS stimulus.
Worse still, you scrapped the new satellite city of Weddell because you failed to understand that infill alone would not create enough residential lots. Adding insult to injury, you scrapped the Greater Darwin Strategic Land Use Plan developers needed and had been consulted over and replaced it with what? Back to the 1990s and the, ‘Let’s dam the Elizabeth River’ nonsense your own member for Goyder is campaigning against. Do you not remember what Denis Burke went through? Foolish plans from the CLP circus helped contribute to your 2001 election loss.
Despite the fear and loathing nature of your governing, Territorians will fight inappropriate development. You fail to understand the measure of the love we have for our Territory. We are not without plans. We have well-researched and highl-consulted alternatives in the Greater Darwin Strategic Land Use Plan you scrapped: Weddell, Cox Peninsula, infill, public housing redevelopments and Gunn Point for heavy industry are all detailed in Labor’s Greater Darwin Strategic Land Use Plan which you scrapped.
Let us get back to debt, which is rising under the CLP. You came in with the big pretend, Treasurer; your mid-year report is pretending to reduce debt. The reality is that budgets across the public sector are buckling under the strain and you have hit the panic button, with the Chief Minister writing to CEOs across the Christmas period demanding a 10% cut now. Corrections is being asked to cut $13m while its expenditure is increasing day in, day out because we have more prisoners – more adults and more juveniles. They are transferring juveniles from Darwin to Alice just to cope.
You have already cut our public service to the bone and, in places like education, too far. Try these further cuts of 10% to meet your rubbery figures, Treasurer, and more services will close. Territorians will punish you even more than they are threatening to do now. Surely, even you hear the public servants and business people call you a one-term government.
The other thing I hear – I am not sure you hear or have a handle on it – is that before the end of this year, and as soon as possible, Territorians want to see the back of you as Treasurer and the back of the member for Braitling as Chief Minister. They are no longer accepting your gross arrogance and incompetence. As Opposition Leader, I will tell you straight what they are saying. What has surprised me is even your own CLP membership is saying it. Then again, given the lack of vision in this statement, given you are unable to inspire us with a plan for the Territory’s economic future beyond the Ichthys project, it is a good thing you will not be around for too much longer if Territorians get their wish.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I support this statement from the Treasurer providing an update on the Northern Territory’s economic future, notwithstanding the Chicken Littles on the other side of the House who would like to convince Territorians the sky is falling. It was, nonetheless, heartening to hear that in the short time this government has been in office there has been a significant improvement to the Territory’s economy due to the changes made by the Country Liberals to ensure the Northern Territory offers business the best possible environment in which to operate. While we acknowledge some sectors of the economy face enormous challenges, there are other sectors whose future is rosy. My portfolios of Mines and Energy, and Primary Industry and Fisheries, in particular, cover some of the sectors and industries providing real jobs which create lasting economic development to benefit Territorians.
In particular, I refer to oil and gas exploration and extraction, both onshore and offshore, and the bounce-back of the live cattle industry. I have spoken at length about the future of the Northern Territory’s gas industry and the growing amount of exploration activity under way across the NT. Indeed, a key economic driver for northern Australia is the development of minerals and energy resources, and the Territory is ideally placed to be the hub of the growing north Australian resources sector. However, most of the Territory’s defined mineral resources being mined are projected to be exhausted within 20 years, and the Territory’s considerable potential for unconventional petroleum development remains unrealised.
The key to the sustainability and growth of these industries is to ensure sustained high levels of exploration leading to a strong pipeline of emerging projects. The Department of Mines and Energy is working through the existing core, creating opportunities for resource exploration initiatives to stimulate exploration activity for gas and minerals in northern Australia through new pre-competitive geoscience programs and exploration incentives to open up new areas for exploration and development. There is no doubt the potential of the unconventional gas industry is one of the most exciting prospects for the development of northern Australia, with the Territory having some of Australia’s most prospective geological basins. While exploration remains at relatively early stages, hundreds of millions of dollars is expected to be spent over the next few years on shale gas exploration in the Northern Territory.
Under the core initiative the Department of Mines and Energy, through the NT Geological Survey, is committed to rapidly increasing the knowledge of the scale and potential of these unconventional gas and oil reserves to maximise the opportunities of early development in this industry. Next month, the department’s NT Geological Survey team will release a volume summarising the current understanding of the Territory’s onshore petroleum geology and potential. The team is also commencing a major program of geoscience data acquisition and shale gas resource assessment in key emerging petroleum provinces which will underpin energy policy development and promote the gas potential of these basins to the global industry.
The department is also planning to undertake programs to simulate exploration in East Arnhem Land, which remains one of northern Australia’s most prospective but least explored regions. My department is also negotiating future collaborative opportunities with the Commonwealth agency, Geoscience Australia, to accelerate these exploration activities under the mutual aim of accelerating northern Australia development.
Notwithstanding the contribution made to the Territory economy as a whole by the mining industry, my Department of Mines and Energy has adopted responsible policy initiatives which encourage economic development in regional areas. Northern Territory mining operations provide direct employment and flow-on benefits from increased economic activity and provision of services in the regions. This makes it even more important for the Northern Territory government to provide geoscience data and incentives which lower exploration risk and make us more competitive in attracting exploration.
Earlier I mentioned the bounce back of north Australia’s live cattle trade. With the devastating knee-jerk reaction by the then federal Labor government to ban live trade of cattle into Indonesia several years ago, it is no small feat that this industry, which was brought to its knees, has fought back and, against all odds, is once again a major contributor to the Northern Territory’s economy.
In 2013, there were 308 784 head of Northern Territory cattle exported through the Port of Darwin. This is a record, up almost 4000 head from the previous peak in 2009 and almost 75 000 head in 2012. This increase can be attributed to the emerging Vietnamese market and the additional quotas to Indonesia in the second half of 2013.
Commencing in 2014, the Indonesian government will replace the meat and live cattle importation quota system with a price-based system which is set to significantly increase the amount of beef cattle and productive heifers required by that country. This is positive news for the live cattle export industry, north Australian cattle producers and, of course, the Northern Territory economy.
As well, this morning the first ever shipment of live buffalo left the Port of Darwin for Vietnam. This is the first of what is promising to become many shipments of buffalo from the Northern Territory to Vietnam.
The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries is working with buffalo importers to provide technical advice and assistance in animal management, nutrition, animal handling and feedlot management pre- and post-shipment of buffalo from the Northern Territory.
As the Treasurer said in his statement:
… the Territory economy is growing and heading in the right direction. Government needs to ensure this continues, but at the same time it needs to be responsible and disciplined.
Madam Speaker, I strongly support the Treasurer’s statement which provides an update on the Northern Territory’s current economic conditions.
This government is committed to growing those industries which will contribute most to the economy of the Northern Territory. I spoke about some of the factors causing growth in our economy through the primary industry and the minerals and energy sectors. Make no mistake; all that can be done will be by this government in supporting those industries which contribute so significantly to the Northern Territory economy. That will include a continuation of the work I have been doing in my portfolio areas to attract investment from overseas into our minerals and energy sector, and we will be seeking new markets for our cattle and buffalo.
It is no secret I will be going to Vietnam in the next few weeks, following a similar trip by the Chief Minister. We will be continuing our work in building the relationships which count so much in having trade open up and remain sustainable and strong. This is where the federal Labor government failed so dismally when it was in power in dealing with issues around live export. I have said in this House many times – and there is still plenty of scope to say it from time to time – the decision to suspend live export for those few months was one of the worst policy decisions, if not the worst, I have ever witnessed a government make.
Not only has it had a serious effect on the cattle industry across Australia, it also significantly damaged relations between Indonesia and this country. I have spent, as has the Chief Minister, an inordinate amount of time repairing that relationship by putting our feet on the ground in those countries, relating to the people with whom we once had a good relationship and rebuilding it after the terrible damage caused. The saddest part for Northern Territory cattle producers was the lack of support they received through this process by the former Northern Territory Labor government. There was precious little done by the NT Labor government during that crisis period. I remember former Chief Minister Paul Henderson standing beside the former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, nodding in agreement with the decision to ban the live cattle trade …
Members interjecting.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: I hear the interjections from the other side. They are all boohooing it, but it did happen.
As a history lesson, former Chief Minister Paul Henderson, in doing so, made a policy statement from the Northern Territory government. He agreed the live cattle trade had to be suspended. Therefore, he was representing the views of the former Northern Territory Labor government.
Ms Walker: He did not, you fool.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: I hear the interjection from the member for Nhulunbuy, ‘He did not’. Yes he did, but let us not get into that, it becomes a bit childish.
As minister for Primary Industry, I will do anything I can to avoid causing damage or grief to the cattle industry or the broader agricultural sector across the Northern Territory. Only a Country Liberals government will stand up for cattlemen, pastoralists, the mining industry and, by extension, the Northern Territory’s economy.
Ms Walker: Oh for goodness sake, listen to it.
Mr Vatskalis: Tell us about Vista Gold.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Casuarina
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: Now I have stirred the opposition up – they were listening intently -it was a bit quiet and boring over there and we have stirred them into life. It is good to see there is still some life in the opposition. They will be feeling fairly dejected today and down in the dumps because of all the good news from government during Question Time. We can talk about the success of alcohol protection orders, huge drops in crime and drops in domestic violence offending as well. The Chicken Littles on the other side of the House are not interested in good news. They would much rather spend their time trying to convince Territorians the sky is falling.
I am pleased to support the Treasurer’s statement this afternoon. The Northern Territory’s economy is on track, heading in the right direction and this government’s policies will drive the future sustainable growth of the Northern Territory.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for bringing forward a statement like this every now and then so we can discuss the Territory’s economic future.
There is no doubt if you go past the Howard Springs turn-off between 5 am and 8 am you will see an enormous number of vehicles travelling up and down which, on the surface, would suggest the Territory’s economy is booming, and to some extent it is.
The question is, is it booming for Territorians or for people who have come to the Territory. That is an issue some businesses would dispute with the government. There is no doubt the Territory is benefiting from a lot of development, especially INPEX, especially the service industry and some aspects of the retail industry. However, a middle range of businesses in Darwin are not doing so well. If they do not have a contract with big companies like INPEX they are really struggling. I have heard that from people who know those businesses and want me to ask the Treasurer if he would pop out there with me to talk to some of them directly to find out their view on the state of the economy.
On the surface it is booming, there is no doubt about it, but a lot of that is the fly-in fly-out economy. Yes, they go to my local pub. They probably go to the pizza shop because they probably get tired of eating fly-in fly-out food. Some of the car hire companies are doing pretty well. How many Thrifty vehicles do you see? Some parts of the economy are doing well, but the government needs to be a little cautious, dig a little deeper and talk to some of the industries that are not benefiting from the boom in the gas and oil economy in the Northern Territory.
Remember, INPEX bought all its accommodation from China. Even though some of the material originated from Australia, like the iron ore, most of it came from China. I was at the wharf when we sent a shipment of iron ore from Sherwin Iron late last year. There was a very long concrete stanchion heading to INPEX. I said, ‘What is that doing on the wharf?’ He said it had just been imported from China, which surprised me. Why are we importing concrete stanchions from China? Why can we not make them in Australia? In some cases these big developments have not helped our own industries, except perhaps carting things from the ship to the site, so we need to keep a lid on our excitement.
Treasurer, I have already asked what the direct benefit is to the government from a big project like INPEX? I guess there is no great benefit financially to the Territory through the government coffers, except perhaps in stamp duty, payroll tax and car registration. There are still lots of interstate registration plates in this part of the world. You can easily pick them because the tray on the four-wheel-drive is not quite the same as ones made in Winnellie. Those are the limitations on what the government can get from these big developments, and that is important. I am not knocking it, but we need to keep things in perspective.
The minister said there has been accelerated land release. I know from previous discussions that to release land – the previous Minister for Housing would know and it has been said before – you need a four-year lead time. I am interested to know how you achieved accelerated land release if you were not in power four or five years ago. If you are setting the parameters now putting in the headworks, etcetera, in a couple of years’ time you could say you accelerated the number of blocks being released. I do not think that is fair. You cannot develop more blocks of land at the flick of a switch. It had to be done previously, and what you say in your statement is spin. You might want more houses and release more land, but to say you released land at this time does not make any logical sense.
You also discussed the Power and Water structural separation. This concerns me and I cannot see the logic because none is given. The Treasurer says this will make things more efficient. When asked to show proof he says the evidence is down south and that it has been done before. The Territory is not down south. Power and Water is only a small corporation compared to other places and we would still like some logic. Pardon me if I am a little simple sometimes, but if you have a big company with one administration and you split that company – still doing the same job – into two, you have two administrations. One company is interlinked. For instance, a company with power, water and sewerage is interlinked because you need electricity to drive the water pumps and sewerage pumps. All those things are interlinked. When you split it you will have two sets of administration and …
Mr Styles: I do not believe what I am hearing.
Mr WOOD: Maybe you cannot believe it, Minister for Transport. Do not blame me for trying because your minister, while twiddling his thumbs over there, has not explained the logic behind splitting it. It is no good shaking your head; I will not be convinced it is a good idea until I see some meat on the bones, not a broad statement: ‘It is a good idea because the Country Liberal Party is open for business and has seen it down south’. It is a shallow statement for something so serious.
Provide an independent assessment of splitting up Power and Water which shows this will be better for Territorians: we would get cheaper electricity, water and sewerage. Minister for Transport, you might think it is funny, but the minister’s statement says it will be more efficient. It is a serious matter and he does not have anything to back it up. I do not mind if I am wrong. You can laugh all you like and say, ‘You are an idiot’. I have nothing from government to say, ‘This is an independent assessment of what would happen to Power and Water if it was split’. Show that splitting a company into two would not have more administrative costs.
You will have two CEOs who will have their group of people behind them. Will you revamp all the cars? ‘This is Power, that is Water’. Will you have different groups of people doing different jobs managed by different processes? All your telephones, addresses and e-mails will probably change. You might even need a new building; there is plenty of vacant space at the moment in the boom. Minister, if you are telling us this will benefit Territorians, give it to an independent person to assess. Give it to the Auditor-General when you come up with the figures. It will not cost us big mobs of money to ask the Auditor-General; we pay him. Let us not say Power and Water will be more efficient when it is split without putting the facts behind it. If it is, we will look at it when you put the figures to parliament.
