2008-02-21
Madam Speaker Aagaard took the Chair at 10 am.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I seek leave of absence for the member for Macdonnell today. She is attending a funeral.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I speak today on this government’s support for the reintroduction of the permit system by federal parliament which happened this morning. The decision to remove the permit system was made as part of the previous federal government’s intervention. That decision was not supported by the Northern Territory government. It was a decision emphatically rejected by Territorians in the bush at the last federal election. The federal Labor Party made it perfectly clear during last year’s election that it would reinstate the permit system. The federal government this morning has now kept that promise.
Prior to the removal of the permit system, the previous Indigenous Affairs minister, Mal Brough, instructed his agency to consult with Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory and ask them if they wanted the removal of the permit system. The consultations were wide-ranging, yet not a single submission supporting the system’s removal was received. Mr Brough did not get the answer he wanted. This was the last time he bothered consulting with Aboriginal people in the Territory.
The abolition of the permit system was made on purely ideological grounds. As was pointed out by this government and others at the time, the removal of the permit system would do absolutely nothing to protect children, the object of the intervention. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The removal of the permit system would remove a frontline defence against predators and the power to exclude such people from communities and townships on Aboriginal land.
But do not just take my word for it. Unsolicited, a significant number of bush police spoke to local members of parliament, appalled at the impact of the removal of the permit system and what that would mean for policing in remote areas. As the only people under the Aboriginal Land Act with powers to demand to see permits, the abolition of the system would remove a frontline mechanism for police officers against grog runners, dope sellers and other predators. It was a mechanism routinely used by police to remove the very people who might constitute a threat to children. This was strongly backed by the Northern Territory Police Association and, subsequently, by the National Police Federation.
Mr Brough and other proponents of the abolition of permits were utterly silent on this unwelcome view from police. There was complete silence on the police view from those offices as well. Similarly, the issue of abolishing permits did not rate a single mention in the Little Children are Sacred report. Surely, if there had been the remotest suggestion that abolishing permits would protect children then this report would have raised it as an important issue. It did not.
It is important to recognise that, over time, some communities may wish to develop a local approach concerning access to their land and their communities on a one-off or permanent basis. For example, communities like Barunga already have open days for their famous sports and cultural festival. The permit system has been in place for many years. It is a fundamental recognition of private property rights - rights all Australians enjoy. It is also a protection along our remote roads against inadvertent trespass on sacred sites, as well as art sites and areas of ecological sensitivity.
I point out that a natural heritage study being completed on the road between Cahills Crossing and Oenpelli has raised enormous concerns about unregulated traffic already causing irreparable damage to art and burial sites, together with severe problems of rubbish and littering. That only covers the first 20 km of road on a single part of Aboriginal land.
The new permit arrangements will allow entry to government officials carrying out their duties, accredited contractors carrying out authorised work, and journalists on legitimate reporting tasks. This is supported by this government.
Perhaps the final word should go to Aboriginal Territorians. Last November, they had their first chance to give an unequivocal view on the permit system. Mr Brough and the CLP candidate called it a referendum. It was rejected out of hand by a record number of voters. That is who we should be listening to, and that is who the federal government is paying heed to this morning in federal parliament.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I am very disappointed there has been this change. I do not accept the arguments put up in defence of this change back to closing the door are sound. I still believe that the rivers of grog have flowed behind the permit system, and that the protection of children which is touted as a reason for the reinstatement of the permit system, does not make sense. It does not stack up.
If we want to move together, as the Deputy Chief Minister referred to in response to Michael Mansell’s extraordinary proposition that has offended the sensibilities of any Territorian or Australian, we need to find a way of working out our business together. To close the doors is a retrograde step. Our future belongs to a path where we can find a way to work out our business together. We have the Trespass Act that does apply. These are Australians. I am very pleased to hear that there is the opportunity for this conversation to continue in communities that may provide access, and understand the future belongs to a path of working and walking together.
I sincerely believe that this is a retrograde step. It will create further division, disharmony and discord within the community and prevent us from solving the deeper issues and the challenges that seriously face us. The only glimmer of hope is that there is an opportunity. I sincerely encourage those communities which want to be a part of the mainstream to open their doors, to allow that flow and that connection. The same protections would apply as they apply to anyone living in any community in the Northern Territory that has open access. The Trespass Act would apply. People are welcome. We are all in this together.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his report. I ask the same question I have asked the Minister for Local Government twice so far: if the permits are now required to travel on roads within Aboriginal townships, and those Aboriginal townships are now part of a super shire where all ratepayers will be paying for the maintenance of roads within that shire, are those roads regarded as private roads and, therefore, cannot have funds from the ratepayers used to maintain or construct those roads? Or are they public roads and, therefore, do not require a permit?
I have one other comment. You have given some exemptions as to why certain groups of people do not need permits. I would like to know why journalists are allowed in, if that is the case. I must admit, if I had the right to say people could come on to my property, I would like the right to say that journalists should not come on my property. If you allow journalists, why not allow anyone else to come onto the property?
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank members for contributions to the debate. The fundamental point and the policy reason why Mal Brough, as Indigenous Affairs minister, removed the requirement to have permits to access Aboriginal land - the Trojan horse - was the protection of children. Yet, nobody, in the consultations that did occur - Rex Wild and Pat Anderson, whom everyone has great respect for and who tabled a seminal report on child abuse to this parliament, did not recommend that. There was absolutely nobody, apart from Mal Brough, who ideologically wanted to abolish the permit system. I do not have any respect for the argument about bringing people together, because it was about the protection of children. There was no evidence. When the police, who were at the front line of protecting children, said that this was a terrible step to take as it removed the only power they had to control who was in those communities, no-one on the other side listened. It was purely an ideological position and one that is rejected by this side of the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I report today on the wonderful work that the Northern Territory Library is undertaking to ensure that Territorians today and future generations have access to our unique cultural heritage. It is the responsibility of the Northern Territory Library to collect, preserve and to provide access to the Northern Territory’s documentary and cultural heritage. Proudly, the library holds the world’s most comprehensive range of historical and contemporary documentation relating to the Northern Territory.
Honourable members, you might recall that in August last year, the work of the Northern Territory Library received international recognition, the Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award, for their innovation for providing online information to remote indigenous communities.
Following on from the recognition of their work preserving and making available historical and heritage material to remote communities, the Northern Territory Library is continuing to develop innovative solutions to improving access for all users to all of their collections. Just this week, the library hosted 50 Australian World War II veterans, who were in town to commemorate the 1942 bombing of Darwin. Many of these veterans have photographs and stories to share of this significant event in our local and national history. It was great to see our library staff working with people who have important material to contribute to our collection, ensuring that our documentary history is comprehensive and permanently recorded. Library staff were kept busy identifying content suitable for our collection, facilitating the acquisition of material and preserving the material through electronic scanning and preservation methods that comply with national standards.
As time goes on, there will be a risk that veterans’ personal history will be lost forever, if not collected now. If it were not for the hard work of the Northern Territory Library staff, not only would current Territorians lose a part of our rich history but, so too, generations to follow.
I thank Diana Richards and Joy Cardona of the Northern Territory Library for their initiative in making contact with these veterans, and their commitment to the work of preserving and making our wonderful history available to us.
It has been very rewarding having the opportunity for the Northern Territory Library to expand this documented record of those tragic events in 1942. While it does take time and resources to preserve this and other historical material, there is no doubt that this is very important work. The community benefits in having the material available can be seen in the variety of ways that the content is used and reused over time. For example, education, research, tourism and business development can all benefit from material gained by the Northern Territory Library and then preserved for the future. Technology is also helping to ensure that some of the heritage collection is now made available online to users across the world.
The Northern Territory Library is a member of the National Collaboration of Cultural Institutions dedicated to the preservation of Australian images and heritage. The initiative of this collaboration is the Picture Australia database, where a broad range of Northern Territory photos are showcased. I encourage members not familiar with this resource to explore it. It is a treasure trove of history related to the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory Library will continue to improve the provision of contemporary online information across the Territory. Improving access to the Internet will also be important to ensuring that our rich collection of Territory history is available to the public as quickly and easily as possible. I am heartened that the Rudd Labor government is working to improve Broadband access across the country. I will be working with my colleagues in Canberra to ensure that the Territory benefits from the expansion of Broadband that will, in turn, facilitate Territorians’ access to our library and all the Internet offers. I know that our strong relationship with the Rudd government will be a partnership that brings results.
There is no longer the need to visit the library to read the latest newspapers or research journals on a variety of subjects, as these are now readily accessible in an online environment. The Northern Territory Library is no longer just about books. By embracing modern technology, the library is enhancing its collections, broadening the user base, increasing access …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the new Minister for Local Government for his statement today. We welcome the work by Northern Territory libraries right across the Northern Territory. They do an outstanding job.
It is though, for local government, a sad day for democracy in the Northern Territory as the minister is going to steamroll through with these forced local government amalgamations. They are going to force it on all Territorians today, so it is a sad day for democracy across the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: There are only 19 people in the Northern Territory who agree with these forced amalgamations.
Members interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: I would like to put the question to the Local Government minister. He has avoided the question. He cannot answer it, so I will put it to him once again. It was put by the member for Nelson twice yesterday. I would like to hear the response.
If roads within a town or a community for which a permit is required to travel are maintained using money raised from shire rates, will ratepayers in shires who contribute through their rates to the maintenance of those roads be allowed to travel on those roads without a permit? I would like to hear what the minister has to say and what his answer is on that. I thank him for his statement. I would like to hear some answers.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I will talk about the libraries, because I believe what they are doing is a great job.
I was listening intently to the new minister because I was hoping he would acknowledge the work of the previous minister, particularly as regards the Bill Gates Foundation and the contribution it made. I know how supportive the previous minister was. When he stepped down, I was talking to some of the library staff and they were quite distressed as he had been a great supporter of libraries. He visited them regularly, he knew what was going on, and I believe, minister, you should have acknowledged his part in that particular project, because it is a valuable project for the Northern Territory.
We are very fortunate to have gained such a huge contribution. You talked about preserving history, and this is one way that the history of the Northern Territory will be enhanced and kept for future generations. Archiving is also a very important part of libraries. We must ensure that our systems are in place and the libraries - not just the library here, but right across the Territory - have the means and the support to do so.
Minister, please, in your response, acknowledge the work of the previous minister. He was well respected by librarians and libraries right across the Territory.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I am quite passionate about libraries, and my speech may have dragged on. Member for Braitling, I was going to acknowledge the work of the previous minister. I visited the Parliamentary Library here and they spoke fondly of the previous minister; he is held in high regard.
I acknowledge the staff: the Library Director, Jo McGill, her assistant directors, Anne Devenish, Cate Richmond and Marilyn Hawthorne, and all the hard-working staff.
I encourage the shadow minister to get over there for a look. He disregarded the hard work that these libraries do and the valuable work they do for the Territory. I am not even talking about the work …
Members interjecting
Mr KNIGHT: You are the shadow minister. You need to get across, you need to understand, and you need to give credit to these people. They work very hard. I commend the staff of the library. I will certainly be standing up for them, unlike the CLP.
Mr BONSON (Young Territorians): Madam Speaker, on Saturday I will be attending the first meeting of 2008 of the Youth Minister’s Round Table of Young Territorians. The Youth Round Table is the government’s principal youth consultative advisory body, and it reports to me as minister through the Office of Youth Affairs.
The Territory has one of the youngest populations in Australia. Young Territorians are our future so it is critical that we deliver the programs and services that target their wellbeing, as well as providing development opportunities. This is why the round table is such an important avenue for this government in hearing directly from our youth about issues that affect and impact on them.
The round table consists of 16 members between 15 and 25 years of age. Members are representative of the geographic, cultural and ethnic diversity of the Territory. The members of the round table are encouraged to represent the views of young Territorians by actively canvassing the views of their peers.
The development of skills and leadership capabilities of members is a strong focus of the round table program. I am pleased to be able to report that the round table has been successful in engaging the views of young Territorians, so that these views contribute to the shaping of government policy. The Youth Round Table allows young Territorians the opportunity to speak directly with the Northern Territory government about the issues that affect their lives.
Over the years, the round table has developed a reputation as an exceptional youth development program based on the principles of inclusiveness, diversity, respect and participation. It is fair to say that the round table is regarded as a body that delivers positive outcomes for young Territorians.
Throughout the year, members work on research projects that they are passionate about. These projects contain key findings and recommendations and are then presented to the government at the final round table meeting of the year. The round table gets its support from the Office of Youth Affairs, including editing and proofreading of all reports for presentation to government.
The round table produces an official newsletter, Round About the NT. This newsletter is printed after each meeting and distributed widely throughout the NT, including to high schools and community organisations. This is a high-standard publication with information that is relevant to young Territorians. The round table also produces an annual report at the end of each year. This highlights achievements by individuals and working groups. The annual report also provides an opportunity to showcase research projects.
The report has its public release after approval by the Minister for Young Territorians. Topics examined by the 2007 round table include: mental health education in schools; a youth curfew in Alice Springs; education programs about drugs and alcohol; youth involvement in combating cane toads; male role model programs; and services for young mothers in Tennant Creek. Government is now reviewing the report and considering the recommendations.
I take this opportunity to place on record my appreciation for the hard work undertaken by the outgoing 2007 members. I encourage them to continue to be active in their community’s great positive change.
It also gives me great pleasure today to inform members of the recent appointment of the 2008 members, selected from across the Territory. They include: Amy Sherrin and Tessa Snowdon from Alice Springs; Chris Helmond from Tennant Creek; Amanda Ngalmi from Numbulwar; Matthew Renshaw from Adelaide River; Emily Holyoake and Felix Ho from the Darwin rural area; and Jack Hose, Gabrielle Morris, Kristian Goodacre, Amy Smith, Katie Chatto, Pritika Desai, Katharina Gerste, Gemma Benn and Desmond Campbell from Darwin.
The members represent a diverse mix of young Territorian workers, carers, parents, volunteers and entrepreneurs - all leaders in their own right with a capacity to offer different and unique insights into issues. I am looking forward to attending the meeting, getting to know new members and to work closely with them throughout the year.
Young people deserve to have their points of view heard. The Round Table of Young Territorians is their opportunity. I encourage all young people to contact their members if they have an issue they want to raise.
I recognise the work done by the member for Arafura, who has now become the Deputy Chief Minister. I know she is very encouraged by the work that happens at the Youth Round Table. I know that the people involved with the Youth Round Table last year were very appreciative of her support. I hope to continue that support as the new Minister for Youth.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I support this report. It is important to hear what young people are saying and thinking, to listen carefully to them and then implement, as far as you possibly can, their suggestions and insights into public policy.
It is excellent that the minister acknowledged the former minister. The program was established some time ago. It was, I think, Chief Minister Shane Stone who established this program that has now gone from a Chief Minister’s Round Table to a Youth Minister’s Round Table. Nonetheless, it is important that these young people are given an opportunity to speak.
I am interested to know, minister, how many young people applied for this and what scheme was applied to select those who sit at the round table? Finally, can you list what you think are the three main issues concerning young people in the Northern Territory today?
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, the member for Blain pinched my thunder a bit because I was going to ask the minister exactly the same thing. You gave us a statement of the process of how this Youth Round Table works and the procedures attached to it. You did not tell us what issues they have raised. It would be interesting for you to come back into parliament and say: ‘This is one of their recommendations and this is what we have done with that recommendation’. However, we are not getting that sort of feedback. I know you are going to say it is in the newsletter, but where does government go with what they are doing and what they say?
I believe your representation is good. I am concerned that our Alice Springs Town Council does not have a youth committee. We have heard all sorts of things about problems with youth in Alice. We have had all sorts of strategies and suggestions - curfews and God knows what - yet our town council does not seem to want to consult with youth. It is an important committee you are looking at.
I hope you ask them to hit the hard issues that are there today, not just in our towns, but in our communities as well. Ask them what this government can do to implement changes and go back to the roundtable and say: ‘Thank you very much for this particular issue that you raised. This is what we are going to do’. That is the sort of feedback I would like to hear.
Mr BONSON (Young Territorians): Madam Speaker, first of all, in response to the Leader of the Opposition, the recommendations come through to my office. It is my task to ensure we have a whole-of-government response. I will be doing that. In what he is saying about my three main aims, he is missing the whole point of the Youth Round Table.
The Youth Round Table is about hearing the views of youth, what they see as important and then acting on them …
Mr Mills: No, I want to know what you think about young people. What you think they might be.
Mr BONSON: The reality is that often we talk down to youth. Sometimes, we need to listen. The Leader of the Opposition should sometimes slow down, listen to what the youth are saying and then act on it.
Regarding selection, young Territorians across the Northern Territory have an opportunity to apply. The candidates we have are the best candidates available. I encourage everyone to get behind them. In terms of Alice Springs, for the member for Braitling, I encourage her to talk to her other local members, to get Alice Springs Council to act on some of the recommendations made by the people from Alice Springs ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
This Local Government Bill provides the new local government in the Northern Territory. The reform of local government has provided an opportunity to have a completely new act. It is modern legislation which reflects the contemporary times and the issues with which local government today must engage. The previous Local Government Act developed from the Local Government Ordinance in 1954, some 54 years ago. In 1978, upon the Territory gaining self-government, the Local Government Ordinance became the Local Government Act. The new act, the current one, was introduced in 1985, 23 years ago. It is time to have a fresh act and a fresh approach. This bill will reinvigorate local government in the Northern Territory.
I commend the work of the previous minister, the member for Barkly. No one has worked harder for local government reform. He was also an outstanding Minister for Housing.
This bill includes input from a wide range of people across the Northern Territory. Key issues in the bill have been regularly discussed with stakeholders throughout the period since the announcement of the Northern Territory government’s structural reform of local government in October 2006, over 15 months ago. In that statement regarding reform, it was promised that the government would establish a future framework for local government based on a system of municipal and shire councils. After ongoing consultation with various stakeholders, however, the government has decided that the creation of a Top End Shire will no longer form part of this reform.
This change will occur in a proposed amendment to this bill to be debated in April. That change will demonstrate the government has been listening to the unique argument put by that community. Litchfield Shire Council boundaries will remain unchanged, as will the other councils in what would have been the Top End Shire. The reform process will continue in all other areas and will bring enormous benefit to those regional communities.
The Local Government Bill is historic legislation. With vast areas of the Northern Territory now becoming incorporated for the first time, the Northern Territory will have a third sphere of government comparable to other states in Australia. This legislation before the House represents the coming of age of local government in the Northern Territory and sets the scene for the future.
The critical factor for any successful enterprise, whether public or private, is public confidence. In the past, many of our councils had failed to achieve such confidence, despite the endeavours of many hard-working people. The performance of a large number of councils in delivering core local government services has been poor and accountability standards often not met. In relation to these councils, a change had to occur, and change to a better system is what this government is delivering. New local government will provide Territorians with a system of local government that will gain the confidence of residents and also the many Territory commercial entities that do business with local government. Positive signs this will be achieved are already apparent.
Instead of witnessing a situation of eroding revenues, the new shires have already begun to attract significant new funding. An example of this is the $6.4m that has been approved for the development of the shires through the federally-funded Clever Networks Program. These funds will establish shared information and communications technology service infrastructure for the Northern Territory’s new shire councils. This will include approximately 355 desktop devices for shire staff and 150 public access devices for community members to use. In demographics, the network will provide approximately 1400 remote workers and an extended service base of approximately 62 000 people living in remote and regional areas. A number of prospective shire councils have already signed agreements for Night Patrol funding, which will provide a significant increase on the funding previously available for Night Patrols across the Territory.
I acknowledge the important contribution that has been made by the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory to the process of reform over the past 15 months. Both LGANT and the Northern Territory Branch of the Local Government Managers Australia have provided a strong industry voice on key policy issues and, in particular, legislative reform. In fact, in 2006, a number of suggestions were made by these industry bodies to my department regarding ways the current Local Government Act could be improved. Following discussion and agreement on the benefits of the changes proposed, a number of amendments to the current act were planned at that time. However, with the need for a new act to cater for the reform, the changes proposed are now incorporated within this bill. LGANT and the Local Government Managers Australia have continued to provide valuable advice regarding the provisions of this bill.
I extend sincere thanks to the Central Land Council and the Northern Territory Accounting Advisory Committee for their submissions and input into the drafting of the bill.
One of the key terms of reference of the Local Government Advisory Board, ably chaired by Mr Patrick Dodson, is that the board is to provide advice to the minister on the legislative requirements for new local government. The advisory board has been consulted at every step in the development of this legislation. An exposure draft of the Local Government Bill was presented to members of the advisory board and a presentation made on its key features by my department at the board’s September 2007 meeting. A later draft was presented to the board for discussion at its meeting in October 2007. The advice and suggestions from these discussions have been incorporated within the bill.
The exposure draft has been discussed with the transition committees for each shire, and meetings have been held with the chief executive officers, elected members of councils, and LGANT. Individual meetings have been held with the Darwin City Council, the City of Palmerston Council, the Katherine Town Council, and the Alice Springs Town Council to discuss the bill.
Drafts of the bill have been provided to the Northern and Central Land Councils, and a meeting regarding the bill was held with representatives from the Central Land Council. The previous minister met recently with the chair and senior staff from the Northern Land Council in relation to the bill. I will be following up these discussions in coming weeks. Members of the Law Society have had the opportunity to make comments on the bill.
Since the bill was deferred in November last year for further consultation, it has been available on the departmental website, with the facility for any member of the public to comment. Hard copies were also made available. During that time, further consultation occurred with the Local Government Accounting Advisory Committee, the Structural Reform Informal Reference Group comprising local government managers, and the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory.
Written submissions were received from the Central Land Council, the Local Government Association, the Darwin City Council, and the Litchfield Shire Council. All comments have been taken into account in the development and final draft of the bill. By any standard, there has been comprehensive exposure of this draft legislation prior to it being introduced in this House.
The Local Government Bill incorporates a large number of provisions contained in the present Local Government Act, as would be expected. However, there are also many provisions to support the new system of local government that I now wish to bring to your attention.
A feature of the new bill is that it contains a preamble. Although a preamble does not form part of the legislation, it is important in that it establishes the spirit and tone of the bill. This preamble commences by making the foundation statement that this Legislative Assembly acknowledges local government as a distinct and essential sphere of government. The preamble goes on to say that:
I am pleased and proud that indigenous traditional owners are being formally recognised in this matter. When local government was being introduced in many parts of the Territory in the 1980s and 1990s, the supporting legislation provided no reference to the need for any arrangements to be made with the traditional owners of land on which local government services were being delivered. The intent of recognising the rights and interests of traditional owners in the preamble is to clearly signal that this will no longer be the case.
Another important feature of this bill is that it ensures that local government councils operate according to contemporary principles and practices of transparency and accountability. The bill requires each council to have a municipal or shire plan that must contain a strategic plan, a service delivery plan, and a long-term financial plan. The public will have access to the municipal or shire plan via the council’s website and at the council offices. The service delivery plan must contain performance indicators by which the council will assess its performance at the end of each year when the plan is reviewed and revised. This review will enable the council to consider the impact of any current or emerging challenges and opportunities to the way it operates. The council will also consider if it has the most appropriate administrative and regulatory arrangements to achieve effective service delivery.
Each council will be required to provide an annual report to the minister that will contain, in addition to the audited financial statement, an assessment of the council’s performance against the specific performance indicators identified in each service contained in the municipal or shire plan. As soon as possible after the annual report has been delivered to the minister, it must be made accessible to the public on the council’s website and at the shire offices.
Another new concept introduced in the bill is the preparation of regional management plans that will become statutory instruments and have a term of four years. At the end of that period, they are all to be replaced by revised plans. The plans may be amended during the four-year term by agreement between the agency, which is the department, and the councils in the region.
For the purpose of these regional management plans, there will be only three large regions - north, central and south - that will each include two or more shire councils, and may include a municipal council. I should emphasise that the municipal councils may choose whether they wish to be included in the plans.
There are two main purposes for the regional management plans. The first is to promote and provide inter-council cooperation on matters such as cemeteries, waste management facilities, and other regional facilities. They will also provide for the development of cooperative agreements between the councils in a region and other organisations or agencies that have a particular interest in the region. As an example, it is proposed that a memorandum of understanding be developed between councils and the relevant land council, providing for consultation and cooperation. Agreements are also being explored with government agencies such as Centrelink to provide services on an agency-by-agency basis across the region.
The other main purpose of the regional management plan will be to identify core local government services and the communities where they must be delivered by the shire in each regional area. These will not be the only services provided, but they are the only services that need to be identified in the regional management plan. The other services that will be provided by the shire will be contained in each shire plan.
Another feature of this bill is the requirement for every council to adopt a code of conduct to govern the conduct of members of the council, members of the local boards, and members of the council committees. A council will be required to make or adopt a code of conduct that must be at least as stringent as the code of conduct set out in Schedule 2 of the bill. If a council does not adopt a code of its own, then the code of conduct in the schedule will constitute the code of conduct for that council. The requirement to have a code is common practice in other jurisdictions. Some councils in the Northern Territory already have a code on a voluntary basis. These councils will be able to align their code against the code in the schedule.
The minister will establish a disciplinary committee so that a person can lay a complaint against a member if that person considers the member has committed a breach against the council’s code of conduct. If the disciplinary committee hears a case and is satisfied that a breach has occurred, it can administer a reprimand, impose a fine, or recommend to the minister the member be removed from office. A party to proceedings for the disciplinary committee may appeal against the decision of the committee to the Local Government Tribunal. The minister is provided with the power in this bill to remove a member from office on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee. The minister may also remove a member from office if a member is convicted of an offence, showing the member to be unfit to remain in office.
Another innovation in the bill is the concept of reviewable decisions. Where a council has made a decision which is reviewable, an affected person can take the matter back to the administrative review committee of the council. Councils will be able to make their decisions or by-laws reviewable.
On the matter of the election or appointment of the principal member of the council, the bill requires that the mayor of a municipal council must be elected by popular vote. The position of principal member of a shire may have the title of either president or mayor and, in the case of a shire council, the bill provides that the shire may choose whether the principal member is elected by popular vote or by appointment by its members. If the position is to be filled by appointment, the shire council must appoint one of its members to be the principal member at the first meeting following the general election.
I now turn to another innovation in this legislation. It is the provision of the establishment of local boards. The bill provides for the council to establish one or more local boards. The purpose of these local boards is to achieve the effective integration and involvement of local communities in the affairs of the council for the area. These boards will be provided with administrative support by the shires. Local boards will be particularly important to allow local communities to have a voice in the formation of council policies for their locality. Elected members of the council from the ward area that include the local board will also be a member of the local board. The mayor or president of the council will also be an ex-officio member of each local board. The role of the local board includes involvement in the development of a community plan and the establishment of local service delivery priorities for the consideration of the shire council. Local boards will also have a close relationship with the local offices being established by the shire on 67 communities in rural and remote areas.
The rates and charges section of the legislation has also undergone a significant change. While all land within the local government area is rateable unless it is exempted land, a new category of land has been introduced in the bill. This category of land is called conditionally rateable land and includes land held under a pastoral lease or land occupied under mining tenement. The bill requires that the council submit a rating proposal to the minister for approval prior to the rating of conditionally rateable land. The rating proposal must be in accordance with the ministerial guidelines which will be provided to all councils.
The purpose of this rating provision is to ensure that the setting of rates for the pastoral and mining industries is conducted in an informal and balanced manner. There is no intention that these industries will be required to provide more than their fair share of rates revenue to the shire. Any suggestion that these industries will be required to carry other residents of the shire, in a revenue sense, including people living on Aboriginal land, is incorrect. All properties on incorporated land will be rated or pay rates equivalent, including public housing dwellings on Aboriginal communities.
In relation to rates on Aboriginal land, lessees rather than the land trust will be liable. It is anticipated, for example, that where indigenous housing is provided by Territory Housing, Territory Housing will be the lease holder and have the responsibility for paying rates. Territory Housing will incorporate the cost of rates as a part of housing rental payments, as is the normal practice, but subject to Territory Housing’s limits of maximum rents. Where there are residences on Aboriginal land which are not subject to lease, the bill provides that the occupier may be liable for rates, but only after being served with a notice by the council.
Past practice in many remote communities has been that local councils imposed local government service fees on individuals so that occupants of a house with 20 adult residents could pay 10 times the amount of a couple sharing a house. Under the new arrangements, allotments on Aboriginal land will incur a set amount of rates for that allotment, rather than the potential for an open-ended amount determined by the number of occupants. The intent is that there will be a single annual rate for individual lots. This is a proposed change that I expect to further discuss with the land councils; in particular, the practical aspects of implementing these arrangements in parallel with changes to the management of public housing on Aboriginal land.
It is appropriate at this point to turn to the introduction of ministerial guidelines in the legislation to guide several aspects of local government activity. This is a new feature of the bill. I have mentioned that ministerial guidelines are to be provided to councils for the preparation of rating proposals for conditionally rateable land. Ministerial guidelines have also been introduced into the bill in several other sections. For example:
elected members’ allowances are to be fixed by council but will be subject to guidelines issued by the minister.
And the last one:
while the minister’s approval is normally applied if the council wants to borrow money, approval is not required for a transaction classified as a minor transaction according to guidelines issued by the minister.
Any guidelines that the minister makes in relation to this bill must be published on the department’s website and must be laid before this House within six sitting days after they are made.
It is recognised that the new bill will need to be clearly understood for potential new councillors. I am pleased to advise that elected member training will be provided to people considering standing for election, and to elected council members. The new organisational structures for the shires provide for governance managers who will educate council members and ensure the appropriate operation of local boards. Online governance tools are also being developed so that governance advice and education may be provided in a variety of ways.
The Local Government Bill provides for the establishment of a new system of local government in the Territory. It takes account of the most contemporary local government legislation in other jurisdictions. At the same time, it has been fashioned to meet the challenging environment in which local government operates in the Territory. This proposed Local Government Act will provide the legislative framework to complete the establishment of local government across the Territory. It will equip local government with the necessary powers and functions to play a prominent role in partnership with the Northern Territory government in the future development of the Territory.
Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Patrick Dodson, the Chair of the Local Government Advisory Board, all members of the advisory board, all members and participants in the Shire Transition Committees, the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory, departmental staff, both past and present, and every other person who has assisted in the development of this bill.
Madam Speaker, I commend this bill to honourable members and table the explanatory statement which accompanies the bill.
Debate adjourned.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The purpose of this bill is to provide that assaults on all drivers of commercial passenger vehicles be treated with the maximum degree of seriousness for assaults. Drivers of commercial passenger vehicles such as bus drivers and taxi drivers provide an important community service. As they often work alone, they are vulnerable to assault by passengers. This is particularly so at night time. Bus drivers employed by the Darwin Bus Service are public servants. For assaults on public sector bus drivers, the Criminal Code provides that the maximum penalty is five years imprisonment. That is, it is a circumstance of aggravation to assault a public servant in the execution of his or her duty. The maximum penalty for such an assault is five years imprisonment.
For bus drivers who are not public servants and taxi drivers, the Criminal Code provides a maximum penalty of imprisonment for one year for common assault. Drivers of commercial passenger vehicles, whether they be public servants or not, provide the same sort of service to the public and are vulnerable to the same sort of risk.
This government believes that a person who assaults a non-public service bus driver should not be subject to a lesser penalty than a person who assaults a driver who is a public servant. This bill, therefore, levels the playing field by providing that it is a circumstance of aggravation to assault the driver of any commercial passenger vehicle, regardless of who his or her employer might be.
To provide some context to this amendment, the Northern Territory government’s Darwin Bus Service employs a total of 45, or 28%, of total bus drivers. In comparison, Buslink, which provides school and public bus services, employs 112, or 72% of drivers. There are also approximately 1100 drivers who have current H endorsement and taxi ID cards. None of these drivers are currently covered by the aggravation provision that protects public servant officers.
This bill will, therefore, have an important practical effect: over 1200 drivers will have additional legal protections against assault while carrying out their important duty.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The need for this bill was identified following an investigation and report into existing laws on drink and food spiking around the country, commissioned by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. The report was commissioned following the increasing awareness of drink and food spiking as a result of what is colloquially known as date rape.
Anecdotal evidence tells us that this is most likely to occur around licensed premises, where the item being spiked is an alcoholic beverage. Victims are unaware that their drink has either had more alcohol added to it than they expected, or has had a drug added to it. In many cases, this drink spiking causes the victim to become heavily intoxicated in a short period of time and, therefore, more vulnerable in many respects, possibly uninhibited, acquiescent and, unfortunately, less likely to have any memory upon sobering up.
