2010-10-20
Madam Speaker Aagaard took the Chair at 10 am.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of a very enthusiastic observer of this parliament, Mr Neville Perkins OAM, former member for Macdonnell, accompanied by Mr Abdul Khan, CEO of the Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Program Unit, an Aboriginal corporation in Alice Springs. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, in the gallery we have Year 2/3 students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School accompanied by Ms Jade Wheeler. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you also a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, before I commence, I say hello to the young ones from St Mary’s school. My daughter attends school there and is in Transition, a couple of years below these young ones - the finest school in Darwin. I have to say that otherwise my daughter would not forgive me.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr ELFERINK: I also extend my greetings to Mr Perkins and Mr Khan, and As-Salāmu `Alaykum.
Madam Speaker, today I deal with an issue my predecessor, Jodeen Carney, had to deal with on several occasions: legislation being brought before this House which, in a single word, is ghastly. I believe I have to reread the motion at this stage?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, if you can reread the motion.
Mr ELFERINK: I move – That,
My predecessor, Jodeen Carney, often railed against what she called ‘oops’ bills. In fact, we were dealing with one yesterday.
To inform honourable members of the nature of this motion, from time to time regulations on the deemed papers list are placed on the Table in this House so the regulatory instruments and subordinate legislation created by ministers can be reviewed by this House and, ultimately, by the Subordinate Legislation committee. However, a few months ago an instrument reached this House that I simply could not ignore and referred to the Subordinate Legislation committee.
I raised the issue in adjournment debates. This is singularly the very apex of their nadir when it comes to the quality of legislative instruments. There has been an exchange of correspondence between me and the Chairman of the Subordinate Legislation committee and I am wholly unsatisfied by the chairman’s response. As a consequence of that and several other reasons, I now move disallowance.
Essentially, I have some fundamental concerns, as a legislator, as to the job we do in this place and what we present to the people of the Northern Territory and, more importantly in this instance the courts, as legislation we deem to be appropriate. I cannot imagine how any member of this House could deem these by-laws which deal with the management of the waterfront to be in any way appropriate.
One of the first and most pressing issues in this legislative instrument is the reliance on a 100 penalty unit general standard applied to every offence. For the sake of members who do not understand how much a penalty unit is worth at the moment, each penalty unit is currently worth $133. If you then apply 100 penalty units as a fine, your fine for any offence against these by-laws where 100 penalty units applies is $13 300.
I am told these by-laws reflect the Darwin City Council By-laws. If I was in this House in 2007 when those particular by-laws were passed, I would have had the same objections I have now. I am aware government is currently trying to negotiate with the Darwin City Council to deal with the similar issues that apply to their by-laws. I cannot do anything about the Darwin City Council By-laws because of the limitations of the Interpretation Act. I can, however, do something about these by-laws; that is, move this disallowance motion.
The offences which are contemplated for receiving fines of $13 300 – and this is the message we give to the courts. We say to the courts: ‘If you have to contemplate fining someone after finding them guilty for an offence against these by-laws, then we believe if you interfere with a garbage container you should be fined $13 300 as a maximum penalty’.
The other similar offence is the depositing of litter or waste. If one deposits litter or waste – if someone recklessly abandons an iced coffee container in the Darwin Waterfront Corporation area - and they choose to plead not guilty so it goes beyond the scheduled infringement notice offences and actually ends up in court, as legislators we are saying to the court: ‘If someone litters, the maximum fine they should face is $13 300’.
As a legislator, I find that a difficult proposition. Moreover, one of the arguments which has been put to me is that, of course, we do not expect the courts to apply the full amount - and nor would I. The truth is what we are actually saying when we run that argument is the courts should apply common sense - and I agree. However, the point is that the courts do not necessarily need to have a monopoly on common sense; we should actually exercise some ourselves. Surely, the maximum penalty for littering should not be more than five, absolutely at the outset 10, penalty units depending on the worst case scenario, but certainly not 100, certainly not $13 300.
The burning of offensive material: a person must not burn or heat anything that gives off an offensive odour. Well, I do not like coriander and if I smell coriander I find that offensive. According to this legislative instrument, if I smell coriander and I successfully convince a court the smell of coriander is offensive to me, that person should be fined $13 300 for offensively creating that odour.
The discharge of waste products – it is $13 300; damage to plants and trees - $13 300. Being in possession of an overhanging shrub actually does not carry a penalty unit, I have just noticed. Fishing, the great recreational pastime of the Northern Territory: a person must not fish in enclosed waters - $13 300. And so it goes on.
The offences all carry 100 penalty units and these heinous crimes, the reckless and dangerous crime of abandoning a shopping trolley, carries a fine of $13 300. Camping in a public place, which happens all too often in Darwin - $13 300. Using an amplification system without the appropriate authorisation - $13 300. The way to have a copyright on your own buildings: if someone takes a photograph of the Convention Centre, I suspect for their own commercial purposes, we suggest to the courts by way of this instrument that the person taking that photograph is liable to a penalty of $13 300. The piece de resistance of this particular legislation in awful drafting and, more important, awful checking, is clause 69(1):
I go on to read clause 69(2):
Surely, as legislators, we are not suggesting a child younger than we see in the public gallery right now should be fined $13 300 for walking into the lavatory reserved for members of an opposite gender. It is just daft. It is bad law and we, as a legislature, should not and could not, reasonably put our names to this dreadful legislation.
I am pleased to announce to this House that the Northern Territory government has acknowledged there are problems with these by-laws. They have decided, quite wisely and quite rightly, they will seek to have these by-laws changed, because clause 69 is actually unlawful. The Criminal Code of the Northern Territory makes it abundantly clear that no child under the age of 10 can be held criminally responsible for any act so, even if a prosecution was pursued - and I am sure one would not be - of a child over five years, it would be struck out as a prosecution at the first hurdle.
I do not, cannot, and will not, support an attempted passage of a law which is inherently wrong and unlawful at law in the first instance. As a legislator, as a law maker, that idea is repugnant to me and should be repugnant to all members of this House.
As I said, the government has acknowledged there are problems with these by-laws and, to that end, I am grateful to them. For that reason, they have made certain undertakings to have these by-laws returned in an amended form. I also congratulate the government for attempting to deal with the issues this raises in relation to the Darwin City Council By-laws as well.
However, that presents me with a problem because, according to the Interpretation Act, I am bound to move a disallowance motion of this nature within 12 sitting days which, of course, if I allow the government six months to deal with this poorly drafted instrument, then the opportunity for me or any other legislator to do anything about this has gone.
Fortunately, the Interpretation Act is drafted in such a way as it will enable me to move this motion and to criticise these by-laws comprehensively - in fact, condemn them for their awfulness - and allow the government an opportunity to deal with them whilst keeping a legislative framework in place which enables the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to operate. All of that will be achieved by the second component of this motion which deals with this matter being adjourned until March 2011.
I confess this compromise still leaves me a little uncomfortable because any prosecution which is launched against the existing by-laws in their current form means a person, should the Darwin Waterfront Corporation seek to take the matter to court, is exposed to the extreme elements of this legislative instrument.
I appreciate the arguments put forward by government about them requiring a legislative instrument and, so, this compromise has been struck.
The other component is the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, like any local government authority, has to deliver services and needs the capacity to collect rates. If this House was to strike down this set of by-laws today, the government, because of the operation of the Interpretation Act, would not be able to return to this place with a set of appropriate by-laws for another six months. I am sure that would have a profound effect on the operation of the waterfront, and I am mindful of those arguments.
My plea to government: this is the second time in two days we have found ourselves dealing with legislation and legislative instruments which do not reflect the intention of the government because they have not been properly checked, vetted, and reviewed. The first time I saw these by-laws was shortly before I made an adjournment speech about them some months ago. Anyone who had taken the time to read this document and ask a couple of very simple, critical questions could quickly have come to the same conclusions my colleagues and I did when this set of by-laws hit the table. We are not, and I will not become, just a rubber stamp for bad subordinate legislation.
It is the duty of the government, particularly the Attorney-General’s Office, to cast a critical eye over the instruments which come into this place. Less than a year ago, the government was lambasted for making panhandling, or begging, a $6000 fine. Now, they will make the abandonment of a trolley a $13 000 fine because they do not vet and check the material they bring into this House. It is about time the Attorney-General took control of this situation and made certain the instruments which come into this place are supportable by common sense and common decency.
So far, Madam Speaker, we have seen far too many examples of the failure of government to successfully deal with these sorts of problems - and they come up again and again. My short comment to government is if you are going to bring this stuff into the House read it before we have to deal with it in this fashion.
Ms LAWRIE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, in speaking to the motion to disallow the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws proposed by the member for Port Darwin, we oppose this motion for very good reasons. This motion is …
Mr Elferink: You are going to support this?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I repeat: we oppose this motion and, for very good reasons. This motion is a stunt and, if passed, would serve no purpose other than to cause chaos for the Darwin Waterfront Corporation and our beautiful waterfront precinct. The by-laws and associated fines are there to deter people from damaging property and disrupting the good order and management of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.
The member for Port Darwin, through my staff, has raised some concerns about the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws. The member for Port Darwin raised concerns about the maximum penalty a court can impose: 100 penalty units, the equivalent of $13 300. He also raised concerns about the seemingly erratic use of regulatory offences and the drafting of some offences. We note the maximum penalties are the exactly the same as those which apply to the rest of the CBD …
Mr Elferink: Yes, that is a problem too, and I have dealt with that issue.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I listened to the member opposite in silence.
We note the maximum penalties are …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: They are a bunch of clowns and continue to prove to be so.
We note the maximum penalties are exactly the same as those which apply in the rest of the CBD under the Darwin City Council By-laws. It was a deliberate desire to provide consistency across the CBD which resulted in the same maximum penalties being used.
The maximum penalty a court may impose for leaving a shopping trolley in a public place is the same in the waterfront precinct as it is in the rest of the CBD. I am advised no one has ever been taken to court for such an offence under the Darwin City Council By-laws, nor under the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws.
We agree some of the by-laws are poorly worded, and Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-law 69 and the corresponding Darwin City Council By-law 112 are badly drafted. A strict reading, for example, could result in a boy as young as six being given an infringement notice for entering the women’s toilets with his mother. This, of course, is a nonsense and no such infringement notice would ever be issued …
Mr Elferink: Then why did we draft the law?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: He cannot help himself - cannot restrain himself.
A court would never allow such a matter to proceed, as under the Criminal Code a child of such an age is dola incapax; that is, he or she cannot commit a crime or be guilty of an offence because, at such a young age, it is presumed the child does not have the mental capacity to understand that he or she was doing something wrong. This drafting error will be fixed by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws.
The member for Port Darwin met with representatives of the Department of Chief Minister, the CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, lawyers from the Department of Justice, and a member of my staff. We have taken on board these issues raised by the member for Port Darwin and he has been assured by both the government and the Darwin Waterfront Corporation CEO the by-laws will be reviewed and amended, the penalties will be comprehensively reviewed, and the drafting issues he raised will be fixed. However, in no uncertain terms we have made it clear these by-laws are needed to keep this wonderful precinct safe. This message was again reiterated by e-mail and over the telephone, but the member for Port Darwin simply will not listen.
The Darwin Waterfront Corporation assured the member for Port Darwin that, while they reserved the right to enforce their by-laws, thus far, they have not even needed to issue any infringement notices; that is, any on-the-spot fines. The member for Port Darwin disputed this. He suggested he had seen on-the-spot fines issued. It was not until he was given an actual copy of an infringement notice he believed the CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, who told him the only fines issued have been for infringement of the Traffic Act, not the by-laws. The silliest thing of all is the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws are modelled on the Darwin City Council By-laws. So, the maximum penalties the member for Port Darwin finds so offensive - and we have already agreed to review all of these maximum penalties - except for one single by-law, are the exact same maximum penalties which apply to the rest of the CBD under the Darwin City Council By-laws.
Hence, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation has said it will review the by-laws, but will first attempt to do so in conjunction with the Darwin City Council to maintain some consistency across the CBD. The member for Port Darwin has been made aware the CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation has met with the CEO of the Darwin City Council, and he also knows they are meeting with the Lord Mayor. The Darwin Waterfront Corporation has promised to amend their by-laws regardless of whether the Darwin City Council amends theirs. The Department of Justice lawyers are already assisting them in this regard.
Where does this leave us today? We have this motion before the House to disallow by-laws that are needed and we have already promised to fix. You may well ask: why are these by-laws needed? What would happen if this motion were successful? First, if this motion succeeded, following the date of disallowance there would be no by-laws in operation in the precinct until such time as further legislative action was taken. But wait, there is more! There would be no by-laws in place for at least six months. The disallowance of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws in their entirety would mean section 64 of the Interpretation Act would become enlivened, meaning no further by-laws could be passed within the six months following the disallowance that had similar terms or similar effect to the disallowed by-laws. This is a significant consequence as it would not be permissible to pass any by-laws during the period in relation to matters such as rates, hazardous activities, health and safety, animal management, and antisocial behaviour.
If the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws were disallowed, the general provisions of the criminal law such as the Criminal Code would continue to apply; for example, those laws dealing with general offences such as assaults, murders, etcetera. Specific criminal laws of general application will also continue to apply, such as the Dangerous Goods Act, etcetera. However, there would not be in place any laws prescribing conduct that would generally be addressed in local government by-laws. These are behaviours that, whilst dangerous in the precinct, are not criminal and, therefore, could not be stopped.
Without these by-laws there is no regulation of the wave pool or the public waters, or the lagoon. This means the lifeguards cannot remove people from the wave pool. The only people who could be removed are those who commit a criminal offence and, then, only the police would have the power to remove them. However, people behaving recklessly in the pool or dangerously, but not criminally, could not be removed and the lifeguards, either way, would have no power. So, a police presence would be needed to keep the pool open.
However, this is not all. People would be able to take glass objects into the wave pool area. We all know that broken glass in a pool is a disaster, hence, we have a by-law that stops people taking glass into an area where it is prohibited, such as the wave pool. The act of bringing glass into a public place as presently precluded by by-law 39 in areas where glass in prohibited is not a criminal act so, with no by-laws, there would be no way to stop people from taking glass objects into the wave pool ...
Mr Elferink: Not true.
Ms LAWRIE: It is very true.
Mr Elferink: No, not true.
Ms LAWRIE: Not even a police presence could prevent this. There would be no by-law stopping people entering the pool outside its operating hours without paying a fee, and no by-law preventing animals being taken into the wave pool or the lagoon. In short, it would be very difficult for the wave pool to stay open and for the precinct to be kept a safe, family-friendly area.
Madam Speaker, it is very clear the effect of a disallowance of the by-laws would have implications for the management of the precinct. In the absence of the by-laws, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation’s ability to manage the precinct would be significantly compromised. Consideration would need to be given by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation as to whether it would need to close any of the infrastructure within the precinct to the public in view of overriding public health and safety considerations - for example, broken glass in the wave pool, or faecal matter in the recreation pool - in the absence of powers that the by-laws presently vest in authorised persons appointed pursuant to by-law 22 to enforce the by-laws.
Then, there is the issue of rates. Because the disallowance of by-laws operates as a repeal under section 63(9) of the Interpretation Act, section 12 of the Interpretation Act, in combination with section 4, has effect so any rights, privileges, obligations and liabilities acquired, accrued or incurred continue to subsist as if the repeal or, in this case, disallowance, had not taken place.
Accordingly, while the initial declaration of payments of rates would be valid and there would be no need for reimbursement, it would not be open to the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to levy any further rates until further legislative action was taken and, as stated before, further legislative action would not happen for six months.
You may ask: why would the Darwin City Council By-Laws not apply? We have sought legal advice about this and we are advised they will not. The Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws were largely modelled on the Darwin City Council By-Laws, but included amendments providing for the unique characteristics of the precinct such as the wave pool, recreational lagoons, the sea wall, and marine infrastructure. Any disallowance of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws would not automatically result in the Darwin City Council By-Laws having effect in relation to the Darwin Waterfront precinct. This is because of the Gazette notice issued under section 9 of the Local Government Act excluding the precinct from the relevant local government area upon the date of commencement of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation Regulations.
The Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws did not amend or repeal the Darwin City Council By-Laws within the meaning of section 63(10) of the Interpretation Act to provide that they would come back into effect upon disallowance of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws. In order for the Darwin City Council By-Laws to have effect in relation to the precinct, the minister would need to issue a further Gazette notice under section 9 of the Local Government Act to bring the precinct back within the relevant local government area. However, even if this were to happen, there are no Darwin City Council By-Laws that apply to the unique characteristics of the precinct such as the wave pool, recreational lagoon, the sea wall, and the marine infrastructure.
There has been considerable debate about the appropriateness of fines for offences committed under the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws. Government recognises some fines for offences committed need to be reviewed, and has committed to review not only the fine but, also, the way some of the by-laws are drafted.
In the meantime, we cannot see the disallowance of these by-laws for all of the reasons I have stated. The motion put forward by the member for Port Darwin is unnecessary - it is a stunt. We would not support any disallowance. We are absolutely willing to adjourn, as per section (b) of the motion.
I repeat, this is a stunt. The member for Port Darwin has met with the CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation. The CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation has already met with the CEO of Darwin City Council. Indeed, the member for Port Darwin further knows there is a meeting arranged with the Lord Mayor of Darwin and, regardless of the view of the Darwin City Council, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation has committed to reviewing its penalties and the drafting errors within its by-laws and to taking action. The issues and concerns raised by the member for Port Darwin have been picked up by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation.
Madam Speaker, this is an unnecessary motion before the Chamber today. The member for Port Darwin has been listened to, worked with, and still ignores the commitments given to him by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, by its CEO. It is a shame the member for Port Darwin would prefer a stunt to working collaboratively and cooperatively with the Darwin Waterfront Corporation.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, it raises some interesting questions. I am a little confused. I will support the motion. I read this motion as saying that because of certain flaws in the by-laws for the Darwin Waterfront Corporation we should disallow them but, at the same time, because the word ‘and’ is in there, we will not make a decision until six months time. The way I read it, we are saying it should be disallowed, but we will not make a final decision until six months time.
The reason I am supporting the motion is I know the member for Port Darwin. He is a person who is passionate about making sure laws – we understand that part of his background; he has some legal qualifications in that area. He has come forth and said these by-laws have some penalties which, for the average person, would look ridiculous - and I agree with him.
There a couple of others in there. For instance, if you do not pay to enter the wave pool you have a possible penalty of $13 300 and, if you feed the fish - the ones you are not allowed to fish for - you can get hit for $13 300. I must admit I reckon that is a cruel one. That is one of the nice things. I know the environmental people have heart attacks when you feed the fish and the ducks, but one of the nice things I remember when I was a kid was going to the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne and feeding the ducks and the fish. It was pastime we all enjoyed. All right, there are some fat seagulls around Port Phillip Bay these days which are probably still suffering from that. I note fish feeding could cost you $13 000 if you go to court.
The member for Port Darwin has raised an important issue. It probably goes further than the debate we are having today because, as you know, these by-laws were mirrored, to some extent, on Darwin City Council By-laws. I understand why; because they wanted to have by-laws which were not only uniform in the same region, but also one day, one would hope, Darwin City Council takes over the waterfront so you do not have a separate entity looking after a small portion of what is really Darwin city.
The option for this was the member for Port Darwin could have simply brought a disallowance motion which would have said the Darwin Waterfront Corporation cannot collect rates - which I would have been opposed to; obviously it has to raise money. The discussions I had with the department and the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, with the member for Port Darwin, on Monday seemed to me to reach an arrangement which still allowed the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to operate. I am not at liberty to give all details about that discussion, but I am of a mind to say the agreement which was reached would, to a large extent, cover some of the concerns the Darwin Waterfront Corporation had. Mr Pat Coleman had some issues in relation to matters the member for Karama has raised and I believe there was an arrangement to cover some of those concerns.
The wave pool opened on 1 May 2009. Obviously, the wave pool was operating before there were any by-laws. One would ask: are we looking at worst-case scenarios rather than what is happening on the ground? We did not have by-laws until recent times, yet some laws have to apply to the Darwin Waterfront Corporation land. Is it more about worst-case scenarios, or is it a case of whether we can continue as before and still have some regulation over the area and, at the same time, take into consideration the motion the member for Port Darwin is putting forward saying these by-laws are unfair and unjust? It can be said it is very unlikely to happen. However, is it unfair to have rules we, as a parliament, have put in place which do not distinguish between fish feeding and someone breaking glass in a wave pool which could cause serious injury? We have not made that distinction and that is a fault not only of the government, but of the parliament.
Good on the member for Port Darwin; he has seen an issue and has raised it and believes, on principle, this is poor legislation.
We then, in discussion with the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, reached an agreement which we believe will satisfy all parties - the Darwin Waterfront Corporation and the member for Port Darwin. I support what he is trying to do in this case, which is why I believe the motion we have will work to the benefit of everyone. By putting this six-month delay on supporting an actual disallowance motion, we are saying to the Darwin Waterfront Corporation: ‘Get your act together. If you want to discuss it with Darwin City Council and have uniform by-laws, you have this much time to do it. If you think it is too difficult, bring in your own by-laws’, which they can do. They can do that very quickly because the minister can declare those by-laws.
This is a sensible motion, and I say that after being part of the discussions on Monday. It does not take away the ability of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to act when it needs to. However, it says to it, and to parliament, let us fix this. Perhaps we should be looking at the by-laws of other councils. Maybe it is too late, but we could be asking the department of Local Government to look at by-laws in place in other shires. I do not know if that has happened. However, if the same problem the member for Port Darwin has raised today exists in other by-laws, we should be reviewing the penalties. That is an area we should look at because the member for Port Darwin has raised this important issue.
Madam Speaker, I support the motion and we will see where it goes from here.
Debate adjourned.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move - That this Assembly -
(b) express its support for partners and families based in the Northern Territory who have ADF personnel posted from 1st Brigade and other Northern Territory-based commands to Afghanistan and other overseas areas of conflict.
This is an important motion today. It is a signal to our men and women who live and work amongst us who have been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other areas overseas, that the parliament of the Northern Territory, on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory, is supporting them in their efforts, endeavours, and bravery overseas.
This is a story which affects all of us in the Territory, particularly in the Top End. Since Al-Qaeda’s 11 September attacks in 2001, the world has changed in so many ways. All of us will know exactly where we were that day, 11 September 2001, and what we were doing when we first heard of those horrendous attacks in New York. We all knew, at that time, the world had changed.
Given the debate in the federal parliament yesterday, it is obvious Australia’s deployment to Afghanistan is going to go on for at least another 10 years. I believe it is very important, given we have approximately 800 soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq from the Northern Territory, that we in this parliament send our support and best wishes to those brave men and women who are serving overseas.
I believe one of the most emotional and confronting times for me as Chief Minister and a member of parliament was to attend the national funeral in honour of Private Scott Palmer held at the Anglican Cathedral in Darwin a few months ago. To be at that funeral, to hear the testimonies for Scott with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition nationally, as well as the Leader of the Opposition of the Northern Territory and, I believe, the member for Katherine, amongst Scott’s colleagues, and particularly his family from Katherine, was a very emotional experience.
To see a young man of 27 years of age cut down in the prime of his life, serving his country in an overseas arena in Afghanistan, about as far removed from Australia, from Katherine, as you could wish to think, really brought home to me the enormity of the commitment we have in that nation, and the bravery of not only our men and women who are serving there, but also the enormous stress it must place on their entire families. All of us, when we look at our families - if we are married we have our immediate partner and children but, also, extended family of parents, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles.
Right across Australia, there is an enormous impact on the nation, on the community, given the numbers of soldiers we have serving overseas. Every single day, members of those families must be thinking of their brother, father, uncle, mother, serving overseas; they must be thinking how they are going, whether they are going to be safe and everything is okay. This is an enormous commitment by this nation and by the community, as well as the friends and families.
The great thing about the Northern Territory and the deployment of our forces here is these people are really part of our community; they are not isolated at Robertson Barracks, Tindal in Katherine, and the Larrakeyah base. These people are out in the community, many living in our neighbourhoods, their kids go to school with our kids, we live next door to each other, sporting teams compete against each other. These people are really part of our community. When our armed forces members finish their time with Army, Navy, or Air Force, they love the Territory so much many more of those people are now deciding to live in the Territory when they resign their commission from the forces. So, it is important we send this message of support to our troops who are overseas at this time.
Since 2001, Australia has lost 21 very brave soldiers in Afghanistan, and around 152 injured; 52 have been injured this year. That has made an enormous impact on the community.
Private Palmer grew up in Katherine, played Rugby in Darwin, and died when a helicopter he was travelling in crashed in South Afghanistan where he was based at Tarin Kowt. Private Palmer was praised as a dedicated soldier who had served twice in East Timor and in Iraq. He was on his third deployment to Afghanistan. One of his colleagues said at the funeral that Private Palmer loved his job and working alongside his mates. That is what really came through from his colleagues at that particular service. He really was a bit of a lad, he really was loved by his mates, and he really loved his job. Certainly, we should never forget the sacrifice of Private Scott Palmer and the other 21 soldiers who have lost their lives.
We have recently seen a very significant deployment from 1st Brigade to Afghanistan. Recently, around 800 Darwin soldiers have been deployed to Afghanistan where they will spend the next eight months in the southern Uruzgan Province as part of Mentoring Task Force 2. That is many people but, when you multiply that out to extended family, friends and other work colleagues, this is thousands of people who are impacted by this deployment and who have concerns for the safe return of those 800 people who have been deployed. They are deployed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Darren Huxley, and, as 100 of those soldiers were being deployed, he said in the NT News:
He talked about how his job as their commander was to spend as much of his time in the field alongside the soldiers under his command to support them. Lieutenant Colonel Darren Huxley is a man who will very ably lead that command of 800 soldiers.
I quote some of the words from wives of the soldiers being deployed, one of whom, Rebecca Callister spoke for all of the women:
That is the point I was trying to make. The impact of this deployment is very significant on our community, given the extended families and friends who have concerns.
Within less than a month after arriving in Afghanistan, we have already had a soldier from Robertson Barracks seriously wounded in the leg and evacuated to Darwin. This is just part of the horror of what is happening: 152 Australian soldiers have been wounded, 52 of those injuries occurring this year. From my talking to people I know personally in our forces overseas, they are expecting the casualty rate to significantly increase.
I praise the Army today, because one of the things raised when I talk to the soldiers being deployed or some of the command is: how do families stay in touch? How do people stay in touch with you overseas? Do you use Skype? Do you have access to computers, or is it just phones? In reality, depending how remotely people are deployed, it is a mix of all of those things. The Army is working hard to ensure the soldiers in the field can stay in contact with family back home.
A new initiative is the Army using text messages to keep families informed of the wellbeing of their soldiers. We all know the Commander of 1st Brigade, Brigadier Gus McLachlan. Gus is a fantastic fellow and is doing a magnificent job of commanding 1st Brigade. All those family members waking up in the morning hearing a soldier has been injured in Afghanistan would be thinking: is it my husband, my boyfriend, my brother, my sister? Waiting for that news to see if it is your immediate loved one who has been hurt must be an enormously anxious time. What the Army is doing now is, immediately after an incident in Afghanistan, after the next of kin have been notified, all other families are texted to reassure them their loved one is not involved. The Army very quickly notifies people: ‘It is okay, it is not your partner who has been involved’. It is reassuring and removes the worry.
It is amazing that 70% of the Darwin soldiers being deployed at the moment are under 30 and half are under 25 years old. So, 400 of the 800 are under 25 years old. When I think about what I was doing when I was 25 years old, being under fire in a place like Afghanistan was not at the top of my list. It is extraordinary people so young are being deployed in such large numbers but, of course they are very well trained, extraordinarily well kitted out, and very well commanded. We all hope those people come home safely.
Improvised explosive devices - or IEDs, homemade bombs - are a very clear and ongoing threat. Every time our troops get into a Bushmaster or other vehicle to go on patrol, the worry about whether they will hit an IED is with them all the time.
Lieutenant Colonel Huxley said, as his troops were being deployed - and we will endeavour to get the transcript of this Hansard debate to Lieutenant Huxley for circulation amongst his troops:
This debate is about supporting Lieutenant Huxley when he said: ‘Please keep on supporting us’. This House today is supporting them whilst they are there.
I will talk on a personal level - I am sure many of us can in regard to how these deployments have hit home since 2001. I have a good friend and he and his family have become great friends with my family - our kids with their kids. He is a magnificent fellow by the name of Craig Hansen who lives a few doors down from me in Wanguri. He was very seriously injured a couple of years ago. He was serving in the 7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and was on patrol in a Bushmaster which ran over an IED which exploded.
It was actually the design of the Bushmaster which saved Craig’s life and the other people in that Bushmaster. The fact that the Bushmaster has a V-shaped hull ensured the force from the blast was deflected much better than it would have been if it had been a flat-bottomed vehicle. That the force of the blast was deflected means that Craig and the other people in that Bushmaster are still alive today.
Craig was the worst injured of nine people, sustaining a shattered right ankle, with every bone in both feet broken. He was medivaced to Germany and cared for in Germany before he was medivaced to Sydney, Australia and, ultimately, home to his family and friends in Wanguri.
The medical care and attention he has received – I forget how many operations Craig has said, I think he is facing his ninth or tenth to reconstruct both his feet – have been second to none. The best surgeons in Australia have worked on rebuilding his feet and ankles, and Craig is now walking. He will probably never run again, however, he is walking, and he is committed to going back to the Army. Tragically - and family and friends in Wanguri are very upset about it - Craig is being redeployed to Adelaide with his family early next year. He loves the Territory, as do Kellie and the children. Most of all, he loves his fishing and is out whenever he can. Fishing has been a great part of him recovering his life after the incident. He has sold his boat to another Digger. Everyone is teasing him about not catching barra in South Australia; he will be catching those silly little whiting or whatever it is they catch off the beach in Adelaide. Craig will be back to Darwin at some time when he finishes time in the Army.
It is one of those things which has really made me sit up and think, in the position I am in as the Chief Minister. When things like this happen, and you read it in the paper, if you are not connected to it, in some way it slips by you. You are concerned but you get on with other things very quickly. However, when something like that happens to someone you know and care for and is part of your family and friends, and kids are involved, it really brings home to you the enormity of the commitment and sacrifice our troops who live amongst us in Darwin, Palmerston, and Katherine make, not only to their nation, but to their families and friends. It is an extraordinary commitment.
Over the years, I have spoken to these young soldiers – as I said nearly 50% of them are under 25 years old. I remember a farewell function at Larrakeyah Naval Base a few years ago - a cocktail reception with everyone in black tie. The ladies were looking gorgeous in their ball gowns, mingling and talking to the soldiers who were about to be deployed. All I spoke to, and have spoken to over the years, are focused and committed not in going to war, but helping the Afghan people rebuild their country. That is what they are passionately committed to do.
The argument rages over whether we should be there, and we all have our view on that. However, never doubt the personal integrity of each and every one of those soldiers who is being deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. They really see it as helping good people rebuild their country. That is the commitment they make, as individuals, to the task they undertake.
I support this motion today. It comes with a real sense, I am sure from all of us, of our individual personal support for our troops on deployment, and for their families who are waiting for their safe return. As members of parliament representing our electorates, I am sure we speak for everyone in the Northern Territory to wish our troops well and a safe return. We should all do whatever we can to support their families whilst they wait for them to return.
Madam Speaker, I commend the motion to the House.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, as Opposition Leader, I provide our full support for this welcome motion and clearly state our support, as a parliament, for all Australian Defence Force personnel serving overseas, including those in Afghanistan and Iraq, with the mission of bringing peace and stability to those countries. In addition, we express support for partners and families based in the Territory who have loved ones posted with 1st Brigade and other Northern Territory-based commands to Afghanistan and other overseas areas of conflict. I welcome the presentation of this motion for us to consider; it has our full support.
For the Chief Minister to reference the funeral of Scott Palmer is a way for us, as a community, to become more engaged, more aware, and feel the sense of what it must be, as an extended community, to support those who are here and those who have loved ones serving overseas.
There was one moment during that service that is etched in my mind. There were the stories of Scotty, a man I did not know, but I was amazed what our community had produced and what he was doing. It helped me to see there were many others about whom we know nothing of what they are doing, the dangers they face. The families do not know the details either, but they know they are fighting for a cause they believe in. The moment was when there was the folding of the Australian Flag that draped his casket, folded according to military tradition and, then, the full contingent turned and marched to Ray and Pam and presented them with the Australian Flag as well as another couple of items. To see a father brace himself as he received that flag - he said farewell to his son, he received a flag, but what was conveyed in that was the service he had rendered to a great cause for this nation.
That is the central issue here. There will be those who debate whether we should be there to provide that essential support. That essential support is the support for the cause for which they fight. If there was no belief in a cause, then I do not think Ray and Pam would have been able to bear to stand and receive that flag. However, they believed in the cause for which their son gave his life. That stays with me because, if there is no underlying cause, then we start to fall apart. That is why this motion is important; we come together and begin to recognise the cause and, if we support that cause, we then support those who put their lives at great risk.
What is the cause? The cause is to provide peace and stability, particularly to Afghanistan and also to Iraq. It is not to engage in a war; it is to support those good citizens who have suffered incredible trauma - 21 of our soldiers. With our connection in the Territory, with so many Defence personnel who are in our social networks, we become more aware of what is actually involved. It is causing us to be more engaged, more understanding, and more thoughtful about what is, in fact, occurring. We are more exposed than other places because we have close connections. Many of are very aware and have visited East Timor. We have lived in the presence of these matters for some time, with family and friends around us.
In recent times we saw Four Corners - and I commend Four Corners for its focus on what our troops in Afghanistan are facing in a very real way – and it helped to connect us in a way we have not been connected before. Coupled with 21 families and their extended networks around this nation who have suffered loss, when we saw Four Corners, it connected us more intimately and emotionally, and causes us to engage with the issue and to really be clear about what the cause is. The most recent Four Corners’ focus on the conflict itself has been instructive. I did not see the first one, but I intend to do so; I heard about it.
One essential part of the second program I saw on Monday night helps me understand what this cause is. You recognise the role of our troops there is to work alongside those good people to endeavour to bring some peace and stability in that community. I heard the story of an Afghan leader who was working with other Afghan leaders - in this case, Taliban - combining against the invader - the US in this case - thinking it was a cause around ‘defending our country against an outside intruder’. However, when this Afghan leader then turned to look at the actions of the Taliban, he had a change of heart and mind and made the courageous decision to shift and defend his country against the Taliban, then sided with, in this case, the US, and worked to rid the country of the terror and the horror of the Taliban regime. That is a tipping point, and that was described as a tipping point. That is the cause for which our troops are employed: to work alongside Afghans to recover their country from terror.
There is an additional cause too. We must always be connected to what this is about and the links we have here, not dissimilar to our engagement in East Timor, which was a cause. We had an obligation. In this case, it was a near neighbour. We have an obligation also in Afghanistan and Iraq, to work alongside good citizens, to help defend their country from terror. It has links to Australia. The terror attacks in Bali in 2002 and 2005, and Jakarta, have links to Afghanistan. Make no mistake, it is a cause that needs to be met and, in many cases, at the risk of life.
I am on Facebook, as are many members in this Chamber, and I have friends. A very dear young man, Julian, a close friend of my son-in-law and my daughter, was deployed in the Territory and is now in Afghanistan. We talk to him on Facebook. He cannot say very much, but we are there supporting him. When we hear that there has been an incident overnight, we instantly wonder whether it is Julian.
There is another good friend we contest at the runners club. He had a message posted on Facebook a little while back indicating he would not be running for a while as he is going overseas to do something. I suggested what he might be doing; he could not be clear about it. Yes, I knew where he was going; I know where he is now. We are all connected and we provide that support. It is not just to Julian and my running mate, it is their families, their kids, their wives - or wife in one case and girlfriend in another. So, we are connected and we are united.
I am pleased the federal parliament is having this debate. I commend the Chief Minister for bringing this debate to this parliament so we can stand together and be reminded it is not just support, it is support for a cause and those troopers who are working over there. It gives you, particularly when you look at that Four Corners program, some insights into why it is becoming a very tense operation.
Many of us who are a little older remember Vietnam, or have friends who were in Vietnam. That was a cause which was a little difficult to define, and is a difficult memory for many. There are many who still bear the marks of that. What was a problem for many of them was a cause which did not receive unified support. It is good this is being debated in this parliament, the federal parliament and, I trust, other parliaments. If we are clear about the cause, that essential element in battle, then those who are engaged in that battle will feel they have support as well, rather than being a division along the lines of what it is actually about. We must be clear about it. In this case it provides us with the opportunity to be clear about it. Chief Minister, thank you for bringing this to the parliament and it has our full support.
Ms LAWRIE (Deputy Chief Minister): Madam Deputy Speaker, I support this motion. I thank the Chief Minister for bringing it forward and I embrace the bipartisan support the motion is receiving. Those of us who serve our community in the Territory understand the daily sacrifices which Defence personnel and their families are making for our nation, and for the peace and wellbeing of people throughout the world.
We have heard from the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition the very real and present emotions they experience for friends and personnel they know who serve our country. I can empathise with that. I had a very strong experience with my sister being deployed to Iraq on a 10-month deployment. I thought, after some 27 years in the services, I was used to her deployments and the upheaval it brings to our tight family network. It has involved me caring for her daughter, my niece, from time-to-time over the years. I have lived on base, and moved into her house to care for my niece.
I understand, whether the deployment is in our nation or a deployment, in her case, at sea because she is a Navy officer, it causes enormous upheaval to the social and family fabric, and you have to go through a lot to accommodate that deployment. I thought I was prepared for her deployment to Iraq. Of course, I was concerned about her being deployed to a war zone. I was very aware of the weapons training she had to have before her deployment, and became very aware of the amount of work she was doing on the firing range to prepare for her deployment.
She was deploying into the Green Zone in Baghdad and, therefore, had a degree of safety which is not always enjoyed by our troops who are moving through the provinces in Iraq. I became more and more aware of how unsafe a deployment in the Green Zone can be. I went to the Darwin Airport, as other family members do to farewell loved ones on an overseas deployment to a war zone. I spent a long time hugging her. I did not want to let her go. I had my daughters with me. We went to the car and I sat there and cried for a long time, because it really comes home to you the real and present danger the person you love dearly is entering into for the service of the nation and, as members who have contributed to this speech have quite rightly pointed out, for the peace and wellbeing of other world citizens.
I absolutely understand the many family members in Darwin and Palmerston in the Top End, who are going through a daily heightened degree of concern for their loved ones, because we have those deployments, particularly 1st Brigade into Afghanistan, and still in the active zone of Iraq. There are great peacekeeping deployments elsewhere which our troops and individuals have the opportunity to undertake.
I call it an opportunity because, in talking to the services personnel, it is what they want to do, what they are trained for, what they have signed up to do. They go with an understanding and great pride in the role they are undertaking as Australian Defence Forces personnel. They go with tremendous support from all the ranks and commands of the ADF, and they go extremely well equipped. We have outstanding ADF members who represent us overseas; they are highly regarded by serving personnel from other services throughout the world they serve alongside. They are the best, and amongst the very best in the world, and we can be enormously proud of them.
That does not take away the daily anxiety, angst and concern the families left behind go through for their loved ones. There is a large support team in the Top End who work daily with the families to ensure they can help work through the high-level anxiety those families go through. That team is working around the clock almost at the moment, dealing with families who are left behind, working through any anxieties and concerns they may have. They are regularly putting on events to bring families together to give them enjoyment and support through what is a very worrisome time for them. It is a role Defence is performing well in supporting the families left behind.
Bear in mind, as the Chief Minister pointed out, the immediate family tends to be in the location of deployment - that is, the Top End in this instance - then there are the extended family members; the mothers of the troops who are serving who may well be in another part of Australia. Those new forms of communications the Chief Minister talked about are critical to the support of the Australians who are worrying about their loved ones serving overseas.
Defence has played a critical role in the Northern Territory. We are seeing active deployments at the moment, but we also have a very strong, significant, and sizeable Defence presence in the Territory at all times. In previous Defence debates, I have spoken about the importance of Defence in the cleanup and rebuilding of Darwin. They literally saved our city in those early days post-Cyclone Tracy; they supported so many people post-devastation. They play a very real and important role in responding to natural disasters; they did it for Cyclone Tracy and during the Katherine flood. They play a tremendous role in our disaster response. I have always acknowledged and thanked the Defence community and the command for the part they play.
As Treasurer, I cannot ignore the importance the Defence presence plays in our economy. We have seen the population of Defence personnel double since the early 1990s. There are now about 14 000 Defence personnel and their families calling the Territory home. As the Top End of our nation, Darwin is very valuable in its strategic value; we have a very active Navy patrol boat service operating and protecting our waters to the north. The operational service personnel are incredibly busy at the Navy base at Larrakeyah. Aside from the officers and sailors on those patrol boats who are doing very rapid operation movements in and out of Darwin to patrol our northern waters, they have a great support network behind them at Northern Command.
Given that Defence has grown - and the RAAF has had significant increases in personnel both at RAAF Darwin and Tindal - we now see Defence representing about 6% of the Territory’s population. We have seen, through the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated expenditure from that Defence sector in the Territory in 2008-09 where it reached $1.26bn, up from $1.18bn in 2007-08. This is equivalent to about 7.9% of our state final demand. Defence consumption, including Defence salaries and operational expenditure, contributed an estimated $1.16bn to the Territory economy in 2008-09. Defence salaries, as a component, accounted for $559m, representing about 42% of total Defence expenditure.
Our government has been strongly supportive of Defence and the Defence role in the Territory. We wanted to ensure we could create an environment where the business of Defence, which is feeding, of course, those small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Territory, is an environment to grow and expand. That is why we have been in the role of Defence support, creating that Defence Support Hub near Robertson Barracks. It is ideally located to co-locate those Defence-related businesses to provide opportunities to establish those all-important repair and maintenance facilities for major Defence equipment. We have about 300 local small businesses which provide support in one form or another to the Navy, Defence maritime services and those Armidale Class patrol boats.
Many Top End residents also genuinely embrace, enjoy, and celebrate the visible presence of Defence they see in their lives - none more so than when you see that Pitch Black exercise that occurs in the Top End when we see our great RAAF on display. Pitch Black delivers an estimated $10m into our local economy when that exercise is on. In my local electorate, which is on the border of the Darwin Airport precinct, you see many locals sitting at the Amy Johnson Drive end of the tarmac watching the Pitch Black exercises. It is an amazing sight to see. I thank the broader community of Darwin and Palmerston for showing their support for our Defence personnel and the excitement they bring to our lives in the Top End.
There are many facets to the support we need to show. I urge people, when they are out and about and see troops in uniform moving through our community, to take a chance to say thank you. It has often been told to me by my sister that sometimes serving personnel feel there could be a degree of hostility towards them. That is the hangover of the Vietnam era, where people had an attitude towards serving personnel, particularly in times of serving in war zones. It means a lot to serving personnel when someone just turns around and says ‘Thanks, Digger’ or ‘Thanks, mate’, or ‘Thanks, ma’am’ when they see an officer, a sailor, or a soldier moving about our community in uniform.
My thanks are sincere. My recognition of the support our personnel deserve is absolutely significant and sincere. I am extremely pleased our parliament is taking the time today to debate this motion. I recognise the federal parliament is also debating a similar motion. It is timely for us to pause to recognise the sacrifices which have been made, not just in, tragically, the lives lost and the casualties that occur which cause permanent or temporary injury - both are debilitating, both are significant in a person’s life - but also the daily sacrifices of families who are left behind worrying about their loved ones.
Madam Deputy Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go to all of them.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wholeheartedly support the motion the Chief Minister has brought before us today. I always get a little concerned when asked to speak on a motion that deals with people who put their lives in danger, not coming from that same experience. I suppose that applies to all of us. We can only go on what we have seen and heard, either from newspapers or what people have to say, especially in the Darwin community where there are so many Defence Forces personnel. I do not think any of us here have actually had to go through some of the difficulties, challenges, and the fear many of our soldiers have to face whilst they are operating in Afghanistan.
I have some connection because Robertson Barracks is in my electorate and a large number of those forces in Afghanistan come from Robertson Barracks. Ever since I was elected to the electorate of Nelson, I have tried to go to all departures and arrivals of troops from Darwin to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Timor. I should note that although today we are talking about our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have troops serving in many other places. They are serving in the Solomon Islands, in East Timor, Timor-Leste, in Pakistan helping with the floods at the present time, in Sudan as part of the United Nations, and in Egypt and the Middle East, I believe since about the 1980s, in relation to the conflict around Israel and the Gaza Strip. I am not sure they are still there, but we used to have troops in the Lebanon/Israel border area as well.
Today, the motion is about our troops in Afghanistan predominantly, although we still have troops in Iraq. As I said, I have not had the experience of - I would say fortunately - having to be involved in a war. However, my niece who lives in Darwin is married to a Thursday Islander, and he was involved in that fairly dangerous period in Iraq. I was at the airport when he was leaving. I do not think they had married then, but they were certainly very much in love. Until you actually see what is happening, you realise what families go through when they see their loved ones depart and go to a place where they are in danger, where they are putting their lives on the line for us, and other nations as well. That is more the experience I have had; the pain of saying farewell.
However, on the other side, I have seen the joy so many times at the Darwin Airport of kids standing there with balloons and banners welcoming home dad. Dad will come home with a trolley load of equipment. He is a big, worn-out looking fellow who has been in the Army for a long time, and he picks up these little kids and gives them an enormous hug. It is something worth waiting for and worth seeing. That is the other side of what we see with our troops - the human side.
We also have to look at the policy side, and that is the first part of this particular motion. I very much support the federal government’s position on our role in Afghanistan. I thought Australia’s commitment in Afghanistan should be placed on the record. I will read from one of the fact sheets on the ADF website. It says:
We should not forget, although we are talking about Defence personnel in this motion today, there are quite a number of civilians working through AusAID, DFAT officials, and the Australian Federal Police. I believe the number of police in Afghanistan training the Afghanistan police force is between 21 and 28. I do not think we should forget those people as they are fulfilling a very important role as well.
Referring to this fact sheet:
I read that out because sometimes people are unaware Australians serving overseas do it in a way many other countries do not. Not only are they there to defeat an enemy, they engage with the people on the ground in a way only Australians can. It is worth accessing the ADF website occasionally and looking at the photographs which come from the various places Australian forces operate. I remember, when our forces were in the southern part of Iraq, seeing pictures of a footbridge being built across a canal for the locals. They would be playing soccer with the young kids. I have seen that in pictures of Timor as well. I imagine they do something similar in Afghanistan. They know how to relate to ordinary people because, when it comes to the crunch, we are all the same. Australians are not aloof when it comes to working in these foreign lands.
When I talk about Australian troops, I am not talking about an Army which has gone to conquer; it is an Army which has gone for the benefit of those people, to help them overcome a repressive group of people who wish to take away freedoms the people of Afghanistan deserve.
I do not support the move by The Greens that we should move out of Afghanistan on a certain date. Our role in Afghanistan is a long-term role. It is not a war like most of us read in history books where battles occurred, you either won or lost, and that was it. This is a different kind of war; in fact, it is more like policing to enable a country to have a sound basis to operate as a democratic country one day, to allow children - females especially - to go to school free of the fear of being shot at or, as has been reported, having acid thrown in their faces by a group of people who do not want them to go to school.
There is another reason for us being there besides bringing peace to Afghanistan. Terrorism has affected our country through the Bali bombings and the bombings in Jakarta. I do not think we can get away from the fact that it is likely to happen again when you see some of the media reports coming out of Indonesia where people believe they did the right thing by bombing Bali and Jakarta. Those people are still a threat and are fed by the fanatics who we still find in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Even though we are only a small jurisdiction, we are a jurisdiction which plays a major role in what happens in Afghanistan because we have one of the largest Defence Force populations in Australia at Robertson Barracks. This motion is very much a recognition of the role they are playing and of our support for those soldiers.
I have been to quite a number of farewells and returns. There was a major parade last month at Robertson Barracks. There were more than 800 soldiers in attendance. You really feel proud when they march in their battalions, and you know we have the best trained soldiers. I have no doubt they are well trained because, if you ever go past Robertson Barracks, they are always training. They are required to reach a pretty high standard - not only the troops going overseas, but troops in general.
A few of you might have been to the Melbourne Cup run they do every morning. They can have the afternoon off, but everyone in the barracks has to go on this fairly long run. That includes cooks, clerks, foot soldiers, and the generals - they all have to run. You see how fit they are and how proud they are of that fitness. We train them well. We have the facilities in the Northern Territory such as Kangaroo Flats, the Mt Bundy area, Delamere, and Bradshaw. We are now expanding a training ground next to Robertson Barracks.
Our troops are very well trained, not only from the point of view of equipment and fitness, but also the people who lead them. I noticed two names I know on a fact sheet. One is Brigadier Damian Cantwell. Every year I try to have an Anzac Day cricket match on the Strauss cricket pitch. I bowled Brigadier Damian Cantwell a very good spin bowl and he missed – well, he got an edge to it and was caught. I remember him well; he was a great bloke. He was down-to-earth but could lead men and women. You knew when you spoke to him he knew his job and spoke with authority. From getting to know him, you knew this person was the sort of person to lead our troops and he is - he is now in Afghanistan. He was on Four Corners when they were interviewing some of the troops. He commands the ISAF Election Task Force which supported the Afghan presidential elections. He is also doing other work as well.
There is also another person, Major General ‘Ash’ Power. He is about 6’6”. It is nice to call someone ‘Ash’, because that is what we call him - a very funny man. He did not like cricket but watched the Army people get done by the Southern Districts Cricket Club – although that does not always happen. He is a bloke who, on one hand, earned the respect of his troops because he was a down-to-earth person with a great sense of humour. I have never known any of the brigadiers I have met in the time since the barracks started not to have a great sense of humour. He was professional and knew his business, and that is why he is in Afghanistan. Major General ‘Ash’ Power was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Partnering to Afghanistan’s Defence Minister in February 2010. Someone I know, who was training our troops in Robertson Barracks, now has this very important position in helping with the government of Afghanistan.
I have much faith - because I had some personal contact with these two people – that Australia sends the best to Afghanistan to do what is good. People have to understand there will be mistakes; there is a court martial at the moment. Australia does not send perfect troops because, under pressure in a war zone, people can make mistakes. That does not mean they should be punished for them; however, we have a system of reviewing these situations properly, which is part of our professionalism when it comes to our approach to Afghanistan. We are going there to show people we do things with a moral background. We do not blow up people, regardless of who they are, by putting explosive devices under roads which kill our own people. We go there saying: ‘This is the way we should live our lives. We are here to show we are here to do good’.
That is what we should support in this motion: we are doing the right thing; our troops need to be supported. We need to support them while they are there and when they come home. We have shown that support in the sad case of Private Scott Palmer. I was also at the funeral. We showed support as a community. He was one of us. He lived a fair bit of his life in Katherine, played sport in Darwin; he was a local. We showed our support by recognising that when he came home. We also need to recognise the others who come home.
War is not a pleasant thing. War has consequences we do not see sometimes when people come home. There are psychological problems. In some wars, that was not taken into account enough. Today we know soldiers working under stressful conditions can be affected, either temporarily or permanently, by that stress they constantly go through. The fear of injury or death is something that must play on their minds. Some people can, naturally, handle it better than others. What we have to do is show support for those people and ensure they are looked after because, in the end, we owe it to these people.
I see these blokes go down Thorngate Road in their utes. Sometimes they annoy me because they fly down there. Then, on the other hand, I ask what if I was in that situation? Would I be brave enough to put my hand up to go to Afghanistan? These people have volunteered to join the Army, to go to an area where they could be killed and injured. We need to show them we support them and the decisions they have made to protect our country, to help Afghanistan, and to bring peace to the world. That is really what this is about; bringing peace.
If we do not do something in Afghanistan, I do not think we will have peace for long time in this world. It might take another 10 years which was mentioned on the radio. But, so what? I do not think we should have politicians getting up and saying on 27 April next we should pull all our troops out. To me, that is ridiculous. We need to be making decisions based on an outcome which we hope will be a strong, independent government in Afghanistan that can stand on its own feet. We do not want to leave them unprepared for what will happen in the future. We need to ensure we do not leave that country half-finished; we need to ensure our job is completely finished and these people can stand up ...
Mr BOHLIN: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I move an extension of time for my colleague, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr WOOD: Thank you. We need to leave Afghanistan as a viable democratic country. We do not need to pull our troops out when the job is half done. I do not agree with The Greens; they have gone down a so-called popular path. We need to be realistic. We would love our troops home; we do not want our troops overseas any more than they need to be. However, if we have made a commitment to a country, we should ensure that commitment is properly fulfilled; otherwise we let ourselves and that country down.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I say support our troops overseas and what they are doing. If you look at why we are in Afghanistan, you will come to realise we are there for the good of other human beings; we are doing a good job and let us support them all the way.
Mr KNIGHT (Defence Support): Madam Deputy Speaker, I congratulate the Chief Minister for bringing forward this motion today to support our troops serving overseas. The motion specifically refers to Afghanistan and Iraq, but there are many other missions where Defence personnel are in active duty around the world. I attach my comments to all those serving soldiers.
As the Minister for Defence Support, my role is different to the Chief Minister’s role, as Defence liaison is more around Defence procurement. However, it enables me to come into contact with Defence personnel across the ADF at a range of different levels, as well as getting to know them at a personal level. It is impressive. I meet people in workplaces and we talk about occupational health and safety going to work every day, but these soldiers sign up to put their lives on the line, to protect not only themselves and this country, but citizens of other countries as well. It is a courageous and heroic effort they undertake. They sign up knowing this. They sign up to a force which has been around for 150-odd years. There is a standard and a way of behaviour the Australian Defence personnel have shown the world and have undertaken right across the force.
I would like to reflect on that. One of the greatest honours I have, as a local member, each year is to attend the Anzac Day service at Adelaide River which, from my parochial point of view, is one of the most moving ceremonies of the Anzac Day services across the Northern Territory. It is set amongst the war graves. It is a dawn service so you move in before the light of day. As the service moves on, dawn rises, and the significance of the dawn service is in the tradition of the Defence personnel preparing for the dawn. It was a time when Defence personnel were either getting ready for attack from the enemy, or ready to attack the enemy, so it was a very tense time. That first light of dawn was a traumatic period for all soldiers in combat. As the sun suddenly lights the war graves, people start to see the headstones, and it is very moving.
Across the river, I attended the commemoration of the old hospital which was in operation during World War II, when bodies and casualties were brought from Darwin, where the bombing of Darwin was occurring. There was a very moving recitation of a diary entry of one of the nurses. It was during the Wet Season and they were feverishly trying to gather wood to get the fires going to sterilise the equipment to operate on patients. As they were scrambling to get the wood and trying to get these fires going, they could hear in the distance across the river the Last Post being sounded for people being buried.
Adelaide River is a very moving place. Up the track are all the airstrips. I sometimes prop myself at those airstrips to make myself available to my constituents. Those airstrips are significant, but it is the gun emplacements - the 44 gallon drums placed in a circular fashion - where the soldiers spent their lives, defending themselves from strafing, with some living and some dying. It is a significant spot. It is amongst us every single day as we move down the Stuart Highway and around the Northern Territory. That is the legacy these current soldiers signed up to.
Having read the Peter FitzSimons book - and he was here for the Australian Industry Defence Council Gala Dinner - he is an extremely funny man. However, for all his sporting exploits and public speaking, his greatest claim to fame is his writing capacity. Sometimes, I pick up a book and start reading, and I really cannot get into the writer trying to get the message across. But, Peter has a unique way of doing that. I read Tobruk which talks about the courage under fire of a very part-time force at that time: people signing up, basically without any experience and going across the world to countries they never thought they would ever be visiting; a very different environment, coming from the southern states of Australia and going into the deserts of Egypt and fighting in a country they had very little experience with.
That is similar to Peter’s other book on Kokoda and ‘the chocolate soldiers’, talking about the reserve forces that had to try to hold off the Japanese forces coming down through Papua New Guinea. These were raw recruits, and they were called ‘the chocolate soldiers’ because, if they were exposed to the heat of battle, they would melt – that was the accusation. However, they proved themselves under fire.
That is the pedigree of the ADF, and this is what the young men and women of today signed up for. They knew that was the standard of courage they had to show, and the work they had to do in their workplace - and they signed up. Being at Robertson Barracks and seeing the young men and women coming past, the courage they show is amazing.
Going back to Adelaide River, I did a bit of research about the Defence personnel in World War I. Adelaide River is unique. We have a 14-year-old bugler, the Taminmin Choir sings the National Anthem, and school kids from Adelaide River recite The Ode. It is very much young people coming along. We are not actively going out there trying to get these young people; they are coming from their own interest, showing their respect. Not so long ago, I recounted a story about a young man who signed up, I believe from country Victoria. He was only 14 or 15, the same age as some of these kids from the school. It is mind-boggling that people have such courage to actually do that. Luckily, today, we take our soldiers at an older age.
The Defence personnel in the Northern Territory is 10% of the ADF, and they are significant members of our community. They contribute quite significantly, in a range of areas, as has been highlighted today. They are members of our community, they are friends of ours, they are team mates in sport, and their kids go to school with ours. It is amazing that you can be talking with someone and, the next minute, they have been deployed, or parents of your children’s friends are being deployed to some very hazardous places with the real possibility of not coming back.
There has been a huge price to pay for soldiers, right back to 1885 when Australian soldiers were in the Sudan. We only lost a small number there, but still a significant loss at that time. In South Africa in the Boer War, we lost nearly 600 men in the late 1880s, early 1900s. In the Boxer Rebellion, we lost a small number. But, in World War I, we lost 61 000 troops – an amazing number – sadly, to be followed in World War II, a decade or so later, where we lost nearly 40 000. So, between those two wars, a 30-year period, we lost the entire population of Darwin and a bit of Palmerston as well. It is an incredible sacrifice this country has made.
Luckily, we now have smaller numbers, but any number is significant. It was significant for the Katherine community when, sadly, Scott Palmer lost his life. I know Scott’s father, Ray, through my time in Katherine. Ray had a detailing business and I had regular contact with Ray. It is very personal and it brings home that it is not just an unknown name on the television screen. It is someone from the community you may have bumped into or played sport with who has paid the ultimate price for their service.
I have also had the opportunity to meet troops in East Timor with the International Stabilisation Force. Again, extremely brave men and women trying to bring peace, harmony, and safety to the citizens of a new country. We have a significant force there and they are trying to do a lot. They are trying to defend themselves, unite a country, and work with the local people. The East Timorese community in Darwin is large and we know the conflict which brought them here. We understand what is occurring there.
Our troops deserve bipartisan support, as they appear to have in this Chamber today. You can argue that we should not send troops; however, they are there and we have to support them - in all conflicts. We cannot have a repeat of the Vietnam War where our troops were not supported. We have seen the ramifications of that. I know that will not occur again; our troops, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq, are being supported by the government and citizens of Australia for their efforts. Effort also needs to go to their children and families in the Northern Territory and across Australia.
Madam Deputy Speaker, as Minister for Defence Support, I support these Defence personnel, their families, and their friends. It is an extremely difficult time for them. I wish our 1st Brigade success. We want to see every one of those 800 troops return to Darwin to their families safely. I commend the motion to the House.
Debate suspended.
Continued from earlier this day.
Mr BOHLIN (Drysdale): Madam Speaker, I commend this motion brought before the House. Our Defence Force personnel are extremely important to the defence of Australia. I want to take a quick trip back in history to outline the importance of defence to the Northern Territory. I read from a book titled Those air force days by Gordon Wallace. These are comments by Douglas Lockwood.
They are very powerful words and they are a very clear demonstration of why the Northern Territory, and particularly Darwin, is a pinnacle and very important part of the defence of the country.
I will quickly read another piece of our history, which comes from the Australian Government National Archives of Australia. It touches on the same comments, but in a more direct manner:
I believe it is important we remember our history when we talk about our current time, because what is happening around the world with our very brave Australian service personnel is very much the same, but in a different theatre of war. Day in and day out, our troops go to work and represent the country in a way not many - other than those who have served - can truly understand.
I served in the Australian Defence Force for eight years and nine months. When I was but 16 I joined to get a career which I and my parents thought was the right path, and I still today think is a very sound path for many of our young people of Australia. It builds discipline, creates much knowledge, and will actually set these people up for the rest of their lives to become fantastic citizens.
I have many different stories of my time serving in the Australian Army. My brother served in the Australian Army. As noted earlier today, the member for Karama mentioned her sister who served. I know the member for Katherine has done some Reserve service, and the member for Brennan has done his service in the RAAF. The member for Greatorex served in the Army Reserve for a period of time, and one of his brothers served in the RAAF for 17 years and flew Mirages out of Darwin and FA-18s out of Tindal, and was the Executive Officer of the 75th Squadron. His eldest brother served in the Australian Army for 26 years and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer.
Without knowing the background of some other members of this parliament, I believe the Northern Territory parliament may well be one the best placed parliaments in this country to talk on this matter and to truly understand the important role our service personnel play in our communities, and in communities all around this great world of ours.
As I learnt in my time in the Australian Defence Force, we were a very diverse force; we still are today. That is what makes our soldiers, RAAF and Navy personnel so desired to be involved in any combat field. It is not just Afghanistan or Iraq; we are scattered throughout this world doing an amazing job, day in and day out.
Some might wish to dwell upon the very aggressive and devastating side of wars they may be involved in, but there are also many times our troops take on peaceful duties and do their bit as engineers rebuilding school, hospitals, roads, bridges, building wells, all the way around the world, taking communities back for people who have had everything taken from them by evil.
Our soldiers are not just those who carry the guns, but those who carry the hearts and minds of many communities. Wherever they go, they always touch, they always deliver with great compassion but, at the same time, they are still an extremely well- and highly-trained force that is a force to be reckoned with, I personally believe, like no other force in the world. They are extremely well trained and, I expect, in the future will continue to be well trained. They are the best of the fighting forces. However, we are small so when, unfortunately, incidents happen and we lose lives in these combat fields, or in peaceful fields, it is shattering to families involved, and our communities they are part of.
I mentioned last night in my adjournment speech Scott Palmer, very much a member of the Katherine community. His parents, Ray and Pam Palmer, are amazing and inspirational. They truly believe in the work their son was doing, and will continue to do so. He was doing a fantastic job; as were all our troops. Unfortunately, there are many names. Jared McKinney lost his life in a fight some time ago on 24 August and in September, his wife, Becky, gave birth to Noah Jared. That young man will grow to know this country respects his father deeply for the sacrifice he made in protecting, not only our country, but the world’s peace and democracy.
Some will talk of different commanders and generals and their importance in the role of any war. I will not, because one should not highlight one single commander, as our service men and women are all trained as true leaders. Australia is unique in that we train our soldiers, aircraft personnel, and Naval personnel to take charge, to lead, and for everyone involved to know what the next person is actually doing. Our training is very specific so, no matter what happens, there is always leadership within the team. They are a complete team of leaders. That is why their roles in Afghanistan and Iraq are so important: every single member of the service has that ability to lead, including leading the communities they are in to a better and more democratic life. They are absolutely inspirational.
I will take a short snap out of the federal Leader of Opposition, Mr Tony Abbott’s speech yesterday, and leave it for those who may choose to question our involvement and, then, wonder why we have such resolve. Hindsight would always be fantastic. He made the comment of Afghanistan:
That was a very powerful comment in Mr Abbott’s speech. We may wish the world to be different, but it is not, and we must deal with today the circumstances which are in front of us.
As I said, these soldiers are part of our community. We often look around our communities at the many netball, football and soccer teams, and think nothing of the people who are amongst it and organising it. In my own electorate and within my own portfolios, there are many people involved in our community groups where, all of a sudden - as the Leader of the Opposition in the Territory, Mr Mills, said earlier - his running partner is one day running, the next minute he has stuff on his mind; he has been asked to deploy. As we look around all the different teams, they are everywhere. When you take the time to ask our friends, family, communities, and neighbours how they are going, you find out, like the neighbours across from me in the house where I live, every now and then, someone else has to deploy. They are part of our community.
They may have been running our netball centre and, at short notice, had to go away for top-up training before deployment. They may be playing soccer and, the next week, they are not there and we wonder why. It is because they are doing what they were trained to do; that is, serve this nation. They leave behind families who will wonder every day how their loved ones are going. The miracles of technology allow better contact than ever before, but it still leaves them wondering how their loved ones are going. Our thoughts will go with them. We know it is not easy, but we know as a community we should look out for our neighbours, family, and friends, like the member for Karama when her sister went away. We should sometimes take the opportunity to ask these people how they are going because, for all the goodwill of the Defence services, they cannot totally service every person’s individual need and, sometimes, those families come under a great deal of stress.
I am very proud to see Defence support services in our schools such as Durack and Driver, and the Palmerston Christian School, working to support those families. I know the Durack School has morning teas for the Defence families. I love getting involved and having a chat with the ladies there because they sure as heck are not scared to speak up. They are not afraid to say what is on their mind, and it is a very clear indication of what is going on. Remember, these people are part of our community and even if their loved one - husband or wife, brother or sister - is away, they are back home wishing them well. We should take the time to support them as well.
I move on to other elements of support and equipment, and the relevance of the economy. Our Defence people in the Northern Territory do a great deal to support our economy through the building of Defence housing and the building of the Defence base which, during the time I served, started to develop and has continued to develop. The outsourcing of vehicle and equipment servicing all helps to develop the Northern Territory, and continues to sustain its economy.
I wish to raise what will probably be seen as quite a touchy subject when it comes to support; that is, the leaked e-mail after Lance Corporal Jared McKinney died in combat. This e-mail came from one of his fellow troops who served alongside him during that gun fight. I read from a news clip from 7pmproject.com:
The comment from the Digger said:
I raise that because, although Defence has said it is fine for the young Digger to vent his concern, and government has been satisfied the senior level has answered all questions possible, this Digger was there. This Digger was there when they were throwing lead at him at a massive rate of knots. This Digger knows the support they were or were not getting. A three-hour fire fight was not an acceptable situation to leave our Diggers in, and must continue to have questions asked of it. There is an inquiry into it; however, they must continue to ask those questions. Three hours is a long fire fight in today’s modern warfare. We have the best gun ships, the best jets, artillery, mortars …
Mr CHANDLER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I move for an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr BOHLIN: I thank my colleagues. We have the best gun ships, the best jets, mortars, artillery, and ASLAVs, which are fairly new. I was lucky to be one of the first to be trained on the ASLAV eight-wheeled armoured vehicle. We have the Bushmaster. We have many high-powered weapons to protect our soldiers when they are in the ditch. I am extremely concerned Defence says it really was not that bad. If that was a three-hour fire fight, with the right support it should have ended much sooner. Whether it would have changed the outcome will never be known and is probably not questionable; however, we must continue to ask whether that support is there for our troops. Do not make it a political answer. Really ask the question and be serious about finding out what is there.
When soldiers from my electorate and other electorates make comment like that about the equipment they are issued, there is a problem. Questions must continue to be asked and the answers must be found and resolved. It is not acceptable to bat it away with a quick media release and say it is all good. To be honest, the reply by Defence was not a great reply. You could see the uncomfortable position of the officer giving the reply. Maybe one day soon I will have a chat with that officer. He may have a fantastic point of view as to why. Being a former soldier, I know the expectation.
Long Tan was a long time ago - we should not have fire fights which last as long as Long Tan, or even the recent …
Mr Elferink: They were calling in artillery on themselves.
Mr BOHLIN: Exactly as just interjected; Long Tan had to bring in artillery on themselves as a concert continued not far away.
It is serious. The questions must continue to be asked of the Tangi Valley: what happened there; how do we ensure this does not happen again?
I thank the Leader of Opposition for recently adjusting portfolios and allocating the Defence Liaison to me. I have a passion for it. Many people in my community are Defence people, and I will not be afraid to ask the question. It must be answered. They are not going to be able to easily fill my ears full of fluff and confusion because I understand the equipment and the combat field. I was blessed never to have to use my skills for real.
Thank you to all the soldiers, Air Force, and seamen who serve our country. I reiterate these are people of our community; they are our Australian Diggers, true representatives of our former ANZACs. They are, nowadays, of every single race available to this planet. They are Australian soldiers, Australian RAAF, and Australian sailors, and they will and shall always deserve and get our respect with great dignity.
Mr CHANDLER (Brennan): Madam Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s motion to demonstrate absolute support by the Northern Territory parliament for Australian Defence Force personnel and their families.
The Northern Territory is a Defence community. I first arrived in the Northern Territory in 1985 as a proud member of the Royal Australia Air Force. It was the RAAF which provided me with the opportunity to come to this great place I have called home for most of my life. My first military experience after Cubs and Scouts was with the 419 Prince of Wales Light Horse Brigade as a trainee APC driver. Having completed initial recruit training at Puckapunyal in Victoria, and later training with the RAAF at Edinburgh in South Australia and 7SD in Toowoomba, I was posted to Darwin.
I certainly appreciate the conditions of service the Defence members and their families endure, particularly during times of deployments both in Australia and overseas. I was extremely fortunate to have served in most Australian states and Malaysia. I also had the opportunity and was fortunate to visit a number of other countries in the region while serving in the Defence Force - fortunate because this was during a time of relative peace.
The electorate of Brennan has a high number of Defence personnel and their families who call Palmerston their home while posted in the Darwin area. As their local member, I am proud to serve them, and I am doubly proud of the work they do, of the role they perform in the defence of our nation, our home. Their work needs the full support of this parliament, and of our community. I sincerely hope we never repeat the horrible past as witnessed after the Vietnam War. A soldier should never get caught up with the politics of the day, nor should they become the target for ill-thought-out abuse by people who openly attacked the job they perform, but sit back and enjoy the freedom these people provide – they are hypocrites, every last one of them. Their fight is with the politicians and other world leaders, not the soldier who provides the privilege of freedom we live with; not the person who is willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to ensure we and our children grow up living in a nation free from the torments of war and all the atrocities war brings.
As a former proud member of our Defence Force, more than ever Anzac Day now provides me with a sense of unconditional pride in what our troops do today, and what our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and grandparents have fought for - our Australian flag, our heritage. Is it worth protecting? You are damn right it is.
Our young men and women volunteer to go into areas of extreme danger; into areas where there is a clear and present danger to their own lives. They do this for one clear reason. They leave their loved ones for weeks and months at a time. Why? Well, they certainly do not do it for money, for all the money in the world is not worth a person’s life. They do not do it for reward, for again, all the reward in the world does not replace a life. So why? Why do they leave their families, their loved ones, their children, to travel to far away places and put their own lives on the line for us?
It is because they believe in something. They believe in Australia, the freedoms this country has provided, and in what others before them have fought for. While I never had the opportunity to serve with our Navy, I certainly can appreciate, after working for Defence Housing, what Navy members and their families endure. I particularly take my hat off to submariners who, for months on end, are away from their families, often not even being able to tell their families where they are, where they have been, and where they are heading. One thing is for sure, wherever that place is, it will be dangerous.
I also pay tribute to the families of Defence members who are left for weeks, months, and even years, to attend to the needs of their families. I know, as a father of four, how challenging it can be in our day-to-day lives, but other than when I am away, both my wife and I share that load. I must admit, and I am certain my wife will tell you, her end is much heavier than mine. However, as a local member, yes, I am often busy in the community, but most nights I still get to go home and tuck my children into bed.
For Defence families, when one of the partners is away, the other is left to pick up the load - breakfast, lunch and dinner. You only have to look at your own normal day: starting early, getting kids out of bed, into the shower, preparing breakfast, looking for those blasted socks that always go missing in action, ensuring their teeth are brushed and school uniforms are prepared, the rush out the door and off to school before either heading off for a full day’s work, or heading back home to clean house, tend babies, wash and iron clothes, and shop for groceries.
School is out before you know it, kids are home and, with absolute precision, they cut to pieces your tidy house. Shoes are flung, uniforms dropped to the floor, and those blasted socks stage a classical retreat to some dark corner of the house where some are never found for months, before the inevitable, ‘mum, I am hungry’. After the afternoon snack is prepared and you have cleaned up once again, school friends appear and another line-up appears to be fed. Dinner is on, the washing is dry. While the kids are playing, the table is set, and you take a quick break before bringing in the washing and serving up dinner. Dinner is demolished in record time – I am amazed at how quickly food is consumed compared to how long it takes to prepare - it is time for the dishes and getting uniforms ready for tomorrow. Afterwards, you think you may catch a break but, of course, there is homework to do, to supervise, and to think quickly of a reason when you do not understand the question in the first place.
Time for a bit of television before it is time to prepare the kids for bed. Teeth are brushed, prayers are said to God above for our daddy in Afghanistan and, afterwards, you collapse. While so very tired of this daily chore which taxes you more than you could ever think, and more than you ever think you could give, you would prefer to do it time and time again than have the loneliness and the worry you are about to go through as you lay yourself down alone in bed.
This tribute is not only for our Defence members, but also their families who endure so much while their partners are away fighting for what they believe in - something you and I take for granted each and every day, or at least too often. The very least we can owe them is our unconditional support and appreciation for what they do.
Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for this motion today. I thank each and every Defence Force member and their families for their contribution to the defence of our nation, our heritage, and our freedom.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Speaker, genuinely, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing on this motion today. It is a very important motion to debate in this parliament, and every parliament around the country in my humble view. The federal parliament has recognised that and debated this issue in the last few days. It is very pleasing the efforts of our troops in Afghanistan and, by extension, in other conflicts around the world, have received bipartisan support at the federal level. That sentiment is certainly echoed in this parliament.
We heard today members on both sides of the House give their undying and utmost support to members of the Defence Force across Australia who have served, or are currently serving, in overseas deployments. There are many members of the Defence Force currently away serving, from all around the country and the Northern Territory - people who have chosen to make the Northern Territory their home. There are troops from Darwin and personnel from the RAAF Base at Tindal who are also currently deployed overseas.
I tried to find out how many of our troops posted here may be serving overseas but, to the credit of all those people who were contacted by my office today, we were not told. There is good reason for not telling us how many troops are deployed overseas; that is, for the security of those troops. My congratulations go to those people who would not give us the information. They did the right thing without a shadow of a doubt.
In thanking our troops from the Territory, from Darwin, from Katherine, who serve overseas, I also thank the families of the troops. I can only imagine – well, then again, I do not know if I can imagine - what it feels like for a father, mother, wife, or husband to have their loved one deployed in a foreign land where people are trying to kill them.
Our troops are there doing their bit to protect not only our way of life but the way of life of people who are caught up, often unintentionally, in conflict overseas. They lay their lives on the line when they do that. The angst families go through must be incredible. The families must have a feeling of helplessness while their sons, husbands, and fathers are away serving our country. I take my hat off to those family members who must endure the uncertainty, angst, and worry of having their loved ones in the line of fire.
It was very heartening to listen to some of the words of the Chief Minister in this debate. He spoke of Scott Palmer. In thinking about our troops, we think about the broad deployment to overseas countries. We think about the deployment from local units such as those in Darwin and in Katherine. Then, we think about how much closer to home those people really are. The very sad death of Scott Palmer and his two colleagues who died in a helicopter crash earlier this year, brought home to me just how close to home that can be.
All the events I have been to celebrating the life of Scott Palmer and his contribution to the defence of this country have been outstanding. The funeral in Darwin was very well attended. The Prime Minister attended with the Leader of the Opposition and many dignitaries from across the country.