I believe part of the reason you want to split Power and Water is because you are deadly interested in privatising power. Many people can see an opportunity to make a quid out of power. Let us not forget that the people who end up being worse off are not at the high end of electricity usage; they will have to pay the higher prices.
You laughed before during Question Time, member for Fong Lim, when I said essential services belong to Territorians. You said, ‘Oh, you are only off with the Labor Party’. Those off the cuff remarks blur the debate and do not do you or the debate any good. I am quite capable of thinking for myself and quite capable of believing essential services are a human right.
You may laugh at that, and I can see you rolling your eyes. I have been down this path before. In fact, if I was a fortune teller I would have bet the member for Fong Lim would roll his eyes because this is too deep for him. He does not understand the provision of power and water is a human right. It should not be for the benefit of shareholders in a company that might not even be Australian. It should be for government to provide a secure provision of services at a reasonable price that ordinary Territorians can afford. That is the proper philosophy for provision of those services.
You can privatise whatever else you like, but those things – if you include sewerage – are essential services the government should keep. I will fight the government as much as we fought the sale of TIO if you attempt to sell Power and Water, because you are doing a disservice to the Northern Territory and it will not help the debt. I do not see how the debt can be lowered if you sell it to a private company because they want to make a profit which will not go back to Power and Water. A bit will, but they will make enough to keep their shareholders happy, whereas if a government runs it, it will make a profit to ensure Power and Water is run for the benefit of the shareholders: the people in the Territory.
I am concerned about the wishy washy statements coming out. One minute you are not privatising, next minute you might think about it at the next election. If you were not thinking about it you would not bother at the next election; you would tell people you are not privatising it. I am really concerned that is what this government wants to do.
The minister can say, ‘It is not our job to subsidise power’. Then I would say. ‘Scrap subsidised power in isolated communities and see what happens’. That is what the government does through Indigenous Essential Services Pty Ltd; it subsidises power. Please do not say it is not the job of government to subsidise power. It is the job of government to run a business-like enterprise called Power and Water. It does not have to become some great profit-making business for a company which might have no relation to the Territory at all.
The minister also spoke about unemployment, saying how great the figures were. These figures were bandied around for years when the Labor Party was in government, and now I hear them from you. Who will tell me the unemployment rates for Yuendumu, Papunya, Santa Teresa, Ngukurr, Nguiu – remote communities? The same story concerns me. Employment is booming in big towns like Darwin, but that is the haves. The have-nots are still not benefiting from the boom in our economy. Has INPEX, except for Aboriginal people in Darwin, benefited people in Yuendumu, Papunya or places like that? You can fly people in and out, but where do people in Howard Springs come from? All over the place ...
Mr Tollner: Who pays the taxes for the welfare in Yuendumu?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim!
Mr WOOD: If the member for Fong Lim wants to talk about welfare I am happy to have that debate. I do not agree with welfare in those communities. People should have employment in those communities ….
Mr Tollner: Doing what?
Mr WOOD: Work in those communities occasionally and you might find out.
Mr Tollner: There is plenty of opportunity …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Fong Lim, I have asked you to cease interjecting. You are on a warning.
Mr WOOD: What I am saying is, with the economy booming in some areas there are the haves – the people who have jobs with the oil and gas industry – and, on the other hand, we have high unemployment in other parts of the Northern Territory. We have a system which allows people from other states to fly in to work in these places. Why can we not set up a system which allows Aboriginal people to fly in? ACCo, the abattoir, is look at something similar, and I hope that happens. I fear we can talk about the great economy of the Northern Territory but the benefits of that economy do not spread across all people in the Territory.
Of course, some of these debates are far beyond the depth of thinking of the member for Fong Lim. Today’s debate is about the economy and not everybody, unfortunately, benefits from the boom in our economy.
Minister, I thank you for your statement, there are some good things in it. The minister for Primary Industry said live cattle exports have improved this year with the changes to weight limitations and numbers, and that is great to hear.
He mentioned tourism, and I presume the minister for Tourism – there have been some improvements in tourism with the number of flights coming into the Northern Territory and that is great.
Except for Nhulunbuy, more mines have come on site, such as Sherwin and Western Desert Resources, and that is good. However, they were not established overnight. Again I hear, ‘Look at us, look at us, the economy is booming because of what we did’. I cannot imagine Sherwin Iron got itself going in the time you have been in government. I cannot imagine Western Desert Resources getting all its approvals in the time you have been in and the road to Bing Bong constructed. Many of those things were done by other governments. When you say, ‘That was us; look at us’, some of that groundwork was not done by this government. It is encouraged by this government, and I welcome those developments because they create employment and wealth for the Northern Territory. Sometimes the spin is one-sided, as if these things fell out of the sky when you were elected into government in 2012.
There are good things here; there is no doubt about it. I raised a couple of issues, especially unemployment, because you are not the only government to say unemployment is improving, yet in some of the communities unemployment is staggeringly high and needs to be looked at. I would be happy to take up that debate.
I have recently written to Nigel Scullion about the issue of welfare and the possibility that local government could be the centre for unemployment benefits in communities so people can go there to get a job. You need to start somewhere; you do not want people on welfare. I have heard the member for Namatjira say that many times, and we need to be progressing that so we do not have people sitting around doing nothing. We need to give them jobs in communities. They are part of the economy and sometimes, when we discuss employment rates, we seem to conveniently forget the high unemployment rates in remote communities.
I have said many times that there are ways to change things around. I have not heard anyone from either side say it is a silly idea. Welfare is a killer when trying to develop economies in local communities. Give people a chance to take the step up and work for INPEX. That is missing here and we need to push it. We need more local people working. I am not against interstate people, but let us hope we can get local people …
Mr Elferink: What part of my Corrections policy leaves you with the impression I do not think employment is important?
Mr WOOD: Minister, I congratulate you on your policy; I do not have a problem with it. I would like to see a few more work camps and the prison farm at Katherine go ahead.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr McCARTHY (Barkly): Madam Speaker, I contribute to the debate on the Northern Territory economy. It starts with when I left this House last December and took some leave, which was deemed acceptable by the electorate. I tried to articulate comments coming from the regions and also Darwin that this Country Liberal Party government is the worst government in the Northern Territory’s history.
I do not initiate that sort of negative comment, it was from constituents. I struggle to articulate what that really means. It came to me last night, 10 February, watching the ABC Q&A, when Mark Dreyfus articulated it. He said, of the Abbott federal Liberal Coalition, ‘When will this government take on being a government instead of continuing to be an opposition?’ That really marked the spot. When will the CLP take on the responsibility of government and give up trying to be an opposition? It is the dysfunction that is preventing it from moving forward and the lack of a team.
When this statement was delivered, being the good Labor team we are – we are a great Labor team in government and in opposition – I went to seek advice and deconstruct the Treasurer’s statement with a former Treasurer and former integral Labor minister in successive Labor teams who delivered eight successive budget surpluses. I said, ‘Can we break this down, look at the content and work through it?’ One of my questions was, ‘Do you think this statement was produced by Treasury?’
The Leader of the Opposition, who is very learned, immediately responded with, ‘No, this is pure political spin. This does not reflect any of the empirical evidence of Treasury.’ I based my contribution to debate knowing this was a fifth floor product. With respect to the spin doctors on the fifth floor, you have to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. You have to make these guys look good. The Treasurer is a game lad with more front than Woolworths. He can throw these things around, but when you start to unpack them you see some serious deficits in the statement and the economic management of the Northern Territory.
I used a bit of macroeconomics around deconstructing this statement and reflecting on some of the others. The front row of the Country Liberals continues to cling to this debt and deficit myth which was well and truly busted last February by the Auditor-General when he handed down his audit report of Labor’s last budget outcome for the 2011-12 financial year. The findings show Labor left a general government sector debt of $1.8bn, not the $5.5bn consistently claimed by the Country Liberals. However, the spin doctors have added that important word to all the statements now – ‘projected’. The Audit-General, a respectable and real commentator on these issues, has really put the facts on paper.
The Auditor-General also identified that Labor left a nett operating balance surplus of $16.7m as at 30 June 2012, not long before the general election, not a deficit as erroneously claimed by the Country Liberals. The Auditor-General pointed out that the Northern Territory had suffered from lower GST revenues from the Commonwealth, which we know is a direct result of the global financial crisis. This resulted in massive reductions in revenue beyond the control of the Territory government – any Territory government – and all state and territory jurisdictions were hit with similar revenue reductions.
The global financial crisis meant a massive contraction in private sector spending. To keep Territorians in work, Labor doubled the infrastructure budget. The responsible action worked. Labor created 13 000 jobs in the global financial crisis years, and kept the Territory economy growing.
The Treasurer’s statement talks about the legacy of that fiscal strategy. The difference is Labor also had a fiscal step-out plan but, unfortunately, Labor was beaten in the general election and new management took over the Territory and its books.
To bring this debate up to speed, I will cut to the chase on a wonderful encounter last December where the Treasurer brought in his mid-year report at about 5.30 pm on the last day of parliament, when the Christmas party was in full swing, and dropped it on the table with a very quick exit. What really fell out of that report was under the CLP – with economic policies and a clean slate, having been in for 18 months at that stage – the debt was rising by $1bn a year. That was the essence of the statement presented to parliament.
We are now talking about the new management, with new fiscal strategies which are not delivering what was promised to Territorians – poor economic management. A couple of Chief Ministers, quite a number of Treasurers, seven ministerial changes – there might be more now – is not stability from a Liberal team. You can see why things have run amok in fiscal management.
Adding to that is a $1bn debt rising under CLP fiscal management. We saw the machinations of their 2012-13 accounts which showed they ripped an extra $55m from the pockets of Territorians through rampant revenue raising, $32m of that in power and water price hikes. They then snatched $67m from Territory businesses in additional taxes and charges. At the time they were on an $84m spending spree so we asked, as the Labor opposition, what was it spent on? We had debt rising, increased taxes, reduced infrastructure, and an $84m spending spree we cannot really put a finger on, and the Treasurer is not in the mood to tell us. Estimates will no doubt be an interesting exercise in 2014. We will prosecute this argument across all ministries and, one by one, the real numbers will start to roll out for Territorians to see what chaotic fiscal management is occurring on the other side which translates into political spin statements from a Treasurer who does not get down to tin tacks.
I go to a comment from the Northern Territory News on Monday 27 January 2014 which reflects the political nature of this debate. We all live on the NT News, and I remember this mob in opposition throwing it around the Chamber on a daily basis. Let us see what the editorial in the NT News on Monday 27 January 27 2014 said in the closing paragraphs:
- The CLP went to the 2012 election promising to ease the high cost of living.
But since then, all they have done is increase pressure on household budgets.
They may try to argue their hands are tied, that governments cannot wield much influence over the price of goods sold by the private sector.
And they continue to blame the previous Labor Government for the high housing and utility costs.
But the CLP chose to make this an election issue and to focus on it for political gain.
It’s time they started to tell us if they plan to keep their promise – and how they are going to do it.
Essentially, that is what I was looking for in this statement – the news story about responsible fiscal management and how the CLP plans to deliver on its massive election promise to reduce the cost of living.
We heard in Question Time today, utilities charges – another 4% on 1 July, followed by an additional 5% in January 2015. In the Barkly, let alone the rest of the Territory, families are hurting in real time.
The Treasurer, over the summer break, seemed to be hanging his hat on the CommSec economic report of 20 January 2014. That became regular fodder for the spin doctors on the fifth floor. They pulled out the important parts they needed to tell this wonderful economic story.
On page three, under retail trade, it says the:
- Northern Territory was next strongest, supported by a lift in dwelling construction, with spending 18.3 per cent above decade average levels.
The Treasurer was very quick to crow about that; however, when we talk to the community, the retail sector, they say it is seriously hurting. It did not translate into the general retail sector.
Essentially, it links with the housing construction market. The Treasurer, in his statement, talks about an accelerated land release program, but 19 months in we still have no new Country Liberals greenfield site announcement. I expected it to be called Elferink Heights, or something reflective of the egos and massive self-importance of Country Liberal Party ministers, but there is nothing.
I can say five suburbs in Palmerston, a combination of government subsidised and private sector – five suburbs in Palmerston East, Coolalinga under Gwello, then I can look at Muirhead and down the track to Katherine and Tennant Creek. I will get to the debacle in Alice Springs, where the bungling efforts of the member for Braitling risk destroying Kilgariff – a land release with a capacity of 3000 lots over 20 years – with this little pocket that could destroy the natural drainage plans and master plans done under the previous Labor government to deliver this essential housing infrastructure to Alice Springs for Central Australia.
That is something members should be concerned about and asking the Chief Minister questions about. When you do, ask where the Alice Springs Town Council sits with this, because I think it has walked away from the deal. When the Chief Minister destroys Kilgariff – in a tiny pocket in the corner, without any understanding of the master planned suburb of Kilgariff – you might find the Alice Springs Town Council will not accept it and you will be in hot water. However, that is for another day, and I think CLP members should be asking those serious questions.
The CommSec report of 20 January 2014 talks about equipment investment:
- Mining investments still remained relatively strong across the resource states. Northern Territory was the biggest mover jumping from seventh to third spot.
That is easy to recognise in the regions and remote areas, but I draw the minister’s attention to a media release from the Minerals Council Australia NT Division titled, ‘Another Day, Another New Tax on NT Mining’ saying:
The Northern Territory Government Budget today introduces two new taxes on the NT mining sector – a move that runs contrary to the claims that the top end is open for business.
That was a contradiction in the Liberal economic management strategy. The minister for Resources mentioned some great opportunities in the Territory with one hand, and has the other hand in the mining sector back pocket ripping out important investment resources through new taxes imposed by the Country Liberals.
I listen to all ministers because that is what I have to work from. The minister for Resources talked about some interesting projects for the future which were absent from the Treasurer’s statement, but there was no talk of the Ord River. I am concerned. Has the Ord River dropped off the agenda, ladies and gentlemen? It was one of the major crowing points when we were in this House last year. It seems to have disappeared off the Treasurer’s agenda, and the minister for Resources, one of the major roosters in the hen house making a lot of noise about the Ord River, seems to have become quiet as well. That might be in relation to the infrastructure demands they suddenly realised.