The Model Criminal Law Officers Committee, comprised of senior criminal lawyers from around the country, tabled their report titled Food and Drink Spiking at a meeting in July 2007. Following presentation of the report, all Australian jurisdictions agreed, through SCAG, to work towards implementing recommendations, and ensuring that they each had comprehensive laws to properly address the issue of food and drink spiking. I am pleased to inform the House that the report indicated that the Territory already has a solid set of laws which address the most serious criminal behaviour related to food and drink spiking.
In the Northern Territory, we already have laws which make it an offence to administer a drug with the intent to commit a crime; for example, sexual assault, assault, robbery, stealing or fraud. It is also an offence to cause any substance to be taken with an intent to cause serious harm, disfigure or disable another person. Committing either of these offences attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
One area where the report indicated that Northern Territory laws were lacking however, was at the lower end of the scale; that is, when food or drink spiking occurs in a less serious context - perhaps just for a prank, or where the person spiking a drink intends only to embarrass or humiliate the victim, to make them intoxicated, or to obtain some advantage over the victim that is less serious than envisaged in existing legislation.
This bill seeks to address this gap by introducing a lesser offence which will be heard in the Court of Summary Jurisdiction. In combination with existing laws, this new offence will ensure that all members of the public are protected from food and drink spiking in every situation.
Notwithstanding the focus of this bill is for an objectively less serious offence, it must be acknowledged that all forms of food and drink spiking potentially have very serious ramifications for victims. Introducing a drug or alcohol into the food or drink of another is inherently dangerous. The victim may already be intoxicated, or they may be taking prescription medications resulting in adverse affects when combined with other drugs. They may have consumed prohibited drugs. Victims may suffer allergies to certain types of drug or alcohol. They may be at risk of injuring themselves or others, due to a lack of mobile function or rendered vulnerable to the malevolence of others as a result of their intoxicated state. It is for these reasons that this new offence is required in the Northern Territory.
The maximum penalty for this offence will be two years imprisonment. This corresponds with the recommendation made in the report. The provision will be inserted into the Criminal Code and be subject to new principles of criminal responsibility introduced by this government in 2005.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members and table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
Continued from 29 November 2007.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, this is a very straightforward bill and I believe will be the shortest response to a bill I have ever made. I should, for the sake of the Parliamentary Record, outline why that is. The first paragraph of the minister’s second reading speech said:
I have looked at the relevant changes and feel confident that we can support this bill. These Statute Law Revision Bills come from time to time. It is always important for the opposition to look through them because it is an opportunity for government to sneak things through. We do our best and, on the basis of my endeavours, I am confident that the bill can pass for the reasons outlined by the minister.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I thank the opposition for their support. As the new Attorney-General, I can see there is a lot of legislation in the pipeline. Legislation such as this, as the member for Araluen has pointed out, is revising and updating existing legislation. We are not trying to sneak anything through here. There is some important …
Ms Carney: Ah, but you might.
Dr BURNS: Under my time as Attorney-General, we will not be sneaking anything through, member for Araluen.
There are amendments to the Financial Management Act, particularly regarding the definition of ‘Consolidated Revenue Account’ which is changed to ‘Central Holding Authority’ in line with the Financial Management Act. There have been amendments to the Assembly Members Superannuation Fund to align the time requirements for the tabling of reports with other statutory bodies. There have also been amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act with definitions in road charges laws. I know, from my time as Transport minister, there is now a national system. The amendments align the Motor Vehicles Act with that national system. Also, there are the amendments to the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act. Basically, there was an incorrect provision in that penalising anyone failing to pay an annual licence fee. That has been corrected.
They are the main changes. Madam Speaker, I thank the opposition for their support.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General) (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 29 November 2007.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, this bill is supported. I take the opportunity of thanking the minister’s staff very much for their straightforward, efficient, no-nonsense approach to responding to some questions I had. I hope this is not going to be the last time we can work in such a cooperative and friendly way. I sincerely thank them.
The bill makes a number of amendments to five acts. I do not propose to go through the amendments or the effect of the amendments to the other acts. To some extent, that was done sufficiently in the second reading speech.
I do, however, want to dangle something in front of the minister. It arises from changes to the Juries Act. Your staff, minister, will know that I have been interested in this. I do not propose to revisit everything we have communicated to one another. However, one of the amendments changes the age for jurors to serve. I understand that change was requested by the Chief Justice. There are good public policy reasons in support of that age increase. There are also potential – and I do not put it any higher than that - difficulties, the details of which I have discussed by way of e-mail with your staff. It then leads to a consideration by government. I can indicate that if I were Attorney-General - and I may never be Attorney-General, but if I were - I reckon I would be asking my department to have a very serious look at whether the Territory can do judge-alone trials. Thanks to your staff, I have been advised that in the 1950s in the Territory we had judge-alone trials. That is a long time ago. I believe it is worth having a good look at it.
I am a member of a four-member opposition. I do not have the resources or the capacity to get anywhere near this, if I am to continue to do what other parts of my job require. I sincerely invite the Attorney-General to have a look at this. It may be something that could be developed over time. I believe the issue should be discussed. No doubt, there will be a range of views within the legal profession. You will have the same old divide between the prosecutors and the defence lawyers. You will have others throwing in their two bobs’ worth.
Why should we look at this? Because, as was pointed out by your staff, and we know it to be the case in any event, in the Territory we have a very small pool from which to draw jurors. That is partly why this particular change in relation to the Juries Act has come about. We cannot get enough people to serve on our juries - and I do not mean that in terms of human beings turning up to court. The minister will appreciate that one of the fundamental tenets of having a jury trial is to be judged by one’s peers. Is it not questionable for us in the Northern Territory or, indeed, any other jurisdiction, to sanction a situation where we may on occasion – and again I do not put it any higher than that – have jury trials where the accused is not, in fact, being judged by his or her peers? This is the sort of stuff that has often taken up dinner party conversation with bunches of lawyers for generations. I suspect it will continue to do so. I simply invite the minister to have a look at this issue.
I take the minister seriously when he has said on a number of occasions that he takes the role of Attorney-General and the Territory’s first law officer very seriously. In that regard you are very much like Peter Toyne who took it very seriously as well. It is a wonderful opportunity to be Attorney-General of the Northern Territory. I invite you to use that opportunity to consider this for the proper administration of justice in the longer term.
With those comments, I thank the Attorney-General and his staff. I look forward to hearing from you at the end of this and, perhaps, on another occasion we can have a chat more informally.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I just put my two bobs’ worth in about the Juries Act as well. I have had people come to see me over a number of years in relation to what they feel is the inadequate payment for people to attend juries - not because they do not want to be on a jury, but the circumstances they are in makes it very difficult for them to take time off work. I refer particularly to self-employed people or small business people. I hope that the minister will look at an amendment which will allow realistic payment to people who suffer financial loss by being on a jury.
For big companies and the public service it is not a problem. The employers pay those people to be on the jury. They regard it as a public service and are willing to pay their employees to be on those juries. However, for someone who is self-employed – say, a tree lopper, for instance - who is asked to be on a jury and cannot be exempted, he has to employ someone else to do the job while he is on the jury. When he is not on the jury, he is paid $20 a day. Obviously, he is paying someone else a lot more money than $20 a day to do the tree lopping. While he is on the jury he is actually losing business because it is costing him more to employ someone doing a job that he should be doing.
It is the same with some small business people. If you are running a shop and you, for instance as the manager, might have to go on the jury, then you have great difficulty with getting someone who can take your place, or you have to close the business down for the time you are on the jury.
I hope that when the government is looking at reviewing the Juries Act again that it takes into account that many people are happy to take up what is a public responsibility of a citizen; that is, to work on juries. However, because there is such a small number of people in the Northern Territory to pick from, many people who are self-employed or in small business are selected, and they find the financial hardship required to sit on these juries - or to wait to find out if they are on a jury - considerable. I know the previous Attorney-General, Peter Toyne, did change some of the Juries Act so that, with trials that ran over nine days, people were paid more than previously. However, I do not believe that still gets around the inadequate pay or allowances that are given to people who are just sitting around waiting to find out if the trial is going to occur, or for people who are dealing with trials that last under 10 days.
The funny thing is that, when we have boards that the government sets up, such as the Development Consent Authority, the Liquor Commission or whatever, the people who serve on those boards are paid quite an adequate amount of money per day - a sitting fee. I believe we should be looking at something similar for people sitting on juries. I mention that just as an aside, but it does give me a chance, under this particular bill, to bring that to the attention of the minister.
The other area I would like to look into - and I may ask that we go into committee stage so I can ask some direct questions - is in relation to the amendment to the Law of Property Act; specifically in relation to changes to clauses surrounding easements. I know the minister enjoyed the debate yesterday when we spent some time talking about consultation. During the briefing I had in relation to this particular clause, I asked whether anyone was consulted about these changes. Easements relate to councils and service providers such as Power and Water and telecommunications companies. I would have thought, although this might appear to be minor in its change, that the government would have consulted with councils, Power and Water, Telstra, and perhaps even the Real Estate Institute because you can have other kinds of easements that relate to real estate. I thought that would have been the appropriate thing to do, to ensure that this particular act did not have any unforeseen changes which could affect people who have rights over these easements.
I rang Darwin City Council in relation to this. I spoke to the Town Clerk. He said they had not been asked for any opinion in relation to this. Easements, from a council perspective, are extremely important. Easements in local government are extremely important, because many people have rights of way. Litchfield Shire, unfortunately, is burdened with easements and rights of way because, in the past, they were a method of planning permission to do subdivisions without actually having to do much work in relation to infrastructure. Instead of putting in a road, they would put 10 or 20, what we call ‘battle-axe handles’, which were only about 10 m wide, which would all be connected to the one road. Some of those battle-axe handles would be anything from 100 m long to probably nearly 1 km long. Over the top of those, they put power and water and access easements. That has always been a problem for the Litchfield Council, because no one understood what those easements meant.
When you look at this bill, it is possibly a perfectly good amendment. However, if you took in the case of an easement - for instance, I could give you a couple of examples: there are some off Townend Road and a classic example is Old Bynoe Road. I do not know if people have been down Old Bynoe Road. It is a very strange road, because the first part is public road. The second part is actually built over a series of battle-axe handles, and no one would know that unless they looked at the map. That is not public road; it has, from memory, a 30 m easement for water, power and access. The council, at that time, wrote to the Minister for Lands and Planning in the Country Liberal Party’s days, asking for some assistance in trying to fix these issues. The government was not forthcoming, because there were many complications trying to change these things in relation to subdivisions - getting approval from everyone who owns a piece of the easement; all these sorts of things. It is quite complex to get a change, and would require a determined effort by government to, in some cases, get rid of these things. As we know, easements are part of people’s titles and, therefore, you need to have compensation paid for them.
If I take the example of Old Bynoe Road, it has now what appears to be a public road. It is going over a set of easements and, according to this, you would have one law which said it is a road and one law which said we have laws applying to this easement which are reasonable and appropriate. I know this law does not apply in retrospect to existing easements, but I would not want to have the case that we have at Old Bynoe Road occurring again. That might not happen. The point is that it does happen in Litchfield Shire at the present time. Hopefully, good planning decisions mean that it will not happen ever again. I am interested to see what the relationship is between the rights of people who own an easement and that easement which is now more or less a public road.
I know that the member for Goyder has brought this issue to the notice of the government. I thank him for that, because I also know of the particular case to which he referred. Unfortunately, he and I know that this is not going to change that situation. It will change it for the future easements but it will not change it for existing easements. Whether another approach to the problem that these people in Bees Creek have could be applied, I am not sure. One of the possible suggestions may be that road or access easements can be covered by the Traffic Act, where a council can actually declare that the speed limit on those rights of way or easements will be such and such and the normal road rules would apply. Perhaps one cannot do that because that would be changing things in retrospect. Maybe that cannot happen. Perhaps there are other avenues we can look at.
I have some sympathy for the people who are involved. Perhaps there is also a problem with what you would call disharmony between neighbours. When the owner of the land says something, the other one gets aggravated. As a show of bravado, they decide to ignore the owner and continue the behaviour which is upsetting them. It is a difficult one to fix.
What worried me a little was that the government had no consultation with those people who deal with easements. Darwin City Council has told me that they have no problem with it, but that was not really the issue. It would have been wiser to have checked with all these particular service people. I have not checked with Power and Water or Telstra, but the government should have, just to ensure that this particular change does not have any ramifications either for the government or those service providers. I would like to continue some questioning of the minister in relation to this in the committee stage.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Madam Speaker, I support the minister’s legislation on the Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2007. In particular, I want to talk about Part 4, the amendments to the Juries Act and Part 5, amendments to the Law of Property Act. That seems to be the two points that the opposition and Independents have spoken about. They are very topical issues.
Before I start, I appreciate the cross-Chamber support of this bill. It amazes me how the opposition and Independents take the opportunity - and I know it is the liberty of parliament, but we are debating a bill regarding the Juries Act; specifically, people over 65 not be excluded - to try to espouse other changes they would like to see in future. That is part and parcel of parliament but, by the same token, I do not think it is in the spirit of the bipartisan approach. It beggars belief that even when there is an opportunity to agree on things, there has to be that element of antagonism.
I am sure the Leader of the Opposition did not mean it when she talked about judgment by peers. I am sure she did not mean that people over 65 could not be considered as peers of people before the court system. I will leave that at that. You have to be very careful what you say in this House because it can be interpreted slightly differently.
Anyway, let us talk about this great bill and people over 65. Some of us may live long enough to enter this House when we are over 65. Under current legislation, we might find ourselves as members of parliament but, by the same token, we could not act as jurors. That would be very disconcerting. There is a great recognition of seniors in our communities ...
Mrs Miller: So there should be.
Mr WARREN: Exactly right. This is long overdue. People over 65 have a very valuable part to play in our jury system. This legislation acknowledges that. I am quite surprised to see that they were excluded. I did not know that. Most over 65-year-olds would be very upset to find out that they are currently excluded. Of course, it is about ensuring that we get the jury numbers in. The Leader of the Opposition is partly right but, that is not the whole reason. It is a bigger picture. It is a recognition that senior Territorians play a valuable part in our community. They have a great part to play on our juries. As an earlier generation, they have a broad perspective of life. They are ideally suited to be on juries. From that perspective, the Leader of the Opposition does not have the full picture. That does not surprise me ...
Ms Carney: No, I do not think the Leader of the Opposition is here.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Goyder, please pause. I believe you mean the member for Araluen.
Mr WARREN: Sorry, I stand corrected. I am living in the past.
Mrs Miller: We know that.
Ms Carney: Is it true you were the shortest Chairman of Committees in the history of the parliament?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr WARREN: I do recall the ex-Leader of the Opposition saying that she had ambitions to come back. Maybe I am talking in the future. Maybe I am talking with poetic licence.
Anyway, let us address the important issue; that is, the matter of 65-year-olds. I commend the minister for that. Of course, 65-year-olds have the liberty of being able to choose whether they feel up to being on jury service. That is the essence of the whole thing: that people over 65 years are valued and have a choice, and that that choice is recognised.
The other part of the amendment bill I would like to talk about is the Law of Property Act. As the member for Nelson said, it is very close to both his heart and mine because it is an issue we deal with all the time. People do come to local politicians on issues which are related to personal matters between different people and different issues. I am glad that the government has listened to the issue. It is about people who do not behave – that is at the core of this. It is about people who are noisy, do damage, do burn-outs, all sorts of unruly behaviour, damage fauna and flora, and damage owners’ property where that person, or their predecessors, have made special dispensation for people to access their property. That is really a sad indictment on modern society in many respects; that we have to start looking at legislating in this respect. It undermines the rural character and spirit, to some degree. The member for Nelson and I both agree that we fight very hard to keep that rural spirit out there but, sometimes, that rural community spirit does not always flow through to neighbours.
What we must recognise is the two elements that the member for Nelson raised regarding lack of retrospectivity of the bill. We need to acknowledge that people do make genuine agreements and have, in the past, made them. Whilst it would have been nice for us to be able to wipe the slate clean, we have to acknowledge that there is a legal framework and legitimacy of existing agreements between property owners and users of access ways. That is very important. A lot of them were given under the right spirit and I would hate to see them swept away because of overregulation. It could probably fall into that element of overregulation if we had made it totally retrospective. The member for Nelson and I have spoken at great length on this particular aspect and we are of one mind on it. However, we are also pragmatic enough to realise that, in some situations, we cannot always change what is legitimately law. By the same token, it is important that we introduce this type of legislation to ensure that this does not happen again. That is what the amendment will do and that is why I support this in its entirety. It is about the future and recognising that things do change. When agreements were made in the past between parties, sometimes the parties changed, sometimes their relationships changed and, so, it is very important to try to give some good solid basis to agreements such as this.
The other element that the member for Nelson raised is about the effect of easements on private, council, and government areas. It covers the whole lot. I am not a legalistic mind to understand the full reasoning for that, but I am sure that, in drafting this legislation, that was seriously taken into consideration as part of the whole drafting process. However, I remind the member for Nelson that such easements of council, government, and other government-related entities are protected by titles and covenants. As they are in there, I am not quite sure how things would change under that. I understand you are talking about a couple of situations where there are very long battle-axe blocks and things like that. However, they still come under titles and covenants. You might be mixing up the problems we have with right of way as far as driving down some of these battle-axe blocks, and some of the covenants that apply when Power and Water and others put easements through.
I agree with the member for Nelson that council could play a great part in this. I welcome you to join with me in trying to lobby for council to change some of the aspects that they have an effect on. Also, maybe, to talk about future consent authority developments to look at the battle-axe situation, and support me. I know you do feel strongly about battle-axe blocks, as I do. Again, it is one of those areas where you can look at the future and not so much look at the past - although what we can do, we do.
With that, Madam Speaker, I commend the minister and support this bill.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I understand from the member for Nelson that we will be moving into committee. There will, obviously, be questions that the member for Nelson will have during that time. I will try to cover the main points that people have raised so far. I thank all speakers for their contribution.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for supporting this legislation. I certainly …
Ms Carney: No, he did not. Member for Araluen.
Dr BURNS: I am sorry.
Ms Carney: I am tough but …
Dr BURNS: It was not intentional.
Ms Carney: I know.
Dr BURNS: The member for Araluen. I was getting it right yesterday. Okay, the member for Araluen for her comments and her support for this legislation and for the issues that she has raised. As I said to her when I first took on the role of Attorney-General, I want to work in a cooperative fashion with her. Inasmuch as I am bound by Cabinet decisions and government policy, I am very happy to work with you. If you have suggestions and constructive criticism, of course, we will take that on board. I am glad to hear that there is a cooperative relationship between you and my office. I want that to continue. That can only benefit the laws that we put through this parliament. We can work in a constructive way. I also value the input from people with a legal background on this side of the House: the members for Brennan and Millner. You have a role as a shadow Attorney-General. I know you have much to offer and I thank you for your suggestions.
I take on board what you say about people needing to be judged by a jury of their peers. There are concerns, not so much that older people will be on the jury, but that we get the mix right on juries. This is very important and we need to watch that. This suggestion has come forward from the Chief Justice himself. When the Chief Justice makes suggestions, of course, government and government departments listen to those and we try to accommodate these very constructive suggestions. I have met with the Chief Justice. I have also met with the Chief Magistrate. These are people who are really, in their own way, representing their own constituency, if I can put it like that. They are putting forth their ideas for the ways in which, they believe, our judicial system can work better. I have given an undertaking to them, as Attorney-General, that, where possible, we will be making changes that they suggest.
The member for Araluen has made a suggestion about judge-alone trials, and this is a very topical issue at present. As I understand it, there are a number of jurisdictions that have the capacity currently for judge-only trials, but that is at the request only of the defence counsel. I understand also that this matter is going to be raised at the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. I will take your comments on board regarding judge-only trials ...
Ms Carney: Nothing higher than you would look at it? You would give it some consideration?
Dr BURNS: Well, certainly in the context of SCAG. You have asked that I seek the advice of the department. I will raise this issue in my regular meetings with people like the Law Society, CLANT, and the Chief Justice. I can assure you it is squarely on the agenda of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. I am yet to attend my first meeting of SCAG, as it is called. I have heard a lot about it. I am looking forward to meeting my colleagues in SCAG. Thank you, member for Araluen, for your comments.
The member for Nelson also raised a very important issue about juries and the imposition on people who have small businesses and about the lost earnings that these people experience, particularly with longer trials. The member for Nelson also mentioned that my predecessor - two back, I suppose - Peter Toyne, did change legislation in relation to longer trials to try to address this issue. It is a difficult issue. On one side, you have the obligations that we have as citizens to serve on juries, balanced, I suppose, by the potential loss of income and, in some cases, threats and even risks to people’s business. I am advised that those are issues that people can put forward if they are called up for jury duty as an encumbrance or a barrier to them serving on a jury. As with the member for Araluen, I undertake to look further into that, member for Nelson, and find out what happens in other states. I am sure it is a common problem right across Australia.
You have raised issues in relation to easements. Basically, as I understand it, these amendments are really enshrining or codifying the importance of reasonable use of easements. They do not preclude other requirements as part of an agreement to do with easements, whether it be with a local authority or between neighbouring landowners, or the person whose property the easement goes through.
You have raised the issue of consultation. As I understand it, what we are doing here is setting a basic condition of easements, covering conditions that were not covered before. Currently, owners troubled by unruly, unjustified or noisy use of these rights of way or easements cannot rely on conditions contained in the easements to ensure reasonable and appropriate use either because there are no conditions or the type of the extent of the conditions are not clearly stated. Therefore, this is setting a basic template, if you like, saying that there should be reasonable use and it should be used in an appropriate manner. It does not preclude people from putting other conditions within the easement. In other words, it is bringing something into being that should have been brought into being a long time ago. I believe it will be welcomed as this moves on in the future, because it is not about retrospective use, it is about agreements around easements into the future.
I thank the member for Goyder for his contribution. He certainly is very passionate about the capacity of our seniors to contribute to our society and our community. He is probably the senior in our Caucus, and he certainly makes a massive contribution there. People who are older mostly have some wisdom and experience of life. It is good that they now have the capacity, if they are over 65, to participate in juries.
In relation to easements, this was something that was proposed by the member for Goyder and I thank him for that. He, together with the member for Nelson, had a lot of representations from people in the rural area about inappropriate use of easements. We stated at the outset that government will not be making this retrospective, because that would probably open up the question of whether we are actually coming over the top of existing agreements, even to the extent that we are acquiring property or rights. The government does not want to go there. That would open up a complete minefield. The top would come off the genie bottle. We would be involved in all sorts of conflicts that I do not think it is appropriate for us to be involved in, as those are existing agreements and we would be trying to override them.
Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contribution. I commend this bill to the House. I understand that we are going into committee stage and the member for Nelson has a number of questions to ask.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Clauses 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 5:
Mr WOOD: Madam Chair, I have a technical question for the minister. This is in relation to a particular issue the member for Goyder was talking about. As an aside, I have not had a lot of people complaining about easements. We have had one person complaining a lot about easements might be the better way to put it
My understanding of this particular block of land is that it is actually a right of way. Doing a bit of reading through my legal dictionary, there are definitions for easements and for right of way. Can you tell me whether this change to the use of an easement in the Territory applies to a right of way or, in other words, are they the same thing?
Dr BURNS: I am advised, member for Nelson, that they are the same. This bill pertains to what is also called ‘easements in gross’ which are really the sort of easements which service organisations such as Power and Water, etcetera have. It applies to both an easement where someone can go through to their property, house or whatever through someone else’s property. However, it also applies to the easements in gross, which are really service easements.
Mr WOOD: Therefore, when I am referring to a road easement, access easement or a right of way, I am referring to the same thing.
Dr BURNS: I will confirm that once again. Yes, I am advised that is correct because an easement is like a right in the land.
Mr WOOD: We just need to clear that up because I know that on the title of the land that we are talking about, it is definitely right of way. I need to ensure that we were covering what was part of the initial problem.
I mentioned about consulting with different groups. The reason is because I agree that this is a template. On the surface, it might appear to be fine, but I would have liked to have found out what Power and Water thought about it. Someone could be a little picky about this. They may have said: ‘I do not think Telstra is doing the right thing and, under this act, we are going to take this somewhere’. I do not know where they would take you. That is the reason I hoped we would get some feedback from Power and Water.
The other area that worries me is Telstra. Telstra, I presume, operates under the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act and have easements for telecommunications. Would those easements that are used for communications be covered by our act?
Dr BURNS: I am advised yes, member for Nelson. Easements in gross that I mentioned before actually give organisations like Telstra and Power and Water the rights over those easements, even though they do not have rights over the land - or an interest in the land is probably the better way to put it.
Mr WOOD: I was just concerned that sometimes, when Telstra does things, they can do them because they come under the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act which has fairly broad powers. As some people would know, they can lay a telephone line on the land, run it along a fence line, and all sorts of things because they have a lot more power built into the act to allow them to do those things. Is there a clash between our Northern Territory law on this and the Commonwealth’s law?
Dr BURNS: I am not sure whether the activities that the member for Nelson is talking about, such as laying a cable along someone’s fence line, really comes into what we are talking about here about easements in gross. I am advised, member for Nelson, that if it is an easement in gross there are clearly spelled-out conditions about access, giving notice, and all of the things that would concern the landowner. I am not sure exactly what you are alluding to regarding Telstra having special powers. However, regarding an actual easement under Northern Territory law and an easement in gross, this is codified here.
In relation to consultation with these organisations, basically, this is a template. My advice is that these organisations have very detailed agreements and conditions within their easements, so it is all very clearly spelled out anyway.
Mr WOOD: Yes. I only used the example of Telstra being able to run a line along the fence because they are allowed to do it because the act that they come under allows them to do that. You are not allowed to interfere with it. I was just using that as an example of the power they have. All I am saying is that, generally, Telstra will have an easement in which they put their telephone lines. I was only just making the example that, presuming Telstra is doing its work under the auspices of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act which allows them to do that, does our law apply? For instance, say they were putting down a trench and they did not fill it in properly or they made a mess of someone’s front lawn, or whatever - they have easements along the nature strips - and you thought they had not done the work in an appropriate and reasonable manner. Would our laws actually apply to the job they had done?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I am advised that the specific issues the member for Nelson is talking about fall under the federal act, and those residents would have redress under the federal act.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, minister. I am not sure here, but, in my bit of research between the briefing and parliament, I gather that you can have easements over things like walls and roofs when it comes to titles of buildings where, for instance, a roof may overlay another block of land. You can get an easement to do that. Would that sort of thing apply and be covered by this act as well?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I am advised that it would.
Mr WOOD: Minister, we have told people that, under the Powers of Attorney Act, you now must use the land for a reasonable and appropriate purpose. What happens if someone does not use it for that purpose?
Dr BURNS: I am advised, member for Nelson, that if someone does breach an agreement through unreasonable or inappropriate use, that the other person has recourse to the courts.
Mr WOOD: My view of the second reading is that it says that the owner can ask for a review. Is that separate from going to the courts, or do they have two options?
Dr BURNS: Member for Nelson, I am advised, that the review is part of the process that could precede court. Hopefully, issues could be resolved through the review but, if they cannot be, I am advised that the person has recourse to go the courts.
Mr WOOD: I think we need to keep to the case we were referring to because part of the reason we are here today is that one neighbour is claiming that the other neighbour is inappropriately using the easement; that is, they are speeding up and down, creating dust, and not locking the gates. From a practical perspective, how could they stop that immediately? They might think that there is danger to life and limb and fences and all sorts of things. At the same time, if you do not have an answer immediately, how long will this process take to try to stop that happening?
Dr BURNS: I am advised, member for Nelson, that the process is as I outlined to you before. We are talking about something that is happening prospectively, not retrospectively. We are talking about someone who makes an agreement regarding an easement under this new law, not an existing easement and, if one of the parties breaches it and has unreasonable or inappropriate use, I have outlined the process through use of the courts. Unfortunately, member for Nelson, I cannot say that it would get into a court tomorrow. We know that courts are very busy. In answer to your question, there would not be an immediate mechanism to stop this behaviour; it would have to come before the court. I cannot give you a definite answer about how long that might take. I suppose we have all had experience with the courts, or seen matters before the courts. It depends on the business of the court and how soon it can get before the court.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, minister. On another issue close to that, in your second reading you said owners will be entitled to seek a review of the grant of easement if the users fail to respect their obligations. My understanding is that you can go to court and complain about the use of it, but the way it is written here, according to the second reading, I can seek a review. The first question I have is: does that mean my attempts to have a review can be knocked back? Who would review my complaint if I put one forward?
Dr BURNS: I am advised, as I said previously, that parties can seek a review if things are amicable between the parties. They can seek a review between themselves and a mediator. If that is not appropriate or successful, the matter then can go to court. The court would undertake that review and ascertain whether the use was appropriate. Basically, member for Nelson, that is what I have been advised.
Mr WOOD: Just to clarify that, if owners will be entitled to seek a review, I thought that might be in relation to the government, because the government gives out these grants of easements under titles when it issues its subdivision. I did not know whether it would be a matter for a government department to review the grant of the easement or it is a job for the court to decide that. Obviously, the review is actually court-based, not a government department?
Dr BURNS: Yes. That is what I am advised, member for Nelson.
Mr WOOD: All right. Just to clarify. I am not trying to be pedantic, but we have introduced a bit of legislation which is new. It might sound small but I need to know who it applies to and the practicality of what this law will mean to ordinary people who have easements from now on. I suppose I am looking to see whether it will work. If it is going to take six months and, by that time, the road is destroyed and the cattle have gone out because the gate is never shut, it can be a long road to get redress.
Thank you, minister, for the answers you have given. I support the amendment. I am interested to see how it works in practice. I might contact some of these service groups just to double check on some of those issues. If I think that there is a problem, maybe it is worth bringing that back to parliament at a future date.
I thank the member for Goyder as well. It is an area that was of concern. It is a pity we cannot fix that particular person’s problems; perhaps it will ensure there are none of these kinds of problems in the future.
Clause 5 agreed to.
Remainder of bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill reported; report adopted.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, today I make a statement on one of the most critical issues facing the Northern Territory, Australia and the world. It is an issue which affects all of us in our homes and at work and poses huge challenges for all tiers of government across Australia. However, climate change also presents some significant opportunities for the Territory. There are opportunities for our small businesses to develop carbon offset programs. There are opportunities to create more real jobs in remote areas, jobs which will be particularly attractive to indigenous Territorians. These jobs will be focused on the land and country. There are some very significant investment opportunities in new energy sources, what is known as ‘renewable energy’ such as geothermal energy.
The next 12 months will be a crucial stage in developing responses to climate change in Australia. It is a real milestone. This milestone has been created by the actions of the new federal government moving to immediately ratify the Kyoto Protocol. After years of prevarication by the Howard government, Australia can now move forward in the area of climate change. The next 12 months will see the Northern Territory government working closely and cooperatively with the Commonwealth, states and territories.
We will be designing new systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A centrepiece will be the National Emissions Trading Scheme. We will be working with other states that have similar climatic conditions to the Territory to ensure we have the best scientific data on which to base decisions. We will be identifying the best and most cost-effective programs to adapt to the effect of climate change.
Some people view climate change in the same vein as the Y2K bug – just an alarmist idea, an alarmist theory, dreamed up by scientists. They believe it is not going to happen and, if it is happening, we cannot do anything about it. Let me make it clear: those people are wrong on all counts.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its Fourth Assessment Report on the state of knowledge of climate change. The IPCC made a number of major conclusions that have reduced the uncertainty around our impact on our climate. Most significantly, the IPCC found that we can now be over 90% certain that humans are causing the globe to warm.
Last year, the Stern Report from the UK found that, globally, the economic benefits of strong, early action to address climate change easily outweigh any cost. The Garnaut Climate Change Review, about which I will speak further, is Australia’s own in-depth examination of climate change and what we can do about it.
The good news is that these reports, and others like them, present options to slow, stop and even reverse the effects of climate change. These reports also show that the economic benefits of strong, early action easily outweigh any cost. Whether climate change is slowed, stopped or reversed will depend absolutely on what you and I start and stop doing now. As former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said at the launch of the Stern Review:
The Northern Territory government is taking action and showing leadership. We have a three-pronged strategy we will be focusing on over the crucial next 12 months. This strategy involves: working and negotiating at the national level to ensure the Territory’s contribution and needs are recognised; developing a Northern Territory approach to climate change in light of the national and international developments; and working with Territorians to ensure we are on the right track, both at the national and local levels. This is our plan for active leadership.
Before I ask Territorians, individually and collectively, to increase their contribution to reducing our carbon footprint, I want to set out some of the successful projects which Territorians have already achieved. Two years ago, the then minister for the Environment and now Deputy Chief Minister presented the NT Strategy for Greenhouse Action to the Assembly. I will highlight three of the many successes of this strategy.