The next event after that, if you call it an event, was the tribute football match played in Katherine a few months ago. The member for Drysdale mentioned it in his adjournment debate last night. I can report to the House that Scott Palmer was a very highly-respected and loved member of the Katherine community, which showed in the attendance that night in Katherine. There were probably 600 or 700 people packed into the sports and recreation ground for a fundraising event. If you want to look at the depth of sentiment which goes to our Defence personnel, look how deep into their pockets people are willing to dive to support our troops and their memory. The fundraising event, the Scott Palmer Tribute Match, raised more than $40 000 for the Commandos Legacy Fund from the Katherine community. That fundraising goes to the Commando Unit, to be used in support of the families of commandos who are killed or injured in action. It was an outstanding effort.
I use this opportunity to pay tribute to not only Defence Force members who serve overseas, but also those who stay in Australia in support of our troops overseas. I am not sure of the ratio; I would guess for every one who goes overseas there are several hundred who stay in Australia and support the deployed troops overseas. Their job is equally vital to the defence of this country and support of those who go overseas.
Part of that is our Reserve force. When I lived in Alice Springs I was a member of the NORFORCE unit of the Army Reserve and had a taste of military life. I spent a fair amount of time doing some hard yards and being involved with regular troops during operations. One of the things I learnt in that time was, without doubt, Australian troops are the best troops on this planet. They are trained to such a high degree they are revered by troops from other countries who look at them with awe when they realise just how good our soldiers are at doing their job. That is a testament to the troops in our Defence Force and the systems in place to train them; it is exemplary.
Part of the support services which exist around our troops and families - it is an extremely important link I want to make – are across all the services, especially for the RAAF Base at Tindal, are our family liaison officers. We affectionately call them FLOs. They are people who have the job of ensuring the families left behind while troops are deployed overseas are looked after so their welfare is attended to. That extends into every aspect of their life. To take on a job like that is difficult because those families are dealing, often times, with severe emotional upset at being separated from their families, the worry of having their loved ones so far away in foreign lands and not knowing exactly what they are doing or what they are up to, and the ever-present risk their loved one will not come home. I take my hat off to the people like Sharon Durbidge, Sharyn-Lee Lauder and Bec Hussey-Smith. They are some of the recent family liaison officers who have been working at the Tindal RAAF Base.
We also talk about our troops broadly across Australia, within the Northern Territory, and those close to home. Nothing gets more close to home than when your own family member is a part of the military service. It worries me a little because one of my sons is trying his utmost to enter the Australian Defence Force Academy. He passed his high school very well and is waiting on interviews to get into ADFA. It worries me a little about him having to be away and, perhaps, in a position where he could be defending his way of life - our way of life - overseas. At the same time, I take my hat off to him for putting himself out there and wanting to defend his country. I am very proud of him for that
Madam Deputy Speaker, I cannot speak more highly of the Australian soldiers from all the services. I wish them the very best in their deployments overseas. I wish them a safe and speedy return to their country. We are very proud of them, and they do a job that – well, let us face it - not very many people want to do. For that, I pay them the utmost respect and wish them all well.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Speaker has received a document in relation to pairs, which will come into effect today from 4 pm to 7 pm. The pairs arrangement is between the members for Arafura and Drysdale. That document has been signed by the government Whip, the member for Fannie Bay, and the opposition Whip, the member for Port Darwin.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Deputy Speaker, it goes without saying that I, obviously, support the Australian Defence Forces overseas, those based in Australia and, in particular, those based in the Northern Territory in my electorate. My electorate, of course, has RAAF Base Darwin as well as the Defence Establishment Berrimah, previously known as Coonawarra. I have to say, as did other speakers, they are a magnificent bunch of men and women who do us proud - who absolutely do us proud - and at all times we should make the effort to stand up and voice our support for the incredible job they do for our country.
Having said that, something about this statement does not sit quite right with me. I see this statement as nothing more than smoke and mirrors by this government in order to cover up for federal Labor’s failures in the area of supporting our Defence Forces and troops overseas. Federal Labor, with their Defence White Paper, outlined they were seeking to achieve $20bn worth of savings from Defence over the next 10 years; that they had cut $20bn from Defence over the next 10 years - $20bn. That is a significant cut of money.
I read an article that appeared in The Australian a couple of days ago, on 4 October, which was headed ‘Cuts to defence spending “stupid”’. It said:
That has gone to Penny Wong. Step back in time to 1996. We faced a tough economic situation in this country then and, as everyone here knows, Paul Keating left a $96bn black hole for the incoming Coalition government. That was identified very early in the piece by the then Treasurer, Peter Costello. Peter Costello and the Prime Minister of the time, John Howard, got together and had to make some very serious decisions about cutting spending and reducing spending programs, tightening our belts and the like. However, one area that was quarantined from cuts was Defence. ‘Do not cut Defence spending’. In actual fact, there were increases to the Defence budget in those incredibly tight economic times.
However, what we see here is a government not prepared to quarantine Defence; in fact, it says to Defence: ‘We want you to achieve $20bn worth of savings for us over the next 10 years’. Then, they have the audacity to run a statement in the federal parliament saying how they support the troops. I find that is just hypocrisy writ large. That is just the height of hypocrisy, where they can turn around and cut spending to Defence by $20bn over 10 years, and then stand up in the Chamber of the federal parliament and make a statement saying: ‘We support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and other parts of the world’. As colleagues have said, we are already seeing the results of those cuts.
In the same article I just mentioned from The Australian, the Executive Director of the Australia Defence Association, Neil James, said further cuts to the Defence bottom line would spell disaster for the nation’s security:
That is what the new Executive Director of the Australia Defence Association said about our federal government, about the policies of our federal government and their attitude to Defence.
Other speakers, most noticeably the member for Drysdale, drew attention to Lance Corporal Jared McKinney. An e-mail published by News Limited on Tuesday a couple of weeks ago, said the Army had exposed troops to unnecessary risks, that contact would have been over before Jared died if they gave us ‘f-ing mortars’. I quote that from the article; that is what the soldier wrote. The e-mail also detailed how no intelligence reports had prepared the two sections of about 24 men each for a confrontation with up to 100 enemy attacking from multiple firing positions from as close as 80 m away:
That is what one of our troops overseas has said about the Army; that is, the Department of Defence; that is, the minister in Canberra, Stephen Smith. This is a disgusting situation where we cannot even properly equip our troops who go overseas because of Labor’s reckless spending cut in the area of Defence.
Now we see the Chief Minister in the Northern Territory having the audacity to come into this place with a statement about how he supports our troops without him even raising ‘boo’ against his Labor colleagues in the federal parliament saying: ‘C’mon boys, c’mon girls, how about assisting the troops we have here in the Northern Territory? How about assisting the Australian troops and not cut spending to Defence?’ That is what our Chief Minister should be saying if he really, truly and utterly believed in supporting our troops because, clearly, this situation we see our troops in is wrong.
Australians can do better than this. We can equip our troops better. I have heard of troops buying their own equipment because the Army issued equipment is not up to scratch. They are buying their own equipment before they go overseas because the stuff they get from the Army is not trustworthy. That is blatantly wrong.
I also have to question the fiscal responsibility of the Department of Defence. Here is a department which is facing cuts of $20bn over the next 10 years, yet the very same department is prepared to write off almost 400 houses here in Darwin - a whole suburb in Darwin - because of what? They cannot tell us what they need the land for, but they are prepared to rip down almost 400 houses, a couple of hundred million dollars of taxpayers’ assets out of the heart of Darwin, in the middle of a time when we are suffering our worst housing crisis in history ...
Mr Conlan: For aeroplane hangers.
Mr TOLLNER: As the member for Greatorex says, the scuttlebutt at the moment is they want to put in aeroplane hangers ...
Mr Conlan: With all those new aircraft we are going to buy.
Mr TOLLNER: With all those new aircraft. A couple of weeks ago, I watched the only Defence-specific childcare centre in Darwin close its doors. I paid tribute last night to the minister for Education in the Northern Territory for his efforts in trying to keep that service alive. I wish I could pay the same tribute to the Department of Defence, because the Department of Defence did not lift a finger to see that childcare centre remain operational. They did absolutely nothing. They are quite prepared to see childcare centres close down on Defence land, to move almost 400 houses - at least a couple of hundred million dollars worth of houses - away, just wasting it, throwing it away. At the same time, the federal Labor government is cutting $20bn out of their budget.
This is not a fiscally responsible department. It is a shame! I have to ask what this government is doing about it. What is this government doing about boarding a jet, flying to Canberra, and talking to these fools we have running the Defence ministry in the federal parliament? This is a national disgrace. At a time when federal Labor is cutting $20bn out of the Defence budget, they are proposing to demolish, get rid of, transport, whatever, over $200m of perfectly liveable houses out of a perfectly liveable suburb in the heart of Darwin, when we are having the worst housing crisis in our history.
That is the reality of what is going on. It is disgusting; it is a shame; it is a national disgrace. It is a national disgrace that ministers on the other side of this Chamber are sitting idly by and watching it happen without saying ‘boo’, then have the audacity to come to this House with a statement saying how they support our troops. What absolute nonsense!
The only one who could hold his head up with a skerrick of truth about him is the minister for Education who tried to keep the doors of a Defence-specific childcare centre open. Apart from him, I have not heard ‘boo’ from anyone on the other side about how they support Defence and how they are going to Canberra lobbying, carrying on, jumping up and down in the minister’s office saying: ‘What is happening in the Northern Territory with Defence?’ It is not right. None of them say that and it is completely wrong.
I am more than happy, at any time, to voice my support for Australian troops and Australian Defence personnel. It is incumbent on not only every member of this parliament, it should be incumbent on every member of our community, because what these guys do for us in a very big way is protect us and our lifestyle. That is not to say we should sit around idly watching the Department of Defence destroy $200m-plus of taxpayer assets - move a whole suburb out of Darwin. We should not be doing that at all; that is wrong.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I have to put on record my disgust for the Department of Defence, at the federal Defence minister, Stephen Smith, and at the other Defence turkey, Warren Snowdon - our own Warren Snowdon who should be standing up for Territorians, taking notice of some of the housing problems we have in the Northern Territory rather than sitting idly by watching Defence move or demolish $200m-plus of taxpayer assets on the RAAF Base in Darwin. I cannot voice loudly enough my disgust for these people and my disgust that they are prepared to strip $20bn out of Defence over the next 10 years. Thank you for the opportunity to put these words to the Chamber.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution to this debate. I am not going to respond to the member for Fong Lim because the spirit the government has brought this motion to parliament today - until the contribution from the member for Fong Lim - is to say to our forces serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and other theatres overseas, that this parliament and the people of the Northern Territory support you. We support the work you do; we support your families and friends left behind as friends and neighbours to us. That was the intent of the motion today. I thank all honourable members who contributed to the debate in the spirit of the motion brought forward.
I will be meeting with Commander of Northern Command tomorrow, David Gwyther, pointing out to him the debate today and suggesting he provide a copy, or at least the links, to our 800-odd forces serving overseas so they can see the support the people of the Northern Territory, through their elected representatives in this parliament, have for them and the work they are doing overseas, the commitment they have, the bravery they show, and the support we have for their families and friends left behind in the Territory.
Motion agreed to.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms LAWRIE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Deputy Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The bill before the House today is a clear reflection of this government’s continued commitment to tackling domestic and family violence in our community. This bill amends the Domestic and Family Violence Act to address unforeseen practical issues the Northern Territory Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have identified. The bill also addresses issues identified by legal domestic violence services and the victims of domestic violence. These amendments demonstrate this government’s dedication to ensuring the law works to protect victims of domestic violence.
Premises access orders and replacement tenancy agreements: a domestic violence order, a DVO, may include a premises access order which requires the defendant to vacate certain premises occupied by the person protected by the DVO, or otherwise restrains the defendant from entering premises occupied by a protected person except on stated conditions.
Certain matters must be considered by the issuing authority prior to making or confirming a premises access order. This includes that a premises access order is only granted to persons currently occupying premises. If a person has left their home to escape domestic violence, under a strict reading of the act they are precluded from applying for a premises access order. This has further implications for a protected person because, if a DVO includes a premises access order and the defendant is a tenant of the premises occupied by the protected person, then further orders may be made by the court relating to the tenancy agreement. The court may create a new tenancy agreement for the benefit of the protected person and anyone else who was a party to the terminated agreement other than the defendant. This order is referred to as a replacement tenancy agreement.
For a replacement tenancy agreement to be made there must first be a premises access order. When a premises access order is made the court considers who should be living in the premises, taking into account the accommodation needs of the persons concerned. However, if a victim has chosen to leave their home genuinely for safety reasons prior to obtaining a DVO, that victim is precluded from obtaining a premises access order and, therefore, a replacement tenancy agreement because the victim no longer occupies the premises. This is the case even if the victim’s name is on the lease of the property and the victim remains legally liable to pay rent.
Victims may often leave premises and remove possessions in order to be safe without first applying for a DVO that includes a premises access order. Such an approach is understandable. A DVO is, therefore, often not obtained until a victim has left and feels safe. Victims of domestic violence may also choose not to obtain an order immediately on the basis it would further anger the perpetrator. Victims are, thereby, disadvantaged because they chose not to obtain a DVO or a premises access order at the time they were in occupation of the premises. Once the victim is precluded from applying for a premises access order, they are also precluded from obtaining a replacement tenancy agreement.
This bill amends section 22 to enable a person to apply for a premises access order if they occupy or have occupied the premises. Once a premises access order is made, the Court of Summary Jurisdiction can then consider a replacement tenancy agreement if the premises are leased.
This bill also amends section 23 relating to replacement tenancy agreements. Currently, section 23 provides that a replacement tenancy agreement is made to the benefit of the victim; however, there may be circumstances where a victim of domestic violence does not want to remain in the premises. There is no mechanism under the act whereby a victim of domestic violence who has left premises to escape domestic violence can apply to have their name removed from a tenancy agreement.
The act has been designed to cater for victims who wish to remain in the premises they have occupied, whether owned or rented. It does not cater for persons who are parties to a lease and, therefore, liable for rent for premises they no longer wish to occupy due to domestic violence.
This bill amends section 23 of the act such that the court can also make a replacement tenancy agreement to the benefit of the defendant where the protected person no longer wishes to reside in those premises.
Vexatious applications: sometimes the DVO process may be abused and a defendant may make a cross-application for a DVO which further harasses their victim. The bill provides the court with new powers so it can refuse to hear an application, or may order a stay of proceedings. The court may do this if it is satisfied the application for a DVO is frivolous, vexatious, or an abuse of the process of the court.
Police DVOs: the bill also amends the provision in the act concerning when authorised police officers are themselves able to make DVOs, referred to as police DVOs. As currently drafted, an authorised police officer may make a police DVO if they are satisfied that: due to urgent circumstances, it is not practicable to obtain a DVO through the court; making the DVO is necessary to ensure a person’s safety; and a DVO might reasonably have been made by the court had it been practicable to apply for one. All three of these criteria must be met.
Police advise there have been circumstances where it has been unclear whether or not it is not practicable to obtain a DVO through the court. For example, in one matter, police officers attended a domestic violence incident at a location 120 km by road from Darwin at 10 am on a Monday. The police considered a DVO was urgently required and was necessary to ensure a person’s safety. However, the police were unsure as to whether the distance needed to be travelled from Darwin to the court in order to obtain a court DVO fulfilled the criterion that obtaining a court DVO was not practicable. The police officers who attended the incident, and the authorised officer, were, quite understandably, unsure as to whether a police DVO was appropriate.
The act is being amended to provide more certainty as to when a police DVO is appropriate. Under the amended act, an authorised police officer will be able to make a police DVO if they are satisfied it is necessary to ensure a person’s safety because of either urgent circumstances, or it is not otherwise practicable in the circumstances to obtain a DVO from the court, provided the authorised police officer is satisfied the court might reasonably have made such an order if the matter was before the court. This means that, even if an incident occurs at a time when a court is sitting, or when it is possible to transport a person to the court to make an application for an order, if the circumstances are urgent and a DVO is necessary to ensure a person’s safety, then provided the police officer reasonably believes the court would make a DVO, the police officer may make a police DVO.
The amendment also means if it is not otherwise practicable in the circumstances to obtain a DVO from the court, then provided the DVO is needed to ensure a person’s safety and the police officer reasonably believes the court would make a DVO, the police officer may make a police DVO.
Interim variation orders: the bill also inserts a new provision which provides the court with the power to make an interim variation order when hearing an application to vary or revoke a DVO.
Variation or revocation of DVOs in urgent circumstances: currently, applications to vary or revoke a DVO in urgent circumstances can only be made in respect of court DVOs. Police are able to apply under sections 64 to 71 of the act to a magistrate over the telephone, or via a fax or other electronic communication, for the variation of the DVO if they are satisfied there has been a substantial change in relevant circumstances since the DVO was last varied or was made.
A police officer may only make such an application in urgent circumstances when it is not practicable to obtain an order of variation by application to the court. The act does not provide for variation of police DVOs, as a police DVO must be confirmed by the court. However, police DVOs are sometimes unconfirmed by the court for a period of time. Usually, this is in remote areas where there may be up to three months between sittings of the court. The bill provides that a police officer may apply to a magistrate in urgent circumstances in the same manner as a court DVO to seek variation of the police DVO.
Police power to remove and detain: despite the police having the power to make applications under Part 2.8 Division 2 for a variation in urgent circumstances, they do not have the power to detain a person while they seek the variation. This lack of power can make varying the DVO difficult.
Currently under section 84 of the act, if a police officer reasonably believes there are grounds for making a DVO against a person and it is necessary to remove that person to prevent imminent risk of harm to another person or damage to property, including the death or injury of an animal, then the police officer is entitled to enter premises where they reasonably believe the person is, take the person into custody, and remove the person to the nearest police station or to another place where the person can be conveniently detained until a DVO is made and given to the person. In short, once a person is removed, they are detained and a DVO is made and given to the person.
There are circumstances, however, when a DVO has already been made against a person by the court, but has not yet been given to them. It is a common occurrence that DVOs are made by the court in the absence of the defendant, leaving the police to later serve - that is, give a copy of - the DVO to the defendant. Under the act, the police do not have the power to detain a person for the purpose of giving the person a copy of an existing DVO. The NT Police have expressed concern that a protected person is, therefore, not entitled to the same level of protection when a DVO has already been made but not served, as is provided for when a DVO is yet to be made.
The bill, therefore, provides that the police may detain a person for the purpose of not only making a DVO, but also for the purposes of seeking variation of a DVO or for giving them a copy of an existing DVO. Under section 84 of the act, a person cannot be detained for the above purposes for more than four hours after being taken into custody. In cases where grounds for making a DVO exist but no other offences are being investigated, police officers rely solely upon this power for detention to detain the person.
Furthermore, under the act when a DVO is given to a person, the police are required to explain to the person the effect of the DVO, the consequences for any breach of the DVO, and the right of the defendant to apply for a review of the DVO. This explanation, as far as is reasonably practicable, must be given in either a language or in terms which are likely to be readily understood by the defendant.
The police service is concerned that, quite often, persons detained under section 84 of the act are intoxicated and remain so up until the expiration of the four-hour time limit. If a person remains intoxicated up until the expiration of the four-hour time limit, the question then is: how are the police supposed to make the appropriate explanations to the defendant about the DVO which has been made against them, and to make sure the person fully understands the effect of the DVO if they are still intoxicated? It is best practice to ensure that, prior to being released from detention, a defendant is made aware of the effect of the DVO, the consequences of breaching the DVO, and their right to apply for a review. However, this cannot occur if the person is still intoxicated and must be released because that four-hour time limit has expired.
Although in some circumstances the police could rely upon the protective custody provisions of the Police Administration Act to detain persons for a longer period, there are circumstances where these provisions will not apply, leaving the police with no choice but to release the defendant. The defendant is then released, they are the subject of a DVO, but there is no guarantee they understand the DVO. This creates a higher risk of the DVO being breached.
The bill amends the act to allow the police to detain a person for a longer period of time if it is necessary to do so because they are intoxicated and the police are unable to properly give a copy of the DVO to the defendant. The amendment also inserts safeguards to ensure the safety of those persons who are detained for longer than four hours due to intoxication. If a police officer detains a person beyond the four-hour limit due to intoxication, after six hours the police officer must inform a senior police officer, of or above the rank of Superintendent, of the continued need to detain the person.
The police officer will also be required to record information about the person’s continued detention in the custody log, and arrange for a health practitioner to examine the person as soon as is practicable. The police officer must also release the person from custody into the custody of the health practitioner if they require medical treatment, or otherwise release the person when they cease to be intoxicated, or at the expiration of 10 hours, whichever is the earlier.
These amendments will ensure defendants receive the information they should about a DVO made against them. These amendments will also provide better outcomes for the person who is protected by the DVO by ensuring the defendant is not released until such time as they are no longer intoxicated, and they are made aware of the terms of the DVO.
Sentencing for breach of a DVO: the bill also amends section 121 of the act to clarify the provisions concerned with sentencing persons who have breached a DVO. Under section 121 of the act, an adult who is found guilty of contravening a DVO is liable for a penalty of 400 penalty units ($53 200) or imprisonment for two years. Under section 121(2) of the act, if a person has previously been found guilty of contravening a DVO, they must be sentenced to serve at least seven days imprisonment. If a person found guilty of contravening a DVO is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, section 121 provides that if they are already serving another term of imprisonment for another offence, the court must direct the term of imprisonment to start from the end of the other term of imprisonment. These provisions are specifically stated to apply despite the Sentencing Act.
The aim of section 121 is to ensure any sentence for a contravention of a DVO is served in addition to other terms of imprisonment. However, section 121, as currently drafted, is open to an interpretation that the sentence for contravention of a DVO can be served concurrently with another sentence. The bill amends section 121 in order to ensure that persons who are found guilty of contravening a DVO, and who are sentenced to a term of imprisonment, will serve that term of imprisonment. The amendment ensures that if a person is already serving a term of imprisonment, any sentence they receive for contravening a DVO will need to be served and cannot be served concurrently - they will be locked up for longer as a result of their contravention.
Service provisions: some users of the act have stated the service provisions about how a DVO is given to a defendant are unclear. A DVO has effect if given. Section 119 sets out how it may be given which, aside from the defendant being present at the time the DVO is made, also includes service under section 25 of the Interpretation Act.
Section 25 of the Interpretation Act makes provision for service of documents which includes that a person may serve a document by giving the document, posting the document, or faxing the document to the recipient. To ensure the service provisions are clear, the bill also makes amendments and relevant provisions throughout the act by notes directing users of the act to how a DVO may be given as set out in section 119.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and I table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The bill puts in place a package of measures by proposing amendments to the Superannuation Act; Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities’ Superannuation Scheme Rules; and the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund Act.
The bill will implement Stage 1 of the superannuation reform project. This project has identified options to modernise the Territory’s defined benefit framework to allow more sustainable and cost-effective administration and provide flexibility to respond to changing employment and superannuation law and policy. Stage 1 includes changes that can be implemented almost straightaway, and will result in immediate savings without affecting members’ entitlements.
In summary, the bill proposes four separate reforms to: remove the new entrant medical provisions for the Northern Territory government death and invalidity scheme referred to as NTGDIS; introduce an account keeping fee for retained members of the Northern Territory Government and Public Authority Superannuation Scheme, referred to as NTGPASS; enable active members of NTGPASS and the Northern Territory Supplementary Superannuation Scheme, or as it is commonly known the NTSSS, to opt out of these schemes when they reach their preservation age, currently aged 55, so they can transition to retirement; and restructure governance arrangements by creating a single trustee board to oversee the Territory’s defined benefit funds.
I will now address the changes proposed in the bill in more detail. The first proposal is to remove the new entrant medical requirements for the NTGDIS. The NTGDIS was established in 2007 to extend death and invalidity cover to all public sector employees and members of the Legislative Assembly who are in choice-of-fund superannuation arrangements; that is, those who have 9% superannuation guarantee paid to their nominated superannuation fund each pay day. The NTGDIS benefit is equivalent to that available from NTGPASS.
The current legislative regime, as set out in the Superannuation Act, requires new employees who have been employed since the scheme was established in 2007 to complete a medical declaration before they are eligible for full cover from the scheme. Where a new employee is assessed as having a high risk of death or invalidity, a medical examination is undertaken to determine if their cover should be reduced in their first 10 years of employment. Members employed prior to 2007 are retrospectively assessed if they die or become an invalid in their first 10 years of employment. After 10 years, all employees are entitled to full cover.
Managing this process is resource intensive and costs about $100 000 a year across all agencies. New employees find the process bureaucratic and time-consuming, and there is also a cost on the community by using scarce medical resources to undertake medical examinations, rather than more critical day-to-day medical issues. Since 2007, over 8500 new employees have been medically assessed. Of these, 12% were required to undertake a further medical examination, 3% subsequently had their cover reduced, and only one employee with reduced cover has received a benefit from the scheme.
The scheme actuary has advised that removing the medical requirements will not materially increase the Territory’s liability. The reform is in line with other states and territories and is consistent with the approach taken by industry funds and insurance companies when providing insurance cover.
The bill removes the new entrant medical provisions and retrospective medical history assessment requirements, including previously issued reduced benefit certificates. To maximise the efficiencies to be gained from this measure, the scheme has been administered on this basis from 1 April 2010 and the bill reflects this application date.
The bill also includes transitional arrangements to enable NTGDIS members who are paid a reduced benefit under the current provisions, but prior to the commencement of the legislation, to receive a top-up payment once the legislation has commenced.
In keeping with the government’s policy of retaining mature-aged workers in the public sector, it is proposed that NTGPASS and NTSSS members are able to opt out of these schemes when they reach their superannuation preservation age, which is currently aged 55, without having to resign so they can transition to retirement. Transition to retirement is a policy initiative of the Commonwealth that encourages mature-age workers to remain in the workforce longer, even if only on a part-time basis, by allowing them to access superannuation benefits while they continue to work. This initiative is available to Northern Territory public sector employees who are in choice-of-fund superannuation arrangements, but NTGPASS and NTSSS members must resign from the public service before they can access their superannuation.
About 1250 individuals, or 22% of the NTGPASS and NTSSS membership, could access this proposal. However, it is considered unlikely that all will do so. The scheme actuary has considered the impact on future cash flows and unfunded liabilities, and advised that while the proposal may lead to some increase in short-term cash flows, in the longer term the proposal would be either cost neutral or result in small savings.
This initiative represents an improvement in conditions of employment for some staff and, strategically, this introduction was linked to the settlement of the 2010 round of enterprise bargaining agreements recently conducted by the Commissioner for Public Employment.
It is proposed to introduce an account keeping fee for retained members of the NTGPASS. The Superannuation Act requires the day-to-day administration costs for NTGPASS to be met by the Territory, but allows charges to be levied for services provided at the request of a member. A similar arrangement applies to all the Territory’s defined benefit schemes and is common practice for employer-sponsored schemes. Currently, fees are charged for a variety of requested services, including account keeping fees for NTGPASS account-based pension members. The proposed account keeping fee would apply to NTGPASS retained members only; that is, those members who have left the NT Public Service. It is proposed to commence the fee from January 2011. This initiative is expected to raise about $200 000 a year in Territory revenue.
Retained accounts represent more than half of the NTGPASS membership and 38% of these members no longer reside in the Territory. As 45% of members retain their benefit within NTGPASS when they exit the NT Public Service, the cost to the Superannuation Office in administering funds for people who are no longer employees is significant and growing. The lack of an appropriate fee may be one reason why some retained members do not roll their superannuation to another fund.
It is proposed to reform the current governance arrangements by creating a single trustee board to oversee the Territory’s defined benefit funds. The Territory currently has three superannuation trustee boards. These boards are:
the Superannuation Investment Board, established under the Superannuation Act and responsible for the NTGPASS members’ fund which currently has over $700m invested;
Changes to the Commonwealth superannuation legislation means trustee obligations and responsibilities are becoming increasingly complex, and there has been a move throughout the superannuation industry to merge and streamline trustee arrangements. The NTGPASS, parliamentary and police trustee boards undertake, essentially, the same function, which is managing investments on behalf of a declining membership base. These arrangements are not optimal and the degree of duplication and commonality between the schemes means the current trustee arrangements could be more efficiently and cost-effectively undertaken by a single board. A single board with suitable expertise and qualifications will streamline administration, promote efficiency, and align the Territory schemes with contemporary governance arrangements.
In order to create a single trustee board, it is proposed to rename the Superannuation Investment Board as the Superannuation Trustee Board which will oversee all the Territory’s public sector superannuation funds. The bill achieves this by amending the Superannuation Act to:
rename the SIB as the Superannuation Trustee Board, the STB;
establish the STB as a body corporate with a common seal;
protect the trustees from liability where they have acted in good faith;
extend the functions of the STB to include the trustee duties under the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund Act; and
allow the Treasurer to approve the STB taking on functions of any other superannuation fund.
Complementary amendments to the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund Act will establish the new Superannuation Trustee Board as the trustee for the parliamentary scheme, while an amending deed to be executed by the Treasurer and the police trustees will create a similar outcome for that trust.
The bill also clarifies current practice, whereby the Commissioner of Superannuation administers the parliamentary scheme on behalf of the trustees by providing that the new Superannuation Trustee Board can delegate powers and functions to the commissioner. Similarly, the bill extends the current delegation power in the Superannuation Act to allow the commissioner to further delegate those powers.
The bill makes transitional arrangements to give effect to the change in trusteeship for each of the funds and create a seamless transfer of assets, liabilities, decisions, outcomes, and agreements to the new Superannuation Trustee Board. The investments in each superannuation fund are held in a range of managed investment trusts registered in Victoria and New South Wales. The transfer of the funds to the new Superannuation Trustee Board is a simple change in the name of the trustee, and there will be no change in the underlying investments which will continue to be held in each superannuation fund on behalf of the respective members.
Nevertheless, private rulings were obtained from the State Revenue Office in Victoria and New South Wales confirming the transfers are not subject to stamp duty. Similar advice was obtained from the Territory Revenue Office. Advice was also obtained from the fund’s external taxation accountant confirming there is no capital gains tax or other taxation implications for the funds.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and table a copy of the explanatory statement to accompany the bill.
Debate adjourned.
Continued from 17 August 2010.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, out of the frying pan and into the fire, I suppose, moving into the new shadow portfolio of Treasury. I have not had an opportunity to get a briefing on this bill from Treasury. However, I know the member for Port Darwin has taken that opportunity and he has relayed his satisfaction with the briefing. He will speak on this bill also and pick up issues he may have raised during that briefing which I have not been privy to.
I will move straight to the guts of the bill and look at what is being proposed in these amendments. It is useful, as I have done with legislation in the past, to go through the amendments and outline them in succinct terms which can be understood by the broader public as well. That is a useful tool to use in this parliament.
I move then into the bill and look at new section 3A which talks about the category of persons listed as associates. Even though that section remains, essentially, the same, the amendment says siblings will now be considered associates, as will related bodies corporate. I note the 5% shareholding threshold has been removed for shareholders in a body corporate or other public company if it is listed on the stock exchange.
Some of these sections do not need a great deal of explanation. The next provision which is proposed for amendment is under clause 6, Powers of Office. The amendment gives the office the powers of a natural person, removes the need for a specific power to acquire, hold or dispose of real property. That, effectively, means that section 6(2)(e) is removed from the act. The ability to enter contracts has been clarified to include contracts and to engage consultants. The other part of that is the ability for TIO to invest its money. It will no longer be subject to the Public Trustees Act, nor will it require approval from the minister.
The amendments for section 9 propose the wording of the section be updated in part to reflect that the board is responsible for the office’s commercial activities and MAC’s business activities. Clause 10 of the amendments talks about the minimum number of members being reduced to three with respect to the board, and a vacant position or absence of the member will not invalidate a decision of the board. A separate MAC position on the board appears to have been abolished under this proposed amendment also.
New section 15 talks about the termination of member appointments. There is nothing controversial in that, so there is probably not a great deal to add to it. You could say in addition to the current situation, it could give rise a board member convicted of an offence, either in the Territory or elsewhere, that is punishable by 12 months imprisonment in the Territory or is disqualified under the Corporations Act 2001 from managing a corporation, will have their appointment terminated. The amendments talk about disclosure of interest, and the member for Port Darwin probably has something to say on that.
Section 17C, essentially, remains the same with an adjusted penalty to retain some consistency with the Corporations Act.
New section 26 relates to the payment of the surplus amounts in the fund to the Territory and I know the member for Port Darwin will touch on this further - well, I believe he will. The amendment talks about the existing section 26, and effectively breaks that section into two parts and allows the minister to transfer monies that are surplus to the MAC business purposes to the Central Holding Authority which can be withdrawn only for the purpose of road safety promotion. Authorised withdrawals are subject to section 5(2) of the Financial Management Act. Under the new section 26A the minister may give directions to transfer excess TIO (other than MAC) fund monies to the Central Holding Authority, and the minister must table the report in the Legislative Assembly within six days after giving that direction.
There are a number of minor amendments included in the Territory Insurance Office Act, and there is probably no point in going over too many of those because they are non-controversial.
I move on to the Motor Accidents (Compensation) Act where there a number of proposed amendments as well. Section 27 relates to the designated person. The TIO Board has been removed from the appeals process.
Sections 28A, 28B, 28C are amended by including in their provisions, where a claimant who is aggrieved by an original decision on a claim must now appeal within 90 days of receipt of the decision to a designated person who is appointed by the board. The designated person must make a decision on the review within 30 days, and may confirm the original decision, vary the original decision, or revoke and substitute with another decision.
Sections 28D, 28E and 29 are also proposed to be amended and include provisions where the review of the original decision has been received by the claimant; they may refer the claim to the referral tribunal. The designated person may also refer the claim to the tribunal. The tribunal may consider additional evidence not reviewed in earlier decisions, and is not bound by any earlier decisions. They are then able to confirm the referred decision, vary it, or revoke or substitute that decision.
Section 30B is regarding provisions around the original decision remaining in effect during the course of the review process. Again, as with the Territory Insurance Office Act itself, there are a number of minor amendments of the Motor Accidents (Compensation) Act that are non-controversial, and there is no need to cover those in this debate.
Further, there are a few amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act and also the Motor Vehicles Regulations. Under section 47, it will now be the minister responsible for the TIO who will, by Gazette notice, declare the amount of compensation contributions payable in accordance with the act, and the competent person cannot be a public sector employee or an employee of the office. Section 47A goes on to say those compensation contributions must be reviewed by a competent person every three years. There are a number of minor amendments to the Motor Vehicle Regulations.
Madam Deputy Speaker, this bill will be supported by this side of the House. It appears there is a bit of tidying up. I know some of these provisions have been called for from within TIO and the motor accidents compensation part of that, and will be supported by this side of the House.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Deputy Speaker, I will speak briefly on this bill. Before I start, I place on the record my thanks to Mr Richard Harding, as well as the Board of TIO. They have been fulsome in their briefings during the times I have been the shadow Treasurer, and have been excellent communicators. I say thank you to Mr Harding and Mr Flynn, but also the other board members who have been kind enough to put up with my inquiries and questions, and anticipate my needs, I might add because, during the GFC, they realised there was going to be a little red ink on their books. They were kind enough to contact me and explain to me why that happened before matters were published. I am grateful to them for anticipating that, because that would have been an issue which would have been dealt with in another domain had they not been so proactive. I ask, as a personal favour to me, they extend the same level of communication and contact to the new shadow Treasurer. Again, I place on the record the excellent communication I have had so far.
Turning my attention to the bill itself, I am not going to spend a great deal of time rehashing what the shadow Treasurer has discussed. This is a non-contentious bill. I confess when I had the role of shadow Treasurer, one of the first little flags that went up my flag pole was: ‘Aha, they are going to move to privatise. I will see what wickedness is afoot’. Once again, the interesting thing was I was briefed before the second reading speech was introduced into the House. So, clearly, the anticipation and quality of thinking of the TIO CEO was excellent. I was comprehensively briefed and several follow-up questions were answered in a timely fashion, thus allaying my fears in relation to the privatisation of TIO. I draw no inference or implication that what is in this legislation will enable the government to move down the road of the privatisation of TIO any more than they are currently in a position to do.
These changes will have the effect of restructuring the rights and duties of the board. They, quite rightly, point out that having the board as a body of review for decisions which are really issues for experts is inappropriate. These amendments will enable the board to actually have determinations in relation to insurance matters referred to people who are experts, and have these matters determined by the right people. So, it is a commonsense amendment.
The act also amends the requirement of the board to be from six members to three. I do not have a problem with that. Mr Flynn was a little surprised when I told him about that, but he has since recontacted me and said: ‘The minimum is three under these changes, but we anticipate the board will continue to operate with six or seven members’. That stands to reason. The board also has a MACA-specific board member currently. Considering the business model and the structure of TIO, as part of one of their three business streams, the MACA scheme will not be in any way diminished in its representation on the board simply by making the board responsible for MACA in the same way they would be in any other structure.
The board has to and does run as a commercial entity. Giving almost arcane structures, for lack of a better expression, in relation to certain board members having certain roles, one assumes they need to be directed by legislation, and they do not. They have fiduciary responsibilities to their own company, and they will act accordingly no matter which of their business divisions they are referring to - be it MACA, their banking arm, or their insurance arm.
There are other minor amendments in this bill that I do not intend to go into. Suffice it to say one of the questions I raised was in relation to the support the TIO, through MACA, has given over the years to road safety campaigns in the Northern Territory. This bill enables that money to go through the Central Holding Authority, if memory serves, and then be farmed out to the department. I am assured to the point of being satisfied that money will find its way through those channels and will not be shaved off in some other fashion by Treasury or the Treasurer. You can well imagine why I would be cautious of such a suggestion. As the former shadow Treasurer, I will always be cautious of any suggestion that money gets anywhere near the hands of the Treasurer, and is then being used for the purposes that the Treasurer says it will be used for. I do not enjoy reassurance unless I have stronger evidence than a mere assurance by the Treasurer that will be the case.
I also thank Richard Harding for sending me a letter on 13 September in relation to how the CTP premiums would be affected and, under the new rating arrangements created by this legislation, those CTP premiums would grow. I am satisfied, on the information I received, this will not become some great cash factory for TIO at the expense of Territorians, but provides a more convenient mechanism for setting the rates. As far as I am concerned, that issue has also been satisfactorily resolved.
Madam Deputy Speaker, in essence, this is a bill which improves the management of the Territory Insurance Office; it does not set the Territory Insurance Office in a direction of privatisation. Issues in relation to matters of funding for road safety campaigns have been satisfied and, to that end, the Country Liberals support the bill before the House.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Deputy Speaker, I also support the bill before us today. I thank government for allowing us to have a briefing with TIO. As I understand it, there were three objectives for the changes. The first one is to improve governance and administrative provisions for TIO and the MACA scheme. The second one is to expedite and simplify the appeals process, and strengthen the internal review processes for appeal. The third one is to simplify the process for determining MAC contribution rates.
In relation to the governance, there was a review conducted in 2008-09 of the TIO and MAC acts, focusing on statutory and governance framework issues. The outcomes of the review aimed to better align the administrative arrangements with those within the Government Owned Corporations Act and the Corporations Act 2001 - in other words, they are contemporising the act. The only thing I comment on in relation to that is we are using the Government Owned Corporations Act but we are not calling the TIO a GOC which in some ways is a bit unfortunate for the TIO. If it was a GOC we could question the TIO in the Estimates Committee as we do with Power and Water. Obviously, it is just a matter of having uniformity, trying to bring it up to date with the Corporations Act.
Regarding the changes in the board, the requirement for a MAC member to be on the board has been removed, and they are reducing the minimum number on the board from six to three and is consistent …
Ms Lawrie: Only the quorum.
Mr WOOD: Yes, it is consistent with quorum provisions of the Territory Insurance Office Act, and the minimum membership requirements Government Owned Corporations Act.
I asked TIO about that. I was a bit concerned we only had a board of three. They do not expect to have a board of three; there will be more than three members. However, the board can still act if it has three members. I was happy with that. I thought for a while we were going to have a very small board. The intent is to maintain board membership of between five to seven members. The change provides flexibility in structuring the board and managing appointments where members unexpectedly resign. The continuation of the MAC member on the board reduces flexibility in identifying individuals with the necessary skills and expertise to effectively manage TIO as a corporate entity.
MAC fund contributions are made directly to the Central Holding Authority and redirected to the relevant department to ensure MAC fund contributions are subject to the budget process and parameters. There is no intent to reduce the current total quantity of road safety funding provided from the MAC fund. I thought that was an interesting change. Having TIO involvement in where that money goes is fair from the TIO’s point of view because, up to now, they hand this money over to someone else and someone else spends the money the way they want to spend it. As TIO is involved in road safety, it makes good sense that they have a say in where that money is being spent.
My understanding is it could go to any department that felt it had a road safety issue, which could mean more white lines and guide posts on the sides of road if someone thought that was a road safety issue. The changes are good as it give some ownership of that money from the point of view of where it has been directed. At least TIO has input, and that is a good change.
Regarding MAC contribution determinations, there is a proposal to remove the role of commissioner to introduce simplified arrangements, and implement automatic annual indexation of contribution amounts supplemented by independent expert reviews every three years. These reviews will ensure contribution levels are sufficient for the longer term financial sustainability of the scheme. Although I am not an economic guru, I do know, from time to time over the history of the MAC scheme, it has suffered and struggled through not having enough funds. There have been long sighs from members of the government as to how to keep the thing afloat. This gives it more certainty and a more organised method of making sure its long-term financial sustainability is guaranteed. It also provides for the minister to request more frequent reviews where it is prudent to do so - for example, in response to economic circumstances that may warrant determining an amount different from a normal indexation-based increase based on recommendations of an independent review.
The last area the bill deals with is the MAC appeal process improvements. There is no change to the benefits provided under MAC, but the changes to the dispute resolution process are:
1. it streamlines MAC appeals process by removing the board from determining compensation applications;
3. maintains ultimate right of appeal to independent MAC tribunal.
Improvements to the internal review process include introducing a TIO employee with specialist experience to review the case prior to seeking a resolution through the designated person in the legislative appeals process. That does make sense if the appeal process is too long: people become frustrated, local members receive phone calls, and everyone gets a little cranky about TIO. If you can streamline the process - and having talked to TIO there is a stronger emphasis on trying to solve some of these issues early, which is always the way to go, if we can sort these things out. I telephoned the CEO today regarding a constituent who had a problem with a non-payment, and the CEO has offered to ring her. We may be able to solve that problem simply with a phone call. That is the way we should try to fix these issues, rather than having to go through a long appeals process which costs TIO more money, which means it is more expensive to run.
It is good the board is removed. However, I was also pleased to see the board still plays a part. When I have had constituents ring me about issues, and when I have come to my wits’ end as to know which way to go, I know I can still ring the board members; they are there for a purpose. They are not just there to fill in a spot on a board. If members of the public feel they have a gripe, that is why you have a board, so you can ring those people. A number of those are local people, a number are interstate people, so you have people with expertise and people with local knowledge. It is important that we recognise the board has a role, especially in relation to customer relations where customers feel they have not had a fair go.
Madam Deputy Speaker, the changes contemporise the act. In this day and age, with changes to the way insurance companies operate and the MAC scheme needs to operate today, the changes are good and I support the bill.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the members opposite for their support of the Territory Insurance Office and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. I thank the members for Nelson and Port Darwin for taking the opportunity of a briefing with TIO and officers of Treasury. I thank the Territory Insurance Office CEO, Mr Richard Harding, for the work he has done in working with Treasury in bringing forward these amendments that give effect to the review that I approved for Treasury and TIO to jointly undertake in 2008 through to 2009.
We wanted to put in place a continued improvement in the statutory and government framework issues TIO had previously confronted, so this review and the changes before us today are a continued process of strengthening and enhancing TIO and its operations; opening up the transparency of TIO and the MAC operations, and ensuring the fairness elements in the appeal processes are very reasonable. It is recognised the board members have specific skill sets and, quite reasonably, they should be sitting there dealing with the appeals so you actually have a more robust appeals process as a result of these proposed amendments.
We have also taken the opportunity to provide for governance administration arrangements which will ensure TIO is more in line with the Government Owned Corporations Act that adopts those contemporary practices in relation to the penalties and governance guidelines. Removing the TIO Board member from the MAC Board and removing the board members from the MAC appeals process are great moves.
Reducing the TIO board quorum from six to three, in line with the Government Owned Corporations Act, was questioned quite significantly by members opposite. That was a good series of questioning for them to undertake. I can assure members there is no intention by the government, in working with the CEO of TIO, for there to be a habit of board meetings of three members. It is really for those occasions where you have some unforeseen circumstances where board members have to leave due to illness or what have you, and the numbers might be reduced for a short period of time while you are in the process of recruiting highly-skilled professionals to the TIO Board. That being said, the Reserve Bank of Australia seems to operate quite sufficiently with a quorum of three board members. It is the norm, it is the practice, and TIO will be adopting the norm and the practice.
I do not propose to go into the details of the arrangements here because they have been well canvassed by members opposite, and they were laid out quite clearly and specifically in my second reading speech in the previous sittings. It does, as we say, provide for a greater transparency. It provides for a change in removing the requirement for a MAC Board member on the board, taking the appeals process out of the board, and providing some more robust aspects to the MAC fund in how those MAC settings are put in place through the premiums.
I acknowledge the role of TIO and Treasury officials. They have worked well together and they have a strong working relationship. We have a robust operation through the Territory Insurance Office. We are well served by the CEO and his team at TIO. They have done a resoundingly fine job through the difficulties of the global financial crisis. I have put on record my thanks to the TIO team. As an insurer and banker in what has been an incredibly dynamically changing and dramatically worsening period of the global financial crisis, and coming out of that, they did an astounding job for Territorians. I sincerely thank the TIO Board for the wisdom and decisions they made working with their CEO through that period. I also sincerely thank my Treasury officials who I know work tirelessly, not just on these reviews, but in ensuring TIO was well served and well supported during what was a dramatic period for us all.
Madam Speaker, TIO is healthy; it is a good insurance office. I have to put in a plug: if you are not insured with TIO, well, you should certainly get some insurance with TIO. We are very well served by the reforms the former Treasurer, Syd Stirling, made to the MAC fund. We are seeing that come through in the health of the MAC fund. I know we have, potentially, more work to do in the benefits of the MAC fund, and we will look at that as a body of work going forward because we have been well served by all the reforms to date. I thank all members for their support.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 10 June 2010.
Ms McCARTHY (Tourism): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak today in support of the Minister for Trade and Asian Relation’s statement on growing trade and our participation in the global economy. Trade, the lifeblood of commerce, has been an important part of the Northern Territory’s history for over 400 years. Long before Captain Cook, the people of the Northern Territory, the Yolngu, were engaged in a flourishing trade with our immediate neighbours to the north, the people of Makassar. Even my own people, the Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Mara, and Gudanji peoples had their particular trade with the Macassans. The Macassans travelled to our shores looking for beche de mere, or trepang, a sea slug much prized by the Chinese who valued it for its perceived restorative powers.
Here we are in this House, 400 years on, talking about trade and the Northern Territory’s engagement with Asia and, especially, with Indonesia and China. The people of Indonesia knew about Australia and, in particular the Northern Territory, long before the nations of Europe took an interest in this part of the world. Today, China is Australia’s second largest trading partner after Japan, with the bulk of our trade with China in commodities such as manganese, zinc and iron ore. In 2007-08, our two-way trade with China amounted to $1.4bn. Trade with Indonesia, Australia’s fourth largest trading partner, continues to be central to our international trade built on our traditional exports of live cattle and minerals.
The export of live cattle to Southeast Asia has been synonymous with the Northern Territory for over 110 years. In fact, the very first overseas shipment of Territory cattle went to the island of Sulawesi in the early 1900s. Today, our trade with Indonesia is worth over $320m per annum. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association’s Luke Bowen in the gallery.
We should not forget the fundamental importance of the live cattle trade to the Northern Territory. Without that trade and investment by Asian financiers in individual properties, the 220 pastoral properties that make up the Northern Territory estate could have become consolidated into a handful of sprawling properties owned and controlled by fund managers rather than the diverse ownership we see today.
The pastoral industry’s contribution to the social fabric of the regions is pervasive. People in the industry are there for a way of life rather than a total adherence to the financial bottom line. We do not have fly in/fly out in the pastoral industry, and people working in the pastoral industry are a vital part of many of our regional and remote communities.
Without the pastoral industry, many events enjoyed by both town and rural people would be seriously compromised. Imagine country race meetings, rodeos, and the show circuit without the input of local pastoralists. That would be quite unimaginable. In fact, I had the opportunity to be at the Darwin Rodeo in the last couple of months at Freds Pass, and it was a well-attended event. With the rodeo circuit throughout the Northern Territory and even with our shows in the show circuit from Alice to Tennant, Katherine and Darwin and, of course, our very own Borroloola Rodeo, it goes without saying it brings many people together.
A strong and healthy pastoral industry has always been important to the Territory and will continue to be so into the future. As I move around the Northern Territory reviewing and progressing the development of our headline A Working Future policy and plans for our Territory growth towns, I am reminded about the importance of this work for people of the Northern Territory, in particular those employed in, and providing services to, the pastoral industry.
I am also mindful that a strong and vibrant pastoral industry, and the involvement of people in it, is important to the strength and ongoing viability of local government in the regions. People involved in the pastoral industry are already participating in local boards and as elected members in local government, and I am keen to encourage this involvement. We know all of this is in the infancy of dramatic change in local governance across the Northern Territory, with the shires only in their second year. We compare and contrast to almost three decades of a certain style of governance which we have changed dramatically from in order to make these areas much more efficient, and services much more available to all people.
A key driver of our 2008 local government reform was the need to improve these services and operations of the local government sector in the bush. However, it is also about social inclusion; local people working together, making local decisions to progress development of their local government area. People involved in the pastoral sector have much to offer local government, and it is great to see their involvement.
Like all businesses, the pastoral industry has to adapt and change in an ever-changing business environment, and it is vital we continue to work with industry and our federal colleagues in Canberra, identifying the best way the Henderson Labor government can continue to support a vibrant, international trade for our pastoral industry.
Madam Speaker, getting back to the hard reality of surviving in a competitive business world, I see significant opportunity in the areas of my portfolio responsibilities as a consequence of a growing international trade. In particular, I am excited by the opportunities the continued growth of international trade will deliver for the tourism sector and the flow-on benefits to our regional areas.
I had the opportunity to visit the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and Germany in recent weeks and, on that visit, was able to do two things. One was to build relationships in tourism and the airline industry, but also to look at opportunities where our local tourism operators can also continue to exchange and grow from their experiences in sharing the relationships with international organisations and individuals.
The Minster for Trade and for Asian Relations is right when he says our geographical location and our expanding infrastructure provides a wonderful opportunity to capture advantages in trade with our near neighbours. I would like to think, with the growth towns in particular - and this was one of the things I discussed in numerous meetings I had overseas – we will be able to provide opportunities for those organisations in those growth towns to link in tourism employment, tourism sharing of knowledge and expertise, and also to look at some of the education opportunities in some of these regions.
In recent years, we have developed strong connections with our friends to the north in many fields, and I am confident the Henderson Labor government’s five-year Growing International Trade 2009-2013 Priority Action Plan has us well placed for the future. The Northern Territory’s priority action plan lists our key international markets as China, Indonesia, and Japan. The plan also highlights the emerging markets of Vietnam, India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
From a tourism point of view, these are emerging markets which present a huge opportunity. To have the Vice President of China here in the last six months, visiting the Northern Territory and specifically identifying tourism and the relationship with the tourism industry here as one of his key priorities, has opened up massive opportunities for the Northern Territory – opportunities our Chief Minister and Minister for Asian Relations and for Trade have accepted and taken on board. I hope to go to China, probably in 2011, to further develop those relationships in tourism. The Chinese were very interested in going to Kakadu and spending time with the Indigenous people there.
It is also critical we maintain our focus on our key tourism-related source markets such as Germany and the United States, notwithstanding the time and effort which is being put into the emerging Asian markets by our local tourism sector.
As we all know, tourism does play a key role in the Northern Territory, and the industry currently delivers around 18 000 jobs for Territorians, and contributes around $1.7bn to the Northern Territory economy each year.
Tourism NT and local business operators are working hard to have the Northern Territory and Territory tourism products seen and heard in the emerging Asian markets. That is not without its challenges. As we all know, business from the Asian region is sought after worldwide and it can be difficult to cut through the marketing effort of our competitors to attract that price, but that is business and we understand that. This is what we are good at: working harder and smarter in a very tough and competitive environment.
Tourism NT and, the tourism industry generally, are up to this challenge and are hitting the mark with their marketing of the Northern Territory. While in the United Kingdom, I was able to spend some time with KISS FM, one of the youth radio stations which has an extraordinary listening audience. They have a direct link with marketing in Darwin. They had a contest on their program and one of the young women who won the contest, Stephanie, came to the Northern Territory to spend some time working at Crocosaurus Cove. I was able to take some things from Stephanie, who was still in Darwin, to the United Kingdom and share that with the audience through the management of KISS FM. I congratulate the effort which goes into the extraordinary amount of work because we know the United Kingdom and Germany are two of the most important areas for tourism and where our tourists are coming from.
While there is always room for more to be done, I can assure the Northern Territory community this journey is well under way, and we will stay strongly focused on this work which is critical to the future development of the Northern Territory. I have no doubt the stronger our trade links are, the more likely many thousands of visitors from our north will visit the Territory to enjoy the sights of Kakadu, Uluru, Litchfield, and the many other natural wonders which we have to offer across the Northern Territory.
With more than 70% of international and interstate visitors arriving by air, access to the Territory by air is the key to our future growth. I look forward to this leading to growth in tourism and new jobs in the more remote parts of the Territory, whether this be on tours on Aboriginal land or home stays, or adventure travel on pastoral properties.
We are also working hard to improve access to both Darwin and Alice Springs from the Asian region. I recently released a document titled Aviation Futures 2015 which outlines the blueprint for the future of aviation in the Northern Territory over the next five years. The Henderson Labor government has a comprehensive airline development approach which is flexible and responsive to changing market conditions.
Tourism NT has been very active in meeting with a number of well-known airlines in the past 12 months searching for ways to improve access to and from the Northern Territory. Earlier this year, I visited Malaysia and Singapore to progress some of these airline discussions, and I intend to continue to actively pursue further opportunities always, wherever I can.
Within the many responsibilities I have in the reforms across the Northern Territory, it is important I get to the regions, having the regional economic development portfolio. Clearly, the 20 growth towns are our priority in trying to raise the level of infrastructure and opportunities for people who live in the regions, to rise above the poverty and neglect which has been an incredible systemic issue for many decades.
While I was in Malaysia, I had the pleasant duty of meeting with the Malaysian Minister for Tourism Dr Ng Yen Yen. The minister was very interested in learning more about the Northern Territory, and I hope she will come and spend some time here to see for herself the many good things about the Northern Territory, and what opportunities there can be to strengthen those ties between Malaysia and the Northern Territory. It is clear there are many links between our two countries in relation to tourism, art, and education - just to name a few. There are many opportunities to learn from each other and further develop our existing strong links. It is something we will get a grasp of and continue to take opportunities to dive into. I have extended that official invitation for the minister to visit Darwin and the Top End and hope that will take place.
A key priority for the Henderson Labor government is to attract a full-service international airline to operate direct flights to and from Darwin, and we are working hard to turn this into a reality. This will have a significant positive impact on tourism and will also offer additional business opportunities through business travel and increased freight loads.
Business tourism is a growing sector of the Territory’s tourism industry, with the Darwin and Alice Springs Convention Centres creating many additional opportunities for local business operators. The Minister for Trade and for Asian Relations highlighted the importance of the conference business sector in his statement.
I was very pleased to hear the minister mention the South East Asia Australia Australian Offshore Conference. This event was held in September this year at the Darwin Convention Centre and is a fine example of what was achieved through our strong links with Asia. This conference generated a range of business sectors and it was a significant boost to local operators. An area of potential benefit to the Northern Territory tourism industry is pre-conference and post-conference touring options.
One of the good things I have found - and I am sure other members have seen this as well - is the usage of the convention centres in both Alice Springs and Darwin has been quite extraordinary. They have been able to provide a great boost to the local economies of Darwin and Alice Springs; a significant boost and a very positive one for them with the number of people who go there. It was terrific to be able to see the Indigenous women’s conference held in the Darwin Convention Centre. We had women from not only right across Australia but many Indigenous women from overseas who were able to come and see, for the first time on Larrakia land, what the issues were that Indigenous women share. That, again, was an important benefit for the Northern Territory economy.
Tourism NT is working very closely with conference organisers generally because Tourism NT sees the spin-off here is incredibly vital for the local economy. Extending the time these visitors are in the Northern Territory can deliver significant benefits to our economy and assist with regional dispersal of visitors. Of course, we want people to travel around the Northern Territory and not just in the major centres.
Madam Speaker, I commend the minister’s statement to the House.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, I will make a deliberately short contribution as we approach ...
Madam SPEAKER: Indeed, I will stop you at 5.30 pm.
Mr ELFERINK: Yes, I know. I probably will speak slowly because I confess, under the circumstances of this speech, I have not done sufficient preparation for it. However, the purpose of this speech is more to stall for three minutes until we reach 5.30 pm, than to actually offer a substantial contribution to this debate.
I want to raise a couple of issues while I am talking about trade. I thank the minister for his statement and I hope trade with our near Southeast Asian neighbours should be advanced. However, it can only be advanced by a government which, I believe, needs to be essentially honest with Territorians.
I listened with some interest in relation to the reply to a question put to the Chief Minister about the Jetstar hub, where he lauded the creation of 191 jobs. I am grateful those 191 jobs were created. However, the truth is, that was not the promise. It is my understanding the promise in that particular instance was for 600 jobs. The hub was supposed to produce seven aircraft, and was going to service the future of Darwin in new and spectacular ways. Every time this government throws money at airlines, they have an extraordinary capacity to not anticipate the flow-on effects, and fail to enjoy the outcomes they promise.
I note, when they decided to throw money at Jetstar, I think it was, it had the effect of eliminating Garuda Airlines aircraft that visit the Northern Territory. Why would Garuda Airlines not be grumpy? The reason Garuda Airlines was grumpy was because they had to compete with a government-subsidised airline. The problem is Jetstar does not provide business class seats to Bali, where Garuda Airlines did. There is a market for business class seats; it was one of the things that kept Garuda Airlines flying to the Northern Territory. Once again, we have seen a government produce a set of results which are far from the promise in the initial media release they pump out. Once again, there is a chasm between promise and delivery. Whilst the government makes much play of saying: ‘Oh, it is wonderful, we have 191 jobs’, it is not the 600-odd jobs promised during the election campaign.
Having read the newspaper the other day, I am uncertain as to whether the hub will be here or in the Kimberleys, in Broome. I would like to hear from the government how they are going to secure the promises or undertakings that were made to them by these airlines.
The penetration of the Northern Territory government into Southeast Asia is certainly not what it was 10 years ago. Ten or 15 years ago, the Chief Minister, Shane Stone, had almost walk-in access to President Suharto. We had very good penetration into the Philippines because of the effort and work put in by the former minister for Primary Industry, Mick Palmer. That has been lost, all the way through Southeast Asia, and has not yet gotten to a place where it is anywhere close to recovered.
I congratulate the Chief Minister for travelling to places like China and Japan, because that is what should be happening. I echo the words of the then Leader of the Opposition, Clare Martin, who berated CLP ministers for not travelling enough into Southeast Asia. I recall, if memory serves me correctly, the then Leader of the Opposition, Clare Martin, berating Daryl Manzie for only taking ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, it now being 5.30 pm, in accordance with Standing Order 93, debate is suspended and general business will now have precedence of government business until 9 pm.
Debate suspended.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I table the study report from the member for Brennan for travel to Adelaide from 6 to 8 October 2010.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I request consideration of General Business Notice No 1 relating to a peppercorn rental agreement be negotiated for Northern Territory government facilities on Aboriginal Land where a lease is required for such facilities be postponed.
Motion agreed to.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I move –
This is not any sort of rant or tirade that I will be speaking today; it will be different to normal. I am sure the member for Karama is looking forward to some sort of a rant, but there are issues of particular concern I feel need to be raised. These issues have been bubbling along for quite some time - serious issues I thought may have been actioned during the by-election in Araluen. I thought it was a prime opportunity for the Chief Minister and some of his ministers to come to Alice Springs and try to make some change and see what is really happening on the ground.
Before I continue, I want to make it clear, particularly to the member for Karama, but also the members for Johnston and Wanguri, it is not about talking Alice Springs down. It is about identifying problems and trying to fix them.
It was 12 months to two years ago when I made a speech in parliament where I said that Alice Springs was at boiling point. That was in a period of time when crime was at high levels in Alice Springs; when youths were running the streets; businesses were getting broken into all the time. This is a cyclical factor of living in Alice Springs; it happens every summer more than it happens in winter. We know it will generally start at the end of November, when the hot weather comes around and the cool weather disappears. We have had a funny rainfall pattern this year, it has been quite wet and quite cold, and still is. I believe it was 8C last night in Alice - another chilly night. Normally, from statistics or analysing what goes on, you would not expect to see so much crime at this point in time as you would normally see. Normally, it would wait for the warmer weather.
What we are seeing on the streets at the moment is a high level of crime. It is not necessarily the crime of last year, in all cases. It was a crime of searching for alcohol before, although that still does happen. I was talking to the proprietor of the Town and Country Tavern the other day, who told me how someone broke through the roof and through the air-conditioning duct to get into the bar to pinch grog.
We are talking about much more serious crimes against the person and against property. Cars around Alice Springs are no longer safe. Windows are getting smashed in cars, and cars are getting smashed up on a nightly basis - dozens of cars every night. I was a victim with my car being smashed two months ago. My house was smashed, albeit minor damage outside the house. My office was broken into and ransacked. I know the member for Greatorex had a borrowed car stolen from his place.
We see youths continually running in the street. It is not news to people around here, I know. However, now we see teenagers more and more on our streets causing trouble. I listened with interest when the member for Johnston spoke yesterday about some news in Nightcliff - and I will quote his words from Hansard, where said:
Well, I have news for the member for Johnston, this is not new in Alice Springs; this is small fry. In Alice Springs, we have had a graduation. We have had the school of hard knocks where kids on the street have graduated, become teenagers, and now they are into more heinous crimes.
A 67-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in her house on Lyndavale Drive in Larapinta in my electorate. We know crimes happen. Crimes are not acceptable by any means, but it is beyond control. There are people in Alice Springs who never see any crime. They are fortunate not to see it. They hear about it, they read about it, they look around; they do not know where it is. However, there are plenty of us who see it all the time. For people in our position, it is our job to know what is going on, so we see it all the time. It is not scaremongering; it is worse now than I have previously seen.
We have rules, we have laws, and we have governance in all jurisdictions all around the world. In the Northern Territory, our rules and laws are there to provide an overarching guide about how we behave in our lives. They present the construct of the social fabric of the way we live our lives. I fear the social fabric for a large proportion of our community in Alice Springs is coming undone and people have no respect for the law.
I have heard for the last two-and-a-bit years since I came into this Chamber - and the member for Barkly came to this Chamber and has since been made the minister for Corrections, and, no doubt, is on a steep learning curve. He talks often about a new era in Corrections. Corrections is part of the framework which has to develop a strong social fabric across the Territory and, in particular, in Alice Springs. Alice Springs gaol is a holiday camp. We are seeing prisoners who have accidentally been released working in the hospital. Prisoners come and go from the gaol. The gaol is so full that people are being released to work and live in the community. That is how crazy things are.
The recidivism rate is at all-time highs in Australia. The prison system is not teaching anyone anything. People are not afraid to go to gaol. If one of us in this room was deprived of our liberties and placed in a prison system, I am sure we would not like to be there. However, for the majority of the people who go to gaol it is like going on a holiday. Going to gaol is like going to a resort. Going to gaol is like having a reprieve from society as you know it. To have the clean bed, food, meals, $25 a week, Coca-Cola and chip vending machines - why would you not want to be there? More than half the people there do not have this in their normal lives. It encourages people.
I understand there are rules which guide the prisons in Australia and the United Nations, and how we use basic human rights in the treatment of prisoners and so forth. I understand that. What I do not understand is how we are soft, flaccid, and incapable of punishing prisoners in our Corrections system. The soft and flaccid approach of the treatment of prisoners in the Northern Territory is having a detrimental effect on building the social fabric in our towns and, in particular, Alice Springs.
I go back to the comments the member for Johnston made about Nightcliff and Coconut Grove. Mate, you think it is a problem now? Wait until the tsunami of problems we experience in Alice Springs comes up here. There is a real opportunity for change here, and the Corrections system has a great deal to do with it. We know the importance of education in children’s lives. We have started, and will continue to, debate Family and Children’s Services. However, we need to have fundamental change in Alice Springs. I thought the by-election in Araluen was a perfect opportunity.
I move on to a couple of other areas of concern. The member for Stuart, the minister for Natural Resources, talked about the youth action plan and the youth hub in Alice Springs. I consulted colleagues of mine and many people in Alice Springs, and no one has a clue what it is. We know you have employed a police officer at ANZAC Hill High School. We know you have closed ANZAC Hill High School. We know you have Centralian Middle School. What else do you have? We heard today about Gap Youth Centre and the $75 000 they had, and how it was put into salaries by the board. All well and good, but that is not changing anything at all. What is this big youth action plan/youth hub?
I understand you are going to have a boarding facility, and are putting a few kids in there to try to get them on the straight and narrow, but they come and go as they please. You do not believe in a punitive approach or try to have a corrective attitude on social change. No one I know has an understanding of what you are trying to do with this youth thing. It is just a big announcement.
It was interesting when we saw the Labor candidate for the seat of Araluen. I think he was a Labor candidate; I did not see any Labor signage anywhere. He might have been. I listened to a couple of his interviews, as riveting as they were. I am paraphrasing here, it is not a direct quote, but he made statements such as he was going to keep wayward youth off our streets at night. Well, hello! That is a hollow promise. What does that mean? He was pressed on certain occasions about how he was going to do that: ‘We have this strong youth action plan and youth hub’. That is all the spin of a Labor government. That is all the spin of this government. They are putting money into this, but nothing is actually happening.
They make conversation about the Alice Springs Transformation Plan. The Alice Springs Transformation Plan is another title where people really do not see a lot about what is going on. We know they are poorly managing a bunch of small matchbox houses regarding SIHIP on town camps. We know they are freely renovating everyone’s houses on town camps, but with no economic reform in the town camps. We know they are herding, like cattle or camels, all the homeless people to Blatherskite Park, building a big fence surrounding them and giving them a swag or a tent. That is their social solution to housing, homelessness, and overcrowding in Alice Springs. Is that the transformation plan? Herding homeless Aboriginal Territorians in Central Australia behind a big fence at Blatherskite Park?
These are the people who you get your vote from. Some of us on this side have had a conversation about how we protect our core vote; how we protect our base. You do not protect yours; you herd them in behind a fence. While we are talking about not protecting your base, I wonder how you could put such draconian measures on the leadership of Indigenous Territorians across the Territory with the shire model. I wonder how you could do that and then roll out this most obscure SIHIP housing model.
I do not like to digress, because that is not the sort of thing I like to do. I was sitting here a moment ago waiting for my time to start this speech. I was sent an e-mail from a group most of us would know, the Informa Australia conference group. They are running a conference in Perth called Engineering Australia’s NEW Resources Boom. I have only just seen this a minute or two ago. It has some topics they will be discussing about Australia’s new resources boom. This is on 1 and 2 March 2011 for any of those who are listening or reading. It lists some topics which will be discussed at this two-day event. It has ‘Alliance contracting developments’ - that is at the top. I thought the minister for Housing could go to that one. This next one made me laugh, and I am sure the member for Fong Lim would appreciate this one - this is just after we have had the ‘Alliance contracting developments’. There is ‘Remote construction challenges’. Here it is. You do not have to go far. It is right in front of us for all to see. I thought that was something you would have loved, Madam Speaker.
I spoke briefly last night about the problem of childcare in Central Australia. It is a significant problem, not just in Central Australia but right across the Territory. I went through some figures to explain the wait list for childcare in Central Australia. This is a perfect opportunity for the minister for Education. He could have come to Alice Springs and tried to engage in some dialogue with the good people of Araluen - and welcome, member for Araluen. They could have heard about what your proposals were for working families - a traditional Labor term, member for Johnston, ‘working families’. We have businesses crying out for staff and mothers who want to go to work, but they have kids they cannot get into childcare so they can go to work. It is called a contraction on our economy.
It is interesting when you talk to childcare centres; they say: ‘Yes, we need more childcare centres’. A couple of them told me they could do with at least two, maybe three, childcare centres. Then they say: ‘How are we going to staff them?’ Some of those mothers might be able to work there. How are we going to train those mothers when you cannot get proper training at CDU? What do you do in regard to the childcare? We could fly people in. This is where it becomes a bit of a problem for me trying to help people with their solutions; there is nowhere for people to live in Alice Springs. So, if you fly in childcare workers, where are they going to actually reside?
It is a cycle of life that is a problem for Labor. You are bereft of vision, ideas, and solutions, so you cannot solve the childcare, you cannot solve the law and order, you cannot solve youth, you cannot solve the housing - and they all link into one another. People are leaving town because of the law and order, because of childcare.
Let me go through some of these statistics here. Lil’Antz: full-time childcare, part-time childcare, no after-school care, no vacancies, there is a wait list of well over one year. Sorry, Lil’Antz does have after-school care, but it is not available. Alice Springs Child Care: full-time, part-time childcare, no after-school care, no vacancies. How many families on the wait list? A total of 113 families. They are not going to go to work; they are leaving town. I know families who have left and are leaving town. Braitling Neighbourhood Centre: waiting list is closed until 2011. You cannot even put your kid’s name on the waiting list until 2011 in June - nearly 12 months. The same at Gap Road, the same at Tennant Creek, the same at YMCA, the same at Congress, the same when you come up to Katherine, Palmerston, and Darwin.
You failed across the Territory, member for Johnston. You are the Education minister. I know this is more of a federal issue than a Territory issue, but you need to come up with some solutions here. You should be lobbying. When you go to Canberra, you should be talking to Jenny Macklin, the Family and Community Services minister; that is your job. Work with the Indigenous coordination centres and find solutions to childcare, because it is hurting our economy. As it hurts our economy more and more, we are having greater social issues in town with law and order. You are also the minister for Housing. We saw your failures in Health. Maybe it is time to go, to be honest. You failed in Health. You do not have housing solutions; you are messing up on childcare, you have the NAPLAN results. Has anyone seen the report card here, because there is not a tick? I do not know what is going on, member for Johnston, minister for poor performance.
Then, we go to something that borders the electorate of Araluen and Braitling; something that I am passionate about, the former member for Araluen was passionate about and, I am sure in my conversations, the new member for Araluen is passionate about; that is, the roundabout at the corner of Lovegrove and Larapinta Drives. I have spoken many times about getting something done there. I am aware the government has not been keen to help in that regard. I know there is work being done now. I am quite surprised when the government has talked about Black Spot funding being received for that roundabout, they forgot to mention I was the one who did the application, not the government. That is all right; these things happen from time to time. Thank you to the federal government accepting my application and getting the Black Spot funding. There is going to be an intersection; there is not going to be a roundabout. However, we will continue to fight for that.
It was a good opportunity while the trucks are still there - they have seemed to have stopped since the by-election was lost when Labor got that groundbreaking 6% swing ...
Mr Hampton: Went to us.
Mr GILES: Yes, I will get to that. That is where I wind up, member for Stuart.
I thought you might have come down and helped fix that roundabout - save a life. You could have saved a life. You could have actually saved a life.
There is a great opportunity to make an announcement about the Alice Springs Bowling Club, minister for Sport. There is a great announcement there: three acres of property between Gap Road and Leichhardt Terrace. The bowling club is closing down on 30 October. The golf club wanted $3.5m to build a synthetic lawn bowl green with an underground car park. It has now been revised to less than $2m. I know it is a lot of money and it is hard to get blood out of a stone, let alone a roundabout out of the infrastructure minister. If that bowling club closes, the three acres is government property, peppercorn leased; there is an opportunity to utilise that land for residential development with a mix of commercial and/or retail on lower levels. It would be an opportune thing to do. We talk about turning the town around. You could present it to the Todd River on Leichhardt Terrace overseeing the casino and, on the right-hand side, you could have a lovely view of Abbots Camp if you wanted. There are a number of things you could do there.
They tell me that land is estimated at a value of $4m. I have not valued it myself, but that is what I am told. If that is worth $4m, there is an opportunity here for government to be cost neutral. Fund the bowling green, give the lights to the Alice Springs Go-Kart Club, of which I am a patron, extend the concrete barriers down the drag strip, put the run-off so that the top few dragsters can slow down properly. Put some lights there. Put lights up at the speedway. There is opportunity, is what I am saying, and I encourage the minister for Sport - I nearly gave you a compliment, now I had better just wind back a bit - who involves himself a fair degree in sport. There is an opportunity to put the value of that property into the private sector and utilise the funds for sports infrastructure development. I encourage the minister to do that and I would be very happy to work with the minister in that regard.
It is interesting when you look at some of the things that were actually committed during the Araluen by-election. I cannot go through the long list of the member for Araluen, who was the candidate for Araluen, but I will go through a few. I will stop and pause on a couple of more outstanding ones.
Implement a youth curfew: I have to stop and pause now. That is a fantastic idea, something the Country Liberals support, promote, and want to see happen in Alice Springs. There is no reason an eight-year-old kid should be on the street at two o’clock in the morning. I know you have heard it all before, and I will say again - I am sure my colleagues may touch on this - we do not want kids on the streets at night. We want a youth curfew. I will hear the argument - I have heard it before by the Minister for Central Australia. He will say why you cannot have it; the police already do it; we have to drop them home. Something needs to change, otherwise all our cars will be smashed up at night. People are being sexually assaulted and assaulted, and businesses are getting broken into. Do you have a solution? You have nothing.
When the member for Macdonnell was the previous Minister for Central Australia, at least we had a round table, we could work together. The member for Stuart walked in as the new minister and shut it down.
The list continues: an extra 20 police in Alice Springs, recruiting police auxiliaries, bring back in-house Alice CCTV monitoring program, the reopening of the Alice Springs police communication centre, boot camp - a boot camp, let us get these kids on the straight and narrow. What a fantastic idea! Well done, member for Araluen, that is fantastic. Mandatory treatment for prisoners with drug and alcohol problems - I know the member for Greatorex, who will be speaking shortly, has spoken passionately about this on numerous occasions. This is what it is about. This is exactly what we have to do. Another is to establish a workers village to support demands for tradesmen. We can start to get things done, gets things built. We need skilled workers in town. There is a prime opportunity there.
I do not know how long I can go on here with this list; it seems to be quite exhaustive. But, it is interesting when you talk about establishing a workers village to support the demand for tradesmen. I thought that was something about which maybe the Minister for Public and Affordable Housing, or Minister for Construction might have said: ‘What a great idea; we will back it’. To be fair, the Minister for Public and Affordable Housing nearly did. He nearly did back it when he made an announcement about a retirement village in Alice Springs. What he forgot to tell people was that it had already been announced, it was already in the budget, and it was in the electorate of Braitling. It was not in the electorate of Araluen but, fantastic job. We are all looking forward to the end of Albrecht Drive being built.