Back to the CommSec report. Under the construction work section it says:
- In terms of annual growth rates, Northern Territory construction work done in the September quarter was up 18.5 per cent on a year ago ...
It is easy to see this is good stimulus money into the economy, but, unfortunately, the Treasurer is claiming it all as his. We know that is a lot of rot; the Territory knows it is a lot of rot. The Territory wants to know what is next, what is new? When will Elferink Heights be delivered? You sacked Weddell, where the Labor government put on head services going right past the door. You are talking about the Howard Peninsula with no enabling infrastructure. We have not seen any new greenfield development under the CLP other than the $20m in last year’s budget for Zuccoli stage two, the master plan suburb commenced under the previous Labor government.
When we talk about housing finance there is a problem, Treasurer. This says the Northern Territory is the weakest economy for housing finance with trend commitments 19.2% lower than the decade average. The CommSec January report said the Northern Territory is the weakest economy for housing finance. That directly relates to the warning you were given by the Leader of the Opposition, the previous Treasurer, about your bungling of stamp duty in stimulating housing construction. You pulled back what Labor had in place starting to kick in and really get a hold, and you guys bungled it. CommSec highlighted that as a major flaw in the fiscal management of the Northern Territory.
The CommSec report, under other indicators, says:
- Real wages were positive in all economies in the September quarter except for the Northern Territory.
I think we understand what is happening there. The Treasurer wants to ignore the disputes with unions and our frontline workers. That will be your Achilles heel, Treasurer, unless you play some catch up football and deliver the baseline cost of living increases under CPI. It was nice to hear the Chief Minister say in his short and evasive answer, ‘No, we are still in the tent. Do not worry about that, we are still in the tent.’ I hope you are because these are our frontline workers and teachers need to be consulted first cab off the rank.
To conclude, it is interesting to have a government hanging its hat on the economic major projects of the Darwin Correctional Precinct, the Marine Supply Base and the Ichthys project. I sat on that side for four years and listened to Liberals bag them, and everyone, out. It went on and on. The irony is a Liberal government in the Territory really hitting the wall and the emergency button and crowing about these projects, which are the only real indicators of this boom economy we have under this government which were delivered by Labor.
Last but not least, to all those members from the bush, the cake is being cut up. It is budget Cabinet time. You should be knocking on ministers’ doors. Do not forget Tennant Creek and Barkly; do not forget your countrymen in Central Australia. Knock on the ministers’ doors and get the best deal you can because, at the moment, the front row is not passing the ball. I ask the members for Arnhem, Arafura, Stuart, Namatjira and Daly to get on board, get your piece of cake. When you get it, do not forget a piece for Barkly as well.
Mr CONLAN (Central Australia): Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, please thank Wyatt Earp for that lecture. It was outstanding work from the member for Barkly. I do not know what that is around your neck, but you look like a bloody idiot today.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, withdraw those comments.
Mr CONLAN: I withdraw, Madam Speaker, but it had to be said.
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62: offensive words. We have become used to it. That is all he has.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Barkly, he has withdrawn.
Mr CONLAN: I would like to recognise the member for Casuarina, who is back from China. How did it go, Kon?
Mr Vatskalis: Very well.
Mr CONLAN: No one has seen or heard anything from you since your return. I draw your attention to the transcript of a radio interview on 23 December 2013 on Mix 104.9. The member, under the shroud of a taxpayer fact-finding mission, visited his wife and her family in China, which is very interesting. It is obvious for the world to see …
Mr VATSKALIS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I find his words offensive. He makes accusations without any basis.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, withdraw the comments.
Mr CONLAN: I withdraw the comments. There is no foundation for the trip because you said:
- I’m going to go to China and find out with my own mouth and ears and eyes what the Chinese people want. I’m heading to China, I’m going to spend a week of my holiday meeting airlines, meeting tourist operators, retailers and wholesalers to find out what the Chinese people really want, what are they prepared to spend, what are the problems for them to come to the Northern Territory and come back and work with industry to put together something that will attract these people from China.
- I’ll be back talking to you and talking to the industry. I already just came out with a meeting now. They are not very impressed with the situation at the moment.
What have we heard? How long have you been back?
Mrs WALKER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am sure, in accordance with the RTD, the shadow minister will be tabling his report in the fullness of time.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order, sit down.
Mr CONLAN: He may well do that, member for Nhulunbuy, but it flies in the face of what he said in the radio interview on 23 December 2013. He is coming back, he will engage with industry. What does the industry do? Why have we not heard from him? He may have had some meetings, but no one has any idea what he has done. He has not contacted Tourism Top End or Tourism NT. As far as I know, Tourism NT has no idea what the shadow minister for Tourism did while he was in China. No one has heard what he did or any finding from his trip to China …
Mr McCARTHY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 67: digression and tedious.
Madam SPEAKER: It is not a point of order, member for Barkly. The minister is speaking to a statement and can speak on anything to do with the statement.
Mr CONLAN: I am speaking to the statement and the allegations raised by opposition members regarding tourism, the way the Northern Territory government is handling tourism and its contribution to the NT economy. I have also seen no media release from the shadow minister since returning. How long have you been back from your so-called China mission?
Mr Vatskalis: Three days.
Mr CONLAN: Where is the media release? I thought you would have had one cocked and loaded. We all know why you went …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, address your colleagues through the Chair and not across the Chamber.
Mr CONLAN: Sorry, Madam Speaker, I did not hear you.
Let us look at some of the accusations raised by the member for Karama, the Leader of the Opposition. She talked about the Jetstar hub, another great contribution from the member for Casuarina. The Jetstar hub signed up to an agreement the airlines and the government could not possibly meet – impossible targets.
This is what the member for Casuarina said in this interview again. This is about Jetstar pulling out:
- … and the minister says it’s not a big deal for the Territory. Excuse me, losing 70 or 90 jobs, three aeroplanes and a number of daily flights to and from Darwin is not big business – I think it’s an enormous business and enormous loss to the Territory …
First, I did not say it was no big deal. On 31 March 2014, Jetstar will reduce the overall number of weekly departures operating out of Darwin from 54 to 49 – a reduction of five flights a week. I said a reduction from 54 Jetstar services to 49 per week is anticipated to have little effect on visitor numbers in the Northern Territory. Let us look at some scheduling changes, member for Casuarina.
Increasing flights between Darwin – these are some of the scheduling changes – and Cairns from three per week to daily, decreasing flights between Darwin and Denpasar from eight per week to daily, decreasing flights between Darwin and Brisbane from nine per week to daily, suspending the four times weekly service from Darwin to Manila and Tokyo, decreasing flights between Darwin and Singapore from nine per week to daily services, with the operation of these flights transferred from Jetstar Airways to Jetstar Asia. That is it, a total of 54 flights down to 49.
I do not know how you think airline loads work, but between Darwin and Gove, QantasLink and Airnorth are sharing about 22% each. An airline cannot operate with a 22% load. You guys would think, ‘We should continue to prop those airlines up to keep them flying into a destination. Let us keep propping the airlines up’, so you can say you have a number of airlines flying to and from a destination. Airlines cannot operate on a 22% load factor, member for Casuarina. That is exactly what has happened with the Jetstar operation.
The flipside is SilkAir operates on the Darwin to Singapore route so there is more capacity on this sector than before and a variety of airline carriers for consumers to choose from. There is also a newly introduced Kuala Lumpur to Darwin service operated by Malaysia Airlines. Philippine Airlines continues to operate its full service to Manila three times per week. It has a comprehensive international network from our tourism target markets in both north Asia and North America, providing strong links for travellers wishing to visit the Northern Territory through Darwin. In other words, with Malaysia Airlines you can fly to London from Alice Springs on one ticket with oneworld Alliance. That is pretty good.
The growth in carriers and frequency in services to the Northern Territory over the past year has resulted in strong growth in aviation capacity into the Northern Territory. Tourism NT is focused on increasing consumer demand for these services in source markets to ensure aircraft are filled and the services become sustainable over the longer term. You cannot just split the pie up and think because you have another carrier or another aircraft they will be full. It does not work like that, member for Casuarina. I thought you might understand this, but clearly not when you signed up to some ludicrous, unreachable agreement with the Jetstar group. Outrageous!
Jetstar had indicated the decision to relocate aircraft from Darwin was made in response to increased capacity in competition. Hello, no kidding! That is all it was, particularly on international routes from foreign carriers. This was a commercial decision from Jetstar.
On 22 July 2008, the then Northern Territory government and Jetstar Airways entered into that now infamous five-year agreement to establish a regional international hub in Darwin. The Northern Territory agreed to provide the following support for establishment of the hub: establishment funding of $5m. The Territory, through DBE, made this payment in full late in 2008, and international marketing support – a total of $3m was to be paid over 5 years – $600 000 per year through Tourism NT.
Under the agreement, Jetstar was obliged to base three aircraft in Darwin by 30 June 2009, and seven by 30 June 2012. As we know, this did not eventuate. That is the aviation story for those on the other side. In case you forgot, that is how it all unfolded, largely courtesy of the member for Casuarina, the then Minister for Tourism.
Let us look at some of the other claims regarding hotels: there are no new hotels; most of the hotels are taken up by business people or the mining, oil and gas industry. Let us look at some of the facts. There are 700 hotel rooms and serviced apartments coming online this year which will provide more accommodation options to our touring public. This includes the lan Soho, with 300 hotel rooms, 167 residential and 88 serviced apartments; Lee Point Holiday Village, 238 rooms; Quest Berrimah, 60 serviced apartments; and Argus on Shepherd an additional 101 rooms …
Mr Vatskalis interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: It does not matter, member for Casuarina, because you said there are no new hotel rooms coming online in Darwin. I have just highlighted 700 new hotel rooms and serviced apartments coming online in 2014.
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 49. Could the Minister for Tourism direct his comments through the Chair?
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Johnston. Member for Greatorex, if you could address your comments through the Chair. Member for Casuarina, cease calling across the Chamber.
Mr CONLAN: The idea was to highlight to the member for Casuarina that the radio interview was farcical and embarrassing. I cannot tell you how many people rang me and commented on the interview you conducted on 23 December. No new hotel rooms! I have just highlighted the fact there are 700 new hotel rooms and serviced apartments coming online next year. We need 200 per year to reach our target over the next six years to create a $2.2bn tourism economy in the Northern Territory. We are well and truly ahead of the target and no thanks to you.
Of course, you would not know. You were apparently in China undertaking high level meetings with – who were they, who did you meet? I would love to hear about it. I believe you met with China Eastern Airlines. You sent them into a tailspin. They had no idea who you were, and apparently you were bringing all this knowledge back to the Northern Territory to generate the Chinese market for us.
This leads me to the other disturbing comment you made in the radio interview. It is very telling of where the former Minister for Tourism sits. He said:
- Now what is the government doing? They’re talking about bringing tourists from China. Well I haven’t seen anything.
The member for Casuarina must have missed the media release of 12 October 2013 which talked about a delegation of tourism operators on the second of our missions to China. I also travelled to China in October with the Chief Minister and the Minister for Education and attended the Australia China Business Council of the Northern Territory’s Strategic Investment Forum – very successful. During the forum I was a member of an industry panel where I drove the message, along with other panellists, about investment in the Northern Territory. Despite the member for Casuarina’s ignorance, it is extraordinary we have the 2013 …
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 62: I seek your guidance on the reflection of the member for Casuarina and I ask the sometimes honourable Minister for Tourism withdraw those comments.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Casuarina, were you offended by any of the comments?
Mr VATSKALIS: I am offended by every comment, but we would be here all day.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you have the call.
Mr Vowles: Will you withdraw?
Madam SPEAKER: The member for Casuarina was not offended by his comments.
Mr CONLAN: Despite the member for Casuarina’s ignorance, we have the 2013 China Market Activation Plan. Through the Chair, Madam Speaker, has the member for Casuarina familiarised himself with our China Market Activation Plan? Probably not. Of course, Tourism NT has the Asia Product Partnership Program, and I am not sure if he has seen that either.
We are identifying agents and wholesale companies to sell the Northern Territory product, and we continue to build strong relationships with current and new airlines which service the Chinese market to Australia, despite what the member for Casuarina claimed in his radio interview. We continue our partnerships with new airlines, particularly the Chinese market into Australia, and we customise our NT research with Chinese consumers to better understand them. We also measure return on investment. While China is an emerging market, we must invest sensibly. It is important the member for Casuarina understands that because it leads me to the next point.
If he had his way we would be removing money from our traditional markets and pouring it all into an emerging market. No one really has any idea what we need to put in front of Chinese consumers to get them to the Northern Territory. I bet you have no idea either because the global tourism industry still has no idea what will attract a Chinese holidaymaker to a high-adventure playground like the Northern Territory. It is embarrassing, ridiculous and a blight on the Northern Territory government to have this guy in China suggesting we rip money out of our traditional markets at the behest of tourism operators in the Northern Territory.
He also said:
- People have to go out and promote the Territory not in America, not in Europe – Europe’s economic situation is not the best – but somewhere else; in Southeast Asia, in China, but we have to offer them something real, not only press releases but airlines that are coming here.
In other words, he is saying forget America, forget the UK and Germany. Is that what you are saying? Forget our traditional markets, the only ones keeping the poor tourism operator alive at the moment. Throw all that money away and stick it into China, where no one has any idea how to attract the Chinese holidaymaker to the Northern Territory.
Let us do that, let us rip out the millions of dollars we invest into Germany, the UK and the United States, our three biggest markets. Let us rip it all out and stick it into China. It is a great strategy, just like your Jetstar strategy – a complete disaster.
Let us look at some of the statistics concerning places the member for Casuarina is suggesting we walk away from. International visitor statistics for the year ending September 2013: 35 000 visitors from the UK, up 3.5%, and 34 000 visitors from Germany, up 9.6%, but let us walk away from it. Let us walk away from the traditional growing market and invest into China, the great unknown. There were 35 000 from the USA.