First, I will briefly talk about the Solar Cities project in Alice Springs. I know the Minister for Mines and Energy will talk about this project in more detail shortly. This government has been a very strong supporter of the project from the very first bid to the Commonwealth for the iconic town of Alice Springs to be included in this innovative living research.
The second successful project I highlight for the ongoing success of the NT Strategy for Greenhouse Action is the support for the Schools Energy Blitz. This project has been coordinated by the Darwin Cool Mob Community Group which, I acknowledge, was originally an Environment Centre initiative which, I am happy to say, the Territory government now helps to fund. Six schools are involved with this project including Berry Springs Primary, Dripstone Middle, Humpty Doo Primary, Woodroffe Primary and Malak Primary. A number of the projects involve replacing fluorescent tubes with the latest technology lamps which have equivalent light output. An even simpler project features halving the number of fluorescent tubes in the school by installing reflectors in light fittings to reflect more light out of each fitting.
I am particularly impressed by the school’s energy blitz project on three counts: (1) they are effective; (2) they are not rocket science - you and I can do the same at home; and (3) the projects have been spearheaded by a community group - yes, funded by government but taken on board, developed and implemented by the community. The way our sons and daughters get involved in projects like this through the schools never ceases to impress and motivate me.
The third highlight is Northern Territory scientists leading research into estimating greenhouse gas emissions from savannah fires. That phrase has a particularly good ring to it: ‘NT scientists leading research’. Building on the success of the West Arnhem Fire Management Agreement in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from savannah fires in West Arnhem Land, research is continuing to refine emissions accounting to enable strategic fire management projects meet the rigorous standards required to be recognised as abatement or offset projects under existing and emerging carbon markets.
The Territory is a leader in this field. Indigenous Territorians have embraced the program. We need more of these partnerships, and our three-pronged strategy addresses this need. Territory scientists from Charles Darwin University are also leading research in partnership with the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines. This partnership is undertaking climate change scenario planning to assist Territory-based industries. In addition to community involvement in developing the scenario, early results will be communicated at the May 2008 Charles Darwin University symposium on water.
Since 2005, one of our objectives in the area of climate change has been for the Northern Territory government to achieve and maintain best practice energy management in government operations. The intention is that agencies lead Territory greenhouse gas reduction by example. Since 2005, government has had an Energy Smart Buildings policy in place. I have seen an early version of the latest report on this policy and believe there is significant capacity to do more.
Whilst we have achieved some successes in this area, energy consumption per capita is increasing and is across the general population both in Australia and overseas. Early indications are that there has been a whole-of-government increase of almost 1% in total building energy consumption - and, hence, greenhouse gas emissions - during 2006-07. I say ‘early indications’ as there are a number of issues with measuring greenhouse gas emissions. I will have more to say later on effective measurement.
Now is the time for the government to up the ante and do more. As part of the Northern Territory government policy on climate change, each agency will develop a plan to contribute to Territorians’ efforts in reducing our carbon footprint. Most agencies use only a single digit percentage of total NTG energy use. The two biggest users are: the Department of Health and Community Services with 89 sites around the Territory which contributes 42% of total NTG energy use; and the Department of Employment, Education and Training with 179 sites - predominantly schools - around the Territory which contributes to 25% of government energy use.
The department of Health is looking actively at ways to reduce its emissions, particularly at RDH. However, experience here and in other jurisdictions is that it is difficult for hospitals to balance operational requirements with energy efficiency measures. Whether agencies are big or small users of energy, there are ways of reducing our carbon footprint, and I look forward to seeing the implementation of new initiatives.
On a whole-of-government basis, I have asked the new Minister for Corporate and Information Services to examine government office accommodation leasing policies. In the next four to five years, the leases of approximately three-quarters of government accommodation are due to be renewed. I want to send an early message to the owners of buildings across the Territory that energy efficient buildings and measures will be a consideration in new government leasing arrangements. On a related matter, major cleaning contracts will need to be examined to ensure recycling provisions are included. What I want to achieve by developing a leasing policy which reduces our carbon footprint is ‘designing out’ the energy and efficiencies before ‘designing in’ the need for higher energy supplies. The policy approach can be equated to preventative medicine: it is much better not to have the problem in the first place.
These measures are a clear demonstration of the Territory government’s commitment to inculcating in its daily operations the reductions of its carbon footprint. I spoke earlier of the need to measure the effectiveness of the climate change actions we are taking and to ensure more economic rigor is brought to the table. Frankly, there is no point in adopting measures which do not meet a cost-benefit analysis. Treasury has expertise in assessing initiatives to ensure we get a return on our investment over the short-, medium- and long-term. Any assessment of new climate change measures will need to consider the estimated reduction in greenhouse gases against the proposed cost.
I want to go further. I have asked the Auditor-General to develop a performance management system audit program which will examine the efficiency and effectiveness of government agencies’ environmental performance management systems. Systems will need to be developed that provide information to permit the government and others to understand the extent to which outcomes are being achieved, and early warning systems that can alert people to those goals which are not going to be reached so corrective action can be taken in advance. The systems and audits to be developed will ensure costs are minimised wherever possible.
Madam Speaker, I now turn to national and international developments. On a national level, since the swearing in of Hon Kevin Rudd MP as Australia’s 26th Prime Minister on 3 December 2007, the movement on achieving goals in the area of climate change has moved into top gear. On that same day, and as the first official act of the new federal government, Australia commenced the process of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. Formal ratification will take effect on 11 March this year. The Northern Territory government has already stated its support for the ratification. Ratification means that the new federal government has confirmed its commitment to the existing international framework for addressing increased global greenhouse emissions. The previous federal government stated it was committed to meeting Australia’s target under the Kyoto Protocol of limiting emissions growth to an 8% increase above 1990 levels over the years 2008 to 2012. But the Howard government was not willing to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
The new federal government is willing to take this commitment an important step further. By ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, the incentive to meet our Kyoto target is much greater. Australia faces possible penalties under future international arrangements should we fail to meet the current target. Ratification is an important step in showing international leadership. We have already seen at the Bali conference late last year that, by ratifying Kyoto, Australia is now able, willing and actively playing a constructive role in negotiations on the international approach to Kyoto post-2012, which is the end of the first commitment period.
Another advantage of ratification is that Australian businesses can participate in the international carbon markets created by the Kyoto Protocol. This will create yet more opportunities for businesses, and also the all-important investment certainty.
Looking beyond the first Kyoto commitment period, the Commonwealth government has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% of 2000 levels by 2050. This target has the support of all state and territory governments.
Over the next few months, the Council of Australian Governments will be working on a significant and ambitious agenda for climate change in pursuit of this target. Officials from various Northern Territory government agencies have advised me how refreshing it is to now deal with a Commonwealth government that wants to do something about climate change - not just to do something, but to do it quickly and, even better, to work cooperatively with the states and territories in the areas of: an increased national renewable energy target; a national emissions trading scheme and streamlined complementary measures to support the scheme; adaptation measures; energy efficiency, and water.
Whilst each of these areas is important, I take great solace from advice that, by adopting energy efficiency measures, there is strong evidence that Australia can reduce its energy consumption painlessly by around 30%. The development of policies in these areas will be informed by the Garnaut Climate Change Review. This review was commissioned by the state and territory governments in April 2007. The new Commonwealth government has now become an active participant in the review.
Despite the best-laid plans of the Deputy Chief Minister to attend the meeting of the Council of Australia Federation in Adelaide today, it has not been possible. Fortunately, there will be senior officers from the Department of the Chief Minister in attendance at the CAF meeting to consider the briefing by Professor Garnaut on his interim findings of where and how Australia should pursue its climate change objectives.
To coordinate this extensive body of work happening at both the national and NT levels, and to ensure the Territory benefits from the emerging opportunities, I have established, within the Department of Chief Minister, a Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit. After considering the arrangements in other jurisdictions, I considered that this model, with a staff of three people, best suits the needs of the Territory.
Importantly, I draw members’ attention to the title of this unit – Climate Change Policy and Coordination. The unit will develop the Northern Territory climate change policy and coordinate government’s efforts. The unit will ensure that all important operational implementation is handled by experts in line agencies. We are fortunate to have some serious expertise across government. Officers have a strong history of involvement at the national level with such matters as the National Emissions Trading Task Force and the Garnaut Climate Change Review.
My Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit will chair a steering committee of major agencies to develop and drive the Territory’s agenda at the national level; to develop a Northern Territory climate change policy; and to communicate with Territorians. To assist this work we are in the process of retaining a consultant who will work with the steering committee over the next 12 months. The consultant will provide expert advice and strategies in developing the Territory’s position on the COAG climate change agenda including emissions trading, renewable energy targets, land clearing, carbon offsets, and water management.
We all know that the Territory is a unique and special place to live, work and raise a family. We have a young and growing economy. The challenge for us is to ensure the Territory continues to develop whilst contributing to national and global efforts to combat climate change. The Territory’s economy, resources and environment are different to the major states. Certainly, our electricity generation source sets us apart. The Northern Territory primarily uses gas to produce electricity. Gas, in comparison to coal, is a low emitter of greenhouse gases. Coal is used elsewhere in Australia as it is abundant and cheap. Whilst coal may be cheap, it also produces significant amounts of carbon dioxide.
As part of a national scheme to reduce emissions, the Territory will be required, over the coming years, to increase the amount of energy produced from renewable sources. Such sources, of course, exclude both gas and coal. States and territories are looking to their natural resources to source renewable energy. For example, Tasmania has hydro power and South Australia is producing energy from wind. With Commonwealth support, the Northern Territory has some very successful solar electricity generation plants running in Hermannsburg, Lajamanu, Yuendumu and Kings Canyon, to name but a few communities.
There could also be a real potential in the long term with geothermal energy. By long term, we are looking at a minimum 10 years development. Put simply, geothermal energy is generated by heat stored beneath the earth’s surface. Other jurisdictions are looking actively at this significant new renewable energy. Geothermal energy has the potential to be a panacea to Australia’s renewable energy targets. There are enough private investment companies looking to explore further in the Territory that could well make this energy source, in the long term, an opportunity for the Territory.
The Territory will establish a scheme to provide secure tenure for the controlled exploration and development of geothermal energy across the Northern Territory. We intend to fast-track legislation which will establish this scheme. Thus, by early in the next financial year, the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines will be able to issue geothermal exploration licences.
Whatever the final form of the National Emissions Trading Scheme, one thing is for sure: such a major economic and social change within Australia is bound to create some industry sectors that seize the opportunities and benefit. However, there will be other sectors, particularly the energy intensive, trade-exposed industries, which will face particular challenges in reducing their emissions.
The Commonwealth government has made it clear - and I support this intent - that the design of the National Emissions Trading Scheme will address the competitive challenges facing various industry sectors. Obviously, if these industries were to up stakes from Australia and relocate to a country which is not in the forefront of developing measures to deal with climate change, there would be no nett reduction to global emissions; not to mention the detrimental effect on the Australia economy.
This economic and social change will also result in sectors of society being more impacted than others. There are also issues of social equity. Lower-income earners spend proportionately more on non-discretionary items, like power and food, than higher-income earners. Social equity outcomes from the Emissions Trading Scheme need significantly more work, both at the national level and in the Territory. I note that the Commonwealth Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has already made a commitment that one of the design features of the National Emissions Trading Scheme will be measures for exposed households and firms.
My department will be looking specifically at these matters to identify if there are any particular issues pertaining to the Territory, given our highly dispersed population and 30% indigenous population, which might not apply elsewhere in Australia.
There are also opportunities to be seized by having a dispersed population as well as real potential for economic growth and jobs through carbon offset schemes. Basically, a carbon offset enables individuals and businesses to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for by offsetting, reducing or displacing the carbon dioxide in another place; typically, a place where it is more economic to do so.
As part of the developments of the government’s climate change policy, I intend to seek members to join a focus group with wide-ranging views on climate change. The group of invitees - which is not exhaustive - will include: the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory; the Minerals Council of Australia; Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce; Unions NT; the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory; Northern Land Council; Tiwi Land Council, Anindilyakwa Land Council and Central Land Council; Engineers Australia; the Royal Australian Institute of Architects; the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association; and the North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance.
I particularly want the indigenous groups to get involved to ensure the potential opportunities for economic development and real jobs are seized with both hands. Equally important is ensuring that the opportunities we pursue at the Territory level are relevant and workable in the Territory environment. I want to be able to go to the COAG table and say to the Prime Minister, the Premiers, and ACT Chief Minister that we have test driven the potential opportunities and, not only will they achieve the objectives of mitigation, offsets and adaptation, they will have a real nett economic benefit in remote areas. Having a forum where indigenous voices can be heard on climate change is important. The necessity to hear these voices is recognised by the United Nations.
The UN’s International Expert Group Meeting on Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change will be meeting in Darwin from 2 to 4 April. This meeting is a direct result of Charles Darwin University, with financial and in-kind support of the Territory government, being the successful applicant to host the United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies’ Centre for Indigenous Knowledge.
In addition to having the pleasure of opening the meeting, I know our Territory experts, particularly through Charles Darwin University, will have much to contribute to discussions as well as learning from them. I understand from the Vice Chancellor that the university is looking at ways to maximise the opportunities of learning from the experts whilst they are in Darwin.
The focus group which I am establishing is one strand of a communications strategy which welcomes Territorians’ input into the developments of the Northern Territory’s climate change policy. Communication on where we are going on climate change is vitally important. Business wants and needs regulatory certainty in the medium and long term. An established policy implies less risk to business, and this is something we will pursue with vigour.
In concluding this statement on climate change, we need to understand that we, as individual Territorians and as Australians, have some real choices and opportunities ahead of us in the next 12 months. I have set out the Territory government’s leadership agenda on climate change over the next 12 months. We will be leading Territorians through the national agenda, and through the developments of the Northern Territory climate change policy. Whilst we will be leading the front, we will be communicating with Territorians all the way. I look forward to working cooperatively with the Commonwealth government and, in the same way, with Territorians. This will ensure the Territory contributes fairly and equitably to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is well-placed to seize all available opportunities from this major economic and social development.
Managing climate change is a real and confronting challenge for us all. For me, it simply boils down to the fact that we cannot sit back and do nothing; we must all work to make a difference.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I welcome this important statement. It is a difficult one to respond to at this point, in detail, because this is the beginning of an important conversation that is going to be developed across the Territory and across the nation ...
Mr Warren: It has been going for ages. Where have you been?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Goyder!
Mr MILLS: Just hold your horses. I am actually quite supportive of this.
This is a very important discussion that is beginning to strengthen across the nation with Professor Garnaut’s report being reported widely and discussed in depth. Anyone who looks at crikey.com knows that it is coming through now, and there is lots of consideration and weighing up of this important document and what will flow from it. I am pleased to see that this statement has arrived at this point. I believe it is the beginning of a discussion that will commence and develop in the Northern Territory. I look forward to being part of this in a proactive and sensible way, because these matters can easily be hijacked. We can easily misuse our position of power and leadership to lead people to places that, perhaps, do not suit a sincere agenda. It is a time of change; there are new ideas being floated, and we are developing new systems and ways of responding to them.
Chief Minister and member for Goyder, I welcome the report. It is an important beginning of this next phase as it unfolds in the Northern Territory. It is a good step. I am pleased to hear that there is now, in preparation for this national agenda in the Northern Territory, a Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit. I hope the Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit has its coordination connections right down to the grassroots - if I may use that phrase - because, as already recognised in the Chief Minister’s statement, the Territory is unique. That is not just a clich. It is quite different from other jurisdictions.
I grew up in an agricultural area in Western Australia and mistakes were made. We now live in a completely different mode of trying to correct the uncorrectable in many ways; to try to find some improvement. As a young farmer, I did all that I could to replant trees where my father and grandfather removed them.
However, in the Territory, we are in a different place. It will be too tempting to have our minds focused on the electorates of the northern suburbs in Darwin and those in Palmerston, whose people do not have an understanding in an immediate sense of the developmental component of the Northern Territory. We need to balance the need for development and growth in the Northern Territory with the responsibilities and requirements that are being unleashed as a result of this new agenda that has now taken centre stage in the nation and will be borne out in the Territory.
I am urging that the Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit have a hands-on approach, getting in touch with ordinary Territorians on the ground, so that it can deliver policy that is most helpful and relevant to those who will implement it. In these terms, ultimately, the largest land users and those who can effect this change is the pastoral industry. There is a challenge and a great opportunity. Already, there are schemes in place in the Territory recognising the management of land, where we can measure the improvements in the release of carbon into the atmosphere in Arnhem Land. It is encouraging to see those schemes in place where you have the capacity to measure. You can then offset with the requirements of, say, ConocoPhillips or another multinational. That same logic would likely be explored in the pastoral industry as a reward, encouragement and incentive for better and improved land management practices.
There are great opportunities, and I can see them. I am urging - and will be watching – that you ensure that the Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit is not just another unit that is operating in a bureaucratic sense, but is focused on the needs of Territorians first and foremost and is seeking to serve the interests of the Territory and ordinary folk, rather than institutional and organisational needs. That would be the death of it.
There was a reference to education which, of course, is critical. It is remarkable these days, after many years, that the kids are switched on to this. We need to ensure that the education curriculum and the training of teachers ensures that we are able to coordinate this change in the nation’s mindset and policy implementation right through education in a sensible way.
There are a couple of things that do need to be mentioned before going on to some broader issues. I notice the minister made reference to the Energy Smart Buildings Policy. You will probably recall we took an interest in this during estimates because our job, member for Goyder, is to check rhetoric - language that is spoken. Our job, simply in a practical sense, is to have an element of requiring accountability. You can assert and say all sorts of things and we just have to check it. We wanted to check that the things that were said were, in fact, done.
Interestingly, there was mention of the Energy Smart Buildings Policy. That policy set a target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by government and the intention was to report annually on the results. I listened carefully. There was not a report of the results contained in the statement – interesting. You see, this Energy Smart Buildings Policy, which I am sure the member for Goyder has read, sets the target of reducing emissions by 1%. That was the goal of this policy that the government, showing leadership, set.
Thank goodness you have an opposition which will watch that and then ask a question: how did you go? It sounded good, yes, we have a policy. How did it go? Did you meet your target? Well, the 2005-06 report was laid on the table in this place nearly a year late. It reported that the emissions, in fact, member for Goyder, had increased by 1.6%, when the target was a decrease of 1%. I have not heard a question from government backbenchers to the minister on this. Why is it that you do not ask these questions or report these things to the House? Why are they not revealed? It takes the opposition to reveal those things, and we get belted up in the corner for saying such things. How dare we criticise government? However, that is a fact: you set a goal and you failed to reach it. That is an important point. If you are going to set a goal to address a problem, you have to report on it so you carry a level of integrity.
That is why this matter has to be managed very carefully by government. It is an area where you can easily overstep the mark, inflate the rhetoric, and raise assurances, because much of this is vague and abstract. People are going by emotions. They will need scientific data, clear and understandable targets and guidelines, and measurable outcomes. You have to keep the people together on this.
There are a number of other issues. I am glad to hear geothermal being referred to. The first time I ever heard about this was when the member for Nelson, a few years ago, talked about hot rocks. It is now on the agenda and is now accepted. It is good to see that those considerations are taking a greater focus and there is a lot more energy behind those considerations. There is a lot of wind in the Barkly region. There has been talk of solar power. There is talk about tidal power generation with the magnificent tides here.
I would like to make mention of biodiesel. I have been reasonably close to the biodiesel story in the Territory. There was much promise, and announcements were made in this Chamber. There was attendance by government members at launches and openings, tours and trials and so on. However, they hit some serious roadblocks, and there seemed to be little effort made by government to clear those roadblocks. It all became too difficult. There was a political aspect to it, I am sure, with the land clearing issue in the Douglas Daly region. They really needed help. From what I understand, they did not get any help, nor the leadership they expected from the Territory government. However, government members were prepared to have their photographs taken and be involved in all the publicity stuff at the beginning of this but, when they were required to assist, that assistance was not found. You can take the spoils, but you cannot deliver in the heat of battle. That is sad. I am not denying that there are some real challenges. However, there was an extraordinary opportunity, which still exists.
I am really pleased to see that there are some inspiring people across the Territory, in spite of the opposition they may receive, the obstacles that are put in their way, the bureaucratic responses to things that do not really help but, rather, in a very polite way, put up roadblocks. There are some good people out there who are trialling all sorts of things and I take my hat off to them. They are still at work, they still have their vision. There must be something that can be done. I can go into that on another day as this debate unfolds.
An interesting one I have heard about recently is anaerobic digesters. I put that on the list, probably next to hot rocks, as another opportunity that may be presented. These are stories for another day when we look at our mimosa and waste disposal problems. Many other countries, in particular Germany, are using anaerobic digesters which, for the production in an industrial sense of methane gas, is worth looking at. I just put that on the list.
There is going to be some real grunt required to crunch through some of the difficult matters. Biodiesel - fantastic, we can all get excited about it. The practical implementation of a biodiesel industry in the Northern Territory requires some really hard work, courage and very difficult decisions that may be politically unpalatable. That part of it did not occur. The same may occur with some of these other things. We have to go past the feel-good to the hard implementation of some difficult propositions.
That leads me to my final area; that being the adjustments that we attempt to make individually and within our organisations which are admirable and necessary - even if it is just about being better stewards of that which we have responsibility to manage. There are gains, anyway. Whether or not there is climate change, I believe we can accept that as given. There needs to be greater use of recycling, composting, turning off lights, putting in more efficient fixtures in the house and in our offices, or reconsidering what sort of car we drive. All those things are important. What difference does it make in the long run? Well, we can have that discussion for ever and a day, but they are completely justifiable.
Put them aside, and what we are faced with in the Territory, and nationally, is climate change which is clearly measurable. We have seen weather patterns change within living memory in the Territory and across the nation that are going to have an impact upon our policy development, particularly in agriculture. It is an accepted fact that the West and many places in Queensland, and further south, are becoming drier; while the Top End and the Kimberleys are becoming wetter. Due to my connections both in Victoria and Western Australia, a number of farmers - who are the next generation of farmers – are looking for opportunities in the north, buying up pastoral leases, looking for opportunities to invest, and they have made contact with me. That number is quite significant. If they are significant for me, with my connections, how many would be coming to government seeking an opportunity to be a part of this important story as the climate changes? This is going to bear significant future policy challenges for the Northern Territory.
How do we adjust to this? We will have to set an agenda over the horizon. How do we play our part in this great land to best utilise the resources that we have? They will have to be utilised, you cannot fence it all and say no one can come here or do anything. We are a part of the nation, mistakes have been made. Does that mean you do not do anything? When mistakes have been made, you must learn from them. You can farm in a sensible and a sustainable way. My two brothers farm in a very different way than my father and grandfather did. They still farm, nonetheless, and I trust you enjoyed your Weeties, because it is still required. People still wear cotton shirts and they need to eat steak from time to time, so farming must continue. We are going to - in the longer term - have to adjust to these changes and it is going to impose some very significant challenges for the Territory.
If we just want to adjust our positions and create an impression, we may be, in fact, adding to greenhouse gas emission by just being puff and wind. We really have a great opportunity to provide some visionary and courageous leadership that sets some goals way over the horizon. We need to recognise the trends and changes and set a new path, finding a new place to get ahead of the game, and really enjoy the game to show how we can lead the nation and play our part. We particularly have to use well the opportunities that we have been given and the resources that we have.
I am urging we get a clear head on these things. Do not fall into the trap of playing games for impression and effect, but get our planning established on the principle that over the horizon is beyond here and now; it is not about us. It is about the next generation and how this nation is developing and the climate is changing. In the broader sense this will impact upon our policy development and our leaders in this community.
I welcome the statement. It is an important statement. I see this as the beginning of an important discussion in the Northern Territory of which the opposition will be a part. It may be disappointing for some of you who see life in these terms. We will not necessarily agree with everything and that may be upsetting and disturbing for some of you, but it is our job to cut the other side of the argument so that we do find what is right. What is the right way to go? We may not have the right way, but you may not either. You may put out a proposition and we are the ones who ask the questions because you, obviously, do not ask the questions of yourself if the answer is going to be one that is difficult. I would like you to do that. We will have to do it until you start doing it.
However, once you set an emission target, for example, and you do not reach it, put it in the statement and say that is the case; say how you responded to it. Then we will have a bit more confidence that there is a reality to all this. We do need reality in this; we need truth in this. We do not need puff and wind; otherwise we will waste a great opportunity.
Madam Speaker, the statement is welcomed and we look forward to the ongoing discussions and Professor Garnaut’s report to be released later in the year, which will provide further conversations, discussions and debates in this Chamber.
Mr KIELY (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his comments in response to the Chief Minister’s statement on climate change.
I reassure the Leader of the Opposition that this is not all froth and bubbles. This is a very serious issue that we are dealing with. At all times, we will be striving for bipartisan support on initiatives that we will bring out on climate change. The impact of climate change is not lost to this side of the House. I do not believe it is lost over at the other side, either. We are in a developing and growing economy. There is a need to get the balance right. There is a need to consider what we do in the context of climate change.
The Leader of the Opposition also spoke a little about biofuel, and was talking about the hard questions and how it is all caught up in politics. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that this government’s approach to the issue is based on the latest global research. This research indicates that vegetation retention has a more positive impact on the carbon emission balance than land clearing for biofuels. That said, however, there are potential opportunities in the Territory for planting biofuel crops on already cleared land. The government is in active conversation with several parties on this matter, so there are opportunities there. This is a government that is determined to get the science right so that we are best positioned to respond to the challenges and opportunities that the global change presents. We are looking at biodiesel or biofuels, Leader of the Opposition, but we are going to get it right.
As in the rest of the world, human-induced climate change is a reality in the Northern Territory. The consensus of science on this point is beyond doubt. We have well and truly moved on to the important discussion of the implications climate change will have for our lives and the lives of future generations. This means deciding on the most appropriate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also increase our understanding of, and capacity to, adapt to a change in climate.
The new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd’s decisive action in signing the Kyoto Protocol means Australia now has a seat at the table in shaping future global initiatives to reduce greenhouse emissions. The head-in-the-sand approach of the former Howard government - an approach supported time and again in this parliament by the Country Liberal Party - means that we have lost 11 valuable years where we needed to be tackling the great challenge of climate change head-on.
Reports in today’s media point to a more pessimistic outlook on the effects of climate change, with Professor Garnaut warning:
It is clear we need to act now. It is crucial that we have the best available information to predict how the climate of the Northern Territory will change over the coming decades.
Late last year, CSIRO released the most up-to-date climate projections for Australia. The exact figures on future climate will always contain some scientific uncertainty. The general trends are, however, becoming clearer each year. Scientists advise that even relatively small increases in average temperatures can lead to very significant increases in the frequency of extreme weather events, such as extreme rainfall, wildfires and heatwaves.
We all know that the Northern Territory is a warm place. It is one of the things that underpins our great lifestyle. Under current projections, however, the increase in temperature may not be to our liking. Climate modelling by CSIRO projects that, by 2030, annual average temperatures over the Northern Territory could increase by up to 1.2, relative to recent decades. By 2070, the annual average temperature in the Northern Territory could increase by up to 3.5. In Darwin, we currently have around 11 days per year that are classed as very hot; that is, there are 11 days per year over 35. The CSIRO estimates that this could rise to as many as 44 days per year by 2030. The projection for Alice Springs is a possible increase from 90 days over 35, to 109 days. Even for those of us who like the heat, this is a sobering thought. Of course, it also has direct and serious implications for our energy use, economic activity, our unique Territory ecosystems, and our quality of life in general.
Changes in rainfall patterns are difficult to predict exactly and they are not entirely clear for the Top End from the CSIRO report. We can conclude, however, that decreases in rainfall are likely to occur for Central Australia.
I am sure everyone here still has clear memories of our most recent cyclone, Helen. Although relatively minor on the cyclone scale, Helen still caused significant damage in Darwin and surrounds. While scientific debate about the exact influence of climate change on cyclones continues, there is a possibility we may experience more intense cyclones in the Top End; that is, the cyclones we do experience on average are likely to become more severe.
The CSIRO report also predicts inundation of low-lying coastal areas by storm surge is likely to increase over coming decades. This will have significant ramifications for low-lying coastal areas and freshwater ecosystems. This includes the wetlands of Kakadu, which are particularly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.
How much greenhouse gas does the Territory emit? In 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available, the total greenhouse emissions from the Northern Territory were approximately 13.5 megatonnes. This represents approximately 2.4% of total Australian greenhouse gas emissions. In annual terms, the Northern Territory emits slightly more than Tasmania, with 11.1 tonnes of emissions, but less than other states other than the ACT.
The Chief Minister has said that this relatively low level of emission should not allow us to be complacent. While relatively small now, the Northern Territory’s greenhouse emissions are expected to increase. As a young and developing economy, we need to determine how the Northern Territory can continue to develop and best play its part in responding to climate change. In particular, we need to determine how the Northern Territory can play its part in meeting Australia’s national emissions target - a target of 60% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2050, compared to emission levels of the year 2000. However, given the sobering remarks in the interim Garnaut report, I believe this figure may well be up for review.
This is the challenge facing the Territory. This is the challenge the Chief Minister has just announced this government is willing to tackle head-on in the development of a new climate change policy for the Northern Territory. How do we meet this challenge? I cannot predict the outcomes of what will be an intensive and consultative process - a process which will also be informed by developments at a national level. I can, however, look at some of the fantastic activities that are already occurring in the Territory, under the existing NT Strategy for Greenhouse Action.
These are activities from which we can learn and build upon in our future response to climate change. In 2005, savannah fires contributed around 4.7 million tonnes, or 35% of all greenhouse emissions in the Northern Territory. The amount of emissions from fires can vary considerably from year to year, due mainly to climatic conditions. Nevertheless, fires are currently the greatest source of greenhouse emissions in the Northern Territory. 2005 was the mildest year for wildfires in a decade, with less than 100 000 km2 burnt. The subsequent two years have seen the worst fire weather on record with more than double the area burnt, 240 000 km2 of the Territory burnt last year.
As we are all aware, fire is a major issue in the Northern Territory, not only regarding greenhouse emissions, but also in terms of safety, land management and biodiversity protection. Fire is a natural part of the Northern Territory environment and one to which our flora and fauna have adapted. In addition to the large areas burnt, a compounding problem we currently face is the timing and, therefore, the intensity at the centre of the fires, is changing. This change has occurred dramatically since the reduction in traditional patterns of indigenous burning which, in some parts of the Territory, occurred only 50 years ago. In the past, indigenous people were more evenly dispersed over the landscape and moved about their traditional country regularly. By selectively burning different habitats at different times and in different ways, their fires effectively resulted in a mosaic or patchwork pattern of burnt and unburnt country. This created a system of firebreaks and fuel reduction, as well as enhancing relevant species of value to them. What resulted was a shift from smaller, cooler fires to more of the large hot, late Dry Season fires that we see frequently nowadays. This patchwork of mosaic burning was a regime that the flora and fauna of the Northern Territory were adapted to.
The change to larger and hotter late Dry Season fires has had a negative impact on many of our plants and animals. Recent publications by some of Australia’s leading wildlife researchers clearly implicate these changing fire patterns to a reduction in biodiversity. As a result, it has become clear that getting the management of fire regimes in the Territory right is important, not only to reduce greenhouse emissions, but also to protect our biodiversity - not to mention our ongoing responsibility to ensure protection of life and property.
Through efforts to restore traditional burning practices in West Arnhem Land, it has become clear that strategic management of savannah fires can lead to a reduction in annual greenhouse emissions, as well as positive outcomes for biodiversity. With the financial support of ConocoPhillips, strategic fire management is being undertaken by indigenous land managers in a vast area of West Arnhem Land. This project offers culturally sensitive employment to local people. It is currently exceeding its target of reducing greenhouse emissions from the projected area by an average of 100 000 tonnes per year. This outcome is a credit to all those involved today.
The indigenous project is a model. Experts from within and outside the Northern Territory government are pursuing further savannah fire management projects across northern Australia. Future projects could potentially be recognised under established and emerging carbon markets, such as the National Emission Trading Scheme. A key requirement is to ensure that our ability to estimate emissions from savannah fires meets the required standards. Standards governing greenhouse offset projects are likely to be very stringent. On this front, Bushfires Northern Territory from NRETA are well-advanced and have initiated research to ensure the Territory’s cutting-edge intellectual property continues to grow, delivering economic opportunities, as well as reducing greenhouse emissions. It is also important that we ensure that those groups who wish to undertake strategic environmental projects have the capacity to do so. Land managers will need the right knowledge, the right equipment and the right governance arrangements to ensure their endeavours are a success. Government is also working with interested parties on this.