I am not going to go on about all the things that the previous candidate for Araluen committed, because she did a fantastic job. I do not want to steal her thunder, so I will leave it for her. I would like to have a look at one other Labor promise made in the Araluen by-election. The candidate, Adam Findlay, said he wanted to - and I am paraphrasing again - reduce alcohol-related crime in Alice Springs. How are you going to do that? Well, we have a youth action plan - that is how we are going to do it. We are going to reduce alcohol-related crime in Alice Springs with our youth action plan. We have a youth hub. What does that mean? It does not mean anything.
Labor being Labor, they are going to look after their mates. The only tangible promise they gave was that Adam Findlay was going to be a parliamentary secretary. So, you get a promotion, you get an extra bit of money too. Oh, well done. That is the tangible thing. He is going to keep youth off the street - I do not know how. Reduce alcohol? How are we going to do that? A new retirement village? That is an old commitment and it is not even in Araluen, but he is going to be a parliamentary secretary. We know that one would have been good, because if anyone looks after their mates, it is Labor. Labor looks after their mates, Madam Speaker.
Labor should be condemned for its approach to servicing the needs of Central Australia, particularly in relation to the Araluen by-election, because they did not have their focus on the job. All credit to the Chief Minister. He came down on election day and handed out how-to-vote cards. I have been in losing elections and it is not good when you are standing there when you lose. The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, a big jurisdiction, has egg on his face. I thought it was a very poor approach to a by-election in Central Australia. Even if you knew you were going to lose - you did your polling, I know you did your polling; we know what the polling said - I thought you would have done a much better job.
I did happen to find something that Labor lost. I am not sure who lost it; it could be the Minister for Central Australia or it could be the Chief Minister. It may have been the minister for re-announcing retirement villages; I am not sure who it was, but I happen to have it here. This is what Labor lost at the election in Araluen. They forgot the Labor trailer. Have you seen this? They have not seen this in Araluen. They had the CLP flag, CLP colours, ‘Adam for Araluen’. I thought: ‘Where has it gone?’ I had to telephone one of our researchers and ask: ‘Do you know where that is?’ They found it. Where’s Wally? Where is the Labor logo? They found it. It was nowhere to be seen. They are poisonous, nowhere to be seen. I tell you, my researcher is pretty good. He found this. This was hard to find. We have the resources of 22 000 public servants in the Northern Territory, they obviously could not find it, but we found someone who could find it. I would like to table that for the member for Johnston to look at ...
Madam SPEAKER: You need to seek leave to table it.
Mr GILES: I seek leave to table that, Madam Speaker, just to make sure it never gets lost again.
Leave granted.
Mr GILES: It will forever be on the Parliamentary Record. You can never say you have lost a Labor logo ever again. You now have it, Madam Speaker, it is yours to keep.
Now, for the big job. Thirty-two per cent of people who lived in Araluen accidentally voted Labor. We have to find those people. They obviously do not know how to vote because the candidate for Araluen, the now member for Araluen, got 68%. I tell you what, no one likes a gloater; no one likes a sore winner. Maybe if you had found the logo earlier you might have performed better. I do not think so. Hello! I do not think you would have done much better.
I will continue in my resolve. We are a fantastic team in Alice Springs, the three local members. The member for Greatorex and I can assist the member for Araluen walk around to try to find that 32% of people ...
Mr Tollner: Who was Adam for Araluen?
Mr GILES: I do not know. ‘Adam for Araluen’; I do not know who we are talking about ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Cease interjecting!
Mr GILES: The best part of Adam for Lingiari was I received more votes than your government got in Araluen. You imbecile! I got more votes than you got in Araluen. I tell you what, you got nothing on a chef from Pine Gap, mate.
This government should be condemned. They should have fought that election in Araluen. This is about democracy. They should have provided the opportunity for people to vote for a proper form of governance, rather than this shoddy example.
The social fabric of Alice Springs, in a large part, is disintegrating. The violence on our streets, the law and order, is out of control. We are destined for a terrible summer. When the sun comes and people who are involved in antisocial behaviour get on the grog, our streets will be terrible. I had tears pouring down my face when I read the paper about that 67-year-old lady on Lyndavale Drive being raped at 2.30 am by a drunken man. That is a disgrace, and a display by people who do not care about the legal system or the law, and have no regard for the Corrections system in the Northern Territory.
This is not a new era in Corrections; this is a complete loss. I am fighting every day. People are telling me: ‘Let us leave the Northern Territory and go to South Australia’, because these morons have no idea how to manage in the Northern Territory ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, I ask you to withdraw that comment, please.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr GILES: People in Alice Springs are asking: ‘How can we get ourselves away from this Northern Territory government?’ This is not some rampant crazy conversation people are having; people have had enough. They cannot protect their family, their property, or themselves in the street. What sort of a society are we in when you cannot do that? You are governors of the Northern Territory. You are paid to govern. Govern!
Ms LAMBLEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, I am afraid my speech will not be as humorous as the member for Braitling’s. Alice Springs requires immediate attention when it comes to addressing a range of social, health, and housing problems. I know we are not unique in this manner, but we are unique in that this government has blatantly ignored the demands and needs of Alice Springs and Central Australia for 10 years.
We have been hearing today about this government’s youth action plan from the Minister for Central Australia. If this is an attempt by the government to instil hope and faith in the people of Alice Springs, then heaven help us. This youth action plan is an indictment of inaction and empty promises. It has no time frames, and lists such things as a school and a school building as initiatives - hardly dynamic or even relevant considering the severity of the problems we are facing in Alice Springs.
This government has included the Alice Springs middle school as a part of their youth action plan. Might I add, at this stage, Alice Springs is a very small town; people talk very openly and freely, particularly when they are feeling disillusioned, unhappy, and disgruntled. They talk everywhere, whether you are in a queue at Woolies or at the sideline of your children’s sporting event. People have spoken to me very honestly about things which are, perhaps, confidential.
Some of the more reliable stories I have heard about the middle school is that it has been imposed on the people of Alice Springs. People were deceived by the government. They were assured that ANZAC Hill middle school would remain open. Now, it is closing. Now, there will only be one middle school in Alice Springs accommodating the education needs of some of the most highly-disadvantaged people in Alice Springs. At a recent confidential school meeting, staff were informed finances had dried up at the school and cutbacks had to be made to photocopying. Teachers were told photocopying could only be done on an essential basis; for example, for exam papers.
I have also heard the middle school is a babysitting service for juvenile offenders in custody! The police drop the offenders off in the morning, and the highly professional and skilled staff of the middle school are expected to look after these kids, some of whom have not been to school for a long time. The staff, as in the child protection industry we have heard so much about this week, are highly trained; they are professional people. These members of staff are disillusioned and despairing, particularly with a recent departure of a key manager of the school a few months ago.
The Alice Springs middle school has been an exercise in funding cuts and neglect, not a model of excellence as the government has tried to portray. If the Alice Springs middle school is a cornerstone of this government’s youth action plan, then we have certainly lowered the bar to an extraordinarily low level. If we are going to include this middle school in the youth action plan, why not include all the schools in Alice Springs? Why not throw them all in? Surely, a middle school system of education delivery is about a person’s right to an education, not for inclusion in a youth action plan?
In 2007, the Alice Springs Town Council presented the Northern Territory government with a night time strategy for children and youth. I was Deputy Mayor at this time. This strategy recognised the fact that existing youth services were inadequately funded and resourced and lacked coordination and cohesion. It also recognised the fact that there was an escalating problem in Alice Springs of children roaming the streets at night, unattended and unsupervised by an adult, placing themselves at risk of harm and damage, as well as being at risk of offending; on a collision course with the justice system.
The Alice Springs Town Council passed a motion requesting the Northern Territory government first adequately resource the existing youth and children’s services, and the government support a trialling of a curfew for children. They suggested children 15 years and under not in the care or supervision of a responsible adult be taken into the care and custody of the police, taken to a safe house where they would be fed and comforted - taken off the streets between the times of 11 pm and 12 pm at night and maybe 5 am and 6 am in the morning; times when most children should be protected at home in the safety of their parents or guardians - and these children be processed in a kind and caring way, identified, and a responsible adult be identified and located to look after these children.
This model was based on the Northbridge model from the CBD of Perth. There were only two models of Australian curfew for children in existence at the time. That was 2007. One was the Northbridge model. Yes, everyone says Northbridge is like the Kings Cross of Perth; that you cannot compare Northbridge to Alice Springs. However, there are so few models we had to use the Northbridge model. Much of what they did could be used in Alice Springs. The other interesting model that was being used at the time was in a small Aboriginal community in north Queensland called Hopevale. This was a very courageous Aboriginal community that decided they had had enough of kids roaming the streets at night causing problems, and they instituted their own youth curfew. There is very little information about what they did and how they did it.
So, the Alice Springs Town Council at the time used the Northbridge model, which we thought was appropriate. We presented this proposal to the then minister, minister Lawrie, and she promptly rejected this notion of a curfew for children. She said a curfew for children would never be implemented by her government. She then talked about her strategy for children on the streets of Alice Springs at night. In hindsight, given the debacle the child welfare and child protection service has fallen into over the last 10 years, we now know this government has not, and is not, sincerely committed to assisting children and their families. The Northern Territory government rejected the council’s night time strategy for children in preference to their own. The irony was the Northern Territory government did not provide this youth action plan, which includes a strategy for children at night, until 2009. Almost two years later, we saw this youth action plan.
What the different members of parliament who cover Alice Springs do know, though, is the people of Alice Spring support the trialling of a curfew for children; people are open to the idea. They can see problems - and there would be teething problems - but they think it is worth a go. People in our town of Alice Springs are desperate.
A few weeks ago, coinciding with the Araluen by-election, the government and police instigated a youth blitz. On that one night, approximately 200 children were identified as roaming the streets of Alice Springs unsupervised. Kids as young as eight, nine, and 10 were running out of control, and identified by the police as being a problem. These figures were alarming. They were reported in the media as such. This is what the people of Alice Springs want to talk about when you knock on their door and meet them in the street: children roaming the streets at night, and the perception of lawlessness. People want to feel safe and secure and, indeed, they have the right to feel safe and secure.
This youth action plan from the government has no teeth. It is not good enough. The people of Alice Springs certainly are not impressed. In the government’s media statement on 19 February 2009, the Minister for Central Australia stated their youth action plan will ‘make sure young people have safe places to go and are not on the streets causing trouble at all hours of the night’. This has not been achieved clearly, with 200 children on the streets of Alice Springs just a few weeks ago at night. It has not worked and things have become worse.
It is time for this government to rethink the youth action plan, and listen to the people of Alice Springs. Alice Springs wants to be courageous and trial this curfew for children, but the member for Stuart said today the police do not want a curfew. No, of course they do not want a curfew, because this government has overwhelmed the police service with their lack of action and foresight when it comes to managing law and order. This government has put so much unnecessary pressure on the police of Alice Springs by allowing the problems to escalate to the point it has: an 85% increase in serious assaults since 2004 in Alice Springs. These figures are alarming. This government has allowed law and order to become the problem it is: out of control.
As I stated in my maiden speech yesterday, good leadership requires tough and, sometimes, unpopular decisions. Make some tough decisions, Chief Minister, in the best interests of Alice Springs, not in the best interests of your relationship with the Police Commissioner. Worry about what the people want and need, not what the police prefer.
Like the member for Nelson, today I heard the Minister for Central Australia talk about the Gap Youth Centre being a pivotal initiative in their youth action plan. Yet, on 14 October this year, we heard and read in our local media that the Gap Youth Centre is facing imminent closure due to insufficient funding. A key platform in the government’s own youth action plan, the Gap Youth Centre, is closing due to a lack of commitment by this government.
In the government’s media statement on 19 February 2009, the Chief Minister and the Minister for Central Australia stated a part of their youth action plan was to ‘provide additional funding to the Gap Youth Centre …’ yet, 18 months hence, it seems there is a question whether additional funding can be found to even keep the doors open. Alas, the Minister for Central Australia gave a response today saying it was someone else’s problem that the Gap Youth Centre might close. Surely, as one of the cornerstones of the government’s youth action plan, the government intends to do more than deflect and absolve itself of responsibility again. This youth action plan is a toothless tiger.
The rhetoric, the mistruths and empty promises flow from this government. This is what Alice Springs people have come to accept as normal from this government. The people of Alice Springs have grown tired and cynical. Is there any wonder? A youth action plan includes a school struggling to operate due to insufficient funds. It was poorly contrived, was thrust upon the community of Alice Springs with enormous resistance, and was established as a cost-cutting exercise by this government that has, essentially, been set up to fail, taking with it the children, the staff and the families. It is a youth action plan which includes a youth service identified by the government as critical in assisting wayward youth now, reportedly, closing due to insufficient funds. This is what the people of Alice Springs get as their youth action plan.
The Araluen by-election, as my colleague, the member for Braitling, has already referred to, saw a lack of real commitment when it came to addressing law and order issues in Alice Springs and Central Australia. The people of Araluen and Alice Springs have seen through this government’s empty promises and lack of commitment. I heard it on the doorsteps and on the streets. This is why only three out of every 10 voters in Araluen voted in favour of this government. Then, we heard this was some sort of victory on the part of government; the three out of 10 voters for them was very encouraging, a great victory. But this arrogance was seen by the Alice Springs community for what it was: a government desperate to deflect, desperate to save face; a government that has not demonstrated its commitment and concern for the children and youth of Alice Springs, and which has not demonstrated its commitment and concern for the right of all residents of Alice Springs to be safe and protected.
I find the government’s attitude to Alice Springs and Central Australia neglectful and insincere. Reform in their government is required across all sectors of responsibility. They keep telling us they intend to get wayward youth off the street at night. How do they intend to do this? Do they really have an action plan? During the Araluen by-election, the Chief Minister promised the Labor candidate, Adam Findlay, a parliamentary secretary position responsible for the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan. Given that he was not elected, does this mean that Alice Springs loses out again? Does this mean, given his lack of success, we are unsuccessful? Does the fact that most Alice Springs people turn their noses up at the government mean we will continue to be neglected and deprived of good governance?
I note the Minister for Alcohol Policy talked today about their alcohol reform policy called Enough Is Enough. Enough is Enough was used in Alice Springs in the past. Some of you may recall, in April 2007, the then Chief Minister, Clare Martin, was met on the steps of the Alice Springs Convention Centre by over 500 very angry residents venting their frustration with the government’s inaction on law and order. This public display of emotion was held to demonstrate to the Martin Labor government the Alice Springs people had had enough of the inadequate efforts to address law and order issues in Alice Springs. ‘Enough is enough’ was chanted by the angry crowd. ‘Enough is enough’ when it comes to government inaction.
At the time, Ms Martin promised more resources for policing in the town, which she acknowledged were not at ‘adequate levels’. She said:
What has changed since then? Nothing - things have become worse. So, when the Minister for Alcohol Policy talks about Enough is Enough, Alice Springs people understand what that means. We have had 10 years of experiencing this frustration and anger.
Alice Springs has had enough of a Chief Minister who talks about the hundreds of tourists who come to Alice Springs each year, as opposed to the hundreds of thousands of tourists who come to Central Australia each year. The Alice Springs people have had enough of a Chief Minister who has no interest in Central Australia, and who knows nothing about the No 1 industry of tourism in Central Australia. Alice Springs has had enough of a Chief Minister who speaks of Alice Springs people consuming three times as much alcohol than the people in Darwin. This is false and misleading information about our town and our people. It is time this government listened to the people of Alice Springs and gave us the respect we have been demanding for years. We know the answers to our problems, just ask us. Enough is, indeed, enough.
Mr HAMPTON (Central Australia): Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome this debate and the motion put forward by the member for Braitling. As a born and bred Alice Springs person, I have no hesitation or problem talking about Alice Springs, as it is my home town. In listening to the new member for Araluen and the member for Braitling, there are many things I agree with about the situation in Alice Springs. I live there; I go out on a Friday or Saturday night and see some of the issues myself.
I will start by responding on the Araluen by-election. The arrogance of the members opposite is so obvious. They are here pumping their chests up, gloating about how much they won by. My objective is to make these members accountable to their constituents. They may take their seats for granted, but I am going to work my hardest over the next 18 months with this government, to hold these members in Alice Springs accountable for their seats, because I know they take them for granted. You can just see this afternoon in parliament, they are here beating their chests. The member for Greatorex is laughing: ‘I am comfortable; I do not have to work the electorate’.
I was very encouraged by the effort this government put into the by-election; to have the Chief Minister doorknocking. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition was. He turned up at the booth at Gillen for maybe an hour or two, and then he was on the plane back to Darwin. I am very encouraged by my colleagues on this side of the House and the effort this government put into the Araluen by-election. Let this be a notice to the CLP members in Alice Springs not to take their seats for granted, because we will work hard over the next 18 months to ensure the people of Alice Springs know this government is doing its best for the people of Alice Springs.
We might not have the magic wand that is needed to fix some of these problems but, through the youth action plan and the transformation plan, there are some significant changes happening before our very eyes.
Regarding this report - which the member for Araluen mentioned; the member for Greatorex did not - Growing them strong, together is a very important report regarding the youth action plan. As I said today in Question Time, the youth action plan is a very good model in looking at some of the recommendations in this report. It is not the magic wand. As stated in this report, particularly regarding Aboriginal issues and Aboriginal people, 15 years has been termed as an Aboriginal generation. We are talking about two or three generations of Aboriginal people who have some significant social issues. They are not going to be fixed overnight. However, what this government has is the most comprehensive youth action plan we have seen in the Northern Territory - unlike the members opposite who did not actually say they have a plan. They have a youth curfew which they want to get up. Fair enough, that is their position. They can put all their eggs in one basket, which is a youth curfew, but it is simply not going to work and address generational issues the Alice Springs community faces.
Going back to the by-election, I was very encouraged with the efforts of my colleagues on this side, particularly with Adam Findlay, our Labor Party candidate. He was a great candidate. He was a bit of an unknown - fair enough, he has not been on council before. He has not been a high profile person in Alice Springs, but he is a genuine person. He is a person close to the community, has the community at heart, and is a bloke who worked very hard in this by-election. I know he is very keen to go again, and I am encouraging him. He has not taken the seat for granted. He knows he is going to have to work very hard to get the seat for the Labor Party. It is not impossible. We are going to work very hard over the next 18 months.
The members for Greatorex, Braitling, and Araluen all have safe seats. It is quite obvious in this House, when they beat their chests, gloat about it, laugh about it, they are very comfortable in their seats; they take their seats for granted. However, my job over the next 18 months is to make them accountable.
Adam Findlay, our candidate, worked very hard, and the result of a lot of that hard work is a 6% swing to Labor, to the government. Let us not shy away from that. There has been no third term government in this country in the last 20 years that has received a swing towards them in a by-election - not until Adam Findlay came along and the Labor Party did this in Araluen earlier this month ...
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: I know it hurts the member for Greatorex who is firing up over there. I know he has a safe seat; he is very comfortable. Let me say this again: we will work hard for the people of Alice Springs, as a government, to ensure, come 2012, we have some very good candidates and we are going to give it a good shake.
Going back to some of the points the member for Braitling raised, he is very passionate about it, and quite rightly so. I was born in Alice Springs, I grew up there most of my life and have grown up my family there. There is no doubt there are issues. The opposition does not have any plans in addressing those issues. The youth action plan is not the magic wand but, in some of the recommendations in this Growing them strong, together report, we are tackling some of those issues as we speak.
With regard to pulling together youth agencies, non-government organisations, it was in November 2008, we engaged with Raelene Beale. It was soon after the 2008 election and this government was acutely aware of the issues in Alice Springs. That was when we started to discuss putting together the youth action plan. We engaged Raelene Beale as a consultant to do a report on youth services in Alice Springs, youth service providers, and non-government organisations. Raelene Beale put the report together and there are some very important things which came out of that report. A lack of coordination between youth service providers was one of those important things that Raelene Beale picked up in her consultancy report …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Is it just the lights? Is the Hansard up?
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, you have the call.
Mr HAMPTON: Hansard is all right. It is just the lights.
That is where we got the youth action plan from. That is why, I, as the Minister for Central Australia, am driving these initiatives such as the youth action plan, because the plans are making, and will continue to make, a real difference to our town. That is why I am committed to continually fighting for more for the Centre, and will continue to do so. As a proud Centralian, I will continue to fight, particularly in my Caucus and Cabinet, for more things for Central Australia.
Regarding the youth action plan, it is about pulling together these youth service providers, setting up through the Youth Services Coordinator. We have had a new person start this week, as I mentioned this week in parliament. I take my hat off to Michael White, the Superintendent, who commenced as the Youth Services Coordinator from the day the youth action plan began. We have had police engaged in the youth action plan. We have had non-government organisations such as Tangentyere, Congress and ASYASS involved, as well as many other organisations. It is about coordinating these activities. That is what the youth action plan is about.
There has been some criticism about it, I know, from the opposition, particularly the member for Araluen regarding the Centralian Middle School. However, it is very important we did create the middle school because we had two campuses, both with really low numbers of students. To provide a good education service to these students and their parents, it was important we got the numbers together so we could provide that better service. There was no hidden agenda with ANZAC Hill High School as has been alluded to by some members here.
What is important, though, in light of this report, is we target the services to those kids most at risk. What we have done with the youth action plan and with the ANZAC Hill campus is ensure it is going to continue to stay open as an education facility. We will commit resources to that. We have, with the youth hub that will be placed there, a special wrap-around education service. A special education program we want to implement at ANZAC Hill will be the focus of ANZAC Hill campus. It will continue to be an education service provider with these wrap-around education services, with the youth hub placed there, as well as the special education program we want to implement. In light of this report, it is very important we have done that.
Regarding the students at ANZAC going over to the Centralian Middle School at the Gillen campus, that was something decided by the Centralian Middle School. They tried to make it work for the first six to eight months. Obviously, it did not work. That is a decision the college made, and I applaud them for that. It was a courageous decision to move students from the ANZAC campus over to the one campus. They are the ones on the ground, they are the educators, they are the ones who know the best way to deal with those students, and the best way to provide those education services they need.
The member for Braitling talked a bit about identifying problems and trying to fix them - crime this time of the year. I agree that the crime levels are unacceptable. There are many kids out on the streets and that is something the youth action plan and the Youth Street Outreach Work are trying to address. The patrols are undertaken on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and some of those patrols are getting significant numbers in talking to young people. It is not just about talking to young people, it is about referring those young people to services they need to help them and their families deal with their issues.
Under the youth action plan, we are implementing and delivering extra emergency accommodation beds. It is really important that those kids who are being picked up on the streets, who do not want to return home because it is not safe, have somewhere safe to go. I acknowledge what the member for Braitling said: there are unacceptably high numbers of kids on our streets. I have every confidence, working with the police through the youth action plan, with the NT Family and Children’s Services, some of these issues are being dealt with.
As I said, there is no magic wand to deal with these issues immediately. We need to ensure we can get these kids to access service providers they need, and their families are given the attention and referral on to things such as family responsibility agreements and families taking more responsibility for why those kids are out on the street.
The member for Braitling also mentioned the new era in Corrections. He is right: the imprisonment rates, incarceration rates, are too high. Sadly, a large number of those prisoners are Indigenous men. I have mentioned already this government, and the federal government particularly, supports programs such as the Congress Men’s Health Unit, in dealing with men’s issues and the violence in the families. It has been highlighted in the Growing them strong, together report. In talking to my colleague, the member for Barkly, who is driving the new era in Corrections, he is very focused on the rehabilitation aspects we need in reducing the recidivism rates, particularly in getting some of those young men back out to their communities, being active members in the community. Rehabilitation and education opportunities are very important in engaging these young men and making them feel part of their community and society.
We can talk about these issues, they are not easily fixed but, as a government, we are responding in the appropriate manner. I have every confidence the changes the member for Barkly is driving are the right changes, and we will see some results over the next five to 10 years. However, this is going to take some time.
The member for Braitling mentioned the transformation plan. I certainly believe the transformation plan is doing some fantastic things. What we have seen with the transformation plan is $150m. It is not always about the dollars, but it certainly helps, with this being the single largest commitment to improving the lives and conditions in town camps for our town camp residents. There are also wider benefits to the Alice Springs community.
I inform the House that, so far with the transformation plan, eight new homes have already been built since December 2009, and three refurbishments and 15 rebuilds completed across town camps. As I said, it is not always just about the money; it is about getting the results and the outcomes. Clearly, that shows there are some good outcomes being delivered in infrastructure. Work is under way on another 10 new houses, and rebuilds and refurbishment works are continuing. In total, there will be 85 new homes for Alice Springs town campers built, 101 rebuilds, and 33 refurbishments will be undertaken.
That is an enormous amount of work happening before our eyes in Alice Springs. That work is happening in the electorates of Braitling, Greatorex and Araluen. I know the member for Braitling goes out there and talks to town campers, and I encourage both the members for Araluen and Greatorex to do the same. If you talk to them, you will understand how important these projects are to them. All existing 200 houses in town camps will be rebuilt or refurbished through this package and a previously-funded housing upgrade program.
Work is under way on the Alice Springs Accommodation Park. The member for Braitling said we are herding homeless people into this accommodation park, but I have every faith in Aboriginal Hostels Limited. What we have done is outsourced the management of this park to Aboriginal Hostels Limited. I do not know if members know much about Aboriginal Hostels Limited, but they have been around for years. They have a lot of expertise in running these types of facilities. I understand there is already a waiting list for the accommodation park for when it opens, so we are not actually herding people in. People are ringing up booking rooms at the park as we speak. It is going to be a very important asset ...
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: The member for Greatorex is laughing, but I know he does not get out to town camps much, or talks to many of the homeless people around Alice Springs.
This is going to be a very important asset for the people of Alice Springs and for those people who need accommodation who are living it rough. It will accommodate up to 150 people, which is going to make a significant difference to those people. It will be run professionally and properly by Aboriginal Hostels Limited, and it will make a big difference to the accommodation shortages in Alice Springs.
Work has also begun on a 28-unit transitional housing facility at Percy Court, and redevelopment of The Lodge into a 35-bedroom facility for visitors seeking medical treatment, in particular, renal treatment.
We have also recently handed over the keys to Aboriginal Hostels Limited for a 65-bed hostel at the old Mt Gillen site, which will open in the near future providing town camp residents with a place to stay while their houses are being refurbished, as well as temporary accommodation for people visiting Alice Springs.
In those three or four facilities I have mentioned - 150 beds at the accommodation park, a 28-unit transitional housing facility at Percy Court, a 35-bedroom facility at The Lodge in town, and a 65-bed facility at the old Mt Gillen site, which will be opening soon - there is going to be a significant number of new beds and dwellings coming online over the next six to 12 months in Alice Springs for people who are living it rough. That is on top of the 85 new homes, the 101 rebuilds and the 33 refurbishments which are being undertaken as part of the Alice Springs Transformation Plan.
Highlighting those issues around housing and accommodation, and what the federal and Territory governments are doing together, gives me enough to say I am not supporting this motion by the member for Braitling. Much work is being done to address the accommodation shortages, particularly for those people …
Mr Giles: Can you hold your head up high in Alice and say you have done a good job?
Mr HAMPTON: Member for Braitling, I will always do my best. People in Alice Springs recognise I am trying my best to address some of the issues we are talking about.
The other important part of the transformation plan is talking about the social packages which are very much highlighted in the Growing them strong, together report. It is not a magic wand but it is certainly dealing with many of the social issues which are generational issues in Alice Springs.
I had an opportunity to visit the Safe and Sober program with minister Macklin recently and talk to workers there. Many of the people working in the Safe and Sober program at Congress are local Indigenous people, many with language skills which are vitally important when you are working in that type of environment. The Safe and Sober program, the Family Group Conferencing programs – there are many things happening to address the social issues of Alice Springs through the transformation plan.
Madam Speaker, I was encouraged by the efforts this government put into the by-election. Alice Springs is a very tough ask regarding Labor, but we will continue to fight hard. In 2012, my job is to hold the members for Braitling, Greatorex, and Araluen accountable to their electorates and to ensure they do not take those seats for granted ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! Time has been up for quite a while.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Your time has expired, minister.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Deputy Speaker, what a wonderful speech by the member for Araluen. Her second speech, apart from her maiden speech today, spoken with much passion ...
Mr Knight: Yes, she read it well, didn’t she? Anyone can read.
Mr CONLAN: She has been in the place for two days. It has come straight from the heart. We have members over there who have been in here for five years and they are still reading, verbatim, something prepared by a spin doctor upstairs ...
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! The member for Greatorex well knows he should be directing his comments through the Chair.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, minister. Member for Greatorex, I remind you to direct your comments through the Chair, thank you.
Mr CONLAN: Absolutely, Madam Deputy Speaker. I apologise. As I was saying, more guts, gusto, and passion in that speech, after Day 2 in this Chamber, by the member for Araluen than 90% of the members over there who have been in here for five years, seven years and, some of you, nine years.
You still do not get it. Yet, you are so arrogant you sit here and say: ‘Gee, a 6% swing towards the candidate for Araluen, Adam Findlay’. Let us take Adam out of the equation because Adam is not such a bad bloke. I had quite a few conversations with Adam along the way. He seems like a decent chap...
Mr Knight: None of your colleagues were there.
Mr CONLAN: I beg your pardon?
Mr Knight: None of your colleagues were there, so you had to talk to him.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr CONLAN: They certainly were. What are you talking about? We had colleagues all over the place at the …
Mr Knight: They were not.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Daly, cease interjecting!
Mr CONLAN: Madam Deputy Speaker, I will just pick up on that interjection. We had the Leader of the Opposition there. The members for Braitling, Fong Lim, Katherine, and Drysdale were all there, not to mention me - I was there as well. We were very well represented by Country Liberal members.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! You forgot your Chief Minister in CLP colours.
Mr CONLAN: That is right, he was too. I have to say also, hats off to the Chief Minister who slogged it out; it was a pretty hot day. He did his very best handing out how-to-vote cards at the booth at the Gillen Primary School all day. It was a hot day. You have to give credit where credit is due.
Nevertheless, a 6% swing in the favour of the ALP candidate - for goodness sake! To say a vote of 32% for a candidate in Araluen is actually an encouraging result and no third term government has ever done it - you guys should hang your heads in shame. The truth of the matter is you have actually had a 16% swing against the government since you came in, in 2001.
Of course, you cannot compare an incumbent member of parliament as you can a fresh member of parliament. We go back to 2001. You know the story, Minister for Central Australia. I know you do not like to hear the truth, but you know the story that, in 2001, the then member for Araluen, Jodeen Carney, won with 52% of the vote. You have to compare oranges with oranges. Robyn Lambley, the current member for Araluen, got a whopping 68% of the vote. That is a 16% swing in the favour of the Country Liberals.
The Minister for Central Australia alluded to the fact we are all pretty arrogant and we take our seats for granted in Central Australia because they are all such safe Country Liberal seats. That is another load of nonsense! In 2005, Richard Lim, the former member for Greatorex, actually went to preferences when he was up against the former Mayor of Alice Springs, Fran Kilgariff. She lost that seat by only 100-odd votes. Richard Lim got 49% or something, went to preferences, and he just got over the line.
Also, when I contested that seat in 2007, I took that from 49% to 54% - hardly a whopping margin of 4%. When the member for Braitling took over that seat, it went from preferences in 2005 with Loraine Braham, the former member for Braitling. She got, I think, a low preference of 47% or something. The point is Alice swings, and can swing quite violently, and will continue to swing.
The point is none of us take anything for granted in Central Australia. No one has ever taken anything for granted in Central Australia, and we will not take anything for granted in the future ...
Mr Knight: A bunch of swingers.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr CONLAN: Madam Deputy Speaker, can we clean this up a bit? It is a race for the bottom, I think, over the other side.
It is pretty clear we have demonstrated in recent elections - in the last three or four elections - Alice Springs does have a large number of swinging voters. When Alice swings, there is a swing on, and we have seen it. It is not simply the local members here - the new member for Araluen, and the members for Braitling and Greatorex sitting around in the office, staring out the window saying: ‘We will be right, mate. We will just continue to increase our vote on the back of Labor’s failure’.
There is quite a substantial vote that comes our way on the back of your failure because your failure is so bereft; it is so enormous - the continual failures of the Labor government and its resources and its interest in Central Australia and its will to address some of the enormous problems which are magnifying day after day.
You can safely say that is not enough to actually win or retain a seat in this Chamber. It takes a lot of hard work. Every single member who has held a seat in Central Australia - certainly in the three local town seats in Alice Springs - work very hard. They have, you might say, the ringing endorsement and confidence of the people of those electorates. Sixty-eight percent does not come easy - 68% of a vote does not come from just sitting in an office and staring out the window and saying: ‘We will be right because it is a CLP town’, or ‘Because Labor is so bad, we will win’. You do not get 68% of the vote by doing that; you get 68% of the vote by having terrific policies, by getting out there and working extremely hard, by being on the door, being seen, and being in people’s faces.
If Adam Findlay did not do that, then that is his and your problem; it is not the Country Liberals’ problem. We can put that to bed. There was a 16% swing against the ALP - everyone knows it. Some whiz kid - part of the $10m spin factory on the fifth floor - once again has come up with a line to pump out there and, of course, the famous cheer squad in the media for the Australian Labor Party - there are plenty of them as well – are pumping out and running that line. People are smart enough now. After nine long years of bereft, moribund Labor government, people are starting to get it. You guys do not get it.
As the member for Araluen alluded to, in 2007 we had 500-plus people out the front of the convention centre, the makeshift Parliament House, to air their concerns about the issues of law and order in the town. Nothing has changed; in fact, it has only grown worse - it has gotten seriously worse.
I have some newspaper articles. These are from earlier this year, I might add. There are plenty of them. There has been a string of them, almost week after week after week. On the front page of The Centralian Advocate: ‘Enough. Is this the Alice Springs we want?’ ‘Police disperse gangs of thugs near the Stuart Terrace Park. The gangs drifted away but sauntered back within minutes of police vehicles leaving …’, etcetera. ‘Sorry Business. Alice Springs shop owner robbed three times, then assaulted’. ‘Nightmare by the park’ - this one with the members for Macdonnell and Braitling after a woman was bashed and thrown from a vehicle. This is ongoing. This is going on all the time. I have another media release here. It is the same story anyway - more assaults. Assaults have sky rocketed, grog laws – no, that is not the one.
You know the story: an 85% rise in crime in Central Australia and Alice Springs - 85% since 2004. You say that is because they are reporting. Well, the crime is still happening. Does it mean that it is just stagnated; it stayed the same? You cannot just say because people are reporting it more that, all of a sudden, we are seeing a spike in the incidence of crime. Only because people are reporting it? Rubbish! The crime is happening, it is out there, it is everywhere. I had my car stolen last week. How many people are affected, are victims of crime, day after day after day in Central Australia? You are doing nothing about it – absolutely nothing. You sit there and say all we do is talk down the town; all we can do is be negative. I forget who said that. Some brain surgeon over there, one of the many, said we are negative about the place.
We do not live there because we are negative. We live there because we love the place. Alice Springs is a wonderful, iconic outback town. We all love it. We feel very privileged to live there. People like the member for Stuart, who were born and bred there - no wonder they stick around because it is a fabulous place. The member for Araluen has been there for 17 years. I have been there nearly 11 years. The member for Macdonnell has lived there her whole life, I think, apart from Papunya - certainly in Central Australia. It is a wonderful, beautiful, outback, iconic town. It is the king of the outback.
You guys are absolutely destroying it, bringing it to its knees with the number of law and order issues around the town. You cannot address anything else; it is the fundamental issue that has to be addressed. If you are not safe in your own town, in your own home, if your children are not safe in the streets, then what hope do we have about addressing anything else?
The alcohol laws are simply an abject failure of the government. There is no will to address this. You have heard the pontificating today in Question Time; all the dorothy dixers being asked to tell us about the alcohol: ‘How wonderful we are going to really address this alcohol. Please stand up, Alcohol Policy Minister; please stand up, Chief Minister, and tell us how great our new initiative and our new era on alcohol policy is. Please do it and tell us’. Then, of course, they got up and pontificated and crowed about how fabulous it is, with self-aggrandising: ‘We are so great at tackling alcohol-related issues in town’. Rubbish!
I have read the Notice Paper. If this is so important, and so pressing, and this policy of yours is so good, where is it? It is nowhere on the Notice Paper. What did we do yesterday? We knocked off at 5.30 pm, for crying out loud. We knock off at 5.30 pm again ...
Dr Burns: At your leader’s request.
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr CONLAN: You knock off at 5 pm, 5.30 pm every day - every day, we are knocking off ...
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I remind you, member for Greatorex and other members, when the Speaker stands it is the indication for members to be quiet.
I remind members of Standing Order 51:
There have been far too many interjections. Member for Greatorex, you have the call.
Mr CONLAN: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. We all know the minister for everything, or the minister for - what was he before?
A member: Poor performance.
Mr CONLAN: Poor performance. He has had just about every portfolio in the book, and he cannot even run the Notice Paper properly. All we do here is either bring in some sort of political puff piece and spend six-and-a-half hours talking about that, and knock off early because no one has anything to do.
If this alcohol thing was so important, where is it on the Notice Paper? Where is it going to be in legislation? All you have is - this is it. This is the document you are talking about - a three-page media release put out; and this is the policy. This is the government’s policy on tackling alcohol, alcohol-related crime, and antisocial behaviour. It is not on the Notice Paper and it is not on a bill. Where is it? It is nowhere to be seen either, by the way. Clearly, not very important, and not a sign a government is dedicated and seriously committed to attacking alcohol-related problems in Central Australia ...
Dr Burns interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: We know you are the smartest man in the world, minister Burns. How you have not received an Order of Australia at this stage is beyond me.
Nevertheless, this is a demonstration of a government that is not committed to addressing alcohol-related crime, despite all the talk, all the pontificating, the game they play about tackling alcohol-related crime. This is it, a three-page media release. To the gallery, everyone: this is the government’s policy, a three-page media release. It is nowhere on the Notice Paper. It is not coming up any day soon - not that much will be coming up any day soon by the work ethic of this lazy, moribund government, as my colleague, the member for Fong Lim, so articulately puts it.
They talk about alcohol banning notices and increased rehabilitation services. Look at the rehabilitation, it is one paragraph. One little paragraph, that is all you have committed. Not only is it only a three-page flimsy, pathetic policy, it is actually one paragraph on increased rehabilitation services. It says:
Again, passing the buck across to the federal government. What happens when it does not happen? We blame the feds, because it is always the feds’ fault. If it is not John Howard’s fault, which is a great old chestnut for you guys, it is the federal government’s fault. So, not much there on rehabilitation services.
You talk about alcohol banning notices. Under the proposed new laws, police ‘may’ issue a banning notice of up to 12 months. ‘May’ is hardly mandatory. Here we go:
Fabulous! ‘Can’ and ‘may’. Hardly directing people into rehabilitation, and hardly determined to tackle the problem of alcohol-related abuse in the Northern Territory. It is a pathetic attempt. Not only is it mostly hijacking Country Liberals’ policy anyway, which you have done - we have had a very strong policy since the 2008 election when it comes to alcohol rehabilitation and mandatory rehabilitation …
Members interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: I beg your pardon, Sir Bungles? I cannot hear …
Mr GILES: Madam Deputy Speaker, a point of order! Can you remind the government of Standing Order 51? There are too many interjections. I cannot hear the member for Greatorex.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Braitling. Yes, again I remind members of Standing Order 51:
Thank you, member for Greatorex.
Mr CONLAN: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. This motion is almost perpetual. It seems to crop up. Unfortunately, we say much of the same thing all the time. We have to reiterate continually. We have to do it in this parliament, when this parliament bothers to function properly because, as we know, the Labor government is not interested in working. They would rather bring in political puff pieces. The only thing they are really hanging their hat on today is the alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour stuff which is a three-page, flimsy media release which does not appear on the Notice Paper and is certainly not in legislation.
Heaven knows when we are going to see this enacted. It is in keeping with the Labor Party’s and the government’s mantra, which is announcing a media release: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, here is a media release’. That is what you do. You wheel out all the troops and you all stand behind each other and nod - the member for Fannie Bay often does that too. I have to commend you, member for Fannie Bay, for becoming so excited and seeing a little passion in you just then. In two years, we have not seen much from you but you got a little fire in your belly then, and that was fantastic. A little more of that would be much appreciated. Perhaps if you could stand up to some of your own colleagues and tell them what a bunch of moribund, defunct members of parliament they all are, that would be helpful as well because this Territory …
Mr WOOD: Madam Deputy Speaker, a point of order! I am a little worried about the member for Greatorex’s health, but my point of order is relevance to the motion before us.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Nelson. The debate has been somewhat broad-ranging. If you could bring it back to the subject of Alice Springs and the Central Australian by-election, please.
Mr CONLAN: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and thank you very much, member for Nelson. I point out it says this government should be condemned for its failure. I will get the proper wording from today’s Notice Paper:
I am in the process of condemning the government, Madam Deputy Speaker. That is what I am doing. It is highly relevant to what is going on here. The motion says the government should be condemned. I am in the process of condemning them. I have 12 seconds left.
So, member for Fannie Bay, a little more of that would be fantastic. I say congratulations to Robyn Lambley, the member for Araluen, a great effort, 68%, hear, hear!
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, your time has expired.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Madam Deputy Speaker, it may seem unusual I am supporting this motion, but it is a good motion …
Mr Tollner: Not unusual at all.
Ms PURICK: Not unusual at all. I like to consider Alice Springs as part of Goyder south.
Seriously, in the lead-up to the Araluen by-election, I observed closely. I was in Alice Springs at the time during the by-election period for meetings. I watched with great interest, from my background at the Minerals Council, how the issue of mining was pulled into the election campaign. When the current Chief Minister came to government, one of his first roles was as the Mines minister. He spoke at great lengths with the industry at that time about how he supported and understood the mining industry as he had worked in the mines in Tasmania. He was only the Mines minister for a short period of time - I cannot remember how many months, or a year - then the portfolio moved to the current Mines minister, minister Vatskalis, who was and has been a good champion for the industry.
It was minister Vatskalis who introduced the geological university scholarship in the Northern Territory which is in about its fourth or fifth year, which is great for young people in the Northern Territory to try to get them to study geology or geophysics and to get them to come back here to work in the Territory once qualified. It was minister Vatskalis who pushed and promoted the Annual Geological Exploration Seminar to the high levels it experiences today. Some 200 delegates from exploration companies, not only from Australia but around the world, attend this annual seminar in Alice Springs which, nowadays, coincides with the Mining Expo which is taking it to greater heights.
It was minister Vatskalis who took numerous trips to China selling the mineral wares and joint venture prospects of the Territory. I would like to see more joint venture prospects rather than straight investment. It was minister Vatskalis who took delegations to Canada to the massive Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, PDAC, to promote the Territory by putting on presentations and functions to showcase the Northern Territory’s mineral potential to companies over there; to get them to come over here.
Minister Vatskalis never shied away from uranium. He and I do not agree on some aspects of uranium, notably Koongarra. However, minister Vatskalis believed the commodity was, essentially, just another valuable commodity, and if, by the nature of the commodity, a new mine or exploration program needed great rules and requirements, then rightly so. Minister Vatskalis promoted the uranium industry and believed in its good work and prospects.
I was exceptionally disappointed to see the minister sidelined during this Araluen by-election in the pursuit of political grandstanding by the Chief Minister. I believe it is nothing short of scandalous. It was minister Vatskalis’ difficult job, I am quite sure, to tell the companies associated with the Angela Pamela prospect - and these are my words: ‘Sorry guys, you can keep spending exploration dollars’, which the Chief Minister said they could do, ‘but we will not support you if you want to mine. I know we handpicked you from 36 other applicants because of your commitment to the Territory over the previous 10 years and your sound corporate-ability to make a project from exploration to mine development’ - as is stated on the mines department’s website, probably still there – ‘However, there is a little problem called a by-election so that is why I am ringing you’.
All the years of hard work by minister Vatskalis have been shot out the window. The finance and equity markets have taken a very dim view of the Northern Territory now, and investors from Asia, Canada, and France are collectively reviewing their considerations of the Territory. I know this because of representations I have had from people not only within the Territory but around the country. The gloss has gone out of the Territory’s exploration investment attractiveness. This dim view of the Territory is not limited just to uranium exploration. Other commodity miners are now taking a close look at the Northern Territory Labor government’s commitment to the industry, along with its assessment and approval processes - or perhaps, lack of support and commitment.
It is regrettable minister Vatskalis has been tarnished this way. I can only hope, collectively, both sides of Territory politics - or all sides including the Independents - can rebuild the reputation of the Territory’s exploration and mining industry because I believe we need to rebuild our reputation.
Madam Deputy Speaker, now that I have the responsibility as the shadow for Resources, I look forward to working with the minister to regain some position we have lost in regard to how this project or prospect in Central Australia was used in the by-election. As I said in my comments, I commend minister Vatskalis, the Mines minister, for the work he has done. I look forward to working with him in the future to further the prospects of the exploration and mining industry in Central Australia.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Deputy Speaker, I listened with interest to the member for Goyder’s comments. It was down on my list to comment. I totally agree with her. The only thing I add to that is the opposition agrees with the government in this case, saying they would not support the Angela Pamela mine. Regardless of whether people support the mine or not, and whether it should go ahead or not, it should have gone through the process. It did not go through the process. I thought we had set up processes which have been put in place so the science behind a proposal to mine uranium 20 km south of Alice Springs could be scrutinised correctly through the process.
In fact, the dropping of the mine by both the government and the opposition is a slap in the face to the processes. From the government’s point of view, it is a slap in the face to the Environmental Protection Authority. After many years, we finally have an Environmental Protection Authority which is independent, which would have looked at all the issues an environmental impact statement would have raised in relation to this mine. That is why we have these processes. We have a process, which you can find on the website, for an exploration licence, and what is required to go down the path of exploring for a particular mineral.
The government has said how much land it has opened up for exploration in the Northern Territory since it came to government. Of course, you could expect the mining company to then ask for a minerals licence. To get that, they would have had to go through a long, drawn-out process of an environmental impact statement, about which everyone - those who are opposed to the mine, those who support it, those who have concerns about it - would have been able to put forward their submissions. Those submissions would have been then checked from a scientific basis to see if they were valid objections.
I heard the new member for Araluen’s speech yesterday - which I thought was a very good maiden speech. She talked about developing jobs. This is one of the issues Alice Springs, with other parts of our Territory, needs to really look at carefully. We are, basically, a welfare state; 80% of our money comes from GST. You cannot tell me all the people in the Northern Territory provided all that GST by buying goods and services - no way; they did not. It came from other parts of Australia. Other taxpayers help fund the Northern Territory - and so they should. I am not saying they should not. However, surely we, as a Territory trying to push for statehood, could be saying: ‘Let us develop our own economy’, and we have not done that here.
Alice Springs has an economy based more or less on tourism, the cattle industry, and the pastoral industry, and the rest is welfare service industries to communities out there who rely on Commonwealth government funds for their very existence. When you boil down to the very hub of many of our remote communities, they would not exist if there was not welfare money from the Commonwealth. Very few of them actually produce income. There are arts, for sure, there are some tourism operations, and some mines. But, if you took the big picture, we are very reliant on the government providing money from the Commonwealth to provide employment in Alice Springs and in other communities.
Here comes an opportunity to develop - I think the figure was, looking at the Angela Pamela mine document, they are talking about approximately 200 people would be employed in this particular project. I say, quite openly, I am not sure whether this was a good idea or a bad idea. Surely, we should not have cut it off at the legs and just because some people - and I always say those people are very well organised people - in groups in our society are absolutely opposed to anything nuclear. Part of the reason you have a group of people opposed to Muckaty is not because they are necessarily worried about the site; they, basically, do not support Lucas Heights. They do not support anything that deals with the nuclear industry. If they can defeat it by some means, by making it harder to get rid of waste, they will fight - whether it is at Muckaty or Mullabulloo. That is not the issue for them; the issue is they do not support the nuclear industry.
In fact, the Northern Territory government funds some of these groups. These groups will then develop other groups. You can read the list of groups that do not support the uranium mine in Alice Springs. Whether it was in Alice Springs or in Timbuktu, they would still not support it. What should have happened - and I am not saying all of the people who opposed the Angela Pamela mine were philosophically opposed; there were people who had concerns about the water and the dust, and that is fair enough. Why was that not allowed to go through the environmental impact statement process? Why was our independent EPA not given the chance to say whether this mine was safe or not? That is the issue that really gripes me.
We have spent so much time arguing about an EPA; we have changed some of the way the EPA can run. We have said an independent EPA can look at an environmental impact statement. That is great. But, now, we have not given it the opportunity to do what we set it up for. We spend millions on an EPA, and then we do not allow it to operate in a perfect example of where it should operate. No one could accuse the Environment Protection Authority of being political. It would have looked at this project as it should - neutrally. It would have looked at it independently and, then, people could have made their own judgment. But, we have not done it.
I condemn both sides here, because a by-election loomed, and people were scared they would lose votes. I understand that, but why could either side not have said: ‘Regardless, we know you have some concerns, but we have a process which will allow your concerns to be judged as to whether they are valid concerns’.
I really believe when it comes to servicing the needs of Central Australia - as this motion is about - we have an opportunity to look at the possibility of creating jobs for Alice Springs. If the EPA or the environmental impact statement showed this was not a good thing for Alice Springs, fair enough. However, I have not had the opportunity to see what would have come out of an EIS; I have not heard what the EPA would have said. I just know there was a by-election around the corner. Many people said: ‘We do not like it’.
If we apply that to everything we do in this place, we would probably never get anything off the ground in the first place. If we wanted a road to go through somewhere, and it was essential that road was going to go through, there might be some people who oppose it. Sometimes it might be that is the only place the road can go, so the government has to make some of the tough decisions, and say: ‘Sorry, we have to build the road’. There are times when governments have to make decisions.
In this case, they did not have to make a decision. All they had to do was say: ‘We will let the process go through its path which we have set up. This is part of the democratic process. We have set up a process to look at this correctly’. In this case, we have avoided doing that, and that is a shame. I was going to talk about that last, but I have spoken about it first.
While the member for Goyder was condemning the government, she also needed to say she was not particularly happy with her own party’s decision, because both sides said ‘no go’ for this particular project. That is disappointing at this stage. No process was allowed to happen, and I believe that was wrong.
I will say a couple of other things. I am concerned when people can get Alice Springs sensitive. This motion says ‘the needs of Central Australia’. Sometimes, Alice Springs can focus on itself and forget there are other parts of Central Australia that do not get the attention when it comes to debating issues in this place. Tennant Creek is part of Central Australia, so is Alpurrurulam, so is Papunya ...
Mr Tollner: They have a library in Tennant Creek.
Mr WOOD: Thank you very much for that.
When we are going to put ‘Central Australia’ in the motion, we should actually talk about more than Alice Springs. I have just spent a week in Alice Springs for the Masters Games. I loved it, even if the weather was somewhere between stinking hot and freezing cold all in a week - it was a bit like Melbourne, but it was great. I met many great people from interstate and from the Territory.
One of the reasons I go to the Masters is not to try to win medals because, in my case, it is a big effort to try to even get a bronze medal. It is because it is worth promoting, because Alice Springs is a great place to visit. It is a great place for the Masters. It is in the centre of Australia so, from a convenience point of view, it is fantastic. It is also good to promote it from the point of view it is a wonderful place to visit, and you can visit lots of other places in the area as well.
I also do it because I believe older people should be involved in sport to try to keep fit and active. I also go there to support many of the groups from my part of the world, such as the netball, softball, the cricketers, lawn bowlers, and motor cyclists. They go there from the rural area. I like to go there and give them some support, even if I am only a one-man cheer squad at 10 o’clock at night at the netball courts. So what? It is good you support these people who are going there.
Alice Springs is a fantastic place. I know there are issues. There is no doubt there are issues. I know there is a great deal of talk about alcohol issues. Having not been born and bred in the Territory, but lived here longer than some of the people who say they are born and bred in the Territory, I believe no one in this parliament has the answer to some of our alcohol problems. I have seen many people try to sort out our alcohol problems. I get a little annoyed that one side condemns the other because they think they have the perfect answer.
It is a very complex issue. It is not just an issue in Alice Springs; it covers the rest of the Territory and Australia, and many other countries. Alcohol and the problems associated with alcohol are not confined to Central Australia. Neither side can get up and say: ‘On my heart, we have the solution’. I do not believe every side has the solution. That does not mean we should not criticise, or we should try to give options, but please do not come here saying ‘our solution is going to make everything better’ because I have seen many of these things happen and I have not seen many changes in this society when it comes to alcohol.
There has to be much more emphasis on a person’s responsibility to take control of their life. We can have mandatory detention of people who continually go through the revolving door - that is something which I support. However, I support it with a process which says we will put them into a place which is friendly - that is, we will give them a vegetable garden where they can work, they can do some woodwork, they can do some literacy and numeracy, and they will be cared for by a doctor. However, in the end, if there is no determination of the person to think: ‘Where I am going? Am I going to change my ways in relation to alcohol?’, then it is very difficult to change. It is like taking a horse to water. If the horse does not want to drink, it will die.
If an alcoholic, or a person with alcohol problems, does not want to make an inner change in their hearts - and that is not easy. I am not standing up here pontificating, as has been said, because I know it is difficult. Try to get some of our smokers in this parliament off smoking. It is very difficult. You can say you should stop and you it will kill you. It is not easy ...
Mr Tollner: Absolutely.
Mr WOOD: The member for Fong Lim will tell you it is not easy. You have to have a change, and some of that change has to come from yourself. I am not trying to avoid the debate about whether we should have shorter hours when hotels should be shut, whether we should change the hours when the bottle shop is open, or whether we should change from four litre flagons to whatever.
There are many points of view on these issues. I do become a little sad that we all belt one another around the ears. I have heard people say: ‘Why should the majority be condemned for the problems of a few people?’, which I understand is a reasonable statement. On the other hand do we, as a community, have a responsibility to try to help those people who have a problem? Not as me, but as what can I do for my community? A bit of the old JFK: ‘What can I do for the community, not what can I do for myself’.
These are difficult issues which parliament has to work through. I would rather see the issue of alcohol and the problems of alcohol in our society worked through as a team rather than two teams.
The issue of alcohol is a major problem in Alice Springs, but it is a major problem in other places. You just need to look at the history of Tennant Creek, with Thirsty Thursday. I was at the hearings when that occurred. It looked like it was the solution for a while. You talk to the doctors, nurses, and police and they said on Thursday it was great. But they changed. That was pension day but pension day is not on Thursday any more. Pension day spreads around a little these days so that threw that quiet day in Tennant Creek out the door.
There are some other issues. I actually agree with the member for Giles, and …
A member interjecting.
Mr WOOD: Sorry, member for Braitling. Well, a lot of times people call me Gerry Nelson, so you can have it.
He raised some good points, I thought. I know there is a bit of politics in here in condemning the government but, take that away for a minute, and he raised some good issues.
The issue of the prison is a really important issue and I am hoping - and the member for Barkly is here at the moment - part of the new era is about punishment, but also about rehabilitation. I would like to see our prisoners with a set period every day so, when they get up in the morning they know exactly what their day’s work will be. Whether it is in education or work, their days are laid out and there is no sitting around doing nothing. They are doing something positive all day. If they do not want to do it, then there is no television or the pool table is not available. There are things put in place which say to those people: ‘If you do not want to change your life; if you do not want to go down this path, well, I am sorry, you are not getting a single room, or you are not getting the use of a television or the pool table tonight’. Things are taken away from them. I thought that is what used to happen in prison. That is what you have to do. There has to be some sort of punitive arrangements, as well as trying to help people.
There are good things. The work camps in Barkly are good. I have not heard anything about Hamilton Downs for a long time. At the last election it was said Hamilton Downs was going to be a change for the youth of Alice Springs. As far as I know they had three camps. I have not heard any more about that. Has that been happening?
I might not quite agree with the boot camp. I say that young people should be taken out bush to work out on some cattle stations: learning about horses and fencing; getting some education. Take them out of town and give them hard work. It might not be quite the boot camp you are talking about, but it would be something that is good. It already occurs on one of the cattle stations south of Alice Springs. I cannot think of its name - it has been on Four Corners. That is what that gentleman does with many young people.
There needs to be more emphasis on youth getting out, getting some fresh air. I have said many times if you get kids out in the bush with the stars above their heads, after they have had a hard day’s work, they will enjoy their sleep. I can tell you that now. Let them have time to think about where they are going as well. One of the best places to think about where you are going in life is under the stars at night. That is certainly an area that needs to be looked at.
I am disappointed about the diversionary programs. I have been to the Gap Youth Centre a couple of times. I am concerned about youth drop-in centres in Alice because there is this feeling that these are the black ones and these are the white ones. It is time we looked at one big one in Alice Springs, combined all the resources and said this is everyone’s place. I have told people before of places such as the St John Bosco Boys’ Club in St Mary’s, which I visited on my trip around the prisons, which is a place a number of people here should visit. It is a fantastic place where kids are welcome. They own it and it is for that whole community.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I do not want to say too much more; my time has run out. There are some good things in Alice Springs. I believe the bowls club should get the money to move because there were not enough rinks to play bowls at the Masters this year. Getting new rinks would be great for the place. The athletics people asked me about a track. Table tennis people do not have a home. I hope the government can look for a home in conjunction with the gymnastics in Alice Springs. Overall, Alice Springs is a great place. It has issues but they are not necessarily unique to Alice Springs. I will …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, your time has expired.
Ms ANDERSON (Macdonnell): Madam Speaker, I support the member for Braitling’s motion, not to condemn the government but to talk about the issues that exist in Central Australia. The member for Nelson has hit the nail on the head; this is a huge problem and this motion is really a plea for help to make things better for all of us. It is not just for government, it is for opposition, it is for everyone living in Alice Springs - the elderly and the young.
When we talk about economic growth or economic development, economic development happens through development of these towns. It is developing Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine, but also making it safe for our visitors and the residents who live in this town. Therefore, the impact you will have in places like Darwin is a good impact, and people coming into these regional towns like Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, and Darwin will see the goodness of people.
You are always going to get antisocial behaviour anywhere, but we need to minimise it. At the moment, what we are seeing, not just in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine, but also in Mitchell Street - I am one of the lucky ones who actually catches a taxi to Parliament House every morning and at night going home. I spoke to the taxi driver this morning, who is absolutely shocked his taxi has been smashed three times. The windscreen cost him $400; and 16 hours off the road is costing him money. The very next day the side window - $300, 12 hours off the road. Now, he has a smashed rear view mirror.
These people are just getting a little frustrated and angry. We need to get the anger out by not having the anger in this parliament, but making sure we give ideas to the government to make better policies and take up some of the ideas other people are putting forward to make not just our town of Alice Springs good, but also Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin. The Northern Territory is a huge regional centre that many people enjoy.
The member for Nelson just said we have had a huge increase in population in Alice Springs just last week through the Masters Games - absolutely fantastic. During the day, they were walking down the street and you saw all these different faces enjoying the beauty of Central Australia, but fearful at night.
As a local member, I get out in the street of Alice Springs at night, and it is really bad in the area of the 24 Hour in Alice Springs and the Royal Flying Doctor base. Our young people are hanging around in that dark area. One of the suggestions we can put to government is that the grassed area of the Royal Flying Doctor gets much more lighting. It is not just safety for the people who are drinking there, but it is also safety for our police who have to go in there at night to get all these people out of the darkness. They jump over the hedging at the Royal Flying Doctor. It is really worrying to see these kids are hanging around. You see adolescents, 15, 16, 17, but you see 25 or more children under 10. It is very concerning to see these children walking around at night. You can also see the police patrolling the town and making sure the town is safe.
There was an incident one night where a young girl walked across the bridge to get to the other side. People live underneath the bridge, and one of the guys came up and touched her on the backside. That really puts the fear of God into young women trying to get to the other side of town.
As the member for Braitling said, our elders need to feel safe inside their homes. It was really horrible to hear about the 67-year-old in Lyndavale Drive - which is just down the road from me - being sexually abused in her own home. That is the kind of thing we, as society, should not tolerate. It should not just be government that should not tolerate it, but it should be us, as a society, that does not tolerate any of this kind of nonsense.
One of the things we need to start having a look at - what we are doing now is talking about building a couple of the communities into regional hubs. What we need to do is identify how many of people are actually living in Alice Springs, homeless in the creeks, under the bridge, and up on top of the hill. Do these people really want to go back to their communities? Maybe they do not. Instead of giving them 14 houses, cut it back to 10 and say four of the other houses are going to be built in Alice Springs so that Alice Springs can accommodate these people instead of these people being homeless.
Regional development and economic development go together. Darwin cannot have all the niceties without having the nice things happen in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine as well. If we neglect those three communities, three regional hub towns, and put all the infrastructure and the beauty into Darwin and leave those in isolation from Darwin, you will start to have an impact in Darwin where people will notice that things are different. If we build up Alice Springs, Katherine, and Tennant Creek, then Darwin will start having the flow-on effect of people coming to Darwin as well from those regional towns. I wanted to contribute that little part towards the motion the member for Braitling has brought up. This motion is a plea to this government to help the town of Alice Springs.
I have just said to the member for Nelson, there is already talk of having not 500 people demonstrating outside the convention centre at the April sittings, but 700 or 1000 people demonstrating to the Labor government. We need to be very careful emotions and anger do not flow out. We need to make parliament in Alice Springs something nice. We had one occasion where parliament was enjoyed. We can see, when we look around the Chamber in Darwin, not many people - apart from the invited guests, like schools and institutions - come to Parliament House. Whereas we have seen on two occasions now people in Alice Springs are actually interested in parliament, and they participate. We have seen them sitting there when we are working late at night.
People are interested, but they want the respect of government to put the same kind of focus that you have in Darwin back into that town as well. We are talking about the safety of the town, not just on behalf of the residents, but of our tourists. It is very important we keep the town safe and minimise the antisocial behaviour, with children walking around in the streets and people on alcohol and high on drugs.
That is where I want to lead on to the other part of the motion about rehabilitation and being a little stronger inside the prison system so people are not re-offending, not going back through the revolving door of the justice system, and come out and engage in society, back with their people, into their community, so they are contributing to their communities and to society.
I believe if we have a rule that allows these people, when they are in prison, just to enjoy prison - and I heard the member for Braitling say they are not afraid of going to gaol; and I will back the member for Braitling in that - they are not afraid of going to gaol. If they are told they are going to prison, they just say: ‘I am going home. I have a clean bed, three meals a day. I am fine and I will see you in six months time’. That is the attitude we need to get out of these people: that it is not fine to go to prison; that prison is a punishment. At the same time, how do we get these people to stop re-offending? Can we develop something outside, like a farm, so these people are operating back in society?
One of the other things I found out - and I was in contact with Sean Parnell and reported some of the things I had found out in my own electorate as I was going around, about the use of drugs in Aboriginal communities. I spoke to the Bush Bus. I had meetings with them and said: ‘I believe these people are trafficking these drugs on the Bush Bus’. ‘No, we put the dog on; the dog cannot find anything’. I want to be assured by someone here that the dog is 100%, because what they are doing with the marijuana is buying cooked chicken, taking the stuffing out of the cooked chicken, putting the drugs inside there, and then putting the stuffing back in. Another way they do it is with shampoo and conditioner bottles. They half empty it, bag the ganja and drop it inside the shampoo and conditioner bottles. That is how these drugs are getting into the communities.
If we can just do an education strategy, I guess, with these people to say: ‘If you can spend so much time to do this to divert yourself from being caught by the police, you can do good in the way you think in other areas’. That is the education strategy we need to get out there, Madam Speaker.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, it was with great interest that I listened to the two Independent members in this place and found myself nodding in agreement with everything they said.
The point the member for Macdonnell made about the regions feeding Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, is dead right. We will never have a better Darwin. We will never have a better Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, unless we get economic activity occurring in the regions. Ultimately, the places I have just mentioned are service centres for the regions. Darwin, whether it is the north with the Timor Sea or the southern areas, lives and breathes on what occurs in our regions, as do the other centres throughout the Territory. It was great to hear the member for Macdonnell articulating that.
There are many things the member for Nelson said which I agree with. I find myself agreeing with the member for Nelson on a range of different issues. I shake my head because the one real decision the member for Nelson has had to make in his parliamentary career, he completely squibbed - he stuffed it up completely. He jumped in bed with Labor. He kept Labor in government and, to me, that is the most horrifying decision the man could make. To support this moribund, mendicant, useless and shambolic government is beyond me. It is absolutely beyond me how he could support this ship of fools. Much that the member for Nelson comes out with I find reasonably sensible, but that particular decision has dismayed me.
We heard from various speakers that Labor was running around patting itself on the back because they received 32% of the vote in Araluen. Speakers on this side of the House are scratching their heads wondering how the hell Labor can be slapping itself on the back when they received 32% of the vote. I will tell you how it is: 32% of the vote is four times what they received in Nelson and look at the outcome of that; they are still in government. I suppose 32% of the vote is four times better than they did in the member for Nelson’s seat, and the member for Nelson has kept them in government.
I was sitting here and I called him Red Gerry. He said: ‘No, it is Cherry Gerry’. I thought, Cherry Gerry, what an apt description: he is red on the inside as well as the outside. He has joined Labor in no uncertain terms. That is why Labor is so thrilled they received 32% of the vote in Araluen, because is it four times what they received in Nelson.
They knew they were on a hiding to nothing right from the word go. I recall reading a transcript of an interview the Chief Minister gave on one of the radio stations in Alice Springs. He said something along the lines of: ‘It will snow on Ayers Rock before Labor wins Araluen’. Something like that: ‘It will snow on Ayers Rock …
Dr Burns: Didn’t he say on Christmas Day?
Mr TOLLNER: Yes. ‘It will snow on Christmas Day or snow on Ayers Rock’, something along those lines, member for Johnston. In any case, he had written the thing off before he had even started. It is a little like the whole of Alice Springs. You have written it off to the point where you ignore the place, and that is very sad.
I was there for the election and it was quite laughable seeing the funny little tricks Labor was engaging in. ‘Adam for Araluen’ - obviously a reference to Adam Giles, hoping they may well confuse people enough to think they were voting for Adam Giles for Araluen. But no, it was another Adam altogether. It was not actually Adam Giles; it was some other Adam who was running in Araluen.
The member for Braitling did this Chamber a huge favour when he rediscovered the long-lost ALP logo - the Labor Party of the Northern Territory’s logo. Well done, member for Braitling. It was not to be seen at the Araluen by-election. In fact, standing there with the member for Araluen and handing out how-to-vote cards, looking at the Chief Minister, I said: ‘Chief Minister, why are you all wearing shirts with the Country Liberals’ logo on it?’ - because they all were. They all had these beautiful white shirts with the big Northern Territory flag, the Country Liberals logo, right in the middle ...
Dr Burns: It is our flag! It is the Northern Territory flag.
Mr TOLLNER: It is the Country Liberals logo, and members of Labor know it. They were not having Labor badges anywhere near them; they were trying to confuse people. ‘Adam for Araluen’ with the Country Liberals logo on his shirt, hoping against hope someone might turn in there and think they were casting a vote for the Country Liberals when, really, they were casting a vote for the ‘reds’ in Alice Springs. That is what the tactic was. That is the limit of the imagination of Labor in Alice Springs. ‘Let us try to confuse the voter. Let us try to make them think they are not actually voting for Labor because we know it will snow on Ayers Rock before we get a Labor member up in Araluen’ ...
A member: On Christmas Day!
Mr TOLLNER: On Christmas Day! That is the motive and, good on them. I suppose, in many ways, it was a ringing endorsement by the Labor government of the Country Liberals in Central Australia.
I digress, Madam Speaker. I congratulate and thank the member for Braitling for putting this important motion to the House. It is a very important motion. I listened carefully to what he had to say. The issue throughout the campaign which is very evident and of most importance to people, not just in Central Australia, but all over the Northern Territory, is the issue of crime and the way that crime seems to be out of control, most particularly in Central Australia.
It is a sad thing to say but places like Alice Springs and Tennant Creek are almost war zones and criminals have taken over the streets. On Monday afternoon, I had the member for Braitling in my electorate office at Winnellie. An older lady walked into my office and I introduced her to the member for Braitling. I said: ‘This is Adam. He is up from Alice Springs.’ She said: ‘I have spent my whole life wanting to go to Alice Springs. I mean that seriously - ever since I was a little girl’. I think she said that she had watched A Town Like Alice 16 times. She said she just loved the movie; it was her favourite movie. She always wanted to get to Alice Springs. Earlier this year, she made the trip to Alice Springs. It was a lifelong desire to get there. She said she was never going back. The reason she was not going back was because she was scared to be walking in the mall in the middle of the day. This lady has been a Darwin woman for 40-odd years, and she said she thought Darwin was bad. She said: ‘I thought we had problems with crime out of control in Darwin but that Alice Springs mall scared me’.
I have to say I do not share those feelings when I walk down the mall or, in fact, in any part of the Northern Territory. However, I fully understand there are some people in our community who do feel very vulnerable indeed. It is a sad indictment that this lady, whose lifelong desire was to visit Alice Springs, felt so scared she does not want to go back there. That is a sad indictment.
I was there, like many members in this Chamber, for the Alice Springs Masters Games. It is not the first games I have been to. It is a remarkable event, and hats off to the organisers and the government for their support for the Alice Springs Masters Games, because it is a fantastic event. We should cherish and promote it more because it is a great event for Central Australia, not just as an income earner for local business and activities for local people, but because it is a fantastic showcase of Central Australia.
This last trip, I drove there, you will be happy to know. I drove there and spent the week driving around. I was absolutely amazed at the number of vandalised cars I saw on the side of the road - cars with windscreens smashed in, doors smashed in and kicked in. I understand it is a real problem in Alice Springs at this time, where there are gangs running around the streets vandalising cars and the like.
Something must be done about crime. I believe crime is a symptom of the anti-development policies of this government. My grandmother had a saying: ‘Idle hands do the devil’s work’. When you look at Alice Springs and see the number of people - and the member for Nelson raised the matter that Alice Springs is, fundamentally, a welfare town; it survives on welfare. In fact, most of the communities throughout the Northern Territory survive on welfare. We are a mendicant society; we require welfare dollars to keep the place going. It is a fact of idleness and boredom that people are hitting the grog, smoking dope, sniffing petrol, vandalising cars, breaking into houses, and all the other antisocial events that go on.
We can sit in this place and devise new grog laws, new ways of locking people up, and all those things, which is an immediate reaction to a problem that is real - and I am not discounting the fact something has to be done in that regard. The fundamental issue is we need to create opportunities for all people in the Northern Territory. This whole idea is embraced by Labor: that we stop people developing this and developing that; Aboriginal land is not for anyone, it is for Aboriginal people, we cannot access that land; we cannot clear scrub; we cannot derive water from the aquifers; or we cannot climb a rock. All of these things we cannot do stops our economic development in its tracks; stops commercial activity. That is the heart of the problems we are having in the Northern Territory, I believe, because we are not developing the regions.
I saw in the Araluen by-election one of the most disgusting decisions I have seen in my time of politics. That was the decision to put politics ahead of economic development and growth in the Territory. That was the decision by this government to can the process the Angela Pamela crew, Cameco-Paladin, has to go through in order to get a mine going. That process should have been allowed to proceed. Public consultation is part of that process ...
Dr Burns: What is your policy? What is the CLP policy?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: I am opposed to the CLP policy on it as well. I have absolutely no problem standing here and saying that. I was opposed to the fact that the CLP came out and mimicked the government on that decision - completely opposed to it because it sends a dreadful message to our business community. It sends a message saying: ‘We are prepared to do and say anything in order to get our person up, including wrecking our own local economy’. That is what it says to people ...
Mr Hampton: The tourism industry supported it.
Mr TOLLNER: Oh, tourism industry, here we go. One of the biggest tourism industries in the Northern Territory, believe it or not - and I find it hard to believe at times - occurs in Kakadu. We had a mine running there for years.
The biggest tourist destination in the world is Paris. It is the single largest tourism destination in the world. How many nuclear reactors do you think there are in Paris? I was speaking to the French Ambassador to Australia a couple of years ago, and he was talking to me about mining Koongarra. I said to him: ‘Oh, Koongarra is a bit of a special case you know, it is right next to Nourlangie Rock. It could create problems’. He said: ‘We do it safely. What is your problem?’ I said: ‘Hang on, put it this way. If you found uranium underneath the Eiffel Tower, would you mine it?’ He said: ‘Of course, we would. We would not be coming to Australia. We would not be going all the way around the world. If we had uranium in France we would be digging it up’. It is a different attitude altogether - a completely different attitude.
I could not help but agree with the members for Nelson and Goyder, that there is a process. We do not have to come out and say, yes, we support the mine, but we should support the process. That is what it is all about: supporting the process.
I was a member of the federal parliament for quite some time, and was a member of the Industry and Resources Committee which held an inquiry into the explorability of Australia. One of the things we looked at very closely was the Fraser Institute ratings. The Fraser Institute, for those of you who do not know - and I am sure most people in this place do know – is a Canadian-based organisation which does international exploration ratings on different countries. When I was a member of the federal parliament holding that inquiry on Australia’s explorability, Australia ranked No 1 in the world.
In very recent times, our ratings have dropped significantly. Our ratings, I am led to understand, fell to about 16 or 17 - somewhere around that - when Labor came out with their proposed super profits tax on mining. We fell to 16th. I am now led to understand we have fallen to below 30th for being explorable, based on this decision by government. We are right up there with Rwanda. That is a dreadful message we have sent to the world. We have sent a message to the world saying, be aware of the sovereign risk in Australia, because if they have an election, they are prepared to just drop you like a dirty rag. They will just discard your company.
I am led to believe that Cameco-Paladin has spent somewhere around $12m in Central Australia on that project to date. Yet, we have just had a government walk in and cut them off at the knees - a wrong, wrong decision, particularly in a place that survives on welfare.
Madam Speaker, I am glad to see the member for Braitling has other proposals coming later this evening, particularly in relation to camels and what can be done with commercial activities. However, this government really needs to get on board and start developing some real economic, commercial activities in Central Australia, some real things that work. Support the agricultural industries. Support the tourism industries. Support the camel industry the member for Braitling will be talking on later on. There is a range of different commercial opportunities are available right now if we only seize the mettle, if we drop this stupid anti-development attitude that seems to encompass government in the Northern Territory. That is what we have to do.
Madam Speaker, I am elated at the result of the Araluen by-election. I believe we have a fantastic member elected. I am thrilled that Robyn Lambley is now a part of the Chamber. The results of that election were not just good. They were bad because they highlighted the lengths this government will go to - the fact it was prepared to sacrifice our economy for cheap political points.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution today. Thank you very much, the new member for Araluen, the members for Greatorex and Goyder, the Minister for Central Australia, and the members for Nelson, Macdonnell, and Fong Lim.
The Minister for Central Australia was fairly honest in his assessment of some of the issues in town. He was in agreement. This is a fairly feisty, argumentative motion, but he was very honest in his approach to it. I am sure he recognises problems. He said - I do not have the exact words - there are troubles and it will take some time to fix some of them. They have been getting worse for a long period of time, and it is a 10-year government. I do not know how much worse they can become. However, I know they are going to become a great deal worse this summer.