Before I go on, this is interesting – people have to promote the Territory, not in America, with 35 000 visitors, up 13% for the September 2013 quarter, but let us walk away from it. Let us put all our money into the great unknown of China, and the member for Casuarina cannot even tell us what we have to put in front of the Chinese consumer to attract them to the Northern Territory.
There were 800 000 Chinese visitors to Australia last year. Do you know how many we got? Less than 1%. Do you know why? According to you, it is because we are not marketing the Northern Territory well enough. The Chinese consumer is not that interested in the Northern Territory. It is not their desired holiday …
Mr VOWLES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 49. Can the honourable minister direct his comments through the Chair.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, you have the call.
Mr CONLAN: In contrast, we have 19 000 visitors from the entire northeast Asia region. Again, 35 000 from the UK, 34 000 from Germany, 35 000 from the USA – all up! Thirteen per cent up from the USA, another market the member for Casuarina says we should not be investing in. He says we should walk away from our biggest market of all, the United States of America, and concentrate on the 19 000 visitors from the entire northeast Asia bowl: China, Hong Kong, Korea and Thailand. That is it! It is no wonder Tourism NT was on the bones of its backside under the previous Labor administration. I thought this bloke had some idea before Malarndirri McCarthy took over and destroyed the industry completely. Thank God you are not in charge anymore.
Madam Speaker, I support this statement and tourism is on the way up.
Mr VATSKALIS (Casuarina): Madam Speaker, I am pleased the Treasurer brought this statement to the House. I must have hit a raw nerve with the member for Greatorex; I have never seen him so animated. Yes, I have. When I was Minister for Health and he was trying to tell us how bad Health was.
The member for Greatorex is the worst Tourism minister we have ever had in the Territory, including the CLP days. They had some really good ministers at the time, but this guy takes the cake. I cannot believe that after two years as Minister for Tourism he is saying, ‘Why should we spend money in China? We do not know anything about China.’ What have you been doing for the past two years? Did you ever think to find out what people in China want? He has the audacity to tell me I went to China to visit my wife’s family – the guy will spend two weeks in Europe shopping.
I will tell you what I did in China. Before I went to China I met the tourism industry. I had briefings with Darwin International Airport about the extension, and they gave me information to take with me. I flew to Hong Kong and met with Cathay Pacific. I flew to Guangzhou and met with China Southern Airlines. In Hong Kong I met with Tourism Australia and tourism operators. Before I went I looked at the Tourism NT web page and found it has people operating in China. I wrote to those people in Guangzhou and said, ‘Please, I need some information from the Minister for Tourism. I would like to meet you and give you some information.’ Within one day I received an e-mail from a public servant saying, ‘How dare you talk to our tour operators in China’. I beg your pardon, I did not realise Chinese companies need approval from a minister of the Northern Territory government to provide information to a member of parliament.
I then wrote to the CEO of the department saying, ‘I am pretty sure your minister would agree we have to be Team NT here. This is not about politics. We want to promote the Territory in southeast Asia.’ I am still waiting for an answer. When I saw the CEO of the department I said, ‘I sent you an e-mail. When will I get an answer from you?’ He said, ‘You are not going to get one’. I e-mailed Tourism Australia and received a response immediately. Not only did I receive a response from Tourism Australia, but I received a contact name and number in Hong Kong.
I flew to Hong Kong and met with Cathay Pacific. I made a presentation on behalf of Darwin International Airport, told them what was happening in the Territory and said nothing about politics. I said the Territory was booming with the mining industry doing well, petrochemical companies doing well, but we need more tourists. I also told them there are opportunities for Cathay Pacific because it is currently servicing Perth. Perth is another mining centre, and Cathay Pacific was quite interested to find out the Territory shares with Western Australia the same booming economy because of the mining industry. I told them it would not be a good idea to fly the big airplanes here, but Dragonair, its subsidiary, can fly its Airbus 320 or 321, and is quite interested. As a matter of fact, Dragonair advised me it is currently examining fleet capabilities of flying to Darwin.
After my meeting with Cathay Pacific I met with Tourism Australia, which advised that China has now changed its situation with tourism. Previously, Chinese tourists wanting to go to Australia had to go as a group. They will now be allowing – following an agreement with the Australian government – individual Chinese tourists to visit Australia.
This is a unique opportunity for us. While I was in Hong Kong I read China Daily, which stated that next year 130 million Chinese will travel abroad.
I met with tourist operators in Hong Kong who advised me they have visited the Territory. They also told me the Territory government has a representative in Shanghai who visits them regularly and provides information. They also said this government has never undertaken a campaign to promote the Territory to people in Hong Kong.
The Minister for Tourism asks why we should take money out of America and the UK and spend it on China. He threw a few numbers around – 35 000 from the UK. How many of those were backpackers? There were 34 000 from Germany; how many came to the Territory as tourists or were backpackers passing through trying to get a job in Australia to stay for a year? These are traditional markets. We have spent a lot of money there and, in the past, have had promotions there. We are getting 35 000 people from America, a country of 260 million people. Are you serious? You might as well give them $100 each to stay home rather than spending our money.
Let me tell you something else about Europe the minister seems to know so well. Southern Europe is in a dire economic situation. As a result, they promote tourism in northern Europe and are attracting enormous numbers of tourists. Why? Because it is an easy three-hour flight from Stockholm to Greece, Spain or Italy. You can get cheap accommodation and meals, and you can cruise the Mediterranean cheaply. Greece is predicting 18 million tourists this year because of the situation there and how cheap it is to holiday in Greece.
I was dismayed when I looked at the promotional material tourist operators in Hong Kong had to offer. They had a fantastic map of Australia with lines telling people how to travel from Guangzhou to Sydney, and from Sydney they had trips to Melbourne, Adelaide, one to the Rock, then back to Sydney and out again. When I pointed out we have SilkAir and Malaysia Airlines flying to Darwin they said nobody had advised them of this. I undertook to advise the airline industry here so they can talk to tourist operators. People have told me they do not know much about the Territory because the government has not done any promotional work in Hong Kong or China. Yes, they have someone in Shanghai to talk to tourist operators, but the general public has no idea what the Territory has to offer because the Territory government has not spent money there. The minister asked why we should spend money in the great unknown of China.
If we had that same logic we would not have a mining industry today. Why spend money in China when our traditional mining industry markets are Britain, Canada and America? Wrong. You have to take risks to promote the Territory when people do not know about it. I took the liberty of putting some of my own photos in my presentation. They were not commercial photos, not professional photos, just photos I took myself, and the people were impressed with what they saw.
Following my trip to Hong Kong I flew to Guangzhou. In Guangzhou I met with the general manager of China Southern Airlines, who is in charge of the airline expansion, and his team. I met with eight people who listened to what I had to say about the expansion of Darwin International Airport. They told me Darwin could be a target for them. They would like to meet with the Darwin International Airport executive for more information about flying, potentially to Darwin, during their expansion into Asia.
My meetings were fruitful. They told me exactly what I wanted to know: what the Chinese want to know to come to the Territory. Currently they know nothing because Tourism NT has not done the promotion. Yes, I understand it is really good to fly to America, Germany and England, much better than flying to places like the middle of China, but at the same time we should target our tourism to places where we can bring more tourists. One-hundred-and-thirty million people will leave China next year for tourism. Ten per cent of 13 million – 1% is 1.3 million. Even if we get 10% of the 1%, we get 130 000 people to the Territory.
The minister says, ‘What have you done since you returned?’ I came back to work on Thursday. On Friday I had my first meeting with Darwin International Airport and briefed them on my trip to China. My intention, following these parliamentary sittings, is to meet with and brief the industry on what I heard in China. I also briefed the industry on comments tourist operators made about the services in Darwin and the Territory in general, and the response by tourist operators in Darwin. We have to address these issues because the services need to meet the needs of tourists.
What do people want to know? Some tourist operators told me that during their recent visit the translator could not speak Mandarin; he spoke Cantonese. Mandarin is the official language of China and what most people speak. Having a Cantonese interpreter address people who speak Mandarin was a bad decision.
The minister said there is no problem with Jetstar reducing its flights. I do not know who is advising you but, minister, talk to the people. Do you think there is no impact on the Territory from suspension of flights to and from Brisbane? Do you think there is no impact on the Territory if there is a suspension of flights to and from Manila or Tokyo? If this is what you think, it would be a good idea for the Chief Minister to give you a new portfolio, because obviously you are totally incompetent as Minister for Tourism in this government.
Talking about hotel rooms – yes, you have 700 new hotel rooms in the Territory, but can the minister tell us the vacancy rate of these hotel rooms? Can the minister tell us the occupancy of these rooms and how many are taken by the mining industry? I was at a meeting of the industry recently when a gentleman said next year the new lan Soho Hotel will come online with 550 rooms. He guaranteed he could offer 25% of those rooms to tourists. When we asked where the other rooms would go he said long-term contracts, business and the mining industry. Out of 550 hotel rooms next year, only 25% will be available to tourists.
We have a problem and the minister refuses to face it. The minister lives in cuckoo land if he thinks that because we have 700 hotels room in the Territory this year they will all be allocated to tourists, because the mining industry will take them; INPEX will take them. ConocoPhillips will take them because they have the big refit in May this year lasing three or four months, smack in the middle of our tourist season.
I took the trip under my entitlements, not the RTD, and I find the comments from the Minister for Tourism offensive. I find all his comments offensive, because when he stands to talk he seems to be drawn into the argumentative mode he used when he was a second-rate shock jock at a second-rate radio station in Alice Springs. This is a parliament, not a radio station.
I am proud of what I did. I did what he should have done a long time ago. He told us he went to China with the Chief Minister, but he did not go to the cities to find out what tourist operators want. He did not take his team to places with strange names where people do not speak English, not London, Berlin or Paris. Like it or not, the next wave of tourism will not come from Europe or America, it will come from Southeast Asia and China. Anybody who does not understand that must be living on another planet.
The Chief Minister, quite rightly, went to China because it is where the future of Australia and the Northern Territory is. The reality is we have the mining resource they need, but China has the money and people and they will come to Australia for tourism.
I have friends in China who told me they will not come to Australia to shop because they do not want to buy things made in China. On the contrary, they would like to come to Australia to see the empty spaces, the clear air and drive where they cannot see another car for 20 minutes.
On my trip to Singapore a few years ago I heard exactly the same comments. The Northern Territory is missing out because the government will not promote the Territory in Singapore. Singaporeans fly to Perth for a weekend but not to Darwin. When I asked why I was told they know nothing about Darwin. People who dare venture to the Northern Territory rave about the time they had here. They love the place and the environment. Some of them even love the train trip to Alice Springs.
I opened the Strait Times on the weekend and there were pages and pages about Perth, Margaret River, Midland wineries, the Barossa Valley but not one photograph or item about Darwin or Katherine. When people in China saw pictures of Katherine Gorge they were amazed. When I told them there was a four-star hotel, the Cycad Lodge, in Katherine, they said, ‘Why don’t we know about that?’ It is because the Minister for Tourism and his team did not tell them about it because the minister likes the traditional market.
It is like promoting the same thing to people who already know about it. What is the point of me telling Germans to come to the Northern Territory? They know about it. We have been promoting it for years and years, and the minister is proud to say 34 000 people came from Germany, a 13% increase. That means 3500 more Germans came to the Northern Territory after you spent millions of dollars promoting the Northern Territory to Germany. Are you kidding me?
Minister, I strongly suggest you have a serious look at where your department spends the money and does the promotion. Seriously, I do not think you get any return for your money. If you want a return for your money, start thinking outside the square. You are enclosed in that square and cannot get out. You probably do not want to because you love the comfort of flying to Europe business class rather than going economy class to China and flying on airlines with strange names.
Madam Speaker, I went to China because this is how we discovered China when I was Minister for Mines – by going there and learning what the Chinese wanted. I bought those lessons back, put them into place and gave them what they wanted. Today, the CLP government to made an announcement about mines that started in 2006 and 2007 because we went to the great unknown China. The Minister for Tourism has to do exactly the same thing. He has to tell his CEO and his team, ‘We have to go to China. We have to spend time in China.’ That is not meeting people in a big hall, but letting the operators know about the Northern Territory, and not only bringing them here, but us taking an exhibition to China. Show people what we have to offer. Buy advertisements in the newspaper and show the Northern Territory in all its glory and colour.
The Chinese like Indigenous culture. CCTV-9 came to the Territory in 2009 and made a documentary about Indigenous culture and Indigenous people in the Northern Territory. It was shown on television and seen by 700 million people. In the Air China magazines I was surprised to see photographs and articles written in Chinese.
Minister, I do not want to offend you, but your performance is less than impressive. Obviously someone has given you the wrong message and you believe it. I suggest you get out of the traditional and comfortable area and try something new. You have to speak to the airlines. You can have as many hotel rooms as you want, if you cannot bring tourists to the Northern Territory these hotels will be of no use to you. The only way to bring international tourists to the Territory is through the airlines. We have to attract the airlines to the Territory. The question they asked was, ‘How can we work with the government?’ I gave them the same model the minister tried to ridicule – a joint promotion like we did with Jetstar. We had a good agreement, and if Jetstar did not do their bit funding would be cut.
This is the only Territory minister who has not brought new tourists to the Territory. He is also the only minister in the Territory – Labor or CLP – to have lost an airline. He lost 30 planes, including 100 jobs – they went to Adelaide. If Jetstar was not that good, why did the South Australian government offer them incentives to base their hub in Adelaide? Of course, losing an airline is a big thing but, compared to losing an industry and a town – Nhulunbuy – an airline is a small matter.
I am pleased I went to China, and thank you very much for approving my entitlement, Madam Speaker. I do not care what the Minister for Tourism says. After all, empty vessels make the loudest noise.
Mr STYLES (Transport): Madam Speaker, I speak on the Treasurer’s economic statement. I was interested in what the member for Nelson said about bringing competition into the generation side of electricity in the Northern Territory. I could not believe what I heard. I would like to correct the member for Nelson because when you get rid of competition and have one entity – it is communist doctrine to have one supplier.
In small economies and small places it is often the case the government needs to take the lead. For quite some time governments are required to do those types of things. However, when you reach a certain point you can introduce competition. We saw it in relation to Telstra when it had the monopoly on communications. We now see competition in the marketplace, and anyone who received a bill from Telstra, or the old Telecom, would have seen prices go down substantially due to competition. My colleague has reminded me that this goes back to the PMG.