Strategic management of savannah fires presents a real opportunity for the Northern Territory in greenhouse emission reduction and the provision of real jobs on country for indigenous people. This government is committed to further pursuing both these outcomes. It is an opportunity that we will continue to work with the Commonwealth government as they finalise the design of the National Emission Trading Scheme. I recognise and applaud a $10m commitment made by the new Commonwealth government to provide opportunities for indigenous participation in carbon markets. It is clear that the centrepiece to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Australia will be an emissions trading scheme. It is not yet clear whether or when emissions from different forms of land management will be directly covered by the scheme. These emissions may require additional or complementary measures to address.
These are some of the questions being tackled by the COAG Climate Change and Water Working Group. By working with the Commonwealth and our Territory land managers, our scientists will ensure that when this process is ready to run, fire management in Territory savannahs can play a key part in delivering our contribution to the national response. The capacity to accurately estimate emissions associated with different types of land management is essential to any effort to reduce emissions from the land sectors. This is true whether such emissions are directly covered by emissions trading schemes or not.
The National Carbon Accounting System, or NCAS, is a means by which the Commonwealth government tracks greenhouse gas sources and sinks from the land. This includes activities such as cropping, clearing, grazing and forestry. Given that land-based emissions in Australia account for some 30% of total greenhouse emissions, this is a very important measurement. The Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts has developed its own capacity to utilise NCAS to estimate emissions generated from land management. For example, the department is now able to estimate the carbon dioxide emissions associated with land clearing in the Northern Territory. This is a critical first step for government in understanding and responding to land clearing from a greenhouse perspective. Although this is a significant advance for the Northern Territory government, computer models such as NCAS are only as good as the data on which they rely. It is important that the Northern Territory ensures that the science behind the National Carbon Accounting System is relevant to Territory landscapes and conditions. We need to constantly improve our ability to accurately track emissions from the land.
Here, as with the savannah fire emissions, Northern Territory scientists are making a substantial contribution. With support from the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory government, researchers from Charles Darwin University, Monash University, the University of Melbourne and CSIRO are undertaking a research project to improve the function of NCAS for tropical savannahs. This work will further refine estimates of carbon dioxide and non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions, principally nitrous oxide and methane from savannah soils and vegetation under different land uses and fire regimes. This work started in early 2007 and will progress through 2008 and 2009. It will not only assist government but will assist in allowing land managers to more accurately understand the implications of different land uses and managing their actions in the context of their contributions to greenhouse emissions.
I have mentioned that savannah fires are currently the greatest source of greenhouse emissions in the Northern Territory. I have also mentioned that emissions in the Northern Territory are expected to increase with future economic development. This increase is likely to come from an increase in use of energy in the Northern Territory. We are fortunate that most of our electricity is generated from natural gas, as this emits less greenhouse emissions than electricity generated from other fossil fuels such as coal. This means, however, that unlike the coal-based states, the Northern Territory does not have a readily available alternative source of electricity from which it can make quick emission reductions.
One critical area where we can all make a contribution to reducing emissions is to improve the efficiency of our energy use. We need to be more aware of how much energy we use within our homes, business, and, as raised by the Chief Minister, within government. We also need to be aware of how we can reduce the energy. This can not only lead to savings in greenhouse emissions but savings in energy costs to consumers.
Energy efficiency is recognised nationally as the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse emissions. The role of energy efficiency measures alongside an emissions trading scheme is being explored by the COAG Climate Change and Water Working Group. This is one area where the Northern Territory government, in developing a climate change policy, is likely to focus. This is also an area which we are already addressing.
For a number of years, the Northern Territory government has been actively supporting community initiatives to reduce domestic greenhouse emissions. Many of those listening may be aware of the great efforts of COOLmob. COOLmob is a community-based initiative aimed at ensuring ordinary households in the Northern Territory are aware of the things they can do in their own home to reduce greenhouse emissions. COOLmob operates in Darwin through the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory and in Alice Springs through Desert Knowledge COOLmob.
Households participating in COOLmob receive a start-up kit packed with environment and money saving ideas, a $10 home energy audit, an online savings track account to monitor greenhouse gas savings, and discounts on green products and services. The government provides core operational funding to COOLmob, as well as a number of additional grants through the EnvironmeNT Grants program. In 2006, the Northern Territory government doubled its operational funding to the Darwin and Alice Springs programs. Darwin COOLmob has already saved 500 tonnes of greenhouse emissions and some 400 households have participated in the program. In Alice Springs, a network of over 500 houses is participating in a range of energy and water saving initiatives.
COOLmob has broadened its focus to look at water efficiency in addition to energy savings. The hard work put in by the auditors, coordinators and volunteers is a great demonstration of an initiative which is led by the community. I encourage all Territorians to engage in the program or visit their respective websites. From a personal point of view, my family and I were engaged in that program last year and it really does work. You really do make savings.
In conclusion, the global climate is changing and the Northern Territory needs to be part of the global and national response. The way forward outlined by the Chief Minister will enable the Territory to contribute to this response in a way that is consistent with national settings and local circumstances. It will also enable us to learn from and build upon the steps government is already taking to address climate change.
Madam Speaker, I commend the statement to the Assembly.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, the scientific evidence can no longer be ignored: climate change is happening. We are seeing increased temperatures, decreased regional rainfall, coastal inundation from rising sea levels, and an increase in cyclonic intensity.
Climate change presents very serious risks and it demands our urgent attention. There is plenty of evidence of the economic impacts of climate change. The Stern Review report released last year from the UK outlines the economics of stabilising greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This review clearly states:
In April last year, the states and territories commissioned a review of the economic impacts of climate change on Australia. The review examined the economic impact of not taking action on climate change, as well as the costs and benefits of various international and Australian policy interventions. The Rudd Labor government became party to the review following their election victory in November 2007. The review is being conducted by Professor Ross Garnaut from the Australian National University, with the interim report released today and the final report due in September this year.
Early findings of this report show that recent developments in mainstream scientific opinion suggest the world will experience serious effects of climate change more rapidly than previously understood. Primarily, this is due to underestimations of the impacts of economic growth in the developing world. Australia is likely to be more exposed to the impacts of climate change due to its climatic conditions. Australia’s interests lie in the world adopting a strong and effective position on climate change mitigation. Australia should make firm commitments in 2008, 2020 and 2050 to emissions targets to embody similar adjustment costs to that accepted by other developed countries.
Australia needs to go further under an effective global commitment and to achieve effective mitigation at the lowest possible cost. The Emissions Trading Scheme will need to be supported by complementary measures to promote innovation, take up renewable energy, research and development, and infrastructure provision. We cannot ignore this issue, and those sceptics who continue to do so really need to wake up.
For 11 years, the Howard government was asleep on the issue of climate change. It was only in the last few weeks of their reign that we started to hear comment from the previous government on this issue. At the time, we welcomed the fact that Mr Howard was apparently showing signs of waking up. In complete contrast, one of the Rudd government’s first actions was to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. In doing so, the Rudd Labor government joined the global challenge facing the world today.
In October 2001, as a new member of this House, I heard the CLP ask 11 questions in one day saying that signing the Kyoto Protocol would destroy the Northern Territory economy. Well, guess what? It is signed. And, guess what? Our economy is the strongest in the country and predicted to stay that way for the next five years. As well as ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, the new Rudd government is establishing for the first time a National Emissions Trading Scheme and an ambitious national renewable energy target. These are long-term measures designed to begin dealing with the challenges facing us today.
Since we came to office, we have understood the importance of taking action to tackle climate change. We know that climate change represents one of Australia’s greatest long-term economic and environmental challenges. We need to understand the economics of climate change. We know there will be costs incurred up-front, but action now will ensure these costs remain manageable. All the evidence shows that early action on climate change will far outweigh any costs. Investments made wisely now can help us avoid very serious and costly risks in the future. We will see opportunities for growth and development along the way.
We have heard the Chief Minister today outline our plan to tackle climate change. There are opportunities for small business through developing carbon offset programs. There will be opportunities to create jobs and significant investment opportunities in new energy sources. We will work cooperatively with the federal government and the other states and territory. We will design new systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, linking in to the National Emissions Trading Scheme. We will continue to listen to the rest of the world and ensure we have the most up-to-date scientific data to formulate our plans. Here in the Northern Territory, we already have a number of policies in place to assist in the challenge of tackling climate change. In 2005, this government introduced an Energy Smart Buildings Policy.
As the Chief Minister has outlined today, we will now require each agency to develop a plan to contribute to reducing the Territory’s carbon footprint. We will be examining the government’s office accommodation leasing policies and considering energy-efficient buildings for future leases. We will also be asking Northern Territory Treasury to assess our initiatives and ensure we get a return on our investment. These are all steps the Henderson government is taking to contribute to the fight against climate change and ensure the Territory remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
The Territory faces enormous challenges regarding climate change. In the context of Australia, we truly are the developing economy and, as the developing economy, we will be contributing to increased carbon emissions. Therefore, the importance of us playing a role within the national debate around carbon offset trading is critical. With our natural resources, the opportunities we have for oil and gas, as well as opportunities in the mining fields - for example, uranium for cleaner energy - we have an opportunity to be able to position ourselves as a developing economy to offset what we know will be increased carbon emissions from our developing economy into the National Emissions Trading Scheme.
We already have innovative and exciting arrangements in place. For example, the ConocoPhillips and West Arnhem fire project. This shows we can seize the opportunities of development - in this case LNG development - and ensure that we better understand how we can deal with the issue of savannah burning which, of course, impacts enormously on our carbon emissions.
I look forward, both as Treasurer and also in my role as Minister for Planning and Lands, to look at the opportunities that lie with industry; to be innovative, to encourage and foster research right across the Territory so that we can play our role in understanding climate change and learning better the impact it has on our regions, particularly our coastal regions. These coastal regions are regions into which we are now, for the first time in the Territory, undertaking significant marine research. We have a Marine Branch established within Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts that did not exist before. The coastal mapping that they are doing is critically important to understanding the impact of climate change right across our magnificent coastline. We are not a government that is burying its head in the sand around climate change.
I congratulate the Chief Minister for taking up the portfolio of Climate Change. He is the first Chief Minister in the Territory to do that. He has seized what is very much an international debate that, finally, Australia has shaken off the shackles of ignorance of the past and entered with vehemence. I felt proud to be Australian when Senator Penny Wong, our signatory to climate change at the Bali Conference, announced the significant change in Australia’s position and that we would be signing the Kyoto Protocol. Penny Wong getting a standing ovation was a moment where you felt proud to be Australian; whereas, in the past, it really was quite incomprehensible that we were sitting in the back lots with America and trying to bury our head in the sand about the impact that was having right across the world.
On the doorstep of Asia, we play an important part. We know there is a significant impact right across our region of carbon emissions that is occurring. What we can do innovatively in the Territory, as a developing economy and an economy that has significant savannah burning issues - similar issues to throughout Asia - is actually set in place some very innovative models that could be transported across to our Asian neighbours. In fact, an industry of research and innovators, and people being able to work through Asia with our Asian neighbours, could form out of Darwin. It is a very exciting process to be a part of. I encourage the work the Chief Minister has commenced through the Department of the Chief Minister to really bring a whole-of-government approach to climate change. For the period that I was the minister for the Environment, I was very keen to see us put in place the work we could do to understand exactly how we would position ourselves regarding carbon emissions and offsets trading. The environmental lobby has some very innovative and sound ideas in that regard that we can pick up and work with industry on. There are already small businesses in the Territory that have positioned themselves well in the area of carbon trading.
Madam Deputy Speaker, whilst it is a statement that, certainly some years ago, you would not have heard in this Chamber, it is important that it is being debated here today. I congratulate the Chief Minister for bringing the important issue of climate change to our Assembly today.
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Madam Deputy Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement on the critical issue of climate change. It is an issue not only facing the Northern Territory, but challenging the whole world. It is an issue ignored for 11 years by an ignorant and backward federal Coalition government, supported in their ignorance by an American administration that only recently realised their mistake.
This government recognises that climate change is a major issue with broad-ranging impacts on the economy, industry, communities and the environment. I welcome the initiatives outlined by the Chief Minister. My department will play an important role in delivering a cleaner, greener future.
Tourism is worth $1.7bn to the economy and directly employs over 12 000 Territorians, or 13.5% of all persons employed in the Territory. Tourists contribute 7.2% or $658m of Northern Territory gross state product compared to 3.9% for Australia.
The Northern Territory tourism industry depends heavily on nature-based, outdoor attractions, activities and experiences. Favourable climatic conditions at destinations are key motivators for tourists. The forecast warming of the earth’s climate due to accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is not positive for the Northern Territory tourism industry. The tropical and desert climates of the Territory mean it is particularly exposed to any marginal warming as a result of climatic change. We already face, at certain times of the year, problems with heat being a major disincentive to people visiting world-renowned icons like Kakadu and Uluru. This can result in closure of walkways due to safety concerns.
For the Northern Territory, it is forecast that the average temperature will increase between 0.2C and 2.2C by 2030, between 0.8C and 7.2C by 2070, relative to 1990. The source is a CSIRO report produced in March 2004.
The International Governmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report released last year concluded that it is very likely that changes in the global climate system will continue well into the future, and that they will be larger than those seen in the past. Climate change is real and it will not disappear. As an example, a few days ago, I spoke to my parents in Greece and my father told me that, for the first time in the 50 years he has been living in Athens, he had to shovel snow in the yard so he could go up the street. For the first time in his life in Athens he has seen 4 cm of snow fall in one night. Athens is surrounded by sea. Nobody would expect snow to fall in a Mediterranean climate, down to the water line, but things are changing. When I was growing up in Athens, it used to snow once every 10 or 15 years. It was a joy if it happened to snow. Now, every year, or every second year, there are significant snowfalls in Athens, the capital city of Greece, that results in the breakdown of communications, the metro not being able to travel outside the town because of severe snow storms, and the buses stopping. People are not able to move around their own suburbs. Things are happening.
While we are talking about those snowfalls in Greece, we can look at the other side of the world where information produced by CSIRO predicts severe cyclonic activity to the north of Australia and, believe it or not, increased rainfall - not in Queensland, the south-west of Western Australia, but in Alice Springs and Central Australia. As a matter of fact, in the past 25 years, south-western Australia have lost about 20% of their rainfall. As a result, desertification is increasing. Crops that used to grow in south-western Australia now cannot because there is not enough water. Also, in the north, we have seen significant cyclonic activity. Cyclone Nicholas is hovering outside Exmouth as we speak. The prediction is that it will probably travel south, hitting somewhere between Exmouth and Geraldton.
There is evidence that people who want to visit a place, want to visit a place that is safe. We should be able to provide them with a safe environment. We are not going to see many people in the Territory, especially in the Top End, if there is always the threat of significant storm or cyclonic activity. It is a significant cost to the tourism industry to provide places to stay, when they have to upgrade facilities to withstand Category 4 or even Category 5 cyclonic conditions. Not to mention that iconic places like Nhulunbuy or Borroloola might not be there in 20 or 30 years time because of a significant rise in water levels. Borroloola could become a coastal town or even have parts of it submerged. Every year, we see Borroloola flooded from the McArthur River when significant rainfall takes place in the catchment area. Are things going to change? Are some areas in Darwin going to be as threatened by water or even by cyclonic action with rising tides and cyclonic winds?
We also have to remember that tourism can be affected by these climatic changes and carbon emissions. There is already increasing debate in Europe where the threat of climatic change is used to discourage people from travelling long distances, for example, from Europe to Australia. They advise prospective travellers that the trip to Australia produces so much greenhouse gases from the exhaust from the aeroplanes that the carbon footprint for every person travelling to Australia is significant. I dispute that. I will ask my department to do further assessment because I am aware of air travel that takes place in Europe. I am also aware that most of the exhaust from aeroplanes is emitted during takeoff when they go full throttle or during their approach to the airport, rather than high altitude trips in the stratosphere.
Consumer research undertaken by my agency, Tourism NT, in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Japan and Australia in 2007 has indicated heightened concern regarding climatic changes in our target market segments. Consumers are showing an increasing preference for environmentally-friendly tourism experiences. Because of this, my agency, Tourism NT, is working towards the establishment of carbon offset programs for the Northern Territory tourism industry as one of the initiatives through the NT Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit, and encouraging the tourism industry to achieve carbon neutrality. Minimising the tourism industry’s carbon footprint will become paramount if we are to stay ahead in this highly competitive game.
Tourism NT is currently running a pilot project to assist businesses become carbon neutral. The project has been trialled with a select number of tourism operators in the touring and business tourism sectors in Central Australia and is scheduled to be completed in the next few months. Subject to the pilot project being a success, the next steps will be to work out the transactional logistics and how best to reach the consumers and encourage uptake.
Tourism NT is also exploring options for green accreditation for operators, including Green Globe and Eco-tourism Australia certification initiatives. This has included contribution of funds towards a special carbon emission module. The module is planned to be tested in the Northern Territory in June this year. My agency is also a member of a Climate Change Taskforce which has been established by the Tourism Industry Council to develop a Tourism Action Plan on Climate Change for the national tourism industry.
Being environmentally sound will strengthen our market position, with some consumers willing to spend more to reduce their carbon emissions imprint on the destination. Climate change is a reality. It is a hard reality we have to face. This reality might not threaten us in the short term, but it will certainly become a threat to our children and our children’s children. Nobody wants to live on a planet where the temperature will increase between 4 and 7, and all the consequences of this temperature increase.
Our houses have to be different and built differently. Our houses have to be even painted differently. I recall when I was the former minister for Infrastructure, I presented in this parliament a few years back the Building Code of Australia proposals not to paint roofs dark colours for the simple reason that dark colours attract solar radiation, heat the house and, in return, we need more airconditioning to cool the house. I recall the then member for Katherine, Mike Reed, was laughing. The funny thing is he was the one who had agreed to the proposal and had actually put his signature down so the changes would take effect in the Building Code of Australia. Of course, he was playing politics and I can understand that.
The reality is, we have to be really careful with the orientation of the house, the selection of the type of house we are going to build, how the house is built and even the material of the roof to minimise - especially here in the north - the impact of solar radiation.
In the old days, most of the houses in Darwin were built in such a way that allowed breezes to go through them, using louvred windows. Nowadays you do not see many louvred windows; you see glass panels that can create two problems. One, they stop the breeze coming through your house and two, I would like to know what will happen with all these glass panels if a cyclone comes and debris starts flying around. There is going to be a lot of business for glass manufacturers and installers but, also a lot of dangers for people who might find themselves in the path of flying glass.
We have to consider how we provide lighting to houses; hot water systems; cooling and even fittings underneath the house. Our actions in regard to this will have a significant impact on the climate through emissions. The Power and Water Corporation is the government-owned company that has an interest in this because its business is selling power. However, to increase the selling of power means you are using more gas which, in turn, creates more emissions. We are lucky we have gas while other places have coal or diesel. At least gas produces four times fewer greenhouse emissions per unit of electricity as compared with coal.
I will list some of the things that the Power and Water Corporation is doing responsibly in climate change. The Power and Water Corporation has been aware of the impact of climate change and has worked on a range of initiatives to reduce carbon footprints for many years. Much has been done by the corporation to support and implement renewable energy projects. While Power and Water creates electricity from clean natural gas throughout the Territory, a number of research projects have been used to draw energy from non-fossil fuel sources. Not only do these projects help develop technology for further use of renewable energy sources but it helps us to help our environment.
These projects include: research into biodiesel substitution; encouraging Territorians to switch to solar hot water systems; and installation of solar dish concentrators at Ntaria (Hermannsburg), Yuendumu and Lajamanu. Power and Water has entered into a 20-year agreement to purchase all generated electricity from these solar dishes, and will use it to help power these remote communities. The solar dishes mean these communities can reduce the consumption of diesel fuel during daylight hours by substituting power directly from the sun. Hermannsburg has eight dishes, Yuendumu has 10 and Lajamanu have 12.
Power and Water purchases the power generated by the solar dishes and feeds it to the power network grid that currently serves the community of Hermannsburg. This is the first time the Power and Water Corporation has agreed to a 20-year commercial contract for the supply of renewable power. These solar dishes are an innovative application of engineering principles that produce low cost photovoltaic power. The environmental benefits include reduced diesel costs, reduced noise levels, and reduced greenhouse emissions. Combined, the three solar dish sites at Hermannsburg, Yuendumu and Lajamanu will reduce diesel consumption by around 420 000 litres per year.
Investment in solar power stations means that preparations are being made for a more sustainable future. Power and Water has a major stake in the Alice Springs Solar Cities Project which provides another opportunity to trial procedures and technologies to help us live sustainably. Let us not forget that at the Desert Knowledge campus there will be eight solar power panels and solar power generation facilities to display to the consumers either in or outside the city what they can do to minimise using diesel or other fossil fuels for generating power for their house. The biggest problem with solar energy is how to save the energy produced in the day time so you can have it through the night. The biggest cost is the batteries due to them needing to be replaced every six years. Now there is a new generation of batteries that can be replaced every 10, 12 or 15 years. The cost will be significantly decreased as the demand for this type of technology increases. If the number of units produced increases, the cost per unit decreases.
You probably remember if you wanted to buy a DVD player when they first came out six years ago it would have cost $600 to $700. I know, as I bought one. I paid that amount of money. You can buy one today from Big W for $49 because of the significant number being produced and the cost going down.
The introduction of a National Emissions Trading Scheme in 2010 is a key driver for mitigating national greenhouse gas emissions. Power and Water is studying ways of managing the impact of the Emissions Trading Scheme on the Northern Territory where the emissions are small on a national basis, and costs to the consumer may be disproportionate to the benefits.
Another federal initiative that the Chief Minister mentioned is the increased mandated renewable energy target to 45 000 GW/h. Power and Water has managed to satisfy the existing targets for the past seven years, and is planning its strategy for handling the increased target.
In recent years, Power and Water participated in a number of studies which looked at the impact climate change may have on the Northern Territory in general, and on the operations of Power and Water in particular. Indications of higher temperatures, sea level changes, more frequent and more intense cyclones and change in rainfall patterns will all have an effect on all aspects of the corporation, including power generation, power distribution, water supply, water reticulation and sewerage services. One example is Cyclone Helen which, though it did not directly hit Darwin, impacted people living in Darwin and in rural areas. It was the strength of the cyclone that brought down trees, power lines, and interfered with water or sewerage pipelines. If it had been a more severe cyclone, it would have had a bigger impact and been a greater cost to our consumers because, after all, our taxpayers have to pay for the repair and maintenance of the water, sewerage and electricity infrastructure.
Power and Water also has a targeted marketing strategy to encourage Territorians to reduce energy and water consumption. Key marketing messages are promoted through a range of community events and sponsorship activities and via corporate advertising in the media, and also by productions of Power and Water. A significant number of booklets have been produced by Power and Water to show consumers how they can reduce energy consumption; water their garden more effectively by using less water; and buy equipment, like washing machines and dishwashers, which use less water, less power, and thus producing less effluent. Some of these new machines are front loaders. I recall very well growing up in Europe, we never used a top loader washing machine. More European houses have front loaders. The difference is a front loader uses about 15 times less water for the same wash than a top loader.
We have the star system and you can select your dishwasher or washing machine based on the stars - the more stars the appliance has, the more efficient it is. What impressed me recently when I was looking for a dishwasher to replace my old one which had broken down, was how the dishwasher we bought can do a whole load of dishes using only 13 litres of water - from rinse to dry. Thirteen litres of water is actually one and one–third of a bucket. If you try to do the washing-up by hand, it is likely that you will use more than 13 litres of water. There are efficient machines and they do not cost more than the normal ones.
As I said before, Power and Water has produced booklets. I am happy to provide these to members if they want them. Another point is that a lot of the water we use in the washing machine, especially in the rinse cycle, can be used to water your garden. How many of us do not have the ability to do that because the plumbing is not there? You will need to spend money to install the equipment to redirect your rinsing water to the tank. If you do the calculations - how much water you save a year by doing that, how much you save watering your garden - you can make significant savings; probably not in the first year, but in the second, third and subsequent years.
If you want the Green Guide produced by Power and Water you only have to visit www.powerandwater.com.au. You can get the information there and you can print out the guides for your own use.
Since 1984, Power and Water has been using natural gas as the primary fuel in its power station. This fuel emits less than half the greenhouse gas of similar sized coal-fired power stations. The generators that will be used in the new Weddell and Owen Springs power stations will use more efficient technology that will produce fewer emissions than existing generators. We will be using coal generation, utilising the exhaust of the turbines to power another turbine to produce electricity. Of the three turbines, two of them will use gas, and the third one will use the exhaust and some gas, but not as much as the other two. It is Power and Water’s aim to eventually reduce average emission per megawatt hour of electricity generated by about 30%.
Power and Water’s annual environmental excellence awards, the Melaleuca Awards, recognise Territorians who are doing the right thing by the environment. These awards started in 2003, with an aim to make people more environmentally aware and give recognition to Territorians who are achieving environmental excellence.
Power and Water is also involved in some fantastic environmental initiatives that are innovative and environmentally sound projects. The Water Reuse in the Alice project will treat effluent so it can be reused as irrigation, rather than letting this precious water resource go to waste through evaporation or by overflow into Ilparpa Swamp. Also, treated effluent can be used for reforestation. The best way to reduce carbon and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is in the cells of the plants, in biomass, and that is what the trick is. We can use that water to reforest areas, even in the desert, and that can be used to buy carbons or as carbon trade-offs.
Only a few years ago, we commissioned Australia’s largest flat plate photovoltaic solar power station at Kings Canyon, followed by another one at Bulman in Arnhem Land.
You may not realise that Territorians are some of the biggest water users in the country. Power and Water has a strategy to help educate everyone on ways to be water wise, especially in Alice Springs where the rate of water extraction is higher than the natural recharge from rainfall.
Ultimately, by working hard to conserve water and energy use, we all minimise our impact on the environment. And every effort, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Of course, we can always take the little steps in our house. How many of us leave lights on? How many of us have replaced every single globe in our house with the new generation fluorescent globes? The globes now come in different sizes. I remember when they first came out, they were that size and used to stick out of the socket. They were visually very unattractive. Now you can buy ones that fit. They come in very small sizes. You can use them in table lamps or in the bedside tables. They use about one-eighth of the energy of an incandescent globe.
The other thing that we have to mention, and this is on a government level, is: why do we still have to use V6 and V8 cars? Why cannot we use efficient four cylinder cars? After all, many cars outside Australia, especially in places like Europe or Japan, are smaller cars with a four cylinder engine. In addition, why do we not have plans in place that, as we replace cars, wherever possible we utilise hybrid cars? First, we would reduce the consumption of fuel, thus reducing the cost to the government. Second, if we use hybrid vehicles more companies will produce them and so reduce the costs to the consumer. Third, we would be helping the environment. Fourth, there would be a profit for government, because I am aware that people are queuing up and putting their names on the list to acquire hybrid cars. It was only two years ago in America when second-hand hybrid cars were more expensive to buy than a new one because you had to wait about six or eight months for a new hybrid.
I have asked Power and Water, and my other departments, if there is a way we can acquire more hybrid cars in our fleet rather than using V6 cars or manual four cylinder cars. Currently, the Power and Water fleet and other departments are managed by NT Fleet. At the moment, there is a review to find out if Power and Water can manage their fleet more effectively. If this is possible, I want them to actively pursue replacement of big cars with hybrid cars. In addition to that, now with some of the Japanese companies coming up with hybrid trucks, there is an opportunity for us to have a look at the efficiency and cost of those trucks, and replace some of our fleet with them.
Currently, Power and Water has six hydrogen cars in the fleet, with another one on order. I am very pleased about this. I promise I will be pushing harder and harder for Power and Water to replace some of these fuel hungry trucks and cars with more efficient and cheaper to run hybrid cars.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Deputy Speaker, when the Northern Territory gets up and talks about climate change, I believe we have to keep things in perspective. We are only a drop in the bucket compared to other parts of Australia and the world. We have a very small manufacturing base, and our consumption of electricity seems to be more related with airconditioning than anything else, especially in this part of the world.
The Minister for Tourism was talking about having better washing machines and better fridges. I reckon that many of the new fridges might be more efficient in the use of electricity, but I do not think they are very good fridges. If anyone looked at fridges in days gone by they would see the back of them was always open, and now they are sealed. I have a fridge that is not sealed at the back – fantastic – you get cold water; the other ones struggle and I think the design is not made for the tropics.
Be that as it may, there are lots of little things we can do and the Chief Minister has spoken about them. In reality, if you were going to do something serious about climate change from a Territory perspective it is very difficult. Where do all the problems come from in the Territory? They come from production of electricity and the motor vehicle. They would be the main greenhouse gas producers. How are we going to fix those? It will be very difficult because they are big issues and, for the Territory to go alone, switching over to some other form of energy is not going to be easy. We do not have the population and manufacturing base to make that worthwhile. What can we do to, at least, reduce the amount of electricity we use, and reduce the use of motor vehicles? There are some things that the Territory needs to lead the way in, because I believe it is lagging behind.
Why do people use airconditioning? We have these multistorey buildings going up and they will all be airconditioned. You have units after units after units and they are all airconditioned. You could not live in them – they would become hot boxes. They are not designed for tropical flow, as the minister said. Minister, one of the reasons people do not put louvres in any more is because they are dearer than ordinary glass. They require a higher standard under the building regulations and are more costly. Glass is thicker than it used to be, since it has to be cyclone proof, as well. I would love to have more louvres in my place but it has sliding windows. The reality is that it is more costly.
What are we doing about building design? The minister said, and I recall that debate in parliament, when he was talking about the colour of roofs. It is not very hard for anyone driving down the highway to look at Farrar and see the number of black roofs. Those black roofs have been built courtesy of the existing government’s rules and regulations. There has been no change in that. I was talking to someone the other day and they said they liked the black roof. I asked if it made it hotter. They said: ‘No, we put all these extra things in the roof to make sure the hot air all goes out’. So, to overcome the extra heat created by having a black roof, they made the house more expensive.
The minister mentioned orientation of houses. If the block is small you cannot orientate your house according to the weather. We all know there have been great problems in the suburbs - Darwin and Palmerston - where the blocks are so small there is hardly any room between the houses. In many cases there will be a bank of airconditioners down one side. You only have to go to the subdivision on the Stuart Highway near Fannie Bay on the left hand side behind the big wall. If you have a look there you will see how close houses are there. They have a fence down the middle, they have airconditioning down one side, and the other people are very close to the fence on the other side. Talk about untropical design. Of course, it is about maximising profits – that is what it is about. If you can get more houses on a parcel of land, you make more money. Unfortunately, that is the way the world goes. Is it good planning? Are we making things more difficult for ourselves?
I am interested in some statistics, if it is possible, to look at how much electricity we have used from 10 years ago until now. How many airconditioning units have been installed in Darwin from 10 years ago until now, or even look back 20 years. I do not have an airconditioner in my house, and my house is not well designed either. I am used to living under a fan. Sometimes in the Wet Season, when there is no monsoon around, it is very difficult. We do not have a hot water booster. When there are monsoons around we do not have too much hot water. You learn to live with these things.
In reality, we are continuing to build buildings with very poor design. I do not think the government is encouraging people to reverse that trend. We get up here and talk about it, but I guarantee there will be another 33 storey building going up that requires airconditioning. There will be another suburb somewhere in Lyons or somewhere else where the style of housing is not conducive to the flow of air through the house. When I was working on Bathurst Island one of the in things was to have a breezeway. You had a section of a building where the breeze simply went straight through. I have been to some houses like that; they are fly screened, and all the louvres are open and the breeze goes through the lounge room out the back of the building. It is very comfortable to live in and quite cheap, and you certainly reduce your costs.
Four houses on the old Arafura Bowling site on Ross Smith Avenue have won architectural awards. However, the cost of them is out of this world; they are very expensive houses. Yet they are houses with louvres, they are on stilts, they are meant to have a flow-through design, and they are corrugated iron. They look very nice, except they are beyond the reach of ordinary people, which is unfortunate.
The government needs to promote the idea of simple housing that does not require high use of energy. Can we build strong houses in a cyclone area but with less costly material? Concrete, believe it or not, is one of the most energy absorbing materials we can use. People might think we can produce energy out of solar or wind alone - and I am not knocking solar or wind - but if you want to produce some of the materials to build your house, like steel and concrete, an enormous amount of energy is required to produce that. We should look at changing the materials we use to build our houses to materials that are less energy absorbing.