One of my concerns - and I will relate to what the member for Macdonnell said. This is somewhat of a cry for help. I am at my wits’ end trying to help people with some of these issues, and watching good people leave town. It is not just that they are leaving town, the lack of a skills set is a drain on the economy. I mentioned earlier in the debate about childcare and how that is a drain on our town. That is a significant issue. There are a number of economic facets which are not being dealt with in our town. Law and order is a big part of that. Housing is a big part of that. I encourage government to hear the cries for help.
In regard to law and order, I am worried people are going to start taking things into their own hands. I really believe people will start taking matters into their own hands. You see people come out at 2 am when they hear their car getting smashed up. I wait until the media release comes out first thing in the morning that someone has taken a baseball bat to kids on the street or to adults on the street causing trouble. I can see it happening any day. I hope it does not happen, but I can see it happening any day. People will take matters into their own hands because the government is not reacting to solve some of the problems in town.
I listened intently to what everyone said. I thank the member for Nelson for his comments. He was saying this is about Central Australia; he was talking about Alice Springs. On this particular issue, yes, there have been plenty of times when I have spoken about much broader issues rather than just Alice Springs. This is just about Alice Springs.
He was talking about alcohol. I was not just talking about alcohol as part of this motion. Alcohol has two forms. We have the alcohol problems of the working people who cause trouble on Mitchell Street at night, with the alcohol-fuelled violence we see. Then, we have people who have alcohol problems who are of a different demographic. They are two different issues. I went through the last two months’ media releases issued by the police. I categorised them all, by chance, and I went through each one about assault, sexual assault, violence against property, drink-driving and alcohol-fuelled violence. The alcohol-fuelled violence was not in the south, it was all here. The sexual assaults were generally in the south. The antisocial behaviour was in the south. Whether that is just by chance, but out of about 120 media releases, that was how it worked out.
I will just go through a few media releases which I have here, to paint a picture. These are some filtered ones for Alice Springs only. A drink-driver three times over the legal limit, 0.264% blood-alcohol reading - that was on 14 October. I will not go into all of this in detail. Traffic Operation Alice Springs talks about a person being picked up with a 0.154% blood-alcohol reading. There were people driving unregistered motor vehicles, with unrestrained children, grog running, people driving unlicensed, and too many people in a car. A 17-year-old was driving at 159 km/h in a 130 km/h zone – not that I do not support open speed limits. A drink-driver was caught with a 0.248% blood-alcohol reading, and another caught drink-driving at 0.221% - high range drink-driving - driving at speed and in a manner dangerous. There was a traffic pursuit - a 34-year-old man was in a traffic pursuit along Lovegrove Drive that we heard about. There was a disturbance at Alice Springs at 4 am while the Masters Games were on. Someone was caught stealing $90 000 worth of surveying equipment. A 14-year-old male youth was arrested in relation to traffic offences and unlawful use of a motor vehicle in Alice Springs at 1.15 am. A 49-year-old man was arrested in relation to unlawful entries in Alice Springs including my office, I believe. Two men were arrested in relation to unlawful entry at The Gap and at the Memorial Club. Eight vehicles were damaged in Alice Springs. Tools and equipment were stolen in Alice Springs. There was a ram raid in Alice Springs. There was unlawful entry in Alice Springs. There was a murder charge in Alice Springs. There was another unlawful entry at Van Senden Avenue in the member for Araluen’s electorate; drug and alcohol seizures; grog and drug seizures; sexual assault just around the corner from Lyndavale Drive where that lady was, unfortunately, sexually assaulted; hooning; and escaping custody in Alice Springs.
The reason I go though all of those brief media releases is to highlight that people do not have any regard for the law. They do not care if they go to gaol. I have said it before, and the member for Macdonnell reiterated that. These are just some small cases that have happened in the last month-and-a-half. People do not care about the law. People like us in our demographic may consider the deprivation of liberty is a problem, but there are plenty in town who just do not care. The social fabric has gone.
People will take matters into their own hands and solve their own problems of violence against themselves, their family or their property. The movie, The Castle, talked about people’s home being their castle. That is where they live, their place; that is their sanctuary. We are now seeing crime move out into the suburban residential areas and more and more people’s houses getting broken into. It is happening all the time. People will take matters into their own hands and it is only a matter of time. Then, those people will suffer deprivation of their liberty.
I would love to be the Corrections minister. It is not the portfolio I really aspire to but, if I was the prisons minister, I would build a big concrete hole and put all the bad criminals in there: ‘Right, you are in the hole, you are not coming out. Start learning about it’. I might break every United Nations’ convention on the rights of the prisoner but, ‘Get in the hole’. The member for Nelson spoke about if you do the wrong thing, you do not go to a course, or you cannot play pool. I am sure every taxpayer in the Northern Territory would like to have a pool table, or be unhappy to know prisoners get pool tables and are paid to do menial tasks.
These are areas of significant concern. We have a new town camp being built at Alice Springs at Blatherskite Park. I am concerned that place will be a new town camp. I listened to the member for Stuart talk about Aboriginal Hostels taking over. I know a lot about Aboriginal Hostels; I have had a lot to do with them for many years. It is a good body. However, it represents one of the problems of housing in Alice Springs. There are nine hostels in Alice Springs which are administered by Aboriginal Hostels. They are all full - full as a bull. An example is the one on Larapinta Drive, the Yeperenye Hostel. They are designed to have people for up to three months. They have people who have been living there for five years because they cannot find anywhere else to go. I know there is a waiting list to get behind that fence where you are herding everyone into with the sleeping bags, the swags, and the tents, but that is no real solution to the problem.
It has been a good debate. Touching quickly on what the member for Macdonnell said about drugs being moved through the Bush Bus and out to communities; that is a significant problem. It is a growing problem that will continue to come up from South Australia. We know there is a significant drug problem in the AP lands. That will continue throughout Central Australia. There are drugs being smuggled in chickens, in dirty nappies, in all manner of things, to try to escape being caught. It is a problem and I thank the member for Macdonnell for notifying the police as soon as possible.
The member for Goyder raised an important issue about the government’s decision to backflip on process about uranium determination and uranium mining. The member for Goyder raised some very important points: the minister for Mines has been very competent in developing a process. The member for Fong Lim was very outspoken in his opinion on this matter, as was the member for Nelson. It is important we develop industries. We are a welfare town in Alice Springs. We are welfare towns right across the Territory. We are service centres. Darwin operates as a service centre which gets a lot of its work out of welfare from these service towns.
It is very important we develop industries. When we are looking a gift horse in the mouth with an industry, we are silly not to follow the process. The government should be condemned for overturning a process for the sake of some political bastardry. By the Chief Minister’s own comments, they were going to win Araluen if it snowed on Ayers Rock at Christmas time. The decision they made put our sovereignty at risk, put us at the 34th position with Rwanda - the member for Fong Lim was right. We are now in a difficult position of trying to attract explorers to the Northern Territory to develop our minerals industry further.
We have another debate coming up about camels, which is another potential opportunity. We need to invest in our economy, not just the reactions to socialist ventures by ‘the reds’ on the left who are not seeing any progressive change, but seeing social determinants going backwards.
Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their debate. I encourage all members to support this motion; it is a positive motion. It puts a line in the sand to say this is a cry for help, we are now moving forwards, not going backwards.
Madam SPEAKER: The question is the motion be agreed to. Leader of the Opposition, are you calling a division?
Mr MILLS: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: That is all right. I remind members who are calling a division, that if the Leader of the Opposition calls for a division that is counted as having been supported but if another member calls it, someone else has to support it.
The Assembly divided:
Ayes 11 Noes 12
Ms Anderson Mrs Aagaard
Mr Chandler Dr Burns
Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
Mr Elferink Mr Hampton
Mr Giles Mr Henderson
Mrs Lambley Mr Knight
Mr Mills Ms Lawrie
Ms Purick Mr McCarthy
Mr Styles Ms McCarthy
Mr Tollner Ms Scrymgour
Mr Westra van Holthe Mr Vatskalis
Ms Walker
Motion negatived.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I move - That the Northern Territory parliament:
Madam Speaker, I move this motion today with the intent of working together with governments, both Territory and federal, to promote alternate solutions within the confines of camel management as previously identified by many, including the Natural Resource Management Council.
Camels are a feral pest across Central Australia, not just in the Territory, but across jurisdictions that make up the vast portion of Central Australia. The cost of these feral animals to the economic, social, environmental, and cultural pillars of remote society are significant. The environmental degradation of land and the destruction to infrastructure, including infrastructure in Indigenous communities, is one of concern and one that requires action, more than just murdering camels.
The desecration of sacred sites is not only confronting in a cultural sense, but also has impacts on the economic future benefits of tourism. Many would be aware of the impact of camels on flora and fauna, whether it be walking over native vegetation or competing for water that would normally be used by native animals that call this land theirs.
Estimates of camel numbers are vast and wide, with some saying 1.8 million, some 1.4 million, and others say well over one million. Those with an interest in the field claim a doubling of the population in between four and eight years, perhaps only as much as 10% increases per year. But, in worse case estimates, there could be 3.6 million camels across Central Australia by 2014, or perhaps 2.8 million by 2018. For those who may be unsure about the numbers of camels, go to YouTube on the Internet and search under ‘camel cull’ or ‘camels in Central Australia’ and you will see the numbers they are talking about.
Let us not forget we are talking about not just the Northern Territory, but Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. That is 50% of Australia’s rangelands. It is estimated in the Draft National Feral Camel Action Plan the distribution of the camel population is: Western Australia has 46%, South Australia has 17.7%, Queensland has 10%, and the Northern Territory has 26.3% of the camels. The general population seems to think the camels are solely in the Northern Territory, but they are across jurisdictions. From the same plan, it is estimated the tenures of land on which camels inhabit are: conservation land, approximately 10%; Aboriginal land, 23.5%; vacant Crown land, 24.5%; and pastoral land, 42%. These beasts are highly mobile and cover a wide range of ground in a short time. It is estimated these animals cover 3.3 million square kilometres of land. These numbers are significant in anyone’s eyes.
There needs to be an intelligent response which embraces economic opportunities and seeks to develop industries further. I recognise both the federal and the Territory governments have tried to control camel numbers by murdering these camels. There is commentary about different amounts of money being spent by both Labor governments in shooting these camels. I seek clarification from the appropriate minister of the funding allocations by both governments.
What I am aware of is the $19m which is being spent on shooting camels from the air. It is terrible sight to see mountains of dead camels, with other camels walking around inspecting the site. Hunting is one thing, eating what you have killed is another, but butchering 25 000 camels is a senseless waste.
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and the Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, with the Natural Resources minister, Karl Hampton in the Northern Territory, are not just murdering animals, they are murdering a potential industry. I wonder why the animal welfare agencies have not become involved in this situation earlier. Do not get me wrong, I believe we need a feral camel management plan. When I look at the front page of the 2009 Draft National Feral Camel Action Plan, I have to wonder if this is the right way to go.
What I am proposing through this motion is a development of an industry which supports feral camel management, economic growth in Central Australia, and employment development in the regions for our Indigenous Territorians. We always talk about developing jobs for those who live in remote locations. Here is the perfect opportunity to make this happen.
The potential industry would support the research and development of camel management and the harvesting of camels on a sustainable basis. I am aware the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre in Alice Springs was involved with the scientific research of these beasts, and their important involvement should not be underestimated, especially the knowledge of what is a sustainable population, what the population migration elements are, and what clearance numbers would be required to bring the stock to those sustainable limits.
There are greater opportunities for the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Resource Centre, in cooperation with pastoralists, to scientifically investigate such matters as ear tags, electronic management, tracking devices to monitor where they go when the earth is desiccated, or where they go when the dirt is soaked. Camels move to water in the dry conditions and disappear in the wet.
I came into this debate on camels with open eyes, thinking the problem was who would buy the meat, how big the trucks needed to be to transport live camels, and what modifications would be required for the ships to take taller animals. People raised concerns with me regarding the ownership of abattoirs and the boxed beef market on both the national and international markets.
My views have changed. I am aware of the concerns within the beef industry surrounding the export of live cattle, particularly to regimes which are moving towards protectionist administrations. My investigations with investors, pastoralists, workers in abattoirs, and Aboriginal Territorians, explained to me the biggest concern with the camel harvesting industry is the supply of the camel beast, although, my sources advise me there is risk managing the demand. I am assured there are buyers waiting to enter the demand side worldwide. I know of potentially many multimillion dollar investors waiting to get into the industry to supply markets offshore, particularly in the Middle East. The market for camel meat in Australia is small; however, there are opportunities to expand this market.
Many commentators in the camel industry speak of concerns with cross-jurisdictional partnerships with camel management. The time is now right for the federal government to step in and take control in an economic sense, not as an environmental problem but as an industry opportunity.
This motion details directions for this parliament to take. There are other directions which the federal government could take to bring a collective fruition to this proposal. There is potential for the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to manage a cross-portfolio reference group which includes not only multi-jurisdictions but also departments of Environment, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, minister for Indigenous affairs or the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development. There is potential and sensibility for inclusion of representative agencies such as the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association and Meat and Livestock Australia.
Some may view the interests of these organisations in a competing nature; however, there are opportunities here. Pastoralists trying to manage camel numbers is just one example. This reference group should be charged with overseeing the development of the camel harvesting industry with a six-month time frame to develop an appropriate modus operandi determining whether private or public partnership could prevail; six months concurrently to identify infrastructure requirements for the industry to be established in Central Australia; a 12-month time frame to sort the construction of the infrastructure installation of expansion requirements for existing or future abattoirs; 12 months to develop and install logistical management processes; and continuing demand site assistance through foreign agencies.
Last week, I inspected the abattoir at Wamboden in Central Australia just off the Tanami Highway – a short drive from Alice Springs on the way to Yuendumu just 5 km up the road from the Stuart Highway. I have also previously inspected others, including most recently the Gunbalanya/Oenpelli abattoirs in the electorate of Arafura. I am aware of the future opportunities or current conversations regarding Top End abattoirs. This proposal of a multi-species abattoir with a particular focus on camels in no way seeks to undermine any of those operations.
There are many small operating or dormant abattoirs in the Territory and, within the premise of this motion, I have particularly identified Wamboden. This identification is not about picking favourites but picking opportunities. I believe this site is most capable of immediately taking 100 camels per day with an opportunity to scale up to 500 with an infrastructure investment of sorts. By simple calculations, 100 camels per day would amount to 36 000 if harvested 365 days a year.
Scientific research through the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Resource Centre and reference groups should inform the numbers of camels that need to be harvested in the short term, with an interest in pet meat, to get the cull down to sustainable levels. The same advice should form the direction for annual harvesting numbers to ensure we have an equilibrium that manages the numbers and supports sustainable development.
This motion mentions a greenfield site at Owen Springs particularly identified because of its proximity to power at Brewer Estate, which has accessibility to train, road transport, and water and proximity to a worker base in Alice Springs. A greenfield site could be 1000 beasts per day. That is 365 000 per annum. It is a large number but, if we get the science right on how many we should be sustaining each year, we can develop a greenfield abattoir to suit. Such a site would have to be multi-species to get the balance right.
In Central Australia, we are tick free, we have no parasites, and we do not do drenching. We are a clean, green site, potentially, for camel and beef. If the suburb of Kilgariff goes ahead just to the south of Alice Springs, this opportunity at Owen Springs could provide an industry which would see employment opportunities south of The Gap. Rough potential modelling regarding the cost structure for harvesting camels could include - and I will explain based on industry information based on a possible real life example on the basis of cattle yards being built at Docker River if some of that $19m was put into cattle yards. I will just quickly go through some figures I have used to calculate potential viability. This is not the first time I have been involved in this sector.
If they were going to muster camels at Docker River, as an example, heli-mustering in a cattle yard would cost about $20 per beast. So, it is identified trapping is the easiest way, especially in Central Australia as there is limited rainfall in most years, except for this year, and it is easier to trap in yards. Camels will actually walk towards water or to a water supply, so there is an opportunity to invest in water supply if there are not the appropriate water supplies. You can lead camels to traps at least 60 km but up to 100 km quite easily, to muster them into a run.
Once you have the camels mustered into the yards in Docker River, you could run triples from Docker River, up past Yulara, Erldunda, up the Stuart Highway to Wamboden, fitting 54 full-sized camels on a triple road train. The cost would be approximately $150 per head to get them to Wamboden. I am happy for these costs to be argued, but these are the figures I have been provided by independent sources.
The cost would be approximately $150 a head to get them to Wamboden. The abattoir at Wamboden would pay between $1 and $1.50 per kilogram, based on the beast average between 250 kg to 350 kg. Abattoirs would then break up the carcass to be boxed and frozen, which costs about $120 per beast for abattoir cost. Once it is boxed, the boxed meat would be backhauled by Gilbert’s Transport - which is not picking a favourite transport company, but a transport company there happens to be a quote from. They would transport it on backhaul to Adelaide for 10 per kilogram, to be delivered to a company called Samex, which would pay approximately $3 per kilogram for the meat.
To further explain this, there is profit for the community workers who muster and load the camels, the transport company which delivers the camel, the abattoir which boxes the beast, and Samex, the company which finishes up with the product. It appears to me to be an industry that is just waiting to explode. You have the abattoir paying $300 approximately, on average, for each beast. It is costing about $150 to get the beast from Docker River to there, so they are already making money at one end. The abattoir makes money by chopping it, the transport company makes money by sending it on, and Samex makes money at the end. It is definitely an industry waiting to explode.
I have not even spoken about the opportunities that are downstream, such as the immediate ones for $15 per head for edible offal and $20 per head for blood and bone. If you want to look further, we have the hides that can be picked up and taken out to Hermannsburg or another community which previously specialised in tanning, to create some more opportunities for small business. We could look at things such as camel handbags, wallets, boots, and shoes - all for sale on the weekend at the Alice Springs Market. I could just imagine camels being harvested and the ladies handbags being sold at the markets.
The roads could even link to tourism in Central Australia. Camels would become more of a known product. People would actually go and see camels a lot more and respect the camel product. I have not even spoken about some further visionary ideas which are much harder, I am sure, such as camel milking, or even camel jerky which is not as hard. We had a debate today on Defence. There is potential for sending camel jerky to our troops in Afghanistan as part of their pack. These things all come into the equation.
I have given an overview of what I believe are significant opportunities. I encourage the Northern Territory government to look further at these opportunities and support his motion. The Northern Territory’s heritage may not have been found on the sheep’s back but, surely, part of the Central Australia’s future could be mounted on a camel’s hump.
I have done a fair amount of research into this industry for many years before I was involved in politics, trying to identify the benefits of mobile abattoirs versus fixed abattoirs, whether it is actually viable, the cost value per kilogram of a beast, and how we identify supply on a year-round basis. I recognise everyone tells me supply is the issue. They also tell me an investment in infrastructure and a rectification of some of the roads will ensure a continuity of supply. People tell me they need a guarantee of two weeks supply. Other people tell me that four weeks would be much better. If we could guarantee four weeks supply in Central Australia where rainfall is not at a premium, this industry is destined to blossom.
I know in the federal government plans culling is part of the plan, and they slightly talk about economic opportunities. The member for Brennan will speak further about those plans and provide some examples of federal reports. I believe this is something we should really look at as an opportunity.
I see a lot of opportunities in Central Australia, and, across the Territory for that matter, where it is almost like they are just waiting for an entrepreneur to come and take them up and they will all work ...
Mr Westra van Holthe: A bit of government support would not hurt.
Mr GILES: In many cases I do not think it needs government support. I believe there are opportunities people can take up. This is one where there are entrepreneurial opportunities now in competition with government funding to shoot animals, so it makes it really hard to progress it even further. If some of that money was utilised to support industry development, take some money out of what goes to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to promote welfare of people on subsistence living through Job Services Australia, and put that into industry development, we could have a complete change in the way things operate. In our previous debate regarding juveniles and lack of leadership and so forth, those things start to erode when people become greater participants in the wider economy.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to hearing what the minister has to say.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his motion. It is exactly the same question I asked when I first became the minister for Primary Industry. All these camels out there, wasted; why can we not utilise them? Then, the harsh reality hit me very hard in the face. I will tell you the problems we have with camels. It is a question asked many times, and a question asked by previous ministers.
To give you an example, the CLP government, from 1996 to 2001, spent $800m to support the camel industry in the Northern Territory ...
Mr Elferink: $800m?
Mr VATSKALIS: $800 000.
Mr Elferink: Oh, I thought you said $800m.
Mr VATSKALIS: $800 000 support. The Labor government, from 2001 to 2006, spent another $800 000 to support the camel industry. In those 10 years, under the CLP and Liberal government, we managed to export 2000 camels. For every single camel we exported, it cost $1000.
At the moment, we have a problem with camels; we all acknowledge it is a feral animal. It is an animal that did not belong to Australia, it was brought in, let loose like horses and pigs, and now they are multiplying at an alarming rate. We have one million feral camels and the herd is doubling its population every nine years. The annual damage bill is about $10m. With a million camels out there, the damage bill every year is $10m. A million camels out there must be a lot of camels you certainly can cull.
The problem we have is not the number of animals; it is the distribution of the animals throughout the centre of Australia through Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia. One of the problems with camels is, as you said before, unless you have a critical mass to harvest, there is no way you can make any money out of it, because trying to muster them, load them, bring them in to an abattoir, and then kill them, is a significant cost.
The other thing to remember is, by applying a program now to muster camels and start killing even 1000 camels a day, it will take many days to kill camels, to bring them into a manageable number so it does not have the environmental impact out there. Also, you have to remember, you do not kill every single camel you find. If you kill the camels, they will give you the best return for your effort. For example, you are not going to kill the old bulls, you want to kill young females, because they are the ones that are not tough, they give you a better return for your dollar, and the ones that have a critical mass of meat you can actually utilise.
We have some, I could say, gourmet market at the moment for camels. Gary Dann is doing some work with camels. He has an abattoir in Central Australia. He kills about 10 to 14 camels a week. This is a demand at the moment in Australia. There is not much demand in Australia for camel, apart from some specialised ethnic or religious groups. Usually, they want camels if they are killed in a particular way - the Muslim way. They tell us there is a lot of demand for camels overseas and interstate. The reality is, we cannot export live camels for the simple reason there are not any boats in the world that would take camels. Most of the boats are constructed to transport sheep or cattle. No one is going to go to the expense of constructing a specialist boat for camels for the simple reason it cannot be used effectively, efficiently and economically for any other species.
Also, it is very difficult transported by trucks. The number of camels you put in a truck to transport them does not make the transport viable.
I was very enthusiastic about the industry. I insisted we continue the funding, even when the department was telling us we could not do any more, we should not do any more, it was a waste of money. I thought, as you do, camel harvesting would serve two purposes. One is to reduce the number of camels which cause environmental damage, and the second is creating job opportunities, especially for Indigenous communities. Indigenous communities can go out and harvest camels, but no one wants these camels because there is not a market for them in Australia. There is not a market in Australia, which is the best market at the moment. You have to start somewhere. There is no way to transport and export camels overseas.
I suggested we use the same principle we used in Western Australia - and I was involved with that – to harvest kangaroos for human consumption. In Western Australia, people will kill kangaroos, they will harvest the parts of kangaroos which have the most muscle, put them in chillers, transport them into the main abattoir, and process them for human consumption.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to put camels in chillers to chill to the temperature which will meet the standard for human consumption. The other issue is the number of camels you can kill, how many you can put in chillers, and how long it will take for the chillers to drive to the abattoir to be processed. It is a combination of factors: distance; the number of camels; the way you process them and bring them to the abattoirs; and, at the end, the market. I persisted with the industry and my department said: ‘Who will eat camel?’ If you put camel meat in the supermarket now, mainstream Australians will not eat it; it is too exotic. Unless you have a campaign from the industry to promote the meat for human consumption, it will not happen.
I recall the ‘eat lamb’ campaign. It was one of the most successful campaigns. It was run by the industry. It was promoting lamb, and you went to the supermarket and they had recipes on top of the freezer so you could pick it up. It would tell you in 10 minutes you could have a meal.
We are still in infancy with regard not only to camel, but with any exotic animal. Go to Melbourne and see if you can find buffalo in the supermarket! You will not. I recall the recent anti-horse meat campaign in Perth. One of the butchers in Perth obtained permission to sell horse, which is very popular in Italy and France. Could he sell it? No, there was a campaign against selling horse. He even had his shop vandalised because certain people have certain perceptions about certain animals.
There are problems with camels. I support your idea about utilising camels; however, there are so many problems trying to harvest and bring the meat to human consumption.
My department has worked very hard with the idea of a multi-species abattoir. We have worked closely with Western Australia. We have produced three feasibility studies - and I am quite happy to table them so everyone can have these studies - about the supply and demand issues for a multi-species abattoir in Northern Australia. They have made this study available to anyone who is interested in establishing an abattoir. It is very detailed, it is technical. It analysed everything from cattle to donkeys, horses, camels, and buffaloes. If a person is interested, they can get one.
We even did a study on mobile abattoir opportunities, because I had the same idea as you. If we cannot bring the horse to the abattoir, why do we not take the abattoir to the horses? The problem we have, especially with the mobile abattoir, is trying to meet the necessary standards. Meeting national and international standards for human consumption is virtually impossible because of the vast distances, as you require water supply, and a way to dispose of effluent and waste. It is very difficult.
However, we were very encouraged recently with the AAco proposal to establish an abattoir in the north. There is great support from the pastoralists and the Cattlemen’s Association of the Northern Territory. We have realised, finally, after saying it for many years, we cannot put all our eggs in one basket. We do not know what will happen to Indonesia. Our market in the Northern Territory is Indonesia. We have to find another way of dealing with animals Indonesia buys. They came to the party and were discussing it with us. We provided the feasibility study to them. We also provided some funding for them to talk about the abattoirs.
The same thing was done by Mr Gary Dann. Mr Dann wants to expand his operation to kill up to 600 camels a week. We have provided the technical assistance, and worked with him to overcome the quarantine and the standards problems he has with AQIS in order to be able to access the export market. It will take some time to actually reach the standards required, but we are quite happy to work with him.
I was very reluctant for government to be involved in the establishment of abattoirs. That should be clearly the area of private business. On the other hand, why should we facilitate the establishment of another abattoir when, at the moment, we have an abattoir Mr Dann operates, and we work with him to increase the production and also reach the necessary standards. It would be very unfair for the operator if we go out now and support someone else who comes with another idea.
The reality is most of the people who come to talk about abattoirs, unless they have the capacity behind them like AAco, it would be very difficult. We have many opportunities, many demands. The member for Katherine can vouch for that. People talk to us about reopening the abattoir in Katherine. The moment they do the study and find out how much it will cost to bring it up to today’s standards, all of a sudden, the interest is lost and they go somewhere else. The same thing happened with the Batchelor abattoir. Some of these abattoirs have old technology. They require a great deal of energy and water, and they will not meet the environmental standards of the day. The other thing is they have to have a regular supply.
The same thing will happen with the camels. Unfortunately, unless the industry moves from harvesting feral camels to harvesting domesticated camels - we have a domesticated camel industry - the camel industry will not take off. Unless you have a regular supply of animals that are easy to handle, easy to supply your abattoir, this will not happen.
We should be looking at eliminating, as much as possible, the feral animals that cause environmental destruction out there - because camels do cause environmental destruction. Then, we should look at properly sourcing camels from the wild herd. It would be appropriate for Indigenous businesses to use domesticated camels in order to provide an abattoir with a steady supply of animals that actually meet the standards for human consumption to supply a market. It is not only how we do it, it is the number of animals, how we utilise the animals, and find a market that will be able to absorb all this meat we put on the market.
I understand, at the moment, the Commonwealth is paying a lot of money for the control of feral animals. I also understand, within that control, there is an element for business development. I have been arguing with my department and with the federal department that, yes, we have to kill animals now because of the destruction they cause to the environment, but we should be looking to the future. If we can utilise kangaroos and sell kangaroo meat to Russia or to other European countries, we can do the same with the camels.
It is a problem I face. I have faced it. I was very keen, as you are, because I can see the potential. Both CLP and Labor governments spent $2m and we exported 2000 camels. It would be cheaper to put them on Jetstar and send them out rather than exporting them the way we did it at $1000 per camel.
I continue to work with my department for the development of the camel industry, but we have to look at a different way. Instead of saying we source our meat supply from the feral population, we should be saying we will continue to kill the feral animals that cause environmental destruction, but we should be looking into establishing a domesticated camel industry in order to provide any abattoir that will open in the Territory with a regular supply of meat. This industry, when created, can provide hundreds of jobs in different communities around the Northern Territory, especially communities in the Centre of the Territory, the desert. If we can do that with the cattle industry, we can do it with a domesticated camel industry.
Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I will be working very hard in the future. I welcome your participation and your enthusiasm with that because I believe the camel industry has a future - not the future we are thinking about from the wild population, but from a domesticated population.
Mr CHANDLER (Brennan): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I am going to read through this as quickly as I can, given the time. I have to start by saying I completely support the member for Braitling’s motion tonight. I also appreciate what the minister has said tonight.
I am aware from briefings supplied by the former and current Environment ministers in regard to camel management, and it is good to see the department has been working on the problem. I worry with reports like that, that today governments - and not just this government, all governments - spend too much time focusing on how we cannot do things. Can we focus energy into how we can get things done?
Camels are regarded as one of Australia’s worst feral pests. They cause $14m damage to infrastructure and a number of road deaths through collisions each year. Camels also adversely affect native species by trampling habitats and blocking sparse watering holes throughout the desert.
Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory have had a number of proposals over the years to manage camel numbers which, ultimately, have failed to reduce the numbers to adequately preserve biodiversity and cultural values in remote areas of Australia and, of course, reduce camel numbers.
The federal government, under the leadership of Kevin Rudd - undermined very successfully by the now Prime Minister, Julia Gillard - announced a $19m project to cull camels in Central Australia. Just think how $19m could help to support Indigenous employment in Central Australia by setting up a camel farming operation. The reality, of course, is $19m will not cull to a level which will make any inroad into the problem. Anyone with just an ounce of animal husbandry experience will tell you how the numbers will, once again, get out of control and, again in 10 years, we will be discussing how this time we will be spending $30m or perhaps $40m to again cull the camel population.
I also recall the international condemnation at the time. I read from an AAP Internet blog:
It is waste. I feel that is the real reason behind this condemnation of the program. It is a waste of money, as unless you are prepared to get every last one of them, we will be discussing this problem in the future. Why not use the expertise available today to set up a viable industry? I have spoken to and received information from people all the way from Western Australia to Queensland who have plans, financial backing, a market, and resources to do this, but they cannot get the support from the NT government and the federal government.
I really think this is because, both federally and here in the NT, we have Labor governments which do not get it when it comes to business and how business works. Their view of the world is we should have one big government, hundreds of departments that provide everything our community needs. Just throw more money at it, and it will go away and, if we need more money, create a new tax. Throw out a few more media releases to try to demonstrate you are taking the matter seriously and a new program will be developed and, when things do not improve and when under pressure from the media, put out another media release announcing a review. Then, undertake a review and, when the review recommends another approach, just throw some more money at it. In fact, put another media release out before you know the results and the recommendations, announcing a specific amount required to fix the problem. Sound familiar? It certainly does to me. I am really starting to understand how the whole Labor process works - smoke and mirrors, bread and circuses - while our once sound foundations in the Northern Territory crack and crumble.
Why not actually do something to support business in Central Australia? Why not invest just part of that $19m in supporting Indigenous employment? Not all, just some to support, promote, and provide for a sustainable business for Indigenous people in Central Australia.
To back up what I and the member for Braitling have said today, I will read an extract from the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Resource Centre key recommendations from Report 47, Chapter 12, taken from the federal government Australian Federal Camel Management Project website, which is funded under the Australian Government Caring for Country Program. I quote directly from section 3.3, which is ‘Commercial use of feral camels’:
We totally agree.
Given the time, I will move straight to the key recommendations:
These are the recommendations to the federal government, and everything we have spoken about today: to use just some of that $19m to develop an industry which can have so many positive effects for Indigenous people in Central Australia would fit nicely, and would be fully supportive of, and within, these recommendations.
I, too, call on the Northern Territory government to get on board and support the member for Braitling’s motion today. Stop making announcements! Stop talking about the issue! There is a detailed and highly-prized opportunity here to support regional development and, above all, a strategy which will provide a long-term approach to mitigating feral camels and the damage they cause in Central Australia.
As I started out, I mentioned I wonder if it is a measurable commodity - the time governments all over this country spend on finding ways not to do something, how we cannot do it, why we should not do something, rather than to focus that energy into how we can make something happen. That is business acumen; you look at the problem and you try to solve it. You find ways to solve the problem, not find ways how not to do it.
Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I am very supportive of the member for Braitling’s motion and call on the government to support the motion as well.
Madam ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Honourable members, it now being 9 pm, pursuant to Standing Order 41(c)(v), we will complete the item of business before the Chair.
Debate adjourned.
Madam ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Honourable members, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn, pursuant to Standing Order 41A.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I begin this evening by addressing an article which appeared in The Australian on Monday, 11 October 2010. It was titled ‘Intervention Inc Exposed in Wastage’ by Natasha Robinson. I place on the public record my concern as the member for Nhulunbuy about claims quite unsubstantiated, as far as I can ascertain.
Amongst the many assertions made are allegations about money wasted on accommodation booked by federal and Territory public servants travelling as part of their duties associated with service delivery of the many agencies associated with the intervention. Ms Robinson concedes that:
The article then went on to talk about the average number of rooms per week booked by the Northern Territory government at Knott’s Crossing Resort in Katherine, and she attributes the figure of between 25 and 30 rooms per week to a Ms Katrin Ladurner. Ms Robinson then went on to say:
There are two motels, or hotels, in Nhulunbuy and being concerned about the claims of wastage of taxpayers’ money as reported in The Australian, I phoned the Gove Peninsula Motel and the Walkabout Lodge the day after the story ran.
When I spoke with the manager of the Gove Peninsula Motel, he told me he was aware of the story and he could only assume it referred to the Walkabout Lodge because no such situation had occurred on their premises. He did say The Australian had phoned him the afternoon before, but he had told the caller he was not interested in talking with them.
I received a similar response when, a few minutes later, I spoke with the Walkabout Lodge, except that the Operations Manager used more colourful language about journalistic practice. ‘No’, he said, ‘the Walkabout Lodge, whilst it is regularly fully booked with a mix of tourists, government workers and business people, no such cancellation of rooms had occurred’. He checked amongst his staff and, to the best of his knowledge, none of his staff had spoken with The Australian. He also added that government bookings, when they are cancelled, are done so within a 48-hour cancellation period to avoid incurring any cost.
So, based on my inquiries with both the Gove Peninsula Motel and the Walkabout Lodge, these allegations are completely unsubstantiated and will remain so until there is evidence to the contrary. I only add that such reporting is not only poor journalism, it is extremely mischievous.
I turn now to more positive news from my electorate - news which is accurate and factual. On Saturday, 9 October, the inaugural Northern Territory Smart Schools Awards were held at the Darwin Convention Centre. I applaud the minister for Education and his agency for the initiative which provides a very public platform for recognising and celebrating excellence which Territory schools, Territory teachers and, most importantly, Territory children have achieved.
Of the seven schools which took out line honours across the seven different categories, I offer my sincere congratulations to Nhulunbuy Primary School, which won the award for Excellence in Improving Literacy and Numeracy. I was really disappointed not to have been there on the night, but I was delighted for Principal, Cindy McGarry, and Executive Teacher, Shelley Martin, who were able to attend and were overwhelmed by the win and the recognition. I spoke with Cindy the day after the event and she said it was like being at the Oscars and was quite overwhelming, but exciting at the same time.
The added and coincidental bonus was that the $20 000 prize for Nhulunbuy Primary School was sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan. Attending to the present the award from Rio Tinto Alcan in Nhulunbuy were Michael Cooper and Graham Dewar, both of whom I know well.
A rigorous process was in place to qualify for these awards. I recall several weeks ago speaking with teacher Noelee Mitchell - who was a student of mine many years ago at Nhulunbuy High School, and that certainly makes me feel old – and Noelee greeted me with the exciting news that Nhulunbuy Primary School had passed through to final selection at Territory level after winning in the Arnhem Land region. As part of the short listing process for the finals, Cindy and Shelley were required to provide a 20-minute presentation to a panel of judges about the schools literacy and numeracy programs put in place to bring about the change they had brought about. As part of that presentation they presented students talking about their learning experiences via a video link from Nhulunbuy, so the judges could hear firsthand feedback from students.
It was much more than an exercise of filling out a few forms and, Nhulunbuy Primary School, like other schools nominating in the Smart Schools Award, had to work hard to demonstrate how they had achieved success.
Nhulunbuy Primary School’s recognition was well deserved, and is testimony to the hard work and commitment over many years by their principal, teachers, school council and the wider school community - all of whom have worked hard together to achieve the very best outcomes for students.
My personal association stretches back to 1997 and will come to a close at the end of next year when my youngest child finishes Year 6. Throughout all these years, I can attest to Nhulunbuy Primary School being a school of excellence with dedicated, excellent teachers and strong, focused leadership. Nhulunbuy Primary School, with around 500 students, plus a preschool with around 100 students, has never had a high turnover of staff. While the great lifestyle and the great fishing might have something to do with that, the low turnover is also attributable to strong leadership which brings with it focus and cohesion. This has been especially true since Cindy McGarry has been principal. At the end of last year, there was just one member of staff who moved on. Filling vacancies when they do arise, staff - especially those who have worked in Territory schools previously with Cindy - have queued up to work with her again.
I had a message yesterday afternoon to give Cindy a call, and when we spoke this morning, I was disappointed to learn, after 28 years of dedicated service to educating Territory children, including three years with Nhulunbuy children, she has lodged her resignation effective at the end of the school year. She told me it was not an easy decision, but she and her husband are returning to South Australia where John has accepted a new job, and so too has Cindy.
I place on the record my sincere appreciation to Cindy McGarry for her hard, tireless work and her strong and energetic leadership. She is truly an amazing individual, not to mention one of the best and impeccably dressed women in Nhulunbuy, with a pair of shoes to match every outfit.
While news of Cindy’s departure will be sad for many, the good news is that Cindy, with her leadership team and staff, has built upon the efforts of previous school leaders a school community which is vibrant and singularly focused on delivering the very best outcomes for kids and, above all, it is sustainable.
Nhulunbuy Primary School is a quality school and a terrific model for others, which is one reason the school was so deserving of the inaugural Smart Schools Award for Excellence in Improving Literacy and Numeracy.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I express a sense of disquiet which has overcome me in the past 20 minutes or so, as I have been reading the Northern Territory Community Visitor Program Annual Report for the period of 2009-10. I draw honourable members’ - in particular the Health minister’s - attention to pages 15, 16, 17 and 18 of that report. What is occurring here is almost understated in this report but, as a person who loves individual liberty and the liberty of the society in which we live, I am concerned about what I read reported there.
On page 15, the authors of this document quote section 29 of the Mental Health and Related Services Act, which says:
It then goes on to quote Approved Procedure Five, which states:
If you are a volunteer in a mental health institution, you have all the rights of liberties guaranteed by legislation. Nevertheless, that report then goes on to cite several cases where people were not, as voluntary patients, given the capacity to leave the institution. They cite the case of Jock:
They also pointed out the case of Michael. This person had repeatedly stated that he wanted to go home, and he was locked in the ward against his will:
Which means you are a voluntary patient, in this instance, but if you try to leave we will section you.
When it forms in a person’s mind that they no longer have the right to leave, they have been detained. I am disturbed to read, on page 16:
Which is the Top End Mental Health Service.
On page 17, the report goes on to observe:
The short message I get from this is that the policies currently being employed by this government in relation to voluntary mental health status has at least all the hallmarks of the tort of trespass against a person, and is getting perilously close to looking like deprivation of liberty as outlined within the Criminal Code.
This should send a very cold shiver up the spine of the minister because of the potentialities which flow from this should a complaint of deprivation of liberty be lodged with the police force by a person who is being kept against their will in an institution run by him.
The report, whilst well intentioned on the part of its authors, concludes that:
Absolutely; perfectly correct. It then goes on to say:
So, they are clearly saying there is a breach of the law being perpetrated as a matter of policy by the Top End Mental Health Services. It goes on to say:
That is the Community Visitor Program:
Not right. That is wrong. Whilst I appreciate what the CVP is attempting to achieve, in reality it is much more serious than simply discussing the matter on a case-by-case basis. The essential allegation being made by the Community Visitor Program is that it is a policy of this government to detain people without warrant or legal structure, against their will, in our mental institutions when they present themselves as voluntary patients. If that is not understood as being a serious problem by this government and by this minister, then I do not know what would be.
I urge the minister to give us a response tonight and, if not tonight, as soon as possible, as to what he is going to do to redress what is essentially an unlawful and potentially criminal policy.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Madam Deputy Speaker, in the nine years I have been in this parliament I have witnessed a few pivotal, crucial events; none more so than this evening when the member for Fong Lim, Mr David Tollner, in open and public defiance of his leader over the Angela Pamela stance which the Leader of the Opposition took during the Araluen by-election. Furthermore, I was amazed that the Deputy Opposition Leader concurred with that view, publicly, today.
This is an untenable position for the Leader of the Opposition, and my mind casts back to the days when Denis Burke challenged Terry Mills on the floor of this parliament, through parliamentary processes, for the leadership, and Terry Mills wilted. It will be interesting to see what happens. He says he has the ticker this time; last time he said he was not up to it. I will be very interested to see what unfolds in the days and weeks and months ahead.
Tonight, I wish to speak about the Darwin to Dili Yacht Rally; a very successful event in July this year. It was only the fourth time a yacht event between Darwin and Dili has been held since 1973. This year, eight teams participated and all successfully crossed the finish line.
The rally has a long and interesting history and was restarted this year after a very long break; the last official Darwin to Dili event was held in 1974. The Timor-Leste government decided to recommence the rally and, with the assistance of the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory, bring it back to our terrific Dry Season calendar of sailing events. The genesis of this was a breakfast meeting with me, the Chief Minister, and the President of Timor-Leste, who suggested this race be reinstituted; so it came from the President himself. The Northern Territory government was very proud to assist in getting this event back up and running and I thank all involved. I think all involved would agree it has been a tremendous success.
Our neighbour to the north, Timor-Leste, is quickly growing a strong calendar of events to boost tourism in their developing nation, and the Darwin Dili Yacht Rally is another they have added to their great events, including the Dili Marathon and Tour of Timor bike race which attracted quite a number of entries from the Northern Territory.
I was fortunate enough to attend the awards ceremony for the rally in Dili with Timor-Leste Minister for Tourism, Mr Gil Alves. It was a great morning by the harbour there; there was fantastic music; there were cultural performances and there was a really good spirit and atmosphere at that awards ceremony. The day after, the sailors held a sail-past in Dili where local officials, children and adults were invited on board the yachts and catamarans to try some sailing. This was a new experience for many of them and they really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, a few people learnt their sea legs were not too good, but I am sure if they are given another chance to sail they will have a go.
I was also fortunate to meet many of the rally’s skippers, some of whom I knew before the event, and it was great to see them in another role. There were a few senior public servants and business people who are also skippers and sailors in this race, and it was great to see. The event organisers and other yachties from all over Australia were there, including a great couple from Cairns who have a great boat and they certainly enjoyed the race.
I congratulate Sharon Woon, Anne Kemp and Bob Colman of the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory who did a terrific job in facilitating the rally. Sally McDonald and Brendan Doran from the Asian Relations section of the Department of Chief Minister also did an outstanding job supporting the organisation of the rally. I also thank the skippers, yacht owners and crews who participated in the event.
The overall winner was Even Karma, skippered by John Hardy. Even Karma set a new rally record with a total elapsed time of 89.82 hours. The previous record of 91.37 hours was set by Kingo in 1974. It was great to see some photographs of the 1974 race which some of the contestants from long ago had kept. There was certainly some history there, and the boats were a little wild and probably reflective of what was going on in the 1970s. But I digress, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The other participants included Lothlorien skippered by Neal Maxwell; Dhumbala skippered by Brad Irvine; Raucous skippered by Bob Colman; Ganymede skippered by Gregory Smith; Cattitude skippered by Jim Grierson - Jim also won Fleet Person of the Rally; Lorna Malise skippered by Matthew Baker; and the vessel Chantilly, which I mentioned before, came from Cairns.
I thank the government of Timor-Leste, especially Minister Alves for his support and hard work. The Timor-Leste steering committee comprised members from across the public service, and they did a fantastic job in organising the smooth running of the event which was basically a one-shop stopping place for clearance as boats came into the harbour, and was greatly appreciated by all the contestants.
The Darwin Dili Yacht Rally has the potential to become a much bigger event benefiting both cities involved. The Territory government is proud to continue to work to build our ties with our neighbours to the north, and I look forward to seeing the Darwin Dili Yacht Rally grow into a more popular event in coming years. I wish the Timor-Leste government every success in organising the event for 2011.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to comment on a number of issues, first of all, the Alice Springs Masters Games. I particularly thank the Sports minister, minister Hampton, for his, and the Chief Minister’s, support of the Masters Games and for the support of Alice Springs.
The Masters Games was fantastic over the last week and a couple of days in Alice Springs. I had the opportunity to be one of the ambassadors for the games and I got a uniform and a lovely hat to wear around town; it was good to be a part of those ambassadors.
The roles of Paul Cattermole, Jim Lawrie, Sheree Higgins, and Claire Ryan in both Major Events and in the Masters Games office did a great job of bringing it all together. I thank the Masters Games Committee chaired by Peter Hoey along with people like Pippa Tessman and Damien Ryan, the Mayor. I put on the record thanks to Daryl Somers and Dawn Fraser for their long-term involvement and especially pay thanks to Dr Pat Miller for her excellent Welcome to Country she provided at the opening ceremony of the games; that was really good.
Radio Station 8HA, where the member for Greatorex used to work, did a fantastic job as the Masters Games station covering the event. Meredith Elliott or Mez, I should say, did a really good job of covering the games as did the producer, Bruce Davenport, and everyone involved with Roger at 8HA – really good to promote the Masters Games.
The Centralian Advocate did a great job with Dallas and all the staff there making sure people were well informed about the events of the Masters Games.
I thank all the proprietors in town who held events – I went to a number of them: the Touch Football presentation at the Gap Hotel; functions at the West Hasbeens; the RSL launched the cricket at the Feds; and the Memo Club was busy every night. There were places where people would socialise at night – Bojangles, the Rock Bar and Town and Country Hotel, just to name a few. It was really good to see the vibrant atmosphere. It still was not safe in the streets at night but, during the day, it really was good, and the people I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed it.
As part of my role as ambassador I had to do a number of things around town while wearing my uniform: welcoming people, saying hello to people, and just making sure people were happy and felt welcome. The theme of the games was the ‘Friendly Games’, so it was about being friendly, saying hello to people, seeing if they needed a lift anywhere, or just having a general chat. I popped into many sports including squash, swimming, baseball, lawn balls, cricket, basketball, netball, and volleyball. I popped my head into the equestrian events, but on the day I went it was pouring rain; and I went to clay targets shooting.
I had a couple of roles to do as a VIP in presenting the medals, which was good until I had to present a gold medal to the Senator for the Northern Territory, Nigel Scullion, who proceeded to give me a kiss in front of everyone at clay targets – but that is what you do with a funny man like Scullo.
It was a fantastic event. I thank Kylie Bonanni, the Games ambassador organiser, who did a fantastic job. She had the job of coordinating all ambassadors for the day, putting out a roster, and it was pretty tough.
I will read out the ambassador’s names: Terry Bell, Kylie Bonanni, Eileen Boocock, Janine Bridge, John Bridgefoot, Gary Butterfield, Lyn Butterfield, Yvonne Cotter, Edith Cox, Joe Cox, Linda Danby, Don Dowling, Annemarie Drummond, Nikki Eaton, Peter Flink, Adam Giles, Lisa Gunstrom, Jenny Lillis, Molly Lowe, Merrilyn McIver, Mary Meldrum, Trish Middleton, Chrissie Morgan, Russell North, Chris Ponter, Ann Prettejohn, Damien Ryan, Jackie Smith, Jeanne Tahini and Russell Ward, or Bear, as we know the town crier. Everyone did a fantastic job; they really enjoyed it and I hope they are all available to be ambassadors in two years time. I hope the Chief Minister and the Sports minister continue with that tradition ...
A member: Hopefully, they are not there in two years time.
Mr GILES: Hopefully, they are not there in two years time. The Masters Games must continue. The opening ceremony and the dance were really good. The mid-week concert, unfortunately, was rained out. The member for Fong Lim’s mate, Molly, was there. On Saturday night at the closing ceremony, Shannon Noll was the headline act, and it was a really good night.
It was good to see my colleagues from the Country Liberals, the members for Fong Lim, Katherine and Drysdale, participating in events. Apparently, the member for Araluen participated, although I was not aware; and also the member for Greatorex presented medals. That was really good to see …
Mr Tollner: And the Territory Senator, of course.
Mr GILES: And the Territory Senator, who I have spoken about. Fantastic work; it was really good. One thing that I …
Mr Tollner: The Independent member for Nelson.
Mr GILES: And Independent member for Nelson who also participated.
I am very concerned to hear about the government’s great, big, new tax on boats. The government’s proposal to tax everyone who owns a boat in the Northern Territory is a concern to the lifestyle of the Territory, the way we live in the Territory, the economy of the Territory, and the great freedom of going out and boating in the Northern Territory. We have a great tourism industry up here, and more rules and regulations by this government on the fishing industry is a great concern of mine, my party, and my colleagues.
Labor’s great, big, new boat tax will do nothing more than be a thorn in the side of those who love to fish and boat. Labor’s great, big, new boat tax will be an impediment to the fishing industry and will see a downturn in their economy - we know that. I encourage the Chief Minister and the minister for Fisheries to review this great, big, new boat tax, not proceed with it, and find alternative measures to raise money for this budget blowout the Northern Territory Labor government has.
Further, I pick up on the member for Johnston’s comments about the member for Fong Lim and his position on uranium. He tried to be a little cheeky and talk about instability. I do not think that helps at all.
I went to pick up my great, big, new Labor boat tax sticker which will be doing the rounds to let everyone know of Labor’s great, big, new boat tax, and I happened to find a previous sticker people may remember - the one of the member for Johnston talking about the member for Karama, which says: ‘I hate Delia, from Burnsy’. It just goes to show there are not happy campers anywhere. We know that Labor members do not get on. They are the party of factions, not us. We actually have on record what was said here.
I reiterate the fact that Labor’s great, big, new boat tax is really going to hurt the fishing and boating industry in the Northern Territory, and I encourage the Chief Minister to review his great, big, new boat tax and not proceed down that path.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Deputy Speaker, I had the pleasure of attending the opening function to celebrate the relocation of Mode Design into the CBD on Thursday, 14 October, in the Harriet Place area. That area is certainly transformed.
Mode Design was officially launched in Darwin on 1 July 2008 after a merger with Architect’s Studio, which had been in operation in Darwin for 15 years. The Mode Design’s Darwin studio has grown from five staff to nine staff over the last two years, and has maintained a healthy, steady stream of public and private work with a number of repeat clients such as Essington School, Good Shepherd Lutheran College, Centrelink and Power and Water Corporation.
Mode Design made the decision to relocate from its home in Stuart Park to a new tenancy in the city based on the need to expand and be in closer proximity to its clients and consultants. The decision to relocate and continue to expand is testament to Mode Design’s confidence in the local economy and the building industry. They believe there are many years of strong growth ahead for Darwin and the Northern Territory.
Some of the projects completed by the Darwin Mode Design office in the last three years include the education projects:
Essington School Computer Centre, a winner of the Australian Institute of Architects Public Architecture and People’s Choice Awards for the Northern Territory chapter; Essington School Auditorium and Sports Hall; Essington School Library; and Essington School Transition 5 Classroom.
Katherine South Primary new preschool building.
Minyerri Assembly Hall.
Kalkarindji Resource Centre and Kalkarindji Library.
Good Shepherd Lutheran College, the Language Centre, the Library, the Science Centre, Technology Centre, and the Middle School.
St Andrew’s Lutheran Primary School Library; and
St John’s College Language Centre.
They have also undertaken health infrastructure projects, one of which was the Banyan House Therapeutic Community Centre, which received a commendation award for the Architectural Awards for Northern Territory. Mode will be going to the national awards after having won those Territory awards.
They were also involved in the design of RDH Indigenous Mothers Accommodation; also at RDH the Level 1 fit out master plan; the Level G fit out master plan; and the Level 8 fit out master plan; and also the Essington Medical Centre. They have certainly done a lot of work in the health area.
In the Heritage area: the Aviation Heritage Museum additions and alterations; Brown’s Mart precinct master plan; Government House reconstruction guidelines; and East Point Military Precinct feasibility study.
Other projects they have undertaken include the new Casuarina Police Station which this government has built; the Victoria Daly Shire Council Chambers master plan; and they are currently involved in the Australian Federal Police building which is really breaking ground at the Darwin Airport.
I specifically recognise the staff of Mode Design in Darwin. Max Weston is the Studio Manager and registered architect and was part of the opening of the new offices. He had only recently graduated before he came to the Territory and he has taken on a major role in the Territory. He has been here for a few years and calls Darwin home.
Sarah Bates, David Bridgman and Jenny Culgan are all registered architects; Ben Collette is a graduate architect; Fiona Eddleston is a registered landscape architect; Stefney Schapel and Cherie Hawkins are interior designers; and Zarina Kenzina is in marketing and administration. Zarina is from Russia and has moved here to Darwin with her sister; and she did a great job in organising the evening and the celebration. There were 20 or 30 people there that evening from industry and government around Darwin, and it is a great testament to the economy of the Northern Territory. Mode Design is one of the several businesses whose opening or upgrading I have attended in the Darwin area, and it certainly shows there is a great deal of confidence.
The building Mode Design is in has a rich history, which I highlighted on the night; maybe some members here know the particular building in Harriet Place which has had a very colourful life with its tenancies. It is great to see Mode Design, and congratulations to Max. We look forward to them expanding their business in the future.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Deputy Speaker, tonight I wish talk about the Lew Fatt family; in particular Benny Lew Fatt, who lives with his wife, Sandra, in my electorate. I have an enormous fascination with the development of the Northern Territory and the stories of the people who have contributed so much to the rich heritage of this place in which we live.
Monica and Walter Kong Lew Fatt grew up in Darwin, and their 10 children went to local schools and made history in Australian Rules football and basketball. Benny Lew Fatt was one of those 10 children, and he was unquestionably one of the great Territory sportsmen of the 1950s and 1960s. He made his mark in both Australian Rules football and in basketball; he won the Nichols Medal, and he also represented Australia in basketball.
Benny was born on 12 December 1938, the second child of Walter and Monica Kong Lew Fatt. He was evacuated to South Australia during World War II, and the Lew Fatt family returned to Darwin in 1947. As an aside, I did, in a previous life, put together some words and information on the evacuation of Darwin, which was quite amazing. Almost all the people who were evacuated from Darwin returned many years later. The stories of those evacuations and the trials the people went through were quite amazing - just as amazing as the military stories that arose around Darwin during the bombing in World War II.
Benny was educated at Darwin Primary School and Darwin High School. He left school at 16 to take up a carpenter’s apprenticeship with the Department of Works and Housing. It was a job which committed him to a football career with Works and Housing, which later became known as the Nightcliff Football Club - a club we can all relate to in some way or other.
Benny was a centre man of immense natural skills and blistering speed and pace. He played with Nightcliff until the late 1960s, amassing around 200 games, playing in three premiership sides, and twice winning his club’s best and fairest award. In 1963-64 he won the Nichols Medal which had so often eluded his older brother, Terry; and he beat Darwin’s Jimmy Anderson that year to win the medal.
Like most footballers of his era, Benny’s representative chances were restricted to the very occasional games against Alice Springs and, sometimes, Mt Isa. One can only speculate what might have been achieved if there were more opportunities available for the Lew Fatt champions and other champions of that era living in the Northern Territory. It was very difficult getting around the country in that era.
Benny holds a life membership of both the NTFL, or NTAFL as it is now known, and Nightcliff. He has been an NTFL selector, served on the Umpires’ Appointments Board and coached at a junior level with Nightcliff.
In relation to his basketball career, he played with the Pioneer Pints Club, and it mirrored his involvement with Australian Rules football. He was an outstanding guard. Benny played in nine Australian championships from 1959 to 1967, and was voted by one newspaper as the Player of the Series at Devonport in Tasmania in 1963. After the 1961 championships in Melbourne, Benny was selected in the Australian team which played a 10-match tour of New Zealand. Benny retired from first grade basketball in the Territory in the late 1960s, and his achievements included at least two best and fairest awards in the competition, a string of A-Grade premierships, and coach of an NT team which played overseas in Timor.
After retiring from football and basketball, Benny devoted himself to golf; at one stage, getting his handicap down to 13 on the old, sand green course at Fannie Bay. Thirteen is an incredible achievement in itself. Madam Deputy Speaker, I do not know whether you are a golfer, but I have the odd swipe and I dream of a handicap of 13. Benny still plays social golf, occasionally plays lawn bowls, but most of all he likes to spend his Saturdays having a bit of a flutter down at the Fannie Bay race track.
In his working life, Benny spent 38 years in the public service before taking his redundancy. He has worked as a community worker with the FORWAARD drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre at Stuart Park. He is a great back-up for his wife, Sandra, who is a noted Territory travel agent based in Darwin. I am certain there are members in this Chamber who have used Sandra Lew Fatt for their travel bookings.
I have known Benny almost since I arrived in Darwin. As many people here know, I came here originally to play basketball, and that is where I met Benny Lew Fatt. He is a good mate. People who have met him even in passing would have to agree he is an absolute gentleman. It is my strong view that Benny Lew Fatt is one of the real genuine living treasures of the Territory.
I am very pleased to pay tribute to Benny, and his family. This has been a year of great sadness and grief with the passing of his brothers, Charlie, Ian and Gympie. It has been a very tough year for the family, indeed. A very sad time for the Lew Fatt family, and I wish them well in the future.
Ms ANDERSON (Macdonnell): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to talk about this old lady, Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa Bennett - in this parliament I hope everyone can see that she is as black as the ace of spades - and some of the things which have happened to this great artist because she chooses not to paint for an arts centre, but paint privately for a private dealer.
I had the pleasure of opening her exhibition in Melbourne on Wednesday last week; and I thank Ken McGregor, the art consultant at the Metro Gallery, Barry Fitzgerald, owner of the Metro Gallery; and Mr and Mrs David Deague, the owners of the art hotel where we stayed, not far from the gallery. I take this opportunity to put on public record, and thank, Chris Simon, Barry Warner, Roger Rodrigous, Stuart Wallin and Cheryl Armstrong.
I went there with Nyurapayia, Esther Giles, and Tjawina Porter. These two ladies had previously been to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to hold their own exhibitions. It is really sad now with subsidised art centres that we dictate to the market; that artists who choose to work for private dealers are not collected by government institutions. This woman is a very special woman. She was born and bred in the desert, does not speak any language. I will read you a little of her biography which Ken McGregor has written in this catalogue:
This woman is at the top of Aboriginal law and culture. There is no one higher than Nyurapayia Bennett, and her art is as good as the art developed in Papunya in the early 1970s. A question we need to ask inside this parliament is: if she chooses to paint for a private dealer, then she should still be in any kind of government institute. Australians do not see the real things, because it is rubbish that the museums collect. It is good people like Ken McGregor and Barry Fitzgerald who have given this lady the opportunities she deserves.
I also thank the Mayor, Damien Ryan, who was also at that exhibition in Melbourne. He had other things he was there for in Melbourne and an invitation went to him. I take this opportunity to thank the Mayor for coming to Nyurapayia’s exhibition, because this is an elderly woman who would not have many years left in her life - the greatest artist ever. I believe it is very unfair we are starting to play politics with black art and black people. It is whitefellas now who determine what art they will collect, and what art is the true art.
Well, let me tell you, as an Aboriginal person who knows how to speak the language, sing the songs - this is the true art. If this woman chooses to paint for someone she believes in, and she is getting the right money, then any institution in this country should be collecting Nyurapayia Bennett Nampitjinpa’s paintings.
I want to talk about Chris Simon. I know people have always referred to Chris Simon as a carpetbagger. The names I have rattled off: Barry Warner and Roger, Stuart, and Sheryl, these are people who also work at the block. Barry does the yard, cooks, looks after the oldies; Roger is the priming man, he works with the paint and the canvasses; and Stuart is also the cook and the person who looks after all the oldies. Sheryl is the person who takes the oldies to Congress to get their medication, or to the Alice Springs Hospital, and she also looks after them. These people look after the three ladies they have, and more ladies they have coming in, and an old man from Nyirripi, with the greatest respect these people deserve. I do not think that it is any whitefella’s business that they should start fighting over which art is true art and which art is false. Let me tell you, this woman is the true artist and her work should be collected by institutions throughout this country.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, it is with much sadness, yet with great honour, that tonight I place on the record a few words about a man who was known to this parliament - a man who was a highly respected member of the Katherine community, the husband of the former member for Katherine, Fay Miller - that is late Michael Laurie Miller, always simply and very affectionately known as Mike.
Michael Laurie Miller was the first born child of Laurie and Frieda Miller, born on 21 September 1942 at Lobethal in South Australia. His brother, John, sister, Rosemary, and younger brother, Robert, followed. Mike grew up on a rural property on the edge of Lobethal which had been in the Miller family since his ancestors arrived from Prussia in October 1841. Mike’s father continued the family’s dairy farming tradition, and Mike always loved telling stories of having to help with the milking on freezing mornings before going to school.
As soon as Mike had finished school at Birdwood High School, his parents made an appointment at the Lobethal branch of the Bank of Adelaide for a job. Thus began Mike’s career path in the banking industry. Mike’s first transfer was to the small country town of Freeling. The branches he then worked at were Yankalilla, Ceduna, first in 1964 and again in the early 1980s, Gawler Place, Willunga, Glynde, Mt Pleasant, and Port Pirie, before his posting to Katherine in late 1989.
When the Bank of Adelaide merged with the ES&A, to become the ANZ, as we currently know it, Mike was a manager and one of the youngest bank managers at that time. Not only was Mike one of the youngest managers at that time, but he was also credited by people he worked with as being well and truly ahead of the game. A former colleague of Mike’s, Gary Parkin, who is now the ANZ’s South Australia and Western Australia State Small Business Manager, said Mike was before his time in networking and sales in banking. What he taught Gary in the early 1980s came into vogue 10 years later; and Gary will always appreciate the learning experience with Mike standing him in very good stead.
While networking and sales were Mike’s forte, Gary said he could not say the same for Mike’s paperwork, with Gary spending much time finishing off Mike’s paperwork for him. He also remembers, with affection, Mike’s smoking habits. At that time, you could still smoke inside, so by 10.30 am, Mike’s office ashtray would be full and overflowing and, of course, the sad irony is that this year Mike suffered badly for the smoking habits of many years ago.
Wherever he lived, Mike was always involved in community activities, including Rotary, the AFL, Hash Harriers, the Miss South Australia Quest, the South Australian Spastic Centre, as it was known then, and sporting teams, including coaching and competing in inter-association teams. He had involvement with the church, both Lutheran and Anglican, as a lay reader and church board member. He was the Chairperson of the Katherine Country Club and Katherine Sport and Recreation Club, amongst many other commitments.
He also loved doing things in his shed, such as restoring old and antique furniture and making things such as Jake’s – one of Mike and Fay’s dogs - famous kennel which was fit, apparently, for a king. He just loved his garden, and established a vegie patch wherever he could.
Mike met his wife, Nola, when he was working in Yankalilla. Mike and Nola had four children, Sonya, Fiona, Simon and Amanda, who have been in Katherine for the past couple of weeks. Mike and Fay were married in Port Pirie in 1988, and they added two more beautiful daughters to the brood, Mandy and Trisha. Poor Simon and Mike, now totally outnumbered at that stage, surrounded by six very strong females. Mike also has nine beautiful grandchildren whom he dearly loved.
Mike went through some difficult times in Katherine, apart from all the good times he had, and the flood of 1998 certainly devastated him. He never really fully recovered emotionally from the financial loss when their business, the Red Gum Caravan Park, flooded. It flooded again in 2004 and in 2006 which put him on a knife edge of worry. Hence, he was quite glad and excited to get back into the financial arena, and became interested in setting up broking services from his own office at home, which he did.
Mike was still giving advice and wanting to do more right up to the last few days prior to entering Katherine Hospital.
Much of what I have said thus far has come from the eulogy which was delivered at Mike’s funeral service in Katherine on Monday this week, but I would now like to make a few personal observations of Mike.
All of us in this House know how much support is required of the spouses and families of members of this House, and Mike certainly exemplified the type of person who provided Fay with untiring and questioning support in the years of her parliamentary service, particularly after the car accident in 2006 in which Fay was severely injured.
I mentioned also that Mike had a huge involvement in community activities and organisations, but his efforts did not stop there. In a very quiet way, without fuss, without accolade, without the need or want for any recognition, Mike helped countless people in Katherine and in every location he lived. Mike, I think, had a problem saying ‘no’ and, at the very least it is common knowledge, perhaps even legendary, Mike’s propensity to want to help people. One only had to ask, and Mike was there. He helped old people, young people; it did not matter, Mike was always there. A more reliable and dependable person I do not think I know.
I also wish to pass on a personal message from the former member for Katherine, Fay Miller. Fay sends her sincere thanks to all the members of this House who contacted her to pass on their condolences and well wishes. Your thoughts and wishes are appreciated.
Mike Miller has passed from this life and his memory remains in our hearts and minds. I liked Mike; there was nothing not to like about him. Mike was a true gentleman and a good friend to me and to the many people who crossed his path over the 68 years of his life. He loved Fay, and she loved him. Fay said this week at the funeral, not a day went by when Mike did not tell Fay he loved her. Given the many hundreds of people who attended his funeral service on 18 October 2010, Mike will be sorely missed.
His passing is a loss to his family, to his friends and to the Katherine community; a community to which he contributed so much to the social fabric. Mike Miller lived from 21 September 1942 to 14 October 2010.
May his friends and family remember him fondly. May he rest in peace.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR
Mr Neville Perkins OAM
Mr Neville Perkins OAM
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of a very enthusiastic observer of this parliament, Mr Neville Perkins OAM, former member for Macdonnell, accompanied by Mr Abdul Khan, CEO of the Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Program Unit, an Aboriginal corporation in Alice Springs. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, in the gallery we have Year 2/3 students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School accompanied by Ms Jade Wheeler. On behalf of honourable members, I extend to you also a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
MOTION
Disallowance of Subordinate Legislation
No 15 of 2010 – Darwin Waterfront By-Laws
Disallowance of Subordinate Legislation
No 15 of 2010 – Darwin Waterfront By-Laws
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, before I commence, I say hello to the young ones from St Mary’s school. My daughter attends school there and is in Transition, a couple of years below these young ones - the finest school in Darwin. I have to say that otherwise my daughter would not forgive me.
Members: Hear, hear!
Mr ELFERINK: I also extend my greetings to Mr Perkins and Mr Khan, and As-Salāmu `Alaykum.
Madam Speaker, today I deal with an issue my predecessor, Jodeen Carney, had to deal with on several occasions: legislation being brought before this House which, in a single word, is ghastly. I believe I have to reread the motion at this stage?
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, if you can reread the motion.
Mr ELFERINK: I move – That,
- (a) Subordinate Legislation No 15 of 2010 relating to the Darwin Waterfront By-laws be disallowed; and
(b) on the debate being adjourned consideration be postponed until the last sitting day of March 2011.
My predecessor, Jodeen Carney, often railed against what she called ‘oops’ bills. In fact, we were dealing with one yesterday.
To inform honourable members of the nature of this motion, from time to time regulations on the deemed papers list are placed on the Table in this House so the regulatory instruments and subordinate legislation created by ministers can be reviewed by this House and, ultimately, by the Subordinate Legislation committee. However, a few months ago an instrument reached this House that I simply could not ignore and referred to the Subordinate Legislation committee.
I raised the issue in adjournment debates. This is singularly the very apex of their nadir when it comes to the quality of legislative instruments. There has been an exchange of correspondence between me and the Chairman of the Subordinate Legislation committee and I am wholly unsatisfied by the chairman’s response. As a consequence of that and several other reasons, I now move disallowance.
Essentially, I have some fundamental concerns, as a legislator, as to the job we do in this place and what we present to the people of the Northern Territory and, more importantly in this instance the courts, as legislation we deem to be appropriate. I cannot imagine how any member of this House could deem these by-laws which deal with the management of the waterfront to be in any way appropriate.
One of the first and most pressing issues in this legislative instrument is the reliance on a 100 penalty unit general standard applied to every offence. For the sake of members who do not understand how much a penalty unit is worth at the moment, each penalty unit is currently worth $133. If you then apply 100 penalty units as a fine, your fine for any offence against these by-laws where 100 penalty units applies is $13 300.
I am told these by-laws reflect the Darwin City Council By-laws. If I was in this House in 2007 when those particular by-laws were passed, I would have had the same objections I have now. I am aware government is currently trying to negotiate with the Darwin City Council to deal with the similar issues that apply to their by-laws. I cannot do anything about the Darwin City Council By-laws because of the limitations of the Interpretation Act. I can, however, do something about these by-laws; that is, move this disallowance motion.
The offences which are contemplated for receiving fines of $13 300 – and this is the message we give to the courts. We say to the courts: ‘If you have to contemplate fining someone after finding them guilty for an offence against these by-laws, then we believe if you interfere with a garbage container you should be fined $13 300 as a maximum penalty’.
The other similar offence is the depositing of litter or waste. If one deposits litter or waste – if someone recklessly abandons an iced coffee container in the Darwin Waterfront Corporation area - and they choose to plead not guilty so it goes beyond the scheduled infringement notice offences and actually ends up in court, as legislators we are saying to the court: ‘If someone litters, the maximum fine they should face is $13 300’.
As a legislator, I find that a difficult proposition. Moreover, one of the arguments which has been put to me is that, of course, we do not expect the courts to apply the full amount - and nor would I. The truth is what we are actually saying when we run that argument is the courts should apply common sense - and I agree. However, the point is that the courts do not necessarily need to have a monopoly on common sense; we should actually exercise some ourselves. Surely, the maximum penalty for littering should not be more than five, absolutely at the outset 10, penalty units depending on the worst case scenario, but certainly not 100, certainly not $13 300.
The burning of offensive material: a person must not burn or heat anything that gives off an offensive odour. Well, I do not like coriander and if I smell coriander I find that offensive. According to this legislative instrument, if I smell coriander and I successfully convince a court the smell of coriander is offensive to me, that person should be fined $13 300 for offensively creating that odour.
The discharge of waste products – it is $13 300; damage to plants and trees - $13 300. Being in possession of an overhanging shrub actually does not carry a penalty unit, I have just noticed. Fishing, the great recreational pastime of the Northern Territory: a person must not fish in enclosed waters - $13 300. And so it goes on.
The offences all carry 100 penalty units and these heinous crimes, the reckless and dangerous crime of abandoning a shopping trolley, carries a fine of $13 300. Camping in a public place, which happens all too often in Darwin - $13 300. Using an amplification system without the appropriate authorisation - $13 300. The way to have a copyright on your own buildings: if someone takes a photograph of the Convention Centre, I suspect for their own commercial purposes, we suggest to the courts by way of this instrument that the person taking that photograph is liable to a penalty of $13 300. The piece de resistance of this particular legislation in awful drafting and, more important, awful checking, is clause 69(1):
- A male over the age of 5 years must not enter a dressing room, toilet or shower set aside for the use of female members of the public.
I go on to read clause 69(2):
- A female over the age 5 years must not enter a dressing room, toilet or shower set aside for the use of male members of the public.
Surely, as legislators, we are not suggesting a child younger than we see in the public gallery right now should be fined $13 300 for walking into the lavatory reserved for members of an opposite gender. It is just daft. It is bad law and we, as a legislature, should not and could not, reasonably put our names to this dreadful legislation.
I am pleased to announce to this House that the Northern Territory government has acknowledged there are problems with these by-laws. They have decided, quite wisely and quite rightly, they will seek to have these by-laws changed, because clause 69 is actually unlawful. The Criminal Code of the Northern Territory makes it abundantly clear that no child under the age of 10 can be held criminally responsible for any act so, even if a prosecution was pursued - and I am sure one would not be - of a child over five years, it would be struck out as a prosecution at the first hurdle.
I do not, cannot, and will not, support an attempted passage of a law which is inherently wrong and unlawful at law in the first instance. As a legislator, as a law maker, that idea is repugnant to me and should be repugnant to all members of this House.
As I said, the government has acknowledged there are problems with these by-laws and, to that end, I am grateful to them. For that reason, they have made certain undertakings to have these by-laws returned in an amended form. I also congratulate the government for attempting to deal with the issues this raises in relation to the Darwin City Council By-laws as well.
However, that presents me with a problem because, according to the Interpretation Act, I am bound to move a disallowance motion of this nature within 12 sitting days which, of course, if I allow the government six months to deal with this poorly drafted instrument, then the opportunity for me or any other legislator to do anything about this has gone.
Fortunately, the Interpretation Act is drafted in such a way as it will enable me to move this motion and to criticise these by-laws comprehensively - in fact, condemn them for their awfulness - and allow the government an opportunity to deal with them whilst keeping a legislative framework in place which enables the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to operate. All of that will be achieved by the second component of this motion which deals with this matter being adjourned until March 2011.
I confess this compromise still leaves me a little uncomfortable because any prosecution which is launched against the existing by-laws in their current form means a person, should the Darwin Waterfront Corporation seek to take the matter to court, is exposed to the extreme elements of this legislative instrument.
I appreciate the arguments put forward by government about them requiring a legislative instrument and, so, this compromise has been struck.
The other component is the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, like any local government authority, has to deliver services and needs the capacity to collect rates. If this House was to strike down this set of by-laws today, the government, because of the operation of the Interpretation Act, would not be able to return to this place with a set of appropriate by-laws for another six months. I am sure that would have a profound effect on the operation of the waterfront, and I am mindful of those arguments.
My plea to government: this is the second time in two days we have found ourselves dealing with legislation and legislative instruments which do not reflect the intention of the government because they have not been properly checked, vetted, and reviewed. The first time I saw these by-laws was shortly before I made an adjournment speech about them some months ago. Anyone who had taken the time to read this document and ask a couple of very simple, critical questions could quickly have come to the same conclusions my colleagues and I did when this set of by-laws hit the table. We are not, and I will not become, just a rubber stamp for bad subordinate legislation.
It is the duty of the government, particularly the Attorney-General’s Office, to cast a critical eye over the instruments which come into this place. Less than a year ago, the government was lambasted for making panhandling, or begging, a $6000 fine. Now, they will make the abandonment of a trolley a $13 000 fine because they do not vet and check the material they bring into this House. It is about time the Attorney-General took control of this situation and made certain the instruments which come into this place are supportable by common sense and common decency.
So far, Madam Speaker, we have seen far too many examples of the failure of government to successfully deal with these sorts of problems - and they come up again and again. My short comment to government is if you are going to bring this stuff into the House read it before we have to deal with it in this fashion.