Competition has brought innovation and better business practices, and causes people to think about how they can do things better. If you do not introduce competition into the Northern Territory electricity market – when we look at the expansion that will happen in the next few years we need to set up a good competitive industry. To do that we need to create good competitive services. This is one way to start a process in an area where you can have competition in generation. That will provide the basis for people to work out how they can do things more effectively and efficiently. Anyone who has studied economics will know they are the two most important words – effectiveness and efficiency. Without them things cost a lot of money and, in this case, taxpayers’ money.
My point in relation to the member for Nelson’s comments is we need competition to set up the Territory so we can start producing electricity at a cheaper price per kilowatt hour.
We have heard from both the Treasurer and the Chief Minister that the Territory is open for business. The development can be attributed to the mining industry, agribusiness, tourism, the railway and the aviation industry, all of which need infrastructure support to continue this exciting growth period and all of which continue to add weight to our growing economy.
We have seen significant improvements in the Territory economy in the last 12 months. Yes, we have faced challenges; however, we are starting to get on top. We are starting to see the rewards as opportunities are provided in gas, tourism, education, aviation and agribusiness, as we heard from the member for Katherine earlier.
There is a high amount of business confidence in the Territory as our government, under the Chief Minister, is framing an economy that is creating wealth and jobs. The interesting thing is when you talk to people there is a buzz; they are far more confident now than 12 months ago and there is far more confidence in the economy than several years ago. What has changed? The government has changed. We now have a government supportive of industry, business, getting on with the job and creating an environment where people from national and international companies are looking at the Territory because they know there is a supportive government and know we are open for business.
We are continuing to see business confidence in the Territory rise because we are open and prepared to have a competitive, innovative economy. It is exciting to see engineering construction levels at a historically high level. The increase was driven by the Ichthys project, the Montara oil field development and mine expansions and developments throughout the Territory. We heard a lot about those from the member for Katherine during his presentation.
All this exciting industry growth needs infrastructure assets to support it. Roads need to be improved for the heavy vehicles the mining and cattle industries require, buildings for new housing, commercial blocks, rail lines, schools and health facilities.
We heard earlier that new mining ventures are opening up. Mining ventures need railway lines and roads to get their product to market. We are now exporting buffalo to Vietnam; trucks need more roads to bring buffalo out. There are buffalo right through the Northern Territory. In fact, I heard in Arnhem Land there is in excess of 100 000 in one area alone. We need to get those out so we need infrastructure for transportation of those buffalo to ports and other facilities.
Infrastructure spending in the 2014 budget remains high at $1.2bn, comprising a $550m capital works program, and a repairs and maintenance program of $257m. We are maintaining a high level of funding for roads and providing increased funding for housing, in addition to more funding for improved school and health facilities across the Territory.
In response to this growth the government has reshaped the infrastructure program to ensure maximum benefit for all Territorians. While the global spend has reduced in 2013-14 and over the forward estimates in comparison to recent years, the investment pipeline into the future is very strong.
This government is about targeted infrastructure investment to maximise opportunities for the Territory and all Territorians. In 2012, for instance, our government made an election promise to improve roads to ensure transportation of cattle was effective and efficient. This includes two key commitments: the reinforcing of existing roads and extending the seal on key priority cattle roads.
The CLP government is delivering on this promise and helping growth in agribusiness. More than 10 km of existing sealed cattle roads have been upgraded, including seal widening and pavement strengthening. About 8 km of previously unsealed cattle roads will be upgraded and sealed to standard width. About 13 km of existing sealed cattle roads will be upgraded, including seal widening and pavement strengthening, and 9.4 km of overtaking lanes at four different locations will be built on the Arnhem Highway. Two truck parking bays will be upgraded on the cattle roads.
There is also a high indication of strong economic growth in the Northern Territory.
The Department of Infrastructure is currently providing project management services for the $521m NT Secure Facilities.
As we know, transport infrastructure is critical to Territorians with our cities, towns and communities separated by vast distances. The Northern Territory government is developing a road map for future integrated transport planning and investment. The road map will outline the government’s long-term vision for transport, and will result in an overarching plan for improving transport infrastructure and services to drive economic and social development for all Territorians. This road map will define the Territory’s transport infrastructure and service needs and priorities, bottlenecks and barriers. It will determine where we need to invest in the future and how projects can best be funded and delivered.
The road map will incorporate a number of focus strategies, plans, reviews and reforms covering the freight and logistics industry requirements, road and bridge infrastructure provision, motor vehicle registry services, maritime industry reform and passenger transport needs, including aviation, public transport and commercial passenger vehicle requirements. Transport infrastructure enables the movement of people and goods across the Northern Territory. Therefore, the Country Liberals government has allocated $373m of the 2013-14 capital works program to upgrade and improve important transport infrastructure, including roads, airstrips, barge landings and investment in Darwin port.
The Giles Country Liberals government is constantly looking at framing the future for the Territory as a prosperous one. Our aviation industry is continuing to grow and prosper. Qantas has announced up to 10 new return services per week to the Top End. This represents an estimated 10% increase in Qantas’ existing seat capacity to Darwin. Darwin will have additional Qantas flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The changes are anticipated to become fully operational between March and May.
Tigerair will return to Darwin from April, with seven return flights from Brisbane. We are estimating an increase of more than 2500 weekly seats to and from Darwin as a result of Tigerair flights alone. This speaks highly of the confidence these airlines, and many others, have in the Territory and its future.
From March, Virgin Airlines will re-time its services between Brisbane and Darwin from night departures to day time, providing convenient departure times. Jetstar will increase flights between Darwin and Cairns from three per week to seven per week after March.
SilkAir will add one additional weekly service between Singapore and Darwin. From June, SilkAir will operate five flights per week between Singapore and Darwin and upgrade to a Boeing 737-800 aircraft later this year.
Overall, scheduled inbound weekly seat capacity into the Northern Territory was 10.4% higher in February 2014 compared to February 2013. Our airport and aviation industry is anticipated to continue to grow throughout the next two years, and I look forward to the results.
Our railway recently celebrated 10 years of operation, and this way of travel is continuing to grow. This is a crucial freight supply route and is said to become a critical link with Asia and mining projects. Ten years after the opening of the 1420 km railway line, approximately two passenger services and 30 mining and general freight trains now provide services along the route each week.
Since 2004, the rail service has carried over 10 million tonnes of freight, including iron ore, manganese and general freight. Since its inaugural journey on 1 February 2004, the iconic Ghan passenger service has carried over 500 000 passengers into the Territory, and nearly 400 000 have travelled between Darwin and Alice Springs.
To build on the success of the railway, the Northern Territory government will continue to work with the rail owner and operator, Genesee & Wyoming, to optimise future opportunities for attracting and transferring the Territory’s expanding mining and resource freight to rail transport to bring the Territory’s rail infrastructure use to full capacity.
The Northern Territory government will continue to support the railway and the economic development that will partner it. We need to take advantage of these significant infrastructure investments due to our proximity to Asia and the significant markets to our north.
Projects such as the new port, the new rail lines and bulk exports, large scale industrial parks and increased urban and communications infrastructure are all just over the horizon. With the confidence in Territory businesses already at a high, we can expect the growth period to continue and for the Northern Territory to continue riding on this wave of success.
Madam Speaker, the CLP government has led much of this. We see so many increases in productivity going on. We have percentage increases in our trade and tourism, and percentage decreases in a range of social issues with crime reducing.
There is a bright future for us. I have three children who have grown up and live in the Territory. They see a bright future for themselves. I see a bright future for them, and I commend this statement to the House and ask that you note it. Thank you.
Mr TOLLNER (Treasurer): Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank everyone who has contributed to this debate. It was rather depressing listening to the Leader of the Opposition who says everything was roses when they were around and now everything is really bad because they are not around. You would expect the Leader of the Opposition to say such things.
It was also interesting listening to the contributions from the members for Greatorex and Casuarina. It was a great debate on tourism, and it will be interesting to see how the member for Casuarina reacts to the good news which seems to continually come from the Minister for Tourism.
An issue was raised by the member for Nelson which stunned me, and I think it stunned the Minister for Infrastructure. The view is because Power and Water Corporation is a government-owned entity we have no option but to keep it as a government-owned entity and keep pouring bucket loads of money into it.
Rightly, the member for Nelson identified that we subsidise essential services in the bush. I do not know if the member for Nelson understands we also subsidise water and sewerage for the vast majority of Territorians. Only a handful of businesses in the Northern Territory pay what it costs to produce electricity. Pretty well every resident in the Northern Territory is on some type of government handout. I understand the other side of the Chamber considers that entirely appropriate. In fact I had – I will not name names – somebody approach me and ask, ‘Why does government not give everybody free electricity? We provide electricity for nothing and, if we do, everyone in Australia will move here because they will get free electricity. If everybody in Australia moves here we receive more taxes and, because for every dollar we pay in tax we get $5.40 back in GST revenue, we would be the richest jurisdiction in the world simply by giving everybody free electricity.’ That almost seems to echo the sentiments put forward by the member for Nelson. It is interesting listening to the questions in Question Time and the concerns the opposition has with privatising government assets.
Government assets, as far as the opposition is concerned, are sacred cows always to be run by government and stuff it if private operators are willing to take on the job. It is almost like we have no option but to keep some of these assets.
The Minister for Infrastructure made the point about Labor’s privatisation of Telstra. In hindsight, most Australians now see the benefit of this. When telecommunication was first invented there was no industry to take up the cudgels and provide telecommunication services around Australia. The Postmaster-General was charged with the task and the PMG started putting in poles and wires around the country creating communications, all government owned, because there was no industry to do it.
I know it very well; I grew up in a post office and my family worked with the PMG. I remember the great times we had in a little country town when a party line was connected and four or five farms were connected up. It was a wonderful thing. Times have changed; there are now thousands of competitors in Australia who deal in telecommunications. The question has to be whether the government should not only be the regulator of telecommunications, but also one of the major players in the industry. We know it is probably not such a good thing and does not help competition. It does nothing to draw our prices down when government has monopoly ownership of something which other players in the business world can do more efficiently, cheaper and with better service delivery.
In many ways this is what is driving our changes in the Power and Water Corporation. We recognise Territorians are paying a lot of money. The opposition does not seem to understand that taxpayers’ money is Territorians’ money. The money we put into Power and Water Corporation could be money for Gove, for instance, or better schools, hospitals or roads to the bush. It seems to be lost on them. Their view is it does not matter how inefficient Power and Water is, or how we keep shovelling buckets of money into the organisation, it is what they call an essential service. It is something the government has to own and has an obligation to pour money into. It does not matter how inefficiently the business is run, we have to keep doing it.
In my mind that is nonsense. I would like to limit, to some extent, the taxpayers’ money that goes into the Power and Water Corporation because it could be better spent providing other essential services such as health and education, roads in the bush, or police to reduce crime and allow people to feel safe and secure in their communities. To shovel money into the Power and Water Corporation because that is what Labor governments do is not a good reason to not make changes.
Government is looking at all areas of expenditure to see how we can produce the most efficient and effective services. The Power and Water Corporation has a big red X on it, considering the amount of money we are pouring into it.
The Opposition Leader asks bizarre questions around the proposed increase in the network’s tariff. It is possibly 43%; we do not yet know what the Utilities Commission’s final determination will be, but if there is a 43% increase in the network’s charge, perhaps the Opposition Leader should ask herself why there is a requirement for it. The Utilities Commission is an independent body not dictated to by government. This says the opposition never invested enough money into the network to ensure it would cover costs.
You cannot have it both ways. You cannot say, ‘You have to retain everything and keep shovelling money into it’, or ‘You can’t sell it and allow others to run things more cheaply’. I am not advocating the privatisation of anything, but we only have a certain number of levers we can use to fix the mess Labor left us.
If the opposition does not support raising taxes, reducing government spending or privatisation of some assets, what is the only lever left to government to fund all the things Labor wants funded …
Mr Styles: Rob banks
Mr TOLLNER: The member for Sanderson, the Minister for Infrastructure, has belled the cat. ‘Rob banks’, he says. That is another way of saying, ‘Go further into debt’ ...
Mr Westra van Holthe: Rack it up on the credit card.
Mr TOLLNER: Yes, rack it up on the credit card. The opposition seems to have this fixation with debt that it does not matter. Debt never matters, we just go further and further into debt because all that matters is the here and now.
It is like a heroin addict who needs more every time he has a hit. You need more and it does not matter where you get it from, whose home you rob to get the money to pay for your habit, the main thing is you get more. I hear the Opposition Leader crowing about Labor’s stimulus package. The way Labor ran its stimulus package was not thought out, it was just, ‘Get the money out the door as fast as we can. We have to get money out there.’ It did not matter what they spent the money on, it did not have to be an outcome; the only outcome was getting the money out the door ...
Ms Walker: You were happy enough to come to BER openings. I remember acknowledging you at Kormilda College.
Mr TOLLNER: I turned up to one or two schools where they built a hall. However, I was not supportive of sending $900 to dead people, sending money overseas, building halls at schools that already had them or putting pink batts in roofs and watching houses burn down. That is nonsense spending and spending for the sake of it.
While Labor wants to crow about what a good job it did spending, in 2014 we have a massive headache, and unless we do something to reduce this crazy spending we will leave a debt legacy for our grandchildren and their children. This government is about reducing spending, trying to live within our means, being adult, being responsible and understanding not only do we have rights, we have responsibilities as well, and a responsibility to leave the finances in better shape than we received them.
We understand Territorians want hope and opportunity, and that is not for the government to provide. It is the government’s job to get out of the way and let the private sector provide that. Ultimately, what drives economies is enterprise and people wanting to have a go. The Territory has been built on people having a go. We live on a frontier – pioneering people built the place. We had a condolence motion this afternoon for Sid Parker. Sid was a pioneer, a bloke who had a go, opened up markets and created industries. Where else in the world could you do that? Labor does not want that. It wants people regulated, checked, kept in order and is trying to do everything possible to dampen that enterprising spirit and put the dead hand of government on their shoulders.