What about the design of our cities? I remember a few years ago as Darwin and Casuarina was developing, what did the government do? It looked at putting some buildings out at Casuarina. Why? Because it believed that you should not have all your workers in one particular area of the city. All that does is concentrate all the traffic in that one place. For some reason, I do not know why, they built a number of buildings at Casuarina and now it seems to have stopped. Then Palmerston came along and they built Highway House. It sat out there like a beacon for many years amongst the bush. Then they built the Goyder Building. Recently, there has been nothing. We ought to be thinking a bit like Canberra: if we build Weddell - I hope they do build Weddell - that we allocate an area where some of our public servants work.
Stand on the Stuart Highway in the mornings around the Lambrick Avenue intersection and the Howard Springs Road intersection and have a look at the amount of traffic from the rural area, not taking into account Palmerston. With the amount of traffic that is going into Darwin every day to work, you would have to ask why? Why are so many people working in Darwin? Why have we not spread the workload out to the northern suburbs, Palmerston and the rural area? We are not thinking laterally enough about ways to reduce the emphasis on using cars. The cost of having infrastructure for large volumes of traffic travelling into Darwin is exemplified by the amount of money it is going to cost to build Tiger Brennan Drive. It is something like $100m. We are building that simply because traffic volumes are increasing and they are increasing because people are working in a centralised area.
This is not brand new science. I can remember studying this about 30 years ago and looking at how cities should be designed. Canberra has done something like that. You go to their centres and you will see large office blocks in those areas. They have been planning and thinking in the way that city is designed and we should take a note of the way it is done there.
We need to put more emphasis on good public transport. We have car after car. I am one of those who comes to town with one person in the vehicle. We need public transport that is attractive to people. Buses might be great – I know the thinkers in the transport industry will tell you that the buses are the cheapest way to have transport, as they get you closest to your home, but there are other ways of doing things. A light rail system has been spoken about here before. I believe there is a possibility of having light rail from Darwin to Palmerston to Humpty Doo to Noonamah. In the rural area you would have a secure place to leave your car. You might have something near the Humpty Doo shops. The government would set it up and the train would pull in and pick up people - no different than railway stations in the suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney. To make it a little more attractive to people to ensure their vehicles would not be damaged while they are away you would want a secure car park near these facilities. If you had a good airconditioned light rail coming into Darwin, or stopping at Palmerston, that would be attractive to people. It would get vehicles off the road. You would be using a cleaner form of energy because you would be using electricity which is run on gas, so you would not be using so much petrol or diesel.
We seem to be in a vision vacuum, if I can call it that. These things would cost money and are probably a bit radical. In Melbourne, where I came from, they built an enormous rail and tram system in 1928 and even before that - way back. It must have been pretty expensive to build things then, and they went out into the bush. Melbourne is expanding its tram lines further out. Why can’t we? The economics people might say it is very costly and will be costly to maintain, but what is the alternative - more roads; more $125m Tiger Brennan Drives? That is the alternative.
We have to weigh up the costs in total, not just look at the particular costs of setting up public transport - quick, efficient, airconditioned, modern public transport. When I was in Melbourne during the Christmas break, I looked at some of those new trams. They are very comfortable, and are easy for people, especially older people, to board. They are very efficient forms of transport. People will say: ‘Melbourne built this many years ago and it is costly but we live with it’. It is certainly a popular form of transport. We should be looking at those types of things.
The Minister for Tourism mentioned using effluent. Any new city that is to be designed in the Territory should have a dual pipe system. We need one pipe for fresh water for the home, and we should be able to look at recycling our sewerage water and grey water through the town. There are cities designed with dual reticulation systems so that you can water your garden with the grey water or treated sewerage water, and have your drinking water go directly to the house - and none of that would go into the sea. When you consider the figures of the amount of sewage that goes into Darwin Harbour either at the Larrakeyah outfall, the Ludmilla Treatment Plant, or at the Leanyer plant, there is a considerable amount of water going to waste. New designs of cities should be including that as part of a process for ensuring we do not waste water. People might say that it will make it more expensive to build a city. Your option is then you build a dam. Do we say we will build another dam, or can we use our existing water better? It will cost something initially but, once that cost is in there, you would have some savings.
If you are looking at the bigger picture, it is interesting that the minister mentioned geothermal. I am a great fan of geothermal. I have raised the issue of geothermal energy use in here since the day I arrived. Geothermal has possibilities. The only problem is that it is still not proven. Innamincka has been on the drawing board in South Australia for quite a while; they have drilled holes. I have not heard the latest, but I know they had problems with one of the drill holes that had a piece of equipment stuck in it. Even though I am a great supporter of it, it has not come to fruition yet. I hope it does because, if you are looking at a clean - renewable I am not sure yet, I am not sure how long heat in the ground will last if you are tapping it, but it has certainly lasted a long time. It is clean and it does not cause any pollution. If it can happen, it would be good.
A lot more work has to be done on hydrogen. To me, hydrogen is still the future fuel for cars. If we are going to rely on private transport, hydrogen is the way forward. There are still a lot of technical problems with the broad scale use of hydrogen because the storage of hydrogen is not that simple. The production of hydrogen presently uses fossil fuels, so even though you are producing a nice gas that is free of any pollutants, it uses a fuel or energy source that creates greenhouse gases.
Of course, there is uranium. The Chief Minister and the Minister for Mines and Energy issued a joint media release yesterday, 20 February. In that media release there was reference to the Cameco/Paladin uranium deposits in Central Australia. The ministers said:
In the face of climate change …
And that is what we are talking about today:
Well, knock me over with a feather duster. I get confused. We have a government that does not support nuclear power, but which now says uranium is a source of clean energy and we are happy to export it to other countries. It is like saying we do not like bombs because bombs kill people but we are happy to export them because it is a wonderful manufacturing industry; we make a lot of money and we send it to some other country and what they do with them we do not care.
In the case of uranium, we are saying something similar. We do not like uranium in the Northern Territory because we do not like nuclear power because we have problems with the waste. But we are happy to send it to another country and what it does with the waste is its problem. To me, we have a little hypocrisy. You send the stuff overseas, you say it is a clean energy source, yet we seem to be bound up in this sort of tunnel vision that says, ‘It is not for us’. Maybe it is not. If we can get geothermal, I will go for geothermal any day. You do not have to worry about the waste product.
The reality is, and I mentioned it before, the cement that builds our houses requires a vast amount of energy, huge volumes of energy. The steel that goes into the roofs and the doors, the doorframes, the window frames, and aluminium, again, enormous amounts of power. You are talking big, big power. Somewhere along the line, if we are not going to use coal, and gas is eventually going to run out, we have to find an alternative. People say solar and wind. I am still yet to be convinced that when it comes to large quantities of electricity we are going to get that sort of power. Storage is one of the problems with solar and wind. When it is not sunny you are not producing power, and when it is not windy you are not producing power, so you have to work out ways of storing energy. Certainly, uranium is one of those. I know people have their views on uranium, but just because they do not agree with it does not mean we should close our minds to it. In fact, I was reading some articles the other day which claim that some of the new nuclear plants will actually use up the waste that comes from those power plants.
We need to keep our minds open, but it does seem strange to me that when you are talking about climate change today, the Chief Minister has taken on climate change. On one hand, he makes no mention of uranium or nuclear power, but, on the other hand he says that this uranium exploration in Central Australia is wonderful because, in the face of climate change, the world is seeking clean energy solutions. That is the minister’s own words. I find it hard to put those two things together.
The Minister for Tourism mentioned saving water. There is nothing wrong with saving water. But you have to be fair dinkum with people when you say save water. Water from our tap costs us very little money. To buy a rainwater tank is in the thousands of dollars. If you have to buy a rainwater tank you would have to ask if there are savings. First of all, someone has to produce the rainwater tank and there are emissions involved in producing a rainwater tank, it has to be transported, etcetera, and then you have to pay for the tank. You have to look at the value of it: is it cheaper? How long is it going to take to pay for that rainwater tank? It is a bit like people saying, I would like to put solar electricity in my house and there is a power line going past the house. I can guarantee that when you look at the costings, it is hardly worth it. Some of these things are all right where you have no other forms of water, or no other form of electricity, but when you are close to mains water and mains power, the issue comes down to economics. In many cases, much as people might like to have rainwater tanks, they would have to pay a fair bit of money to get them installed and then you have to look at the savings compared to using water carefully at home.
I welcome the minister’s statement. It is important. A lot of what he has in there relates to the small things we can do and that is important. But when the crunch comes, and you look at the big picture, the big picture is about the big things we burn up in our society. That is gas to produce electricity and petrol to drive our cars. They are the biggest polluters we have. Do not forget we have Wickham Point sitting in the middle of the harbour which churns out a fairly large amount of CO2 every day so we can send lovely clean gas to Japan. Their pollution goes down and ours goes up, but that is the way of the world.
It is a good statement but we should keep our feet on the ground and look at where we fit in the global picture. We are only a small drop in the bucket. We will do the best we can with what we have. The only other way to change things is to change those big energy users like oil and gas and find alternatives to that. When we find alternatives, then we will really do something about climate change. We have to change the rest of the world as well, not just Australia.
Mr BONSON (Sport and Recreation): Madam Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the Chief Minister’s statement on climate change. As the Chief Minister quite rightly pointed out, climate change is one of the most critical issues facing the world today. I know there are some sceptics out there but it is now widely agreed that the world must act now on climate change or we will face disastrous consequences.
Last year, the former World Bank chief economist, Sir Nicholas Stern, released a report which highlighted the overwhelming evidence of global warming and its likely environmental and economic consequences. The Stern report portrayed the global situation in stark terms.
Carbon emissions have already increased average global temperatures by half a degree. Without action, there is a 75% chance that average temperatures will increase by 3 in the next 50 years. The Stern report goes on to make further warnings. These include the prospect of rising sea levels; more extreme weather patterns; the extinction of species; and declining crop yields. The new federal Labor government acted quickly to prove its commitment to addressing climate change when it ratified the Kyoto Protocol. I believe we all recognise the Howard government’s pointless obstinacy on Kyoto in spite of the weight of scientific evidence. Howard dealt in fear and greed. Rudd deals in hopes and dreams.
I thank governments all around the world for working to tackle climate change. In the Territory, we have a unique natural environment and this government is committed to its preservation. We must do everything we can to protect our environment for future generations. We can also play a part in helping Australia achieve its Kyoto target for greenhouse gas emissions.
The Northern Territory Strategy for Greenhouse Action 2006 sets out practical and achievable greenhouse initiatives that encourage behavioural change, support research and build partnerships. For example, by 2011 the government will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption in government buildings by 10%. We are determined to lead by example.
DCIS, through its Northern Territory Property Management Unit, is developing a draft policy on building sustainability for both new and existing buildings. The Property Management Unit is also coordinating the NT government’s participation in the National Energy Efficiency Survey being conducted by the Sydney University. Ten buildings owned or leased by the Northern Territory government, including Parliament House, are expected to feature in the survey. The survey will produce extensive feedback to building owners regarding their building’s performance and how it can be improved in a cost-effective manner. The policy on building sustainability will address the Green Building Council of Australia, building sustainability standard required for new buildings; the Australian Building Greenhouse Ratings, or ABGR, energy efficiency standard required for new buildings; the ABGR energy efficiency standard required for existing buildings, and the centralised management in all leased buildings of energy, water and waste expenditure via the NT Property Management Unit.
This policy is being developed in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Consultation will also occur with the Development Consent Authority regarding this policy. Additionally, NT Property Management will work closely with the Property Council of Australia.
Once national standards are adopted, buildings in the NT can be rated for energy efficiency in a similar manner to electrical appliances. After building ratings, the next national priority will be to resolve barriers to improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings.
The management of carbon emissions over the life cycle of the building’s operation is assessed during the design phase using the Green Building Council of Australia Star Rating Scheme which rates environmental sustainability of buildings. The highest rating available is six stars and the lowest is four. At present there is no GBCA accredited building in the Northern Territory. I understand, though, that accreditation is being considered by a number of developers. Under the GBCA rating scheme, once buildings are commissioned, the energy efficiency of the building is assessed and managed using the Green Building Star Rating system. The maximum rating is five stars with a minimum one star. The Government Property Group under the auspices of the Procurement and Construction Council of Australia is currently developing a National Building Sustainability Framework for government owned or occupied buildings. Our Property Management unit is a member of the Government Property Group and is actively contributing to development of this framework.
Under our Greenhouse Strategy 2006, the government is also aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the government’s passenger vehicle fleet. We had aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the government fleet by 5% by the end of June 2007. In fact, by the end of June 2007 we had achieved a 6% reduction and by December 2007 this had increased to 7%. This is a saving of 21 grams of CO2 emissions for every kilometre a government vehicle travels. This equates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 84 tonnes a month. The government has also recognised that by acquiring a more fuel efficient fleet the annual spend on fuel is reduced as is the amount of greenhouse gases produced.
The NT Fleet will continue to encourage customers to consider more fuel efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles including four cylinder turbo diesel models and hybrid vehicles with the aim of further reducing fleet costs and the production of greenhouse emissions. By replacing just one six cylinder passenger vehicle with a four cylinder model, government can realise annual savings of at least $500 in fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas production by as much as 8.5 tonnes a year. Replacing a six cylinder vehicle with a new common rail four cylinder turbo diesel, where operation is suitable, can result in a saving of up to $1800 per vehicle.
NT Fleet is in the process of buying state-of-the-art diesel engines, small passenger vehicles such as turbo diesel sedans which have an expected fuel economy of 4.5 litres per 100 km compared to 11.7 litres per 100 km for some six cylinder petrol engine vehicles. NT Fleet has increased its fleet of Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles by more than 100% over the last 12 months. The Prius has a fuel economy of around 4.5 litres per 100 km. There are more than 30 in the fleet and I expect the number to continue to increase. NT Fleet has bought a number of factory fitted LPG vehicles for evaluation to assess fuel costs, suitability and customer acceptance.
There are many ways in which government works towards achieving national Kyoto targets for greenhouse gas emissions. One of them is through environmentally friendly and sustainable procurement practices. In the Northern Territory, government procurement is estimated to account for between 10% to 15% of gross domestic product. Northern Territory government procurement is worth $1.9bn a year. This represents a significant opportunity to achieve direct, sustainable development benefits.
In 2007, the Australian Procurement and Construction Council, of which the Northern Territory is a member, developed an Australian and New Zealand government framework for sustainable procurement. The framework includes the following four principles as a guide for public sector agencies:
1. adopt strategies to avoid unnecessary consumption and manage demand;
The Territory government will continue to help Australia and the world reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This effort is important - not only to help Australia meet its international environmental commitments but, as a government, we are also determined to protect the Territory’s unique natural environment.
Madam Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Madam Speaker, we are clearly in an era and a time when our species deals with climate change. How we deal with it will be the single most defining issue facing mankind. This issue is global, while also personal for each and every one of us. We will only get one shot at this; that is very clear. Our destiny depends on getting it right. It truly is that serious and everyone in this House understands that. In the Territory, we need to play our part. The good news is that we can make a difference. The good news is that this government will make a difference.
Let us not be misled into thinking that if we globally act today we could suddenly stop global warming and, further, climate change in its tracks. It does not work that way. To help members conceptualise this, if a super tanker at sea was to suddenly throw its propellers into reverse to avoid running aground, it would take some seven miles for it to come to a stop and begin to reverse. It is much the same with climate change. No matter what we do right now and into the future, it will get worse before it gets better. We need to have a clear understanding of that.
I am, by trade, a man of science. I understand the seriousness of the matter and the challenges each and every one of us face. In February 2006, I spoke to parliament on this very subject, where I gave a good explanation in everyday terms of global warming, which is causing our climate to change. It is worth repeating some salient points here today as I lead into what I will add later in my speech.
It is all about what is happening in our upper atmosphere; that area of sky that appears clear and empty but is actually made up of many elements. The main two elements in the atmosphere are oxygen and nitrogen. Oxygen is the basis of the air we breathe, and nitrogen is essential to the production of protein and, hence, the growth of all living things. While both oxygen and nitrogen allow most of the incoming solar radiation heat to reach the Earth, they also allow infrared radiation heat coming from the Earth to move out and escape the Earth’s atmosphere. This process is in natural equilibrium and is the reason that all life on Earth can survive and why all life on Earth flourishes. Aside from oxygen and nitrogen, there are other minor constituents in our atmosphere. These include water vapour, carbon dioxide, and trace elements like nitrous oxide, methane and halocarbons.
Here is where the science lesson gets quite interesting. While water vapour, carbon dioxide and trace elements, the so-called greenhouse gases, allow incoming solar radiation to heat and reach the Earth, they tend to inhibit infrared radiation coming from the Earth to move outward and escape the Earth. In fact, some of the infrared radiation heat gets directed back into the Earth’s surface where it increases the warmth of the surface. Because water vapour, carbon dioxide and the trace elements are normally in low proportions in the atmosphere compared to oxygen and nitrogen, surface warming has been kept in check.
Unfortunately though, since the Industrial Revolution, the amount of water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, halocarbons and nitrous oxide, the so-called greenhouse gases, have increased in our atmosphere and are increasing at an alarming rate. Consequently, more and more infrared radiation heat is being directed back to the Earth’s surface. Our atmosphere, rich in greenhouse gases, is beginning to act precisely like a greenhouse around our earth, keeping more and more of the heart trapped inside. This is the problem of global warming which is causing our climate to change.
To put this in perspective, in pre-industrial times, the level of carbon dioxide was about 280 parts per million, while today it stands at over 370 parts per million; this is an increase of over 30%. Most of this comes from the burning of fossil fuels and native vegetation, as well as, to a lesser extent, land clearing. Why land clearing? Because plants are the great absorbers of carbon dioxide; it is what plants breathe in. What they breathe out is the oxygen we breathe in.
One of the atmospheric greenhouse gases is methane. Atmospheric methane concentrations have increased by 150% in the past 250 years. Methane is generally naturally occurring in wetlands and bogs, while livestock grazing and landfill activities are the main manmade sources. Halocarbons, or CFCs as they are commonly known, are another group of greenhouse gases, but this is a case of one good news story. We have known for some time, internationally, that these gases are quite insidious as both a greenhouse gas as well as a major factor in the depletion of the atmospheric ozone layer. Fortunately, following implementation of the Montreal Protocol Regulations, the atmospheric abundance of halocarbons peaked in 1994 and is slowly declining. Obviously, globally, we can make a difference and this is the kind of story which will encourage us to put our combined global effort into action.
A greenhouse gas that is particularly noteworthy to us in the Territory is nitrous oxide, because it is generated, along with carbon dioxide, from bushfires. Unfortunately, nitrous oxide in our atmosphere has increased by some 16% in the last 250 years. It is particularly important that we talk about nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide from bushfires because, unlike the member for Nelson’s suggestion that the biggest area that we can influence global warming is through vehicles and industrialisation, the truth is we contribute to global warming through the extent of our bushfires.
Overall, we contribute something like 3% to 5% nationally towards greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. The exciting news is that the studies that I discussed once before, and other members have discussed, about the arrangements and the studies that have been done with the Charles Darwin University and ConocoPhillips in the East Arnhem area are showing us what is happening out there.
By expanding that sort of program and trying to get on top of the somewhat unnecessary bushfires that occur in the Top End, indications are that we can make a difference of about 1% to 2% nationally. That is pretty exciting. We are working towards getting those programs well established. It is more important we take things in perspective and do not just lose sight of the forest for the trees and jump on the bandwagon and think it is all about vehicles and things. That is very important, but the big changes we can make, the big impacts that we can have up here, are related to fire management.
I also want to talk a bit about emissions trading schemes. I am relying very heavily on the eminent work that has been carried out by the National Emissions Trading Task Force and investigations and the Garnaut Climate Change Review. These are very important documents and there is still a lot of work in progress in these areas. What I am talking about now relies heavily on those areas. The real question is why do we need to talk about emissions trading? What is it, and how is that going to help us? I quote particularly from the National Emissions Trading Task Force and then explain a bit about that. They say in one of their reports that:
I guess that comes to the crux of it. It has to be in areas at the country level, not just in sectors. It really lends itself to the kind of scale of abatement measures that we need to take. We have all of those factors in place in Australia, along with many other countries. That is particularly important.
Some of the other salient aspects of emissions trading are encapsulated in the work being done by those two bodies I mentioned before. In essence, it is probably fairly simple to understand that if you can get businesses that are operating in sectors and you make it worthwhile, and the more efficiently they upgrade the standard of equipment they use, particularly in the manufacturing areas, but across a range of areas that reduces their carbon footprint, then that has to be where we need to head. The way you can do that is by making the marginal cost for them to operate influenced more by the elements of carbon trading. In other words, if they perform their functions such that it is more economic to produce their goods by having more efficient, less carbon producing machinery, then they will do that. Consequently, those businesses that tend to move into areas when they have the opportunity to invest into more efficient and less polluting manufacturing processes will have an obvious marginal advantage.
Businesses that are not moving as quickly have the potential to buy credits, initially from the government, but also the secondary market from businesses that are already moving towards efficiency. The older businesses have the competitive advantage because they are more efficient, and other businesses will want to move that way and improve their capacity by buying those credits. Those credits, though, come at a cost; it makes them less competitive. They are just buying time for themselves and will be forced into making their businesses and operations more efficient.
The costs of pollution on the Australian economy will depend on a range of factors; most importantly the availability of low-emission technologies, which is what I was talking about before, about businesses having access to those technologies.
The schemes that we are talking about have a couple of important elements to them. We have to understand that we are not just operating in a situation where Australia stands alone. We operate on an international playing field. There are situations where some of our industries would become uncompetitive overnight. The energy intense trade would be particularly exposed if we were to really go heavily into some of these areas and not give them some sort of competitive advantage or compensation that would make them competitive.
When I mean compensation, I am not talking about compensation insofar as tax relief. I believe we need to have an area where there is a free allocation to them and the excess that they need to operate so they can compete internationally. So there is that free element and from then onwards you need to buy your trading credits. The same would apply to our electricity industry. If you implemented the trading scheme without any element of credit that is recognised by the industry, then you will be passing costs directly on to the secondary industries. These are two areas that we need to look at, as far as giving them some sort of free credits.
Next, we need to work out the excess for the whole of Australia. We need to set some limits on the capacity so we get some standards of what we require as far as the standards we set. The government will be working towards that. We need to work out what is required to keep those particular industries going – the power industry, to ensure that the costs are not flowing on to secondary industries and significantly affecting them. Then the excess, which represents the vast majority of credits, can be openly traded.
When it comes to methods of trading, the most generally accepted is the cap and trade schemes. How does a cap and trade scheme work? Basically, the emissions are capped over a particular period. It is up to government to do that and they have the background information to do so. Then you have the other approach where permits to emit greenhouse gases are issued for particular periods. How that is done we will come to in a minute. I will talk about the auctioning method, which is the second element. Third, you have to have some sort of penalty for non-compliance which underpins the value for emission for polluting.
The fourth element is that participants can trade these permits amongst themselves. If they have overestimated their targets because they have improved their standards, they can actually trade that excess back into a secondary market. The good thing is that, under most schemes that are proposed, it is not set by government. It is, rather, dictated by the marketplace which makes it subject to marginal costs constraints of business. That is the good thing about it. It is a realistic process.
In Australia, we are probably heading the way of the auctioning process. The objectives of the auctioning for greenhouse gas permits are that there is the allocating of permits efficiently to those who value them the most and, of course, it comes back to the marginal cost of operations for those businesses. By generating price signals, options reveal marginal abatement costs, and well-designed options pool the beliefs of all participants regarding the future value of permits and, thus, decisions on investment and abatement measures. It is important that early and accurate price signals let us implement the least cost abatement measures available.
I know it sounds quite technical, but it is at the heart of the emissions trading; that we actually have something that will work. There has been a lot of work, science, and economics done on this. It is the way forward, but the important thing is that we put a value on polluting, and that people who are best able to cope with that have a capacity to take advantage of it. Those industries or businesses will thrive, and businesses that pollute will either have to change, or spend a lot of money on it and make themselves viable in doing so. If they persist with their polluting ways it will cost them more, and the general process will lead to us meeting our targets.
Madam Speaker, there is one important thing that we all need to know and that is we need to play our part for our generation but, most importantly, for our children and their children. I commend the minister on his statement.
Mr HAMPTON (Stuart): Madam Speaker, I support our Chief Minister’s statement on climate change - and what an important statement it was. I acknowledge all the other speakers this afternoon who have talked on that statement.
I listened with keen interest this afternoon and learned much about climate change. It is a topical issue. We have a new government in Canberra which has shown leadership on this by signing up to the Kyoto Protocol - something we have waited for, for a long time. Members have talked about being accountable. That signifies to the country that we now have a government in Canberra which is committed to doing something about climate change.
We may wonder why we struggle with this issue of climate change. It goes back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when we saw huge numbers of factories and steel works sweep across Europe early last century. We have come to the point where we now all recognise that climate change is not a myth. Human beings have been responsible for extensive damage to the environment and the ozone layer. It is important that we acknowledge how we have contributed heavily to the situation we find ourselves in today.
As the Chief Minister stated, with climate change, however, there are some significant opportunities now arising in areas such as the Desert Knowledge Centre and research, particularly in Central Australia. There are real opportunities to create jobs in remote areas as we continue in our efforts to deal with climate change. He also said that the centrepiece will be the National Emissions Trading Scheme which, I have to admit, I do not know too much about. It is something we need to work on more and commit ourselves to. The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change released its Fourth Assessment Report. We can back it up with some strong leadership from our Chief Minister. Those high-level international agreements and commitments are important to keep us on track to achieving what we are saying we are going to do with climate change.
Reading from the website of the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, there are challenges for the Northern Territory. We can see for ourselves the weather patterns in Darwin and across the country to Queensland and Western Australia, and the amount of rain we are experiencing and the flooding. Down in the Centre, back home in Alice Springs, there is extreme heat. One of the symptoms of climate change is the extreme weather we are currently seeing right across our country.
Quoting from the Natural Resources website:
In terms of temperature and water:
Extreme weather events
From that information from the NRETA website, you can clearly understand why the Chief Minister’s statement is so important. I commend the Chief Minister and this government for showing some great leadership.
The Chief Minister announced a three pronged strategy, which we will be focusing on over the next 12 months. Those 12 months will be crucial. The strategy involves working and negotiating at the national level to ensure the Territory’s contribution and needs are recognised; developing a Northern Territory approach to climate change in light of national and international developments; and, working with Territorians to make sure we are on the right track at both the national and local levels.
The Chief Minister also stated that, two years ago, the then minister for Environment and our Deputy Chief Minister presented the NT Strategy for Greenhouse Action to this Assembly. In relation to that, one of the great successes from that strategy was the Solar City Project in Alice Springs. On 16 April 2007, the Commonwealth government announced Alice Springs as the fourth Solar City, and that it would contribute $12.3m, comprising $4m of the Solar City and $8.3 Renewable Remote Power Generation Program funding. Agreements to administer these funds have been established. The Northern Territory government has been a strong supporter and proud partner of the Alice Springs Solar City Project from the beginning and has provided the following: $145 000 and significant in kind support to the Alice Springs Solar City Consortium; $3.439m to support renewable and energy efficiency projects at the Araluen Cultural Precinct and Alice Springs Hospital; and, funding of operational costs to ensure the success of the Alice Springs Solar City Project.
The Territory government has already provided $127 000 to the Alice Springs Town Council for start up funding as part of its commitment. The Alice Springs project incorporates installation of smart meters; domestic time of use tariff trial; installation of solar technologies at residential and iconic sites; financial incentives and packages; and, the provision of information and advice on energy efficiency and demand management. There is great support from the Northern Territory government for that successful project. I look forward to attending the launch with the Chief Minister and other members of this government in the near future.
The Territory economy relies heavily on the natural resources and the land that we are fortunate to have. The mining and pastoral areas, as well as the growing horticulture and agriculture industry, are far too important for our future not to have a policy dealing with climate change. It is great to see that this policy and our Chief Minister showing leadership particularly providing confidence and a stable future for those particular industries.
In terms of responsibilities, I have mentioned our Prime Minister signing up to the Kyoto agreement and also our Chief Minister putting together this climate change policy, but also there is the responsibility of individuals. We have had several speakers today talk about the responsibility of families and of individuals and the rest of the community. There is another area I would like to mention. That is the NT Waterwise Central Australian Rebate Scheme in Alice Springs. The Northern Territory government provides rebates of up to $50 for certain water saving products, and up to $500 for eligible plumbing services purchased by residents in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. That is a great initiative from this government in promoting climate change water efficiency schemes in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. The rebates can be used for selected products such as low flow shower roses, flow controllers, hose trigger nozzles, garden timer taps, dual flush toilets suites, washing machines and swimming pool covers just to name a few.
I would also like to mention the solar dishes and renewable energy schemes in Lajamanu and Yuendumu in my electorate. A couple of speakers have mentioned them today. Those systems have provided a lot of cost savings but also more environmentally friendly power supplies to those communities. I believe they are producing up to 50% of the power for those communities.
I have recently talked to the Minister for Parks and Wildlife about the Indigenous Protected Areas programs at Lajamanu. It is the biggest program of its kind in Australia. Basically it is tapping into the knowledge of indigenous people, particularly in terms of land and native flora and fauna, and conservation-type issues. When we talk about climate change we tend to focus on the weather, extreme weather, but there is also great impact on our native animals. We need to protect the native animals from extinction and programs like the Indigenous Protected Areas program go a long way in dealing with that.
I commend the Chief Minister’s statement. I and my family do our best to save energy where we can, whether it is keeping the airconditioner off when it is not too hot and using ceiling fans, having shade cloth around the house, and water tanks. As parents, if we do these minor things then our message is going to get through to our kids. Things like turning power off switches at night or when you are not at home goes a long way in helping out. Education is the key. Projects in schools educating our kids about climate change and the ways they can save energy should be promoted.
In closing, it is disappointing that no one from the opposition who lives in Alice Springs has contributed. There are some exciting things happening there with the Solar City success, the Waterwise Central Australian Rebate Scheme, the COOLmob Desert Knowledge Projects. I believe people in Central Australia have much to be proud of; proud of how they are leading the way in dealing with climate change. I commend this statement to the house.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution on what is going to be a very important debate for the world, for the nation and for the Northern Territory. We are all becoming increasingly more aware of the environmental debate and, very importantly, the economic debate that surrounds the issue of climate change. It is important that, as policy makers and legislators, we inform ourselves about all sides of this debate because, ultimately, it is going to be the parliaments of Australia that endorse the changes that are going to come into place as a result of climate change.
The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage, and the Treasurer made insightful contributions. The members for Goyder and Stuart also had very thoughtful observations about these challenging issues.
Other members spoke from an electorate point of view and I am pleased that the Opposition Leader said he supported the statement. I can assure the Opposition Leader that the government’s policy unit will take an active role across government. I look forward to how this debate plays out in this House given that the CLP for most of the last 11 years endorsed the Prime Minister’s position that we did not need to sign up to Kyoto. I did not hear the Opposition Leader say that he now agrees that we should sign up to Kyoto. In preparing for this statement this afternoon, I recalled a question from the member for Blain to me as Resources minister back in 2001 where the member for Blain actually alleged in his question about why we as a government endorsed Kyoto when signing Kyoto would see a 2.5% reduction in employment in the Northern Territory as a result of us signing Kyoto. I suppose those were the debates six or seven years ago and we can see that signing Kyoto is not going to lead to job reductions. There is going to be a change to various industry sectors but they will be more than offset by gains in other industry sectors.
The member for Nelson made some positive comments but really should get off the back of the LNG plant at Wickham Point. From day one, he has been on the record, on the one hand, saying he supports the LNG plant but it was not to be at Wickham Point; it was supposed to be somewhere else. It is only now that he supports the LNG plant because all the time he has been critical.
The carbon offset program through the West Arnhem Fire Abatement Scheme, which has been one of the few schemes, if not the only scheme, actually endorsed by the National Greenhouse Office goes to show that we can have industry in the Northern Territory, but industry can work with community, with the Northern Territory to offset those emissions. I am pretty sure it is one of the only industry offset programs that has been endorsed by the National Greenhouse Office.
Get off the back of ConocoPhillips, member for Nelson, and start making some positive contributions about where this debate is going. The expansion of the LNG gas industry in the Northern Territory is only going to increase into the future.
Today, Professor Ross Garnaut, the man charged by the Prime Minister with guiding the Australian government on climate change, told the Council of Australian Federation that:
It is important for me, as Chief Minister, to be here to be accountable for the government, but it was also important to be represented at a very senior level at that meeting. The reason my colleague did not attend was because of a mechanical failure on a Qantas plane. If she could have gone there, she would have. However, I am pleased to say we had some very senior policy officers from government there. I look forward to their briefing and a copy of Ross Garnaut’s report to CAF next week.