Ms LAWRIE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, in speaking to the motion to disallow the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws proposed by the member for Port Darwin, we oppose this motion for very good reasons. This motion is …
Mr Elferink: You are going to support this?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Ms LAWRIE: I repeat: we oppose this motion and, for very good reasons. This motion is a stunt and, if passed, would serve no purpose other than to cause chaos for the Darwin Waterfront Corporation and our beautiful waterfront precinct. The by-laws and associated fines are there to deter people from damaging property and disrupting the good order and management of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.
The member for Port Darwin, through my staff, has raised some concerns about the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws. The member for Port Darwin raised concerns about the maximum penalty a court can impose: 100 penalty units, the equivalent of $13 300. He also raised concerns about the seemingly erratic use of regulatory offences and the drafting of some offences. We note the maximum penalties are the exactly the same as those which apply to the rest of the CBD …
Mr Elferink: Yes, that is a problem too, and I have dealt with that issue.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I listened to the member opposite in silence.
We note the maximum penalties are …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: They are a bunch of clowns and continue to prove to be so.
We note the maximum penalties are exactly the same as those which apply in the rest of the CBD under the Darwin City Council By-laws. It was a deliberate desire to provide consistency across the CBD which resulted in the same maximum penalties being used.
The maximum penalty a court may impose for leaving a shopping trolley in a public place is the same in the waterfront precinct as it is in the rest of the CBD. I am advised no one has ever been taken to court for such an offence under the Darwin City Council By-laws, nor under the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws.
We agree some of the by-laws are poorly worded, and Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-law 69 and the corresponding Darwin City Council By-law 112 are badly drafted. A strict reading, for example, could result in a boy as young as six being given an infringement notice for entering the women’s toilets with his mother. This, of course, is a nonsense and no such infringement notice would ever be issued …
Mr Elferink: Then why did we draft the law?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms LAWRIE: He cannot help himself - cannot restrain himself.
A court would never allow such a matter to proceed, as under the Criminal Code a child of such an age is dola incapax; that is, he or she cannot commit a crime or be guilty of an offence because, at such a young age, it is presumed the child does not have the mental capacity to understand that he or she was doing something wrong. This drafting error will be fixed by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws.
The member for Port Darwin met with representatives of the Department of Chief Minister, the CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, lawyers from the Department of Justice, and a member of my staff. We have taken on board these issues raised by the member for Port Darwin and he has been assured by both the government and the Darwin Waterfront Corporation CEO the by-laws will be reviewed and amended, the penalties will be comprehensively reviewed, and the drafting issues he raised will be fixed. However, in no uncertain terms we have made it clear these by-laws are needed to keep this wonderful precinct safe. This message was again reiterated by e-mail and over the telephone, but the member for Port Darwin simply will not listen.
The Darwin Waterfront Corporation assured the member for Port Darwin that, while they reserved the right to enforce their by-laws, thus far, they have not even needed to issue any infringement notices; that is, any on-the-spot fines. The member for Port Darwin disputed this. He suggested he had seen on-the-spot fines issued. It was not until he was given an actual copy of an infringement notice he believed the CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, who told him the only fines issued have been for infringement of the Traffic Act, not the by-laws. The silliest thing of all is the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws are modelled on the Darwin City Council By-laws. So, the maximum penalties the member for Port Darwin finds so offensive - and we have already agreed to review all of these maximum penalties - except for one single by-law, are the exact same maximum penalties which apply to the rest of the CBD under the Darwin City Council By-laws.
Hence, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation has said it will review the by-laws, but will first attempt to do so in conjunction with the Darwin City Council to maintain some consistency across the CBD. The member for Port Darwin has been made aware the CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation has met with the CEO of the Darwin City Council, and he also knows they are meeting with the Lord Mayor. The Darwin Waterfront Corporation has promised to amend their by-laws regardless of whether the Darwin City Council amends theirs. The Department of Justice lawyers are already assisting them in this regard.
Where does this leave us today? We have this motion before the House to disallow by-laws that are needed and we have already promised to fix. You may well ask: why are these by-laws needed? What would happen if this motion were successful? First, if this motion succeeded, following the date of disallowance there would be no by-laws in operation in the precinct until such time as further legislative action was taken. But wait, there is more! There would be no by-laws in place for at least six months. The disallowance of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws in their entirety would mean section 64 of the Interpretation Act would become enlivened, meaning no further by-laws could be passed within the six months following the disallowance that had similar terms or similar effect to the disallowed by-laws. This is a significant consequence as it would not be permissible to pass any by-laws during the period in relation to matters such as rates, hazardous activities, health and safety, animal management, and antisocial behaviour.
If the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-laws were disallowed, the general provisions of the criminal law such as the Criminal Code would continue to apply; for example, those laws dealing with general offences such as assaults, murders, etcetera. Specific criminal laws of general application will also continue to apply, such as the Dangerous Goods Act, etcetera. However, there would not be in place any laws prescribing conduct that would generally be addressed in local government by-laws. These are behaviours that, whilst dangerous in the precinct, are not criminal and, therefore, could not be stopped.
Without these by-laws there is no regulation of the wave pool or the public waters, or the lagoon. This means the lifeguards cannot remove people from the wave pool. The only people who could be removed are those who commit a criminal offence and, then, only the police would have the power to remove them. However, people behaving recklessly in the pool or dangerously, but not criminally, could not be removed and the lifeguards, either way, would have no power. So, a police presence would be needed to keep the pool open.
However, this is not all. People would be able to take glass objects into the wave pool area. We all know that broken glass in a pool is a disaster, hence, we have a by-law that stops people taking glass into an area where it is prohibited, such as the wave pool. The act of bringing glass into a public place as presently precluded by by-law 39 in areas where glass in prohibited is not a criminal act so, with no by-laws, there would be no way to stop people from taking glass objects into the wave pool ...
Mr Elferink: Not true.
Ms LAWRIE: It is very true.
Mr Elferink: No, not true.
Ms LAWRIE: Not even a police presence could prevent this. There would be no by-law stopping people entering the pool outside its operating hours without paying a fee, and no by-law preventing animals being taken into the wave pool or the lagoon. In short, it would be very difficult for the wave pool to stay open and for the precinct to be kept a safe, family-friendly area.
Madam Speaker, it is very clear the effect of a disallowance of the by-laws would have implications for the management of the precinct. In the absence of the by-laws, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation’s ability to manage the precinct would be significantly compromised. Consideration would need to be given by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation as to whether it would need to close any of the infrastructure within the precinct to the public in view of overriding public health and safety considerations - for example, broken glass in the wave pool, or faecal matter in the recreation pool - in the absence of powers that the by-laws presently vest in authorised persons appointed pursuant to by-law 22 to enforce the by-laws.
Then, there is the issue of rates. Because the disallowance of by-laws operates as a repeal under section 63(9) of the Interpretation Act, section 12 of the Interpretation Act, in combination with section 4, has effect so any rights, privileges, obligations and liabilities acquired, accrued or incurred continue to subsist as if the repeal or, in this case, disallowance, had not taken place.
Accordingly, while the initial declaration of payments of rates would be valid and there would be no need for reimbursement, it would not be open to the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to levy any further rates until further legislative action was taken and, as stated before, further legislative action would not happen for six months.
You may ask: why would the Darwin City Council By-Laws not apply? We have sought legal advice about this and we are advised they will not. The Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws were largely modelled on the Darwin City Council By-Laws, but included amendments providing for the unique characteristics of the precinct such as the wave pool, recreational lagoons, the sea wall, and marine infrastructure. Any disallowance of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws would not automatically result in the Darwin City Council By-Laws having effect in relation to the Darwin Waterfront precinct. This is because of the Gazette notice issued under section 9 of the Local Government Act excluding the precinct from the relevant local government area upon the date of commencement of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation Regulations.
The Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws did not amend or repeal the Darwin City Council By-Laws within the meaning of section 63(10) of the Interpretation Act to provide that they would come back into effect upon disallowance of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws. In order for the Darwin City Council By-Laws to have effect in relation to the precinct, the minister would need to issue a further Gazette notice under section 9 of the Local Government Act to bring the precinct back within the relevant local government area. However, even if this were to happen, there are no Darwin City Council By-Laws that apply to the unique characteristics of the precinct such as the wave pool, recreational lagoon, the sea wall, and the marine infrastructure.
There has been considerable debate about the appropriateness of fines for offences committed under the Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-Laws. Government recognises some fines for offences committed need to be reviewed, and has committed to review not only the fine but, also, the way some of the by-laws are drafted.
In the meantime, we cannot see the disallowance of these by-laws for all of the reasons I have stated. The motion put forward by the member for Port Darwin is unnecessary - it is a stunt. We would not support any disallowance. We are absolutely willing to adjourn, as per section (b) of the motion.
I repeat, this is a stunt. The member for Port Darwin has met with the CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation. The CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation has already met with the CEO of Darwin City Council. Indeed, the member for Port Darwin further knows there is a meeting arranged with the Lord Mayor of Darwin and, regardless of the view of the Darwin City Council, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation has committed to reviewing its penalties and the drafting errors within its by-laws and to taking action. The issues and concerns raised by the member for Port Darwin have been picked up by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation.
Madam Speaker, this is an unnecessary motion before the Chamber today. The member for Port Darwin has been listened to, worked with, and still ignores the commitments given to him by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, by its CEO. It is a shame the member for Port Darwin would prefer a stunt to working collaboratively and cooperatively with the Darwin Waterfront Corporation.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, it raises some interesting questions. I am a little confused. I will support the motion. I read this motion as saying that because of certain flaws in the by-laws for the Darwin Waterfront Corporation we should disallow them but, at the same time, because the word ‘and’ is in there, we will not make a decision until six months time. The way I read it, we are saying it should be disallowed, but we will not make a final decision until six months time.
The reason I am supporting the motion is I know the member for Port Darwin. He is a person who is passionate about making sure laws – we understand that part of his background; he has some legal qualifications in that area. He has come forth and said these by-laws have some penalties which, for the average person, would look ridiculous - and I agree with him.
There a couple of others in there. For instance, if you do not pay to enter the wave pool you have a possible penalty of $13 300 and, if you feed the fish - the ones you are not allowed to fish for - you can get hit for $13 300. I must admit I reckon that is a cruel one. That is one of the nice things. I know the environmental people have heart attacks when you feed the fish and the ducks, but one of the nice things I remember when I was a kid was going to the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne and feeding the ducks and the fish. It was pastime we all enjoyed. All right, there are some fat seagulls around Port Phillip Bay these days which are probably still suffering from that. I note fish feeding could cost you $13 000 if you go to court.
The member for Port Darwin has raised an important issue. It probably goes further than the debate we are having today because, as you know, these by-laws were mirrored, to some extent, on Darwin City Council By-laws. I understand why; because they wanted to have by-laws which were not only uniform in the same region, but also one day, one would hope, Darwin City Council takes over the waterfront so you do not have a separate entity looking after a small portion of what is really Darwin city.
The option for this was the member for Port Darwin could have simply brought a disallowance motion which would have said the Darwin Waterfront Corporation cannot collect rates - which I would have been opposed to; obviously it has to raise money. The discussions I had with the department and the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, with the member for Port Darwin, on Monday seemed to me to reach an arrangement which still allowed the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to operate. I am not at liberty to give all details about that discussion, but I am of a mind to say the agreement which was reached would, to a large extent, cover some of the concerns the Darwin Waterfront Corporation had. Mr Pat Coleman had some issues in relation to matters the member for Karama has raised and I believe there was an arrangement to cover some of those concerns.
The wave pool opened on 1 May 2009. Obviously, the wave pool was operating before there were any by-laws. One would ask: are we looking at worst-case scenarios rather than what is happening on the ground? We did not have by-laws until recent times, yet some laws have to apply to the Darwin Waterfront Corporation land. Is it more about worst-case scenarios, or is it a case of whether we can continue as before and still have some regulation over the area and, at the same time, take into consideration the motion the member for Port Darwin is putting forward saying these by-laws are unfair and unjust? It can be said it is very unlikely to happen. However, is it unfair to have rules we, as a parliament, have put in place which do not distinguish between fish feeding and someone breaking glass in a wave pool which could cause serious injury? We have not made that distinction and that is a fault not only of the government, but of the parliament.
Good on the member for Port Darwin; he has seen an issue and has raised it and believes, on principle, this is poor legislation.
We then, in discussion with the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, reached an agreement which we believe will satisfy all parties - the Darwin Waterfront Corporation and the member for Port Darwin. I support what he is trying to do in this case, which is why I believe the motion we have will work to the benefit of everyone. By putting this six-month delay on supporting an actual disallowance motion, we are saying to the Darwin Waterfront Corporation: ‘Get your act together. If you want to discuss it with Darwin City Council and have uniform by-laws, you have this much time to do it. If you think it is too difficult, bring in your own by-laws’, which they can do. They can do that very quickly because the minister can declare those by-laws.
This is a sensible motion, and I say that after being part of the discussions on Monday. It does not take away the ability of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to act when it needs to. However, it says to it, and to parliament, let us fix this. Perhaps we should be looking at the by-laws of other councils. Maybe it is too late, but we could be asking the department of Local Government to look at by-laws in place in other shires. I do not know if that has happened. However, if the same problem the member for Port Darwin has raised today exists in other by-laws, we should be reviewing the penalties. That is an area we should look at because the member for Port Darwin has raised this important issue.
Madam Speaker, I support the motion and we will see where it goes from here.
Debate adjourned.
MOTION
Support for Australian Defence Force Personnel Serving Overseas
Support for Australian Defence Force Personnel Serving Overseas
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move - That this Assembly -
- (a) clearly states its support for all Australian Defence Force personnel serving overseas including those in Afghanistan and Iraq seeking to bring peace and stability to those countries; and
(b) express its support for partners and families based in the Northern Territory who have ADF personnel posted from 1st Brigade and other Northern Territory-based commands to Afghanistan and other overseas areas of conflict.
This is an important motion today. It is a signal to our men and women who live and work amongst us who have been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other areas overseas, that the parliament of the Northern Territory, on behalf of the people of the Northern Territory, is supporting them in their efforts, endeavours, and bravery overseas.
This is a story which affects all of us in the Territory, particularly in the Top End. Since Al-Qaeda’s 11 September attacks in 2001, the world has changed in so many ways. All of us will know exactly where we were that day, 11 September 2001, and what we were doing when we first heard of those horrendous attacks in New York. We all knew, at that time, the world had changed.
Given the debate in the federal parliament yesterday, it is obvious Australia’s deployment to Afghanistan is going to go on for at least another 10 years. I believe it is very important, given we have approximately 800 soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq from the Northern Territory, that we in this parliament send our support and best wishes to those brave men and women who are serving overseas.
I believe one of the most emotional and confronting times for me as Chief Minister and a member of parliament was to attend the national funeral in honour of Private Scott Palmer held at the Anglican Cathedral in Darwin a few months ago. To be at that funeral, to hear the testimonies for Scott with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition nationally, as well as the Leader of the Opposition of the Northern Territory and, I believe, the member for Katherine, amongst Scott’s colleagues, and particularly his family from Katherine, was a very emotional experience.
To see a young man of 27 years of age cut down in the prime of his life, serving his country in an overseas arena in Afghanistan, about as far removed from Australia, from Katherine, as you could wish to think, really brought home to me the enormity of the commitment we have in that nation, and the bravery of not only our men and women who are serving there, but also the enormous stress it must place on their entire families. All of us, when we look at our families - if we are married we have our immediate partner and children but, also, extended family of parents, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles.
Right across Australia, there is an enormous impact on the nation, on the community, given the numbers of soldiers we have serving overseas. Every single day, members of those families must be thinking of their brother, father, uncle, mother, serving overseas; they must be thinking how they are going, whether they are going to be safe and everything is okay. This is an enormous commitment by this nation and by the community, as well as the friends and families.
The great thing about the Northern Territory and the deployment of our forces here is these people are really part of our community; they are not isolated at Robertson Barracks, Tindal in Katherine, and the Larrakeyah base. These people are out in the community, many living in our neighbourhoods, their kids go to school with our kids, we live next door to each other, sporting teams compete against each other. These people are really part of our community. When our armed forces members finish their time with Army, Navy, or Air Force, they love the Territory so much many more of those people are now deciding to live in the Territory when they resign their commission from the forces. So, it is important we send this message of support to our troops who are overseas at this time.
Since 2001, Australia has lost 21 very brave soldiers in Afghanistan, and around 152 injured; 52 have been injured this year. That has made an enormous impact on the community.
Private Palmer grew up in Katherine, played Rugby in Darwin, and died when a helicopter he was travelling in crashed in South Afghanistan where he was based at Tarin Kowt. Private Palmer was praised as a dedicated soldier who had served twice in East Timor and in Iraq. He was on his third deployment to Afghanistan. One of his colleagues said at the funeral that Private Palmer loved his job and working alongside his mates. That is what really came through from his colleagues at that particular service. He really was a bit of a lad, he really was loved by his mates, and he really loved his job. Certainly, we should never forget the sacrifice of Private Scott Palmer and the other 21 soldiers who have lost their lives.
We have recently seen a very significant deployment from 1st Brigade to Afghanistan. Recently, around 800 Darwin soldiers have been deployed to Afghanistan where they will spend the next eight months in the southern Uruzgan Province as part of Mentoring Task Force 2. That is many people but, when you multiply that out to extended family, friends and other work colleagues, this is thousands of people who are impacted by this deployment and who have concerns for the safe return of those 800 people who have been deployed. They are deployed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Darren Huxley, and, as 100 of those soldiers were being deployed, he said in the NT News:
- This is not our war we are going to, this is an Afghan war ... Our job is not to fight a war in Afghanistan. Our job is to help the Afghans; they’ve been fighting an insurgent for 30 years. It’s their war, our job is to help them end it …
He talked about how his job as their commander was to spend as much of his time in the field alongside the soldiers under his command to support them. Lieutenant Colonel Darren Huxley is a man who will very ably lead that command of 800 soldiers.
I quote some of the words from wives of the soldiers being deployed, one of whom, Rebecca Callister spoke for all of the women:
- It’s a worry, it’s scary. … I don’t think you get used to it. It’s just scary all the time whenever he’s away.
That is the point I was trying to make. The impact of this deployment is very significant on our community, given the extended families and friends who have concerns.
Within less than a month after arriving in Afghanistan, we have already had a soldier from Robertson Barracks seriously wounded in the leg and evacuated to Darwin. This is just part of the horror of what is happening: 152 Australian soldiers have been wounded, 52 of those injuries occurring this year. From my talking to people I know personally in our forces overseas, they are expecting the casualty rate to significantly increase.
I praise the Army today, because one of the things raised when I talk to the soldiers being deployed or some of the command is: how do families stay in touch? How do people stay in touch with you overseas? Do you use Skype? Do you have access to computers, or is it just phones? In reality, depending how remotely people are deployed, it is a mix of all of those things. The Army is working hard to ensure the soldiers in the field can stay in contact with family back home.
A new initiative is the Army using text messages to keep families informed of the wellbeing of their soldiers. We all know the Commander of 1st Brigade, Brigadier Gus McLachlan. Gus is a fantastic fellow and is doing a magnificent job of commanding 1st Brigade. All those family members waking up in the morning hearing a soldier has been injured in Afghanistan would be thinking: is it my husband, my boyfriend, my brother, my sister? Waiting for that news to see if it is your immediate loved one who has been hurt must be an enormously anxious time. What the Army is doing now is, immediately after an incident in Afghanistan, after the next of kin have been notified, all other families are texted to reassure them their loved one is not involved. The Army very quickly notifies people: ‘It is okay, it is not your partner who has been involved’. It is reassuring and removes the worry.
It is amazing that 70% of the Darwin soldiers being deployed at the moment are under 30 and half are under 25 years old. So, 400 of the 800 are under 25 years old. When I think about what I was doing when I was 25 years old, being under fire in a place like Afghanistan was not at the top of my list. It is extraordinary people so young are being deployed in such large numbers but, of course they are very well trained, extraordinarily well kitted out, and very well commanded. We all hope those people come home safely.
Improvised explosive devices - or IEDs, homemade bombs - are a very clear and ongoing threat. Every time our troops get into a Bushmaster or other vehicle to go on patrol, the worry about whether they will hit an IED is with them all the time.
Lieutenant Colonel Huxley said, as his troops were being deployed - and we will endeavour to get the transcript of this Hansard debate to Lieutenant Huxley for circulation amongst his troops:
- Please keep on supporting us while we are over there … and … help us celebrate our safe return.
This debate is about supporting Lieutenant Huxley when he said: ‘Please keep on supporting us’. This House today is supporting them whilst they are there.
I will talk on a personal level - I am sure many of us can in regard to how these deployments have hit home since 2001. I have a good friend and he and his family have become great friends with my family - our kids with their kids. He is a magnificent fellow by the name of Craig Hansen who lives a few doors down from me in Wanguri. He was very seriously injured a couple of years ago. He was serving in the 7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and was on patrol in a Bushmaster which ran over an IED which exploded.
It was actually the design of the Bushmaster which saved Craig’s life and the other people in that Bushmaster. The fact that the Bushmaster has a V-shaped hull ensured the force from the blast was deflected much better than it would have been if it had been a flat-bottomed vehicle. That the force of the blast was deflected means that Craig and the other people in that Bushmaster are still alive today.
Craig was the worst injured of nine people, sustaining a shattered right ankle, with every bone in both feet broken. He was medivaced to Germany and cared for in Germany before he was medivaced to Sydney, Australia and, ultimately, home to his family and friends in Wanguri.
The medical care and attention he has received – I forget how many operations Craig has said, I think he is facing his ninth or tenth to reconstruct both his feet – have been second to none. The best surgeons in Australia have worked on rebuilding his feet and ankles, and Craig is now walking. He will probably never run again, however, he is walking, and he is committed to going back to the Army. Tragically - and family and friends in Wanguri are very upset about it - Craig is being redeployed to Adelaide with his family early next year. He loves the Territory, as do Kellie and the children. Most of all, he loves his fishing and is out whenever he can. Fishing has been a great part of him recovering his life after the incident. He has sold his boat to another Digger. Everyone is teasing him about not catching barra in South Australia; he will be catching those silly little whiting or whatever it is they catch off the beach in Adelaide. Craig will be back to Darwin at some time when he finishes time in the Army.
It is one of those things which has really made me sit up and think, in the position I am in as the Chief Minister. When things like this happen, and you read it in the paper, if you are not connected to it, in some way it slips by you. You are concerned but you get on with other things very quickly. However, when something like that happens to someone you know and care for and is part of your family and friends, and kids are involved, it really brings home to you the enormity of the commitment and sacrifice our troops who live amongst us in Darwin, Palmerston, and Katherine make, not only to their nation, but to their families and friends. It is an extraordinary commitment.
Over the years, I have spoken to these young soldiers – as I said nearly 50% of them are under 25 years old. I remember a farewell function at Larrakeyah Naval Base a few years ago - a cocktail reception with everyone in black tie. The ladies were looking gorgeous in their ball gowns, mingling and talking to the soldiers who were about to be deployed. All I spoke to, and have spoken to over the years, are focused and committed not in going to war, but helping the Afghan people rebuild their country. That is what they are passionately committed to do.
The argument rages over whether we should be there, and we all have our view on that. However, never doubt the personal integrity of each and every one of those soldiers who is being deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. They really see it as helping good people rebuild their country. That is the commitment they make, as individuals, to the task they undertake.
I support this motion today. It comes with a real sense, I am sure from all of us, of our individual personal support for our troops on deployment, and for their families who are waiting for their safe return. As members of parliament representing our electorates, I am sure we speak for everyone in the Northern Territory to wish our troops well and a safe return. We should all do whatever we can to support their families whilst they wait for them to return.
Madam Speaker, I commend the motion to the House.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, as Opposition Leader, I provide our full support for this welcome motion and clearly state our support, as a parliament, for all Australian Defence Force personnel serving overseas, including those in Afghanistan and Iraq, with the mission of bringing peace and stability to those countries. In addition, we express support for partners and families based in the Territory who have loved ones posted with 1st Brigade and other Northern Territory-based commands to Afghanistan and other overseas areas of conflict. I welcome the presentation of this motion for us to consider; it has our full support.
For the Chief Minister to reference the funeral of Scott Palmer is a way for us, as a community, to become more engaged, more aware, and feel the sense of what it must be, as an extended community, to support those who are here and those who have loved ones serving overseas.
There was one moment during that service that is etched in my mind. There were the stories of Scotty, a man I did not know, but I was amazed what our community had produced and what he was doing. It helped me to see there were many others about whom we know nothing of what they are doing, the dangers they face. The families do not know the details either, but they know they are fighting for a cause they believe in. The moment was when there was the folding of the Australian Flag that draped his casket, folded according to military tradition and, then, the full contingent turned and marched to Ray and Pam and presented them with the Australian Flag as well as another couple of items. To see a father brace himself as he received that flag - he said farewell to his son, he received a flag, but what was conveyed in that was the service he had rendered to a great cause for this nation.
That is the central issue here. There will be those who debate whether we should be there to provide that essential support. That essential support is the support for the cause for which they fight. If there was no belief in a cause, then I do not think Ray and Pam would have been able to bear to stand and receive that flag. However, they believed in the cause for which their son gave his life. That stays with me because, if there is no underlying cause, then we start to fall apart. That is why this motion is important; we come together and begin to recognise the cause and, if we support that cause, we then support those who put their lives at great risk.
What is the cause? The cause is to provide peace and stability, particularly to Afghanistan and also to Iraq. It is not to engage in a war; it is to support those good citizens who have suffered incredible trauma - 21 of our soldiers. With our connection in the Territory, with so many Defence personnel who are in our social networks, we become more aware of what is actually involved. It is causing us to be more engaged, more understanding, and more thoughtful about what is, in fact, occurring. We are more exposed than other places because we have close connections. Many of are very aware and have visited East Timor. We have lived in the presence of these matters for some time, with family and friends around us.
In recent times we saw Four Corners - and I commend Four Corners for its focus on what our troops in Afghanistan are facing in a very real way – and it helped to connect us in a way we have not been connected before. Coupled with 21 families and their extended networks around this nation who have suffered loss, when we saw Four Corners, it connected us more intimately and emotionally, and causes us to engage with the issue and to really be clear about what the cause is. The most recent Four Corners’ focus on the conflict itself has been instructive. I did not see the first one, but I intend to do so; I heard about it.
One essential part of the second program I saw on Monday night helps me understand what this cause is. You recognise the role of our troops there is to work alongside those good people to endeavour to bring some peace and stability in that community. I heard the story of an Afghan leader who was working with other Afghan leaders - in this case, Taliban - combining against the invader - the US in this case - thinking it was a cause around ‘defending our country against an outside intruder’. However, when this Afghan leader then turned to look at the actions of the Taliban, he had a change of heart and mind and made the courageous decision to shift and defend his country against the Taliban, then sided with, in this case, the US, and worked to rid the country of the terror and the horror of the Taliban regime. That is a tipping point, and that was described as a tipping point. That is the cause for which our troops are employed: to work alongside Afghans to recover their country from terror.
There is an additional cause too. We must always be connected to what this is about and the links we have here, not dissimilar to our engagement in East Timor, which was a cause. We had an obligation. In this case, it was a near neighbour. We have an obligation also in Afghanistan and Iraq, to work alongside good citizens, to help defend their country from terror. It has links to Australia. The terror attacks in Bali in 2002 and 2005, and Jakarta, have links to Afghanistan. Make no mistake, it is a cause that needs to be met and, in many cases, at the risk of life.
I am on Facebook, as are many members in this Chamber, and I have friends. A very dear young man, Julian, a close friend of my son-in-law and my daughter, was deployed in the Territory and is now in Afghanistan. We talk to him on Facebook. He cannot say very much, but we are there supporting him. When we hear that there has been an incident overnight, we instantly wonder whether it is Julian.
There is another good friend we contest at the runners club. He had a message posted on Facebook a little while back indicating he would not be running for a while as he is going overseas to do something. I suggested what he might be doing; he could not be clear about it. Yes, I knew where he was going; I know where he is now. We are all connected and we provide that support. It is not just to Julian and my running mate, it is their families, their kids, their wives - or wife in one case and girlfriend in another. So, we are connected and we are united.
I am pleased the federal parliament is having this debate. I commend the Chief Minister for bringing this debate to this parliament so we can stand together and be reminded it is not just support, it is support for a cause and those troopers who are working over there. It gives you, particularly when you look at that Four Corners program, some insights into why it is becoming a very tense operation.
Many of us who are a little older remember Vietnam, or have friends who were in Vietnam. That was a cause which was a little difficult to define, and is a difficult memory for many. There are many who still bear the marks of that. What was a problem for many of them was a cause which did not receive unified support. It is good this is being debated in this parliament, the federal parliament and, I trust, other parliaments. If we are clear about the cause, that essential element in battle, then those who are engaged in that battle will feel they have support as well, rather than being a division along the lines of what it is actually about. We must be clear about it. In this case it provides us with the opportunity to be clear about it. Chief Minister, thank you for bringing this to the parliament and it has our full support.
Ms LAWRIE (Deputy Chief Minister): Madam Deputy Speaker, I support this motion. I thank the Chief Minister for bringing it forward and I embrace the bipartisan support the motion is receiving. Those of us who serve our community in the Territory understand the daily sacrifices which Defence personnel and their families are making for our nation, and for the peace and wellbeing of people throughout the world.
We have heard from the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition the very real and present emotions they experience for friends and personnel they know who serve our country. I can empathise with that. I had a very strong experience with my sister being deployed to Iraq on a 10-month deployment. I thought, after some 27 years in the services, I was used to her deployments and the upheaval it brings to our tight family network. It has involved me caring for her daughter, my niece, from time-to-time over the years. I have lived on base, and moved into her house to care for my niece.
I understand, whether the deployment is in our nation or a deployment, in her case, at sea because she is a Navy officer, it causes enormous upheaval to the social and family fabric, and you have to go through a lot to accommodate that deployment. I thought I was prepared for her deployment to Iraq. Of course, I was concerned about her being deployed to a war zone. I was very aware of the weapons training she had to have before her deployment, and became very aware of the amount of work she was doing on the firing range to prepare for her deployment.
She was deploying into the Green Zone in Baghdad and, therefore, had a degree of safety which is not always enjoyed by our troops who are moving through the provinces in Iraq. I became more and more aware of how unsafe a deployment in the Green Zone can be. I went to the Darwin Airport, as other family members do to farewell loved ones on an overseas deployment to a war zone. I spent a long time hugging her. I did not want to let her go. I had my daughters with me. We went to the car and I sat there and cried for a long time, because it really comes home to you the real and present danger the person you love dearly is entering into for the service of the nation and, as members who have contributed to this speech have quite rightly pointed out, for the peace and wellbeing of other world citizens.
I absolutely understand the many family members in Darwin and Palmerston in the Top End, who are going through a daily heightened degree of concern for their loved ones, because we have those deployments, particularly 1st Brigade into Afghanistan, and still in the active zone of Iraq. There are great peacekeeping deployments elsewhere which our troops and individuals have the opportunity to undertake.
I call it an opportunity because, in talking to the services personnel, it is what they want to do, what they are trained for, what they have signed up to do. They go with an understanding and great pride in the role they are undertaking as Australian Defence Forces personnel. They go with tremendous support from all the ranks and commands of the ADF, and they go extremely well equipped. We have outstanding ADF members who represent us overseas; they are highly regarded by serving personnel from other services throughout the world they serve alongside. They are the best, and amongst the very best in the world, and we can be enormously proud of them.
That does not take away the daily anxiety, angst and concern the families left behind go through for their loved ones. There is a large support team in the Top End who work daily with the families to ensure they can help work through the high-level anxiety those families go through. That team is working around the clock almost at the moment, dealing with families who are left behind, working through any anxieties and concerns they may have. They are regularly putting on events to bring families together to give them enjoyment and support through what is a very worrisome time for them. It is a role Defence is performing well in supporting the families left behind.
Bear in mind, as the Chief Minister pointed out, the immediate family tends to be in the location of deployment - that is, the Top End in this instance - then there are the extended family members; the mothers of the troops who are serving who may well be in another part of Australia. Those new forms of communications the Chief Minister talked about are critical to the support of the Australians who are worrying about their loved ones serving overseas.
Defence has played a critical role in the Northern Territory. We are seeing active deployments at the moment, but we also have a very strong, significant, and sizeable Defence presence in the Territory at all times. In previous Defence debates, I have spoken about the importance of Defence in the cleanup and rebuilding of Darwin. They literally saved our city in those early days post-Cyclone Tracy; they supported so many people post-devastation. They play a very real and important role in responding to natural disasters; they did it for Cyclone Tracy and during the Katherine flood. They play a tremendous role in our disaster response. I have always acknowledged and thanked the Defence community and the command for the part they play.
As Treasurer, I cannot ignore the importance the Defence presence plays in our economy. We have seen the population of Defence personnel double since the early 1990s. There are now about 14 000 Defence personnel and their families calling the Territory home. As the Top End of our nation, Darwin is very valuable in its strategic value; we have a very active Navy patrol boat service operating and protecting our waters to the north. The operational service personnel are incredibly busy at the Navy base at Larrakeyah. Aside from the officers and sailors on those patrol boats who are doing very rapid operation movements in and out of Darwin to patrol our northern waters, they have a great support network behind them at Northern Command.
Given that Defence has grown - and the RAAF has had significant increases in personnel both at RAAF Darwin and Tindal - we now see Defence representing about 6% of the Territory’s population. We have seen, through the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated expenditure from that Defence sector in the Territory in 2008-09 where it reached $1.26bn, up from $1.18bn in 2007-08. This is equivalent to about 7.9% of our state final demand. Defence consumption, including Defence salaries and operational expenditure, contributed an estimated $1.16bn to the Territory economy in 2008-09. Defence salaries, as a component, accounted for $559m, representing about 42% of total Defence expenditure.
Our government has been strongly supportive of Defence and the Defence role in the Territory. We wanted to ensure we could create an environment where the business of Defence, which is feeding, of course, those small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Territory, is an environment to grow and expand. That is why we have been in the role of Defence support, creating that Defence Support Hub near Robertson Barracks. It is ideally located to co-locate those Defence-related businesses to provide opportunities to establish those all-important repair and maintenance facilities for major Defence equipment. We have about 300 local small businesses which provide support in one form or another to the Navy, Defence maritime services and those Armidale Class patrol boats.
Many Top End residents also genuinely embrace, enjoy, and celebrate the visible presence of Defence they see in their lives - none more so than when you see that Pitch Black exercise that occurs in the Top End when we see our great RAAF on display. Pitch Black delivers an estimated $10m into our local economy when that exercise is on. In my local electorate, which is on the border of the Darwin Airport precinct, you see many locals sitting at the Amy Johnson Drive end of the tarmac watching the Pitch Black exercises. It is an amazing sight to see. I thank the broader community of Darwin and Palmerston for showing their support for our Defence personnel and the excitement they bring to our lives in the Top End.
There are many facets to the support we need to show. I urge people, when they are out and about and see troops in uniform moving through our community, to take a chance to say thank you. It has often been told to me by my sister that sometimes serving personnel feel there could be a degree of hostility towards them. That is the hangover of the Vietnam era, where people had an attitude towards serving personnel, particularly in times of serving in war zones. It means a lot to serving personnel when someone just turns around and says ‘Thanks, Digger’ or ‘Thanks, mate’, or ‘Thanks, ma’am’ when they see an officer, a sailor, or a soldier moving about our community in uniform.
My thanks are sincere. My recognition of the support our personnel deserve is absolutely significant and sincere. I am extremely pleased our parliament is taking the time today to debate this motion. I recognise the federal parliament is also debating a similar motion. It is timely for us to pause to recognise the sacrifices which have been made, not just in, tragically, the lives lost and the casualties that occur which cause permanent or temporary injury - both are debilitating, both are significant in a person’s life - but also the daily sacrifices of families who are left behind worrying about their loved ones.
Madam Deputy Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go to all of them.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wholeheartedly support the motion the Chief Minister has brought before us today. I always get a little concerned when asked to speak on a motion that deals with people who put their lives in danger, not coming from that same experience. I suppose that applies to all of us. We can only go on what we have seen and heard, either from newspapers or what people have to say, especially in the Darwin community where there are so many Defence Forces personnel. I do not think any of us here have actually had to go through some of the difficulties, challenges, and the fear many of our soldiers have to face whilst they are operating in Afghanistan.
I have some connection because Robertson Barracks is in my electorate and a large number of those forces in Afghanistan come from Robertson Barracks. Ever since I was elected to the electorate of Nelson, I have tried to go to all departures and arrivals of troops from Darwin to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Timor. I should note that although today we are talking about our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have troops serving in many other places. They are serving in the Solomon Islands, in East Timor, Timor-Leste, in Pakistan helping with the floods at the present time, in Sudan as part of the United Nations, and in Egypt and the Middle East, I believe since about the 1980s, in relation to the conflict around Israel and the Gaza Strip. I am not sure they are still there, but we used to have troops in the Lebanon/Israel border area as well.
Today, the motion is about our troops in Afghanistan predominantly, although we still have troops in Iraq. As I said, I have not had the experience of - I would say fortunately - having to be involved in a war. However, my niece who lives in Darwin is married to a Thursday Islander, and he was involved in that fairly dangerous period in Iraq. I was at the airport when he was leaving. I do not think they had married then, but they were certainly very much in love. Until you actually see what is happening, you realise what families go through when they see their loved ones depart and go to a place where they are in danger, where they are putting their lives on the line for us, and other nations as well. That is more the experience I have had; the pain of saying farewell.
However, on the other side, I have seen the joy so many times at the Darwin Airport of kids standing there with balloons and banners welcoming home dad. Dad will come home with a trolley load of equipment. He is a big, worn-out looking fellow who has been in the Army for a long time, and he picks up these little kids and gives them an enormous hug. It is something worth waiting for and worth seeing. That is the other side of what we see with our troops - the human side.
We also have to look at the policy side, and that is the first part of this particular motion. I very much support the federal government’s position on our role in Afghanistan. I thought Australia’s commitment in Afghanistan should be placed on the record. I will read from one of the fact sheets on the ADF website. It says:
- Australia’s military contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan is deployed under Operation SLIPPER. Australia’s military contribution includes around 1550 Australian Defence Force personnel who are deployed within Afghanistan. 1241 are deployed in Uruzgan Province and around 300 in Kabul, Kandahar and elsewhere in Afghanistan. These numbers vary depending on operational requirements and shifting seasonal conditions. 830 personnel provide support from locations within the broader Middle East Area of Operations, including our maritime commitment.
- In keeping with ISAF strategy to strengthen civilian engagement in Afghanistan and to better integrate civilian and military efforts, in April 2010 the Australian government announced a 50% increase in Australia’s civilian contribution to Afghanistan. Australia now has around 50 civilians working in Afghanistan, in addition to around 10 Defence civilians.
We should not forget, although we are talking about Defence personnel in this motion today, there are quite a number of civilians working through AusAID, DFAT officials, and the Australian Federal Police. I believe the number of police in Afghanistan training the Afghanistan police force is between 21 and 28. I do not think we should forget those people as they are fulfilling a very important role as well.
Referring to this fact sheet:
- Australia’s substantial military, civilian and development assistance focuses on:
I read that out because sometimes people are unaware Australians serving overseas do it in a way many other countries do not. Not only are they there to defeat an enemy, they engage with the people on the ground in a way only Australians can. It is worth accessing the ADF website occasionally and looking at the photographs which come from the various places Australian forces operate. I remember, when our forces were in the southern part of Iraq, seeing pictures of a footbridge being built across a canal for the locals. They would be playing soccer with the young kids. I have seen that in pictures of Timor as well. I imagine they do something similar in Afghanistan. They know how to relate to ordinary people because, when it comes to the crunch, we are all the same. Australians are not aloof when it comes to working in these foreign lands.
When I talk about Australian troops, I am not talking about an Army which has gone to conquer; it is an Army which has gone for the benefit of those people, to help them overcome a repressive group of people who wish to take away freedoms the people of Afghanistan deserve.
I do not support the move by The Greens that we should move out of Afghanistan on a certain date. Our role in Afghanistan is a long-term role. It is not a war like most of us read in history books where battles occurred, you either won or lost, and that was it. This is a different kind of war; in fact, it is more like policing to enable a country to have a sound basis to operate as a democratic country one day, to allow children - females especially - to go to school free of the fear of being shot at or, as has been reported, having acid thrown in their faces by a group of people who do not want them to go to school.
There is another reason for us being there besides bringing peace to Afghanistan. Terrorism has affected our country through the Bali bombings and the bombings in Jakarta. I do not think we can get away from the fact that it is likely to happen again when you see some of the media reports coming out of Indonesia where people believe they did the right thing by bombing Bali and Jakarta. Those people are still a threat and are fed by the fanatics who we still find in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Even though we are only a small jurisdiction, we are a jurisdiction which plays a major role in what happens in Afghanistan because we have one of the largest Defence Force populations in Australia at Robertson Barracks. This motion is very much a recognition of the role they are playing and of our support for those soldiers.
I have been to quite a number of farewells and returns. There was a major parade last month at Robertson Barracks. There were more than 800 soldiers in attendance. You really feel proud when they march in their battalions, and you know we have the best trained soldiers. I have no doubt they are well trained because, if you ever go past Robertson Barracks, they are always training. They are required to reach a pretty high standard - not only the troops going overseas, but troops in general.
A few of you might have been to the Melbourne Cup run they do every morning. They can have the afternoon off, but everyone in the barracks has to go on this fairly long run. That includes cooks, clerks, foot soldiers, and the generals - they all have to run. You see how fit they are and how proud they are of that fitness. We train them well. We have the facilities in the Northern Territory such as Kangaroo Flats, the Mt Bundy area, Delamere, and Bradshaw. We are now expanding a training ground next to Robertson Barracks.
Our troops are very well trained, not only from the point of view of equipment and fitness, but also the people who lead them. I noticed two names I know on a fact sheet. One is Brigadier Damian Cantwell. Every year I try to have an Anzac Day cricket match on the Strauss cricket pitch. I bowled Brigadier Damian Cantwell a very good spin bowl and he missed – well, he got an edge to it and was caught. I remember him well; he was a great bloke. He was down-to-earth but could lead men and women. You knew when you spoke to him he knew his job and spoke with authority. From getting to know him, you knew this person was the sort of person to lead our troops and he is - he is now in Afghanistan. He was on Four Corners when they were interviewing some of the troops. He commands the ISAF Election Task Force which supported the Afghan presidential elections. He is also doing other work as well.
There is also another person, Major General ‘Ash’ Power. He is about 6’6”. It is nice to call someone ‘Ash’, because that is what we call him - a very funny man. He did not like cricket but watched the Army people get done by the Southern Districts Cricket Club – although that does not always happen. He is a bloke who, on one hand, earned the respect of his troops because he was a down-to-earth person with a great sense of humour. I have never known any of the brigadiers I have met in the time since the barracks started not to have a great sense of humour. He was professional and knew his business, and that is why he is in Afghanistan. Major General ‘Ash’ Power was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Partnering to Afghanistan’s Defence Minister in February 2010. Someone I know, who was training our troops in Robertson Barracks, now has this very important position in helping with the government of Afghanistan.
I have much faith - because I had some personal contact with these two people – that Australia sends the best to Afghanistan to do what is good. People have to understand there will be mistakes; there is a court martial at the moment. Australia does not send perfect troops because, under pressure in a war zone, people can make mistakes. That does not mean they should be punished for them; however, we have a system of reviewing these situations properly, which is part of our professionalism when it comes to our approach to Afghanistan. We are going there to show people we do things with a moral background. We do not blow up people, regardless of who they are, by putting explosive devices under roads which kill our own people. We go there saying: ‘This is the way we should live our lives. We are here to show we are here to do good’.
That is what we should support in this motion: we are doing the right thing; our troops need to be supported. We need to support them while they are there and when they come home. We have shown that support in the sad case of Private Scott Palmer. I was also at the funeral. We showed support as a community. He was one of us. He lived a fair bit of his life in Katherine, played sport in Darwin; he was a local. We showed our support by recognising that when he came home. We also need to recognise the others who come home.
War is not a pleasant thing. War has consequences we do not see sometimes when people come home. There are psychological problems. In some wars, that was not taken into account enough. Today we know soldiers working under stressful conditions can be affected, either temporarily or permanently, by that stress they constantly go through. The fear of injury or death is something that must play on their minds. Some people can, naturally, handle it better than others. What we have to do is show support for those people and ensure they are looked after because, in the end, we owe it to these people.
I see these blokes go down Thorngate Road in their utes. Sometimes they annoy me because they fly down there. Then, on the other hand, I ask what if I was in that situation? Would I be brave enough to put my hand up to go to Afghanistan? These people have volunteered to join the Army, to go to an area where they could be killed and injured. We need to show them we support them and the decisions they have made to protect our country, to help Afghanistan, and to bring peace to the world. That is really what this is about; bringing peace.
If we do not do something in Afghanistan, I do not think we will have peace for long time in this world. It might take another 10 years which was mentioned on the radio. But, so what? I do not think we should have politicians getting up and saying on 27 April next we should pull all our troops out. To me, that is ridiculous. We need to be making decisions based on an outcome which we hope will be a strong, independent government in Afghanistan that can stand on its own feet. We do not want to leave them unprepared for what will happen in the future. We need to ensure we do not leave that country half-finished; we need to ensure our job is completely finished and these people can stand up ...
Mr BOHLIN: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! I move an extension of time for my colleague, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr WOOD: Thank you. We need to leave Afghanistan as a viable democratic country. We do not need to pull our troops out when the job is half done. I do not agree with The Greens; they have gone down a so-called popular path. We need to be realistic. We would love our troops home; we do not want our troops overseas any more than they need to be. However, if we have made a commitment to a country, we should ensure that commitment is properly fulfilled; otherwise we let ourselves and that country down.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I say support our troops overseas and what they are doing. If you look at why we are in Afghanistan, you will come to realise we are there for the good of other human beings; we are doing a good job and let us support them all the way.
Mr KNIGHT (Defence Support): Madam Deputy Speaker, I congratulate the Chief Minister for bringing forward this motion today to support our troops serving overseas. The motion specifically refers to Afghanistan and Iraq, but there are many other missions where Defence personnel are in active duty around the world. I attach my comments to all those serving soldiers.
As the Minister for Defence Support, my role is different to the Chief Minister’s role, as Defence liaison is more around Defence procurement. However, it enables me to come into contact with Defence personnel across the ADF at a range of different levels, as well as getting to know them at a personal level. It is impressive. I meet people in workplaces and we talk about occupational health and safety going to work every day, but these soldiers sign up to put their lives on the line, to protect not only themselves and this country, but citizens of other countries as well. It is a courageous and heroic effort they undertake. They sign up knowing this. They sign up to a force which has been around for 150-odd years. There is a standard and a way of behaviour the Australian Defence personnel have shown the world and have undertaken right across the force.
I would like to reflect on that. One of the greatest honours I have, as a local member, each year is to attend the Anzac Day service at Adelaide River which, from my parochial point of view, is one of the most moving ceremonies of the Anzac Day services across the Northern Territory. It is set amongst the war graves. It is a dawn service so you move in before the light of day. As the service moves on, dawn rises, and the significance of the dawn service is in the tradition of the Defence personnel preparing for the dawn. It was a time when Defence personnel were either getting ready for attack from the enemy, or ready to attack the enemy, so it was a very tense time. That first light of dawn was a traumatic period for all soldiers in combat. As the sun suddenly lights the war graves, people start to see the headstones, and it is very moving.
Across the river, I attended the commemoration of the old hospital which was in operation during World War II, when bodies and casualties were brought from Darwin, where the bombing of Darwin was occurring. There was a very moving recitation of a diary entry of one of the nurses. It was during the Wet Season and they were feverishly trying to gather wood to get the fires going to sterilise the equipment to operate on patients. As they were scrambling to get the wood and trying to get these fires going, they could hear in the distance across the river the Last Post being sounded for people being buried.
Adelaide River is a very moving place. Up the track are all the airstrips. I sometimes prop myself at those airstrips to make myself available to my constituents. Those airstrips are significant, but it is the gun emplacements - the 44 gallon drums placed in a circular fashion - where the soldiers spent their lives, defending themselves from strafing, with some living and some dying. It is a significant spot. It is amongst us every single day as we move down the Stuart Highway and around the Northern Territory. That is the legacy these current soldiers signed up to.
Having read the Peter FitzSimons book - and he was here for the Australian Industry Defence Council Gala Dinner - he is an extremely funny man. However, for all his sporting exploits and public speaking, his greatest claim to fame is his writing capacity. Sometimes, I pick up a book and start reading, and I really cannot get into the writer trying to get the message across. But, Peter has a unique way of doing that. I read Tobruk which talks about the courage under fire of a very part-time force at that time: people signing up, basically without any experience and going across the world to countries they never thought they would ever be visiting; a very different environment, coming from the southern states of Australia and going into the deserts of Egypt and fighting in a country they had very little experience with.
That is similar to Peter’s other book on Kokoda and ‘the chocolate soldiers’, talking about the reserve forces that had to try to hold off the Japanese forces coming down through Papua New Guinea. These were raw recruits, and they were called ‘the chocolate soldiers’ because, if they were exposed to the heat of battle, they would melt – that was the accusation. However, they proved themselves under fire.
That is the pedigree of the ADF, and this is what the young men and women of today signed up for. They knew that was the standard of courage they had to show, and the work they had to do in their workplace - and they signed up. Being at Robertson Barracks and seeing the young men and women coming past, the courage they show is amazing.
Going back to Adelaide River, I did a bit of research about the Defence personnel in World War I. Adelaide River is unique. We have a 14-year-old bugler, the Taminmin Choir sings the National Anthem, and school kids from Adelaide River recite The Ode. It is very much young people coming along. We are not actively going out there trying to get these young people; they are coming from their own interest, showing their respect. Not so long ago, I recounted a story about a young man who signed up, I believe from country Victoria. He was only 14 or 15, the same age as some of these kids from the school. It is mind-boggling that people have such courage to actually do that. Luckily, today, we take our soldiers at an older age.
The Defence personnel in the Northern Territory is 10% of the ADF, and they are significant members of our community. They contribute quite significantly, in a range of areas, as has been highlighted today. They are members of our community, they are friends of ours, they are team mates in sport, and their kids go to school with ours. It is amazing that you can be talking with someone and, the next minute, they have been deployed, or parents of your children’s friends are being deployed to some very hazardous places with the real possibility of not coming back.
There has been a huge price to pay for soldiers, right back to 1885 when Australian soldiers were in the Sudan. We only lost a small number there, but still a significant loss at that time. In South Africa in the Boer War, we lost nearly 600 men in the late 1880s, early 1900s. In the Boxer Rebellion, we lost a small number. But, in World War I, we lost 61 000 troops – an amazing number – sadly, to be followed in World War II, a decade or so later, where we lost nearly 40 000. So, between those two wars, a 30-year period, we lost the entire population of Darwin and a bit of Palmerston as well. It is an incredible sacrifice this country has made.
Luckily, we now have smaller numbers, but any number is significant. It was significant for the Katherine community when, sadly, Scott Palmer lost his life. I know Scott’s father, Ray, through my time in Katherine. Ray had a detailing business and I had regular contact with Ray. It is very personal and it brings home that it is not just an unknown name on the television screen. It is someone from the community you may have bumped into or played sport with who has paid the ultimate price for their service.
I have also had the opportunity to meet troops in East Timor with the International Stabilisation Force. Again, extremely brave men and women trying to bring peace, harmony, and safety to the citizens of a new country. We have a significant force there and they are trying to do a lot. They are trying to defend themselves, unite a country, and work with the local people. The East Timorese community in Darwin is large and we know the conflict which brought them here. We understand what is occurring there.
Our troops deserve bipartisan support, as they appear to have in this Chamber today. You can argue that we should not send troops; however, they are there and we have to support them - in all conflicts. We cannot have a repeat of the Vietnam War where our troops were not supported. We have seen the ramifications of that. I know that will not occur again; our troops, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq, are being supported by the government and citizens of Australia for their efforts. Effort also needs to go to their children and families in the Northern Territory and across Australia.
Madam Deputy Speaker, as Minister for Defence Support, I support these Defence personnel, their families, and their friends. It is an extremely difficult time for them. I wish our 1st Brigade success. We want to see every one of those 800 troops return to Darwin to their families safely. I commend the motion to the House.
Debate suspended.
MOTION
Support for Australian Defence Force
Personnel Serving Overseas
Support for Australian Defence Force
Personnel Serving Overseas
Continued from earlier this day.
Mr BOHLIN (Drysdale): Madam Speaker, I commend this motion brought before the House. Our Defence Force personnel are extremely important to the defence of Australia. I want to take a quick trip back in history to outline the importance of defence to the Northern Territory. I read from a book titled Those air force days by Gordon Wallace. These are comments by Douglas Lockwood.
- Destruction came to Darwin in mid-morning on February 19th 1942 when war in the Pacific was about 10 weeks old. It came while the sun shone with a gentle breeze smudging a few white caps on blue waves rolling in from the Beagle Gulf and Clarence Strait.
Destruction by an enemy was brought that day for the first time to Australian soil. It came violently though not unexpectedly, with bombs and bullets and cannon shells scything through life as they splintered a fleet and a town and almost a human spirit.
Destruction and terror were such as to lead to a panic of people. Hundreds fled. … They walked and they ran. They rode on bicycles and they rode in cars, in garbage trucks, in ice cream carts, sanitary carts and road graders. … Those who did not flee included 243 men and women, Australian, British and American, black, white and brindle whose bodies were at the bottom of the harbour, soaking in oil-drenched mud on the beaches, or lying shattered in inadequate shelters.
Darwin that day … was the centre of a debacle in the traditional tragedy of war without equal on Australian soil. The death toll made it the worst disaster in our history.
They are very powerful words and they are a very clear demonstration of why the Northern Territory, and particularly Darwin, is a pinnacle and very important part of the defence of the country.
I will quickly read another piece of our history, which comes from the Australian Government National Archives of Australia. It touches on the same comments, but in a more direct manner:
- On 19 February 1942, mainland Australia came under attack for the first time when Japanese forces mounted two air raids on Darwin. The two attacks, which were planned and led by the commander responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbour 10 weeks earlier, involved 54 land-based bombers and approximately 188 attack aircraft which were launched from four Japanese aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea. In the first attack, which began just before 10 am, heavy bombers pattern bombed the harbour and town; dive bombers escorted by Zero fighters then attacked shipping in the harbour, the military and civil aerodromes, and the hospital at Berrimah. The attack ceased after about 40 minutes. The second attack, which began an hour later, involved high altitude bombing of the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Parap, which lasted for 20 to 25 minutes. The two raids killed at least 243 people, and between 300 and 400 were wounded. Twenty military aircraft were destroyed; eight ships at anchor in the harbour were sunk; and most civil and military facilities in Darwin were destroyed.
I believe it is important we remember our history when we talk about our current time, because what is happening around the world with our very brave Australian service personnel is very much the same, but in a different theatre of war. Day in and day out, our troops go to work and represent the country in a way not many - other than those who have served - can truly understand.
I served in the Australian Defence Force for eight years and nine months. When I was but 16 I joined to get a career which I and my parents thought was the right path, and I still today think is a very sound path for many of our young people of Australia. It builds discipline, creates much knowledge, and will actually set these people up for the rest of their lives to become fantastic citizens.
I have many different stories of my time serving in the Australian Army. My brother served in the Australian Army. As noted earlier today, the member for Karama mentioned her sister who served. I know the member for Katherine has done some Reserve service, and the member for Brennan has done his service in the RAAF. The member for Greatorex served in the Army Reserve for a period of time, and one of his brothers served in the RAAF for 17 years and flew Mirages out of Darwin and FA-18s out of Tindal, and was the Executive Officer of the 75th Squadron. His eldest brother served in the Australian Army for 26 years and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer.
Without knowing the background of some other members of this parliament, I believe the Northern Territory parliament may well be one the best placed parliaments in this country to talk on this matter and to truly understand the important role our service personnel play in our communities, and in communities all around this great world of ours.
As I learnt in my time in the Australian Defence Force, we were a very diverse force; we still are today. That is what makes our soldiers, RAAF and Navy personnel so desired to be involved in any combat field. It is not just Afghanistan or Iraq; we are scattered throughout this world doing an amazing job, day in and day out.
Some might wish to dwell upon the very aggressive and devastating side of wars they may be involved in, but there are also many times our troops take on peaceful duties and do their bit as engineers rebuilding school, hospitals, roads, bridges, building wells, all the way around the world, taking communities back for people who have had everything taken from them by evil.
Our soldiers are not just those who carry the guns, but those who carry the hearts and minds of many communities. Wherever they go, they always touch, they always deliver with great compassion but, at the same time, they are still an extremely well- and highly-trained force that is a force to be reckoned with, I personally believe, like no other force in the world. They are extremely well trained and, I expect, in the future will continue to be well trained. They are the best of the fighting forces. However, we are small so when, unfortunately, incidents happen and we lose lives in these combat fields, or in peaceful fields, it is shattering to families involved, and our communities they are part of.
I mentioned last night in my adjournment speech Scott Palmer, very much a member of the Katherine community. His parents, Ray and Pam Palmer, are amazing and inspirational. They truly believe in the work their son was doing, and will continue to do so. He was doing a fantastic job; as were all our troops. Unfortunately, there are many names. Jared McKinney lost his life in a fight some time ago on 24 August and in September, his wife, Becky, gave birth to Noah Jared. That young man will grow to know this country respects his father deeply for the sacrifice he made in protecting, not only our country, but the world’s peace and democracy.
Some will talk of different commanders and generals and their importance in the role of any war. I will not, because one should not highlight one single commander, as our service men and women are all trained as true leaders. Australia is unique in that we train our soldiers, aircraft personnel, and Naval personnel to take charge, to lead, and for everyone involved to know what the next person is actually doing. Our training is very specific so, no matter what happens, there is always leadership within the team. They are a complete team of leaders. That is why their roles in Afghanistan and Iraq are so important: every single member of the service has that ability to lead, including leading the communities they are in to a better and more democratic life. They are absolutely inspirational.
I will take a short snap out of the federal Leader of Opposition, Mr Tony Abbott’s speech yesterday, and leave it for those who may choose to question our involvement and, then, wonder why we have such resolve. Hindsight would always be fantastic. He made the comment of Afghanistan:
If the king had never been deposed, if Russia had never invaded, if America had not armed the majahideen, if Pakistan had not aided the Taliban, if the West had not been preoccupied in Iraq, the prospects in Afghanistan might be less daunting and the choices less difficult. Still … serious countries and their leaders have to deal with the world as it is, not as they might prefer it to be.
That was a very powerful comment in Mr Abbott’s speech. We may wish the world to be different, but it is not, and we must deal with today the circumstances which are in front of us.
As I said, these soldiers are part of our community. We often look around our communities at the many netball, football and soccer teams, and think nothing of the people who are amongst it and organising it. In my own electorate and within my own portfolios, there are many people involved in our community groups where, all of a sudden - as the Leader of the Opposition in the Territory, Mr Mills, said earlier - his running partner is one day running, the next minute he has stuff on his mind; he has been asked to deploy. As we look around all the different teams, they are everywhere. When you take the time to ask our friends, family, communities, and neighbours how they are going, you find out, like the neighbours across from me in the house where I live, every now and then, someone else has to deploy. They are part of our community.
They may have been running our netball centre and, at short notice, had to go away for top-up training before deployment. They may be playing soccer and, the next week, they are not there and we wonder why. It is because they are doing what they were trained to do; that is, serve this nation. They leave behind families who will wonder every day how their loved ones are going. The miracles of technology allow better contact than ever before, but it still leaves them wondering how their loved ones are going. Our thoughts will go with them. We know it is not easy, but we know as a community we should look out for our neighbours, family, and friends, like the member for Karama when her sister went away. We should sometimes take the opportunity to ask these people how they are going because, for all the goodwill of the Defence services, they cannot totally service every person’s individual need and, sometimes, those families come under a great deal of stress.
I am very proud to see Defence support services in our schools such as Durack and Driver, and the Palmerston Christian School, working to support those families. I know the Durack School has morning teas for the Defence families. I love getting involved and having a chat with the ladies there because they sure as heck are not scared to speak up. They are not afraid to say what is on their mind, and it is a very clear indication of what is going on. Remember, these people are part of our community and even if their loved one - husband or wife, brother or sister - is away, they are back home wishing them well. We should take the time to support them as well.
I move on to other elements of support and equipment, and the relevance of the economy. Our Defence people in the Northern Territory do a great deal to support our economy through the building of Defence housing and the building of the Defence base which, during the time I served, started to develop and has continued to develop. The outsourcing of vehicle and equipment servicing all helps to develop the Northern Territory, and continues to sustain its economy.
I wish to raise what will probably be seen as quite a touchy subject when it comes to support; that is, the leaked e-mail after Lance Corporal Jared McKinney died in combat. This e-mail came from one of his fellow troops who served alongside him during that gun fight. I read from a news clip from 7pmproject.com:
- The e-mail also detailed how no intelligence report had prepared the two sections of about 24 men each for a confrontation with up to 100 enemy attacking from multiple firing positions as close as 80 m away.
The comment from the Digger said:
- We were at times pinned down by a massive raid of fire but we stuck to it. The army has let us down mate and I am disgusted.
I raise that because, although Defence has said it is fine for the young Digger to vent his concern, and government has been satisfied the senior level has answered all questions possible, this Digger was there. This Digger was there when they were throwing lead at him at a massive rate of knots. This Digger knows the support they were or were not getting. A three-hour fire fight was not an acceptable situation to leave our Diggers in, and must continue to have questions asked of it. There is an inquiry into it; however, they must continue to ask those questions. Three hours is a long fire fight in today’s modern warfare. We have the best gun ships, the best jets, artillery, mortars …
Mr CHANDLER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I move for an extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr BOHLIN: I thank my colleagues. We have the best gun ships, the best jets, mortars, artillery, and ASLAVs, which are fairly new. I was lucky to be one of the first to be trained on the ASLAV eight-wheeled armoured vehicle. We have the Bushmaster. We have many high-powered weapons to protect our soldiers when they are in the ditch. I am extremely concerned Defence says it really was not that bad. If that was a three-hour fire fight, with the right support it should have ended much sooner. Whether it would have changed the outcome will never be known and is probably not questionable; however, we must continue to ask whether that support is there for our troops. Do not make it a political answer. Really ask the question and be serious about finding out what is there.
When soldiers from my electorate and other electorates make comment like that about the equipment they are issued, there is a problem. Questions must continue to be asked and the answers must be found and resolved. It is not acceptable to bat it away with a quick media release and say it is all good. To be honest, the reply by Defence was not a great reply. You could see the uncomfortable position of the officer giving the reply. Maybe one day soon I will have a chat with that officer. He may have a fantastic point of view as to why. Being a former soldier, I know the expectation.
Long Tan was a long time ago - we should not have fire fights which last as long as Long Tan, or even the recent …
Mr Elferink: They were calling in artillery on themselves.
Mr BOHLIN: Exactly as just interjected; Long Tan had to bring in artillery on themselves as a concert continued not far away.
It is serious. The questions must continue to be asked of the Tangi Valley: what happened there; how do we ensure this does not happen again?
I thank the Leader of Opposition for recently adjusting portfolios and allocating the Defence Liaison to me. I have a passion for it. Many people in my community are Defence people, and I will not be afraid to ask the question. It must be answered. They are not going to be able to easily fill my ears full of fluff and confusion because I understand the equipment and the combat field. I was blessed never to have to use my skills for real.
Thank you to all the soldiers, Air Force, and seamen who serve our country. I reiterate these are people of our community; they are our Australian Diggers, true representatives of our former ANZACs. They are, nowadays, of every single race available to this planet. They are Australian soldiers, Australian RAAF, and Australian sailors, and they will and shall always deserve and get our respect with great dignity.
Mr CHANDLER (Brennan): Madam Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s motion to demonstrate absolute support by the Northern Territory parliament for Australian Defence Force personnel and their families.
The Northern Territory is a Defence community. I first arrived in the Northern Territory in 1985 as a proud member of the Royal Australia Air Force. It was the RAAF which provided me with the opportunity to come to this great place I have called home for most of my life. My first military experience after Cubs and Scouts was with the 419 Prince of Wales Light Horse Brigade as a trainee APC driver. Having completed initial recruit training at Puckapunyal in Victoria, and later training with the RAAF at Edinburgh in South Australia and 7SD in Toowoomba, I was posted to Darwin.
I certainly appreciate the conditions of service the Defence members and their families endure, particularly during times of deployments both in Australia and overseas. I was extremely fortunate to have served in most Australian states and Malaysia. I also had the opportunity and was fortunate to visit a number of other countries in the region while serving in the Defence Force - fortunate because this was during a time of relative peace.
The electorate of Brennan has a high number of Defence personnel and their families who call Palmerston their home while posted in the Darwin area. As their local member, I am proud to serve them, and I am doubly proud of the work they do, of the role they perform in the defence of our nation, our home. Their work needs the full support of this parliament, and of our community. I sincerely hope we never repeat the horrible past as witnessed after the Vietnam War. A soldier should never get caught up with the politics of the day, nor should they become the target for ill-thought-out abuse by people who openly attacked the job they perform, but sit back and enjoy the freedom these people provide – they are hypocrites, every last one of them. Their fight is with the politicians and other world leaders, not the soldier who provides the privilege of freedom we live with; not the person who is willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to ensure we and our children grow up living in a nation free from the torments of war and all the atrocities war brings.
As a former proud member of our Defence Force, more than ever Anzac Day now provides me with a sense of unconditional pride in what our troops do today, and what our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and grandparents have fought for - our Australian flag, our heritage. Is it worth protecting? You are damn right it is.
Our young men and women volunteer to go into areas of extreme danger; into areas where there is a clear and present danger to their own lives. They do this for one clear reason. They leave their loved ones for weeks and months at a time. Why? Well, they certainly do not do it for money, for all the money in the world is not worth a person’s life. They do not do it for reward, for again, all the reward in the world does not replace a life. So why? Why do they leave their families, their loved ones, their children, to travel to far away places and put their own lives on the line for us?
It is because they believe in something. They believe in Australia, the freedoms this country has provided, and in what others before them have fought for. While I never had the opportunity to serve with our Navy, I certainly can appreciate, after working for Defence Housing, what Navy members and their families endure. I particularly take my hat off to submariners who, for months on end, are away from their families, often not even being able to tell their families where they are, where they have been, and where they are heading. One thing is for sure, wherever that place is, it will be dangerous.
I also pay tribute to the families of Defence members who are left for weeks, months, and even years, to attend to the needs of their families. I know, as a father of four, how challenging it can be in our day-to-day lives, but other than when I am away, both my wife and I share that load. I must admit, and I am certain my wife will tell you, her end is much heavier than mine. However, as a local member, yes, I am often busy in the community, but most nights I still get to go home and tuck my children into bed.
For Defence families, when one of the partners is away, the other is left to pick up the load - breakfast, lunch and dinner. You only have to look at your own normal day: starting early, getting kids out of bed, into the shower, preparing breakfast, looking for those blasted socks that always go missing in action, ensuring their teeth are brushed and school uniforms are prepared, the rush out the door and off to school before either heading off for a full day’s work, or heading back home to clean house, tend babies, wash and iron clothes, and shop for groceries.
School is out before you know it, kids are home and, with absolute precision, they cut to pieces your tidy house. Shoes are flung, uniforms dropped to the floor, and those blasted socks stage a classical retreat to some dark corner of the house where some are never found for months, before the inevitable, ‘mum, I am hungry’. After the afternoon snack is prepared and you have cleaned up once again, school friends appear and another line-up appears to be fed. Dinner is on, the washing is dry. While the kids are playing, the table is set, and you take a quick break before bringing in the washing and serving up dinner. Dinner is demolished in record time – I am amazed at how quickly food is consumed compared to how long it takes to prepare - it is time for the dishes and getting uniforms ready for tomorrow. Afterwards, you think you may catch a break but, of course, there is homework to do, to supervise, and to think quickly of a reason when you do not understand the question in the first place.
Time for a bit of television before it is time to prepare the kids for bed. Teeth are brushed, prayers are said to God above for our daddy in Afghanistan and, afterwards, you collapse. While so very tired of this daily chore which taxes you more than you could ever think, and more than you ever think you could give, you would prefer to do it time and time again than have the loneliness and the worry you are about to go through as you lay yourself down alone in bed.
This tribute is not only for our Defence members, but also their families who endure so much while their partners are away fighting for what they believe in - something you and I take for granted each and every day, or at least too often. The very least we can owe them is our unconditional support and appreciation for what they do.
Madam Speaker, I thank the Chief Minister for this motion today. I thank each and every Defence Force member and their families for their contribution to the defence of our nation, our heritage, and our freedom.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Speaker, genuinely, I thank the Chief Minister for bringing on this motion today. It is a very important motion to debate in this parliament, and every parliament around the country in my humble view. The federal parliament has recognised that and debated this issue in the last few days. It is very pleasing the efforts of our troops in Afghanistan and, by extension, in other conflicts around the world, have received bipartisan support at the federal level. That sentiment is certainly echoed in this parliament.
We heard today members on both sides of the House give their undying and utmost support to members of the Defence Force across Australia who have served, or are currently serving, in overseas deployments. There are many members of the Defence Force currently away serving, from all around the country and the Northern Territory - people who have chosen to make the Northern Territory their home. There are troops from Darwin and personnel from the RAAF Base at Tindal who are also currently deployed overseas.
I tried to find out how many of our troops posted here may be serving overseas but, to the credit of all those people who were contacted by my office today, we were not told. There is good reason for not telling us how many troops are deployed overseas; that is, for the security of those troops. My congratulations go to those people who would not give us the information. They did the right thing without a shadow of a doubt.
In thanking our troops from the Territory, from Darwin, from Katherine, who serve overseas, I also thank the families of the troops. I can only imagine – well, then again, I do not know if I can imagine - what it feels like for a father, mother, wife, or husband to have their loved one deployed in a foreign land where people are trying to kill them.
Our troops are there doing their bit to protect not only our way of life but the way of life of people who are caught up, often unintentionally, in conflict overseas. They lay their lives on the line when they do that. The angst families go through must be incredible. The families must have a feeling of helplessness while their sons, husbands, and fathers are away serving our country. I take my hat off to those family members who must endure the uncertainty, angst, and worry of having their loved ones in the line of fire.
It was very heartening to listen to some of the words of the Chief Minister in this debate. He spoke of Scott Palmer. In thinking about our troops, we think about the broad deployment to overseas countries. We think about the deployment from local units such as those in Darwin and in Katherine. Then, we think about how much closer to home those people really are. The very sad death of Scott Palmer and his two colleagues who died in a helicopter crash earlier this year, brought home to me just how close to home that can be.
All the events I have been to celebrating the life of Scott Palmer and his contribution to the defence of this country have been outstanding. The funeral in Darwin was very well attended. The Prime Minister attended with the Leader of the Opposition and many dignitaries from across the country.
The next event after that, if you call it an event, was the tribute football match played in Katherine a few months ago. The member for Drysdale mentioned it in his adjournment debate last night. I can report to the House that Scott Palmer was a very highly-respected and loved member of the Katherine community, which showed in the attendance that night in Katherine. There were probably 600 or 700 people packed into the sports and recreation ground for a fundraising event. If you want to look at the depth of sentiment which goes to our Defence personnel, look how deep into their pockets people are willing to dive to support our troops and their memory. The fundraising event, the Scott Palmer Tribute Match, raised more than $40 000 for the Commandos Legacy Fund from the Katherine community. That fundraising goes to the Commando Unit, to be used in support of the families of commandos who are killed or injured in action. It was an outstanding effort.
I use this opportunity to pay tribute to not only Defence Force members who serve overseas, but also those who stay in Australia in support of our troops overseas. I am not sure of the ratio; I would guess for every one who goes overseas there are several hundred who stay in Australia and support the deployed troops overseas. Their job is equally vital to the defence of this country and support of those who go overseas.
Part of that is our Reserve force. When I lived in Alice Springs I was a member of the NORFORCE unit of the Army Reserve and had a taste of military life. I spent a fair amount of time doing some hard yards and being involved with regular troops during operations. One of the things I learnt in that time was, without doubt, Australian troops are the best troops on this planet. They are trained to such a high degree they are revered by troops from other countries who look at them with awe when they realise just how good our soldiers are at doing their job. That is a testament to the troops in our Defence Force and the systems in place to train them; it is exemplary.
Part of the support services which exist around our troops and families - it is an extremely important link I want to make – are across all the services, especially for the RAAF Base at Tindal, are our family liaison officers. We affectionately call them FLOs. They are people who have the job of ensuring the families left behind while troops are deployed overseas are looked after so their welfare is attended to. That extends into every aspect of their life. To take on a job like that is difficult because those families are dealing, often times, with severe emotional upset at being separated from their families, the worry of having their loved ones so far away in foreign lands and not knowing exactly what they are doing or what they are up to, and the ever-present risk their loved one will not come home. I take my hat off to the people like Sharon Durbidge, Sharyn-Lee Lauder and Bec Hussey-Smith. They are some of the recent family liaison officers who have been working at the Tindal RAAF Base.
We also talk about our troops broadly across Australia, within the Northern Territory, and those close to home. Nothing gets more close to home than when your own family member is a part of the military service. It worries me a little because one of my sons is trying his utmost to enter the Australian Defence Force Academy. He passed his high school very well and is waiting on interviews to get into ADFA. It worries me a little about him having to be away and, perhaps, in a position where he could be defending his way of life - our way of life - overseas. At the same time, I take my hat off to him for putting himself out there and wanting to defend his country. I am very proud of him for that
Madam Deputy Speaker, I cannot speak more highly of the Australian soldiers from all the services. I wish them the very best in their deployments overseas. I wish them a safe and speedy return to their country. We are very proud of them, and they do a job that – well, let us face it - not very many people want to do. For that, I pay them the utmost respect and wish them all well.
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Tabled Paper
Pairs Arrangements – Members for
Arafura and Drysdale
Tabled Paper
Pairs Arrangements – Members for
Arafura and Drysdale
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Speaker has received a document in relation to pairs, which will come into effect today from 4 pm to 7 pm. The pairs arrangement is between the members for Arafura and Drysdale. That document has been signed by the government Whip, the member for Fannie Bay, and the opposition Whip, the member for Port Darwin.
___________________________
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Deputy Speaker, it goes without saying that I, obviously, support the Australian Defence Forces overseas, those based in Australia and, in particular, those based in the Northern Territory in my electorate. My electorate, of course, has RAAF Base Darwin as well as the Defence Establishment Berrimah, previously known as Coonawarra. I have to say, as did other speakers, they are a magnificent bunch of men and women who do us proud - who absolutely do us proud - and at all times we should make the effort to stand up and voice our support for the incredible job they do for our country.
Having said that, something about this statement does not sit quite right with me. I see this statement as nothing more than smoke and mirrors by this government in order to cover up for federal Labor’s failures in the area of supporting our Defence Forces and troops overseas. Federal Labor, with their Defence White Paper, outlined they were seeking to achieve $20bn worth of savings from Defence over the next 10 years; that they had cut $20bn from Defence over the next 10 years - $20bn. That is a significant cut of money.