It is not on. We have a different view on this side of the Chamber. We want to get out of the way of business and give them their head. We want to let enterprising people have a go, encourage entrepreneurialism …
Ms Walker: You want to let 1100 jobs go in Nhulunbuy, and they have gone.
Mr TOLLNER: The member for Nhulunbuy charges in. We want to let 1100 jobs go! What a load of nonsense. Goodness me. Prior to the election I did not hear any talk of the government providing assistance to the people of Gove and the region. There is nothing. This issue magically appeared the day after the election, according to the member for Nhulunbuy. The fact is the former Chief Minister, the member for Blain, stuck his oar in the water and tried to do something. The current Chief Minister, the member for Braitling, has been there having a go. The member for Katherine has been there ...
Members interjecting.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Could we have some order please? Can all comments be directed through the Chair, and cease interjecting across the Chamber please, member for Nhulunbuy.
Mr TOLLNER: Pretty well every minister in this parliament has been to Nhulunbuy to see what we can do to resolve the situation. We worked tirelessly to come up with an energy solution for Rio Tinto …
Ms Walker: There was one.
Mr TOLLNER: Here we go! What was that solution, member for Nhulunbuy? Get the Northern Territory government, and all Territorians, on the hook for a few billion dollars to prop up an industry because that is the Labor way. You do not care about taxpayers’ money, you do not care how it is spent, and you do not care that when you were last in government you projected a $5.5bn debt …
You think it is okay we have a $1.1bn budget deficit this year. Well, good on you. That is why you are in opposition. As Bill Clinton said – that great Democrat – ‘it’s the economy, stupid’. Wake up, look around and see the mess you left the Territory in. It is our job to be fiscally responsible. We are making the tough decisions. We understand a lot of people do not like it, but we need to reduce our spending and start living within our means. We need to lift some of the dead hand of government off people with an enterprising nature and let them have a go. I commend the ministers in this government for doing the job they are. What the member for Katherine has done to allow farmers to finally get water and have a go …
Ms Walker: Giving a water licence to CLP mates!
Mr TOLLNER: ‘Giving a water licence to CLP mates,’ here you go. You are shrill and hopeless. Goodness me, someone wants to do something in Mataranka and you are offended by it. He got rid of your stupid tree clearing legislation. You were introducing a Vegetation Act, how bad was that? You would need a full-blown EIS to prune trees in your garden. That is the Labor way. People cannot have a nice looking garden or develop some economy on their land, everything is sacred. You cannot touch this, you cannot do this and you cannot do that. That is the Labor way. You are only happy if it is one big national park where nobody is allowed to do anything and tourists are treated as a blight on the environment. That is the Labor way.
The Minister for Infrastructure is talking about building things, our Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Correctional Services is finding new ways of dealing with criminals. It is not just about punishment; it is also about helping them live a decent life and giving them some hope and opportunity. I could talk on this for hours Mr Deputy Speaker, but will not.
I will close debate by saying thank you to everyone for their contributions. It has been interesting to listen to. There have been some high points and some low points, but it has been an interesting debate.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
TABLED PAPERS
Travel Reports from Members for Johnston, Nhulunbuy, Wanguri, Barkly, Blain and Arafura
Travel Reports from Members for Johnston, Nhulunbuy, Wanguri, Barkly, Blain and Arafura
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I table seven travel reports from the members for Johnston, Nhulunbuy, Wanguri, Barkly, Blain and Arafura pursuant to Clause 4.12 of the Remuneration Tribunal Determination.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr ELFERINK (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Mr Deputy Speaker, we are at 6.45 pm on the first day of sittings for the year and are adjourning. I would have expected – certainly my constituents in Nhulunbuy – that the statement before the House today from the Chief Minister would have seen every government – there were two speakers from the government side on this statement. This is the single biggest thing in the Northern Territory at the moment insofar as the collapse of a regional economy, the population of a township plummeting from 4000 to 1200, and nearly three months after an announcement we have a government which could not care less.
We had the Chief Minister delivering his statement at breakneck speed for 16 minutes. We had the Leader of Government Business on his feet for 10 minutes, and half of that was a whinge about me issuing this statement to constituents last night. Why is the government so sensitive about its assessment of the situation in Nhulunbuy and what is it doing to assist the community and work with Rio? Why is it so sensitive to that having been released by me yesterday evening and inviting comment from people about the Chief Minister’s assessment of the situation there right now, and whether or not they shared the view about the new future for Nhulunbuy?
When it came to the wrap, we heard from the Chief Minister for two minutes. It is shameful that no other minister from that side of the House chose to speak. The Leader of the Opposition and I spoke on this statement. We both used the full time available to us, including an extension of time. We are talking about the curtailment of the Gove alumina refinery, the largest private employer in the Northern Territory. Eleven hundred jobs will be gone by August. Those jobs have already started to go and, as I said, the population will plummet from 4000 to 1200 in the coming months. There is not three or four years, like other major manufacturing sectors in Australia have to wind down. That population will be plummeting – our population in Nhulunbuy – by August.
Clearly, the CLP government does not see it as an important enough issue to have ministers speak to it. It is happy to put rhetoric on paper and talk about what it might do, what it is talking about doing, about the discussions it is having, about the meetings it is having, but nothing concrete has come out of this statement today to give assurances to the people of Nhulunbuy and the Northern Territory. If it can happen in Nhulunbuy it can happen in any other region. We are the fourth-largest service town in the Northern Territory, servicing an entire region, putting $500m into the Northern Territory economy annually.
All taxpayers, Territorians and Australians have been abandoned by the CLP government, and abandoned by the CLP today with only two speakers to a statement. Why did they not stand up? Why did the ministers opposite not put on the record what they and their departments are doing to assist the fourth-largest community in the Northern Territory which is about to lose the biggest private employer in the Northern Territory? Why were they not talking about what is happening in my region? I guess the answer is simple: (a) there are no concrete plans, and (b) they do not care. It is not on the Stuart Highway, it is not a CLP held seat at Territory or federal level, and they simply do not care.
Why did we not have a contribution from the Minister for Tourism? Gee whiz, he did not mind speaking to the Treasurer’s statement giving us a rant. Yes, I acknowledge, as per the Chief Minister’s statement, a delegation from Tourism NT went to the East Arnhem region for a few days and met with stakeholders. Good, so they should, but where is the minister in this? Since the election, since becoming minister not only for Tourism but now Housing, he has not set foot out there. He spilled the beans this afternoon when talking about reduction of air services, viability of flights – 22% capacity of Qantas and Airnorth on their daily services into Nhulunbuy. Are you pre-empting an announcement, minister? In his statement the Chief Minister said airline services are confirmed through this transition phase and everything is being done to hold on to services beyond. It does not sound like it to me.
Why did we not have a contribution from the Mines minister, who also has Primary Industry? There was a statement today about the buffalo industry and the first export of buffaloes to Vietnam. Fantastic! Any government worth its salt should be making those types of announcements, stimulating the economy and looking for new industry and opportunity
The Chief Minister announced buffaloes on 29 December at the Regional Economic Development Committee in Nhulunbuy. ‘Yes, we are thinking about buffaloes and tourism opportunities’. What are we hearing from the Primary Industries minister about the future of the buffalo industry? He has not been there since the pat on the back for getting gas to Gove in February last year. Shortly after, the member for Blain was knifed in the back and we had a new Chief Minister – an inferior Chief Minister who is not up to the job.
We have not seen the Mines minister there, who also has responsibility for Primary Industry. He talks up business, regions and the great north but cannot set foot in Nhulunbuy. Why not? There is no plan for buffaloes and further industry there is what it spells to us.
What about the Minister for Education? The Chief Minister, in his statement, said education is another ‘potential opportunity’ and the CLP ‘might look at a series of boarding schools’. Again, the Minister for Education has not set foot in Nhulunbuy or Yirrkala. The federal Leader of the Opposition sets foot in Nhulunbuy High School, but not the Minister for Education. What is the great plan for potential opportunities for education? How do we know if the Minister for Education makes no contribution during a statement on the future of Nhulunbuy? It does not stack up.
What about the Minister for Business, the Treasurer of the Northern Territory? I give him some credit, he has made a couple of visits. In fact, he is pushed out the front door when others want to run away, but we have not seen him for a while. Why did he not talk on this statement? He is the Minister for Business and has responsibility for employment and training.
One of the great hopes for the future of Nhulunbuy is a trade training centre, quoting from the statement:
- The trade training centre in Nhulunbuy could also be built up to supply tradesmen and women throughout the Territory.
‘Could also’, ‘maybe’, ‘perhaps’; this is the language, the rhetoric of this statement. Why could the Minister for Business not give us some concrete details of what he and his agency are doing to deliver on this for the people of Nhulunbuy and the wider East Arnhem region?
Why did the Minister for Infrastructure not address this statement? Why did he not talk about his efforts to build upon Labor’s $25m spend to put three bridges across the Central Arnhem Road? These are key crossings and will keep the road open for 11 months of the year. Tell us where he will find the $430m and the stage plan to seal the Central Arnhem Road. We would love to hear that contribution. As Minister for Infrastructure we would also love to hear why there are hold-ups with the $13m project on upgrading the accident and emergency department. Last time we saw the Infrastructure minister in Nhulunbuy he came to the big party Rio Tinto threw in March. Representing the Chief Minister he said, ‘Are we not fantastic? We saved your town, you can depend on us.’ Since then, we have not seen nor heard him, nor was he prepared to speak to this statement in the House today. It is shameful.
What about the Community Services minister? She does not say boo. Why could she not talk on this statement, provide some assurances and tell us about the consultation she has had with the Laynhapuy and Marthakal Homelands, and other sizable communities in northEast Arnhem Land, that there will be no interruption to services and the Indigenous organisations will be well supported …
Mrs Price interjecting.
Ms WALKER: Well, come on out. Do not play the race card with me, minister. You need to get on a plane, get out there and talk to people. You need to talk with Dhimurru, talk with the rangers …
Mrs Price: I have been out there.
Ms WALKER: Not recently. I have not seen you there.
Members interjecting.
Ms WALKER: You have not been out there that I have heard of. What about the Health minister …
Mrs Price: I was there when you were not.
Ms WALKER: Standing Order 51, Mr Deputy Speaker. You might remind members opposite of that.
What about Health? The Minister for Health has been there and put an article in the paper. That is great. She said she would feed suggestions and questions back to Cabinet colleagues. There has been nothing from her today and nothing from the Housing minister. There is nothing in this statement and nothing from this government to give Gove people any faith in this government supporting the future of Nhulunbuy, and that is shameful.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Mr Deputy Speaker, bitter and twisted, the member for Nhulunbuy. For your information, I asked my colleagues not to speak on the statement because I wear the responsibility of trying to assist the people of Nhulunbuy. All you are is bitter and twisted. It makes us not want to give a statement to update the House on matters about Gove and speak directly to the people in the region.
The member for Nhulunbuy will remain bitter and twisted. She does not have a positive word to say, and is it any wonder she does not hear what is happening? Is there any wonder people are not talking to her? She is one of the saddest people I have ever seen.
Tonight I advise the House of a remarkable honour awarded to a former Territorian. A formal announcement has been made by Her Majesty the Queen that Dr Neil Conn is the new Lord Prior Designate of the most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. This is the highest non-royal office in the order.
To put this into perspective, let me outline the structure of the organisation. First, there is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sovereign Head of the Order of St John. His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester is Grand Prior. Next in the hierarchy are the great officers of the Order, which will be headed by the new Lord Prior, Dr Conn.
The order of St John is the parent organisation of the St John Ambulance Service, which does a great job providing ambulance services in the Northern Territory. There are approximately 25 000 members of the order world-wide. The Order of St John originated in 11th century Jerusalem, where it began as a religious and military order providing care to the poor and sick of any faith. This care extended to all in need without discrimination, and has earned a high level of trust which has enabled St John to work in places where others cannot go and do things others cannot do.
Membership of the Order is an honour granted by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of outstanding merit in furthering the work of the Order of St John in the provision of health or related care services, the prevention of injury, illness or disease, or in the training and development of young people.
Queen Victoria formally recognised what became the modern Order of St John. There are now St John activities in 43 countries, comprising 10 Priories, including Kenya and Singapore – created recently – 32 St John associations, and the magnificent St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, which treated 115 000 Palestinians last year.
The centenary of the foundation of St John in Australia was celebrated in 1983. In the Northern Territory, the first reference to St John was made in the Northern Territory Times and Gazette on Thursday 16 September 1915, noting that an entrance fee of two shillings and six pence would be charged to defray cost of bandages, splints, lighting, etcetera. A St John Ambulance certificate would be issued to all who passed the examination at the end of training.
In Alice Springs, the first record of any St John activity was in 1952 when assistance was provided to the Centralian Football Association. In the same year, first aid training commenced in Tennant Creek, and a visit to Tennant Creek by the Queen and Price Philip in 1963 resulted in the formation of the Tennant Creek section of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
I take this opportunity to reaffirm we are immensely grateful for the vital contribution of the St John Ambulance in the Northern Territory. On behalf of the Northern Territory government, I thank the many generations of volunteers who have built St John into the great organisation it is today.
Mr Deputy Speaker, the Lord Prior provides leadership of that Order. It is an immensely important position and we know Dr Conn is well placed to take on such a role. He will be the first Australian to be given the job.
Territorians will best remember Dr Conn for his services as Administrator of the Northern Territory from 17 February 1997 to 30 October 2000. I know he retains a great love for and interest in the Northern Territory.
Prior to his services as Administrator, Dr Conn served in senior roles in the Northern Territory public service, including as Under-Treasurer from 1986-96. In the 1996 Australia Day Honours, Dr Conn was appointed an office of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to the Northern Territory Treasury and the community.
Dr Conn’s service with St John dates from 1997. Following his retirement as Administrator, he joined the board of St John Ambulance Australia NSW, going on to serve as Chairman from 2004-07. He was appointed chancellor of St John Ambulance in Australia in 2007, and his subsequent six-year term included a three-year appointment to the steering committee of Grand Council.