He said it is in Australia’s interests for the world to adopt a strong and effective position on climate change mitigation. Professor Garnaut told the council that Australia has a first-rate skills base in areas related to innovation, management and financial services. I quote from his report today:
that I talked about yesterday:
This debate presents opportunities for the Northern Territory, as well as some potential concerns.
Territorians are in an exciting and challenging place. The Territory will have the chance to be at the forefront of tackling climate change. We must all accept the climate change challenge. To do anything less would be letting the Territory down. It is going to be a very interesting debate as we move forward throughout the rest of this year and into the future.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Mr HAMPTON (Stuart)(by leave): Madam Speaker, in my capacity as the new Chair-elect of the Sessional Committee on Sport and Youth, I make a report in relation to the progress of this committee’s inquiry since the last statement made by the committee Chair in November 2006.
I thank the previous members of the committee for their enthusiastic and comprehensive contribution to the inquiry. These are the former Chair, my colleague, the member for Port Darwin; the now Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage, the member for Sanderson; the Minister for Sport and Recreation, the member for Millner; and the newly-elected Leader of the Opposition, the member for Blain. In doing so, I pay tribute to their work during their terms on the committee. Although I have not had a lot of opportunity to get across all of their work of the past two years, I know that the committee has reached a stage where it is almost ready to bring down its first report, and I extend my thanks to them for this.
I also take this opportunity to welcome on board the other new members: the members for Macdonnell, Greatorex, and the member for Arnhem who is rejoining the committee. I look forward to working with these members together with those remaining on the committee: the members for Nelson and Katherine.
I remind members of the terms of reference for the Sport and Youth Committee, which gives the committee three areas upon which to concentrate, namely:
the ability and effectiveness of existing structures and programs from grassroots to elite, to deliver in urban, regional and remote areas, and recommendations for improvement;
In the committee’s last statement, the Chair outlined what she saw as the committee’s role of investigating how to change or improve the way sporting programs for our young people are delivered across the Northern Territory. This is with the aim of ensuring that more young people are able to access - and, more importantly, are motivated to do so - a range of sporting activities. I wholeheartedly endorse this role, as I am sure will other new committee members. The range of suggestions, ideas and input the committee has received in the last year from Territorians is encouraging, which is why I today intend to express some of the preliminary policy directions that the committee has previously endorsed. In doing this, I emphasise that the committee still has work to do on finalising its report, which I anticipate will be tabled in the April/May sittings.
The report will expand greatly on what I will be saying today and will contain the committee’s definitive findings and recommendations. However, there are a number of areas where the reporting direction has been endorsed and I will go through these today. Before doing so, I will recap the work of the committee since the then Chair reported to parliament on behalf of the committee in November 2006.
Shortly after the last statement, the committee received feedback from members on sporting initiatives for young people in their electorates, that they were showing encouraging outcomes for young people in terms of participation and positive lifestyle changes. I thank those members who responded for their constructive comments. It was pleasing that Sport and Youth committee members were able to meet with some of the organisers mentioned by members during the extensive community consultations in the latter part of last year. In her November 2006 statement, the former Chair indicated that the committee’s community consultation program was yet to be finalised, but I am pleased to report that this has largely now occurred.
A comprehensive program was developed and commenced in July 2007, with the initial public hearing being held in Darwin. I should mention that, at this time, July 2007, the committee, in view of the uncertainty in various remote communities regarding the then recently announced federal intervention, agreed that addressing of the last of its terms of reference, which would necessarily involve hearings in remote communities, be deferred for the time being. All members agreed that the last thing remote communities needed at that stage of uncertainty was more politicians asking more questions about young people. As a result, the decision was made to focus on the first two terms of reference in relation to how effective existing structures are in delivering sporting outcomes for all our young people, as well as the operation of School Sport NT.
Since this time, hearings have been held in Palmerston, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Batchelor. The committee will travel to Katherine in two weeks, and the Jabiru Town Council is to be requested to compile a submission representing the views of that community. These sessions have provided the committee with an excellent opportunity to liaise with members of the public representing a wide range of groups – parents, teacher, coaches, sports administrators, police, recreation officers, council members, facility operators, researchers and young people have all made valuable contributions to the inquiry and given the committee an extensive overview of the current status of program delivery and how changes may improve some situations. In excess of 70 individuals spoke with the committee and I thank them for their contributions.
Since November 2006, the committee has convened on 12 occasions to take evidence from witnesses, deliberate on evidence, and receive official briefings from key stakeholders. To further contribute to the inquiry, visits by the committee research officer to interstate counterparts delivering sport, school sport and other relevant programs were undertaken. This consultation has allowed for comparison with Northern Territory models and given the committee a wide range of options to consider.
Members should be aware that School Sport NT is part of a national framework of sporting delivery for young people in all states and territories. The committee has been very mindful that if it is going to adequately fulfil its charter with regard to the School Sport NT reference, it was essential to understand how counterparts of School Sport NT operate in other jurisdictions.
In addition, official briefings have been provided by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport to ensure that the committee was aware of the changes to local government that may impact on sport delivery, particularly in remote communities, and to also inform the committee of activities surrounding the development of a sport and recreation policy for the Territory. Development of this policy is directed by my colleague, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, and the committee is very supportive of this initiative. Materials and information have been provided by the committee’s research officer to assist the policy coordination unit responsible for its formulation. The committee looks forward to continued dialogue with this unit to ensure that feedback we have received is considered in the developmental policy.
Other briefings have been provided by the Northern Territory Institute of Sport and School Sport NT, keeping the committee up-to-date of most recent activity within grassroots and the elite settings. With this the link to policy development in mind, I am pleased to provide some feedback on a number of policy directions that the Sessional Committee on Sport and Youth has agreed to, to date, based on the evidence put to it and its deliberations on this.
As noted earlier, the committee plans to table a comprehensive report outlining its recommendations and findings in support of these later this year once the initial inquiry phase is completed. The policy directions from the existing evidence which I will talk about today are in relation to the first two terms of reference, that is the ability and effectiveness of the existing structures and programs from grassroots to elite to deliver to urban, regional and remote areas, and recommendations for improvement and the role and benefit of School Sport NT programs and links to participation. The timeliness of this statement today will allow the Sport and Recreation division of the Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport to consider its contents during development of the Northern Territory sport and recreation policy which I referred to earlier.
There are a number of reasons that I take the opportunity to provide information on the committee’s progress with the inquiry on the first two terms of reference. As I stated earlier, with the activity being undertaken by the federal government in Aboriginal communities, the committee felt that to conduct hearings or community consultations in these settings would create additional confusion for community members. Until the situation becomes more stable in the bush, the committee will not visit. However, the committee was lucky to hear from a representative of the Jaru Pirijidi program operating at Mt Theo and Yuendumu during the public hearing in Alice Springs. This is an excellent example of sport and activity being used to divert young people away from behaviour that could compromise their health or safety and links very closely with the third term of reference of the committee.
A number of similar programs have come to the attention of the committee and we would like to explore these further through community visits and, as such, be able to report in a more holistic way against term of reference number 3. Another reason is that the first two terms of reference have become seemingly intertwined with many contributors to our inquiry highlighting the importance of sport at school as a contributor to participation in sport in the community.
Other links between the two terms of reference include the use of the facilities by schools and sporting groups with similar outcomes and correlation between skill acquisition during quality physical education and sporting ability and participation. Another area of interest that has been highlighted to the committee is participation by young people with disabilities, through school or community settings. I look forward to reviewing more of the evidence presented to the committee.
I will now share with you some of the interim policy directions which the committee has endorsed to date. Concerns were raised with the committee of safety issues associated with billeting of young people. It has been common practice for school sport participants to be billeted by families when participating in Exchange or Championship events, but there is scope within School Sport NT guidelines and policies for other accommodation arrangements to be made. This includes arranging for camping, hostel or similar style lodgings, parents making arrangements for their children to stay with relatives or friends at the event destination, or the option for parents to travel with teams and accommodate their children with them. These options have costly implications, making them sometimes impractical choices. Duty of care is provided to students while they are in the care of the teacher travelling with the sports team but there is no guarantee for safety of students once they leave an event and enter the care of a billeting family.
While the committee was considering the introduction of compulsory police checks for billets, there has been a recent legislative change that supports the view of members. The Care and Protection of Children Act 2007, assented to on 12 December 2007, will, when enacted, provide measures for the prevention of harm and exploitation of children, which includes screening for child-related employment. I refer members to Chapter 3, Part 3.1 of this act. It is clear from this legislation that although billeting families are volunteering for that role they will be required to undergo relevant checks to be issued with a clearance notice.
I anticipate the committee will also suggest a review of the management structures of School Sport NT with the possible investigation of the establishment of a foundation as presently operating in some other states, which also would be responsible for generation of sponsorship and funding. The foundation could be financed on a commission basis. That is, individuals and businesses responsible for sourcing funds would receive commission. Guidelines for expenditure of the funding need to be developed and possibly directed towards those in most need, such as remote and disadvantaged participants. This could be expanded to become a junior sport foundation and cater for mass participation programs as well. The committee sees this necessary because of the need to address funding shortfalls for resources, equipment, travel, uniforms, expert training and facilities. All common concerns arose through the community consultations. In fact, the whole area of funding School Sport NT to allow it to operate effectively and deliver on its programs would appear to need to be addressed.
I should emphasise at this point that the management of School Sport NT is dedicated and enthusiastic, but the operation of the body is not readily understood by those outside it. In fact, confusion was noted both from parents and from peak sporting bodies. I would also think teachers and program deliverers with skills in coaching and event management should not be required to undertake fundraising or administrative tasks. These should be done by staff skilled in these areas.
The committee is also concerned at the workload required of the seven existing Physical Education Coordinator positions. I would think that by ensuring that each of the eight school clusters has its own dedicated PEC, their ability to operate effectively for the young people in the cluster is maximised. It should be noted that 50% of the PEC’s role is to support and deliver School Sport NT programs, while the remaining time is to assist schools with professional learning and support for delivery of quality physical education curriculum programs.
The committee was greatly impressed during a visit of hearings and meetings in Alice Springs to witness an example of a successful physical education program in Alice Springs, school participants in a weekly interschool sporting program. This has been conducted regularly for primary schools and, in 2007, was introduced for secondary students. A secondary program is driven by School Sport NT cluster committee.
The Sport and Youth Committee can see huge benefits flowing from the Department of Employment, Education and Training introducing this model into all Territory primary schools at least as a compulsory weekly activity. It is considered that the infrastructure currently exists for PECs in School Sport NT to deliver this. This model would be ably supported with all primary schools being encouraged to have an identified physical education teacher, or at least a suitably qualified generalist teacher to support other teachers in the classroom. This identified teacher should have, as a minimum, training in motor skill development. This is another area that the committee is looking at for its report.
Another issue is with regard to sporting access for young people with disabilities. The committee would like to see the re-establishment of the disability support education officer position with the Department of Employment, Education and Training. Joint funding options between the Office of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Employment, Education and Training for this could be explored. This position was formally housed in Sport, Health and Physical Education School of the Department of Employment, Education and Training. Since its abolition there is no longer a central point of contact for students with disability, teachers or parents of students with disability to access information and support for their inclusion in sporting programs whether they are schooled or community based.
Evidence received by the committee from a young man with a disability highlighted how different his experience with sport would have been had such a position been in place. While providing education and support to the school environment, this position could also link with community providers, sporting groups and non-government bodies such as Total Recreation.
The committee also sees benefits in the re-establishment of the Junior Sport Reference Group under the auspices of the Division of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport. This group would provide ongoing advice to government and relevant ministers on the needs of sport for young people. It could benefit from being strategically linked with the Youth Round Table and other existing youth groups.
An important link in sports participation identified by much of the current literature is that between school and community sport. Further investigation by the Department of Employment, Education and Training into mechanisms for making school facilities available for use by community groups could be of value. By the same token, use of community facilities by schools should also be expanded.
As I already mentioned, the committee intends to table a comprehensive report of our findings and recommendations during upcoming sittings. The policy directions I have highlighted thus far will be explored in the report, and I look forward to presenting it to members.
I acknowledge the excellent work of former committee members and thank them, along with the many members of the Northern Territory public who have contributed so thoughtfully and comprehensively to the committee inquiry. I look forward to fruitful deliberations with my colleagues, the new and continuing members of the Sessional Committee on Sport and Youth.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the report.
Debate adjourned.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly, at its rising, adjourn until Tuesday, 29 April 2008 at 10 am in Parliament House or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker pursuant to sessional order.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Madam Speaker, I thank all teachers across the Northern Territory and, specifically in my electorate, for a very successful back to school this year. Our teachers do a great job. They have had a well-earned rest, and the transition back to school this year has been very good right across the Territory. Thanks to our teachers.
I also thank the groundsmen and janitors at our local schools in my electorate who did such a huge job in the wake of Cyclone Helen - a really big cleanup around the schools. The schools in the Wanguri electorate have lots of trees around them: Holy Spirit had a large tree go straight through their front fence, and Leanyer Primary School had a tree fall onto their play equipment. To all of those people from those schools who helped to clean up, thank you very much.
It has been busy at Wanguri Primary School. There is much to do and people to see. In late November, I was delighted to be invited to the primary school to take part in a morning tea put on by the school to thank all staff and parents. It was great that the school actually wanted to say thank you to the parents for their support that year. As you can imagine, there were the end-of-year school assemblies - lots of assemblies. I love end of year, getting round the schools and helping the principal, Jenny Robinson and assistant principal, Leah Crockford, hand out awards. Even my daughter, Isobel, was presented with an award by her dad, so that was pretty special.
Many awards were given out on the day which shows the students at Wanguri Primary School are a hard-working, well-behaved bunch of kids and a great credit to their teachers, parents and community. The primary school concert at Wanguri is becoming legendary. This year’s show was fantastic. The performance by the school percussion group was especially good, but I might be a bit biased because my son, Liam, is in that group. It was a fantastic end-of-year concert.
After all of the excitement of Christmas and after the students had gone home for their holidays with their teachers, work on the renovation of the front office area began. The whole front area was ripped out and changed around to better suit the growing school needs. The offices have been revamped and laid out so there can be easier communication between office staff. The ‘hole in the wall’ reception area has gone, replaced by a front counter with an area so even the smallest of students can be seen. I went to the school a couple of weeks ago to check out how it was all going. On that day, the electrician was in making sure everything was wired up as it should be.
Another one of my electorate schools, Leanyer, has been very busy. Henry Gray has provided me with an extensive debrief on what has been happening at a great primary school. It has been a smooth start to the year. A number of teachers who have left Leanyer on transfer were farewelled. They have provided outstanding service over the years. Several teachers have gone to the new middle schools. Shannon Russell and Sarah Belsham transferred from the beginning of this year to Dripstone Middle School. This is good for the Year 7 students who have moved to Dripstone, because they have a point of contact with their past and their future. Mrs Dobrini, who has gone to Dripstone, is an expressive and creative arts teacher. Merryn Brown transferred to Darwin Middle School, whilst Nathalie Ede has earned her senior teacher’s position as an advisor on middle schools teaching and methodology. In this capacity, she will be working with a number of schools, imparting valuable advice and offering assistance to those engaging in this bold new approach to teaching and learning. Several teachers, including support staff transferred from Leanyer. All have offered valuable and appreciated service over the years.
Several new staff members have joined Leanyer School’s team. The school welcomes Mereme Hyde, Fiora Breuer, Darren Beattie, Kerry May, Stephanie Wannan and Lyn Oxley. They and continuing teachers will continue to support Leanyer’s holistic approach to education with the underpinning motto, Together As One, continuing to drive the school.
Within the next few weeks, elections will be held for the SRC. For the first time, Year 4 students will be elected to the SRC along with Year 5 students. Ongoing students previously elected will be joined by several new senior students. New and ongoing members of the council will ensure that school governance engages children as part of the educational process. The SRC fills a valuable and ongoing role within the school community. This year, the SRC enters its 17th year of support to the school community.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Leanyer School’s existence. The school is planning a celebration on Saturday, 30 August 2008. The day time carnival will turn into a night time dance, and our community will be kept informed of upcoming festivities.
Stage 2 of Leanyer’s capital works program is on the drawing board. The concept drawings for this project include a new general learning area of four classrooms, a drop-off and car parking facility in Gotham Street, and substantial modifications to the cover over the basketball court shade. Proposals are being considered in their final form by the school council, staff and members of the community at the moment.
I would like to make special mention of Rachel Fegan. Rachel was presented with the Administrator’s Medal for Outstanding Student 2007 on 8 February at Parliament House. Rachel was chosen to receive the award from among nominees of the northern suburbs schools. Her award recognises outstanding academic performance, quality student leadership, contribution to the community, and general overall qualities of excellence. Rachel was Vice President of the Leanyer SRC and a major contributor in arts and in the cultural areas. Rachel popped into my electorate office last week and had a chat about how she is adjusting to the new year in middle school. Rachel moved to Dripstone this year and is settling in well; she thinks it has not been that much of a change, which has been good to hear.
Rachel joins several other students from Leanyer who have earned this prestigious award in the past few years. Courtney Chin earned the medal in 2006; Rhiannon Oakhill was runner up in 2005, whilst Anne-Marie Chin was the medal’s recipient in 2004. The school is justifiably proud of the success of these students, and so am I.
The final comment on Leanyer, I attended the Year 7 graduation day last year. Congratulations to all those in Year 6, like Rachel, and in Year 7 who have now moved on to middle schools across the Top End.
Holy Spirit Primary School is going really well in Wanguri. Principal, Bernadette Morriss has been there for a full year now and has settled in fantastically. The Holy Spirit Christmas concert was magnificent and was a chance to sit back and be thankful for all that had been achieved in 2007. The level of parental involvement at Holy Spirit is tremendous, and the number of loved ones there on the night was heartwarming. I also attended the Holy Spirit end-of-year Mass and presentation day, and presented the Paul Henderson Award and Trophy to Sebastian Butcher from Year 7 and Taylor Cramp for Year 6. Sebastian and Taylor have shown great leadership and citizenship throughout the year, and I was proud to present them with the inaugural Paul Henderson Citizenship Trophy.
Holy Spirit approached me late last year to tell me they did not have a Northern Territory flag at the school. As local member, I donated a flag to the school and it now flies proudly.
Dripstone High School is now officially Dripstone Middle School. I was very proud to present the annual Paul Henderson Award to George Karavas for his achievements throughout the year, and George had made a really big contribution.
I love Christmas time around Leanyer and Wanguri. My congratulations go to Franco and Jenny Zuccarato for putting on such a fabulous display of Christmas lights at their house in Haritos Street. They are just down the road from me. The Zuccaratos always put on a great show and I noticed many cars, many hundreds, many thousands of cars driving past to get a decent look at what is a magical scene. Franco starts putting those lights up in October every year. It is an enormous job and he brings joy to many thousands of people, and to Jenny for losing him for so much of the time – well done.
The ‘Look good, Feel better’ program uses my electorate office community room to run their monthly workshops. I am a big fan of the program which helps Territory women and men feel better about themselves during and after they have undergone treatment for cancer. There was also a great turn-out to their workshops. The program has been so successful in the Top End they are now holding workshops in Katherine and Alice Springs. I was privileged to be invited to attend the end of year cocktail party at the Trailer Boat Club. It was hosted by Marilyn Harvey who is the coordinator of ‘Look good, Feel better’ in the Territory. Marilyn was awarded the ‘Look good, Feel better’ Australian volunteer award late last year and I was very proud to present Marilyn with that award. I also drew the winning ticket for the raffle in December. Territory Colour very generously donated a beautiful water colour to be raffled and gave it to ‘Look good, Feel better’ so they could raise some extra money.
This evening I would like to pay tribute to an outstanding Territorian, a Greek Australian whose contribution to the Greek community in the Territory has been formally recognised by the government of Greece.
On 11 December 2007, Mr George Kapetas was presented with the Medal of the Golden Cross of the Battalion of the Phoenix by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Greece, the Honourable Dora Bakoyannis. The Order of the Phoenix is the highest government honour awarded to civilians in Greece. It is bestowed on Greek citizens who have excelled in the arts, literature, science, public administration, shipping, commerce and industry. It is also awarded to non-Greek citizens who contributed to Greece’s international prestige. The only other two Australians who have received the award are former Prime Minister, the Honourable Gough Whitlam, and the Honourable Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia.
I am sure all honourable members are familiar with the contribution of George Kapetas to business, architecture, the Hellenic Macedonian Association and the Greek community in Darwin. George is known for his generosity, business ethics and commitment to the social and economic development of the Territory. The Order of the Phoenix was awarded to Mr Kapetas for his contributions to Hellenism including his distinguished service as Honorary Consul of Greece in Darwin.
The citation of the Foreign Affairs Minister in presenting the award eloquently acknowledges the contribution of George Kapetas:
Madam Speaker, I am sure all honourable members will join with me, the Greek/Australian community and the people of the Territory in congratulating Mr George Kapetas for being awarded the Medal of the Golden Cross of the Battalion of the Phoenix.
Knowing George as I do, he will regard the award not only as a personal honour but as a recognition of all the Greeks who have made this great Territory their home. It is certainly an award that is well deserved.
It would not be Christmas without the Hakka Society’s Christmas dinner. As always, the food was great and the company was enthralling. Thank you to the Hakka Society, particularly its President, Rui Mu, and their great committee for putting on such a good spread every year. They are a tremendous community and the committee works very hard every year.
I hosted a reception last Thursday at Parliament House to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Rat. It was fantastic to see so many of our Chinese Territorians in the one place. As I said in my speech on the night, the Chinese do new year right. We only have one night to celebrate; the Chinese manage to spread their celebrations out over 15 days. Gong Xi Fa Cai to all of my parliamentary colleagues and my constituents.
On Saturday night I attended the Chinese/Timorese Association’s Chinese New Year party at their club house in Marrara. It was great to see all the redevelopments in the club with the kitchen being upgraded. It was a fantastic turnout and I saw many of my parliamentary colleagues there for the fun. Again, I thank Rui Mu and the rest of the committee for hosting such a wonderful evening and getting the community involved.
Mr NATT (Drysdale): Madam Deputy Speaker, I also will talk about my electorate, especially the schools, and the start of the school year. I welcome the new students and families to all the schools in my electorate. The Durack Primary School is a wonderful school; it has a high turnover of children each year being the Defence Force district that it is.
I welcome and congratulate Emma Connelly, Michelle Koulakis and Catherine Nunn who were all prac teachers in 2007 and are now teaching. I had to do some work with Emma Connelly last year with one of the classes and it is great to see that she has graduated and stepped out into the school and is doing some great work. Emma is taking physical education; Michelle is looking after Year 4; and Catherine is looking after Year 7. I also acknowledge Mic Carter, the Wellbeing Officer. He is situated at the Durack Primary School, and will be spending some time there as well as at Driver, Gray, and Howard Springs schools. Yvonne Darcey is new to the school and will teach Year 5/6.
I extend a belated welcome to Sue Wilson as the Defence transition aide. Sue replaced Corinne Hunt who was in the position previously and did a fabulous job. Corinne and I had a terrific working relationship and she often referred many of the Defence Force wives to me if there were problems within the electorate. I really appreciated the support and the work that Corinne did within the school. I wish her well in her new job. Sue Wilson will assist Defence families with the settling in of their children into the school and liaise with mums and dads on their children’s progress and assist with problem solving. It is very difficult for Defence family children moving to new schools every few years or so and, on many occasions to other states, away from close family and friends. I wish Sue well in the role and look forward to meeting her tomorrow and working closely with her as I did with Corinne.
Lorraine Evans is now the principal of the Gray Primary School. She was filling the role at Driver last year for Rob Presswell who transferred temporarily to manage the Palmerston High School transition of the middle schools.
Rob is now back at Driver for 2008 and he has some new staff members: Vicki Collister, Leanne Harding, Kate Gossage, Heidy Rubin, Antje Herrmann, Tash Ryan, Kylie Langford, and Karina Matschke. They have many Australian Defence Force families and that school works well with the Australian Defence Forces to make them feel welcome.
I welcome back Mark Monaghan to Driver Primary School. Mark was the Deputy Principal of the school in 2006 and he had transferred to New South Wales as an exchange teacher. He has moved back to the school and it is great to see him back on board. I acknowledge Jim Crisp who was his replacement at the school last year. Jim was part of that exchange and he has gone back to New South Wales. I thank him for the work he undertook at the school last year and wish him well with his future in New South Wales.
I also farewell Gai Wright, who is now the Assistant Principal at Alawa; Lorraine Evans, whom I just mentioned, has moved to Gray; Helen Chatto, who has a department position; Brett McNair, who has moved to the Palmerston High School to help with the Palmerston High School Middle School; Ben Slocombe, who is now with the Darwin Middle School; Rebecca Carson, who has moved to Perth; Rebecca Smith, who is on maternity leave; and Rosa Rasing. I thank them for the work they undertook at the school last year and wish them well in their new roles.
Another great school in my electorate is Kormilda College. I welcome back the Principal, Malcolm Pritchard. He has the school buzzing and is a very innovative principal. I am looking forward to working with him closely again this year. They also have some new staff: Shane Shedden, the Head of Senior School; Reverend David Burgess, the Anglican Chaplain; Emma Crassini, the Head of Maths; Adelle Barry has Humanities and English; Julianne Cobb has Science; Liz Tennyson, Humanities; Shona Welsh, English and Drama; Michael Cassidy, Head of Outdoor Education; Jonathan Graham, Music and VET; Bernadette Marcel-Hubert, who is teaching French; Leanne Hedley, the Assistant Head for Year 10 and has Humanities; Andrew Lal, who has Information Technology; Regina Wilson, who has Indigenous Education; Graham Clarkson, who has Design Technology; Ryan Woolfe, Physical Education and Health; Grace Baker, School Officer Residential; Karen Jenkins is teaching Maths; Jasmina Bojovic, who has Information Technology; Joanne Gerke, Teaching Assistant in Indigenous Education; and Rani Richter, who is also a Teaching Assistant in the Indigenous Education area.
There are two new student leaders this year. I congratulate Gabrielle Morriss and Daniel Popple who have been elected as their Senior School Captains for 2008, and wish them well for the year in their guidance of the school. Their Vice Captains are Tomas Scanlan and Bryony Crowe. Best wishes to them for their work they are going to undertake at the school this year.
The Senior School House Captains this year are: Veronice Pierik, Louis Bamford, Jessica Moller, Benjamin Palmer, Nakita Dendle, Jonathon Miles, Claire Doyle and Mathew Bacon. The Residential Chaplains are Tamara-lee Stacey and Christopher Miler. I congratulate everyone who has moved to the school and on their new roles, and wish them all the very best.
I congratulate two of last year’s Year 12 graduates, Melissa Davies and Peter McKay, both of whom have been selected as cadet officers for the Australian Defence Force Academy.
I make special mention of Austin Wonaemirri. Austin completed his Year 12 last year. He is a wonderfully talented Australian Rules footballer, and was lucky enough to be selected in the AFL draft last year. Melbourne has recruited him in the national draft, and he has made his way to Melbourne to play with that club. I wish him all the very best. It is a huge step for Austin. I know that he is a dedicated young man. He loves his footy, and I am sure every step that he takes will be a big one - and it will be a confident one knowing him. I wish him all the very best with his AFL career. I know that he is going to do very well; he has a ton of talent and he is going to go a long way. Good luck, Austin.
Palmerston High School has been undergoing some changes. I know that we have not had very good news with the building of the new school there, but it is well under way. I am sure that things will settle out early in the new year so that the school can get into a nice rhythm and carry on for the rest of the year and the years forward. There are a number of people who have been working tirelessly to ensure that classes are not disrupted all that much.
The Education department has been working with the new principal of the school to ensure that the middle years’ transition for the children going to Palmerston High is not disrupted all that much. Teachers have been allocated to the various primary schools to ensure the middle school process flows smoothly. At Bakewell Primary School are Sam Brannelly and Tracy Woodroffe; at Moulden Primary School, Glenn Randall and Ian Adams; at Driver Primary School, Kirsteen Squires and Brett McNair; at Gray Primary School, Pauline Schober; at Durack School, Catherine Nunn; and at Woodroffe Primary School, Jo Anne Coughlan. I acknowledge them for the work they do.
There are some new teachers at Palmerston High School. I acknowledge Elizabeth Laughton, Margaret Couper, Patricia Munn, Michelle Jean, Katie Grimshaw, Thevi Chelliah, Matthew McAulay, Fleur Billing, Fran Davies, Nathan Lee, Judith O’Hearn, Patrick Fee, Paulina Jurkijevic, Sukumaran Doraiswamy, Liam Kruytbosch, Matthew Walker, Rebecca Collins, Beryl Brugmans, Matthew McDonnell, Stephen Mandivheyi, and Kim Wright. I welcome them all to the school. Chris Fairgrieve is the school-based policeman and I wish him well. They do some great work with the students.
Palmerston High School has a great set up and it is only going to get better. My colleague, the member for Brennan, and I have been working closely with the school to ensure that we can put a little bit of pressure on in certain areas to make sure that the building does move along as best it can. I know that, with the new principal, it is only going to get bigger and better. I welcome Jenny Nash to the school as the principal. I know that she is keen to ensure that everything keeps moving. She is looking forward to getting everything settled down as quickly as possible to ensure that the Palmerston High School students move on to bigger and better things into the future.
Palmlesstonnes is a fun and friendly community challenge. It is a wonderful concept put together by the council in conjunction with the Top End Division of General Practitioners and the City of Palmerston. The whole idea is to increase your fitness and lose some weight, and that is done by regular guided walks; exercise sessions which are led by professional instructors; interactive sessions such as supermarket tours and cooking classes; weekend special events and bike rides; water fun days; Sunday walks followed by a healthy breakfast, which the member for Brennan and I will be running, and it is aptly named, Walk With the Pollies; and we will be closing with a big party celebration for the participation and achievement of all those who have become involved.
It is run over two five-week blocks. There are a few incentives involved and a few prizes. I congratulate everyone involved. I understand there are well over 100 registrations so far. I ran my first Pollies Walk last Sunday, and it was very successful. I am looking forward to getting more involved now that sittings are finished for a month or so, and also increasing my fitness.
I acknowledge the sponsors: AirNorth has given a wonderful prize of two tickets to Broome, valued at over $2000; their sponsorship is acknowledged and I thank them for doing that and adding that incentive. I also acknowledge the Palmerston Sun, the Healthy Living NT, Life Be in It, Heart Foundation, Palmerston Library, the Palmerston Recreation Centre, Good Beginnings NT, the Water Safety NT, Spokes NT, the CDU and Bodyfit NT. More importantly, I acknowledge the hard work and the organisation of the committee. Brooke Kimberley, Chronic Disease Project Officer with the Top End Division of General Practice, does a wonderful job of putting this together, as does Leila Collins from the City of Palmerston. The other committee members are Carmen Thomas, Pollyanne Smith, Judith Schneider, Maggie Schoenfisch and Kathy James. I congratulate them on the work they have undertaken and wish them well. I will see them on the ground clocking up a few more miles and hopefully shedding a few ounces of fat and a little bit of perspiration.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Madam Deputy Speaker, the Wet Season is in full swing and the heavy rains in recent days are a constant reminder of the environment in which we live in the Top End.
In January, we prepared for the arrival of Cyclone Helen and, thankfully, her full force did not hit the Territory’s capital. But it did leave a trail of river flows from the west of the Top End to the east. In Arnhem, the Waterhouse, Wilton and Roper Rivers were the rivers to watch. For the communities along the Central Arnhem Road, the Wilton and the Waterhouse caused major delays to residents who were unable to cross. However, at the Wilton, in the community of Bulman, the Northern Territory government has built a new bridge for $2m, which is a welcome asset for the residents of that region, especially those who travel from Nhulunbuy and Ramingining through to Katherine.
For the people of the Wugularr community, the Waterhouse River rises and falls quickly and then can go for a number of days, if not weeks, without rising again. It was in the cleanup after Cyclone Helen that the then Acting Chief Minister, the member for Arafura, flew by helicopter to the Katherine region to assess flood levels. Katherine was on high alert as the Katherine River threatened to break its banks but, thankfully, it did not. The flood preparation plan worked well as families along Gorge Road prepared well in advance for possible flood. I commend the Katherine NT Emergency Services team, in particular Commander Greg Dowd, who kept a vigilant eye on the floodwaters and alerted residents as to what they should do at various times with the Katherine River rising. For the people of Wugularr, it has become a well known fact that the Waterhouse River will rise considerably in the community long before the Katherine River breaks its banks in the town of Katherine. We have learned this from previous years of noticing the Waterhouse break its banks there and flood the town of Beswick.