I read an article that appeared in The Australian a couple of days ago, on 4 October, which was headed ‘Cuts to defence spending “stupid”’. It said:
- Department of Finance’s Red Book to new Finance minister Penny Wong warned that the government would struggle to achieve its key economic goal of a budget surplus in 2012-13 without spending cuts in sectors such as defence, social welfare and health.
That has gone to Penny Wong. Step back in time to 1996. We faced a tough economic situation in this country then and, as everyone here knows, Paul Keating left a $96bn black hole for the incoming Coalition government. That was identified very early in the piece by the then Treasurer, Peter Costello. Peter Costello and the Prime Minister of the time, John Howard, got together and had to make some very serious decisions about cutting spending and reducing spending programs, tightening our belts and the like. However, one area that was quarantined from cuts was Defence. ‘Do not cut Defence spending’. In actual fact, there were increases to the Defence budget in those incredibly tight economic times.
However, what we see here is a government not prepared to quarantine Defence; in fact, it says to Defence: ‘We want you to achieve $20bn worth of savings for us over the next 10 years’. Then, they have the audacity to run a statement in the federal parliament saying how they support the troops. I find that is just hypocrisy writ large. That is just the height of hypocrisy, where they can turn around and cut spending to Defence by $20bn over 10 years, and then stand up in the Chamber of the federal parliament and make a statement saying: ‘We support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and other parts of the world’. As colleagues have said, we are already seeing the results of those cuts.
In the same article I just mentioned from The Australian, the Executive Director of the Australia Defence Association, Neil James, said further cuts to the Defence bottom line would spell disaster for the nation’s security:
- As part of the strategic reform program implemented under last year’s defence white paper, the government committed $20bn over 10 years in cost reductions.
- ‘In the last budget the government has already ripped nearly $2bn from defence’, Mr James said. ‘Any further savings would be short-sighted, politically convenient and strategically stupid’.
- He said the commitment to purchase 12 new submarines and 100 Joint Strike Fighters would collapse with more spending cuts.
- ‘Any further cuts would just make it harder to re-equip the defence force’, Mr James said. ‘What it will mean is many of those projects will be postponed, which will weaken our defence force, weaken Australia and increase our strategic risk’.
That is what the new Executive Director of the Australia Defence Association said about our federal government, about the policies of our federal government and their attitude to Defence.
Other speakers, most noticeably the member for Drysdale, drew attention to Lance Corporal Jared McKinney. An e-mail published by News Limited on Tuesday a couple of weeks ago, said the Army had exposed troops to unnecessary risks, that contact would have been over before Jared died if they gave us ‘f-ing mortars’. I quote that from the article; that is what the soldier wrote. The e-mail also detailed how no intelligence reports had prepared the two sections of about 24 men each for a confrontation with up to 100 enemy attacking from multiple firing positions from as close as 80 m away:
- ‘We were at times pinned down by a massive rate of fire but we stuck to it’, he wrote. ‘The army has let us down, mate, and I am disgusted’.
That is what one of our troops overseas has said about the Army; that is, the Department of Defence; that is, the minister in Canberra, Stephen Smith. This is a disgusting situation where we cannot even properly equip our troops who go overseas because of Labor’s reckless spending cut in the area of Defence.
Now we see the Chief Minister in the Northern Territory having the audacity to come into this place with a statement about how he supports our troops without him even raising ‘boo’ against his Labor colleagues in the federal parliament saying: ‘C’mon boys, c’mon girls, how about assisting the troops we have here in the Northern Territory? How about assisting the Australian troops and not cut spending to Defence?’ That is what our Chief Minister should be saying if he really, truly and utterly believed in supporting our troops because, clearly, this situation we see our troops in is wrong.
Australians can do better than this. We can equip our troops better. I have heard of troops buying their own equipment because the Army issued equipment is not up to scratch. They are buying their own equipment before they go overseas because the stuff they get from the Army is not trustworthy. That is blatantly wrong.
I also have to question the fiscal responsibility of the Department of Defence. Here is a department which is facing cuts of $20bn over the next 10 years, yet the very same department is prepared to write off almost 400 houses here in Darwin - a whole suburb in Darwin - because of what? They cannot tell us what they need the land for, but they are prepared to rip down almost 400 houses, a couple of hundred million dollars of taxpayers’ assets out of the heart of Darwin, in the middle of a time when we are suffering our worst housing crisis in history ...
Mr Conlan: For aeroplane hangers.
Mr TOLLNER: As the member for Greatorex says, the scuttlebutt at the moment is they want to put in aeroplane hangers ...
Mr Conlan: With all those new aircraft we are going to buy.
Mr TOLLNER: With all those new aircraft. A couple of weeks ago, I watched the only Defence-specific childcare centre in Darwin close its doors. I paid tribute last night to the minister for Education in the Northern Territory for his efforts in trying to keep that service alive. I wish I could pay the same tribute to the Department of Defence, because the Department of Defence did not lift a finger to see that childcare centre remain operational. They did absolutely nothing. They are quite prepared to see childcare centres close down on Defence land, to move almost 400 houses - at least a couple of hundred million dollars worth of houses - away, just wasting it, throwing it away. At the same time, the federal Labor government is cutting $20bn out of their budget.
This is not a fiscally responsible department. It is a shame! I have to ask what this government is doing about it. What is this government doing about boarding a jet, flying to Canberra, and talking to these fools we have running the Defence ministry in the federal parliament? This is a national disgrace. At a time when federal Labor is cutting $20bn out of the Defence budget, they are proposing to demolish, get rid of, transport, whatever, over $200m of perfectly liveable houses out of a perfectly liveable suburb in the heart of Darwin, when we are having the worst housing crisis in our history.
That is the reality of what is going on. It is disgusting; it is a shame; it is a national disgrace. It is a national disgrace that ministers on the other side of this Chamber are sitting idly by and watching it happen without saying ‘boo’, then have the audacity to come to this House with a statement saying how they support our troops. What absolute nonsense!
The only one who could hold his head up with a skerrick of truth about him is the minister for Education who tried to keep the doors of a Defence-specific childcare centre open. Apart from him, I have not heard ‘boo’ from anyone on the other side about how they support Defence and how they are going to Canberra lobbying, carrying on, jumping up and down in the minister’s office saying: ‘What is happening in the Northern Territory with Defence?’ It is not right. None of them say that and it is completely wrong.
I am more than happy, at any time, to voice my support for Australian troops and Australian Defence personnel. It is incumbent on not only every member of this parliament, it should be incumbent on every member of our community, because what these guys do for us in a very big way is protect us and our lifestyle. That is not to say we should sit around idly watching the Department of Defence destroy $200m-plus of taxpayer assets - move a whole suburb out of Darwin. We should not be doing that at all; that is wrong.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I have to put on record my disgust for the Department of Defence, at the federal Defence minister, Stephen Smith, and at the other Defence turkey, Warren Snowdon - our own Warren Snowdon who should be standing up for Territorians, taking notice of some of the housing problems we have in the Northern Territory rather than sitting idly by watching Defence move or demolish $200m-plus of taxpayer assets on the RAAF Base in Darwin. I cannot voice loudly enough my disgust for these people and my disgust that they are prepared to strip $20bn out of Defence over the next 10 years. Thank you for the opportunity to put these words to the Chamber.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution to this debate. I am not going to respond to the member for Fong Lim because the spirit the government has brought this motion to parliament today - until the contribution from the member for Fong Lim - is to say to our forces serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and other theatres overseas, that this parliament and the people of the Northern Territory support you. We support the work you do; we support your families and friends left behind as friends and neighbours to us. That was the intent of the motion today. I thank all honourable members who contributed to the debate in the spirit of the motion brought forward.
I will be meeting with Commander of Northern Command tomorrow, David Gwyther, pointing out to him the debate today and suggesting he provide a copy, or at least the links, to our 800-odd forces serving overseas so they can see the support the people of the Northern Territory, through their elected representatives in this parliament, have for them and the work they are doing overseas, the commitment they have, the bravery they show, and the support we have for their families and friends left behind in the Territory.
Motion agreed to.
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 128)
(Serial 128)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms LAWRIE (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Deputy Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The bill before the House today is a clear reflection of this government’s continued commitment to tackling domestic and family violence in our community. This bill amends the Domestic and Family Violence Act to address unforeseen practical issues the Northern Territory Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have identified. The bill also addresses issues identified by legal domestic violence services and the victims of domestic violence. These amendments demonstrate this government’s dedication to ensuring the law works to protect victims of domestic violence.
Premises access orders and replacement tenancy agreements: a domestic violence order, a DVO, may include a premises access order which requires the defendant to vacate certain premises occupied by the person protected by the DVO, or otherwise restrains the defendant from entering premises occupied by a protected person except on stated conditions.
Certain matters must be considered by the issuing authority prior to making or confirming a premises access order. This includes that a premises access order is only granted to persons currently occupying premises. If a person has left their home to escape domestic violence, under a strict reading of the act they are precluded from applying for a premises access order. This has further implications for a protected person because, if a DVO includes a premises access order and the defendant is a tenant of the premises occupied by the protected person, then further orders may be made by the court relating to the tenancy agreement. The court may create a new tenancy agreement for the benefit of the protected person and anyone else who was a party to the terminated agreement other than the defendant. This order is referred to as a replacement tenancy agreement.
For a replacement tenancy agreement to be made there must first be a premises access order. When a premises access order is made the court considers who should be living in the premises, taking into account the accommodation needs of the persons concerned. However, if a victim has chosen to leave their home genuinely for safety reasons prior to obtaining a DVO, that victim is precluded from obtaining a premises access order and, therefore, a replacement tenancy agreement because the victim no longer occupies the premises. This is the case even if the victim’s name is on the lease of the property and the victim remains legally liable to pay rent.
Victims may often leave premises and remove possessions in order to be safe without first applying for a DVO that includes a premises access order. Such an approach is understandable. A DVO is, therefore, often not obtained until a victim has left and feels safe. Victims of domestic violence may also choose not to obtain an order immediately on the basis it would further anger the perpetrator. Victims are, thereby, disadvantaged because they chose not to obtain a DVO or a premises access order at the time they were in occupation of the premises. Once the victim is precluded from applying for a premises access order, they are also precluded from obtaining a replacement tenancy agreement.
This bill amends section 22 to enable a person to apply for a premises access order if they occupy or have occupied the premises. Once a premises access order is made, the Court of Summary Jurisdiction can then consider a replacement tenancy agreement if the premises are leased.
This bill also amends section 23 relating to replacement tenancy agreements. Currently, section 23 provides that a replacement tenancy agreement is made to the benefit of the victim; however, there may be circumstances where a victim of domestic violence does not want to remain in the premises. There is no mechanism under the act whereby a victim of domestic violence who has left premises to escape domestic violence can apply to have their name removed from a tenancy agreement.
The act has been designed to cater for victims who wish to remain in the premises they have occupied, whether owned or rented. It does not cater for persons who are parties to a lease and, therefore, liable for rent for premises they no longer wish to occupy due to domestic violence.
This bill amends section 23 of the act such that the court can also make a replacement tenancy agreement to the benefit of the defendant where the protected person no longer wishes to reside in those premises.
Vexatious applications: sometimes the DVO process may be abused and a defendant may make a cross-application for a DVO which further harasses their victim. The bill provides the court with new powers so it can refuse to hear an application, or may order a stay of proceedings. The court may do this if it is satisfied the application for a DVO is frivolous, vexatious, or an abuse of the process of the court.
Police DVOs: the bill also amends the provision in the act concerning when authorised police officers are themselves able to make DVOs, referred to as police DVOs. As currently drafted, an authorised police officer may make a police DVO if they are satisfied that: due to urgent circumstances, it is not practicable to obtain a DVO through the court; making the DVO is necessary to ensure a person’s safety; and a DVO might reasonably have been made by the court had it been practicable to apply for one. All three of these criteria must be met.
Police advise there have been circumstances where it has been unclear whether or not it is not practicable to obtain a DVO through the court. For example, in one matter, police officers attended a domestic violence incident at a location 120 km by road from Darwin at 10 am on a Monday. The police considered a DVO was urgently required and was necessary to ensure a person’s safety. However, the police were unsure as to whether the distance needed to be travelled from Darwin to the court in order to obtain a court DVO fulfilled the criterion that obtaining a court DVO was not practicable. The police officers who attended the incident, and the authorised officer, were, quite understandably, unsure as to whether a police DVO was appropriate.
The act is being amended to provide more certainty as to when a police DVO is appropriate. Under the amended act, an authorised police officer will be able to make a police DVO if they are satisfied it is necessary to ensure a person’s safety because of either urgent circumstances, or it is not otherwise practicable in the circumstances to obtain a DVO from the court, provided the authorised police officer is satisfied the court might reasonably have made such an order if the matter was before the court. This means that, even if an incident occurs at a time when a court is sitting, or when it is possible to transport a person to the court to make an application for an order, if the circumstances are urgent and a DVO is necessary to ensure a person’s safety, then provided the police officer reasonably believes the court would make a DVO, the police officer may make a police DVO.
The amendment also means if it is not otherwise practicable in the circumstances to obtain a DVO from the court, then provided the DVO is needed to ensure a person’s safety and the police officer reasonably believes the court would make a DVO, the police officer may make a police DVO.
Interim variation orders: the bill also inserts a new provision which provides the court with the power to make an interim variation order when hearing an application to vary or revoke a DVO.
Variation or revocation of DVOs in urgent circumstances: currently, applications to vary or revoke a DVO in urgent circumstances can only be made in respect of court DVOs. Police are able to apply under sections 64 to 71 of the act to a magistrate over the telephone, or via a fax or other electronic communication, for the variation of the DVO if they are satisfied there has been a substantial change in relevant circumstances since the DVO was last varied or was made.
A police officer may only make such an application in urgent circumstances when it is not practicable to obtain an order of variation by application to the court. The act does not provide for variation of police DVOs, as a police DVO must be confirmed by the court. However, police DVOs are sometimes unconfirmed by the court for a period of time. Usually, this is in remote areas where there may be up to three months between sittings of the court. The bill provides that a police officer may apply to a magistrate in urgent circumstances in the same manner as a court DVO to seek variation of the police DVO.
Police power to remove and detain: despite the police having the power to make applications under Part 2.8 Division 2 for a variation in urgent circumstances, they do not have the power to detain a person while they seek the variation. This lack of power can make varying the DVO difficult.
Currently under section 84 of the act, if a police officer reasonably believes there are grounds for making a DVO against a person and it is necessary to remove that person to prevent imminent risk of harm to another person or damage to property, including the death or injury of an animal, then the police officer is entitled to enter premises where they reasonably believe the person is, take the person into custody, and remove the person to the nearest police station or to another place where the person can be conveniently detained until a DVO is made and given to the person. In short, once a person is removed, they are detained and a DVO is made and given to the person.
There are circumstances, however, when a DVO has already been made against a person by the court, but has not yet been given to them. It is a common occurrence that DVOs are made by the court in the absence of the defendant, leaving the police to later serve - that is, give a copy of - the DVO to the defendant. Under the act, the police do not have the power to detain a person for the purpose of giving the person a copy of an existing DVO. The NT Police have expressed concern that a protected person is, therefore, not entitled to the same level of protection when a DVO has already been made but not served, as is provided for when a DVO is yet to be made.
The bill, therefore, provides that the police may detain a person for the purpose of not only making a DVO, but also for the purposes of seeking variation of a DVO or for giving them a copy of an existing DVO. Under section 84 of the act, a person cannot be detained for the above purposes for more than four hours after being taken into custody. In cases where grounds for making a DVO exist but no other offences are being investigated, police officers rely solely upon this power for detention to detain the person.
Furthermore, under the act when a DVO is given to a person, the police are required to explain to the person the effect of the DVO, the consequences for any breach of the DVO, and the right of the defendant to apply for a review of the DVO. This explanation, as far as is reasonably practicable, must be given in either a language or in terms which are likely to be readily understood by the defendant.
The police service is concerned that, quite often, persons detained under section 84 of the act are intoxicated and remain so up until the expiration of the four-hour time limit. If a person remains intoxicated up until the expiration of the four-hour time limit, the question then is: how are the police supposed to make the appropriate explanations to the defendant about the DVO which has been made against them, and to make sure the person fully understands the effect of the DVO if they are still intoxicated? It is best practice to ensure that, prior to being released from detention, a defendant is made aware of the effect of the DVO, the consequences of breaching the DVO, and their right to apply for a review. However, this cannot occur if the person is still intoxicated and must be released because that four-hour time limit has expired.
Although in some circumstances the police could rely upon the protective custody provisions of the Police Administration Act to detain persons for a longer period, there are circumstances where these provisions will not apply, leaving the police with no choice but to release the defendant. The defendant is then released, they are the subject of a DVO, but there is no guarantee they understand the DVO. This creates a higher risk of the DVO being breached.
The bill amends the act to allow the police to detain a person for a longer period of time if it is necessary to do so because they are intoxicated and the police are unable to properly give a copy of the DVO to the defendant. The amendment also inserts safeguards to ensure the safety of those persons who are detained for longer than four hours due to intoxication. If a police officer detains a person beyond the four-hour limit due to intoxication, after six hours the police officer must inform a senior police officer, of or above the rank of Superintendent, of the continued need to detain the person.
The police officer will also be required to record information about the person’s continued detention in the custody log, and arrange for a health practitioner to examine the person as soon as is practicable. The police officer must also release the person from custody into the custody of the health practitioner if they require medical treatment, or otherwise release the person when they cease to be intoxicated, or at the expiration of 10 hours, whichever is the earlier.
These amendments will ensure defendants receive the information they should about a DVO made against them. These amendments will also provide better outcomes for the person who is protected by the DVO by ensuring the defendant is not released until such time as they are no longer intoxicated, and they are made aware of the terms of the DVO.
Sentencing for breach of a DVO: the bill also amends section 121 of the act to clarify the provisions concerned with sentencing persons who have breached a DVO. Under section 121 of the act, an adult who is found guilty of contravening a DVO is liable for a penalty of 400 penalty units ($53 200) or imprisonment for two years. Under section 121(2) of the act, if a person has previously been found guilty of contravening a DVO, they must be sentenced to serve at least seven days imprisonment. If a person found guilty of contravening a DVO is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, section 121 provides that if they are already serving another term of imprisonment for another offence, the court must direct the term of imprisonment to start from the end of the other term of imprisonment. These provisions are specifically stated to apply despite the Sentencing Act.
The aim of section 121 is to ensure any sentence for a contravention of a DVO is served in addition to other terms of imprisonment. However, section 121, as currently drafted, is open to an interpretation that the sentence for contravention of a DVO can be served concurrently with another sentence. The bill amends section 121 in order to ensure that persons who are found guilty of contravening a DVO, and who are sentenced to a term of imprisonment, will serve that term of imprisonment. The amendment ensures that if a person is already serving a term of imprisonment, any sentence they receive for contravening a DVO will need to be served and cannot be served concurrently - they will be locked up for longer as a result of their contravention.
Service provisions: some users of the act have stated the service provisions about how a DVO is given to a defendant are unclear. A DVO has effect if given. Section 119 sets out how it may be given which, aside from the defendant being present at the time the DVO is made, also includes service under section 25 of the Interpretation Act.
Section 25 of the Interpretation Act makes provision for service of documents which includes that a person may serve a document by giving the document, posting the document, or faxing the document to the recipient. To ensure the service provisions are clear, the bill also makes amendments and relevant provisions throughout the act by notes directing users of the act to how a DVO may be given as set out in section 119.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and I table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
SUPERANNUATION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 125)
(Serial 125)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The bill puts in place a package of measures by proposing amendments to the Superannuation Act; Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities’ Superannuation Scheme Rules; and the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund Act.
The bill will implement Stage 1 of the superannuation reform project. This project has identified options to modernise the Territory’s defined benefit framework to allow more sustainable and cost-effective administration and provide flexibility to respond to changing employment and superannuation law and policy. Stage 1 includes changes that can be implemented almost straightaway, and will result in immediate savings without affecting members’ entitlements.
In summary, the bill proposes four separate reforms to: remove the new entrant medical provisions for the Northern Territory government death and invalidity scheme referred to as NTGDIS; introduce an account keeping fee for retained members of the Northern Territory Government and Public Authority Superannuation Scheme, referred to as NTGPASS; enable active members of NTGPASS and the Northern Territory Supplementary Superannuation Scheme, or as it is commonly known the NTSSS, to opt out of these schemes when they reach their preservation age, currently aged 55, so they can transition to retirement; and restructure governance arrangements by creating a single trustee board to oversee the Territory’s defined benefit funds.
I will now address the changes proposed in the bill in more detail. The first proposal is to remove the new entrant medical requirements for the NTGDIS. The NTGDIS was established in 2007 to extend death and invalidity cover to all public sector employees and members of the Legislative Assembly who are in choice-of-fund superannuation arrangements; that is, those who have 9% superannuation guarantee paid to their nominated superannuation fund each pay day. The NTGDIS benefit is equivalent to that available from NTGPASS.
The current legislative regime, as set out in the Superannuation Act, requires new employees who have been employed since the scheme was established in 2007 to complete a medical declaration before they are eligible for full cover from the scheme. Where a new employee is assessed as having a high risk of death or invalidity, a medical examination is undertaken to determine if their cover should be reduced in their first 10 years of employment. Members employed prior to 2007 are retrospectively assessed if they die or become an invalid in their first 10 years of employment. After 10 years, all employees are entitled to full cover.
Managing this process is resource intensive and costs about $100 000 a year across all agencies. New employees find the process bureaucratic and time-consuming, and there is also a cost on the community by using scarce medical resources to undertake medical examinations, rather than more critical day-to-day medical issues. Since 2007, over 8500 new employees have been medically assessed. Of these, 12% were required to undertake a further medical examination, 3% subsequently had their cover reduced, and only one employee with reduced cover has received a benefit from the scheme.
The scheme actuary has advised that removing the medical requirements will not materially increase the Territory’s liability. The reform is in line with other states and territories and is consistent with the approach taken by industry funds and insurance companies when providing insurance cover.
The bill removes the new entrant medical provisions and retrospective medical history assessment requirements, including previously issued reduced benefit certificates. To maximise the efficiencies to be gained from this measure, the scheme has been administered on this basis from 1 April 2010 and the bill reflects this application date.
The bill also includes transitional arrangements to enable NTGDIS members who are paid a reduced benefit under the current provisions, but prior to the commencement of the legislation, to receive a top-up payment once the legislation has commenced.
In keeping with the government’s policy of retaining mature-aged workers in the public sector, it is proposed that NTGPASS and NTSSS members are able to opt out of these schemes when they reach their superannuation preservation age, which is currently aged 55, without having to resign so they can transition to retirement. Transition to retirement is a policy initiative of the Commonwealth that encourages mature-age workers to remain in the workforce longer, even if only on a part-time basis, by allowing them to access superannuation benefits while they continue to work. This initiative is available to Northern Territory public sector employees who are in choice-of-fund superannuation arrangements, but NTGPASS and NTSSS members must resign from the public service before they can access their superannuation.
About 1250 individuals, or 22% of the NTGPASS and NTSSS membership, could access this proposal. However, it is considered unlikely that all will do so. The scheme actuary has considered the impact on future cash flows and unfunded liabilities, and advised that while the proposal may lead to some increase in short-term cash flows, in the longer term the proposal would be either cost neutral or result in small savings.
This initiative represents an improvement in conditions of employment for some staff and, strategically, this introduction was linked to the settlement of the 2010 round of enterprise bargaining agreements recently conducted by the Commissioner for Public Employment.
It is proposed to introduce an account keeping fee for retained members of the NTGPASS. The Superannuation Act requires the day-to-day administration costs for NTGPASS to be met by the Territory, but allows charges to be levied for services provided at the request of a member. A similar arrangement applies to all the Territory’s defined benefit schemes and is common practice for employer-sponsored schemes. Currently, fees are charged for a variety of requested services, including account keeping fees for NTGPASS account-based pension members. The proposed account keeping fee would apply to NTGPASS retained members only; that is, those members who have left the NT Public Service. It is proposed to commence the fee from January 2011. This initiative is expected to raise about $200 000 a year in Territory revenue.
Retained accounts represent more than half of the NTGPASS membership and 38% of these members no longer reside in the Territory. As 45% of members retain their benefit within NTGPASS when they exit the NT Public Service, the cost to the Superannuation Office in administering funds for people who are no longer employees is significant and growing. The lack of an appropriate fee may be one reason why some retained members do not roll their superannuation to another fund.
It is proposed to reform the current governance arrangements by creating a single trustee board to oversee the Territory’s defined benefit funds. The Territory currently has three superannuation trustee boards. These boards are:
the Superannuation Investment Board, established under the Superannuation Act and responsible for the NTGPASS members’ fund which currently has over $700m invested;
Changes to the Commonwealth superannuation legislation means trustee obligations and responsibilities are becoming increasingly complex, and there has been a move throughout the superannuation industry to merge and streamline trustee arrangements. The NTGPASS, parliamentary and police trustee boards undertake, essentially, the same function, which is managing investments on behalf of a declining membership base. These arrangements are not optimal and the degree of duplication and commonality between the schemes means the current trustee arrangements could be more efficiently and cost-effectively undertaken by a single board. A single board with suitable expertise and qualifications will streamline administration, promote efficiency, and align the Territory schemes with contemporary governance arrangements.
In order to create a single trustee board, it is proposed to rename the Superannuation Investment Board as the Superannuation Trustee Board which will oversee all the Territory’s public sector superannuation funds. The bill achieves this by amending the Superannuation Act to:
rename the SIB as the Superannuation Trustee Board, the STB;
establish the STB as a body corporate with a common seal;
protect the trustees from liability where they have acted in good faith;
extend the functions of the STB to include the trustee duties under the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund Act; and
allow the Treasurer to approve the STB taking on functions of any other superannuation fund.
Complementary amendments to the Legislative Assembly Members’ Superannuation Fund Act will establish the new Superannuation Trustee Board as the trustee for the parliamentary scheme, while an amending deed to be executed by the Treasurer and the police trustees will create a similar outcome for that trust.
The bill also clarifies current practice, whereby the Commissioner of Superannuation administers the parliamentary scheme on behalf of the trustees by providing that the new Superannuation Trustee Board can delegate powers and functions to the commissioner. Similarly, the bill extends the current delegation power in the Superannuation Act to allow the commissioner to further delegate those powers.
The bill makes transitional arrangements to give effect to the change in trusteeship for each of the funds and create a seamless transfer of assets, liabilities, decisions, outcomes, and agreements to the new Superannuation Trustee Board. The investments in each superannuation fund are held in a range of managed investment trusts registered in Victoria and New South Wales. The transfer of the funds to the new Superannuation Trustee Board is a simple change in the name of the trustee, and there will be no change in the underlying investments which will continue to be held in each superannuation fund on behalf of the respective members.
Nevertheless, private rulings were obtained from the State Revenue Office in Victoria and New South Wales confirming the transfers are not subject to stamp duty. Similar advice was obtained from the Territory Revenue Office. Advice was also obtained from the fund’s external taxation accountant confirming there is no capital gains tax or other taxation implications for the funds.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and table a copy of the explanatory statement to accompany the bill.
Debate adjourned.
TERRITORY INSURANCE OFFICE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 123)
(Serial 123)
Continued from 17 August 2010.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, out of the frying pan and into the fire, I suppose, moving into the new shadow portfolio of Treasury. I have not had an opportunity to get a briefing on this bill from Treasury. However, I know the member for Port Darwin has taken that opportunity and he has relayed his satisfaction with the briefing. He will speak on this bill also and pick up issues he may have raised during that briefing which I have not been privy to.
I will move straight to the guts of the bill and look at what is being proposed in these amendments. It is useful, as I have done with legislation in the past, to go through the amendments and outline them in succinct terms which can be understood by the broader public as well. That is a useful tool to use in this parliament.
I move then into the bill and look at new section 3A which talks about the category of persons listed as associates. Even though that section remains, essentially, the same, the amendment says siblings will now be considered associates, as will related bodies corporate. I note the 5% shareholding threshold has been removed for shareholders in a body corporate or other public company if it is listed on the stock exchange.
Some of these sections do not need a great deal of explanation. The next provision which is proposed for amendment is under clause 6, Powers of Office. The amendment gives the office the powers of a natural person, removes the need for a specific power to acquire, hold or dispose of real property. That, effectively, means that section 6(2)(e) is removed from the act. The ability to enter contracts has been clarified to include contracts and to engage consultants. The other part of that is the ability for TIO to invest its money. It will no longer be subject to the Public Trustees Act, nor will it require approval from the minister.
The amendments for section 9 propose the wording of the section be updated in part to reflect that the board is responsible for the office’s commercial activities and MAC’s business activities. Clause 10 of the amendments talks about the minimum number of members being reduced to three with respect to the board, and a vacant position or absence of the member will not invalidate a decision of the board. A separate MAC position on the board appears to have been abolished under this proposed amendment also.
New section 15 talks about the termination of member appointments. There is nothing controversial in that, so there is probably not a great deal to add to it. You could say in addition to the current situation, it could give rise a board member convicted of an offence, either in the Territory or elsewhere, that is punishable by 12 months imprisonment in the Territory or is disqualified under the Corporations Act 2001 from managing a corporation, will have their appointment terminated. The amendments talk about disclosure of interest, and the member for Port Darwin probably has something to say on that.
Section 17C, essentially, remains the same with an adjusted penalty to retain some consistency with the Corporations Act.
New section 26 relates to the payment of the surplus amounts in the fund to the Territory and I know the member for Port Darwin will touch on this further - well, I believe he will. The amendment talks about the existing section 26, and effectively breaks that section into two parts and allows the minister to transfer monies that are surplus to the MAC business purposes to the Central Holding Authority which can be withdrawn only for the purpose of road safety promotion. Authorised withdrawals are subject to section 5(2) of the Financial Management Act. Under the new section 26A the minister may give directions to transfer excess TIO (other than MAC) fund monies to the Central Holding Authority, and the minister must table the report in the Legislative Assembly within six days after giving that direction.
There are a number of minor amendments included in the Territory Insurance Office Act, and there is probably no point in going over too many of those because they are non-controversial.
I move on to the Motor Accidents (Compensation) Act where there a number of proposed amendments as well. Section 27 relates to the designated person. The TIO Board has been removed from the appeals process.
Sections 28A, 28B, 28C are amended by including in their provisions, where a claimant who is aggrieved by an original decision on a claim must now appeal within 90 days of receipt of the decision to a designated person who is appointed by the board. The designated person must make a decision on the review within 30 days, and may confirm the original decision, vary the original decision, or revoke and substitute with another decision.
Sections 28D, 28E and 29 are also proposed to be amended and include provisions where the review of the original decision has been received by the claimant; they may refer the claim to the referral tribunal. The designated person may also refer the claim to the tribunal. The tribunal may consider additional evidence not reviewed in earlier decisions, and is not bound by any earlier decisions. They are then able to confirm the referred decision, vary it, or revoke or substitute that decision.
Section 30B is regarding provisions around the original decision remaining in effect during the course of the review process. Again, as with the Territory Insurance Office Act itself, there are a number of minor amendments of the Motor Accidents (Compensation) Act that are non-controversial, and there is no need to cover those in this debate.
Further, there are a few amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act and also the Motor Vehicles Regulations. Under section 47, it will now be the minister responsible for the TIO who will, by Gazette notice, declare the amount of compensation contributions payable in accordance with the act, and the competent person cannot be a public sector employee or an employee of the office. Section 47A goes on to say those compensation contributions must be reviewed by a competent person every three years. There are a number of minor amendments to the Motor Vehicle Regulations.
Madam Deputy Speaker, this bill will be supported by this side of the House. It appears there is a bit of tidying up. I know some of these provisions have been called for from within TIO and the motor accidents compensation part of that, and will be supported by this side of the House.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Deputy Speaker, I will speak briefly on this bill. Before I start, I place on the record my thanks to Mr Richard Harding, as well as the Board of TIO. They have been fulsome in their briefings during the times I have been the shadow Treasurer, and have been excellent communicators. I say thank you to Mr Harding and Mr Flynn, but also the other board members who have been kind enough to put up with my inquiries and questions, and anticipate my needs, I might add because, during the GFC, they realised there was going to be a little red ink on their books. They were kind enough to contact me and explain to me why that happened before matters were published. I am grateful to them for anticipating that, because that would have been an issue which would have been dealt with in another domain had they not been so proactive. I ask, as a personal favour to me, they extend the same level of communication and contact to the new shadow Treasurer. Again, I place on the record the excellent communication I have had so far.
Turning my attention to the bill itself, I am not going to spend a great deal of time rehashing what the shadow Treasurer has discussed. This is a non-contentious bill. I confess when I had the role of shadow Treasurer, one of the first little flags that went up my flag pole was: ‘Aha, they are going to move to privatise. I will see what wickedness is afoot’. Once again, the interesting thing was I was briefed before the second reading speech was introduced into the House. So, clearly, the anticipation and quality of thinking of the TIO CEO was excellent. I was comprehensively briefed and several follow-up questions were answered in a timely fashion, thus allaying my fears in relation to the privatisation of TIO. I draw no inference or implication that what is in this legislation will enable the government to move down the road of the privatisation of TIO any more than they are currently in a position to do.
These changes will have the effect of restructuring the rights and duties of the board. They, quite rightly, point out that having the board as a body of review for decisions which are really issues for experts is inappropriate. These amendments will enable the board to actually have determinations in relation to insurance matters referred to people who are experts, and have these matters determined by the right people. So, it is a commonsense amendment.
The act also amends the requirement of the board to be from six members to three. I do not have a problem with that. Mr Flynn was a little surprised when I told him about that, but he has since recontacted me and said: ‘The minimum is three under these changes, but we anticipate the board will continue to operate with six or seven members’. That stands to reason. The board also has a MACA-specific board member currently. Considering the business model and the structure of TIO, as part of one of their three business streams, the MACA scheme will not be in any way diminished in its representation on the board simply by making the board responsible for MACA in the same way they would be in any other structure.
The board has to and does run as a commercial entity. Giving almost arcane structures, for lack of a better expression, in relation to certain board members having certain roles, one assumes they need to be directed by legislation, and they do not. They have fiduciary responsibilities to their own company, and they will act accordingly no matter which of their business divisions they are referring to - be it MACA, their banking arm, or their insurance arm.
There are other minor amendments in this bill that I do not intend to go into. Suffice it to say one of the questions I raised was in relation to the support the TIO, through MACA, has given over the years to road safety campaigns in the Northern Territory. This bill enables that money to go through the Central Holding Authority, if memory serves, and then be farmed out to the department. I am assured to the point of being satisfied that money will find its way through those channels and will not be shaved off in some other fashion by Treasury or the Treasurer. You can well imagine why I would be cautious of such a suggestion. As the former shadow Treasurer, I will always be cautious of any suggestion that money gets anywhere near the hands of the Treasurer, and is then being used for the purposes that the Treasurer says it will be used for. I do not enjoy reassurance unless I have stronger evidence than a mere assurance by the Treasurer that will be the case.
I also thank Richard Harding for sending me a letter on 13 September in relation to how the CTP premiums would be affected and, under the new rating arrangements created by this legislation, those CTP premiums would grow. I am satisfied, on the information I received, this will not become some great cash factory for TIO at the expense of Territorians, but provides a more convenient mechanism for setting the rates. As far as I am concerned, that issue has also been satisfactorily resolved.
Madam Deputy Speaker, in essence, this is a bill which improves the management of the Territory Insurance Office; it does not set the Territory Insurance Office in a direction of privatisation. Issues in relation to matters of funding for road safety campaigns have been satisfied and, to that end, the Country Liberals support the bill before the House.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Deputy Speaker, I also support the bill before us today. I thank government for allowing us to have a briefing with TIO. As I understand it, there were three objectives for the changes. The first one is to improve governance and administrative provisions for TIO and the MACA scheme. The second one is to expedite and simplify the appeals process, and strengthen the internal review processes for appeal. The third one is to simplify the process for determining MAC contribution rates.
In relation to the governance, there was a review conducted in 2008-09 of the TIO and MAC acts, focusing on statutory and governance framework issues. The outcomes of the review aimed to better align the administrative arrangements with those within the Government Owned Corporations Act and the Corporations Act 2001 - in other words, they are contemporising the act. The only thing I comment on in relation to that is we are using the Government Owned Corporations Act but we are not calling the TIO a GOC which in some ways is a bit unfortunate for the TIO. If it was a GOC we could question the TIO in the Estimates Committee as we do with Power and Water. Obviously, it is just a matter of having uniformity, trying to bring it up to date with the Corporations Act.
Regarding the changes in the board, the requirement for a MAC member to be on the board has been removed, and they are reducing the minimum number on the board from six to three and is consistent …
Ms Lawrie: Only the quorum.
Mr WOOD: Yes, it is consistent with quorum provisions of the Territory Insurance Office Act, and the minimum membership requirements Government Owned Corporations Act.
I asked TIO about that. I was a bit concerned we only had a board of three. They do not expect to have a board of three; there will be more than three members. However, the board can still act if it has three members. I was happy with that. I thought for a while we were going to have a very small board. The intent is to maintain board membership of between five to seven members. The change provides flexibility in structuring the board and managing appointments where members unexpectedly resign. The continuation of the MAC member on the board reduces flexibility in identifying individuals with the necessary skills and expertise to effectively manage TIO as a corporate entity.
MAC fund contributions are made directly to the Central Holding Authority and redirected to the relevant department to ensure MAC fund contributions are subject to the budget process and parameters. There is no intent to reduce the current total quantity of road safety funding provided from the MAC fund. I thought that was an interesting change. Having TIO involvement in where that money goes is fair from the TIO’s point of view because, up to now, they hand this money over to someone else and someone else spends the money the way they want to spend it. As TIO is involved in road safety, it makes good sense that they have a say in where that money is being spent.
My understanding is it could go to any department that felt it had a road safety issue, which could mean more white lines and guide posts on the sides of road if someone thought that was a road safety issue. The changes are good as it give some ownership of that money from the point of view of where it has been directed. At least TIO has input, and that is a good change.
Regarding MAC contribution determinations, there is a proposal to remove the role of commissioner to introduce simplified arrangements, and implement automatic annual indexation of contribution amounts supplemented by independent expert reviews every three years. These reviews will ensure contribution levels are sufficient for the longer term financial sustainability of the scheme. Although I am not an economic guru, I do know, from time to time over the history of the MAC scheme, it has suffered and struggled through not having enough funds. There have been long sighs from members of the government as to how to keep the thing afloat. This gives it more certainty and a more organised method of making sure its long-term financial sustainability is guaranteed. It also provides for the minister to request more frequent reviews where it is prudent to do so - for example, in response to economic circumstances that may warrant determining an amount different from a normal indexation-based increase based on recommendations of an independent review.
The last area the bill deals with is the MAC appeal process improvements. There is no change to the benefits provided under MAC, but the changes to the dispute resolution process are:
1. it streamlines MAC appeals process by removing the board from determining compensation applications;
3. maintains ultimate right of appeal to independent MAC tribunal.
Improvements to the internal review process include introducing a TIO employee with specialist experience to review the case prior to seeking a resolution through the designated person in the legislative appeals process. That does make sense if the appeal process is too long: people become frustrated, local members receive phone calls, and everyone gets a little cranky about TIO. If you can streamline the process - and having talked to TIO there is a stronger emphasis on trying to solve some of these issues early, which is always the way to go, if we can sort these things out. I telephoned the CEO today regarding a constituent who had a problem with a non-payment, and the CEO has offered to ring her. We may be able to solve that problem simply with a phone call. That is the way we should try to fix these issues, rather than having to go through a long appeals process which costs TIO more money, which means it is more expensive to run.
It is good the board is removed. However, I was also pleased to see the board still plays a part. When I have had constituents ring me about issues, and when I have come to my wits’ end as to know which way to go, I know I can still ring the board members; they are there for a purpose. They are not just there to fill in a spot on a board. If members of the public feel they have a gripe, that is why you have a board, so you can ring those people. A number of those are local people, a number are interstate people, so you have people with expertise and people with local knowledge. It is important that we recognise the board has a role, especially in relation to customer relations where customers feel they have not had a fair go.
Madam Deputy Speaker, the changes contemporise the act. In this day and age, with changes to the way insurance companies operate and the MAC scheme needs to operate today, the changes are good and I support the bill.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the members opposite for their support of the Territory Insurance Office and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. I thank the members for Nelson and Port Darwin for taking the opportunity of a briefing with TIO and officers of Treasury. I thank the Territory Insurance Office CEO, Mr Richard Harding, for the work he has done in working with Treasury in bringing forward these amendments that give effect to the review that I approved for Treasury and TIO to jointly undertake in 2008 through to 2009.
We wanted to put in place a continued improvement in the statutory and government framework issues TIO had previously confronted, so this review and the changes before us today are a continued process of strengthening and enhancing TIO and its operations; opening up the transparency of TIO and the MAC operations, and ensuring the fairness elements in the appeal processes are very reasonable. It is recognised the board members have specific skill sets and, quite reasonably, they should be sitting there dealing with the appeals so you actually have a more robust appeals process as a result of these proposed amendments.
We have also taken the opportunity to provide for governance administration arrangements which will ensure TIO is more in line with the Government Owned Corporations Act that adopts those contemporary practices in relation to the penalties and governance guidelines. Removing the TIO Board member from the MAC Board and removing the board members from the MAC appeals process are great moves.
Reducing the TIO board quorum from six to three, in line with the Government Owned Corporations Act, was questioned quite significantly by members opposite. That was a good series of questioning for them to undertake. I can assure members there is no intention by the government, in working with the CEO of TIO, for there to be a habit of board meetings of three members. It is really for those occasions where you have some unforeseen circumstances where board members have to leave due to illness or what have you, and the numbers might be reduced for a short period of time while you are in the process of recruiting highly-skilled professionals to the TIO Board. That being said, the Reserve Bank of Australia seems to operate quite sufficiently with a quorum of three board members. It is the norm, it is the practice, and TIO will be adopting the norm and the practice.
I do not propose to go into the details of the arrangements here because they have been well canvassed by members opposite, and they were laid out quite clearly and specifically in my second reading speech in the previous sittings. It does, as we say, provide for a greater transparency. It provides for a change in removing the requirement for a MAC Board member on the board, taking the appeals process out of the board, and providing some more robust aspects to the MAC fund in how those MAC settings are put in place through the premiums.
I acknowledge the role of TIO and Treasury officials. They have worked well together and they have a strong working relationship. We have a robust operation through the Territory Insurance Office. We are well served by the CEO and his team at TIO. They have done a resoundingly fine job through the difficulties of the global financial crisis. I have put on record my thanks to the TIO team. As an insurer and banker in what has been an incredibly dynamically changing and dramatically worsening period of the global financial crisis, and coming out of that, they did an astounding job for Territorians. I sincerely thank the TIO Board for the wisdom and decisions they made working with their CEO through that period. I also sincerely thank my Treasury officials who I know work tirelessly, not just on these reviews, but in ensuring TIO was well served and well supported during what was a dramatic period for us all.
Madam Speaker, TIO is healthy; it is a good insurance office. I have to put in a plug: if you are not insured with TIO, well, you should certainly get some insurance with TIO. We are very well served by the reforms the former Treasurer, Syd Stirling, made to the MAC fund. We are seeing that come through in the health of the MAC fund. I know we have, potentially, more work to do in the benefits of the MAC fund, and we will look at that as a body of work going forward because we have been well served by all the reforms to date. I thank all members for their support.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MOTION
Note Statement – Growing International Trade 2009 to 2013
Note Statement – Growing International Trade 2009 to 2013
Continued from 10 June 2010.
Ms McCARTHY (Tourism): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak today in support of the Minister for Trade and Asian Relation’s statement on growing trade and our participation in the global economy. Trade, the lifeblood of commerce, has been an important part of the Northern Territory’s history for over 400 years. Long before Captain Cook, the people of the Northern Territory, the Yolngu, were engaged in a flourishing trade with our immediate neighbours to the north, the people of Makassar. Even my own people, the Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Mara, and Gudanji peoples had their particular trade with the Macassans. The Macassans travelled to our shores looking for beche de mere, or trepang, a sea slug much prized by the Chinese who valued it for its perceived restorative powers.
Here we are in this House, 400 years on, talking about trade and the Northern Territory’s engagement with Asia and, especially, with Indonesia and China. The people of Indonesia knew about Australia and, in particular the Northern Territory, long before the nations of Europe took an interest in this part of the world. Today, China is Australia’s second largest trading partner after Japan, with the bulk of our trade with China in commodities such as manganese, zinc and iron ore. In 2007-08, our two-way trade with China amounted to $1.4bn. Trade with Indonesia, Australia’s fourth largest trading partner, continues to be central to our international trade built on our traditional exports of live cattle and minerals.
The export of live cattle to Southeast Asia has been synonymous with the Northern Territory for over 110 years. In fact, the very first overseas shipment of Territory cattle went to the island of Sulawesi in the early 1900s. Today, our trade with Indonesia is worth over $320m per annum. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association’s Luke Bowen in the gallery.
We should not forget the fundamental importance of the live cattle trade to the Northern Territory. Without that trade and investment by Asian financiers in individual properties, the 220 pastoral properties that make up the Northern Territory estate could have become consolidated into a handful of sprawling properties owned and controlled by fund managers rather than the diverse ownership we see today.
The pastoral industry’s contribution to the social fabric of the regions is pervasive. People in the industry are there for a way of life rather than a total adherence to the financial bottom line. We do not have fly in/fly out in the pastoral industry, and people working in the pastoral industry are a vital part of many of our regional and remote communities.
Without the pastoral industry, many events enjoyed by both town and rural people would be seriously compromised. Imagine country race meetings, rodeos, and the show circuit without the input of local pastoralists. That would be quite unimaginable. In fact, I had the opportunity to be at the Darwin Rodeo in the last couple of months at Freds Pass, and it was a well-attended event. With the rodeo circuit throughout the Northern Territory and even with our shows in the show circuit from Alice to Tennant, Katherine and Darwin and, of course, our very own Borroloola Rodeo, it goes without saying it brings many people together.
A strong and healthy pastoral industry has always been important to the Territory and will continue to be so into the future. As I move around the Northern Territory reviewing and progressing the development of our headline A Working Future policy and plans for our Territory growth towns, I am reminded about the importance of this work for people of the Northern Territory, in particular those employed in, and providing services to, the pastoral industry.
I am also mindful that a strong and vibrant pastoral industry, and the involvement of people in it, is important to the strength and ongoing viability of local government in the regions. People involved in the pastoral industry are already participating in local boards and as elected members in local government, and I am keen to encourage this involvement. We know all of this is in the infancy of dramatic change in local governance across the Northern Territory, with the shires only in their second year. We compare and contrast to almost three decades of a certain style of governance which we have changed dramatically from in order to make these areas much more efficient, and services much more available to all people.
A key driver of our 2008 local government reform was the need to improve these services and operations of the local government sector in the bush. However, it is also about social inclusion; local people working together, making local decisions to progress development of their local government area. People involved in the pastoral sector have much to offer local government, and it is great to see their involvement.
Like all businesses, the pastoral industry has to adapt and change in an ever-changing business environment, and it is vital we continue to work with industry and our federal colleagues in Canberra, identifying the best way the Henderson Labor government can continue to support a vibrant, international trade for our pastoral industry.
Madam Speaker, getting back to the hard reality of surviving in a competitive business world, I see significant opportunity in the areas of my portfolio responsibilities as a consequence of a growing international trade. In particular, I am excited by the opportunities the continued growth of international trade will deliver for the tourism sector and the flow-on benefits to our regional areas.
I had the opportunity to visit the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and Germany in recent weeks and, on that visit, was able to do two things. One was to build relationships in tourism and the airline industry, but also to look at opportunities where our local tourism operators can also continue to exchange and grow from their experiences in sharing the relationships with international organisations and individuals.
The Minster for Trade and for Asian Relations is right when he says our geographical location and our expanding infrastructure provides a wonderful opportunity to capture advantages in trade with our near neighbours. I would like to think, with the growth towns in particular - and this was one of the things I discussed in numerous meetings I had overseas – we will be able to provide opportunities for those organisations in those growth towns to link in tourism employment, tourism sharing of knowledge and expertise, and also to look at some of the education opportunities in some of these regions.
In recent years, we have developed strong connections with our friends to the north in many fields, and I am confident the Henderson Labor government’s five-year Growing International Trade 2009-2013 Priority Action Plan has us well placed for the future. The Northern Territory’s priority action plan lists our key international markets as China, Indonesia, and Japan. The plan also highlights the emerging markets of Vietnam, India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
From a tourism point of view, these are emerging markets which present a huge opportunity. To have the Vice President of China here in the last six months, visiting the Northern Territory and specifically identifying tourism and the relationship with the tourism industry here as one of his key priorities, has opened up massive opportunities for the Northern Territory – opportunities our Chief Minister and Minister for Asian Relations and for Trade have accepted and taken on board. I hope to go to China, probably in 2011, to further develop those relationships in tourism. The Chinese were very interested in going to Kakadu and spending time with the Indigenous people there.
It is also critical we maintain our focus on our key tourism-related source markets such as Germany and the United States, notwithstanding the time and effort which is being put into the emerging Asian markets by our local tourism sector.
As we all know, tourism does play a key role in the Northern Territory, and the industry currently delivers around 18 000 jobs for Territorians, and contributes around $1.7bn to the Northern Territory economy each year.
Tourism NT and local business operators are working hard to have the Northern Territory and Territory tourism products seen and heard in the emerging Asian markets. That is not without its challenges. As we all know, business from the Asian region is sought after worldwide and it can be difficult to cut through the marketing effort of our competitors to attract that price, but that is business and we understand that. This is what we are good at: working harder and smarter in a very tough and competitive environment.
Tourism NT and, the tourism industry generally, are up to this challenge and are hitting the mark with their marketing of the Northern Territory. While in the United Kingdom, I was able to spend some time with KISS FM, one of the youth radio stations which has an extraordinary listening audience. They have a direct link with marketing in Darwin. They had a contest on their program and one of the young women who won the contest, Stephanie, came to the Northern Territory to spend some time working at Crocosaurus Cove. I was able to take some things from Stephanie, who was still in Darwin, to the United Kingdom and share that with the audience through the management of KISS FM. I congratulate the effort which goes into the extraordinary amount of work because we know the United Kingdom and Germany are two of the most important areas for tourism and where our tourists are coming from.
While there is always room for more to be done, I can assure the Northern Territory community this journey is well under way, and we will stay strongly focused on this work which is critical to the future development of the Northern Territory. I have no doubt the stronger our trade links are, the more likely many thousands of visitors from our north will visit the Territory to enjoy the sights of Kakadu, Uluru, Litchfield, and the many other natural wonders which we have to offer across the Northern Territory.
With more than 70% of international and interstate visitors arriving by air, access to the Territory by air is the key to our future growth. I look forward to this leading to growth in tourism and new jobs in the more remote parts of the Territory, whether this be on tours on Aboriginal land or home stays, or adventure travel on pastoral properties.
We are also working hard to improve access to both Darwin and Alice Springs from the Asian region. I recently released a document titled Aviation Futures 2015 which outlines the blueprint for the future of aviation in the Northern Territory over the next five years. The Henderson Labor government has a comprehensive airline development approach which is flexible and responsive to changing market conditions.
Tourism NT has been very active in meeting with a number of well-known airlines in the past 12 months searching for ways to improve access to and from the Northern Territory. Earlier this year, I visited Malaysia and Singapore to progress some of these airline discussions, and I intend to continue to actively pursue further opportunities always, wherever I can.
Within the many responsibilities I have in the reforms across the Northern Territory, it is important I get to the regions, having the regional economic development portfolio. Clearly, the 20 growth towns are our priority in trying to raise the level of infrastructure and opportunities for people who live in the regions, to rise above the poverty and neglect which has been an incredible systemic issue for many decades.
While I was in Malaysia, I had the pleasant duty of meeting with the Malaysian Minister for Tourism Dr Ng Yen Yen. The minister was very interested in learning more about the Northern Territory, and I hope she will come and spend some time here to see for herself the many good things about the Northern Territory, and what opportunities there can be to strengthen those ties between Malaysia and the Northern Territory. It is clear there are many links between our two countries in relation to tourism, art, and education - just to name a few. There are many opportunities to learn from each other and further develop our existing strong links. It is something we will get a grasp of and continue to take opportunities to dive into. I have extended that official invitation for the minister to visit Darwin and the Top End and hope that will take place.
A key priority for the Henderson Labor government is to attract a full-service international airline to operate direct flights to and from Darwin, and we are working hard to turn this into a reality. This will have a significant positive impact on tourism and will also offer additional business opportunities through business travel and increased freight loads.
Business tourism is a growing sector of the Territory’s tourism industry, with the Darwin and Alice Springs Convention Centres creating many additional opportunities for local business operators. The Minister for Trade and for Asian Relations highlighted the importance of the conference business sector in his statement.
I was very pleased to hear the minister mention the South East Asia Australia Australian Offshore Conference. This event was held in September this year at the Darwin Convention Centre and is a fine example of what was achieved through our strong links with Asia. This conference generated a range of business sectors and it was a significant boost to local operators. An area of potential benefit to the Northern Territory tourism industry is pre-conference and post-conference touring options.
One of the good things I have found - and I am sure other members have seen this as well - is the usage of the convention centres in both Alice Springs and Darwin has been quite extraordinary. They have been able to provide a great boost to the local economies of Darwin and Alice Springs; a significant boost and a very positive one for them with the number of people who go there. It was terrific to be able to see the Indigenous women’s conference held in the Darwin Convention Centre. We had women from not only right across Australia but many Indigenous women from overseas who were able to come and see, for the first time on Larrakia land, what the issues were that Indigenous women share. That, again, was an important benefit for the Northern Territory economy.
Tourism NT is working very closely with conference organisers generally because Tourism NT sees the spin-off here is incredibly vital for the local economy. Extending the time these visitors are in the Northern Territory can deliver significant benefits to our economy and assist with regional dispersal of visitors. Of course, we want people to travel around the Northern Territory and not just in the major centres.
Madam Speaker, I commend the minister’s statement to the House.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Speaker, I will make a deliberately short contribution as we approach ...
Madam SPEAKER: Indeed, I will stop you at 5.30 pm.
Mr ELFERINK: Yes, I know. I probably will speak slowly because I confess, under the circumstances of this speech, I have not done sufficient preparation for it. However, the purpose of this speech is more to stall for three minutes until we reach 5.30 pm, than to actually offer a substantial contribution to this debate.
I want to raise a couple of issues while I am talking about trade. I thank the minister for his statement and I hope trade with our near Southeast Asian neighbours should be advanced. However, it can only be advanced by a government which, I believe, needs to be essentially honest with Territorians.
I listened with some interest in relation to the reply to a question put to the Chief Minister about the Jetstar hub, where he lauded the creation of 191 jobs. I am grateful those 191 jobs were created. However, the truth is, that was not the promise. It is my understanding the promise in that particular instance was for 600 jobs. The hub was supposed to produce seven aircraft, and was going to service the future of Darwin in new and spectacular ways. Every time this government throws money at airlines, they have an extraordinary capacity to not anticipate the flow-on effects, and fail to enjoy the outcomes they promise.
I note, when they decided to throw money at Jetstar, I think it was, it had the effect of eliminating Garuda Airlines aircraft that visit the Northern Territory. Why would Garuda Airlines not be grumpy? The reason Garuda Airlines was grumpy was because they had to compete with a government-subsidised airline. The problem is Jetstar does not provide business class seats to Bali, where Garuda Airlines did. There is a market for business class seats; it was one of the things that kept Garuda Airlines flying to the Northern Territory. Once again, we have seen a government produce a set of results which are far from the promise in the initial media release they pump out. Once again, there is a chasm between promise and delivery. Whilst the government makes much play of saying: ‘Oh, it is wonderful, we have 191 jobs’, it is not the 600-odd jobs promised during the election campaign.
Having read the newspaper the other day, I am uncertain as to whether the hub will be here or in the Kimberleys, in Broome. I would like to hear from the government how they are going to secure the promises or undertakings that were made to them by these airlines.
The penetration of the Northern Territory government into Southeast Asia is certainly not what it was 10 years ago. Ten or 15 years ago, the Chief Minister, Shane Stone, had almost walk-in access to President Suharto. We had very good penetration into the Philippines because of the effort and work put in by the former minister for Primary Industry, Mick Palmer. That has been lost, all the way through Southeast Asia, and has not yet gotten to a place where it is anywhere close to recovered.
I congratulate the Chief Minister for travelling to places like China and Japan, because that is what should be happening. I echo the words of the then Leader of the Opposition, Clare Martin, who berated CLP ministers for not travelling enough into Southeast Asia. I recall, if memory serves me correctly, the then Leader of the Opposition, Clare Martin, berating Daryl Manzie for only taking ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Port Darwin, it now being 5.30 pm, in accordance with Standing Order 93, debate is suspended and general business will now have precedence of government business until 9 pm.
Debate suspended.
TABLED PAPER
Remuneration Tribunal Determination – Report on Interstate Travel – Member for Brennan
Remuneration Tribunal Determination – Report on Interstate Travel – Member for Brennan
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I table the study report from the member for Brennan for travel to Adelaide from 6 to 8 October 2010.
POSTPONEMENT OF BUSINESS
General Business Notice No 1 – Peppercorn Rental Agreements
General Business Notice No 1 – Peppercorn Rental Agreements
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I request consideration of General Business Notice No 1 relating to a peppercorn rental agreement be negotiated for Northern Territory government facilities on Aboriginal Land where a lease is required for such facilities be postponed.
Motion agreed to.
MOTION
Servicing the Needs of Central Australia
Servicing the Needs of Central Australia
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I move –
- That the government be condemned for its approach to servicing the needs of Central Australia particularly in light of the Araluen by-election.
This is not any sort of rant or tirade that I will be speaking today; it will be different to normal. I am sure the member for Karama is looking forward to some sort of a rant, but there are issues of particular concern I feel need to be raised. These issues have been bubbling along for quite some time - serious issues I thought may have been actioned during the by-election in Araluen. I thought it was a prime opportunity for the Chief Minister and some of his ministers to come to Alice Springs and try to make some change and see what is really happening on the ground.
Before I continue, I want to make it clear, particularly to the member for Karama, but also the members for Johnston and Wanguri, it is not about talking Alice Springs down. It is about identifying problems and trying to fix them.
It was 12 months to two years ago when I made a speech in parliament where I said that Alice Springs was at boiling point. That was in a period of time when crime was at high levels in Alice Springs; when youths were running the streets; businesses were getting broken into all the time. This is a cyclical factor of living in Alice Springs; it happens every summer more than it happens in winter. We know it will generally start at the end of November, when the hot weather comes around and the cool weather disappears. We have had a funny rainfall pattern this year, it has been quite wet and quite cold, and still is. I believe it was 8C last night in Alice - another chilly night. Normally, from statistics or analysing what goes on, you would not expect to see so much crime at this point in time as you would normally see. Normally, it would wait for the warmer weather.
What we are seeing on the streets at the moment is a high level of crime. It is not necessarily the crime of last year, in all cases. It was a crime of searching for alcohol before, although that still does happen. I was talking to the proprietor of the Town and Country Tavern the other day, who told me how someone broke through the roof and through the air-conditioning duct to get into the bar to pinch grog.
We are talking about much more serious crimes against the person and against property. Cars around Alice Springs are no longer safe. Windows are getting smashed in cars, and cars are getting smashed up on a nightly basis - dozens of cars every night. I was a victim with my car being smashed two months ago. My house was smashed, albeit minor damage outside the house. My office was broken into and ransacked. I know the member for Greatorex had a borrowed car stolen from his place.
We see youths continually running in the street. It is not news to people around here, I know. However, now we see teenagers more and more on our streets causing trouble. I listened with interest when the member for Johnston spoke yesterday about some news in Nightcliff - and I will quote his words from Hansard, where said:
- I read in the newspaper this morning about a few incidents which occurred around Coconut Grove and Nightcliff, with a group of youths threatening people and engaging in all sorts of undesirable behaviour. We need to be careful, in the Northern Territory, we do not want to end up with a group of haves and have nots because what we will have will be a very undesirable situation.
Well, I have news for the member for Johnston, this is not new in Alice Springs; this is small fry. In Alice Springs, we have had a graduation. We have had the school of hard knocks where kids on the street have graduated, become teenagers, and now they are into more heinous crimes.
A 67-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in her house on Lyndavale Drive in Larapinta in my electorate. We know crimes happen. Crimes are not acceptable by any means, but it is beyond control. There are people in Alice Springs who never see any crime. They are fortunate not to see it. They hear about it, they read about it, they look around; they do not know where it is. However, there are plenty of us who see it all the time. For people in our position, it is our job to know what is going on, so we see it all the time. It is not scaremongering; it is worse now than I have previously seen.
We have rules, we have laws, and we have governance in all jurisdictions all around the world. In the Northern Territory, our rules and laws are there to provide an overarching guide about how we behave in our lives. They present the construct of the social fabric of the way we live our lives. I fear the social fabric for a large proportion of our community in Alice Springs is coming undone and people have no respect for the law.
I have heard for the last two-and-a-bit years since I came into this Chamber - and the member for Barkly came to this Chamber and has since been made the minister for Corrections, and, no doubt, is on a steep learning curve. He talks often about a new era in Corrections. Corrections is part of the framework which has to develop a strong social fabric across the Territory and, in particular, in Alice Springs. Alice Springs gaol is a holiday camp. We are seeing prisoners who have accidentally been released working in the hospital. Prisoners come and go from the gaol. The gaol is so full that people are being released to work and live in the community. That is how crazy things are.
The recidivism rate is at all-time highs in Australia. The prison system is not teaching anyone anything. People are not afraid to go to gaol. If one of us in this room was deprived of our liberties and placed in a prison system, I am sure we would not like to be there. However, for the majority of the people who go to gaol it is like going on a holiday. Going to gaol is like going to a resort. Going to gaol is like having a reprieve from society as you know it. To have the clean bed, food, meals, $25 a week, Coca-Cola and chip vending machines - why would you not want to be there? More than half the people there do not have this in their normal lives. It encourages people.
I understand there are rules which guide the prisons in Australia and the United Nations, and how we use basic human rights in the treatment of prisoners and so forth. I understand that. What I do not understand is how we are soft, flaccid, and incapable of punishing prisoners in our Corrections system. The soft and flaccid approach of the treatment of prisoners in the Northern Territory is having a detrimental effect on building the social fabric in our towns and, in particular, Alice Springs.
I go back to the comments the member for Johnston made about Nightcliff and Coconut Grove. Mate, you think it is a problem now? Wait until the tsunami of problems we experience in Alice Springs comes up here. There is a real opportunity for change here, and the Corrections system has a great deal to do with it. We know the importance of education in children’s lives. We have started, and will continue to, debate Family and Children’s Services. However, we need to have fundamental change in Alice Springs. I thought the by-election in Araluen was a perfect opportunity.
I move on to a couple of other areas of concern. The member for Stuart, the minister for Natural Resources, talked about the youth action plan and the youth hub in Alice Springs. I consulted colleagues of mine and many people in Alice Springs, and no one has a clue what it is. We know you have employed a police officer at ANZAC Hill High School. We know you have closed ANZAC Hill High School. We know you have Centralian Middle School. What else do you have? We heard today about Gap Youth Centre and the $75 000 they had, and how it was put into salaries by the board. All well and good, but that is not changing anything at all. What is this big youth action plan/youth hub?
I understand you are going to have a boarding facility, and are putting a few kids in there to try to get them on the straight and narrow, but they come and go as they please. You do not believe in a punitive approach or try to have a corrective attitude on social change. No one I know has an understanding of what you are trying to do with this youth thing. It is just a big announcement.
It was interesting when we saw the Labor candidate for the seat of Araluen. I think he was a Labor candidate; I did not see any Labor signage anywhere. He might have been. I listened to a couple of his interviews, as riveting as they were. I am paraphrasing here, it is not a direct quote, but he made statements such as he was going to keep wayward youth off our streets at night. Well, hello! That is a hollow promise. What does that mean? He was pressed on certain occasions about how he was going to do that: ‘We have this strong youth action plan and youth hub’. That is all the spin of a Labor government. That is all the spin of this government. They are putting money into this, but nothing is actually happening.
They make conversation about the Alice Springs Transformation Plan. The Alice Springs Transformation Plan is another title where people really do not see a lot about what is going on. We know they are poorly managing a bunch of small matchbox houses regarding SIHIP on town camps. We know they are freely renovating everyone’s houses on town camps, but with no economic reform in the town camps. We know they are herding, like cattle or camels, all the homeless people to Blatherskite Park, building a big fence surrounding them and giving them a swag or a tent. That is their social solution to housing, homelessness, and overcrowding in Alice Springs. Is that the transformation plan? Herding homeless Aboriginal Territorians in Central Australia behind a big fence at Blatherskite Park?
These are the people who you get your vote from. Some of us on this side have had a conversation about how we protect our core vote; how we protect our base. You do not protect yours; you herd them in behind a fence. While we are talking about not protecting your base, I wonder how you could put such draconian measures on the leadership of Indigenous Territorians across the Territory with the shire model. I wonder how you could do that and then roll out this most obscure SIHIP housing model.
I do not like to digress, because that is not the sort of thing I like to do. I was sitting here a moment ago waiting for my time to start this speech. I was sent an e-mail from a group most of us would know, the Informa Australia conference group. They are running a conference in Perth called Engineering Australia’s NEW Resources Boom. I have only just seen this a minute or two ago. It has some topics they will be discussing about Australia’s new resources boom. This is on 1 and 2 March 2011 for any of those who are listening or reading. It lists some topics which will be discussed at this two-day event. It has ‘Alliance contracting developments’ - that is at the top. I thought the minister for Housing could go to that one. This next one made me laugh, and I am sure the member for Fong Lim would appreciate this one - this is just after we have had the ‘Alliance contracting developments’. There is ‘Remote construction challenges’. Here it is. You do not have to go far. It is right in front of us for all to see. I thought that was something you would have loved, Madam Speaker.
I spoke briefly last night about the problem of childcare in Central Australia. It is a significant problem, not just in Central Australia but right across the Territory. I went through some figures to explain the wait list for childcare in Central Australia. This is a perfect opportunity for the minister for Education. He could have come to Alice Springs and tried to engage in some dialogue with the good people of Araluen - and welcome, member for Araluen. They could have heard about what your proposals were for working families - a traditional Labor term, member for Johnston, ‘working families’. We have businesses crying out for staff and mothers who want to go to work, but they have kids they cannot get into childcare so they can go to work. It is called a contraction on our economy.
It is interesting when you talk to childcare centres; they say: ‘Yes, we need more childcare centres’. A couple of them told me they could do with at least two, maybe three, childcare centres. Then they say: ‘How are we going to staff them?’ Some of those mothers might be able to work there. How are we going to train those mothers when you cannot get proper training at CDU? What do you do in regard to the childcare? We could fly people in. This is where it becomes a bit of a problem for me trying to help people with their solutions; there is nowhere for people to live in Alice Springs. So, if you fly in childcare workers, where are they going to actually reside?
It is a cycle of life that is a problem for Labor. You are bereft of vision, ideas, and solutions, so you cannot solve the childcare, you cannot solve the law and order, you cannot solve youth, you cannot solve the housing - and they all link into one another. People are leaving town because of the law and order, because of childcare.
Let me go through some of these statistics here. Lil’Antz: full-time childcare, part-time childcare, no after-school care, no vacancies, there is a wait list of well over one year. Sorry, Lil’Antz does have after-school care, but it is not available. Alice Springs Child Care: full-time, part-time childcare, no after-school care, no vacancies. How many families on the wait list? A total of 113 families. They are not going to go to work; they are leaving town. I know families who have left and are leaving town. Braitling Neighbourhood Centre: waiting list is closed until 2011. You cannot even put your kid’s name on the waiting list until 2011 in June - nearly 12 months. The same at Gap Road, the same at Tennant Creek, the same at YMCA, the same at Congress, the same when you come up to Katherine, Palmerston, and Darwin.
You failed across the Territory, member for Johnston. You are the Education minister. I know this is more of a federal issue than a Territory issue, but you need to come up with some solutions here. You should be lobbying. When you go to Canberra, you should be talking to Jenny Macklin, the Family and Community Services minister; that is your job. Work with the Indigenous coordination centres and find solutions to childcare, because it is hurting our economy. As it hurts our economy more and more, we are having greater social issues in town with law and order. You are also the minister for Housing. We saw your failures in Health. Maybe it is time to go, to be honest. You failed in Health. You do not have housing solutions; you are messing up on childcare, you have the NAPLAN results. Has anyone seen the report card here, because there is not a tick? I do not know what is going on, member for Johnston, minister for poor performance.
Then, we go to something that borders the electorate of Araluen and Braitling; something that I am passionate about, the former member for Araluen was passionate about and, I am sure in my conversations, the new member for Araluen is passionate about; that is, the roundabout at the corner of Lovegrove and Larapinta Drives. I have spoken many times about getting something done there. I am aware the government has not been keen to help in that regard. I know there is work being done now. I am quite surprised when the government has talked about Black Spot funding being received for that roundabout, they forgot to mention I was the one who did the application, not the government. That is all right; these things happen from time to time. Thank you to the federal government accepting my application and getting the Black Spot funding. There is going to be an intersection; there is not going to be a roundabout. However, we will continue to fight for that.
It was a good opportunity while the trucks are still there - they have seemed to have stopped since the by-election was lost when Labor got that groundbreaking 6% swing ...
Mr Hampton: Went to us.
Mr GILES: Yes, I will get to that. That is where I wind up, member for Stuart.
I thought you might have come down and helped fix that roundabout - save a life. You could have saved a life. You could have actually saved a life.
There is a great opportunity to make an announcement about the Alice Springs Bowling Club, minister for Sport. There is a great announcement there: three acres of property between Gap Road and Leichhardt Terrace. The bowling club is closing down on 30 October. The golf club wanted $3.5m to build a synthetic lawn bowl green with an underground car park. It has now been revised to less than $2m. I know it is a lot of money and it is hard to get blood out of a stone, let alone a roundabout out of the infrastructure minister. If that bowling club closes, the three acres is government property, peppercorn leased; there is an opportunity to utilise that land for residential development with a mix of commercial and/or retail on lower levels. It would be an opportune thing to do. We talk about turning the town around. You could present it to the Todd River on Leichhardt Terrace overseeing the casino and, on the right-hand side, you could have a lovely view of Abbots Camp if you wanted. There are a number of things you could do there.
They tell me that land is estimated at a value of $4m. I have not valued it myself, but that is what I am told. If that is worth $4m, there is an opportunity here for government to be cost neutral. Fund the bowling green, give the lights to the Alice Springs Go-Kart Club, of which I am a patron, extend the concrete barriers down the drag strip, put the run-off so that the top few dragsters can slow down properly. Put some lights there. Put lights up at the speedway. There is opportunity, is what I am saying, and I encourage the minister for Sport - I nearly gave you a compliment, now I had better just wind back a bit - who involves himself a fair degree in sport. There is an opportunity to put the value of that property into the private sector and utilise the funds for sports infrastructure development. I encourage the minister to do that and I would be very happy to work with the minister in that regard.
It is interesting when you look at some of the things that were actually committed during the Araluen by-election. I cannot go through the long list of the member for Araluen, who was the candidate for Araluen, but I will go through a few. I will stop and pause on a couple of more outstanding ones.
Implement a youth curfew: I have to stop and pause now. That is a fantastic idea, something the Country Liberals support, promote, and want to see happen in Alice Springs. There is no reason an eight-year-old kid should be on the street at two o’clock in the morning. I know you have heard it all before, and I will say again - I am sure my colleagues may touch on this - we do not want kids on the streets at night. We want a youth curfew. I will hear the argument - I have heard it before by the Minister for Central Australia. He will say why you cannot have it; the police already do it; we have to drop them home. Something needs to change, otherwise all our cars will be smashed up at night. People are being sexually assaulted and assaulted, and businesses are getting broken into. Do you have a solution? You have nothing.
When the member for Macdonnell was the previous Minister for Central Australia, at least we had a round table, we could work together. The member for Stuart walked in as the new minister and shut it down.
The list continues: an extra 20 police in Alice Springs, recruiting police auxiliaries, bring back in-house Alice CCTV monitoring program, the reopening of the Alice Springs police communication centre, boot camp - a boot camp, let us get these kids on the straight and narrow. What a fantastic idea! Well done, member for Araluen, that is fantastic. Mandatory treatment for prisoners with drug and alcohol problems - I know the member for Greatorex, who will be speaking shortly, has spoken passionately about this on numerous occasions. This is what it is about. This is exactly what we have to do. Another is to establish a workers village to support demands for tradesmen. We can start to get things done, gets things built. We need skilled workers in town. There is a prime opportunity there.
I do not know how long I can go on here with this list; it seems to be quite exhaustive. But, it is interesting when you talk about establishing a workers village to support the demand for tradesmen. I thought that was something about which maybe the Minister for Public and Affordable Housing, or Minister for Construction might have said: ‘What a great idea; we will back it’. To be fair, the Minister for Public and Affordable Housing nearly did. He nearly did back it when he made an announcement about a retirement village in Alice Springs. What he forgot to tell people was that it had already been announced, it was already in the budget, and it was in the electorate of Braitling. It was not in the electorate of Araluen but, fantastic job. We are all looking forward to the end of Albrecht Drive being built.
I am not going to go on about all the things that the previous candidate for Araluen committed, because she did a fantastic job. I do not want to steal her thunder, so I will leave it for her. I would like to have a look at one other Labor promise made in the Araluen by-election. The candidate, Adam Findlay, said he wanted to - and I am paraphrasing again - reduce alcohol-related crime in Alice Springs. How are you going to do that? Well, we have a youth action plan - that is how we are going to do it. We are going to reduce alcohol-related crime in Alice Springs with our youth action plan. We have a youth hub. What does that mean? It does not mean anything.
Labor being Labor, they are going to look after their mates. The only tangible promise they gave was that Adam Findlay was going to be a parliamentary secretary. So, you get a promotion, you get an extra bit of money too. Oh, well done. That is the tangible thing. He is going to keep youth off the street - I do not know how. Reduce alcohol? How are we going to do that? A new retirement village? That is an old commitment and it is not even in Araluen, but he is going to be a parliamentary secretary. We know that one would have been good, because if anyone looks after their mates, it is Labor. Labor looks after their mates, Madam Speaker.
Labor should be condemned for its approach to servicing the needs of Central Australia, particularly in relation to the Araluen by-election, because they did not have their focus on the job. All credit to the Chief Minister. He came down on election day and handed out how-to-vote cards. I have been in losing elections and it is not good when you are standing there when you lose. The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, a big jurisdiction, has egg on his face. I thought it was a very poor approach to a by-election in Central Australia. Even if you knew you were going to lose - you did your polling, I know you did your polling; we know what the polling said - I thought you would have done a much better job.
I did happen to find something that Labor lost. I am not sure who lost it; it could be the Minister for Central Australia or it could be the Chief Minister. It may have been the minister for re-announcing retirement villages; I am not sure who it was, but I happen to have it here. This is what Labor lost at the election in Araluen. They forgot the Labor trailer. Have you seen this? They have not seen this in Araluen. They had the CLP flag, CLP colours, ‘Adam for Araluen’. I thought: ‘Where has it gone?’ I had to telephone one of our researchers and ask: ‘Do you know where that is?’ They found it. Where’s Wally? Where is the Labor logo? They found it. It was nowhere to be seen. They are poisonous, nowhere to be seen. I tell you, my researcher is pretty good. He found this. This was hard to find. We have the resources of 22 000 public servants in the Northern Territory, they obviously could not find it, but we found someone who could find it. I would like to table that for the member for Johnston to look at ...