In addition to his volunteer work for St John, Dr Conn has also served as a National Chairman, then President, of the Order of Australia Association. Dr Conn will succeed the current Lord Prior, Professor Tony Mellows on 24 June this year. This is a great honour for Dr Conn and a fitting recognition of his long years of service. On behalf of all Territorians, I congratulate Dr Conn on a high honour bestowed on him by Her Majesty the Queen.
I will come back to the point about Nhulunbuy. To shed a more positive light on what we are trying to do in Nhulunbuy for the residents, it would be good if the local member had a more positive approach and outlook instead of coming in here cranky, yelling, ranting and screaming. It is not helping anybody. It is not helping the Chamber, democracy and, least of all, the people of Nhulunbuy. She does a huge disservice and discredit to the residents of the region and her electorate. She will be remembered as the person who allowed curtailment of the refinery and the slow-down of the economy in her own electorate.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Mr Deputy Speaker, this evening I talk about the fantastic achievements of some young women involved with Girl Guides in the rural area.
Since 1910, the program for girl guides has seen a number of changes as the association tries to meet the needs of present day girls and young women while maintaining the original philosophy set down by Baden Powell. Girl Guides Northern Territory for many years functioned under the care of Girl Guides South Australia. However, in November 1987 Girl Guides Northern Territory became a guiding state in its own right under the guidance of Mrs Lyn Mounsey as State Commissioner, and Mrs Norma Simmons and Mrs Carol Lynch as assistants.
The Humpty Doo Brumby Guides have been in operation for almost 10 years and are now under the excellent leadership of Michelle Leach and Becky Myers. A recent addition to the Girl Guide program is the Commonwealth Award, which is open to guides 13 years and older, and the Olava Program for members 18 to 29 years from all Commonwealth countries. This award strengthens the bonds between girls living in the Commonwealth by allowing them to learn about one another’s history and culture. Girl guides are encouraged to work on other programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, for which Mrs Leach is the Girl Guides Northern Territory coordinator, and the Junior Leadership Program.
So far, only five young women in Australia have achieved the Commonwealth Award. Northern Territory Girl Guides, and in particular the Humpty Doo Brumby Girl Guides and their dedicated leaders, proudly claim three recipients who had their awards presented by the Administrator, Honourable Sally Thomas, at Government House in October 2013. Lia Leach, one of the guides, completed her Queen’s Guide Award, Junior Leader Award, Commonwealth Award and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. Natasha Bond completed her Queen’s Guide Award, Commonwealth Award and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Jazlyn Bailey completed her Commonwealth Award and her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.
In regard to the Commonwealth Award, this is a synopsis of their achievements:
History of Guiding: be able to talk about its beginning at Crystal Palace in 1909 to the present date, share information on the development of world guiding, guiding development in Australia and know the aims and principles of guiding. Lia Leach, Natasha Bond and Jazlyn Bailey each prepared and shared a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation for this category.
Knowledge of the Commonwealth: share information on the development of the Commonwealth of Nations, be able to talk knowledgably about a Commonwealth country other than Australia, including a day in the life of the people, culture, religion, how guiding began and developed and share this information in a practical way. Lia Leach researched Greece and its guiding history, Natasha Bond chose Malta and Jazlyn Bailey chose England. Each girl prepared a tailored meal, made a craft, played a game and shared the country’s anthem, religion and a slideshow on guides in the country.
Service within the Community: carry out service within the community of no less than 20 hours over a minimum of three months. Lia Leach volunteered by making a cake each week for morning tea for Humpty Doo Living Waters Op Shop and United Church. Natasha Bond volunteered as an instructor and mentor for young girls at belly dancing. Jazlyn Bailey volunteered at Living Waters Op Shop sorting, folding and hanging clothes. Each guide also used this service for the Duke of Edinburgh program.
Cultural Heritage: know about your cultural heritage in your country, share art and craft, produce a collection of items and be able to demonstrate your chosen one, and present your findings on three religions, denominations and faiths in Australia. Lia Leach, Natasha Bond and Jazlyn Bailey participated in a cultural road trip from Humpty Doo to Mataranka. Over five days the guides visited World War II sites, cemeteries, pioneer settlements and the Top Didj Cultural Centre in Katherine where they made a painting, made fire with sticks, and learnt how to throw a spear. The guides also used this activity for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Active Living and the Community: participate in a camp of not less than two nights on two occasions within three years. Lia Leach and Natasha Bond have both participated in nine camps each over the last three years. The most memorable was camping at Pine Creek, competing their trifold three in canoeing which enabled them to canoe Katherine Gorge later in the year to the fourth waterhole and walk a trail for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards.
Another exciting opportunity was the Wacky Quacky road trip over five days exploring the history and settlement of the Top End. They also held the last big bush bash for the rubber ducky patrol which ended Lia’s nine year guiding journey.
Public Speaking: participate in an organised debate as the principal speaker for or against the motion. Jazlyn Bailey participated in the debate at Charles Darwin University and debated the Syrian crisis and what would happen if North Korea launched a missile attack.
As you can see, Mr Deputy Speaker, in achieving this Commonwealth Award the girls have undertaken extensive and comprehensive community service, training, physical activity and citizenship. As I said at the beginning, there are only five in Australia and three from the Northern Territory, and those three are from the rural area.
To Natasha Bond, Lia Leach and Jazlyn Bailey, congratulations on achieving this award. I know you will go on to bigger and better things, whether it be in the guide movement, the Duke of Edinburgh movement, or anything else you do in the community, because you will achieve greater heights than you have already. Thank you
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker, Darwin Harbour is a busy working harbour providing many important services to the Territory’s growing economy.
Currently the harbour is experiencing unprecedented levels of activity related to the INPEX Ichthys LNG project and other associated developments. The harbour is used by and is precious to many Territorians, and the Territory government recognises the importance of maintaining a healthy harbour.
Darwin Harbour is an important habitat for a diverse range of marine wildlife, and one of the most widely known and iconic species within the harbour is dolphins. Territory government scientists are currently working in partnership with INPEX to monitor the dolphins to ensure they continue to make the harbour their home.
Three species of coastal dolphins live in Darwin Harbour: the Indo-Pacific Humpback, Bottlenose and Snubfin. All three species occur in coastal waters throughout the Territory but until recently very little was known about them, including how they respond to both human and natural disturbance. You may be aware that concerns have been raised about local dolphin populations being affected by coastal and harbour developments elsewhere in Australia and internationally.
Systematic monitoring of Darwin’s dolphins started 12 months prior to the start of dredging activities in the harbour for the Ichthys project and will continue for at least six months after all dredging and jetty construction has been completed. The boat-based dolphin surveys occur twice a year and extend to Bynoe Harbour and Shoal Bay, which are used as reference areas to assess any change within the harbour. Using photographs of the dolphin’s dorsal fin, scientists are able to identify individual animals and, hence, estimate the size of the population, their rate of survival and distribution, and movement in and out of Darwin Harbour. A dedicated Darwin database has been designed to store this information.
The dolphin monitoring is a collaborative effort between government and the private sector, and I acknowledge the ongoing commitment by the Department of Land Resource Management and INPEX Australia to the monitoring of dolphins in Darwin Harbour. Furthermore, the project works with internationally renowned scientists, Professors Ken Pollock and Lyndon Brooks, who have contributed to the development of the survey methodology and provided independent analysis.
I would also like to acknowledge the involvement of Indigenous traditional owners in the program. Marine rangers from Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Belyuen community are employed to work alongside scientists during the dolphin surveys. In addition to the benefits of employment, rangers are gaining valuable experience which will enable them to win future work and contribute to managing their sea country.
To date, results from the monitoring show no measurable impact on the dolphin populations in the harbour. The size of the population is small with around 80 humpback, 30 bottlenose and 30 snubfin dolphins occurring across the three survey areas, and the populations of all three species have remained stable after the first dredging season. Interestingly, there is quite a lot of movement of the humpback dolphin between Bynoe and Darwin Harbours.
The dolphin monitoring program has been carefully designed to be statistically robust and is held in high regard. The independent Ichthys dredging expert panel, which provides advice to INPEX and government regulators, has stated the program is ‘world-class’. Furthermore, the Australian government considers the survey methodology to be an excellent model for future coastal developments around Australia. The dolphin monitoring is part of a comprehensive program put in place by INPEX to monitor the impacts on Darwin Harbour of works associated with the Ichthys project. The dolphin monitoring program is one of 13 that include fish, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass and water quality. It is pleasing to see INPEX maintaining its commitment to not only minimising the environmental impacts of its development, but also ongoing monitoring of any impacts on the marine environment.
This dolphin monitoring program showcases the ability of the Northern Territory government to work closely with private industry to promote development of the Territory while ensuring it is done in a responsible and sustainable manner. Information from this program, and other monitoring programs now under way, will act as a benchmark to assist decision-making in maintaining a healthy Darwin Harbour and can be applied to developments in other coastal areas of the Northern Territory.
This is one of the good news stories coming out of my Department of Land Resource Management. I take this opportunity to once again commend the work being done by my department in this area. You will see boats around Darwin Harbour carrying my staff as they become involved in doing this work.
This is a good news story for the harbour and a sign of the commitment of this government to ensure industry and the environment are catered for at the same time. Thank you.
Mr STYLES (Sanderson): Madam Speaker, tonight I speak about a matter which occurred late last year but, sadly, I was unable to get this into the Parliamentary Record before sittings ended in December. This is an opportunity for me to say thank you to Department of Transport staff.
I take the opportunity to thank all Department of Transport public transport staff for their consistent prompt and efficient responses to community feedback. Their efforts and ability to implement improvements to the delivery of public transport services is critical to achieving government’s commitment to improving public transport in the Territory.
The Department of Transport has contracted bus operators and provides over 700 urban public transport services and over 350 school transport services across the Territory every school day. This equates to the movement of approximately 300 million student trips per year. The department is responsible for the ongoing management and planning of these services to achieve the best and most efficient delivery of services to the community, which is a challenging task.
I was recently made aware of an example of the day-to-day operational work public transport does in managing transport services across the Territory. In response to a request from the community, key public transport staff acted promptly in consultation with key staff in the Department of Education and bus operator, Buslink, to find an efficient solution and improve school service coverage from Sacred Heart Primary School to the Palmerston suburbs. Public transport staff were able to review the travel route and provide a workable solution to facilitate the school. Whilst this might sound easy on the surface, it needs to be acknowledged that the school bus network is highly complex and relies on connections being met so students can get where they need to safely and efficiently, and often on more than one bus. Therefore, a simple tweak of the school bus network has a flow-on effect through other services, so this needs to be taken into consideration when looking at any changes to the network.
Furthermore, this example shows the great working relationship that exists between the Department of Transport, the Department of Education and the bus operator, Buslink, in responding to feedback from the community and providing cost effective and workable solutions. The community can provide feedback about public transport planning through the department’s dedicated online feedback system, or in writing at any of three bus interchanges. As highlighted in the above example, the department takes this feedback on board and, where possible, will incorporate suggestions into current and future planning.
I personally thank members of the Public Transport Branch at the Department of Transport, Alex Rae, Shaan Novak and Ben Mountcastle, who arranged this service change. I also thank Ian George, Trudy Dixon, Pantelitsa Rigas, Paul Andrews and Tania Wright Clunne, who make such an important contribution to delivering efficient public transport services for the community, allowing Territorians both in greater Darwin and Alice Springs to get to their destinations quickly and securely every day of the week.
It is great and encouraging to hear these stories coming out of not only my department, but other departments. It reinforces that the public service is full of fantastic, talented, hard-working people who on a daily basis, without the requirement for any recognition, get on with the business of government, providing services and ensuring people are safe and get to where they need to on time. It is a pleasure to see examples like this from time to time, be able to thank these people and put on the public record that they make a great contribution every day of their working lives.
Thank you for the opportunity to put this on the public record.
Ms MANISON (Wanguri): Madam Speaker, this evening I congratulate Abbey Holmes from Waratah Football Club, who made history this week not just in the Territory, but across Australia as the first woman to ever kick 100 goals in an AFL sanctioned competition.
This is a huge achievement. I played for six seasons and have never seen a player like Abbey before. Her 100 goals was a sign of what a classy player she is. I had the privilege last season of being the runner for Waratah, which was also Abbey’s first season at the club. What I saw in Abbey Holmes as a player is that you should not let her good looks fool you; she is tough. She gets in, gets her head over the ball and takes a lot of hard knocks because they know she is a good player. She is the type of player who when you run to her and say, ‘You look a bit battered and bruised, would you like a spell?’ will say, ‘Absolutely not’ every time. She is a fierce competitor. She has incredible smarts on the field, is a dynamic player, has wonderful skills and has the perfect timing you want in the forward line. This, I would say, can be attributed to the talented netballer she is too, playing in the A grade competition, where she has also represented the Northern Territory.
In her first season alone she kicked 67 goals. It would have been more if not for the fact she looks like she would be good on the wing or as an on baller, but once they got her into the forward line she was pretty unstoppable and has stayed there ever since. This season she has kicked 103 goals so far. There is another game next Sunday against Buffalos.
To put in context how great this is, the closest goal kicker in the competition is on 37 goals. That is a lady named Natasha Medbury, a fantastic player for Palmerston. She is a bit feisty – a real competitor, as I am sure you will attest to. Anyway, Abbey kicked 16 goals in one game against Southern Districts, which is huge. I am sorry to inform you of that, Madam Speaker.
Two weeks ago there was huge media hype locally, and there was a fair bit nationally as she had to score nine goals against Nightcliff at TIO, Marrara. I was watching and hoping she would get over that day. The conditions were horrendous; it poured with rain before the match. TIO had to have a spell the week after because the field was complete muck and full of mud, yet in those conditions she managed to kick seven goals. It was not the nine she needed, but it says a lot about the class of player she is. It was wonderful to see Channel 9, ABC and the NT News all covering the story.
The ladies are used to getting a bit of coverage around Grand Final time but not for regular games, but it really had a lot of interest. It was wonderful to see. This week she sealed the 100 goals, with five goals in Waratah’s 117:1 win against Tracy Village. It was a huge achievement for Abbey and has put Territory football on the map. It is wonderful to see the publicity surrounding it. I hope this encourages more girls to take up footy and have a go.