I also commend the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts for the flood monitoring system in the Katherine region, and also to the Bureau of Meteorology for the constant updating of those statistics on their website so that anyone across the Northern Territory can access up-to-date information. While there may be some problems with the water level monitoring around the Waterhouse and the Wugularr region, I suggest to the department that we can probably do some more work not far up the Waterhouse River region just to ensure that the people of Beswick have statistics that are more appropriate to where they are, especially because the levels there seem to differ greatly at times to the other areas of Katherine region.
A few years ago, I spoke about how Wugularr Primary School was flooded at least three times over the Wet Season, and that raw sewage was flooding into the school. I say with great delight that our government has acted on the serious health and safety issues for the Wugularr people by building a new primary school, costing nearly $3m, on higher ground in the community. It is not only a beautifully designed school for the students and staff, it is also an emergency shelter for residents in the future. This year for the kick-off to the new school year, Wugularr children started in their new school which our government will officially open as soon as is possible for the community and the Department of Education.
I thank, especially at these times of the year, the Nyirranggulung Regional Council, in particular the CEO, Michael Berto, and also Jake at Barunga and Chris Conway, and many of the residents of both Barunga and Beswick who are always on alert. The ACPOs in the region, certainly Maranboy police, do a tremendous job making sure that people are okay, especially in the Wet Season.
I would also like to express thanks to the Fred Hollows Foundation for their continued good work in the Wugularr region. I recently visited the head office of the Fred Hollows Foundation in Sydney to see firsthand the offices and the staff involved with the foundation. The Fred Hollows Foundation is very instrumental in the Barunga/Beswick region and in the town community of Manyallaluk, or Eva Valley, and they have been for many years.
Through their networks we have seen relationships build between the communities and swimmer Ian Thorpe who became involved in the establishment of the Wugularr’s beautiful art centre. The Fred Hollows Foundation also introduced well known journalist and presenter, Jeff McMullan, formally of 60 Minutes fame, who has built a special friendship with the schools in the East Katherine Region with the BackPack Program where books are given to the children in BackPacks so that more reading can be done. It was an idea that began, I understand, from Jeff’s children.
I thank CEO of the Fred Hollows Foundation, Brian Doolan, for taking the time to show me around and to explain the latest initiatives the foundation is doing in remote regions in Australia and the latest place is going to be in New South Wales. It is a credit to the board and staff of the foundation, in particular Gabby Hollows, for persevering in often complex and challenging circumstances in remote regions around the world to improve the lives of those who need help, societies vulnerable and disadvantaged.
While in Sydney, I heard the stories from staffers who are working in Pakistan during the recent assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The stories were about the unrest in that country, unrest that continued right up to the ballot box this week. Thank you to The Fred Hollows team in Sydney, in Darwin – in particular Alison and Tanya. Tanya seems to travel the South Arnhem region as often as I do. Congratulations on the work that you do and keep up the good work.
In Alyangula, at the Australia Day Ceremony Awards, Kylie Dospisil was a recipient and the Gemco Picnic Day was a community event that was recognised. Congratulations to Alyangula and the people of Groote Eylandt for the work that you do on the island and, in particular, Kylie.
Milingimbi Council hosted an Australia Day Achievement Award Ceremony on Saturday. The crowd by midday at the closing of the local store had built up to considerable numbers and so the flag raising ceremony was a special event. I have attended an Australia Day Ceremony at Milingimbi when I was first elected and they are an event well worth attending. I encourage anyone who would like to have a different kind of Australia Day to go Milingimbi.
The flag raising ceremony was conducted by council members, David Marpiyawuy and Mrs Dorothy Buyulminy and the Australian flag was raised by Mr Henry Harper, visiting from Darwin ALPA on invitation of Mr Keith Lapulung, the Council Chairman.
Following the flag raising ceremony, Achievement Award Certificates were given out to long serving local indigenous staff from the following organisations: the Aboriginal Interpreter Service – Margaret Mawurra and Jonathan Yalandhu; from the Council – Joe Mawunydjil, Rexie Anawawdidma, and Clancy Bandhamarra; from the CDEP program – John Baya, Paul Bundutu, Judy Gawuki, and Mark Yingya; from the Milingimbi Health Centre – Beryl Mayanini, a very special lady, congratulations; from the Centrelink office to two outstanding people, Yvonne Dhambirralunni and Jason Mewala, who do incredible work on Milingimbi to help people with their Centrelink business; from the Milingimbi Outstations Progress Resource Association, or MOPRA – Jennifer Yuwatjin, Billy Buyman, and Jacky Manala Nguwarrkpithi; from the Milingimbi Community Education Centre – Charlie Manydjarri Garrawurra, Judy Munymuny Lawuk Ganambarr, and Judy Mgalambirra; from the ALPA store – Marraykama, and Dora Manbangarr; and from TCU - Raylene Ratja and, also, I could never forget the wonderful Daisy Djanydjay Baker who received a community award.
At the completion of the ceremony there was a sausage barbecue enjoyed by all. A special mention: the Milingimbi Council would like to thank the Australia Day Council for their support and, especially, for the cake, and ALPA for the attendance of Mr Harper.
I congratulate the Ramingining Primary School for the recent partnership signing with the Northern Territory government. We had a wonderful day there when we travelled to the community. The school kids were all excited about the day. It is an incredible credit to principal, Coralyn Armstrong and Ronnie Barramala for the event, and to all the staff at Ramingining who do a fantastic job with the students there from the early years. They have children from infants, basically, and young mums coming into the school with their babies right up to Year 12 students. Last year we saw four students from Ramingining graduate from Year 12.
To have the member for Arafura, the Education minister, attend the event and sign the partnership, as well as to see the support of the local families and staff at Ramingining gives great hope to the many achievements that are taking place across our remote schools in the Northern Territory; in particular, those schools I am proud of in Arnhem.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Madam Deputy Speaker, I start tonight by recognising the excellent achievement of Daniel Fawcett, a Palmerston High School student last year. Daniel achieved a perfect score in his final English exam. He was recognised at the NT Board of Studies 2007 Student Awards at Parliament House on 8 February.
I first met Daniel when he came to interview me last year for a school project. He struck me then as an obviously intelligent young man with a great level of personal motivation. I was extremely happy to see him receive a merit certificate at the student awards. When I spoke to him on the night, he advised me that he had been accepted into Adelaide University’s Law School. This was exactly what he had wanted. Congratulations, Daniel, and well done – it is no mean feat at all.
As members of the Assembly are aware, I recently went to Melbourne to visit a couple of super clinics. This trip received some publicity and I am very glad it did. Health services are an extremely important issue for Palmerston residents. As was reported, I accessed my parliamentary entitlement to travel interstate to join the Minister for Health touring two super clinics in Melbourne. I stayed with relatives to keep costs down. I publicly thank them for having me and indulging my love for Papa Luigi’s pizzas. In my humble view, a pizza from Papa Luigi’s is one of Melbourne’s great gastronomic delights.
I also record my thanks to the Victorian Department of Human Services, Northern Health, which manages Craigieburn Health Service and Djerriwarrh Health Services, which manage the Melton Health for the Victorian department. Particularly, I thank the Executive Director of Northern Health, Ms Jenni Gratton-Vaughan; Mr David Grace, Executive Officer; and Mr Bruce Marshall, Chief Executive of Djerriwarrh Health Services. I also thank Mr Craig Guscott, Project Manager from the Victorian Department of Human Services. Craig was a wealth of information about the tender and associated processes that Victoria undertook to get the super clinics built, as well as the actual building.
As the Minister for Health said in this House yesterday, the Palmerston super clinic has as its parameters: 24-hour urgent care services; chronic disease and complex care management services; enhanced outpatient services visiting from Royal Darwin Hospital; enhanced general services and allied health services; integrated primary health care with Danila Dilba; and health services for families of Defence personnel.
The Victorian super clinics are a good model for us to investigate. They represent a new way of delivering health services. The clinics, as it was described to me, sit between the traditional general practitioner clinic and the hospital. I was advised that both clinics had to ensure that local GPs understood that the clinics were not taking their business. In fact, it was emphasised just how much time you had to expend ensuring that you brought private GPs along with you, because having GP services and GPs onside was extremely beneficial to the whole process.
There was also a level of education required for health professionals within the hospital system to fully appreciate what the super clinics could handle. For example, it was second nature for a patient on discharge to be referred to the hospital’s outpatient service. This was something that could be done at the super clinic. This was beneficial to the patient, as it was closer, a friendlier environment and the waiting time was shorter. It was beneficial to the hospital, as it took another person out of its system, freeing up resources.
I asked at one health service if it had, indeed, had a significant impact at the hospital. The answer was that this was still being evaluated. As people inside the hospital, as well as the public, became more aware of the services offered by the super clinic, greater use was witnessed. However, there did seem to be people who still preferred to front at the emergency department at the hospital. This was the case, notwithstanding a lot of work had gone into advising people they could get the same treatment without the long wait at the super clinic.
I asked if there were any theories as to why this might be the case. I was advised that the evaluation should provide answers to this question. One private view, though, was that people were simply used to going to the hospital accident and emergency. They knew they could go there and be seen free of charge. It was something that these people were used to. The super clinic was something new that they were not yet familiar with.
It is clear that we will have to pay a great deal of attention to ensuring the public know what the clinic at Palmerston will cover. We will need to do this through a variety of avenues addressing different audiences. The two super clinics were similar in the services they offered, but not exactly the same. Both were urgent care facilities. Urgent care is different from emergency care. Treatment may be required urgently for a condition, but it is not necessarily a medical emergency. Both clinics had multidisciplinary teams. This enabled the coordinated care approach to patients. Rather than have to go from one place to another to visit different professionals, these teams work together at the clinic. This has the advantage that the teams can meet together to discuss a single patient’s care when that is appropriate.
One of the biggest teams at the Melton clinic was the paediatric team, with the equivalent of 10 full-time staff. This was in recognition of Melton’s young population, although the Craigieburn clinic also offered paediatric services. This seems to me something we should look at repeating at a super clinic in Palmerston, given Palmerston’s and the surrounding areas’ young population, even younger than Melton’s.
I was very interested in the idea of nurse practitioners. I was told the use of nurse practitioners was integral to the success of the clinics. I understand that the Territory is looking at how we might also introduce the nurse practitioner system. This would be a great addition to our ranks of health professionals.
I found the tours to be extremely beneficial. I again thank those who made it possible and allowed us to disrupt their day with a visit. The facilities were very impressive. I encourage the other Palmerston members of parliament to have a look at the clinics.
While in Melbourne, I also met with Ms Katie Howie of the Victorian Department of Justice, and Mr Stan Winford, Senior Legal Adviser to the Victorian Attorney-General. We discussed issues surrounding the Victorian experience of public interest disclosure legislation. I thank them for their time and generous sharing of knowledge. I believe that public interest disclosure legislation can be a useful tool in open and accountable government. In a curious contradiction, it can also hinder government accountability if it is not carefully thought through. It, therefore, pays to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions.
Ms Howie alerted me to an issues paper published by Dr A J Brown in November 2006 titled Public Interest Disclosure Legislation in Australia: Towards the Next Generation. I understand Dr Brown has published a more recent report building on the one I have just mentioned.
As my colleague, the member for Drysdale did, I would like to make mention of Palmlesstonnes, a fantastic community event and one which many people have been getting involved with in the past couple of years and, I am informed, are involved again this year. Congratulations to all involved, particularly Brooke Kimberley who does a great deal of work putting everything together along with other members of the council. It is a great initiative. I would also like to congratulate again the Palmerston City Council for maintaining this program.
Congratulations to the Palmerston City Council for the Australia Day ceremonies they organised, at which the Mayor of Palmerston officiated. It is always good to attend the citizenship swearing-in ceremonies in Palmerston. People from such a wide cross-section of countries of the world attend the citizenship ceremonies to swear their allegiance. Congratulations to those people who did so this year.
I congratulate Perkins Shipping on their 50th year anniversary. I provided my apologies for not being able to attend on the night, and I would like to do so again publicly. I had intended to go, but for reasons outside of my control I was unable to attend. I am reliably informed by my colleague, the member for Port Darwin, that it was an excellent night and it was a shame that I did miss it.
I welcome Brigadier Michael Krause, the Commander of 1st Brigade and his Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Greg Rowlands, as well as the new Commander of 2nd Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Malone. Lieutenant Colonel Greg Rowlands is a Darwin boy. He grew up in the suburb of Wulagi, he told me, and has spent considerable time away, but has now been posted back and is very happy to be back. I am glad he was able to come back here with his family. I hope he is able to stay for some length of time.
The military are a huge part of life in the Top End and certainly in Palmerston with so many of the people who work at Robertson Barracks living in Palmerston as well. The impact is certainly felt in the schools where a large proportion of the school population is Defence families. My office is always more than willing to help anyone, be they Defence families or just people new to the Territory, to help them access information not just on government services, but community services, childcare services, where the doctors surgeries are, all the sorts of things that you try to find out when you are new to a place.
I welcome those officers. I am sure they will have a great time in the Territory. I look forward to catching up with them soon, either on Robertson Barracks or in my office. I look forward to a close working relationship.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Member for Macdonnell
Member for Macdonnell
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I seek leave of absence for the member for Macdonnell today. She is attending a funeral.
Motion agreed to.
MINISTERIAL REPORTS
Aboriginal Land Permit System
Aboriginal Land Permit System
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I speak today on this government’s support for the reintroduction of the permit system by federal parliament which happened this morning. The decision to remove the permit system was made as part of the previous federal government’s intervention. That decision was not supported by the Northern Territory government. It was a decision emphatically rejected by Territorians in the bush at the last federal election. The federal Labor Party made it perfectly clear during last year’s election that it would reinstate the permit system. The federal government this morning has now kept that promise.
Prior to the removal of the permit system, the previous Indigenous Affairs minister, Mal Brough, instructed his agency to consult with Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory and ask them if they wanted the removal of the permit system. The consultations were wide-ranging, yet not a single submission supporting the system’s removal was received. Mr Brough did not get the answer he wanted. This was the last time he bothered consulting with Aboriginal people in the Territory.
The abolition of the permit system was made on purely ideological grounds. As was pointed out by this government and others at the time, the removal of the permit system would do absolutely nothing to protect children, the object of the intervention. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The removal of the permit system would remove a frontline defence against predators and the power to exclude such people from communities and townships on Aboriginal land.
But do not just take my word for it. Unsolicited, a significant number of bush police spoke to local members of parliament, appalled at the impact of the removal of the permit system and what that would mean for policing in remote areas. As the only people under the Aboriginal Land Act with powers to demand to see permits, the abolition of the system would remove a frontline mechanism for police officers against grog runners, dope sellers and other predators. It was a mechanism routinely used by police to remove the very people who might constitute a threat to children. This was strongly backed by the Northern Territory Police Association and, subsequently, by the National Police Federation.
Mr Brough and other proponents of the abolition of permits were utterly silent on this unwelcome view from police. There was complete silence on the police view from those offices as well. Similarly, the issue of abolishing permits did not rate a single mention in the Little Children are Sacred report. Surely, if there had been the remotest suggestion that abolishing permits would protect children then this report would have raised it as an important issue. It did not.
It is important to recognise that, over time, some communities may wish to develop a local approach concerning access to their land and their communities on a one-off or permanent basis. For example, communities like Barunga already have open days for their famous sports and cultural festival. The permit system has been in place for many years. It is a fundamental recognition of private property rights - rights all Australians enjoy. It is also a protection along our remote roads against inadvertent trespass on sacred sites, as well as art sites and areas of ecological sensitivity.
I point out that a natural heritage study being completed on the road between Cahills Crossing and Oenpelli has raised enormous concerns about unregulated traffic already causing irreparable damage to art and burial sites, together with severe problems of rubbish and littering. That only covers the first 20 km of road on a single part of Aboriginal land.
The new permit arrangements will allow entry to government officials carrying out their duties, accredited contractors carrying out authorised work, and journalists on legitimate reporting tasks. This is supported by this government.
Perhaps the final word should go to Aboriginal Territorians. Last November, they had their first chance to give an unequivocal view on the permit system. Mr Brough and the CLP candidate called it a referendum. It was rejected out of hand by a record number of voters. That is who we should be listening to, and that is who the federal government is paying heed to this morning in federal parliament.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I am very disappointed there has been this change. I do not accept the arguments put up in defence of this change back to closing the door are sound. I still believe that the rivers of grog have flowed behind the permit system, and that the protection of children which is touted as a reason for the reinstatement of the permit system, does not make sense. It does not stack up.
If we want to move together, as the Deputy Chief Minister referred to in response to Michael Mansell’s extraordinary proposition that has offended the sensibilities of any Territorian or Australian, we need to find a way of working out our business together. To close the doors is a retrograde step. Our future belongs to a path where we can find a way to work out our business together. We have the Trespass Act that does apply. These are Australians. I am very pleased to hear that there is the opportunity for this conversation to continue in communities that may provide access, and understand the future belongs to a path of working and walking together.
I sincerely believe that this is a retrograde step. It will create further division, disharmony and discord within the community and prevent us from solving the deeper issues and the challenges that seriously face us. The only glimmer of hope is that there is an opportunity. I sincerely encourage those communities which want to be a part of the mainstream to open their doors, to allow that flow and that connection. The same protections would apply as they apply to anyone living in any community in the Northern Territory that has open access. The Trespass Act would apply. People are welcome. We are all in this together.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his report. I ask the same question I have asked the Minister for Local Government twice so far: if the permits are now required to travel on roads within Aboriginal townships, and those Aboriginal townships are now part of a super shire where all ratepayers will be paying for the maintenance of roads within that shire, are those roads regarded as private roads and, therefore, cannot have funds from the ratepayers used to maintain or construct those roads? Or are they public roads and, therefore, do not require a permit?
I have one other comment. You have given some exemptions as to why certain groups of people do not need permits. I would like to know why journalists are allowed in, if that is the case. I must admit, if I had the right to say people could come on to my property, I would like the right to say that journalists should not come on my property. If you allow journalists, why not allow anyone else to come onto the property?
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank members for contributions to the debate. The fundamental point and the policy reason why Mal Brough, as Indigenous Affairs minister, removed the requirement to have permits to access Aboriginal land - the Trojan horse - was the protection of children. Yet, nobody, in the consultations that did occur - Rex Wild and Pat Anderson, whom everyone has great respect for and who tabled a seminal report on child abuse to this parliament, did not recommend that. There was absolutely nobody, apart from Mal Brough, who ideologically wanted to abolish the permit system. I do not have any respect for the argument about bringing people together, because it was about the protection of children. There was no evidence. When the police, who were at the front line of protecting children, said that this was a terrible step to take as it removed the only power they had to control who was in those communities, no-one on the other side listened. It was purely an ideological position and one that is rejected by this side of the House.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
NT Libraries Photo History
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I report today on the wonderful work that the Northern Territory Library is undertaking to ensure that Territorians today and future generations have access to our unique cultural heritage. It is the responsibility of the Northern Territory Library to collect, preserve and to provide access to the Northern Territory’s documentary and cultural heritage. Proudly, the library holds the world’s most comprehensive range of historical and contemporary documentation relating to the Northern Territory.
Honourable members, you might recall that in August last year, the work of the Northern Territory Library received international recognition, the Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award, for their innovation for providing online information to remote indigenous communities.
Following on from the recognition of their work preserving and making available historical and heritage material to remote communities, the Northern Territory Library is continuing to develop innovative solutions to improving access for all users to all of their collections. Just this week, the library hosted 50 Australian World War II veterans, who were in town to commemorate the 1942 bombing of Darwin. Many of these veterans have photographs and stories to share of this significant event in our local and national history. It was great to see our library staff working with people who have important material to contribute to our collection, ensuring that our documentary history is comprehensive and permanently recorded. Library staff were kept busy identifying content suitable for our collection, facilitating the acquisition of material and preserving the material through electronic scanning and preservation methods that comply with national standards.
As time goes on, there will be a risk that veterans’ personal history will be lost forever, if not collected now. If it were not for the hard work of the Northern Territory Library staff, not only would current Territorians lose a part of our rich history but, so too, generations to follow.
I thank Diana Richards and Joy Cardona of the Northern Territory Library for their initiative in making contact with these veterans, and their commitment to the work of preserving and making our wonderful history available to us.
It has been very rewarding having the opportunity for the Northern Territory Library to expand this documented record of those tragic events in 1942. While it does take time and resources to preserve this and other historical material, there is no doubt that this is very important work. The community benefits in having the material available can be seen in the variety of ways that the content is used and reused over time. For example, education, research, tourism and business development can all benefit from material gained by the Northern Territory Library and then preserved for the future. Technology is also helping to ensure that some of the heritage collection is now made available online to users across the world.
The Northern Territory Library is a member of the National Collaboration of Cultural Institutions dedicated to the preservation of Australian images and heritage. The initiative of this collaboration is the Picture Australia database, where a broad range of Northern Territory photos are showcased. I encourage members not familiar with this resource to explore it. It is a treasure trove of history related to the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory Library will continue to improve the provision of contemporary online information across the Territory. Improving access to the Internet will also be important to ensuring that our rich collection of Territory history is available to the public as quickly and easily as possible. I am heartened that the Rudd Labor government is working to improve Broadband access across the country. I will be working with my colleagues in Canberra to ensure that the Territory benefits from the expansion of Broadband that will, in turn, facilitate Territorians’ access to our library and all the Internet offers. I know that our strong relationship with the Rudd government will be a partnership that brings results.
There is no longer the need to visit the library to read the latest newspapers or research journals on a variety of subjects, as these are now readily accessible in an online environment. The Northern Territory Library is no longer just about books. By embracing modern technology, the library is enhancing its collections, broadening the user base, increasing access …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the new Minister for Local Government for his statement today. We welcome the work by Northern Territory libraries right across the Northern Territory. They do an outstanding job.
It is though, for local government, a sad day for democracy in the Northern Territory as the minister is going to steamroll through with these forced local government amalgamations. They are going to force it on all Territorians today, so it is a sad day for democracy across the Northern Territory ...
Members interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: There are only 19 people in the Northern Territory who agree with these forced amalgamations.
Members interjecting.
Mr CONLAN: I would like to put the question to the Local Government minister. He has avoided the question. He cannot answer it, so I will put it to him once again. It was put by the member for Nelson twice yesterday. I would like to hear the response.
If roads within a town or a community for which a permit is required to travel are maintained using money raised from shire rates, will ratepayers in shires who contribute through their rates to the maintenance of those roads be allowed to travel on those roads without a permit? I would like to hear what the minister has to say and what his answer is on that. I thank him for his statement. I would like to hear some answers.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I will talk about the libraries, because I believe what they are doing is a great job.
I was listening intently to the new minister because I was hoping he would acknowledge the work of the previous minister, particularly as regards the Bill Gates Foundation and the contribution it made. I know how supportive the previous minister was. When he stepped down, I was talking to some of the library staff and they were quite distressed as he had been a great supporter of libraries. He visited them regularly, he knew what was going on, and I believe, minister, you should have acknowledged his part in that particular project, because it is a valuable project for the Northern Territory.
We are very fortunate to have gained such a huge contribution. You talked about preserving history, and this is one way that the history of the Northern Territory will be enhanced and kept for future generations. Archiving is also a very important part of libraries. We must ensure that our systems are in place and the libraries - not just the library here, but right across the Territory - have the means and the support to do so.
Minister, please, in your response, acknowledge the work of the previous minister. He was well respected by librarians and libraries right across the Territory.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I am quite passionate about libraries, and my speech may have dragged on. Member for Braitling, I was going to acknowledge the work of the previous minister. I visited the Parliamentary Library here and they spoke fondly of the previous minister; he is held in high regard.
I acknowledge the staff: the Library Director, Jo McGill, her assistant directors, Anne Devenish, Cate Richmond and Marilyn Hawthorne, and all the hard-working staff.
I encourage the shadow minister to get over there for a look. He disregarded the hard work that these libraries do and the valuable work they do for the Territory. I am not even talking about the work …
Members interjecting
Mr KNIGHT: You are the shadow minister. You need to get across, you need to understand, and you need to give credit to these people. They work very hard. I commend the staff of the library. I will certainly be standing up for them, unlike the CLP.
Youth Round Table
Mr BONSON (Young Territorians): Madam Speaker, on Saturday I will be attending the first meeting of 2008 of the Youth Minister’s Round Table of Young Territorians. The Youth Round Table is the government’s principal youth consultative advisory body, and it reports to me as minister through the Office of Youth Affairs.
The Territory has one of the youngest populations in Australia. Young Territorians are our future so it is critical that we deliver the programs and services that target their wellbeing, as well as providing development opportunities. This is why the round table is such an important avenue for this government in hearing directly from our youth about issues that affect and impact on them.
The round table consists of 16 members between 15 and 25 years of age. Members are representative of the geographic, cultural and ethnic diversity of the Territory. The members of the round table are encouraged to represent the views of young Territorians by actively canvassing the views of their peers.
The development of skills and leadership capabilities of members is a strong focus of the round table program. I am pleased to be able to report that the round table has been successful in engaging the views of young Territorians, so that these views contribute to the shaping of government policy. The Youth Round Table allows young Territorians the opportunity to speak directly with the Northern Territory government about the issues that affect their lives.
Over the years, the round table has developed a reputation as an exceptional youth development program based on the principles of inclusiveness, diversity, respect and participation. It is fair to say that the round table is regarded as a body that delivers positive outcomes for young Territorians.
Throughout the year, members work on research projects that they are passionate about. These projects contain key findings and recommendations and are then presented to the government at the final round table meeting of the year. The round table gets its support from the Office of Youth Affairs, including editing and proofreading of all reports for presentation to government.
The round table produces an official newsletter, Round About the NT. This newsletter is printed after each meeting and distributed widely throughout the NT, including to high schools and community organisations. This is a high-standard publication with information that is relevant to young Territorians. The round table also produces an annual report at the end of each year. This highlights achievements by individuals and working groups. The annual report also provides an opportunity to showcase research projects.
The report has its public release after approval by the Minister for Young Territorians. Topics examined by the 2007 round table include: mental health education in schools; a youth curfew in Alice Springs; education programs about drugs and alcohol; youth involvement in combating cane toads; male role model programs; and services for young mothers in Tennant Creek. Government is now reviewing the report and considering the recommendations.
I take this opportunity to place on record my appreciation for the hard work undertaken by the outgoing 2007 members. I encourage them to continue to be active in their community’s great positive change.
It also gives me great pleasure today to inform members of the recent appointment of the 2008 members, selected from across the Territory. They include: Amy Sherrin and Tessa Snowdon from Alice Springs; Chris Helmond from Tennant Creek; Amanda Ngalmi from Numbulwar; Matthew Renshaw from Adelaide River; Emily Holyoake and Felix Ho from the Darwin rural area; and Jack Hose, Gabrielle Morris, Kristian Goodacre, Amy Smith, Katie Chatto, Pritika Desai, Katharina Gerste, Gemma Benn and Desmond Campbell from Darwin.
The members represent a diverse mix of young Territorian workers, carers, parents, volunteers and entrepreneurs - all leaders in their own right with a capacity to offer different and unique insights into issues. I am looking forward to attending the meeting, getting to know new members and to work closely with them throughout the year.
Young people deserve to have their points of view heard. The Round Table of Young Territorians is their opportunity. I encourage all young people to contact their members if they have an issue they want to raise.
I recognise the work done by the member for Arafura, who has now become the Deputy Chief Minister. I know she is very encouraged by the work that happens at the Youth Round Table. I know that the people involved with the Youth Round Table last year were very appreciative of her support. I hope to continue that support as the new Minister for Youth.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I support this report. It is important to hear what young people are saying and thinking, to listen carefully to them and then implement, as far as you possibly can, their suggestions and insights into public policy.
It is excellent that the minister acknowledged the former minister. The program was established some time ago. It was, I think, Chief Minister Shane Stone who established this program that has now gone from a Chief Minister’s Round Table to a Youth Minister’s Round Table. Nonetheless, it is important that these young people are given an opportunity to speak.
I am interested to know, minister, how many young people applied for this and what scheme was applied to select those who sit at the round table? Finally, can you list what you think are the three main issues concerning young people in the Northern Territory today?
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, the member for Blain pinched my thunder a bit because I was going to ask the minister exactly the same thing. You gave us a statement of the process of how this Youth Round Table works and the procedures attached to it. You did not tell us what issues they have raised. It would be interesting for you to come back into parliament and say: ‘This is one of their recommendations and this is what we have done with that recommendation’. However, we are not getting that sort of feedback. I know you are going to say it is in the newsletter, but where does government go with what they are doing and what they say?
I believe your representation is good. I am concerned that our Alice Springs Town Council does not have a youth committee. We have heard all sorts of things about problems with youth in Alice. We have had all sorts of strategies and suggestions - curfews and God knows what - yet our town council does not seem to want to consult with youth. It is an important committee you are looking at.
I hope you ask them to hit the hard issues that are there today, not just in our towns, but in our communities as well. Ask them what this government can do to implement changes and go back to the roundtable and say: ‘Thank you very much for this particular issue that you raised. This is what we are going to do’. That is the sort of feedback I would like to hear.
Mr BONSON (Young Territorians): Madam Speaker, first of all, in response to the Leader of the Opposition, the recommendations come through to my office. It is my task to ensure we have a whole-of-government response. I will be doing that. In what he is saying about my three main aims, he is missing the whole point of the Youth Round Table.
The Youth Round Table is about hearing the views of youth, what they see as important and then acting on them …
Mr Mills: No, I want to know what you think about young people. What you think they might be.
Mr BONSON: The reality is that often we talk down to youth. Sometimes, we need to listen. The Leader of the Opposition should sometimes slow down, listen to what the youth are saying and then act on it.
Regarding selection, young Territorians across the Northern Territory have an opportunity to apply. The candidates we have are the best candidates available. I encourage everyone to get behind them. In terms of Alice Springs, for the member for Braitling, I encourage her to talk to her other local members, to get Alice Springs Council to act on some of the recommendations made by the people from Alice Springs ...
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, your time has expired.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL
(Serial 129)
(Serial 129)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
This Local Government Bill provides the new local government in the Northern Territory. The reform of local government has provided an opportunity to have a completely new act. It is modern legislation which reflects the contemporary times and the issues with which local government today must engage. The previous Local Government Act developed from the Local Government Ordinance in 1954, some 54 years ago. In 1978, upon the Territory gaining self-government, the Local Government Ordinance became the Local Government Act. The new act, the current one, was introduced in 1985, 23 years ago. It is time to have a fresh act and a fresh approach. This bill will reinvigorate local government in the Northern Territory.
I commend the work of the previous minister, the member for Barkly. No one has worked harder for local government reform. He was also an outstanding Minister for Housing.
This bill includes input from a wide range of people across the Northern Territory. Key issues in the bill have been regularly discussed with stakeholders throughout the period since the announcement of the Northern Territory government’s structural reform of local government in October 2006, over 15 months ago. In that statement regarding reform, it was promised that the government would establish a future framework for local government based on a system of municipal and shire councils. After ongoing consultation with various stakeholders, however, the government has decided that the creation of a Top End Shire will no longer form part of this reform.
This change will occur in a proposed amendment to this bill to be debated in April. That change will demonstrate the government has been listening to the unique argument put by that community. Litchfield Shire Council boundaries will remain unchanged, as will the other councils in what would have been the Top End Shire. The reform process will continue in all other areas and will bring enormous benefit to those regional communities.
The Local Government Bill is historic legislation. With vast areas of the Northern Territory now becoming incorporated for the first time, the Northern Territory will have a third sphere of government comparable to other states in Australia. This legislation before the House represents the coming of age of local government in the Northern Territory and sets the scene for the future.
The critical factor for any successful enterprise, whether public or private, is public confidence. In the past, many of our councils had failed to achieve such confidence, despite the endeavours of many hard-working people. The performance of a large number of councils in delivering core local government services has been poor and accountability standards often not met. In relation to these councils, a change had to occur, and change to a better system is what this government is delivering. New local government will provide Territorians with a system of local government that will gain the confidence of residents and also the many Territory commercial entities that do business with local government. Positive signs this will be achieved are already apparent.
Instead of witnessing a situation of eroding revenues, the new shires have already begun to attract significant new funding. An example of this is the $6.4m that has been approved for the development of the shires through the federally-funded Clever Networks Program. These funds will establish shared information and communications technology service infrastructure for the Northern Territory’s new shire councils. This will include approximately 355 desktop devices for shire staff and 150 public access devices for community members to use. In demographics, the network will provide approximately 1400 remote workers and an extended service base of approximately 62 000 people living in remote and regional areas. A number of prospective shire councils have already signed agreements for Night Patrol funding, which will provide a significant increase on the funding previously available for Night Patrols across the Territory.