Madam SPEAKER: You need to seek leave to table it.
Mr GILES: I seek leave to table that, Madam Speaker, just to make sure it never gets lost again.
Leave granted.
Mr GILES: It will forever be on the Parliamentary Record. You can never say you have lost a Labor logo ever again. You now have it, Madam Speaker, it is yours to keep.
Now, for the big job. Thirty-two per cent of people who lived in Araluen accidentally voted Labor. We have to find those people. They obviously do not know how to vote because the candidate for Araluen, the now member for Araluen, got 68%. I tell you what, no one likes a gloater; no one likes a sore winner. Maybe if you had found the logo earlier you might have performed better. I do not think so. Hello! I do not think you would have done much better.
I will continue in my resolve. We are a fantastic team in Alice Springs, the three local members. The member for Greatorex and I can assist the member for Araluen walk around to try to find that 32% of people ...
Mr Tollner: Who was Adam for Araluen?
Mr GILES: I do not know. ‘Adam for Araluen’; I do not know who we are talking about ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order! Cease interjecting!
Mr GILES: The best part of Adam for Lingiari was I received more votes than your government got in Araluen. You imbecile! I got more votes than you got in Araluen. I tell you what, you got nothing on a chef from Pine Gap, mate.
This government should be condemned. They should have fought that election in Araluen. This is about democracy. They should have provided the opportunity for people to vote for a proper form of governance, rather than this shoddy example.
The social fabric of Alice Springs, in a large part, is disintegrating. The violence on our streets, the law and order, is out of control. We are destined for a terrible summer. When the sun comes and people who are involved in antisocial behaviour get on the grog, our streets will be terrible. I had tears pouring down my face when I read the paper about that 67-year-old lady on Lyndavale Drive being raped at 2.30 am by a drunken man. That is a disgrace, and a display by people who do not care about the legal system or the law, and have no regard for the Corrections system in the Northern Territory.
This is not a new era in Corrections; this is a complete loss. I am fighting every day. People are telling me: ‘Let us leave the Northern Territory and go to South Australia’, because these morons have no idea how to manage in the Northern Territory ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, I ask you to withdraw that comment, please.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you.
Mr GILES: People in Alice Springs are asking: ‘How can we get ourselves away from this Northern Territory government?’ This is not some rampant crazy conversation people are having; people have had enough. They cannot protect their family, their property, or themselves in the street. What sort of a society are we in when you cannot do that? You are governors of the Northern Territory. You are paid to govern. Govern!
Ms LAMBLEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, I am afraid my speech will not be as humorous as the member for Braitling’s. Alice Springs requires immediate attention when it comes to addressing a range of social, health, and housing problems. I know we are not unique in this manner, but we are unique in that this government has blatantly ignored the demands and needs of Alice Springs and Central Australia for 10 years.
We have been hearing today about this government’s youth action plan from the Minister for Central Australia. If this is an attempt by the government to instil hope and faith in the people of Alice Springs, then heaven help us. This youth action plan is an indictment of inaction and empty promises. It has no time frames, and lists such things as a school and a school building as initiatives - hardly dynamic or even relevant considering the severity of the problems we are facing in Alice Springs.
This government has included the Alice Springs middle school as a part of their youth action plan. Might I add, at this stage, Alice Springs is a very small town; people talk very openly and freely, particularly when they are feeling disillusioned, unhappy, and disgruntled. They talk everywhere, whether you are in a queue at Woolies or at the sideline of your children’s sporting event. People have spoken to me very honestly about things which are, perhaps, confidential.
Some of the more reliable stories I have heard about the middle school is that it has been imposed on the people of Alice Springs. People were deceived by the government. They were assured that ANZAC Hill middle school would remain open. Now, it is closing. Now, there will only be one middle school in Alice Springs accommodating the education needs of some of the most highly-disadvantaged people in Alice Springs. At a recent confidential school meeting, staff were informed finances had dried up at the school and cutbacks had to be made to photocopying. Teachers were told photocopying could only be done on an essential basis; for example, for exam papers.
I have also heard the middle school is a babysitting service for juvenile offenders in custody! The police drop the offenders off in the morning, and the highly professional and skilled staff of the middle school are expected to look after these kids, some of whom have not been to school for a long time. The staff, as in the child protection industry we have heard so much about this week, are highly trained; they are professional people. These members of staff are disillusioned and despairing, particularly with a recent departure of a key manager of the school a few months ago.
The Alice Springs middle school has been an exercise in funding cuts and neglect, not a model of excellence as the government has tried to portray. If the Alice Springs middle school is a cornerstone of this government’s youth action plan, then we have certainly lowered the bar to an extraordinarily low level. If we are going to include this middle school in the youth action plan, why not include all the schools in Alice Springs? Why not throw them all in? Surely, a middle school system of education delivery is about a person’s right to an education, not for inclusion in a youth action plan?
In 2007, the Alice Springs Town Council presented the Northern Territory government with a night time strategy for children and youth. I was Deputy Mayor at this time. This strategy recognised the fact that existing youth services were inadequately funded and resourced and lacked coordination and cohesion. It also recognised the fact that there was an escalating problem in Alice Springs of children roaming the streets at night, unattended and unsupervised by an adult, placing themselves at risk of harm and damage, as well as being at risk of offending; on a collision course with the justice system.
The Alice Springs Town Council passed a motion requesting the Northern Territory government first adequately resource the existing youth and children’s services, and the government support a trialling of a curfew for children. They suggested children 15 years and under not in the care or supervision of a responsible adult be taken into the care and custody of the police, taken to a safe house where they would be fed and comforted - taken off the streets between the times of 11 pm and 12 pm at night and maybe 5 am and 6 am in the morning; times when most children should be protected at home in the safety of their parents or guardians - and these children be processed in a kind and caring way, identified, and a responsible adult be identified and located to look after these children.
This model was based on the Northbridge model from the CBD of Perth. There were only two models of Australian curfew for children in existence at the time. That was 2007. One was the Northbridge model. Yes, everyone says Northbridge is like the Kings Cross of Perth; that you cannot compare Northbridge to Alice Springs. However, there are so few models we had to use the Northbridge model. Much of what they did could be used in Alice Springs. The other interesting model that was being used at the time was in a small Aboriginal community in north Queensland called Hopevale. This was a very courageous Aboriginal community that decided they had had enough of kids roaming the streets at night causing problems, and they instituted their own youth curfew. There is very little information about what they did and how they did it.
So, the Alice Springs Town Council at the time used the Northbridge model, which we thought was appropriate. We presented this proposal to the then minister, minister Lawrie, and she promptly rejected this notion of a curfew for children. She said a curfew for children would never be implemented by her government. She then talked about her strategy for children on the streets of Alice Springs at night. In hindsight, given the debacle the child welfare and child protection service has fallen into over the last 10 years, we now know this government has not, and is not, sincerely committed to assisting children and their families. The Northern Territory government rejected the council’s night time strategy for children in preference to their own. The irony was the Northern Territory government did not provide this youth action plan, which includes a strategy for children at night, until 2009. Almost two years later, we saw this youth action plan.
What the different members of parliament who cover Alice Springs do know, though, is the people of Alice Spring support the trialling of a curfew for children; people are open to the idea. They can see problems - and there would be teething problems - but they think it is worth a go. People in our town of Alice Springs are desperate.
A few weeks ago, coinciding with the Araluen by-election, the government and police instigated a youth blitz. On that one night, approximately 200 children were identified as roaming the streets of Alice Springs unsupervised. Kids as young as eight, nine, and 10 were running out of control, and identified by the police as being a problem. These figures were alarming. They were reported in the media as such. This is what the people of Alice Springs want to talk about when you knock on their door and meet them in the street: children roaming the streets at night, and the perception of lawlessness. People want to feel safe and secure and, indeed, they have the right to feel safe and secure.
This youth action plan from the government has no teeth. It is not good enough. The people of Alice Springs certainly are not impressed. In the government’s media statement on 19 February 2009, the Minister for Central Australia stated their youth action plan will ‘make sure young people have safe places to go and are not on the streets causing trouble at all hours of the night’. This has not been achieved clearly, with 200 children on the streets of Alice Springs just a few weeks ago at night. It has not worked and things have become worse.
It is time for this government to rethink the youth action plan, and listen to the people of Alice Springs. Alice Springs wants to be courageous and trial this curfew for children, but the member for Stuart said today the police do not want a curfew. No, of course they do not want a curfew, because this government has overwhelmed the police service with their lack of action and foresight when it comes to managing law and order. This government has put so much unnecessary pressure on the police of Alice Springs by allowing the problems to escalate to the point it has: an 85% increase in serious assaults since 2004 in Alice Springs. These figures are alarming. This government has allowed law and order to become the problem it is: out of control.
As I stated in my maiden speech yesterday, good leadership requires tough and, sometimes, unpopular decisions. Make some tough decisions, Chief Minister, in the best interests of Alice Springs, not in the best interests of your relationship with the Police Commissioner. Worry about what the people want and need, not what the police prefer.
Like the member for Nelson, today I heard the Minister for Central Australia talk about the Gap Youth Centre being a pivotal initiative in their youth action plan. Yet, on 14 October this year, we heard and read in our local media that the Gap Youth Centre is facing imminent closure due to insufficient funding. A key platform in the government’s own youth action plan, the Gap Youth Centre, is closing due to a lack of commitment by this government.
In the government’s media statement on 19 February 2009, the Chief Minister and the Minister for Central Australia stated a part of their youth action plan was to ‘provide additional funding to the Gap Youth Centre …’ yet, 18 months hence, it seems there is a question whether additional funding can be found to even keep the doors open. Alas, the Minister for Central Australia gave a response today saying it was someone else’s problem that the Gap Youth Centre might close. Surely, as one of the cornerstones of the government’s youth action plan, the government intends to do more than deflect and absolve itself of responsibility again. This youth action plan is a toothless tiger.
The rhetoric, the mistruths and empty promises flow from this government. This is what Alice Springs people have come to accept as normal from this government. The people of Alice Springs have grown tired and cynical. Is there any wonder? A youth action plan includes a school struggling to operate due to insufficient funds. It was poorly contrived, was thrust upon the community of Alice Springs with enormous resistance, and was established as a cost-cutting exercise by this government that has, essentially, been set up to fail, taking with it the children, the staff and the families. It is a youth action plan which includes a youth service identified by the government as critical in assisting wayward youth now, reportedly, closing due to insufficient funds. This is what the people of Alice Springs get as their youth action plan.
The Araluen by-election, as my colleague, the member for Braitling, has already referred to, saw a lack of real commitment when it came to addressing law and order issues in Alice Springs and Central Australia. The people of Araluen and Alice Springs have seen through this government’s empty promises and lack of commitment. I heard it on the doorsteps and on the streets. This is why only three out of every 10 voters in Araluen voted in favour of this government. Then, we heard this was some sort of victory on the part of government; the three out of 10 voters for them was very encouraging, a great victory. But this arrogance was seen by the Alice Springs community for what it was: a government desperate to deflect, desperate to save face; a government that has not demonstrated its commitment and concern for the children and youth of Alice Springs, and which has not demonstrated its commitment and concern for the right of all residents of Alice Springs to be safe and protected.
I find the government’s attitude to Alice Springs and Central Australia neglectful and insincere. Reform in their government is required across all sectors of responsibility. They keep telling us they intend to get wayward youth off the street at night. How do they intend to do this? Do they really have an action plan? During the Araluen by-election, the Chief Minister promised the Labor candidate, Adam Findlay, a parliamentary secretary position responsible for the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan. Given that he was not elected, does this mean that Alice Springs loses out again? Does this mean, given his lack of success, we are unsuccessful? Does the fact that most Alice Springs people turn their noses up at the government mean we will continue to be neglected and deprived of good governance?
I note the Minister for Alcohol Policy talked today about their alcohol reform policy called Enough Is Enough. Enough is Enough was used in Alice Springs in the past. Some of you may recall, in April 2007, the then Chief Minister, Clare Martin, was met on the steps of the Alice Springs Convention Centre by over 500 very angry residents venting their frustration with the government’s inaction on law and order. This public display of emotion was held to demonstrate to the Martin Labor government the Alice Springs people had had enough of the inadequate efforts to address law and order issues in Alice Springs. ‘Enough is enough’ was chanted by the angry crowd. ‘Enough is enough’ when it comes to government inaction.
At the time, Ms Martin promised more resources for policing in the town, which she acknowledged were not at ‘adequate levels’. She said:
- We need to be dealing with the immediate issues, which we are, we also have significant long-term strategies to deal with what I believe is a very bright future for Alice Springs.
What has changed since then? Nothing - things have become worse. So, when the Minister for Alcohol Policy talks about Enough is Enough, Alice Springs people understand what that means. We have had 10 years of experiencing this frustration and anger.
Alice Springs has had enough of a Chief Minister who talks about the hundreds of tourists who come to Alice Springs each year, as opposed to the hundreds of thousands of tourists who come to Central Australia each year. The Alice Springs people have had enough of a Chief Minister who has no interest in Central Australia, and who knows nothing about the No 1 industry of tourism in Central Australia. Alice Springs has had enough of a Chief Minister who speaks of Alice Springs people consuming three times as much alcohol than the people in Darwin. This is false and misleading information about our town and our people. It is time this government listened to the people of Alice Springs and gave us the respect we have been demanding for years. We know the answers to our problems, just ask us. Enough is, indeed, enough.
Mr HAMPTON (Central Australia): Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome this debate and the motion put forward by the member for Braitling. As a born and bred Alice Springs person, I have no hesitation or problem talking about Alice Springs, as it is my home town. In listening to the new member for Araluen and the member for Braitling, there are many things I agree with about the situation in Alice Springs. I live there; I go out on a Friday or Saturday night and see some of the issues myself.
I will start by responding on the Araluen by-election. The arrogance of the members opposite is so obvious. They are here pumping their chests up, gloating about how much they won by. My objective is to make these members accountable to their constituents. They may take their seats for granted, but I am going to work my hardest over the next 18 months with this government, to hold these members in Alice Springs accountable for their seats, because I know they take them for granted. You can just see this afternoon in parliament, they are here beating their chests. The member for Greatorex is laughing: ‘I am comfortable; I do not have to work the electorate’.
I was very encouraged by the effort this government put into the by-election; to have the Chief Minister doorknocking. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition was. He turned up at the booth at Gillen for maybe an hour or two, and then he was on the plane back to Darwin. I am very encouraged by my colleagues on this side of the House and the effort this government put into the Araluen by-election. Let this be a notice to the CLP members in Alice Springs not to take their seats for granted, because we will work hard over the next 18 months to ensure the people of Alice Springs know this government is doing its best for the people of Alice Springs.
We might not have the magic wand that is needed to fix some of these problems but, through the youth action plan and the transformation plan, there are some significant changes happening before our very eyes.
Regarding this report - which the member for Araluen mentioned; the member for Greatorex did not - Growing them strong, together is a very important report regarding the youth action plan. As I said today in Question Time, the youth action plan is a very good model in looking at some of the recommendations in this report. It is not the magic wand. As stated in this report, particularly regarding Aboriginal issues and Aboriginal people, 15 years has been termed as an Aboriginal generation. We are talking about two or three generations of Aboriginal people who have some significant social issues. They are not going to be fixed overnight. However, what this government has is the most comprehensive youth action plan we have seen in the Northern Territory - unlike the members opposite who did not actually say they have a plan. They have a youth curfew which they want to get up. Fair enough, that is their position. They can put all their eggs in one basket, which is a youth curfew, but it is simply not going to work and address generational issues the Alice Springs community faces.
Going back to the by-election, I was very encouraged with the efforts of my colleagues on this side, particularly with Adam Findlay, our Labor Party candidate. He was a great candidate. He was a bit of an unknown - fair enough, he has not been on council before. He has not been a high profile person in Alice Springs, but he is a genuine person. He is a person close to the community, has the community at heart, and is a bloke who worked very hard in this by-election. I know he is very keen to go again, and I am encouraging him. He has not taken the seat for granted. He knows he is going to have to work very hard to get the seat for the Labor Party. It is not impossible. We are going to work very hard over the next 18 months.
The members for Greatorex, Braitling, and Araluen all have safe seats. It is quite obvious in this House, when they beat their chests, gloat about it, laugh about it, they are very comfortable in their seats; they take their seats for granted. However, my job over the next 18 months is to make them accountable.
Adam Findlay, our candidate, worked very hard, and the result of a lot of that hard work is a 6% swing to Labor, to the government. Let us not shy away from that. There has been no third term government in this country in the last 20 years that has received a swing towards them in a by-election - not until Adam Findlay came along and the Labor Party did this in Araluen earlier this month ...
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr HAMPTON: I know it hurts the member for Greatorex who is firing up over there. I know he has a safe seat; he is very comfortable. Let me say this again: we will work hard for the people of Alice Springs, as a government, to ensure, come 2012, we have some very good candidates and we are going to give it a good shake.
Going back to some of the points the member for Braitling raised, he is very passionate about it, and quite rightly so. I was born in Alice Springs, I grew up there most of my life and have grown up my family there. There is no doubt there are issues. The opposition does not have any plans in addressing those issues. The youth action plan is not the magic wand but, in some of the recommendations in this Growing them strong, together report, we are tackling some of those issues as we speak.
With regard to pulling together youth agencies, non-government organisations, it was in November 2008, we engaged with Raelene Beale. It was soon after the 2008 election and this government was acutely aware of the issues in Alice Springs. That was when we started to discuss putting together the youth action plan. We engaged Raelene Beale as a consultant to do a report on youth services in Alice Springs, youth service providers, and non-government organisations. Raelene Beale put the report together and there are some very important things which came out of that report. A lack of coordination between youth service providers was one of those important things that Raelene Beale picked up in her consultancy report …
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Is it just the lights? Is the Hansard up?
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Minister, you have the call.
Mr HAMPTON: Hansard is all right. It is just the lights.
That is where we got the youth action plan from. That is why, I, as the Minister for Central Australia, am driving these initiatives such as the youth action plan, because the plans are making, and will continue to make, a real difference to our town. That is why I am committed to continually fighting for more for the Centre, and will continue to do so. As a proud Centralian, I will continue to fight, particularly in my Caucus and Cabinet, for more things for Central Australia.
Regarding the youth action plan, it is about pulling together these youth service providers, setting up through the Youth Services Coordinator. We have had a new person start this week, as I mentioned this week in parliament. I take my hat off to Michael White, the Superintendent, who commenced as the Youth Services Coordinator from the day the youth action plan began. We have had police engaged in the youth action plan. We have had non-government organisations such as Tangentyere, Congress and ASYASS involved, as well as many other organisations. It is about coordinating these activities. That is what the youth action plan is about.
There has been some criticism about it, I know, from the opposition, particularly the member for Araluen regarding the Centralian Middle School. However, it is very important we did create the middle school because we had two campuses, both with really low numbers of students. To provide a good education service to these students and their parents, it was important we got the numbers together so we could provide that better service. There was no hidden agenda with ANZAC Hill High School as has been alluded to by some members here.
What is important, though, in light of this report, is we target the services to those kids most at risk. What we have done with the youth action plan and with the ANZAC Hill campus is ensure it is going to continue to stay open as an education facility. We will commit resources to that. We have, with the youth hub that will be placed there, a special wrap-around education service. A special education program we want to implement at ANZAC Hill will be the focus of ANZAC Hill campus. It will continue to be an education service provider with these wrap-around education services, with the youth hub placed there, as well as the special education program we want to implement. In light of this report, it is very important we have done that.
Regarding the students at ANZAC going over to the Centralian Middle School at the Gillen campus, that was something decided by the Centralian Middle School. They tried to make it work for the first six to eight months. Obviously, it did not work. That is a decision the college made, and I applaud them for that. It was a courageous decision to move students from the ANZAC campus over to the one campus. They are the ones on the ground, they are the educators, they are the ones who know the best way to deal with those students, and the best way to provide those education services they need.
The member for Braitling talked a bit about identifying problems and trying to fix them - crime this time of the year. I agree that the crime levels are unacceptable. There are many kids out on the streets and that is something the youth action plan and the Youth Street Outreach Work are trying to address. The patrols are undertaken on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and some of those patrols are getting significant numbers in talking to young people. It is not just about talking to young people, it is about referring those young people to services they need to help them and their families deal with their issues.
Under the youth action plan, we are implementing and delivering extra emergency accommodation beds. It is really important that those kids who are being picked up on the streets, who do not want to return home because it is not safe, have somewhere safe to go. I acknowledge what the member for Braitling said: there are unacceptably high numbers of kids on our streets. I have every confidence, working with the police through the youth action plan, with the NT Family and Children’s Services, some of these issues are being dealt with.
As I said, there is no magic wand to deal with these issues immediately. We need to ensure we can get these kids to access service providers they need, and their families are given the attention and referral on to things such as family responsibility agreements and families taking more responsibility for why those kids are out on the street.
The member for Braitling also mentioned the new era in Corrections. He is right: the imprisonment rates, incarceration rates, are too high. Sadly, a large number of those prisoners are Indigenous men. I have mentioned already this government, and the federal government particularly, supports programs such as the Congress Men’s Health Unit, in dealing with men’s issues and the violence in the families. It has been highlighted in the Growing them strong, together report. In talking to my colleague, the member for Barkly, who is driving the new era in Corrections, he is very focused on the rehabilitation aspects we need in reducing the recidivism rates, particularly in getting some of those young men back out to their communities, being active members in the community. Rehabilitation and education opportunities are very important in engaging these young men and making them feel part of their community and society.
We can talk about these issues, they are not easily fixed but, as a government, we are responding in the appropriate manner. I have every confidence the changes the member for Barkly is driving are the right changes, and we will see some results over the next five to 10 years. However, this is going to take some time.
The member for Braitling mentioned the transformation plan. I certainly believe the transformation plan is doing some fantastic things. What we have seen with the transformation plan is $150m. It is not always about the dollars, but it certainly helps, with this being the single largest commitment to improving the lives and conditions in town camps for our town camp residents. There are also wider benefits to the Alice Springs community.
I inform the House that, so far with the transformation plan, eight new homes have already been built since December 2009, and three refurbishments and 15 rebuilds completed across town camps. As I said, it is not always just about the money; it is about getting the results and the outcomes. Clearly, that shows there are some good outcomes being delivered in infrastructure. Work is under way on another 10 new houses, and rebuilds and refurbishment works are continuing. In total, there will be 85 new homes for Alice Springs town campers built, 101 rebuilds, and 33 refurbishments will be undertaken.
That is an enormous amount of work happening before our eyes in Alice Springs. That work is happening in the electorates of Braitling, Greatorex and Araluen. I know the member for Braitling goes out there and talks to town campers, and I encourage both the members for Araluen and Greatorex to do the same. If you talk to them, you will understand how important these projects are to them. All existing 200 houses in town camps will be rebuilt or refurbished through this package and a previously-funded housing upgrade program.
Work is under way on the Alice Springs Accommodation Park. The member for Braitling said we are herding homeless people into this accommodation park, but I have every faith in Aboriginal Hostels Limited. What we have done is outsourced the management of this park to Aboriginal Hostels Limited. I do not know if members know much about Aboriginal Hostels Limited, but they have been around for years. They have a lot of expertise in running these types of facilities. I understand there is already a waiting list for the accommodation park for when it opens, so we are not actually herding people in. People are ringing up booking rooms at the park as we speak. It is going to be a very important asset ...
Members interjecting.
Mr HAMPTON: The member for Greatorex is laughing, but I know he does not get out to town camps much, or talks to many of the homeless people around Alice Springs.
This is going to be a very important asset for the people of Alice Springs and for those people who need accommodation who are living it rough. It will accommodate up to 150 people, which is going to make a significant difference to those people. It will be run professionally and properly by Aboriginal Hostels Limited, and it will make a big difference to the accommodation shortages in Alice Springs.
Work has also begun on a 28-unit transitional housing facility at Percy Court, and redevelopment of The Lodge into a 35-bedroom facility for visitors seeking medical treatment, in particular, renal treatment.
We have also recently handed over the keys to Aboriginal Hostels Limited for a 65-bed hostel at the old Mt Gillen site, which will open in the near future providing town camp residents with a place to stay while their houses are being refurbished, as well as temporary accommodation for people visiting Alice Springs.
In those three or four facilities I have mentioned - 150 beds at the accommodation park, a 28-unit transitional housing facility at Percy Court, a 35-bedroom facility at The Lodge in town, and a 65-bed facility at the old Mt Gillen site, which will be opening soon - there is going to be a significant number of new beds and dwellings coming online over the next six to 12 months in Alice Springs for people who are living it rough. That is on top of the 85 new homes, the 101 rebuilds and the 33 refurbishments which are being undertaken as part of the Alice Springs Transformation Plan.
Highlighting those issues around housing and accommodation, and what the federal and Territory governments are doing together, gives me enough to say I am not supporting this motion by the member for Braitling. Much work is being done to address the accommodation shortages, particularly for those people …
Mr Giles: Can you hold your head up high in Alice and say you have done a good job?
Mr HAMPTON: Member for Braitling, I will always do my best. People in Alice Springs recognise I am trying my best to address some of the issues we are talking about.
The other important part of the transformation plan is talking about the social packages which are very much highlighted in the Growing them strong, together report. It is not a magic wand but it is certainly dealing with many of the social issues which are generational issues in Alice Springs.
I had an opportunity to visit the Safe and Sober program with minister Macklin recently and talk to workers there. Many of the people working in the Safe and Sober program at Congress are local Indigenous people, many with language skills which are vitally important when you are working in that type of environment. The Safe and Sober program, the Family Group Conferencing programs – there are many things happening to address the social issues of Alice Springs through the transformation plan.
Madam Speaker, I was encouraged by the efforts this government put into the by-election. Alice Springs is a very tough ask regarding Labor, but we will continue to fight hard. In 2012, my job is to hold the members for Braitling, Greatorex, and Araluen accountable to their electorates and to ensure they do not take those seats for granted ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! Time has been up for quite a while.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Your time has expired, minister.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Deputy Speaker, what a wonderful speech by the member for Araluen. Her second speech, apart from her maiden speech today, spoken with much passion ...
Mr Knight: Yes, she read it well, didn’t she? Anyone can read.
Mr CONLAN: She has been in the place for two days. It has come straight from the heart. We have members over there who have been in here for five years and they are still reading, verbatim, something prepared by a spin doctor upstairs ...
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! The member for Greatorex well knows he should be directing his comments through the Chair.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, minister. Member for Greatorex, I remind you to direct your comments through the Chair, thank you.
Mr CONLAN: Absolutely, Madam Deputy Speaker. I apologise. As I was saying, more guts, gusto, and passion in that speech, after Day 2 in this Chamber, by the member for Araluen than 90% of the members over there who have been in here for five years, seven years and, some of you, nine years.
You still do not get it. Yet, you are so arrogant you sit here and say: ‘Gee, a 6% swing towards the candidate for Araluen, Adam Findlay’. Let us take Adam out of the equation because Adam is not such a bad bloke. I had quite a few conversations with Adam along the way. He seems like a decent chap...
Mr Knight: None of your colleagues were there.
Mr CONLAN: I beg your pardon?
Mr Knight: None of your colleagues were there, so you had to talk to him.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr CONLAN: They certainly were. What are you talking about? We had colleagues all over the place at the …
Mr Knight: They were not.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Daly, cease interjecting!
Mr CONLAN: Madam Deputy Speaker, I will just pick up on that interjection. We had the Leader of the Opposition there. The members for Braitling, Fong Lim, Katherine, and Drysdale were all there, not to mention me - I was there as well. We were very well represented by Country Liberal members.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker! You forgot your Chief Minister in CLP colours.
Mr CONLAN: That is right, he was too. I have to say also, hats off to the Chief Minister who slogged it out; it was a pretty hot day. He did his very best handing out how-to-vote cards at the booth at the Gillen Primary School all day. It was a hot day. You have to give credit where credit is due.
Nevertheless, a 6% swing in the favour of the ALP candidate - for goodness sake! To say a vote of 32% for a candidate in Araluen is actually an encouraging result and no third term government has ever done it - you guys should hang your heads in shame. The truth of the matter is you have actually had a 16% swing against the government since you came in, in 2001.
Of course, you cannot compare an incumbent member of parliament as you can a fresh member of parliament. We go back to 2001. You know the story, Minister for Central Australia. I know you do not like to hear the truth, but you know the story that, in 2001, the then member for Araluen, Jodeen Carney, won with 52% of the vote. You have to compare oranges with oranges. Robyn Lambley, the current member for Araluen, got a whopping 68% of the vote. That is a 16% swing in the favour of the Country Liberals.
The Minister for Central Australia alluded to the fact we are all pretty arrogant and we take our seats for granted in Central Australia because they are all such safe Country Liberal seats. That is another load of nonsense! In 2005, Richard Lim, the former member for Greatorex, actually went to preferences when he was up against the former Mayor of Alice Springs, Fran Kilgariff. She lost that seat by only 100-odd votes. Richard Lim got 49% or something, went to preferences, and he just got over the line.
Also, when I contested that seat in 2007, I took that from 49% to 54% - hardly a whopping margin of 4%. When the member for Braitling took over that seat, it went from preferences in 2005 with Loraine Braham, the former member for Braitling. She got, I think, a low preference of 47% or something. The point is Alice swings, and can swing quite violently, and will continue to swing.
The point is none of us take anything for granted in Central Australia. No one has ever taken anything for granted in Central Australia, and we will not take anything for granted in the future ...
Mr Knight: A bunch of swingers.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr CONLAN: Madam Deputy Speaker, can we clean this up a bit? It is a race for the bottom, I think, over the other side.
It is pretty clear we have demonstrated in recent elections - in the last three or four elections - Alice Springs does have a large number of swinging voters. When Alice swings, there is a swing on, and we have seen it. It is not simply the local members here - the new member for Araluen, and the members for Braitling and Greatorex sitting around in the office, staring out the window saying: ‘We will be right, mate. We will just continue to increase our vote on the back of Labor’s failure’.
There is quite a substantial vote that comes our way on the back of your failure because your failure is so bereft; it is so enormous - the continual failures of the Labor government and its resources and its interest in Central Australia and its will to address some of the enormous problems which are magnifying day after day.
You can safely say that is not enough to actually win or retain a seat in this Chamber. It takes a lot of hard work. Every single member who has held a seat in Central Australia - certainly in the three local town seats in Alice Springs - work very hard. They have, you might say, the ringing endorsement and confidence of the people of those electorates. Sixty-eight percent does not come easy - 68% of a vote does not come from just sitting in an office and staring out the window and saying: ‘We will be right because it is a CLP town’, or ‘Because Labor is so bad, we will win’. You do not get 68% of the vote by doing that; you get 68% of the vote by having terrific policies, by getting out there and working extremely hard, by being on the door, being seen, and being in people’s faces.
If Adam Findlay did not do that, then that is his and your problem; it is not the Country Liberals’ problem. We can put that to bed. There was a 16% swing against the ALP - everyone knows it. Some whiz kid - part of the $10m spin factory on the fifth floor - once again has come up with a line to pump out there and, of course, the famous cheer squad in the media for the Australian Labor Party - there are plenty of them as well – are pumping out and running that line. People are smart enough now. After nine long years of bereft, moribund Labor government, people are starting to get it. You guys do not get it.
As the member for Araluen alluded to, in 2007 we had 500-plus people out the front of the convention centre, the makeshift Parliament House, to air their concerns about the issues of law and order in the town. Nothing has changed; in fact, it has only grown worse - it has gotten seriously worse.
I have some newspaper articles. These are from earlier this year, I might add. There are plenty of them. There has been a string of them, almost week after week after week. On the front page of The Centralian Advocate: ‘Enough. Is this the Alice Springs we want?’ ‘Police disperse gangs of thugs near the Stuart Terrace Park. The gangs drifted away but sauntered back within minutes of police vehicles leaving …’, etcetera. ‘Sorry Business. Alice Springs shop owner robbed three times, then assaulted’. ‘Nightmare by the park’ - this one with the members for Macdonnell and Braitling after a woman was bashed and thrown from a vehicle. This is ongoing. This is going on all the time. I have another media release here. It is the same story anyway - more assaults. Assaults have sky rocketed, grog laws – no, that is not the one.
You know the story: an 85% rise in crime in Central Australia and Alice Springs - 85% since 2004. You say that is because they are reporting. Well, the crime is still happening. Does it mean that it is just stagnated; it stayed the same? You cannot just say because people are reporting it more that, all of a sudden, we are seeing a spike in the incidence of crime. Only because people are reporting it? Rubbish! The crime is happening, it is out there, it is everywhere. I had my car stolen last week. How many people are affected, are victims of crime, day after day after day in Central Australia? You are doing nothing about it – absolutely nothing. You sit there and say all we do is talk down the town; all we can do is be negative. I forget who said that. Some brain surgeon over there, one of the many, said we are negative about the place.
We do not live there because we are negative. We live there because we love the place. Alice Springs is a wonderful, iconic outback town. We all love it. We feel very privileged to live there. People like the member for Stuart, who were born and bred there - no wonder they stick around because it is a fabulous place. The member for Araluen has been there for 17 years. I have been there nearly 11 years. The member for Macdonnell has lived there her whole life, I think, apart from Papunya - certainly in Central Australia. It is a wonderful, beautiful, outback, iconic town. It is the king of the outback.
You guys are absolutely destroying it, bringing it to its knees with the number of law and order issues around the town. You cannot address anything else; it is the fundamental issue that has to be addressed. If you are not safe in your own town, in your own home, if your children are not safe in the streets, then what hope do we have about addressing anything else?
The alcohol laws are simply an abject failure of the government. There is no will to address this. You have heard the pontificating today in Question Time; all the dorothy dixers being asked to tell us about the alcohol: ‘How wonderful we are going to really address this alcohol. Please stand up, Alcohol Policy Minister; please stand up, Chief Minister, and tell us how great our new initiative and our new era on alcohol policy is. Please do it and tell us’. Then, of course, they got up and pontificated and crowed about how fabulous it is, with self-aggrandising: ‘We are so great at tackling alcohol-related issues in town’. Rubbish!
I have read the Notice Paper. If this is so important, and so pressing, and this policy of yours is so good, where is it? It is nowhere on the Notice Paper. What did we do yesterday? We knocked off at 5.30 pm, for crying out loud. We knock off at 5.30 pm again ...
Dr Burns: At your leader’s request.
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Mr CONLAN: You knock off at 5 pm, 5.30 pm every day - every day, we are knocking off ...
Members interjecting.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I remind you, member for Greatorex and other members, when the Speaker stands it is the indication for members to be quiet.
I remind members of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
There have been far too many interjections. Member for Greatorex, you have the call.
Mr CONLAN: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. We all know the minister for everything, or the minister for - what was he before?
A member: Poor performance.
Mr CONLAN: Poor performance. He has had just about every portfolio in the book, and he cannot even run the Notice Paper properly. All we do here is either bring in some sort of political puff piece and spend six-and-a-half hours talking about that, and knock off early because no one has anything to do.
If this alcohol thing was so important, where is it on the Notice Paper? Where is it going to be in legislation? All you have is - this is it. This is the document you are talking about - a three-page media release put out; and this is the policy. This is the government’s policy on tackling alcohol, alcohol-related crime, and antisocial behaviour. It is not on the Notice Paper and it is not on a bill. Where is it? It is nowhere to be seen either, by the way. Clearly, not very important, and not a sign a government is dedicated and seriously committed to attacking alcohol-related problems in Central Australia ...
Dr Burns interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: We know you are the smartest man in the world, minister Burns. How you have not received an Order of Australia at this stage is beyond me.
Nevertheless, this is a demonstration of a government that is not committed to addressing alcohol-related crime, despite all the talk, all the pontificating, the game they play about tackling alcohol-related crime. This is it, a three-page media release. To the gallery, everyone: this is the government’s policy, a three-page media release. It is nowhere on the Notice Paper. It is not coming up any day soon - not that much will be coming up any day soon by the work ethic of this lazy, moribund government, as my colleague, the member for Fong Lim, so articulately puts it.
They talk about alcohol banning notices and increased rehabilitation services. Look at the rehabilitation, it is one paragraph. One little paragraph, that is all you have committed. Not only is it only a three-page flimsy, pathetic policy, it is actually one paragraph on increased rehabilitation services. It says:
- There are currently 300 treatment sobering-up shelters across the Territory. The Territory government will continue to work with the Australian government to further increase rehabilitation and treatment options ...
Again, passing the buck across to the federal government. What happens when it does not happen? We blame the feds, because it is always the feds’ fault. If it is not John Howard’s fault, which is a great old chestnut for you guys, it is the federal government’s fault. So, not much there on rehabilitation services.
You talk about alcohol banning notices. Under the proposed new laws, police ‘may’ issue a banning notice of up to 12 months. ‘May’ is hardly mandatory. Here we go:
- After being issued with a third banning notice, a person will be referred to the Alcohol and Other Drugs Tribunal. The Tribunal can issue drinking bans and make mandatory treatment orders for problem drinkers.
Fabulous! ‘Can’ and ‘may’. Hardly directing people into rehabilitation, and hardly determined to tackle the problem of alcohol-related abuse in the Northern Territory. It is a pathetic attempt. Not only is it mostly hijacking Country Liberals’ policy anyway, which you have done - we have had a very strong policy since the 2008 election when it comes to alcohol rehabilitation and mandatory rehabilitation …
Members interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: I beg your pardon, Sir Bungles? I cannot hear …
Mr GILES: Madam Deputy Speaker, a point of order! Can you remind the government of Standing Order 51? There are too many interjections. I cannot hear the member for Greatorex.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Braitling. Yes, again I remind members of Standing Order 51:
- No Member may converse aloud or make any noise or disturbance which in the opinion of the Speaker is designed to interrupt or has the effect of interrupting a Member speaking.
Thank you, member for Greatorex.
Mr CONLAN: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. This motion is almost perpetual. It seems to crop up. Unfortunately, we say much of the same thing all the time. We have to reiterate continually. We have to do it in this parliament, when this parliament bothers to function properly because, as we know, the Labor government is not interested in working. They would rather bring in political puff pieces. The only thing they are really hanging their hat on today is the alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour stuff which is a three-page, flimsy media release which does not appear on the Notice Paper and is certainly not in legislation.
Heaven knows when we are going to see this enacted. It is in keeping with the Labor Party’s and the government’s mantra, which is announcing a media release: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, here is a media release’. That is what you do. You wheel out all the troops and you all stand behind each other and nod - the member for Fannie Bay often does that too. I have to commend you, member for Fannie Bay, for becoming so excited and seeing a little passion in you just then. In two years, we have not seen much from you but you got a little fire in your belly then, and that was fantastic. A little more of that would be much appreciated. Perhaps if you could stand up to some of your own colleagues and tell them what a bunch of moribund, defunct members of parliament they all are, that would be helpful as well because this Territory …
Mr WOOD: Madam Deputy Speaker, a point of order! I am a little worried about the member for Greatorex’s health, but my point of order is relevance to the motion before us.
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Nelson. The debate has been somewhat broad-ranging. If you could bring it back to the subject of Alice Springs and the Central Australian by-election, please.
Mr CONLAN: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and thank you very much, member for Nelson. I point out it says this government should be condemned for its failure. I will get the proper wording from today’s Notice Paper:
- … the government be condemned for its approach …
I am in the process of condemning the government, Madam Deputy Speaker. That is what I am doing. It is highly relevant to what is going on here. The motion says the government should be condemned. I am in the process of condemning them. I have 12 seconds left.
So, member for Fannie Bay, a little more of that would be fantastic. I say congratulations to Robyn Lambley, the member for Araluen, a great effort, 68%, hear, hear!
Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Greatorex, your time has expired.
Ms PURICK (Goyder): Madam Deputy Speaker, it may seem unusual I am supporting this motion, but it is a good motion …
Mr Tollner: Not unusual at all.
Ms PURICK: Not unusual at all. I like to consider Alice Springs as part of Goyder south.
Seriously, in the lead-up to the Araluen by-election, I observed closely. I was in Alice Springs at the time during the by-election period for meetings. I watched with great interest, from my background at the Minerals Council, how the issue of mining was pulled into the election campaign. When the current Chief Minister came to government, one of his first roles was as the Mines minister. He spoke at great lengths with the industry at that time about how he supported and understood the mining industry as he had worked in the mines in Tasmania. He was only the Mines minister for a short period of time - I cannot remember how many months, or a year - then the portfolio moved to the current Mines minister, minister Vatskalis, who was and has been a good champion for the industry.
It was minister Vatskalis who introduced the geological university scholarship in the Northern Territory which is in about its fourth or fifth year, which is great for young people in the Northern Territory to try to get them to study geology or geophysics and to get them to come back here to work in the Territory once qualified. It was minister Vatskalis who pushed and promoted the Annual Geological Exploration Seminar to the high levels it experiences today. Some 200 delegates from exploration companies, not only from Australia but around the world, attend this annual seminar in Alice Springs which, nowadays, coincides with the Mining Expo which is taking it to greater heights.
It was minister Vatskalis who took numerous trips to China selling the mineral wares and joint venture prospects of the Territory. I would like to see more joint venture prospects rather than straight investment. It was minister Vatskalis who took delegations to Canada to the massive Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, PDAC, to promote the Territory by putting on presentations and functions to showcase the Northern Territory’s mineral potential to companies over there; to get them to come over here.
Minister Vatskalis never shied away from uranium. He and I do not agree on some aspects of uranium, notably Koongarra. However, minister Vatskalis believed the commodity was, essentially, just another valuable commodity, and if, by the nature of the commodity, a new mine or exploration program needed great rules and requirements, then rightly so. Minister Vatskalis promoted the uranium industry and believed in its good work and prospects.
I was exceptionally disappointed to see the minister sidelined during this Araluen by-election in the pursuit of political grandstanding by the Chief Minister. I believe it is nothing short of scandalous. It was minister Vatskalis’ difficult job, I am quite sure, to tell the companies associated with the Angela Pamela prospect - and these are my words: ‘Sorry guys, you can keep spending exploration dollars’, which the Chief Minister said they could do, ‘but we will not support you if you want to mine. I know we handpicked you from 36 other applicants because of your commitment to the Territory over the previous 10 years and your sound corporate-ability to make a project from exploration to mine development’ - as is stated on the mines department’s website, probably still there – ‘However, there is a little problem called a by-election so that is why I am ringing you’.
All the years of hard work by minister Vatskalis have been shot out the window. The finance and equity markets have taken a very dim view of the Northern Territory now, and investors from Asia, Canada, and France are collectively reviewing their considerations of the Territory. I know this because of representations I have had from people not only within the Territory but around the country. The gloss has gone out of the Territory’s exploration investment attractiveness. This dim view of the Territory is not limited just to uranium exploration. Other commodity miners are now taking a close look at the Northern Territory Labor government’s commitment to the industry, along with its assessment and approval processes - or perhaps, lack of support and commitment.
It is regrettable minister Vatskalis has been tarnished this way. I can only hope, collectively, both sides of Territory politics - or all sides including the Independents - can rebuild the reputation of the Territory’s exploration and mining industry because I believe we need to rebuild our reputation.
Madam Deputy Speaker, now that I have the responsibility as the shadow for Resources, I look forward to working with the minister to regain some position we have lost in regard to how this project or prospect in Central Australia was used in the by-election. As I said in my comments, I commend minister Vatskalis, the Mines minister, for the work he has done. I look forward to working with him in the future to further the prospects of the exploration and mining industry in Central Australia.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Deputy Speaker, I listened with interest to the member for Goyder’s comments. It was down on my list to comment. I totally agree with her. The only thing I add to that is the opposition agrees with the government in this case, saying they would not support the Angela Pamela mine. Regardless of whether people support the mine or not, and whether it should go ahead or not, it should have gone through the process. It did not go through the process. I thought we had set up processes which have been put in place so the science behind a proposal to mine uranium 20 km south of Alice Springs could be scrutinised correctly through the process.
In fact, the dropping of the mine by both the government and the opposition is a slap in the face to the processes. From the government’s point of view, it is a slap in the face to the Environmental Protection Authority. After many years, we finally have an Environmental Protection Authority which is independent, which would have looked at all the issues an environmental impact statement would have raised in relation to this mine. That is why we have these processes. We have a process, which you can find on the website, for an exploration licence, and what is required to go down the path of exploring for a particular mineral.
The government has said how much land it has opened up for exploration in the Northern Territory since it came to government. Of course, you could expect the mining company to then ask for a minerals licence. To get that, they would have had to go through a long, drawn-out process of an environmental impact statement, about which everyone - those who are opposed to the mine, those who support it, those who have concerns about it - would have been able to put forward their submissions. Those submissions would have been then checked from a scientific basis to see if they were valid objections.
I heard the new member for Araluen’s speech yesterday - which I thought was a very good maiden speech. She talked about developing jobs. This is one of the issues Alice Springs, with other parts of our Territory, needs to really look at carefully. We are, basically, a welfare state; 80% of our money comes from GST. You cannot tell me all the people in the Northern Territory provided all that GST by buying goods and services - no way; they did not. It came from other parts of Australia. Other taxpayers help fund the Northern Territory - and so they should. I am not saying they should not. However, surely we, as a Territory trying to push for statehood, could be saying: ‘Let us develop our own economy’, and we have not done that here.
Alice Springs has an economy based more or less on tourism, the cattle industry, and the pastoral industry, and the rest is welfare service industries to communities out there who rely on Commonwealth government funds for their very existence. When you boil down to the very hub of many of our remote communities, they would not exist if there was not welfare money from the Commonwealth. Very few of them actually produce income. There are arts, for sure, there are some tourism operations, and some mines. But, if you took the big picture, we are very reliant on the government providing money from the Commonwealth to provide employment in Alice Springs and in other communities.
Here comes an opportunity to develop - I think the figure was, looking at the Angela Pamela mine document, they are talking about approximately 200 people would be employed in this particular project. I say, quite openly, I am not sure whether this was a good idea or a bad idea. Surely, we should not have cut it off at the legs and just because some people - and I always say those people are very well organised people - in groups in our society are absolutely opposed to anything nuclear. Part of the reason you have a group of people opposed to Muckaty is not because they are necessarily worried about the site; they, basically, do not support Lucas Heights. They do not support anything that deals with the nuclear industry. If they can defeat it by some means, by making it harder to get rid of waste, they will fight - whether it is at Muckaty or Mullabulloo. That is not the issue for them; the issue is they do not support the nuclear industry.
In fact, the Northern Territory government funds some of these groups. These groups will then develop other groups. You can read the list of groups that do not support the uranium mine in Alice Springs. Whether it was in Alice Springs or in Timbuktu, they would still not support it. What should have happened - and I am not saying all of the people who opposed the Angela Pamela mine were philosophically opposed; there were people who had concerns about the water and the dust, and that is fair enough. Why was that not allowed to go through the environmental impact statement process? Why was our independent EPA not given the chance to say whether this mine was safe or not? That is the issue that really gripes me.
We have spent so much time arguing about an EPA; we have changed some of the way the EPA can run. We have said an independent EPA can look at an environmental impact statement. That is great. But, now, we have not given it the opportunity to do what we set it up for. We spend millions on an EPA, and then we do not allow it to operate in a perfect example of where it should operate. No one could accuse the Environment Protection Authority of being political. It would have looked at this project as it should - neutrally. It would have looked at it independently and, then, people could have made their own judgment. But, we have not done it.
I condemn both sides here, because a by-election loomed, and people were scared they would lose votes. I understand that, but why could either side not have said: ‘Regardless, we know you have some concerns, but we have a process which will allow your concerns to be judged as to whether they are valid concerns’.
I really believe when it comes to servicing the needs of Central Australia - as this motion is about - we have an opportunity to look at the possibility of creating jobs for Alice Springs. If the EPA or the environmental impact statement showed this was not a good thing for Alice Springs, fair enough. However, I have not had the opportunity to see what would have come out of an EIS; I have not heard what the EPA would have said. I just know there was a by-election around the corner. Many people said: ‘We do not like it’.
If we apply that to everything we do in this place, we would probably never get anything off the ground in the first place. If we wanted a road to go through somewhere, and it was essential that road was going to go through, there might be some people who oppose it. Sometimes it might be that is the only place the road can go, so the government has to make some of the tough decisions, and say: ‘Sorry, we have to build the road’. There are times when governments have to make decisions.
In this case, they did not have to make a decision. All they had to do was say: ‘We will let the process go through its path which we have set up. This is part of the democratic process. We have set up a process to look at this correctly’. In this case, we have avoided doing that, and that is a shame. I was going to talk about that last, but I have spoken about it first.
While the member for Goyder was condemning the government, she also needed to say she was not particularly happy with her own party’s decision, because both sides said ‘no go’ for this particular project. That is disappointing at this stage. No process was allowed to happen, and I believe that was wrong.
I will say a couple of other things. I am concerned when people can get Alice Springs sensitive. This motion says ‘the needs of Central Australia’. Sometimes, Alice Springs can focus on itself and forget there are other parts of Central Australia that do not get the attention when it comes to debating issues in this place. Tennant Creek is part of Central Australia, so is Alpurrurulam, so is Papunya ...
Mr Tollner: They have a library in Tennant Creek.
Mr WOOD: Thank you very much for that.
When we are going to put ‘Central Australia’ in the motion, we should actually talk about more than Alice Springs. I have just spent a week in Alice Springs for the Masters Games. I loved it, even if the weather was somewhere between stinking hot and freezing cold all in a week - it was a bit like Melbourne, but it was great. I met many great people from interstate and from the Territory.
One of the reasons I go to the Masters is not to try to win medals because, in my case, it is a big effort to try to even get a bronze medal. It is because it is worth promoting, because Alice Springs is a great place to visit. It is a great place for the Masters. It is in the centre of Australia so, from a convenience point of view, it is fantastic. It is also good to promote it from the point of view it is a wonderful place to visit, and you can visit lots of other places in the area as well.
I also do it because I believe older people should be involved in sport to try to keep fit and active. I also go there to support many of the groups from my part of the world, such as the netball, softball, the cricketers, lawn bowlers, and motor cyclists. They go there from the rural area. I like to go there and give them some support, even if I am only a one-man cheer squad at 10 o’clock at night at the netball courts. So what? It is good you support these people who are going there.
Alice Springs is a fantastic place. I know there are issues. There is no doubt there are issues. I know there is a great deal of talk about alcohol issues. Having not been born and bred in the Territory, but lived here longer than some of the people who say they are born and bred in the Territory, I believe no one in this parliament has the answer to some of our alcohol problems. I have seen many people try to sort out our alcohol problems. I get a little annoyed that one side condemns the other because they think they have the perfect answer.
It is a very complex issue. It is not just an issue in Alice Springs; it covers the rest of the Territory and Australia, and many other countries. Alcohol and the problems associated with alcohol are not confined to Central Australia. Neither side can get up and say: ‘On my heart, we have the solution’. I do not believe every side has the solution. That does not mean we should not criticise, or we should try to give options, but please do not come here saying ‘our solution is going to make everything better’ because I have seen many of these things happen and I have not seen many changes in this society when it comes to alcohol.
There has to be much more emphasis on a person’s responsibility to take control of their life. We can have mandatory detention of people who continually go through the revolving door - that is something which I support. However, I support it with a process which says we will put them into a place which is friendly - that is, we will give them a vegetable garden where they can work, they can do some woodwork, they can do some literacy and numeracy, and they will be cared for by a doctor. However, in the end, if there is no determination of the person to think: ‘Where I am going? Am I going to change my ways in relation to alcohol?’, then it is very difficult to change. It is like taking a horse to water. If the horse does not want to drink, it will die.
If an alcoholic, or a person with alcohol problems, does not want to make an inner change in their hearts - and that is not easy. I am not standing up here pontificating, as has been said, because I know it is difficult. Try to get some of our smokers in this parliament off smoking. It is very difficult. You can say you should stop and you it will kill you. It is not easy ...
Mr Tollner: Absolutely.
Mr WOOD: The member for Fong Lim will tell you it is not easy. You have to have a change, and some of that change has to come from yourself. I am not trying to avoid the debate about whether we should have shorter hours when hotels should be shut, whether we should change the hours when the bottle shop is open, or whether we should change from four litre flagons to whatever.
There are many points of view on these issues. I do become a little sad that we all belt one another around the ears. I have heard people say: ‘Why should the majority be condemned for the problems of a few people?’, which I understand is a reasonable statement. On the other hand do we, as a community, have a responsibility to try to help those people who have a problem? Not as me, but as what can I do for my community? A bit of the old JFK: ‘What can I do for the community, not what can I do for myself’.
These are difficult issues which parliament has to work through. I would rather see the issue of alcohol and the problems of alcohol in our society worked through as a team rather than two teams.
The issue of alcohol is a major problem in Alice Springs, but it is a major problem in other places. You just need to look at the history of Tennant Creek, with Thirsty Thursday. I was at the hearings when that occurred. It looked like it was the solution for a while. You talk to the doctors, nurses, and police and they said on Thursday it was great. But they changed. That was pension day but pension day is not on Thursday any more. Pension day spreads around a little these days so that threw that quiet day in Tennant Creek out the door.
There are some other issues. I actually agree with the member for Giles, and …
A member interjecting.
Mr WOOD: Sorry, member for Braitling. Well, a lot of times people call me Gerry Nelson, so you can have it.
He raised some good points, I thought. I know there is a bit of politics in here in condemning the government but, take that away for a minute, and he raised some good issues.
The issue of the prison is a really important issue and I am hoping - and the member for Barkly is here at the moment - part of the new era is about punishment, but also about rehabilitation. I would like to see our prisoners with a set period every day so, when they get up in the morning they know exactly what their day’s work will be. Whether it is in education or work, their days are laid out and there is no sitting around doing nothing. They are doing something positive all day. If they do not want to do it, then there is no television or the pool table is not available. There are things put in place which say to those people: ‘If you do not want to change your life; if you do not want to go down this path, well, I am sorry, you are not getting a single room, or you are not getting the use of a television or the pool table tonight’. Things are taken away from them. I thought that is what used to happen in prison. That is what you have to do. There has to be some sort of punitive arrangements, as well as trying to help people.
There are good things. The work camps in Barkly are good. I have not heard anything about Hamilton Downs for a long time. At the last election it was said Hamilton Downs was going to be a change for the youth of Alice Springs. As far as I know they had three camps. I have not heard any more about that. Has that been happening?
I might not quite agree with the boot camp. I say that young people should be taken out bush to work out on some cattle stations: learning about horses and fencing; getting some education. Take them out of town and give them hard work. It might not be quite the boot camp you are talking about, but it would be something that is good. It already occurs on one of the cattle stations south of Alice Springs. I cannot think of its name - it has been on Four Corners. That is what that gentleman does with many young people.
There needs to be more emphasis on youth getting out, getting some fresh air. I have said many times if you get kids out in the bush with the stars above their heads, after they have had a hard day’s work, they will enjoy their sleep. I can tell you that now. Let them have time to think about where they are going as well. One of the best places to think about where you are going in life is under the stars at night. That is certainly an area that needs to be looked at.
I am disappointed about the diversionary programs. I have been to the Gap Youth Centre a couple of times. I am concerned about youth drop-in centres in Alice because there is this feeling that these are the black ones and these are the white ones. It is time we looked at one big one in Alice Springs, combined all the resources and said this is everyone’s place. I have told people before of places such as the St John Bosco Boys’ Club in St Mary’s, which I visited on my trip around the prisons, which is a place a number of people here should visit. It is a fantastic place where kids are welcome. They own it and it is for that whole community.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I do not want to say too much more; my time has run out. There are some good things in Alice Springs. I believe the bowls club should get the money to move because there were not enough rinks to play bowls at the Masters this year. Getting new rinks would be great for the place. The athletics people asked me about a track. Table tennis people do not have a home. I hope the government can look for a home in conjunction with the gymnastics in Alice Springs. Overall, Alice Springs is a great place. It has issues but they are not necessarily unique to Alice Springs. I will …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, your time has expired.
Ms ANDERSON (Macdonnell): Madam Speaker, I support the member for Braitling’s motion, not to condemn the government but to talk about the issues that exist in Central Australia. The member for Nelson has hit the nail on the head; this is a huge problem and this motion is really a plea for help to make things better for all of us. It is not just for government, it is for opposition, it is for everyone living in Alice Springs - the elderly and the young.
When we talk about economic growth or economic development, economic development happens through development of these towns. It is developing Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine, but also making it safe for our visitors and the residents who live in this town. Therefore, the impact you will have in places like Darwin is a good impact, and people coming into these regional towns like Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, and Darwin will see the goodness of people.
You are always going to get antisocial behaviour anywhere, but we need to minimise it. At the moment, what we are seeing, not just in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine, but also in Mitchell Street - I am one of the lucky ones who actually catches a taxi to Parliament House every morning and at night going home. I spoke to the taxi driver this morning, who is absolutely shocked his taxi has been smashed three times. The windscreen cost him $400; and 16 hours off the road is costing him money. The very next day the side window - $300, 12 hours off the road. Now, he has a smashed rear view mirror.
These people are just getting a little frustrated and angry. We need to get the anger out by not having the anger in this parliament, but making sure we give ideas to the government to make better policies and take up some of the ideas other people are putting forward to make not just our town of Alice Springs good, but also Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin. The Northern Territory is a huge regional centre that many people enjoy.
The member for Nelson just said we have had a huge increase in population in Alice Springs just last week through the Masters Games - absolutely fantastic. During the day, they were walking down the street and you saw all these different faces enjoying the beauty of Central Australia, but fearful at night.
As a local member, I get out in the street of Alice Springs at night, and it is really bad in the area of the 24 Hour in Alice Springs and the Royal Flying Doctor base. Our young people are hanging around in that dark area. One of the suggestions we can put to government is that the grassed area of the Royal Flying Doctor gets much more lighting. It is not just safety for the people who are drinking there, but it is also safety for our police who have to go in there at night to get all these people out of the darkness. They jump over the hedging at the Royal Flying Doctor. It is really worrying to see these kids are hanging around. You see adolescents, 15, 16, 17, but you see 25 or more children under 10. It is very concerning to see these children walking around at night. You can also see the police patrolling the town and making sure the town is safe.
There was an incident one night where a young girl walked across the bridge to get to the other side. People live underneath the bridge, and one of the guys came up and touched her on the backside. That really puts the fear of God into young women trying to get to the other side of town.
As the member for Braitling said, our elders need to feel safe inside their homes. It was really horrible to hear about the 67-year-old in Lyndavale Drive - which is just down the road from me - being sexually abused in her own home. That is the kind of thing we, as society, should not tolerate. It should not just be government that should not tolerate it, but it should be us, as a society, that does not tolerate any of this kind of nonsense.
One of the things we need to start having a look at - what we are doing now is talking about building a couple of the communities into regional hubs. What we need to do is identify how many of people are actually living in Alice Springs, homeless in the creeks, under the bridge, and up on top of the hill. Do these people really want to go back to their communities? Maybe they do not. Instead of giving them 14 houses, cut it back to 10 and say four of the other houses are going to be built in Alice Springs so that Alice Springs can accommodate these people instead of these people being homeless.
Regional development and economic development go together. Darwin cannot have all the niceties without having the nice things happen in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine as well. If we neglect those three communities, three regional hub towns, and put all the infrastructure and the beauty into Darwin and leave those in isolation from Darwin, you will start to have an impact in Darwin where people will notice that things are different. If we build up Alice Springs, Katherine, and Tennant Creek, then Darwin will start having the flow-on effect of people coming to Darwin as well from those regional towns. I wanted to contribute that little part towards the motion the member for Braitling has brought up. This motion is a plea to this government to help the town of Alice Springs.
I have just said to the member for Nelson, there is already talk of having not 500 people demonstrating outside the convention centre at the April sittings, but 700 or 1000 people demonstrating to the Labor government. We need to be very careful emotions and anger do not flow out. We need to make parliament in Alice Springs something nice. We had one occasion where parliament was enjoyed. We can see, when we look around the Chamber in Darwin, not many people - apart from the invited guests, like schools and institutions - come to Parliament House. Whereas we have seen on two occasions now people in Alice Springs are actually interested in parliament, and they participate. We have seen them sitting there when we are working late at night.
People are interested, but they want the respect of government to put the same kind of focus that you have in Darwin back into that town as well. We are talking about the safety of the town, not just on behalf of the residents, but of our tourists. It is very important we keep the town safe and minimise the antisocial behaviour, with children walking around in the streets and people on alcohol and high on drugs.
That is where I want to lead on to the other part of the motion about rehabilitation and being a little stronger inside the prison system so people are not re-offending, not going back through the revolving door of the justice system, and come out and engage in society, back with their people, into their community, so they are contributing to their communities and to society.
I believe if we have a rule that allows these people, when they are in prison, just to enjoy prison - and I heard the member for Braitling say they are not afraid of going to gaol; and I will back the member for Braitling in that - they are not afraid of going to gaol. If they are told they are going to prison, they just say: ‘I am going home. I have a clean bed, three meals a day. I am fine and I will see you in six months time’. That is the attitude we need to get out of these people: that it is not fine to go to prison; that prison is a punishment. At the same time, how do we get these people to stop re-offending? Can we develop something outside, like a farm, so these people are operating back in society?
One of the other things I found out - and I was in contact with Sean Parnell and reported some of the things I had found out in my own electorate as I was going around, about the use of drugs in Aboriginal communities. I spoke to the Bush Bus. I had meetings with them and said: ‘I believe these people are trafficking these drugs on the Bush Bus’. ‘No, we put the dog on; the dog cannot find anything’. I want to be assured by someone here that the dog is 100%, because what they are doing with the marijuana is buying cooked chicken, taking the stuffing out of the cooked chicken, putting the drugs inside there, and then putting the stuffing back in. Another way they do it is with shampoo and conditioner bottles. They half empty it, bag the ganja and drop it inside the shampoo and conditioner bottles. That is how these drugs are getting into the communities.
If we can just do an education strategy, I guess, with these people to say: ‘If you can spend so much time to do this to divert yourself from being caught by the police, you can do good in the way you think in other areas’. That is the education strategy we need to get out there, Madam Speaker.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, it was with great interest that I listened to the two Independent members in this place and found myself nodding in agreement with everything they said.
The point the member for Macdonnell made about the regions feeding Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, is dead right. We will never have a better Darwin. We will never have a better Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, unless we get economic activity occurring in the regions. Ultimately, the places I have just mentioned are service centres for the regions. Darwin, whether it is the north with the Timor Sea or the southern areas, lives and breathes on what occurs in our regions, as do the other centres throughout the Territory. It was great to hear the member for Macdonnell articulating that.
There are many things the member for Nelson said which I agree with. I find myself agreeing with the member for Nelson on a range of different issues. I shake my head because the one real decision the member for Nelson has had to make in his parliamentary career, he completely squibbed - he stuffed it up completely. He jumped in bed with Labor. He kept Labor in government and, to me, that is the most horrifying decision the man could make. To support this moribund, mendicant, useless and shambolic government is beyond me. It is absolutely beyond me how he could support this ship of fools. Much that the member for Nelson comes out with I find reasonably sensible, but that particular decision has dismayed me.
We heard from various speakers that Labor was running around patting itself on the back because they received 32% of the vote in Araluen. Speakers on this side of the House are scratching their heads wondering how the hell Labor can be slapping itself on the back when they received 32% of the vote. I will tell you how it is: 32% of the vote is four times what they received in Nelson and look at the outcome of that; they are still in government. I suppose 32% of the vote is four times better than they did in the member for Nelson’s seat, and the member for Nelson has kept them in government.
I was sitting here and I called him Red Gerry. He said: ‘No, it is Cherry Gerry’. I thought, Cherry Gerry, what an apt description: he is red on the inside as well as the outside. He has joined Labor in no uncertain terms. That is why Labor is so thrilled they received 32% of the vote in Araluen, because is it four times what they received in Nelson.
They knew they were on a hiding to nothing right from the word go. I recall reading a transcript of an interview the Chief Minister gave on one of the radio stations in Alice Springs. He said something along the lines of: ‘It will snow on Ayers Rock before Labor wins Araluen’. Something like that: ‘It will snow on Ayers Rock …
Dr Burns: Didn’t he say on Christmas Day?
Mr TOLLNER: Yes. ‘It will snow on Christmas Day or snow on Ayers Rock’, something along those lines, member for Johnston. In any case, he had written the thing off before he had even started. It is a little like the whole of Alice Springs. You have written it off to the point where you ignore the place, and that is very sad.
I was there for the election and it was quite laughable seeing the funny little tricks Labor was engaging in. ‘Adam for Araluen’ - obviously a reference to Adam Giles, hoping they may well confuse people enough to think they were voting for Adam Giles for Araluen. But no, it was another Adam altogether. It was not actually Adam Giles; it was some other Adam who was running in Araluen.
The member for Braitling did this Chamber a huge favour when he rediscovered the long-lost ALP logo - the Labor Party of the Northern Territory’s logo. Well done, member for Braitling. It was not to be seen at the Araluen by-election. In fact, standing there with the member for Araluen and handing out how-to-vote cards, looking at the Chief Minister, I said: ‘Chief Minister, why are you all wearing shirts with the Country Liberals’ logo on it?’ - because they all were. They all had these beautiful white shirts with the big Northern Territory flag, the Country Liberals logo, right in the middle ...
Dr Burns: It is our flag! It is the Northern Territory flag.
Mr TOLLNER: It is the Country Liberals logo, and members of Labor know it. They were not having Labor badges anywhere near them; they were trying to confuse people. ‘Adam for Araluen’ with the Country Liberals logo on his shirt, hoping against hope someone might turn in there and think they were casting a vote for the Country Liberals when, really, they were casting a vote for the ‘reds’ in Alice Springs. That is what the tactic was. That is the limit of the imagination of Labor in Alice Springs. ‘Let us try to confuse the voter. Let us try to make them think they are not actually voting for Labor because we know it will snow on Ayers Rock before we get a Labor member up in Araluen’ ...
A member: On Christmas Day!
Mr TOLLNER: On Christmas Day! That is the motive and, good on them. I suppose, in many ways, it was a ringing endorsement by the Labor government of the Country Liberals in Central Australia.
I digress, Madam Speaker. I congratulate and thank the member for Braitling for putting this important motion to the House. It is a very important motion. I listened carefully to what he had to say. The issue throughout the campaign which is very evident and of most importance to people, not just in Central Australia, but all over the Northern Territory, is the issue of crime and the way that crime seems to be out of control, most particularly in Central Australia.
It is a sad thing to say but places like Alice Springs and Tennant Creek are almost war zones and criminals have taken over the streets. On Monday afternoon, I had the member for Braitling in my electorate office at Winnellie. An older lady walked into my office and I introduced her to the member for Braitling. I said: ‘This is Adam. He is up from Alice Springs.’ She said: ‘I have spent my whole life wanting to go to Alice Springs. I mean that seriously - ever since I was a little girl’. I think she said that she had watched A Town Like Alice 16 times. She said she just loved the movie; it was her favourite movie. She always wanted to get to Alice Springs. Earlier this year, she made the trip to Alice Springs. It was a lifelong desire to get there. She said she was never going back. The reason she was not going back was because she was scared to be walking in the mall in the middle of the day. This lady has been a Darwin woman for 40-odd years, and she said she thought Darwin was bad. She said: ‘I thought we had problems with crime out of control in Darwin but that Alice Springs mall scared me’.
I have to say I do not share those feelings when I walk down the mall or, in fact, in any part of the Northern Territory. However, I fully understand there are some people in our community who do feel very vulnerable indeed. It is a sad indictment that this lady, whose lifelong desire was to visit Alice Springs, felt so scared she does not want to go back there. That is a sad indictment.
I was there, like many members in this Chamber, for the Alice Springs Masters Games. It is not the first games I have been to. It is a remarkable event, and hats off to the organisers and the government for their support for the Alice Springs Masters Games, because it is a fantastic event. We should cherish and promote it more because it is a great event for Central Australia, not just as an income earner for local business and activities for local people, but because it is a fantastic showcase of Central Australia.
This last trip, I drove there, you will be happy to know. I drove there and spent the week driving around. I was absolutely amazed at the number of vandalised cars I saw on the side of the road - cars with windscreens smashed in, doors smashed in and kicked in. I understand it is a real problem in Alice Springs at this time, where there are gangs running around the streets vandalising cars and the like.
Something must be done about crime. I believe crime is a symptom of the anti-development policies of this government. My grandmother had a saying: ‘Idle hands do the devil’s work’. When you look at Alice Springs and see the number of people - and the member for Nelson raised the matter that Alice Springs is, fundamentally, a welfare town; it survives on welfare. In fact, most of the communities throughout the Northern Territory survive on welfare. We are a mendicant society; we require welfare dollars to keep the place going. It is a fact of idleness and boredom that people are hitting the grog, smoking dope, sniffing petrol, vandalising cars, breaking into houses, and all the other antisocial events that go on.
We can sit in this place and devise new grog laws, new ways of locking people up, and all those things, which is an immediate reaction to a problem that is real - and I am not discounting the fact something has to be done in that regard. The fundamental issue is we need to create opportunities for all people in the Northern Territory. This whole idea is embraced by Labor: that we stop people developing this and developing that; Aboriginal land is not for anyone, it is for Aboriginal people, we cannot access that land; we cannot clear scrub; we cannot derive water from the aquifers; or we cannot climb a rock. All of these things we cannot do stops our economic development in its tracks; stops commercial activity. That is the heart of the problems we are having in the Northern Territory, I believe, because we are not developing the regions.
I saw in the Araluen by-election one of the most disgusting decisions I have seen in my time of politics. That was the decision to put politics ahead of economic development and growth in the Territory. That was the decision by this government to can the process the Angela Pamela crew, Cameco-Paladin, has to go through in order to get a mine going. That process should have been allowed to proceed. Public consultation is part of that process ...
Dr Burns: What is your policy? What is the CLP policy?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr TOLLNER: I am opposed to the CLP policy on it as well. I have absolutely no problem standing here and saying that. I was opposed to the fact that the CLP came out and mimicked the government on that decision - completely opposed to it because it sends a dreadful message to our business community. It sends a message saying: ‘We are prepared to do and say anything in order to get our person up, including wrecking our own local economy’. That is what it says to people ...
Mr Hampton: The tourism industry supported it.
Mr TOLLNER: Oh, tourism industry, here we go. One of the biggest tourism industries in the Northern Territory, believe it or not - and I find it hard to believe at times - occurs in Kakadu. We had a mine running there for years.
The biggest tourist destination in the world is Paris. It is the single largest tourism destination in the world. How many nuclear reactors do you think there are in Paris? I was speaking to the French Ambassador to Australia a couple of years ago, and he was talking to me about mining Koongarra. I said to him: ‘Oh, Koongarra is a bit of a special case you know, it is right next to Nourlangie Rock. It could create problems’. He said: ‘We do it safely. What is your problem?’ I said: ‘Hang on, put it this way. If you found uranium underneath the Eiffel Tower, would you mine it?’ He said: ‘Of course, we would. We would not be coming to Australia. We would not be going all the way around the world. If we had uranium in France we would be digging it up’. It is a different attitude altogether - a completely different attitude.
I could not help but agree with the members for Nelson and Goyder, that there is a process. We do not have to come out and say, yes, we support the mine, but we should support the process. That is what it is all about: supporting the process.
I was a member of the federal parliament for quite some time, and was a member of the Industry and Resources Committee which held an inquiry into the explorability of Australia. One of the things we looked at very closely was the Fraser Institute ratings. The Fraser Institute, for those of you who do not know - and I am sure most people in this place do know – is a Canadian-based organisation which does international exploration ratings on different countries. When I was a member of the federal parliament holding that inquiry on Australia’s explorability, Australia ranked No 1 in the world.
In very recent times, our ratings have dropped significantly. Our ratings, I am led to understand, fell to about 16 or 17 - somewhere around that - when Labor came out with their proposed super profits tax on mining. We fell to 16th. I am now led to understand we have fallen to below 30th for being explorable, based on this decision by government. We are right up there with Rwanda. That is a dreadful message we have sent to the world. We have sent a message to the world saying, be aware of the sovereign risk in Australia, because if they have an election, they are prepared to just drop you like a dirty rag. They will just discard your company.
I am led to believe that Cameco-Paladin has spent somewhere around $12m in Central Australia on that project to date. Yet, we have just had a government walk in and cut them off at the knees - a wrong, wrong decision, particularly in a place that survives on welfare.
Madam Speaker, I am glad to see the member for Braitling has other proposals coming later this evening, particularly in relation to camels and what can be done with commercial activities. However, this government really needs to get on board and start developing some real economic, commercial activities in Central Australia, some real things that work. Support the agricultural industries. Support the tourism industries. Support the camel industry the member for Braitling will be talking on later on. There is a range of different commercial opportunities are available right now if we only seize the mettle, if we drop this stupid anti-development attitude that seems to encompass government in the Northern Territory. That is what we have to do.
Madam Speaker, I am elated at the result of the Araluen by-election. I believe we have a fantastic member elected. I am thrilled that Robyn Lambley is now a part of the Chamber. The results of that election were not just good. They were bad because they highlighted the lengths this government will go to - the fact it was prepared to sacrifice our economy for cheap political points.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution today. Thank you very much, the new member for Araluen, the members for Greatorex and Goyder, the Minister for Central Australia, and the members for Nelson, Macdonnell, and Fong Lim.
The Minister for Central Australia was fairly honest in his assessment of some of the issues in town. He was in agreement. This is a fairly feisty, argumentative motion, but he was very honest in his approach to it. I am sure he recognises problems. He said - I do not have the exact words - there are troubles and it will take some time to fix some of them. They have been getting worse for a long period of time, and it is a 10-year government. I do not know how much worse they can become. However, I know they are going to become a great deal worse this summer.
One of my concerns - and I will relate to what the member for Macdonnell said. This is somewhat of a cry for help. I am at my wits’ end trying to help people with some of these issues, and watching good people leave town. It is not just that they are leaving town, the lack of a skills set is a drain on the economy. I mentioned earlier in the debate about childcare and how that is a drain on our town. That is a significant issue. There are a number of economic facets which are not being dealt with in our town. Law and order is a big part of that. Housing is a big part of that. I encourage government to hear the cries for help.
In regard to law and order, I am worried people are going to start taking things into their own hands. I really believe people will start taking matters into their own hands. You see people come out at 2 am when they hear their car getting smashed up. I wait until the media release comes out first thing in the morning that someone has taken a baseball bat to kids on the street or to adults on the street causing trouble. I can see it happening any day. I hope it does not happen, but I can see it happening any day. People will take matters into their own hands because the government is not reacting to solve some of the problems in town.
I listened intently to what everyone said. I thank the member for Nelson for his comments. He was saying this is about Central Australia; he was talking about Alice Springs. On this particular issue, yes, there have been plenty of times when I have spoken about much broader issues rather than just Alice Springs. This is just about Alice Springs.