I asked Colleen Gwynne, a veteran of ladies football in Darwin, for her thoughts on Abbey’s achievement. Colleen has seen the best players, and is captain of Waratah ladies team and had the privilege to coach that day. She said it was a joy. I asked Colleen if she wanted to make some comments. She wanted to place on the record:
- As captain and assistant coach of the Waratah women’s football team, it was a special day on Saturday to see our team mate, Abbey Holmes, create history by becoming the first woman in the country to kick 100 goals in a season. The benefits of such milestones are far reaching. The AFL now has the spotlight on Abbey and other young footballers in the Territory who would have no problems mixing it up with their southern counterparts. My hope is that this will translate to a number of local women getting picked up in the national draft after the disappointment of last year.
After the game, Abbey paid tribute to her team who provided her with the opportunity to kick 100 goals. She acknowledged the importance of the milestone for the team, the club, and women in sport and her family.
It was a great effort by Abbey, but it was also a reflection of a great team effort to support her in every way and help her reach that milestone. Good luck against Buffalos this week, Abbey. Hopefully, you will kick a whole lot more goals. They are their arch rivals and the tightest competition going into finals. Abbey, well done for putting women’s football in the Top End on the map across Australia. Hopefully, we will see many more goals kicked by ladies in the competition because you have set the bar and showed ladies they can kick a tonne. Congratulations Abbey, you have made history and we are all very proud of you.
Mrs PRICE (Stuart): Madam Speaker, as Minister for Women’s Policy I also congratulate Abbey for her 100 goals. What an achievement! I would like to brag about my daughter as well, who played for Saints and introduced female football to Alice Springs. There is a competition there now – I think they have eight teams. It is all because she was involved in the football competition in Darwin. Congratulations to Abbey on her achievement.
As Minister for Women’s Policy I mark the passing of a remarkable woman born Ms Lena Bertha Verboot, but known to many as Lena Walters. Her parents moved from the Netherlands to Indonesia in 1917, and Lena was born and brought up in what was then known as the Dutch East Indies. Life changed drastically following the outbreak of WWII and the subsequent Japanese invasion. In March 1942, Lena’s father was told to attend an important meeting from which he did not return until three years and seven months later. The women and girls were all interned in a prisoner of war camp and memories of the hardship of those years never left Lena.
At a book club meeting held more than 50 years later in Humpty Doo, the members were considering Vikram Seth’s book, An Equal Music. They each played a piece of music which meant a lot to them. Lena’s contribution was unforgettable. She had heard The Sunken Cathedral by Claude Debussy played by a young pianist as a piano was being removed on the back of a flatbed truck through the centre of the prisoner of war camp.
Lena married Peter Walter, a survivor of Changi and Burma Road camps. In 1951 they immigrated to Australia, landing in Darwin, where the airport was simply an old Sidney Williams hut at the end of the runway which is now Hudson Fysh Avenue.
Their first home in the Northern Territory was in Katherine where musical skills were in high demand with evenings of tango, rumbas and folk songs. Ten years after arriving in Australia the Walter family moved to Nightcliff. Lena became known for being involved on every committee of every organisation she joined. There were many of them, including U3A, bridge and a book club, a chamber orchestra group, a national group of women and the international club. She was also a foundation member of the Northern Territory branch of the Penguin Club established in 1963. The early members went on to train others and opened six groups throughout the Northern Territory, including the only Penguin group of the air run through the School of the Air for women on cattle stations.
As was noted at Lena’s funeral by Ms Wendy James OAM, ‘Lena was the glue that held us all together. A skilled chairman, speaker and critic, always there to help as mentor, friend and wise counsel.’ For nearly 40 years she consistently held committee positions and was honorary organiser for six years. She represented the Northern Territory nationally and was awarded the rare honour of life membership. She did all this with six children to look after.
Lena gave the club a wonderful gift when she wrote and published the history of the Northern Territory branch titled Penguins in the Tropics. In the acknowledgement she wrote:
- To all my Penguin friends for the great times we all had as part of this organisation and its training which not only gave us the confidence in communicating, but also as living as a free bird on the ground.
Lena also wanted to fulfil a personal ambition of attaining an academic qualification, but Cyclone Tracy intervened. The family survived unscathed, but Lena admitted there was more fear during this experience than at any other time, including the war years. After the cyclone when life had settled down, Lena began to pursue academic ambitions. She commenced accountancy studies while working in the office of Waters James and O’Neil, and in 1981, at the age of 56, received her degree.
As her many friends have reported, it was a privilege to know Lena, a lady with an elegant, old-world charm, a strong character, who was intelligent, passionate about what she believed in and a great sense of humour. It is timely, as we commemorate the Bombing of Darwin that we remember someone for whom war time memories could have caused failure, self-pity and sadness, but instead was one of the most inspirational Territorians one is ever likely to encounter. Thank you, Lena. Rest in peace.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, tonight I update members on some matters particular to the seat of Port Darwin. I pay tribute to the constituents who have received Northern Territory citizenship awards on Australia Day.
Starting with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, I would like to welcome Ms Rebecca Nancorrow, the school’s new deputy principal and teacher for Room 11. Ms Nancorrow had been working in Catholic education for 13 years and, although originally from Melbourne, has been in the Territory for three years and worked at Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic Primary School on Bathurst Island, an experience she said was challenging but very rewarding. This is Ms Nancorrow’s first appointment as a deputy principal and she is extremely excited to join the St Mary’s school community, both as deputy and a Year 5/6 teacher. I wish her the very best in her endeavours and welcome her, professionally at least, to the seat of Port Darwin.
I would also like to welcome many of the new staff who have joined St Mary’s Catholic Primary School this year:
Mrs Shannon Feldtman, Year 1/2 Room 7
Ms Sofia Bonomelli, Year 1/2 Room 3
Ms Courtney Ralph, Year 5/6 Room 10
Mrs Helen Bradbury-Smith, Science teacher and Year 3/4
Mrs Sheila Brill, canteen manager and cook.
My sincere congratulations to school captain, Shanis O’Campo, who was awarded the Australian Day Student Citizenship Award for St Mary’s school this year. Shanis is a worthy recipient of this award, displaying many great qualities, including her generous, helpful and caring nature. Her valued contributions to the school and the wider community are greatly appreciated. Shanis attended the Australia Day Ceremony on 26 January with her family and received a certificate and a medallion in recognition of her achievements.
Moving on to Larrakeyah Primary School, which is another fantastic school in my electorate of Port Darwin, I would like to welcome their new teachers:
Michael Webb, Year 5
Joanna Koulouriotis, Year 4
Leisa Beynon, Year 5/6.
My congratulations go to another bright student, Tiranie Lokukalu Arachchige for being awarded the Australia Day Citizenship Award for Larrakeyah Primary. Tiranie is also a very worthy recipient of this award. Tiranie is known for being an extremely caring and helpful part of the school community and I am pleased this important contribution has been recognised.
Moving on to the citizenship awards, Australia Day was a chance to acknowledge many worthy contributions to the community. I would like to take this opportunity to place on the Parliamentary Record my congratulations to the following people:
the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Sally Thomas AM – awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia
Tonight I also update members of this House on one of the policies we have driven forward in government: no smoking in prisons. I have been concerned for some time, as the Correctional Services minister that there would come a time when tortuous actions would be taken against the Northern Territory government for failing to protect prisoners. Cigarettes are now recognised to be fairly toxic products and, as a consequence, I was concerned about our continued provision of cigarettes in the Corrections environment. I was also concerned about how to stop smoking in our Corrections environment, because we know how irritable one person is when trying to give up smoking, let alone hundreds at a time.
To the enormous credit of the Department of Correctional Services – I congratulate Ken Middlebrook for being persistent in this – a smoking ban was forewarned for a number of months. Education programs and nicotine replacement programs were made available to prisoners. The smoking ban also applied to staff as well. Prisons are now completely smoke free.
I thank the Prison Officers Association and all those prison officers who understood what government was trying to do. Once again, the Prison Officers Association and prison officers have shown their sterling support for good and sound government policy. I am grateful to them and often place on the record my gratitude to prison officers, the rank and file in particular, who have continued to assist the strong commitment to moving forward in the Northern Territory Corrections system. To that end, I have encouraged strong communication between prison management and the rank and file and understand that has been occurring. While it has led to a couple of teething problems, the level of communication in our Corrections system between rank and file staff and senior management is as good as it could possibly be.
As of 1 January 2014, the Department of Correctional Services introduced its smoke-free policy. There has been little evidence of disruption at any of the prisons due largely to significant planning around the smoke-free roll-out.
As in all parts of Australia, in the majority of cases prisoners come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and, as such, have poorer health outcomes. While they are in prison there is an opportunity to address these health concerns. Benefits to having a smoke-free custodial facility are: improving general health outcomes; meeting the legal obligations and eliminating the risk of prosecution for non-compliance and cost and litigation compensation resulting from passive smoking illnesses; providing for a safer, cleaner and healthier workplace environment; educating staff and prisoners on the risks of smoking and benefits of quitting; the positive effect of learning to overcome negative behaviours; and promoting a healthy corporate image and increasing productivity.
Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, continues to be available only for those in reception who are assessed as nicotine dependant, and to all staff.
The prison smoke-free program now moves into phase two and there will be a focus on highlighting the health benefits of smoking cessation. Health programs will develop additional promotional material, including producing a video to capture prisoners’ and prison officers’ positive stories about life without tobacco. There have been 47 people on the NRT program in the Darwin Correctional Centre, 42 on NRT in Alice Springs, and none in the Barkly area. We hope to wean people off it and, when you come into the prison system in the Northern Territory, it is now a no smoking zone.
This has attracted attention nationally. We are the first jurisdiction in the country to go down this path. Some of my colleagues in other jurisdictions have spoken to me about it, having the same reservations and fears I had, particularly in relation to the first few days after the policy was implemented. We are happy to assist any other jurisdiction by sharing our experience in the Northern Territory with them with a view to seeing that jurisdiction – if they choose to follow our lead – introduce a smoke-free environment
I add the recognition the Northern Territory has been given in relation to female genital mutilation legislation. The legislation was recently passed in this House with the support of all members. It has received a strong pat on the back in the national media from various interested parties. I am proud to stand by that legislation, as I am sure all members of this House are. I again congratulate people in the departments who raised this issue with me and thank them for their efforts. We will continue to protect the victims of crime as much as we possibly can as a government, whether they are victims in this jurisdiction or made victims in other jurisdictions, contrary to the laws operating in the Northern Territory.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I would like to raise an issue following what the minister said about healthy habits in prison. I see prisoners umpiring football on a regular basis. This is good not only because they learn some skills they can take back to their own communities, but they also keep fit. It is good for other umpires to mix with these people realising they are ordinary Territorians who have gone down the wrong path. It is a good project both Northern Territory umpires and the Department of Correctional Services are undertaking.
I would also like to congratulate Abbey Holmes. As the member for Wanguri said, she has kicked more than 100 goals. There was a women’s match the week before when she did not quite get the numbers. I should also give a free plug to the number of women who umpire football, and a bigger free plug because two of the umpires on that day where my daughters. It is good to see women participating in what used to be a male-dominated sport.
- The Treasurer is working to pay the $5.5bn debt.
- We are staring down the barrel of a $5.5bn debt.
The Minister for Education:
We have inherited a debt.
Also the Minister for Education:
- If we were in a far better fiscal position what could we do?
Minister for Transport:
- We are facing debt legacies of about $5.5bn. There is nothing more this government would like to do than spend money.
Chief Minister:
We have this humungous ball on this humungous chain worth of debt which has been built up over 11 years of irresponsible spending.
We are encumbered by making tough decisions so we can be financially responsible for the good governance of everyone.
- The government will not be providing $6.8m or $9.8m for a stand-alone facility for badminton, judo and table tennis.
…
Let us look at where some of this money could be spent across the Northern Territory. We could upgrade and seal 15 km of one of our outback highways, it could be the Tanami, Central Arnhem Highway, the Plenty or the Buntine Highway, or it could be 25 dwellings for affordable housing. We could extend and seal the Outback Way from the current end to Harts Range. We could construct two boat ramps at the standard end of the Elizabeth River …
… and a boat ramp into Palmerston. There could be further sealing of the inner loop of the Mereenie Loop on the Red Centre Way, which has been on the books for a long time. There could be a state-of-the-art fire and emergency command centre ...
The projected $5.5bn debt inherited from the former Labor government still casts its shadow over the economy.
Then there is a media release from the Minister for Transport:
A 200 km stretch of the Stuart Highway will undergo a 12 month open speed limit trial, starting tomorrow.
…
The stretch of highway has undergone a multi-million dollar upgrade to improve safety during the trial, Mr Styles said.
They tell us why they cannot spend money on more education facilities, why they cannot keep GEMS going, why they cannot afford a swimming pool in the rural area or a badminton facility in Darwin, cannot fix the Tanami Road, or why power and water charges must go up. They say debt will be something the next generation must bear, and then throw in some crocodiles while telling us how bad things are in the Territory because of the debt caused by the previous government.
Guess what? They find $3.1m to fix a road which did not need fixing. It was just to fulfil an election promise that must have the lowest priority of all the political and ridiculous promises ever made. What is even more cynical about this is the government will not release any of the reports taxpayers have paid for – more money spent while we have a $5.5bn debt – which are the basis for the trial and upgrade of the Stuart Highway. Obviously, the only way will find out about this sensitive ASIO-type material is to employ WikiLeaks or Mr Snowden because our open and transparent government, in name only, will not do it.
This leads us to another point. If the Stuart Highway was suitable for open speed limits why did the government have to find $3.1m to upgrade it? One can only presume from the secret road reports that it was not suitable for open speed limits. However, so the CLP could fulfil this lowest of low priorities it found, even though it had a humongous ball and chain around its neck, even though we are $5.5bn in debt and the next generation will have this legacy of debt, $3.1m so a few people could drive flat out down the highway to make sure the cowboys running our Territory get their picture in the next edition of some Hot Bike or Tattoo magazine.
Next time I hear any minister rabbit on about debt or fiscal responsibility I will have to ask the Speaker to kick them out. Standing Order 62 will be ideal:
- No member shall use offensive or unbecoming words …
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016