He was talking about alcohol. I was not just talking about alcohol as part of this motion. Alcohol has two forms. We have the alcohol problems of the working people who cause trouble on Mitchell Street at night, with the alcohol-fuelled violence we see. Then, we have people who have alcohol problems who are of a different demographic. They are two different issues. I went through the last two months’ media releases issued by the police. I categorised them all, by chance, and I went through each one about assault, sexual assault, violence against property, drink-driving and alcohol-fuelled violence. The alcohol-fuelled violence was not in the south, it was all here. The sexual assaults were generally in the south. The antisocial behaviour was in the south. Whether that is just by chance, but out of about 120 media releases, that was how it worked out.
I will just go through a few media releases which I have here, to paint a picture. These are some filtered ones for Alice Springs only. A drink-driver three times over the legal limit, 0.264% blood-alcohol reading - that was on 14 October. I will not go into all of this in detail. Traffic Operation Alice Springs talks about a person being picked up with a 0.154% blood-alcohol reading. There were people driving unregistered motor vehicles, with unrestrained children, grog running, people driving unlicensed, and too many people in a car. A 17-year-old was driving at 159 km/h in a 130 km/h zone – not that I do not support open speed limits. A drink-driver was caught with a 0.248% blood-alcohol reading, and another caught drink-driving at 0.221% - high range drink-driving - driving at speed and in a manner dangerous. There was a traffic pursuit - a 34-year-old man was in a traffic pursuit along Lovegrove Drive that we heard about. There was a disturbance at Alice Springs at 4 am while the Masters Games were on. Someone was caught stealing $90 000 worth of surveying equipment. A 14-year-old male youth was arrested in relation to traffic offences and unlawful use of a motor vehicle in Alice Springs at 1.15 am. A 49-year-old man was arrested in relation to unlawful entries in Alice Springs including my office, I believe. Two men were arrested in relation to unlawful entry at The Gap and at the Memorial Club. Eight vehicles were damaged in Alice Springs. Tools and equipment were stolen in Alice Springs. There was a ram raid in Alice Springs. There was unlawful entry in Alice Springs. There was a murder charge in Alice Springs. There was another unlawful entry at Van Senden Avenue in the member for Araluen’s electorate; drug and alcohol seizures; grog and drug seizures; sexual assault just around the corner from Lyndavale Drive where that lady was, unfortunately, sexually assaulted; hooning; and escaping custody in Alice Springs.
The reason I go though all of those brief media releases is to highlight that people do not have any regard for the law. They do not care if they go to gaol. I have said it before, and the member for Macdonnell reiterated that. These are just some small cases that have happened in the last month-and-a-half. People do not care about the law. People like us in our demographic may consider the deprivation of liberty is a problem, but there are plenty in town who just do not care. The social fabric has gone.
People will take matters into their own hands and solve their own problems of violence against themselves, their family or their property. The movie, The Castle, talked about people’s home being their castle. That is where they live, their place; that is their sanctuary. We are now seeing crime move out into the suburban residential areas and more and more people’s houses getting broken into. It is happening all the time. People will take matters into their own hands and it is only a matter of time. Then, those people will suffer deprivation of their liberty.
I would love to be the Corrections minister. It is not the portfolio I really aspire to but, if I was the prisons minister, I would build a big concrete hole and put all the bad criminals in there: ‘Right, you are in the hole, you are not coming out. Start learning about it’. I might break every United Nations’ convention on the rights of the prisoner but, ‘Get in the hole’. The member for Nelson spoke about if you do the wrong thing, you do not go to a course, or you cannot play pool. I am sure every taxpayer in the Northern Territory would like to have a pool table, or be unhappy to know prisoners get pool tables and are paid to do menial tasks.
These are areas of significant concern. We have a new town camp being built at Alice Springs at Blatherskite Park. I am concerned that place will be a new town camp. I listened to the member for Stuart talk about Aboriginal Hostels taking over. I know a lot about Aboriginal Hostels; I have had a lot to do with them for many years. It is a good body. However, it represents one of the problems of housing in Alice Springs. There are nine hostels in Alice Springs which are administered by Aboriginal Hostels. They are all full - full as a bull. An example is the one on Larapinta Drive, the Yeperenye Hostel. They are designed to have people for up to three months. They have people who have been living there for five years because they cannot find anywhere else to go. I know there is a waiting list to get behind that fence where you are herding everyone into with the sleeping bags, the swags, and the tents, but that is no real solution to the problem.
It has been a good debate. Touching quickly on what the member for Macdonnell said about drugs being moved through the Bush Bus and out to communities; that is a significant problem. It is a growing problem that will continue to come up from South Australia. We know there is a significant drug problem in the AP lands. That will continue throughout Central Australia. There are drugs being smuggled in chickens, in dirty nappies, in all manner of things, to try to escape being caught. It is a problem and I thank the member for Macdonnell for notifying the police as soon as possible.
The member for Goyder raised an important issue about the government’s decision to backflip on process about uranium determination and uranium mining. The member for Goyder raised some very important points: the minister for Mines has been very competent in developing a process. The member for Fong Lim was very outspoken in his opinion on this matter, as was the member for Nelson. It is important we develop industries. We are a welfare town in Alice Springs. We are welfare towns right across the Territory. We are service centres. Darwin operates as a service centre which gets a lot of its work out of welfare from these service towns.
It is very important we develop industries. When we are looking a gift horse in the mouth with an industry, we are silly not to follow the process. The government should be condemned for overturning a process for the sake of some political bastardry. By the Chief Minister’s own comments, they were going to win Araluen if it snowed on Ayers Rock at Christmas time. The decision they made put our sovereignty at risk, put us at the 34th position with Rwanda - the member for Fong Lim was right. We are now in a difficult position of trying to attract explorers to the Northern Territory to develop our minerals industry further.
We have another debate coming up about camels, which is another potential opportunity. We need to invest in our economy, not just the reactions to socialist ventures by ‘the reds’ on the left who are not seeing any progressive change, but seeing social determinants going backwards.
Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their debate. I encourage all members to support this motion; it is a positive motion. It puts a line in the sand to say this is a cry for help, we are now moving forwards, not going backwards.
Madam SPEAKER: The question is the motion be agreed to. Leader of the Opposition, are you calling a division?
Mr MILLS: Yes, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: That is all right. I remind members who are calling a division, that if the Leader of the Opposition calls for a division that is counted as having been supported but if another member calls it, someone else has to support it.
The Assembly divided:
Ayes 11 Noes 12
Ms Anderson Mrs Aagaard
Mr Chandler Dr Burns
Mr Conlan Mr Gunner
Mr Elferink Mr Hampton
Mr Giles Mr Henderson
Mrs Lambley Mr Knight
Mr Mills Ms Lawrie
Ms Purick Mr McCarthy
Mr Styles Ms McCarthy
Mr Tollner Ms Scrymgour
Mr Westra van Holthe Mr Vatskalis
Ms Walker
Motion negatived.
MOTION
Camel Industry in the Northern Territory
Camel Industry in the Northern Territory
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I move - That the Northern Territory parliament:
- (a) condemns the federal government for the slaughter of thousands of camels across the Territory;
(b) writes to the federal Agriculture and Indigenous Affairs minister pleading that they utilise the remaining $19m to develop a viable camel industry;
(c) promote the utilisation of those remaining funds to be used to build the necessary infrastructure to assist shore up supply of camels for an industry;
(d) seeks a redirection of funds towards the expansion of abattoir facilities at Wamboden as a public/private partnership or direct grant to support industry development;
(e) identifies future alternate sites for a multi-species abattoir that has access to transport, water and power, with particular attention focused on Owen Springs as a possible alternative; and
(f) seeks to enlist the support of the Australian government trade agencies to develop a demand market for camel with particular interest amongst the Middle East.
Madam Speaker, I move this motion today with the intent of working together with governments, both Territory and federal, to promote alternate solutions within the confines of camel management as previously identified by many, including the Natural Resource Management Council.
Camels are a feral pest across Central Australia, not just in the Territory, but across jurisdictions that make up the vast portion of Central Australia. The cost of these feral animals to the economic, social, environmental, and cultural pillars of remote society are significant. The environmental degradation of land and the destruction to infrastructure, including infrastructure in Indigenous communities, is one of concern and one that requires action, more than just murdering camels.
The desecration of sacred sites is not only confronting in a cultural sense, but also has impacts on the economic future benefits of tourism. Many would be aware of the impact of camels on flora and fauna, whether it be walking over native vegetation or competing for water that would normally be used by native animals that call this land theirs.
Estimates of camel numbers are vast and wide, with some saying 1.8 million, some 1.4 million, and others say well over one million. Those with an interest in the field claim a doubling of the population in between four and eight years, perhaps only as much as 10% increases per year. But, in worse case estimates, there could be 3.6 million camels across Central Australia by 2014, or perhaps 2.8 million by 2018. For those who may be unsure about the numbers of camels, go to YouTube on the Internet and search under ‘camel cull’ or ‘camels in Central Australia’ and you will see the numbers they are talking about.
Let us not forget we are talking about not just the Northern Territory, but Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. That is 50% of Australia’s rangelands. It is estimated in the Draft National Feral Camel Action Plan the distribution of the camel population is: Western Australia has 46%, South Australia has 17.7%, Queensland has 10%, and the Northern Territory has 26.3% of the camels. The general population seems to think the camels are solely in the Northern Territory, but they are across jurisdictions. From the same plan, it is estimated the tenures of land on which camels inhabit are: conservation land, approximately 10%; Aboriginal land, 23.5%; vacant Crown land, 24.5%; and pastoral land, 42%. These beasts are highly mobile and cover a wide range of ground in a short time. It is estimated these animals cover 3.3 million square kilometres of land. These numbers are significant in anyone’s eyes.
There needs to be an intelligent response which embraces economic opportunities and seeks to develop industries further. I recognise both the federal and the Territory governments have tried to control camel numbers by murdering these camels. There is commentary about different amounts of money being spent by both Labor governments in shooting these camels. I seek clarification from the appropriate minister of the funding allocations by both governments.
What I am aware of is the $19m which is being spent on shooting camels from the air. It is terrible sight to see mountains of dead camels, with other camels walking around inspecting the site. Hunting is one thing, eating what you have killed is another, but butchering 25 000 camels is a senseless waste.
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and the Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, with the Natural Resources minister, Karl Hampton in the Northern Territory, are not just murdering animals, they are murdering a potential industry. I wonder why the animal welfare agencies have not become involved in this situation earlier. Do not get me wrong, I believe we need a feral camel management plan. When I look at the front page of the 2009 Draft National Feral Camel Action Plan, I have to wonder if this is the right way to go.
What I am proposing through this motion is a development of an industry which supports feral camel management, economic growth in Central Australia, and employment development in the regions for our Indigenous Territorians. We always talk about developing jobs for those who live in remote locations. Here is the perfect opportunity to make this happen.
The potential industry would support the research and development of camel management and the harvesting of camels on a sustainable basis. I am aware the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre in Alice Springs was involved with the scientific research of these beasts, and their important involvement should not be underestimated, especially the knowledge of what is a sustainable population, what the population migration elements are, and what clearance numbers would be required to bring the stock to those sustainable limits.
There are greater opportunities for the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Resource Centre, in cooperation with pastoralists, to scientifically investigate such matters as ear tags, electronic management, tracking devices to monitor where they go when the earth is desiccated, or where they go when the dirt is soaked. Camels move to water in the dry conditions and disappear in the wet.
I came into this debate on camels with open eyes, thinking the problem was who would buy the meat, how big the trucks needed to be to transport live camels, and what modifications would be required for the ships to take taller animals. People raised concerns with me regarding the ownership of abattoirs and the boxed beef market on both the national and international markets.
My views have changed. I am aware of the concerns within the beef industry surrounding the export of live cattle, particularly to regimes which are moving towards protectionist administrations. My investigations with investors, pastoralists, workers in abattoirs, and Aboriginal Territorians, explained to me the biggest concern with the camel harvesting industry is the supply of the camel beast, although, my sources advise me there is risk managing the demand. I am assured there are buyers waiting to enter the demand side worldwide. I know of potentially many multimillion dollar investors waiting to get into the industry to supply markets offshore, particularly in the Middle East. The market for camel meat in Australia is small; however, there are opportunities to expand this market.
Many commentators in the camel industry speak of concerns with cross-jurisdictional partnerships with camel management. The time is now right for the federal government to step in and take control in an economic sense, not as an environmental problem but as an industry opportunity.
This motion details directions for this parliament to take. There are other directions which the federal government could take to bring a collective fruition to this proposal. There is potential for the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to manage a cross-portfolio reference group which includes not only multi-jurisdictions but also departments of Environment, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, minister for Indigenous affairs or the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development. There is potential and sensibility for inclusion of representative agencies such as the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association and Meat and Livestock Australia.
Some may view the interests of these organisations in a competing nature; however, there are opportunities here. Pastoralists trying to manage camel numbers is just one example. This reference group should be charged with overseeing the development of the camel harvesting industry with a six-month time frame to develop an appropriate modus operandi determining whether private or public partnership could prevail; six months concurrently to identify infrastructure requirements for the industry to be established in Central Australia; a 12-month time frame to sort the construction of the infrastructure installation of expansion requirements for existing or future abattoirs; 12 months to develop and install logistical management processes; and continuing demand site assistance through foreign agencies.
Last week, I inspected the abattoir at Wamboden in Central Australia just off the Tanami Highway – a short drive from Alice Springs on the way to Yuendumu just 5 km up the road from the Stuart Highway. I have also previously inspected others, including most recently the Gunbalanya/Oenpelli abattoirs in the electorate of Arafura. I am aware of the future opportunities or current conversations regarding Top End abattoirs. This proposal of a multi-species abattoir with a particular focus on camels in no way seeks to undermine any of those operations.
There are many small operating or dormant abattoirs in the Territory and, within the premise of this motion, I have particularly identified Wamboden. This identification is not about picking favourites but picking opportunities. I believe this site is most capable of immediately taking 100 camels per day with an opportunity to scale up to 500 with an infrastructure investment of sorts. By simple calculations, 100 camels per day would amount to 36 000 if harvested 365 days a year.
Scientific research through the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Resource Centre and reference groups should inform the numbers of camels that need to be harvested in the short term, with an interest in pet meat, to get the cull down to sustainable levels. The same advice should form the direction for annual harvesting numbers to ensure we have an equilibrium that manages the numbers and supports sustainable development.
This motion mentions a greenfield site at Owen Springs particularly identified because of its proximity to power at Brewer Estate, which has accessibility to train, road transport, and water and proximity to a worker base in Alice Springs. A greenfield site could be 1000 beasts per day. That is 365 000 per annum. It is a large number but, if we get the science right on how many we should be sustaining each year, we can develop a greenfield abattoir to suit. Such a site would have to be multi-species to get the balance right.
In Central Australia, we are tick free, we have no parasites, and we do not do drenching. We are a clean, green site, potentially, for camel and beef. If the suburb of Kilgariff goes ahead just to the south of Alice Springs, this opportunity at Owen Springs could provide an industry which would see employment opportunities south of The Gap. Rough potential modelling regarding the cost structure for harvesting camels could include - and I will explain based on industry information based on a possible real life example on the basis of cattle yards being built at Docker River if some of that $19m was put into cattle yards. I will just quickly go through some figures I have used to calculate potential viability. This is not the first time I have been involved in this sector.
If they were going to muster camels at Docker River, as an example, heli-mustering in a cattle yard would cost about $20 per beast. So, it is identified trapping is the easiest way, especially in Central Australia as there is limited rainfall in most years, except for this year, and it is easier to trap in yards. Camels will actually walk towards water or to a water supply, so there is an opportunity to invest in water supply if there are not the appropriate water supplies. You can lead camels to traps at least 60 km but up to 100 km quite easily, to muster them into a run.
Once you have the camels mustered into the yards in Docker River, you could run triples from Docker River, up past Yulara, Erldunda, up the Stuart Highway to Wamboden, fitting 54 full-sized camels on a triple road train. The cost would be approximately $150 per head to get them to Wamboden. I am happy for these costs to be argued, but these are the figures I have been provided by independent sources.
The cost would be approximately $150 a head to get them to Wamboden. The abattoir at Wamboden would pay between $1 and $1.50 per kilogram, based on the beast average between 250 kg to 350 kg. Abattoirs would then break up the carcass to be boxed and frozen, which costs about $120 per beast for abattoir cost. Once it is boxed, the boxed meat would be backhauled by Gilbert’s Transport - which is not picking a favourite transport company, but a transport company there happens to be a quote from. They would transport it on backhaul to Adelaide for 10 per kilogram, to be delivered to a company called Samex, which would pay approximately $3 per kilogram for the meat.
To further explain this, there is profit for the community workers who muster and load the camels, the transport company which delivers the camel, the abattoir which boxes the beast, and Samex, the company which finishes up with the product. It appears to me to be an industry that is just waiting to explode. You have the abattoir paying $300 approximately, on average, for each beast. It is costing about $150 to get the beast from Docker River to there, so they are already making money at one end. The abattoir makes money by chopping it, the transport company makes money by sending it on, and Samex makes money at the end. It is definitely an industry waiting to explode.
I have not even spoken about the opportunities that are downstream, such as the immediate ones for $15 per head for edible offal and $20 per head for blood and bone. If you want to look further, we have the hides that can be picked up and taken out to Hermannsburg or another community which previously specialised in tanning, to create some more opportunities for small business. We could look at things such as camel handbags, wallets, boots, and shoes - all for sale on the weekend at the Alice Springs Market. I could just imagine camels being harvested and the ladies handbags being sold at the markets.
The roads could even link to tourism in Central Australia. Camels would become more of a known product. People would actually go and see camels a lot more and respect the camel product. I have not even spoken about some further visionary ideas which are much harder, I am sure, such as camel milking, or even camel jerky which is not as hard. We had a debate today on Defence. There is potential for sending camel jerky to our troops in Afghanistan as part of their pack. These things all come into the equation.
I have given an overview of what I believe are significant opportunities. I encourage the Northern Territory government to look further at these opportunities and support his motion. The Northern Territory’s heritage may not have been found on the sheep’s back but, surely, part of the Central Australia’s future could be mounted on a camel’s hump.
I have done a fair amount of research into this industry for many years before I was involved in politics, trying to identify the benefits of mobile abattoirs versus fixed abattoirs, whether it is actually viable, the cost value per kilogram of a beast, and how we identify supply on a year-round basis. I recognise everyone tells me supply is the issue. They also tell me an investment in infrastructure and a rectification of some of the roads will ensure a continuity of supply. People tell me they need a guarantee of two weeks supply. Other people tell me that four weeks would be much better. If we could guarantee four weeks supply in Central Australia where rainfall is not at a premium, this industry is destined to blossom.
I know in the federal government plans culling is part of the plan, and they slightly talk about economic opportunities. The member for Brennan will speak further about those plans and provide some examples of federal reports. I believe this is something we should really look at as an opportunity.
I see a lot of opportunities in Central Australia, and, across the Territory for that matter, where it is almost like they are just waiting for an entrepreneur to come and take them up and they will all work ...
Mr Westra van Holthe: A bit of government support would not hurt.
Mr GILES: In many cases I do not think it needs government support. I believe there are opportunities people can take up. This is one where there are entrepreneurial opportunities now in competition with government funding to shoot animals, so it makes it really hard to progress it even further. If some of that money was utilised to support industry development, take some money out of what goes to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to promote welfare of people on subsistence living through Job Services Australia, and put that into industry development, we could have a complete change in the way things operate. In our previous debate regarding juveniles and lack of leadership and so forth, those things start to erode when people become greater participants in the wider economy.
Madam Speaker, I look forward to hearing what the minister has to say.
Mr VATSKALIS (Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources): Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his motion. It is exactly the same question I asked when I first became the minister for Primary Industry. All these camels out there, wasted; why can we not utilise them? Then, the harsh reality hit me very hard in the face. I will tell you the problems we have with camels. It is a question asked many times, and a question asked by previous ministers.
To give you an example, the CLP government, from 1996 to 2001, spent $800m to support the camel industry in the Northern Territory ...
Mr Elferink: $800m?
Mr VATSKALIS: $800 000.
Mr Elferink: Oh, I thought you said $800m.
Mr VATSKALIS: $800 000 support. The Labor government, from 2001 to 2006, spent another $800 000 to support the camel industry. In those 10 years, under the CLP and Liberal government, we managed to export 2000 camels. For every single camel we exported, it cost $1000.
At the moment, we have a problem with camels; we all acknowledge it is a feral animal. It is an animal that did not belong to Australia, it was brought in, let loose like horses and pigs, and now they are multiplying at an alarming rate. We have one million feral camels and the herd is doubling its population every nine years. The annual damage bill is about $10m. With a million camels out there, the damage bill every year is $10m. A million camels out there must be a lot of camels you certainly can cull.
The problem we have is not the number of animals; it is the distribution of the animals throughout the centre of Australia through Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia. One of the problems with camels is, as you said before, unless you have a critical mass to harvest, there is no way you can make any money out of it, because trying to muster them, load them, bring them in to an abattoir, and then kill them, is a significant cost.
The other thing to remember is, by applying a program now to muster camels and start killing even 1000 camels a day, it will take many days to kill camels, to bring them into a manageable number so it does not have the environmental impact out there. Also, you have to remember, you do not kill every single camel you find. If you kill the camels, they will give you the best return for your effort. For example, you are not going to kill the old bulls, you want to kill young females, because they are the ones that are not tough, they give you a better return for your dollar, and the ones that have a critical mass of meat you can actually utilise.
We have some, I could say, gourmet market at the moment for camels. Gary Dann is doing some work with camels. He has an abattoir in Central Australia. He kills about 10 to 14 camels a week. This is a demand at the moment in Australia. There is not much demand in Australia for camel, apart from some specialised ethnic or religious groups. Usually, they want camels if they are killed in a particular way - the Muslim way. They tell us there is a lot of demand for camels overseas and interstate. The reality is, we cannot export live camels for the simple reason there are not any boats in the world that would take camels. Most of the boats are constructed to transport sheep or cattle. No one is going to go to the expense of constructing a specialist boat for camels for the simple reason it cannot be used effectively, efficiently and economically for any other species.
Also, it is very difficult transported by trucks. The number of camels you put in a truck to transport them does not make the transport viable.
I was very enthusiastic about the industry. I insisted we continue the funding, even when the department was telling us we could not do any more, we should not do any more, it was a waste of money. I thought, as you do, camel harvesting would serve two purposes. One is to reduce the number of camels which cause environmental damage, and the second is creating job opportunities, especially for Indigenous communities. Indigenous communities can go out and harvest camels, but no one wants these camels because there is not a market for them in Australia. There is not a market in Australia, which is the best market at the moment. You have to start somewhere. There is no way to transport and export camels overseas.
I suggested we use the same principle we used in Western Australia - and I was involved with that – to harvest kangaroos for human consumption. In Western Australia, people will kill kangaroos, they will harvest the parts of kangaroos which have the most muscle, put them in chillers, transport them into the main abattoir, and process them for human consumption.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to put camels in chillers to chill to the temperature which will meet the standard for human consumption. The other issue is the number of camels you can kill, how many you can put in chillers, and how long it will take for the chillers to drive to the abattoir to be processed. It is a combination of factors: distance; the number of camels; the way you process them and bring them to the abattoirs; and, at the end, the market. I persisted with the industry and my department said: ‘Who will eat camel?’ If you put camel meat in the supermarket now, mainstream Australians will not eat it; it is too exotic. Unless you have a campaign from the industry to promote the meat for human consumption, it will not happen.
I recall the ‘eat lamb’ campaign. It was one of the most successful campaigns. It was run by the industry. It was promoting lamb, and you went to the supermarket and they had recipes on top of the freezer so you could pick it up. It would tell you in 10 minutes you could have a meal.
We are still in infancy with regard not only to camel, but with any exotic animal. Go to Melbourne and see if you can find buffalo in the supermarket! You will not. I recall the recent anti-horse meat campaign in Perth. One of the butchers in Perth obtained permission to sell horse, which is very popular in Italy and France. Could he sell it? No, there was a campaign against selling horse. He even had his shop vandalised because certain people have certain perceptions about certain animals.
There are problems with camels. I support your idea about utilising camels; however, there are so many problems trying to harvest and bring the meat to human consumption.
My department has worked very hard with the idea of a multi-species abattoir. We have worked closely with Western Australia. We have produced three feasibility studies - and I am quite happy to table them so everyone can have these studies - about the supply and demand issues for a multi-species abattoir in Northern Australia. They have made this study available to anyone who is interested in establishing an abattoir. It is very detailed, it is technical. It analysed everything from cattle to donkeys, horses, camels, and buffaloes. If a person is interested, they can get one.
We even did a study on mobile abattoir opportunities, because I had the same idea as you. If we cannot bring the horse to the abattoir, why do we not take the abattoir to the horses? The problem we have, especially with the mobile abattoir, is trying to meet the necessary standards. Meeting national and international standards for human consumption is virtually impossible because of the vast distances, as you require water supply, and a way to dispose of effluent and waste. It is very difficult.
However, we were very encouraged recently with the AAco proposal to establish an abattoir in the north. There is great support from the pastoralists and the Cattlemen’s Association of the Northern Territory. We have realised, finally, after saying it for many years, we cannot put all our eggs in one basket. We do not know what will happen to Indonesia. Our market in the Northern Territory is Indonesia. We have to find another way of dealing with animals Indonesia buys. They came to the party and were discussing it with us. We provided the feasibility study to them. We also provided some funding for them to talk about the abattoirs.
The same thing was done by Mr Gary Dann. Mr Dann wants to expand his operation to kill up to 600 camels a week. We have provided the technical assistance, and worked with him to overcome the quarantine and the standards problems he has with AQIS in order to be able to access the export market. It will take some time to actually reach the standards required, but we are quite happy to work with him.
I was very reluctant for government to be involved in the establishment of abattoirs. That should be clearly the area of private business. On the other hand, why should we facilitate the establishment of another abattoir when, at the moment, we have an abattoir Mr Dann operates, and we work with him to increase the production and also reach the necessary standards. It would be very unfair for the operator if we go out now and support someone else who comes with another idea.
The reality is most of the people who come to talk about abattoirs, unless they have the capacity behind them like AAco, it would be very difficult. We have many opportunities, many demands. The member for Katherine can vouch for that. People talk to us about reopening the abattoir in Katherine. The moment they do the study and find out how much it will cost to bring it up to today’s standards, all of a sudden, the interest is lost and they go somewhere else. The same thing happened with the Batchelor abattoir. Some of these abattoirs have old technology. They require a great deal of energy and water, and they will not meet the environmental standards of the day. The other thing is they have to have a regular supply.
The same thing will happen with the camels. Unfortunately, unless the industry moves from harvesting feral camels to harvesting domesticated camels - we have a domesticated camel industry - the camel industry will not take off. Unless you have a regular supply of animals that are easy to handle, easy to supply your abattoir, this will not happen.
We should be looking at eliminating, as much as possible, the feral animals that cause environmental destruction out there - because camels do cause environmental destruction. Then, we should look at properly sourcing camels from the wild herd. It would be appropriate for Indigenous businesses to use domesticated camels in order to provide an abattoir with a steady supply of animals that actually meet the standards for human consumption to supply a market. It is not only how we do it, it is the number of animals, how we utilise the animals, and find a market that will be able to absorb all this meat we put on the market.
I understand, at the moment, the Commonwealth is paying a lot of money for the control of feral animals. I also understand, within that control, there is an element for business development. I have been arguing with my department and with the federal department that, yes, we have to kill animals now because of the destruction they cause to the environment, but we should be looking to the future. If we can utilise kangaroos and sell kangaroo meat to Russia or to other European countries, we can do the same with the camels.
It is a problem I face. I have faced it. I was very keen, as you are, because I can see the potential. Both CLP and Labor governments spent $2m and we exported 2000 camels. It would be cheaper to put them on Jetstar and send them out rather than exporting them the way we did it at $1000 per camel.
I continue to work with my department for the development of the camel industry, but we have to look at a different way. Instead of saying we source our meat supply from the feral population, we should be saying we will continue to kill the feral animals that cause environmental destruction, but we should be looking into establishing a domesticated camel industry in order to provide any abattoir that will open in the Territory with a regular supply of meat. This industry, when created, can provide hundreds of jobs in different communities around the Northern Territory, especially communities in the Centre of the Territory, the desert. If we can do that with the cattle industry, we can do it with a domesticated camel industry.
Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I will be working very hard in the future. I welcome your participation and your enthusiasm with that because I believe the camel industry has a future - not the future we are thinking about from the wild population, but from a domesticated population.
Mr CHANDLER (Brennan): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I am going to read through this as quickly as I can, given the time. I have to start by saying I completely support the member for Braitling’s motion tonight. I also appreciate what the minister has said tonight.
I am aware from briefings supplied by the former and current Environment ministers in regard to camel management, and it is good to see the department has been working on the problem. I worry with reports like that, that today governments - and not just this government, all governments - spend too much time focusing on how we cannot do things. Can we focus energy into how we can get things done?
Camels are regarded as one of Australia’s worst feral pests. They cause $14m damage to infrastructure and a number of road deaths through collisions each year. Camels also adversely affect native species by trampling habitats and blocking sparse watering holes throughout the desert.
Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory have had a number of proposals over the years to manage camel numbers which, ultimately, have failed to reduce the numbers to adequately preserve biodiversity and cultural values in remote areas of Australia and, of course, reduce camel numbers.
The federal government, under the leadership of Kevin Rudd - undermined very successfully by the now Prime Minister, Julia Gillard - announced a $19m project to cull camels in Central Australia. Just think how $19m could help to support Indigenous employment in Central Australia by setting up a camel farming operation. The reality, of course, is $19m will not cull to a level which will make any inroad into the problem. Anyone with just an ounce of animal husbandry experience will tell you how the numbers will, once again, get out of control and, again in 10 years, we will be discussing how this time we will be spending $30m or perhaps $40m to again cull the camel population.
I also recall the international condemnation at the time. I read from an AAP Internet blog:
- Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been labelled a serial killer on US television.
Erin Burnett, an anchor of the American financial news channel CNBC, launched a verbal attack targeting Rudd following his government’s decision to spend $A19m to cull feral camels in the outback.
‘There is a serial killer in Australia and we are going to put a picture up so we can see who it is’, a stern-faced Burnett said during a segment on CNBC on Tuesday.
A large photo of Rudd was then shown.
‘That would be the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd’, Burnett said. ‘Okay. Well, what do you think he is doing? He has launched an air strike - air strikes against camels in the outback’.
Burnett, with a stuffed toy camel sitting in front of her, broke away from her usual analysis of stock movements on Wall Street to vent about the camel cull.
She raised the issue during a segment with CNBC’s colourful financial guru, Jim Cramer.
Burnett said there are one million camels living in the wild in Australia and the animals would be shot.
‘They are slaughtering them?’, Cramer looking shocked, asked Burnett.
‘They are slaughtering them’, Burnett replied. She also complained the meat and milk from the camels would be wasted. ‘Apparently there is $1bn of meat out there’, Burnett said.
‘Are they going to do anything with it?’, Cramer asked.
‘No, they’re just slaughtering them’, she said,
‘That’s genocide. Camelcide’, Cramer commented.
Burnett then told Cramer she hoped Australians would see her segment. ‘I hope they have this on in the morning in Australia’, she said.
As the discussion came to a close, the photo of Kevin Rudd appeared on the screen. ‘There he is’, Burnett said, ‘That is the man who approved it’.
It is waste. I feel that is the real reason behind this condemnation of the program. It is a waste of money, as unless you are prepared to get every last one of them, we will be discussing this problem in the future. Why not use the expertise available today to set up a viable industry? I have spoken to and received information from people all the way from Western Australia to Queensland who have plans, financial backing, a market, and resources to do this, but they cannot get the support from the NT government and the federal government.
I really think this is because, both federally and here in the NT, we have Labor governments which do not get it when it comes to business and how business works. Their view of the world is we should have one big government, hundreds of departments that provide everything our community needs. Just throw more money at it, and it will go away and, if we need more money, create a new tax. Throw out a few more media releases to try to demonstrate you are taking the matter seriously and a new program will be developed and, when things do not improve and when under pressure from the media, put out another media release announcing a review. Then, undertake a review and, when the review recommends another approach, just throw some more money at it. In fact, put another media release out before you know the results and the recommendations, announcing a specific amount required to fix the problem. Sound familiar? It certainly does to me. I am really starting to understand how the whole Labor process works - smoke and mirrors, bread and circuses - while our once sound foundations in the Northern Territory crack and crumble.
Why not actually do something to support business in Central Australia? Why not invest just part of that $19m in supporting Indigenous employment? Not all, just some to support, promote, and provide for a sustainable business for Indigenous people in Central Australia.
To back up what I and the member for Braitling have said today, I will read an extract from the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Resource Centre key recommendations from Report 47, Chapter 12, taken from the federal government Australian Federal Camel Management Project website, which is funded under the Australian Government Caring for Country Program. I quote directly from section 3.3, which is ‘Commercial use of feral camels’:
- Internationally there is a significant camel industry based on meat, live animals and by-products. In Australia, by contrast, the industry has struggled to gain momentum because it has been based on the ad hoc harvest of a feral animal herd that is located in very remote parts of the country and is a long distance from domestic markets, let alone international markets. The lack of appropriately located and accredited processing abattoirs has also been a significant obstruction for the industry. The harvesting of feral camels started in the late 1980s, and by 2007 it was estimated that the Australian camel industry harvested around 5000-6000 camels per year: 3600-4600 for pet meat, fewer than 400 for live export and 1000 for mainly domestic human consumption. The camel industry in Australia is still very small when compared internationally. However, the size of the feral camel resources of approximately one million animals makes the Australian herd the fifth largest in the world behind Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia and Mauritania.
- There is potentially a large market for camel products, and a well-developed camel industry could provide an important mechanism to address the negative impacts of feral camels by strategically reducing populations at locations where commercial approaches are viable. A well-developed camel industry could also provide much-needed employment and economic activity in arid Australia. However, a well-developed camel industry will take sometime to evolve. The large-scale population reductions that are needed to mitigate camel impacts in the short term cannot be achieved with commercial methods alone. Rather, a combination of commercial and non-commercial methods will be required.
We totally agree.
- Of the commercial methods investigated in this research, the slaughtering of feral camels for pet meat seems most likely to make the greatest contribution to managing the impacts of feral camels in the immediate future, followed by a meat industry for human consumption and live export. Pet meating is attractive as it involves minimal capital infrastructure to develop and could quickly provide livelihoods for Aboriginal people. However, the contribution from commercial activities will depend on the development of secure markets that are prepared to pay the real costs of harvesting and transport.
- The camel industry at present is not organised and lacks some key components to allow it to develop. The key missing elements are the lack of suitable capital infrastructure for harvesting, transporting, and processing animals; incomplete information on potential markets including meat for human consumption and pet meat; no collective vision on how the industry should develop; and a lack of dialogue and consultation with landowners.
- In many Aboriginal communities there has been considerable discussion about the development of the camel meat industry and other uses of feral camels (e.g. for pet meat). This has contributed to a perception that feral camels are a resource rather than a pest in remote desert settlements … Aboriginal people and pastoralists are keen to take up opportunities presented by the commercial utilisation of camels and see it as an opportunity for local economic development, employment, capacity building, and empowerment ... They generally would like to be directly involved in the industry rather than see economic benefits go to external businesses.
- The camel industry in Australia must have a unique structure because commercial utilisation would also form part of a national framework designated to mitigate the negative impacts of feral camels. There is clearly a market failure in play at present that has allowed camel numbers to increase in an uncontrolled manner as society has not factored in the non-market impacts of feral camels on Australia’s natural and cultural resources. A market-based instrument (MBI) approach is currently being trialled in SA and may help to deal with this market failure. However, the MBI approach should focus on the removal of feral camels from the landscape as the ‘market’ that is in need of stimulation, not the commercial utilisation of feral camels. As such, the use of MBIs should be limited to situations where the commercial extraction of feral camels is a strategic component of a wider cross-jurisdictional feral camel management plan and not as a subsidy for the establishment of a new industry.
- The farming of camels could support a sustainable alternative pastoral industry but would not contribute directly to the management of feral camel impacts, because camel farming would establish and maintain a permanent domesticated population of camels. However, it could make an indirect contribution by increasing the value of feral camels that are commercially harvested and by increasing the imperative to manage feral camels from a disease transmission perspective. Given that farming will need to occur to ensure a sustainable camel industry in the long term, it will be important to put appropriate regulatory structures in place that ensure that domesticated animals are contained so they cannot return to the feral herd and are traceable through electronic tagging in the same way as cattle.
- Live camel export, meat for human consumption, and pet meat are the major commercial enterprises that would contribute directly to feral camel population reduction and hence impact mitigation ...
Given the time, I will move straight to the key recommendations:
- Key recommendation 10: The commercial utilisation of feral camels can, and should, be integrated into a national strategy to manage the negative impacts of the species.
- Key recommendation 11: There is a need to develop critical capital infrastructure, particularly export accredited abattoirs to support the development of commercial activities.
- Key recommendation 12: The use of a market-based instrument (MBI) approach should be trialled across tenures and jurisdictional boundaries, but these should only be used to encourage the reduction in feral camel impact and should not be seen as a subsidy for the establishment of a new industry.
- Key recommendation 13: Any future commercial operations on Aboriginal land (and other tenures) should be underpinned by business models that foster the involvement of local people. Such models should provide for training, including mentoring in business management and flexible employment ...
- Key recommendation 14: A national peak body should be established to coordinate the camel industry’s development. The role of the peak body would be to speak for the commercial industry; advise government on the needs of the industry in terms of legislation and regulation, capital infrastructure, training, market development and research based on an industry strategic plan; research potential markets for camel products; facilitate communication, information sharing and cooperation among the industry participants; and develop a dialogue between the industry, land managers, and government.
These are the recommendations to the federal government, and everything we have spoken about today: to use just some of that $19m to develop an industry which can have so many positive effects for Indigenous people in Central Australia would fit nicely, and would be fully supportive of, and within, these recommendations.
I, too, call on the Northern Territory government to get on board and support the member for Braitling’s motion today. Stop making announcements! Stop talking about the issue! There is a detailed and highly-prized opportunity here to support regional development and, above all, a strategy which will provide a long-term approach to mitigating feral camels and the damage they cause in Central Australia.
As I started out, I mentioned I wonder if it is a measurable commodity - the time governments all over this country spend on finding ways not to do something, how we cannot do it, why we should not do something, rather than to focus that energy into how we can make something happen. That is business acumen; you look at the problem and you try to solve it. You find ways to solve the problem, not find ways how not to do it.
Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I am very supportive of the member for Braitling’s motion and call on the government to support the motion as well.
Madam ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Honourable members, it now being 9 pm, pursuant to Standing Order 41(c)(v), we will complete the item of business before the Chair.
Debate adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT
Madam ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: Honourable members, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn, pursuant to Standing Order 41A.
Ms WALKER (Nhulunbuy): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, I begin this evening by addressing an article which appeared in The Australian on Monday, 11 October 2010. It was titled ‘Intervention Inc Exposed in Wastage’ by Natasha Robinson. I place on the public record my concern as the member for Nhulunbuy about claims quite unsubstantiated, as far as I can ascertain.
Amongst the many assertions made are allegations about money wasted on accommodation booked by federal and Territory public servants travelling as part of their duties associated with service delivery of the many agencies associated with the intervention. Ms Robinson concedes that:
Although the increase in frontline services in remote communities has been welcome, there are reports from communities of serious wastage associated with the intervention’s roll-out.
The article then went on to talk about the average number of rooms per week booked by the Northern Territory government at Knott’s Crossing Resort in Katherine, and she attributes the figure of between 25 and 30 rooms per week to a Ms Katrin Ladurner. Ms Robinson then went on to say:
- Another motel in Nhulunbuy, in northeast Arnhem Land, has been regularly fully booked for the last two years, with government workers taking up the majority of rooms.
A staff member of the hotel, who did not want to be identified, told The Australian the NT government recently booked the entire motel but only used three rooms. The government paid the bill for every room.
There are two motels, or hotels, in Nhulunbuy and being concerned about the claims of wastage of taxpayers’ money as reported in The Australian, I phoned the Gove Peninsula Motel and the Walkabout Lodge the day after the story ran.
When I spoke with the manager of the Gove Peninsula Motel, he told me he was aware of the story and he could only assume it referred to the Walkabout Lodge because no such situation had occurred on their premises. He did say The Australian had phoned him the afternoon before, but he had told the caller he was not interested in talking with them.
I received a similar response when, a few minutes later, I spoke with the Walkabout Lodge, except that the Operations Manager used more colourful language about journalistic practice. ‘No’, he said, ‘the Walkabout Lodge, whilst it is regularly fully booked with a mix of tourists, government workers and business people, no such cancellation of rooms had occurred’. He checked amongst his staff and, to the best of his knowledge, none of his staff had spoken with The Australian. He also added that government bookings, when they are cancelled, are done so within a 48-hour cancellation period to avoid incurring any cost.
So, based on my inquiries with both the Gove Peninsula Motel and the Walkabout Lodge, these allegations are completely unsubstantiated and will remain so until there is evidence to the contrary. I only add that such reporting is not only poor journalism, it is extremely mischievous.
I turn now to more positive news from my electorate - news which is accurate and factual. On Saturday, 9 October, the inaugural Northern Territory Smart Schools Awards were held at the Darwin Convention Centre. I applaud the minister for Education and his agency for the initiative which provides a very public platform for recognising and celebrating excellence which Territory schools, Territory teachers and, most importantly, Territory children have achieved.
Of the seven schools which took out line honours across the seven different categories, I offer my sincere congratulations to Nhulunbuy Primary School, which won the award for Excellence in Improving Literacy and Numeracy. I was really disappointed not to have been there on the night, but I was delighted for Principal, Cindy McGarry, and Executive Teacher, Shelley Martin, who were able to attend and were overwhelmed by the win and the recognition. I spoke with Cindy the day after the event and she said it was like being at the Oscars and was quite overwhelming, but exciting at the same time.
The added and coincidental bonus was that the $20 000 prize for Nhulunbuy Primary School was sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan. Attending to the present the award from Rio Tinto Alcan in Nhulunbuy were Michael Cooper and Graham Dewar, both of whom I know well.
A rigorous process was in place to qualify for these awards. I recall several weeks ago speaking with teacher Noelee Mitchell - who was a student of mine many years ago at Nhulunbuy High School, and that certainly makes me feel old – and Noelee greeted me with the exciting news that Nhulunbuy Primary School had passed through to final selection at Territory level after winning in the Arnhem Land region. As part of the short listing process for the finals, Cindy and Shelley were required to provide a 20-minute presentation to a panel of judges about the schools literacy and numeracy programs put in place to bring about the change they had brought about. As part of that presentation they presented students talking about their learning experiences via a video link from Nhulunbuy, so the judges could hear firsthand feedback from students.
It was much more than an exercise of filling out a few forms and, Nhulunbuy Primary School, like other schools nominating in the Smart Schools Award, had to work hard to demonstrate how they had achieved success.
Nhulunbuy Primary School’s recognition was well deserved, and is testimony to the hard work and commitment over many years by their principal, teachers, school council and the wider school community - all of whom have worked hard together to achieve the very best outcomes for students.
My personal association stretches back to 1997 and will come to a close at the end of next year when my youngest child finishes Year 6. Throughout all these years, I can attest to Nhulunbuy Primary School being a school of excellence with dedicated, excellent teachers and strong, focused leadership. Nhulunbuy Primary School, with around 500 students, plus a preschool with around 100 students, has never had a high turnover of staff. While the great lifestyle and the great fishing might have something to do with that, the low turnover is also attributable to strong leadership which brings with it focus and cohesion. This has been especially true since Cindy McGarry has been principal. At the end of last year, there was just one member of staff who moved on. Filling vacancies when they do arise, staff - especially those who have worked in Territory schools previously with Cindy - have queued up to work with her again.
I had a message yesterday afternoon to give Cindy a call, and when we spoke this morning, I was disappointed to learn, after 28 years of dedicated service to educating Territory children, including three years with Nhulunbuy children, she has lodged her resignation effective at the end of the school year. She told me it was not an easy decision, but she and her husband are returning to South Australia where John has accepted a new job, and so too has Cindy.
I place on the record my sincere appreciation to Cindy McGarry for her hard, tireless work and her strong and energetic leadership. She is truly an amazing individual, not to mention one of the best and impeccably dressed women in Nhulunbuy, with a pair of shoes to match every outfit.
While news of Cindy’s departure will be sad for many, the good news is that Cindy, with her leadership team and staff, has built upon the efforts of previous school leaders a school community which is vibrant and singularly focused on delivering the very best outcomes for kids and, above all, it is sustainable.
Nhulunbuy Primary School is a quality school and a terrific model for others, which is one reason the school was so deserving of the inaugural Smart Schools Award for Excellence in Improving Literacy and Numeracy.
Mr ELFERINK (Port Darwin): Madam Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I express a sense of disquiet which has overcome me in the past 20 minutes or so, as I have been reading the Northern Territory Community Visitor Program Annual Report for the period of 2009-10. I draw honourable members’ - in particular the Health minister’s - attention to pages 15, 16, 17 and 18 of that report. What is occurring here is almost understated in this report but, as a person who loves individual liberty and the liberty of the society in which we live, I am concerned about what I read reported there.
On page 15, the authors of this document quote section 29 of the Mental Health and Related Services Act, which says:
- (1) Subject to section 30, a person admitted as a voluntary patient may leave the facility at any time.
(2) A person must be informed of his or her right to leave the approved treatment facility on being admitted as a voluntary patient.
It then goes on to quote Approved Procedure Five, which states:
- It is not appropriate for a predetermined direction to be given to ATF staff to ‘detain the patient should he/she try to leave’. If there is concern in advance the patient is unwell enough to meet criteria for involuntary admission the APP …
… must make the appropriate order.
If you are a volunteer in a mental health institution, you have all the rights of liberties guaranteed by legislation. Nevertheless, that report then goes on to cite several cases where people were not, as voluntary patients, given the capacity to leave the institution. They cite the case of Jock:
- Despite his voluntary status, Jock was not permitted to leave the ward without an escort.
They also pointed out the case of Michael. This person had repeatedly stated that he wanted to go home, and he was locked in the ward against his will:
- The Consultant was reluctant to detain him, yet wanted him to remain in hospital for a few hours to get some much-needed rest, with a view to going home later that day.
- She was ‘Advised that she needed to stay and be reviewed tomorrow and sectioning was a possibility if she left’.
Which means you are a voluntary patient, in this instance, but if you try to leave we will section you.
When it forms in a person’s mind that they no longer have the right to leave, they have been detained. I am disturbed to read, on page 16:
- The boundaries between voluntary and involuntary admissions in the TEMHS …
Which is the Top End Mental Health Service.
- … Inpatient Unit have been blurred since Cowdy Ward was closed and the new risk management system put in place. Essentially, the policy is that all consumers are not permitted to leave in the first 24 hours after admission, despite the requirement that a person admitted voluntarily must be informed of the right to leave the facility at any time.
On page 17, the report goes on to observe:
- This is strong evidence that a person’s legal status, ie whether he or she is voluntary or involuntary, appears to be irrelevant to the ability to leave the ward.
The short message I get from this is that the policies currently being employed by this government in relation to voluntary mental health status has at least all the hallmarks of the tort of trespass against a person, and is getting perilously close to looking like deprivation of liberty as outlined within the Criminal Code.
This should send a very cold shiver up the spine of the minister because of the potentialities which flow from this should a complaint of deprivation of liberty be lodged with the police force by a person who is being kept against their will in an institution run by him.
The report, whilst well intentioned on the part of its authors, concludes that:
- While understanding the need for a comprehensive risk management system, the system must be framed within the confines of the legislation designed to regulate the admission of people to psychiatric inpatient units.
Absolutely; perfectly correct. It then goes on to say:
- The cases outlined above demonstrate that this is not the case.
So, they are clearly saying there is a breach of the law being perpetrated as a matter of policy by the Top End Mental Health Services. It goes on to say:
- The Manager of TEMHS, in response to reports from the CVP …
That is the Community Visitor Program:
- … suggested that the CVP Manager meet regularly with the APPs (Approved Psychiatric Practitioners) from TEMHS in an attempt to discuss and resolve these issues as they arise.
Not right. That is wrong. Whilst I appreciate what the CVP is attempting to achieve, in reality it is much more serious than simply discussing the matter on a case-by-case basis. The essential allegation being made by the Community Visitor Program is that it is a policy of this government to detain people without warrant or legal structure, against their will, in our mental institutions when they present themselves as voluntary patients. If that is not understood as being a serious problem by this government and by this minister, then I do not know what would be.
I urge the minister to give us a response tonight and, if not tonight, as soon as possible, as to what he is going to do to redress what is essentially an unlawful and potentially criminal policy.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Madam Deputy Speaker, in the nine years I have been in this parliament I have witnessed a few pivotal, crucial events; none more so than this evening when the member for Fong Lim, Mr David Tollner, in open and public defiance of his leader over the Angela Pamela stance which the Leader of the Opposition took during the Araluen by-election. Furthermore, I was amazed that the Deputy Opposition Leader concurred with that view, publicly, today.
This is an untenable position for the Leader of the Opposition, and my mind casts back to the days when Denis Burke challenged Terry Mills on the floor of this parliament, through parliamentary processes, for the leadership, and Terry Mills wilted. It will be interesting to see what happens. He says he has the ticker this time; last time he said he was not up to it. I will be very interested to see what unfolds in the days and weeks and months ahead.
Tonight, I wish to speak about the Darwin to Dili Yacht Rally; a very successful event in July this year. It was only the fourth time a yacht event between Darwin and Dili has been held since 1973. This year, eight teams participated and all successfully crossed the finish line.
The rally has a long and interesting history and was restarted this year after a very long break; the last official Darwin to Dili event was held in 1974. The Timor-Leste government decided to recommence the rally and, with the assistance of the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory, bring it back to our terrific Dry Season calendar of sailing events. The genesis of this was a breakfast meeting with me, the Chief Minister, and the President of Timor-Leste, who suggested this race be reinstituted; so it came from the President himself. The Northern Territory government was very proud to assist in getting this event back up and running and I thank all involved. I think all involved would agree it has been a tremendous success.
Our neighbour to the north, Timor-Leste, is quickly growing a strong calendar of events to boost tourism in their developing nation, and the Darwin Dili Yacht Rally is another they have added to their great events, including the Dili Marathon and Tour of Timor bike race which attracted quite a number of entries from the Northern Territory.
I was fortunate enough to attend the awards ceremony for the rally in Dili with Timor-Leste Minister for Tourism, Mr Gil Alves. It was a great morning by the harbour there; there was fantastic music; there were cultural performances and there was a really good spirit and atmosphere at that awards ceremony. The day after, the sailors held a sail-past in Dili where local officials, children and adults were invited on board the yachts and catamarans to try some sailing. This was a new experience for many of them and they really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, a few people learnt their sea legs were not too good, but I am sure if they are given another chance to sail they will have a go.
I was also fortunate to meet many of the rally’s skippers, some of whom I knew before the event, and it was great to see them in another role. There were a few senior public servants and business people who are also skippers and sailors in this race, and it was great to see. The event organisers and other yachties from all over Australia were there, including a great couple from Cairns who have a great boat and they certainly enjoyed the race.
I congratulate Sharon Woon, Anne Kemp and Bob Colman of the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory who did a terrific job in facilitating the rally. Sally McDonald and Brendan Doran from the Asian Relations section of the Department of Chief Minister also did an outstanding job supporting the organisation of the rally. I also thank the skippers, yacht owners and crews who participated in the event.
The overall winner was Even Karma, skippered by John Hardy. Even Karma set a new rally record with a total elapsed time of 89.82 hours. The previous record of 91.37 hours was set by Kingo in 1974. It was great to see some photographs of the 1974 race which some of the contestants from long ago had kept. There was certainly some history there, and the boats were a little wild and probably reflective of what was going on in the 1970s. But I digress, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The other participants included Lothlorien skippered by Neal Maxwell; Dhumbala skippered by Brad Irvine; Raucous skippered by Bob Colman; Ganymede skippered by Gregory Smith; Cattitude skippered by Jim Grierson - Jim also won Fleet Person of the Rally; Lorna Malise skippered by Matthew Baker; and the vessel Chantilly, which I mentioned before, came from Cairns.
I thank the government of Timor-Leste, especially Minister Alves for his support and hard work. The Timor-Leste steering committee comprised members from across the public service, and they did a fantastic job in organising the smooth running of the event which was basically a one-shop stopping place for clearance as boats came into the harbour, and was greatly appreciated by all the contestants.
The Darwin Dili Yacht Rally has the potential to become a much bigger event benefiting both cities involved. The Territory government is proud to continue to work to build our ties with our neighbours to the north, and I look forward to seeing the Darwin Dili Yacht Rally grow into a more popular event in coming years. I wish the Timor-Leste government every success in organising the event for 2011.
Mr GILES (Braitling): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to comment on a number of issues, first of all, the Alice Springs Masters Games. I particularly thank the Sports minister, minister Hampton, for his, and the Chief Minister’s, support of the Masters Games and for the support of Alice Springs.
The Masters Games was fantastic over the last week and a couple of days in Alice Springs. I had the opportunity to be one of the ambassadors for the games and I got a uniform and a lovely hat to wear around town; it was good to be a part of those ambassadors.
The roles of Paul Cattermole, Jim Lawrie, Sheree Higgins, and Claire Ryan in both Major Events and in the Masters Games office did a great job of bringing it all together. I thank the Masters Games Committee chaired by Peter Hoey along with people like Pippa Tessman and Damien Ryan, the Mayor. I put on the record thanks to Daryl Somers and Dawn Fraser for their long-term involvement and especially pay thanks to Dr Pat Miller for her excellent Welcome to Country she provided at the opening ceremony of the games; that was really good.
Radio Station 8HA, where the member for Greatorex used to work, did a fantastic job as the Masters Games station covering the event. Meredith Elliott or Mez, I should say, did a really good job of covering the games as did the producer, Bruce Davenport, and everyone involved with Roger at 8HA – really good to promote the Masters Games.
The Centralian Advocate did a great job with Dallas and all the staff there making sure people were well informed about the events of the Masters Games.
I thank all the proprietors in town who held events – I went to a number of them: the Touch Football presentation at the Gap Hotel; functions at the West Hasbeens; the RSL launched the cricket at the Feds; and the Memo Club was busy every night. There were places where people would socialise at night – Bojangles, the Rock Bar and Town and Country Hotel, just to name a few. It was really good to see the vibrant atmosphere. It still was not safe in the streets at night but, during the day, it really was good, and the people I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed it.
As part of my role as ambassador I had to do a number of things around town while wearing my uniform: welcoming people, saying hello to people, and just making sure people were happy and felt welcome. The theme of the games was the ‘Friendly Games’, so it was about being friendly, saying hello to people, seeing if they needed a lift anywhere, or just having a general chat. I popped into many sports including squash, swimming, baseball, lawn balls, cricket, basketball, netball, and volleyball. I popped my head into the equestrian events, but on the day I went it was pouring rain; and I went to clay targets shooting.
I had a couple of roles to do as a VIP in presenting the medals, which was good until I had to present a gold medal to the Senator for the Northern Territory, Nigel Scullion, who proceeded to give me a kiss in front of everyone at clay targets – but that is what you do with a funny man like Scullo.
It was a fantastic event. I thank Kylie Bonanni, the Games ambassador organiser, who did a fantastic job. She had the job of coordinating all ambassadors for the day, putting out a roster, and it was pretty tough.
I will read out the ambassador’s names: Terry Bell, Kylie Bonanni, Eileen Boocock, Janine Bridge, John Bridgefoot, Gary Butterfield, Lyn Butterfield, Yvonne Cotter, Edith Cox, Joe Cox, Linda Danby, Don Dowling, Annemarie Drummond, Nikki Eaton, Peter Flink, Adam Giles, Lisa Gunstrom, Jenny Lillis, Molly Lowe, Merrilyn McIver, Mary Meldrum, Trish Middleton, Chrissie Morgan, Russell North, Chris Ponter, Ann Prettejohn, Damien Ryan, Jackie Smith, Jeanne Tahini and Russell Ward, or Bear, as we know the town crier. Everyone did a fantastic job; they really enjoyed it and I hope they are all available to be ambassadors in two years time. I hope the Chief Minister and the Sports minister continue with that tradition ...
A member: Hopefully, they are not there in two years time.
Mr GILES: Hopefully, they are not there in two years time. The Masters Games must continue. The opening ceremony and the dance were really good. The mid-week concert, unfortunately, was rained out. The member for Fong Lim’s mate, Molly, was there. On Saturday night at the closing ceremony, Shannon Noll was the headline act, and it was a really good night.
It was good to see my colleagues from the Country Liberals, the members for Fong Lim, Katherine and Drysdale, participating in events. Apparently, the member for Araluen participated, although I was not aware; and also the member for Greatorex presented medals. That was really good to see …
Mr Tollner: And the Territory Senator, of course.
Mr GILES: And the Territory Senator, who I have spoken about. Fantastic work; it was really good. One thing that I …
Mr Tollner: The Independent member for Nelson.
Mr GILES: And Independent member for Nelson who also participated.
I am very concerned to hear about the government’s great, big, new tax on boats. The government’s proposal to tax everyone who owns a boat in the Northern Territory is a concern to the lifestyle of the Territory, the way we live in the Territory, the economy of the Territory, and the great freedom of going out and boating in the Northern Territory. We have a great tourism industry up here, and more rules and regulations by this government on the fishing industry is a great concern of mine, my party, and my colleagues.
Labor’s great, big, new boat tax will do nothing more than be a thorn in the side of those who love to fish and boat. Labor’s great, big, new boat tax will be an impediment to the fishing industry and will see a downturn in their economy - we know that. I encourage the Chief Minister and the minister for Fisheries to review this great, big, new boat tax, not proceed with it, and find alternative measures to raise money for this budget blowout the Northern Territory Labor government has.
Further, I pick up on the member for Johnston’s comments about the member for Fong Lim and his position on uranium. He tried to be a little cheeky and talk about instability. I do not think that helps at all.
I went to pick up my great, big, new Labor boat tax sticker which will be doing the rounds to let everyone know of Labor’s great, big, new boat tax, and I happened to find a previous sticker people may remember - the one of the member for Johnston talking about the member for Karama, which says: ‘I hate Delia, from Burnsy’. It just goes to show there are not happy campers anywhere. We know that Labor members do not get on. They are the party of factions, not us. We actually have on record what was said here.
I reiterate the fact that Labor’s great, big, new boat tax is really going to hurt the fishing and boating industry in the Northern Territory, and I encourage the Chief Minister to review his great, big, new boat tax and not proceed down that path.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Deputy Speaker, I had the pleasure of attending the opening function to celebrate the relocation of Mode Design into the CBD on Thursday, 14 October, in the Harriet Place area. That area is certainly transformed.
Mode Design was officially launched in Darwin on 1 July 2008 after a merger with Architect’s Studio, which had been in operation in Darwin for 15 years. The Mode Design’s Darwin studio has grown from five staff to nine staff over the last two years, and has maintained a healthy, steady stream of public and private work with a number of repeat clients such as Essington School, Good Shepherd Lutheran College, Centrelink and Power and Water Corporation.
Mode Design made the decision to relocate from its home in Stuart Park to a new tenancy in the city based on the need to expand and be in closer proximity to its clients and consultants. The decision to relocate and continue to expand is testament to Mode Design’s confidence in the local economy and the building industry. They believe there are many years of strong growth ahead for Darwin and the Northern Territory.
Some of the projects completed by the Darwin Mode Design office in the last three years include the education projects:
Essington School Computer Centre, a winner of the Australian Institute of Architects Public Architecture and People’s Choice Awards for the Northern Territory chapter; Essington School Auditorium and Sports Hall; Essington School Library; and Essington School Transition 5 Classroom.
Katherine South Primary new preschool building.
Minyerri Assembly Hall.
Kalkarindji Resource Centre and Kalkarindji Library.
Good Shepherd Lutheran College, the Language Centre, the Library, the Science Centre, Technology Centre, and the Middle School.
St Andrew’s Lutheran Primary School Library; and
St John’s College Language Centre.
They have also undertaken health infrastructure projects, one of which was the Banyan House Therapeutic Community Centre, which received a commendation award for the Architectural Awards for Northern Territory. Mode will be going to the national awards after having won those Territory awards.
They were also involved in the design of RDH Indigenous Mothers Accommodation; also at RDH the Level 1 fit out master plan; the Level G fit out master plan; and the Level 8 fit out master plan; and also the Essington Medical Centre. They have certainly done a lot of work in the health area.
In the Heritage area: the Aviation Heritage Museum additions and alterations; Brown’s Mart precinct master plan; Government House reconstruction guidelines; and East Point Military Precinct feasibility study.
Other projects they have undertaken include the new Casuarina Police Station which this government has built; the Victoria Daly Shire Council Chambers master plan; and they are currently involved in the Australian Federal Police building which is really breaking ground at the Darwin Airport.
I specifically recognise the staff of Mode Design in Darwin. Max Weston is the Studio Manager and registered architect and was part of the opening of the new offices. He had only recently graduated before he came to the Territory and he has taken on a major role in the Territory. He has been here for a few years and calls Darwin home.
Sarah Bates, David Bridgman and Jenny Culgan are all registered architects; Ben Collette is a graduate architect; Fiona Eddleston is a registered landscape architect; Stefney Schapel and Cherie Hawkins are interior designers; and Zarina Kenzina is in marketing and administration. Zarina is from Russia and has moved here to Darwin with her sister; and she did a great job in organising the evening and the celebration. There were 20 or 30 people there that evening from industry and government around Darwin, and it is a great testament to the economy of the Northern Territory. Mode Design is one of the several businesses whose opening or upgrading I have attended in the Darwin area, and it certainly shows there is a great deal of confidence.
The building Mode Design is in has a rich history, which I highlighted on the night; maybe some members here know the particular building in Harriet Place which has had a very colourful life with its tenancies. It is great to see Mode Design, and congratulations to Max. We look forward to them expanding their business in the future.
Mr TOLLNER (Fong Lim): Madam Deputy Speaker, tonight I wish talk about the Lew Fatt family; in particular Benny Lew Fatt, who lives with his wife, Sandra, in my electorate. I have an enormous fascination with the development of the Northern Territory and the stories of the people who have contributed so much to the rich heritage of this place in which we live.
Monica and Walter Kong Lew Fatt grew up in Darwin, and their 10 children went to local schools and made history in Australian Rules football and basketball. Benny Lew Fatt was one of those 10 children, and he was unquestionably one of the great Territory sportsmen of the 1950s and 1960s. He made his mark in both Australian Rules football and in basketball; he won the Nichols Medal, and he also represented Australia in basketball.
Benny was born on 12 December 1938, the second child of Walter and Monica Kong Lew Fatt. He was evacuated to South Australia during World War II, and the Lew Fatt family returned to Darwin in 1947. As an aside, I did, in a previous life, put together some words and information on the evacuation of Darwin, which was quite amazing. Almost all the people who were evacuated from Darwin returned many years later. The stories of those evacuations and the trials the people went through were quite amazing - just as amazing as the military stories that arose around Darwin during the bombing in World War II.
Benny was educated at Darwin Primary School and Darwin High School. He left school at 16 to take up a carpenter’s apprenticeship with the Department of Works and Housing. It was a job which committed him to a football career with Works and Housing, which later became known as the Nightcliff Football Club - a club we can all relate to in some way or other.
Benny was a centre man of immense natural skills and blistering speed and pace. He played with Nightcliff until the late 1960s, amassing around 200 games, playing in three premiership sides, and twice winning his club’s best and fairest award. In 1963-64 he won the Nichols Medal which had so often eluded his older brother, Terry; and he beat Darwin’s Jimmy Anderson that year to win the medal.
Like most footballers of his era, Benny’s representative chances were restricted to the very occasional games against Alice Springs and, sometimes, Mt Isa. One can only speculate what might have been achieved if there were more opportunities available for the Lew Fatt champions and other champions of that era living in the Northern Territory. It was very difficult getting around the country in that era.
Benny holds a life membership of both the NTFL, or NTAFL as it is now known, and Nightcliff. He has been an NTFL selector, served on the Umpires’ Appointments Board and coached at a junior level with Nightcliff.
In relation to his basketball career, he played with the Pioneer Pints Club, and it mirrored his involvement with Australian Rules football. He was an outstanding guard. Benny played in nine Australian championships from 1959 to 1967, and was voted by one newspaper as the Player of the Series at Devonport in Tasmania in 1963. After the 1961 championships in Melbourne, Benny was selected in the Australian team which played a 10-match tour of New Zealand. Benny retired from first grade basketball in the Territory in the late 1960s, and his achievements included at least two best and fairest awards in the competition, a string of A-Grade premierships, and coach of an NT team which played overseas in Timor.
After retiring from football and basketball, Benny devoted himself to golf; at one stage, getting his handicap down to 13 on the old, sand green course at Fannie Bay. Thirteen is an incredible achievement in itself. Madam Deputy Speaker, I do not know whether you are a golfer, but I have the odd swipe and I dream of a handicap of 13. Benny still plays social golf, occasionally plays lawn bowls, but most of all he likes to spend his Saturdays having a bit of a flutter down at the Fannie Bay race track.
In his working life, Benny spent 38 years in the public service before taking his redundancy. He has worked as a community worker with the FORWAARD drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre at Stuart Park. He is a great back-up for his wife, Sandra, who is a noted Territory travel agent based in Darwin. I am certain there are members in this Chamber who have used Sandra Lew Fatt for their travel bookings.
I have known Benny almost since I arrived in Darwin. As many people here know, I came here originally to play basketball, and that is where I met Benny Lew Fatt. He is a good mate. People who have met him even in passing would have to agree he is an absolute gentleman. It is my strong view that Benny Lew Fatt is one of the real genuine living treasures of the Territory.
I am very pleased to pay tribute to Benny, and his family. This has been a year of great sadness and grief with the passing of his brothers, Charlie, Ian and Gympie. It has been a very tough year for the family, indeed. A very sad time for the Lew Fatt family, and I wish them well in the future.
Ms ANDERSON (Macdonnell): Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to talk about this old lady, Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa Bennett - in this parliament I hope everyone can see that she is as black as the ace of spades - and some of the things which have happened to this great artist because she chooses not to paint for an arts centre, but paint privately for a private dealer.
I had the pleasure of opening her exhibition in Melbourne on Wednesday last week; and I thank Ken McGregor, the art consultant at the Metro Gallery, Barry Fitzgerald, owner of the Metro Gallery; and Mr and Mrs David Deague, the owners of the art hotel where we stayed, not far from the gallery. I take this opportunity to put on public record, and thank, Chris Simon, Barry Warner, Roger Rodrigous, Stuart Wallin and Cheryl Armstrong.
I went there with Nyurapayia, Esther Giles, and Tjawina Porter. These two ladies had previously been to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to hold their own exhibitions. It is really sad now with subsidised art centres that we dictate to the market; that artists who choose to work for private dealers are not collected by government institutions. This woman is a very special woman. She was born and bred in the desert, does not speak any language. I will read you a little of her biography which Ken McGregor has written in this catalogue:
Mrs Bennett was born round about 1935 at a place called Irlpantji, in the Rollinson Ranges near Giles, west of Kaltukatjara. She was schooled in traditional culture and raised on Pitjantjatjara lands living in the surrounding areas now known as Docker River with her immediate family, three sisters, Tjawina, Esther Giles and Edith Nampitjinpa, and brother, John Richards. It was not until her early teens that she made first contact with the whitefella. Mrs Bennett is a ngangkari, a traditional healer. When she was young she began to learn songlines so important to the beliefs of her people, also to the survival of her race. She began her artistic career in the mid-1990s and paints her mother’s dreaming side, Tjarlili Rockhole, near Tjurkula.
Other sites she paints are Pukara and Munkara and her favourite, Punkilpirri, the large permanent water site north-west of Docker River in the Walter James Ranges. These mysterious and alluring places are beyond most people’s comprehension. For those who live comfortably around the coast of Australia, this deep, unforgiving inland place is harsh, threatening and mostly dry. It is extremely beautiful. The vast spinifex grasslands, red sands, and rugged ancient ranges were home to Mrs Bennett and her nomadic family. They hunted and gathered and listened and told the stories that echo their dreamtime.
Her paintings depict the stories relating to the rituals and women’s ceremonies associated with her homelands and gathering of traditional bush foods.
This woman is at the top of Aboriginal law and culture. There is no one higher than Nyurapayia Bennett, and her art is as good as the art developed in Papunya in the early 1970s. A question we need to ask inside this parliament is: if she chooses to paint for a private dealer, then she should still be in any kind of government institute. Australians do not see the real things, because it is rubbish that the museums collect. It is good people like Ken McGregor and Barry Fitzgerald who have given this lady the opportunities she deserves.
I also thank the Mayor, Damien Ryan, who was also at that exhibition in Melbourne. He had other things he was there for in Melbourne and an invitation went to him. I take this opportunity to thank the Mayor for coming to Nyurapayia’s exhibition, because this is an elderly woman who would not have many years left in her life - the greatest artist ever. I believe it is very unfair we are starting to play politics with black art and black people. It is whitefellas now who determine what art they will collect, and what art is the true art.
Well, let me tell you, as an Aboriginal person who knows how to speak the language, sing the songs - this is the true art. If this woman chooses to paint for someone she believes in, and she is getting the right money, then any institution in this country should be collecting Nyurapayia Bennett Nampitjinpa’s paintings.
I want to talk about Chris Simon. I know people have always referred to Chris Simon as a carpetbagger. The names I have rattled off: Barry Warner and Roger, Stuart, and Sheryl, these are people who also work at the block. Barry does the yard, cooks, looks after the oldies; Roger is the priming man, he works with the paint and the canvasses; and Stuart is also the cook and the person who looks after all the oldies. Sheryl is the person who takes the oldies to Congress to get their medication, or to the Alice Springs Hospital, and she also looks after them. These people look after the three ladies they have, and more ladies they have coming in, and an old man from Nyirripi, with the greatest respect these people deserve. I do not think that it is any whitefella’s business that they should start fighting over which art is true art and which art is false. Let me tell you, this woman is the true artist and her work should be collected by institutions throughout this country.
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, it is with much sadness, yet with great honour, that tonight I place on the record a few words about a man who was known to this parliament - a man who was a highly respected member of the Katherine community, the husband of the former member for Katherine, Fay Miller - that is late Michael Laurie Miller, always simply and very affectionately known as Mike.
Michael Laurie Miller was the first born child of Laurie and Frieda Miller, born on 21 September 1942 at Lobethal in South Australia. His brother, John, sister, Rosemary, and younger brother, Robert, followed. Mike grew up on a rural property on the edge of Lobethal which had been in the Miller family since his ancestors arrived from Prussia in October 1841. Mike’s father continued the family’s dairy farming tradition, and Mike always loved telling stories of having to help with the milking on freezing mornings before going to school.
As soon as Mike had finished school at Birdwood High School, his parents made an appointment at the Lobethal branch of the Bank of Adelaide for a job. Thus began Mike’s career path in the banking industry. Mike’s first transfer was to the small country town of Freeling. The branches he then worked at were Yankalilla, Ceduna, first in 1964 and again in the early 1980s, Gawler Place, Willunga, Glynde, Mt Pleasant, and Port Pirie, before his posting to Katherine in late 1989.
When the Bank of Adelaide merged with the ES&A, to become the ANZ, as we currently know it, Mike was a manager and one of the youngest bank managers at that time. Not only was Mike one of the youngest managers at that time, but he was also credited by people he worked with as being well and truly ahead of the game. A former colleague of Mike’s, Gary Parkin, who is now the ANZ’s South Australia and Western Australia State Small Business Manager, said Mike was before his time in networking and sales in banking. What he taught Gary in the early 1980s came into vogue 10 years later; and Gary will always appreciate the learning experience with Mike standing him in very good stead.
While networking and sales were Mike’s forte, Gary said he could not say the same for Mike’s paperwork, with Gary spending much time finishing off Mike’s paperwork for him. He also remembers, with affection, Mike’s smoking habits. At that time, you could still smoke inside, so by 10.30 am, Mike’s office ashtray would be full and overflowing and, of course, the sad irony is that this year Mike suffered badly for the smoking habits of many years ago.
Wherever he lived, Mike was always involved in community activities, including Rotary, the AFL, Hash Harriers, the Miss South Australia Quest, the South Australian Spastic Centre, as it was known then, and sporting teams, including coaching and competing in inter-association teams. He had involvement with the church, both Lutheran and Anglican, as a lay reader and church board member. He was the Chairperson of the Katherine Country Club and Katherine Sport and Recreation Club, amongst many other commitments.
He also loved doing things in his shed, such as restoring old and antique furniture and making things such as Jake’s – one of Mike and Fay’s dogs - famous kennel which was fit, apparently, for a king. He just loved his garden, and established a vegie patch wherever he could.
Mike met his wife, Nola, when he was working in Yankalilla. Mike and Nola had four children, Sonya, Fiona, Simon and Amanda, who have been in Katherine for the past couple of weeks. Mike and Fay were married in Port Pirie in 1988, and they added two more beautiful daughters to the brood, Mandy and Trisha. Poor Simon and Mike, now totally outnumbered at that stage, surrounded by six very strong females. Mike also has nine beautiful grandchildren whom he dearly loved.
Mike went through some difficult times in Katherine, apart from all the good times he had, and the flood of 1998 certainly devastated him. He never really fully recovered emotionally from the financial loss when their business, the Red Gum Caravan Park, flooded. It flooded again in 2004 and in 2006 which put him on a knife edge of worry. Hence, he was quite glad and excited to get back into the financial arena, and became interested in setting up broking services from his own office at home, which he did.
Mike was still giving advice and wanting to do more right up to the last few days prior to entering Katherine Hospital.
Much of what I have said thus far has come from the eulogy which was delivered at Mike’s funeral service in Katherine on Monday this week, but I would now like to make a few personal observations of Mike.
All of us in this House know how much support is required of the spouses and families of members of this House, and Mike certainly exemplified the type of person who provided Fay with untiring and questioning support in the years of her parliamentary service, particularly after the car accident in 2006 in which Fay was severely injured.
I mentioned also that Mike had a huge involvement in community activities and organisations, but his efforts did not stop there. In a very quiet way, without fuss, without accolade, without the need or want for any recognition, Mike helped countless people in Katherine and in every location he lived. Mike, I think, had a problem saying ‘no’ and, at the very least it is common knowledge, perhaps even legendary, Mike’s propensity to want to help people. One only had to ask, and Mike was there. He helped old people, young people; it did not matter, Mike was always there. A more reliable and dependable person I do not think I know.
I also wish to pass on a personal message from the former member for Katherine, Fay Miller. Fay sends her sincere thanks to all the members of this House who contacted her to pass on their condolences and well wishes. Your thoughts and wishes are appreciated.
Mike Miller has passed from this life and his memory remains in our hearts and minds. I liked Mike; there was nothing not to like about him. Mike was a true gentleman and a good friend to me and to the many people who crossed his path over the 68 years of his life. He loved Fay, and she loved him. Fay said this week at the funeral, not a day went by when Mike did not tell Fay he loved her. Given the many hundreds of people who attended his funeral service on 18 October 2010, Mike will be sorely missed.
His passing is a loss to his family, to his friends and to the Katherine community; a community to which he contributed so much to the social fabric. Mike Miller lived from 21 September 1942 to 14 October 2010.
May his friends and family remember him fondly. May he rest in peace.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016