I acknowledge the important contribution that has been made by the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory to the process of reform over the past 15 months. Both LGANT and the Northern Territory Branch of the Local Government Managers Australia have provided a strong industry voice on key policy issues and, in particular, legislative reform. In fact, in 2006, a number of suggestions were made by these industry bodies to my department regarding ways the current Local Government Act could be improved. Following discussion and agreement on the benefits of the changes proposed, a number of amendments to the current act were planned at that time. However, with the need for a new act to cater for the reform, the changes proposed are now incorporated within this bill. LGANT and the Local Government Managers Australia have continued to provide valuable advice regarding the provisions of this bill.
I extend sincere thanks to the Central Land Council and the Northern Territory Accounting Advisory Committee for their submissions and input into the drafting of the bill.
One of the key terms of reference of the Local Government Advisory Board, ably chaired by Mr Patrick Dodson, is that the board is to provide advice to the minister on the legislative requirements for new local government. The advisory board has been consulted at every step in the development of this legislation. An exposure draft of the Local Government Bill was presented to members of the advisory board and a presentation made on its key features by my department at the board’s September 2007 meeting. A later draft was presented to the board for discussion at its meeting in October 2007. The advice and suggestions from these discussions have been incorporated within the bill.
The exposure draft has been discussed with the transition committees for each shire, and meetings have been held with the chief executive officers, elected members of councils, and LGANT. Individual meetings have been held with the Darwin City Council, the City of Palmerston Council, the Katherine Town Council, and the Alice Springs Town Council to discuss the bill.
Drafts of the bill have been provided to the Northern and Central Land Councils, and a meeting regarding the bill was held with representatives from the Central Land Council. The previous minister met recently with the chair and senior staff from the Northern Land Council in relation to the bill. I will be following up these discussions in coming weeks. Members of the Law Society have had the opportunity to make comments on the bill.
Since the bill was deferred in November last year for further consultation, it has been available on the departmental website, with the facility for any member of the public to comment. Hard copies were also made available. During that time, further consultation occurred with the Local Government Accounting Advisory Committee, the Structural Reform Informal Reference Group comprising local government managers, and the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory.
Written submissions were received from the Central Land Council, the Local Government Association, the Darwin City Council, and the Litchfield Shire Council. All comments have been taken into account in the development and final draft of the bill. By any standard, there has been comprehensive exposure of this draft legislation prior to it being introduced in this House.
The Local Government Bill incorporates a large number of provisions contained in the present Local Government Act, as would be expected. However, there are also many provisions to support the new system of local government that I now wish to bring to your attention.
A feature of the new bill is that it contains a preamble. Although a preamble does not form part of the legislation, it is important in that it establishes the spirit and tone of the bill. This preamble commences by making the foundation statement that this Legislative Assembly acknowledges local government as a distinct and essential sphere of government. The preamble goes on to say that:
- The rights and interests of Indigenous traditional owners as enshrined in the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and the Native Title Act 1993, must be recognised, and the delivery of local government services must be in harmony with those laws.
I am pleased and proud that indigenous traditional owners are being formally recognised in this matter. When local government was being introduced in many parts of the Territory in the 1980s and 1990s, the supporting legislation provided no reference to the need for any arrangements to be made with the traditional owners of land on which local government services were being delivered. The intent of recognising the rights and interests of traditional owners in the preamble is to clearly signal that this will no longer be the case.
Another important feature of this bill is that it ensures that local government councils operate according to contemporary principles and practices of transparency and accountability. The bill requires each council to have a municipal or shire plan that must contain a strategic plan, a service delivery plan, and a long-term financial plan. The public will have access to the municipal or shire plan via the council’s website and at the council offices. The service delivery plan must contain performance indicators by which the council will assess its performance at the end of each year when the plan is reviewed and revised. This review will enable the council to consider the impact of any current or emerging challenges and opportunities to the way it operates. The council will also consider if it has the most appropriate administrative and regulatory arrangements to achieve effective service delivery.
Each council will be required to provide an annual report to the minister that will contain, in addition to the audited financial statement, an assessment of the council’s performance against the specific performance indicators identified in each service contained in the municipal or shire plan. As soon as possible after the annual report has been delivered to the minister, it must be made accessible to the public on the council’s website and at the shire offices.
Another new concept introduced in the bill is the preparation of regional management plans that will become statutory instruments and have a term of four years. At the end of that period, they are all to be replaced by revised plans. The plans may be amended during the four-year term by agreement between the agency, which is the department, and the councils in the region.
For the purpose of these regional management plans, there will be only three large regions - north, central and south - that will each include two or more shire councils, and may include a municipal council. I should emphasise that the municipal councils may choose whether they wish to be included in the plans.
There are two main purposes for the regional management plans. The first is to promote and provide inter-council cooperation on matters such as cemeteries, waste management facilities, and other regional facilities. They will also provide for the development of cooperative agreements between the councils in a region and other organisations or agencies that have a particular interest in the region. As an example, it is proposed that a memorandum of understanding be developed between councils and the relevant land council, providing for consultation and cooperation. Agreements are also being explored with government agencies such as Centrelink to provide services on an agency-by-agency basis across the region.
The other main purpose of the regional management plan will be to identify core local government services and the communities where they must be delivered by the shire in each regional area. These will not be the only services provided, but they are the only services that need to be identified in the regional management plan. The other services that will be provided by the shire will be contained in each shire plan.
Another feature of this bill is the requirement for every council to adopt a code of conduct to govern the conduct of members of the council, members of the local boards, and members of the council committees. A council will be required to make or adopt a code of conduct that must be at least as stringent as the code of conduct set out in Schedule 2 of the bill. If a council does not adopt a code of its own, then the code of conduct in the schedule will constitute the code of conduct for that council. The requirement to have a code is common practice in other jurisdictions. Some councils in the Northern Territory already have a code on a voluntary basis. These councils will be able to align their code against the code in the schedule.
The minister will establish a disciplinary committee so that a person can lay a complaint against a member if that person considers the member has committed a breach against the council’s code of conduct. If the disciplinary committee hears a case and is satisfied that a breach has occurred, it can administer a reprimand, impose a fine, or recommend to the minister the member be removed from office. A party to proceedings for the disciplinary committee may appeal against the decision of the committee to the Local Government Tribunal. The minister is provided with the power in this bill to remove a member from office on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee. The minister may also remove a member from office if a member is convicted of an offence, showing the member to be unfit to remain in office.
Another innovation in the bill is the concept of reviewable decisions. Where a council has made a decision which is reviewable, an affected person can take the matter back to the administrative review committee of the council. Councils will be able to make their decisions or by-laws reviewable.
On the matter of the election or appointment of the principal member of the council, the bill requires that the mayor of a municipal council must be elected by popular vote. The position of principal member of a shire may have the title of either president or mayor and, in the case of a shire council, the bill provides that the shire may choose whether the principal member is elected by popular vote or by appointment by its members. If the position is to be filled by appointment, the shire council must appoint one of its members to be the principal member at the first meeting following the general election.
I now turn to another innovation in this legislation. It is the provision of the establishment of local boards. The bill provides for the council to establish one or more local boards. The purpose of these local boards is to achieve the effective integration and involvement of local communities in the affairs of the council for the area. These boards will be provided with administrative support by the shires. Local boards will be particularly important to allow local communities to have a voice in the formation of council policies for their locality. Elected members of the council from the ward area that include the local board will also be a member of the local board. The mayor or president of the council will also be an ex-officio member of each local board. The role of the local board includes involvement in the development of a community plan and the establishment of local service delivery priorities for the consideration of the shire council. Local boards will also have a close relationship with the local offices being established by the shire on 67 communities in rural and remote areas.
The rates and charges section of the legislation has also undergone a significant change. While all land within the local government area is rateable unless it is exempted land, a new category of land has been introduced in the bill. This category of land is called conditionally rateable land and includes land held under a pastoral lease or land occupied under mining tenement. The bill requires that the council submit a rating proposal to the minister for approval prior to the rating of conditionally rateable land. The rating proposal must be in accordance with the ministerial guidelines which will be provided to all councils.
The purpose of this rating provision is to ensure that the setting of rates for the pastoral and mining industries is conducted in an informal and balanced manner. There is no intention that these industries will be required to provide more than their fair share of rates revenue to the shire. Any suggestion that these industries will be required to carry other residents of the shire, in a revenue sense, including people living on Aboriginal land, is incorrect. All properties on incorporated land will be rated or pay rates equivalent, including public housing dwellings on Aboriginal communities.
In relation to rates on Aboriginal land, lessees rather than the land trust will be liable. It is anticipated, for example, that where indigenous housing is provided by Territory Housing, Territory Housing will be the lease holder and have the responsibility for paying rates. Territory Housing will incorporate the cost of rates as a part of housing rental payments, as is the normal practice, but subject to Territory Housing’s limits of maximum rents. Where there are residences on Aboriginal land which are not subject to lease, the bill provides that the occupier may be liable for rates, but only after being served with a notice by the council.
Past practice in many remote communities has been that local councils imposed local government service fees on individuals so that occupants of a house with 20 adult residents could pay 10 times the amount of a couple sharing a house. Under the new arrangements, allotments on Aboriginal land will incur a set amount of rates for that allotment, rather than the potential for an open-ended amount determined by the number of occupants. The intent is that there will be a single annual rate for individual lots. This is a proposed change that I expect to further discuss with the land councils; in particular, the practical aspects of implementing these arrangements in parallel with changes to the management of public housing on Aboriginal land.
It is appropriate at this point to turn to the introduction of ministerial guidelines in the legislation to guide several aspects of local government activity. This is a new feature of the bill. I have mentioned that ministerial guidelines are to be provided to councils for the preparation of rating proposals for conditionally rateable land. Ministerial guidelines have also been introduced into the bill in several other sections. For example:
elected members’ allowances are to be fixed by council but will be subject to guidelines issued by the minister.
And the last one:
while the minister’s approval is normally applied if the council wants to borrow money, approval is not required for a transaction classified as a minor transaction according to guidelines issued by the minister.
Any guidelines that the minister makes in relation to this bill must be published on the department’s website and must be laid before this House within six sitting days after they are made.
It is recognised that the new bill will need to be clearly understood for potential new councillors. I am pleased to advise that elected member training will be provided to people considering standing for election, and to elected council members. The new organisational structures for the shires provide for governance managers who will educate council members and ensure the appropriate operation of local boards. Online governance tools are also being developed so that governance advice and education may be provided in a variety of ways.
The Local Government Bill provides for the establishment of a new system of local government in the Territory. It takes account of the most contemporary local government legislation in other jurisdictions. At the same time, it has been fashioned to meet the challenging environment in which local government operates in the Territory. This proposed Local Government Act will provide the legislative framework to complete the establishment of local government across the Territory. It will equip local government with the necessary powers and functions to play a prominent role in partnership with the Northern Territory government in the future development of the Territory.
Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Patrick Dodson, the Chair of the Local Government Advisory Board, all members of the advisory board, all members and participants in the Shire Transition Committees, the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory, departmental staff, both past and present, and every other person who has assisted in the development of this bill.
Madam Speaker, I commend this bill to honourable members and table the explanatory statement which accompanies the bill.
Debate adjourned.
CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT
(ASSAULT ON DRIVERS OF COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLES) BILL
(Serial 138)
(ASSAULT ON DRIVERS OF COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLES) BILL
(Serial 138)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The purpose of this bill is to provide that assaults on all drivers of commercial passenger vehicles be treated with the maximum degree of seriousness for assaults. Drivers of commercial passenger vehicles such as bus drivers and taxi drivers provide an important community service. As they often work alone, they are vulnerable to assault by passengers. This is particularly so at night time. Bus drivers employed by the Darwin Bus Service are public servants. For assaults on public sector bus drivers, the Criminal Code provides that the maximum penalty is five years imprisonment. That is, it is a circumstance of aggravation to assault a public servant in the execution of his or her duty. The maximum penalty for such an assault is five years imprisonment.
For bus drivers who are not public servants and taxi drivers, the Criminal Code provides a maximum penalty of imprisonment for one year for common assault. Drivers of commercial passenger vehicles, whether they be public servants or not, provide the same sort of service to the public and are vulnerable to the same sort of risk.
This government believes that a person who assaults a non-public service bus driver should not be subject to a lesser penalty than a person who assaults a driver who is a public servant. This bill, therefore, levels the playing field by providing that it is a circumstance of aggravation to assault the driver of any commercial passenger vehicle, regardless of who his or her employer might be.
To provide some context to this amendment, the Northern Territory government’s Darwin Bus Service employs a total of 45, or 28%, of total bus drivers. In comparison, Buslink, which provides school and public bus services, employs 112, or 72% of drivers. There are also approximately 1100 drivers who have current H endorsement and taxi ID cards. None of these drivers are currently covered by the aggravation provision that protects public servant officers.
This bill will, therefore, have an important practical effect: over 1200 drivers will have additional legal protections against assault while carrying out their important duty.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members, and table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT
(DRINK OR FOOD SPIKING) BILL
(Serial 137)
(DRINK OR FOOD SPIKING) BILL
(Serial 137)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The need for this bill was identified following an investigation and report into existing laws on drink and food spiking around the country, commissioned by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. The report was commissioned following the increasing awareness of drink and food spiking as a result of what is colloquially known as date rape.
Anecdotal evidence tells us that this is most likely to occur around licensed premises, where the item being spiked is an alcoholic beverage. Victims are unaware that their drink has either had more alcohol added to it than they expected, or has had a drug added to it. In many cases, this drink spiking causes the victim to become heavily intoxicated in a short period of time and, therefore, more vulnerable in many respects, possibly uninhibited, acquiescent and, unfortunately, less likely to have any memory upon sobering up.
The Model Criminal Law Officers Committee, comprised of senior criminal lawyers from around the country, tabled their report titled Food and Drink Spiking at a meeting in July 2007. Following presentation of the report, all Australian jurisdictions agreed, through SCAG, to work towards implementing recommendations, and ensuring that they each had comprehensive laws to properly address the issue of food and drink spiking. I am pleased to inform the House that the report indicated that the Territory already has a solid set of laws which address the most serious criminal behaviour related to food and drink spiking.
In the Northern Territory, we already have laws which make it an offence to administer a drug with the intent to commit a crime; for example, sexual assault, assault, robbery, stealing or fraud. It is also an offence to cause any substance to be taken with an intent to cause serious harm, disfigure or disable another person. Committing either of these offences attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
One area where the report indicated that Northern Territory laws were lacking however, was at the lower end of the scale; that is, when food or drink spiking occurs in a less serious context - perhaps just for a prank, or where the person spiking a drink intends only to embarrass or humiliate the victim, to make them intoxicated, or to obtain some advantage over the victim that is less serious than envisaged in existing legislation.
This bill seeks to address this gap by introducing a lesser offence which will be heard in the Court of Summary Jurisdiction. In combination with existing laws, this new offence will ensure that all members of the public are protected from food and drink spiking in every situation.
Notwithstanding the focus of this bill is for an objectively less serious offence, it must be acknowledged that all forms of food and drink spiking potentially have very serious ramifications for victims. Introducing a drug or alcohol into the food or drink of another is inherently dangerous. The victim may already be intoxicated, or they may be taking prescription medications resulting in adverse affects when combined with other drugs. They may have consumed prohibited drugs. Victims may suffer allergies to certain types of drug or alcohol. They may be at risk of injuring themselves or others, due to a lack of mobile function or rendered vulnerable to the malevolence of others as a result of their intoxicated state. It is for these reasons that this new offence is required in the Northern Territory.
The maximum penalty for this offence will be two years imprisonment. This corresponds with the recommendation made in the report. The provision will be inserted into the Criminal Code and be subject to new principles of criminal responsibility introduced by this government in 2005.
Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members and table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL
(Serial 127)
(Serial 127)
Continued from 29 November 2007.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, this is a very straightforward bill and I believe will be the shortest response to a bill I have ever made. I should, for the sake of the Parliamentary Record, outline why that is. The first paragraph of the minister’s second reading speech said:
- The main purpose of this bill is to make consequential amendments to various Northern Territory laws; update superseded references; correct typographical and grammatical errors and omissions; and clarify ambiguous terminologies in the affected acts and subordinate legislation. None of the amendments constitute substantive changes in policy or programs of government.
I have looked at the relevant changes and feel confident that we can support this bill. These Statute Law Revision Bills come from time to time. It is always important for the opposition to look through them because it is an opportunity for government to sneak things through. We do our best and, on the basis of my endeavours, I am confident that the bill can pass for the reasons outlined by the minister.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I thank the opposition for their support. As the new Attorney-General, I can see there is a lot of legislation in the pipeline. Legislation such as this, as the member for Araluen has pointed out, is revising and updating existing legislation. We are not trying to sneak anything through here. There is some important …
Ms Carney: Ah, but you might.
Dr BURNS: Under my time as Attorney-General, we will not be sneaking anything through, member for Araluen.
There are amendments to the Financial Management Act, particularly regarding the definition of ‘Consolidated Revenue Account’ which is changed to ‘Central Holding Authority’ in line with the Financial Management Act. There have been amendments to the Assembly Members Superannuation Fund to align the time requirements for the tabling of reports with other statutory bodies. There have also been amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act with definitions in road charges laws. I know, from my time as Transport minister, there is now a national system. The amendments align the Motor Vehicles Act with that national system. Also, there are the amendments to the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act. Basically, there was an incorrect provision in that penalising anyone failing to pay an annual licence fee. That has been corrected.
They are the main changes. Madam Speaker, I thank the opposition for their support.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General) (by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (No 3)
(Serial 126)
(Serial 126)
Continued from 29 November 2007.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, this bill is supported. I take the opportunity of thanking the minister’s staff very much for their straightforward, efficient, no-nonsense approach to responding to some questions I had. I hope this is not going to be the last time we can work in such a cooperative and friendly way. I sincerely thank them.
The bill makes a number of amendments to five acts. I do not propose to go through the amendments or the effect of the amendments to the other acts. To some extent, that was done sufficiently in the second reading speech.
I do, however, want to dangle something in front of the minister. It arises from changes to the Juries Act. Your staff, minister, will know that I have been interested in this. I do not propose to revisit everything we have communicated to one another. However, one of the amendments changes the age for jurors to serve. I understand that change was requested by the Chief Justice. There are good public policy reasons in support of that age increase. There are also potential – and I do not put it any higher than that - difficulties, the details of which I have discussed by way of e-mail with your staff. It then leads to a consideration by government. I can indicate that if I were Attorney-General - and I may never be Attorney-General, but if I were - I reckon I would be asking my department to have a very serious look at whether the Territory can do judge-alone trials. Thanks to your staff, I have been advised that in the 1950s in the Territory we had judge-alone trials. That is a long time ago. I believe it is worth having a good look at it.
I am a member of a four-member opposition. I do not have the resources or the capacity to get anywhere near this, if I am to continue to do what other parts of my job require. I sincerely invite the Attorney-General to have a look at this. It may be something that could be developed over time. I believe the issue should be discussed. No doubt, there will be a range of views within the legal profession. You will have the same old divide between the prosecutors and the defence lawyers. You will have others throwing in their two bobs’ worth.
Why should we look at this? Because, as was pointed out by your staff, and we know it to be the case in any event, in the Territory we have a very small pool from which to draw jurors. That is partly why this particular change in relation to the Juries Act has come about. We cannot get enough people to serve on our juries - and I do not mean that in terms of human beings turning up to court. The minister will appreciate that one of the fundamental tenets of having a jury trial is to be judged by one’s peers. Is it not questionable for us in the Northern Territory or, indeed, any other jurisdiction, to sanction a situation where we may on occasion – and again I do not put it any higher than that – have jury trials where the accused is not, in fact, being judged by his or her peers? This is the sort of stuff that has often taken up dinner party conversation with bunches of lawyers for generations. I suspect it will continue to do so. I simply invite the minister to have a look at this issue.
I take the minister seriously when he has said on a number of occasions that he takes the role of Attorney-General and the Territory’s first law officer very seriously. In that regard you are very much like Peter Toyne who took it very seriously as well. It is a wonderful opportunity to be Attorney-General of the Northern Territory. I invite you to use that opportunity to consider this for the proper administration of justice in the longer term.
With those comments, I thank the Attorney-General and his staff. I look forward to hearing from you at the end of this and, perhaps, on another occasion we can have a chat more informally.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I just put my two bobs’ worth in about the Juries Act as well. I have had people come to see me over a number of years in relation to what they feel is the inadequate payment for people to attend juries - not because they do not want to be on a jury, but the circumstances they are in makes it very difficult for them to take time off work. I refer particularly to self-employed people or small business people. I hope that the minister will look at an amendment which will allow realistic payment to people who suffer financial loss by being on a jury.
For big companies and the public service it is not a problem. The employers pay those people to be on the jury. They regard it as a public service and are willing to pay their employees to be on those juries. However, for someone who is self-employed – say, a tree lopper, for instance - who is asked to be on a jury and cannot be exempted, he has to employ someone else to do the job while he is on the jury. When he is not on the jury, he is paid $20 a day. Obviously, he is paying someone else a lot more money than $20 a day to do the tree lopping. While he is on the jury he is actually losing business because it is costing him more to employ someone doing a job that he should be doing.
It is the same with some small business people. If you are running a shop and you, for instance as the manager, might have to go on the jury, then you have great difficulty with getting someone who can take your place, or you have to close the business down for the time you are on the jury.
I hope that when the government is looking at reviewing the Juries Act again that it takes into account that many people are happy to take up what is a public responsibility of a citizen; that is, to work on juries. However, because there is such a small number of people in the Northern Territory to pick from, many people who are self-employed or in small business are selected, and they find the financial hardship required to sit on these juries - or to wait to find out if they are on a jury - considerable. I know the previous Attorney-General, Peter Toyne, did change some of the Juries Act so that, with trials that ran over nine days, people were paid more than previously. However, I do not believe that still gets around the inadequate pay or allowances that are given to people who are just sitting around waiting to find out if the trial is going to occur, or for people who are dealing with trials that last under 10 days.
The funny thing is that, when we have boards that the government sets up, such as the Development Consent Authority, the Liquor Commission or whatever, the people who serve on those boards are paid quite an adequate amount of money per day - a sitting fee. I believe we should be looking at something similar for people sitting on juries. I mention that just as an aside, but it does give me a chance, under this particular bill, to bring that to the attention of the minister.
The other area I would like to look into - and I may ask that we go into committee stage so I can ask some direct questions - is in relation to the amendment to the Law of Property Act; specifically in relation to changes to clauses surrounding easements. I know the minister enjoyed the debate yesterday when we spent some time talking about consultation. During the briefing I had in relation to this particular clause, I asked whether anyone was consulted about these changes. Easements relate to councils and service providers such as Power and Water and telecommunications companies. I would have thought, although this might appear to be minor in its change, that the government would have consulted with councils, Power and Water, Telstra, and perhaps even the Real Estate Institute because you can have other kinds of easements that relate to real estate. I thought that would have been the appropriate thing to do, to ensure that this particular act did not have any unforeseen changes which could affect people who have rights over these easements.
I rang Darwin City Council in relation to this. I spoke to the Town Clerk. He said they had not been asked for any opinion in relation to this. Easements, from a council perspective, are extremely important. Easements in local government are extremely important, because many people have rights of way. Litchfield Shire, unfortunately, is burdened with easements and rights of way because, in the past, they were a method of planning permission to do subdivisions without actually having to do much work in relation to infrastructure. Instead of putting in a road, they would put 10 or 20, what we call ‘battle-axe handles’, which were only about 10 m wide, which would all be connected to the one road. Some of those battle-axe handles would be anything from 100 m long to probably nearly 1 km long. Over the top of those, they put power and water and access easements. That has always been a problem for the Litchfield Council, because no one understood what those easements meant.
When you look at this bill, it is possibly a perfectly good amendment. However, if you took in the case of an easement - for instance, I could give you a couple of examples: there are some off Townend Road and a classic example is Old Bynoe Road. I do not know if people have been down Old Bynoe Road. It is a very strange road, because the first part is public road. The second part is actually built over a series of battle-axe handles, and no one would know that unless they looked at the map. That is not public road; it has, from memory, a 30 m easement for water, power and access. The council, at that time, wrote to the Minister for Lands and Planning in the Country Liberal Party’s days, asking for some assistance in trying to fix these issues. The government was not forthcoming, because there were many complications trying to change these things in relation to subdivisions - getting approval from everyone who owns a piece of the easement; all these sorts of things. It is quite complex to get a change, and would require a determined effort by government to, in some cases, get rid of these things. As we know, easements are part of people’s titles and, therefore, you need to have compensation paid for them.
If I take the example of Old Bynoe Road, it has now what appears to be a public road. It is going over a set of easements and, according to this, you would have one law which said it is a road and one law which said we have laws applying to this easement which are reasonable and appropriate. I know this law does not apply in retrospect to existing easements, but I would not want to have the case that we have at Old Bynoe Road occurring again. That might not happen. The point is that it does happen in Litchfield Shire at the present time. Hopefully, good planning decisions mean that it will not happen ever again. I am interested to see what the relationship is between the rights of people who own an easement and that easement which is now more or less a public road.
I know that the member for Goyder has brought this issue to the notice of the government. I thank him for that, because I also know of the particular case to which he referred. Unfortunately, he and I know that this is not going to change that situation. It will change it for the future easements but it will not change it for existing easements. Whether another approach to the problem that these people in Bees Creek have could be applied, I am not sure. One of the possible suggestions may be that road or access easements can be covered by the Traffic Act, where a council can actually declare that the speed limit on those rights of way or easements will be such and such and the normal road rules would apply. Perhaps one cannot do that because that would be changing things in retrospect. Maybe that cannot happen. Perhaps there are other avenues we can look at.
I have some sympathy for the people who are involved. Perhaps there is also a problem with what you would call disharmony between neighbours. When the owner of the land says something, the other one gets aggravated. As a show of bravado, they decide to ignore the owner and continue the behaviour which is upsetting them. It is a difficult one to fix.
What worried me a little was that the government had no consultation with those people who deal with easements. Darwin City Council has told me that they have no problem with it, but that was not really the issue. It would have been wiser to have checked with all these particular service people. I have not checked with Power and Water or Telstra, but the government should have, just to ensure that this particular change does not have any ramifications either for the government or those service providers. I would like to continue some questioning of the minister in relation to this in the committee stage.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Madam Speaker, I support the minister’s legislation on the Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2007. In particular, I want to talk about Part 4, the amendments to the Juries Act and Part 5, amendments to the Law of Property Act. That seems to be the two points that the opposition and Independents have spoken about. They are very topical issues.
Before I start, I appreciate the cross-Chamber support of this bill. It amazes me how the opposition and Independents take the opportunity - and I know it is the liberty of parliament, but we are debating a bill regarding the Juries Act; specifically, people over 65 not be excluded - to try to espouse other changes they would like to see in future. That is part and parcel of parliament but, by the same token, I do not think it is in the spirit of the bipartisan approach. It beggars belief that even when there is an opportunity to agree on things, there has to be that element of antagonism.
I am sure the Leader of the Opposition did not mean it when she talked about judgment by peers. I am sure she did not mean that people over 65 could not be considered as peers of people before the court system. I will leave that at that. You have to be very careful what you say in this House because it can be interpreted slightly differently.
Anyway, let us talk about this great bill and people over 65. Some of us may live long enough to enter this House when we are over 65. Under current legislation, we might find ourselves as members of parliament but, by the same token, we could not act as jurors. That would be very disconcerting. There is a great recognition of seniors in our communities ...
Mrs Miller: So there should be.
Mr WARREN: Exactly right. This is long overdue. People over 65 have a very valuable part to play in our jury system. This legislation acknowledges that. I am quite surprised to see that they were excluded. I did not know that. Most over 65-year-olds would be very upset to find out that they are currently excluded. Of course, it is about ensuring that we get the jury numbers in. The Leader of the Opposition is partly right but, that is not the whole reason. It is a bigger picture. It is a recognition that senior Territorians play a valuable part in our community. They have a great part to play on our juries. As an earlier generation, they have a broad perspective of life. They are ideally suited to be on juries. From that perspective, the Leader of the Opposition does not have the full picture. That does not surprise me ...
Ms Carney: No, I do not think the Leader of the Opposition is here.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Goyder, please pause. I believe you mean the member for Araluen.
Mr WARREN: Sorry, I stand corrected. I am living in the past.
Mrs Miller: We know that.
Ms Carney: Is it true you were the shortest Chairman of Committees in the history of the parliament?
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr WARREN: I do recall the ex-Leader of the Opposition saying that she had ambitions to come back. Maybe I am talking in the future. Maybe I am talking with poetic licence.
Anyway, let us address the important issue; that is, the matter of 65-year-olds. I commend the minister for that. Of course, 65-year-olds have the liberty of being able to choose whether they feel up to being on jury service. That is the essence of the whole thing: that people over 65 years are valued and have a choice, and that that choice is recognised.
The other part of the amendment bill I would like to talk about is the Law of Property Act. As the member for Nelson said, it is very close to both his heart and mine because it is an issue we deal with all the time. People do come to local politicians on issues which are related to personal matters between different people and different issues. I am glad that the government has listened to the issue. It is about people who do not behave – that is at the core of this. It is about people who are noisy, do damage, do burn-outs, all sorts of unruly behaviour, damage fauna and flora, and damage owners’ property where that person, or their predecessors, have made special dispensation for people to access their property. That is really a sad indictment on modern society in many respects; that we have to start looking at legislating in this respect. It undermines the rural character and spirit, to some degree. The member for Nelson and I both agree that we fight very hard to keep that rural spirit out there but, sometimes, that rural community spirit does not always flow through to neighbours.
What we must recognise is the two elements that the member for Nelson raised regarding lack of retrospectivity of the bill. We need to acknowledge that people do make genuine agreements and have, in the past, made them. Whilst it would have been nice for us to be able to wipe the slate clean, we have to acknowledge that there is a legal framework and legitimacy of existing agreements between property owners and users of access ways. That is very important. A lot of them were given under the right spirit and I would hate to see them swept away because of overregulation. It could probably fall into that element of overregulation if we had made it totally retrospective. The member for Nelson and I have spoken at great length on this particular aspect and we are of one mind on it. However, we are also pragmatic enough to realise that, in some situations, we cannot always change what is legitimately law. By the same token, it is important that we introduce this type of legislation to ensure that this does not happen again. That is what the amendment will do and that is why I support this in its entirety. It is about the future and recognising that things do change. When agreements were made in the past between parties, sometimes the parties changed, sometimes their relationships changed and, so, it is very important to try to give some good solid basis to agreements such as this.
The other element that the member for Nelson raised is about the effect of easements on private, council, and government areas. It covers the whole lot. I am not a legalistic mind to understand the full reasoning for that, but I am sure that, in drafting this legislation, that was seriously taken into consideration as part of the whole drafting process. However, I remind the member for Nelson that such easements of council, government, and other government-related entities are protected by titles and covenants. As they are in there, I am not quite sure how things would change under that. I understand you are talking about a couple of situations where there are very long battle-axe blocks and things like that. However, they still come under titles and covenants. You might be mixing up the problems we have with right of way as far as driving down some of these battle-axe blocks, and some of the covenants that apply when Power and Water and others put easements through.
I agree with the member for Nelson that council could play a great part in this. I welcome you to join with me in trying to lobby for council to change some of the aspects that they have an effect on. Also, maybe, to talk about future consent authority developments to look at the battle-axe situation, and support me. I know you do feel strongly about battle-axe blocks, as I do. Again, it is one of those areas where you can look at the future and not so much look at the past - although what we can do, we do.
With that, Madam Speaker, I commend the minister and support this bill.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I understand from the member for Nelson that we will be moving into committee. There will, obviously, be questions that the member for Nelson will have during that time. I will try to cover the main points that people have raised so far. I thank all speakers for their contribution.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for supporting this legislation. I certainly …
Ms Carney: No, he did not. Member for Araluen.
Dr BURNS: I am sorry.
Ms Carney: I am tough but …
Dr BURNS: It was not intentional.
Ms Carney: I know.
Dr BURNS: The member for Araluen. I was getting it right yesterday. Okay, the member for Araluen for her comments and her support for this legislation and for the issues that she has raised. As I said to her when I first took on the role of Attorney-General, I want to work in a cooperative fashion with her. Inasmuch as I am bound by Cabinet decisions and government policy, I am very happy to work with you. If you have suggestions and constructive criticism, of course, we will take that on board. I am glad to hear that there is a cooperative relationship between you and my office. I want that to continue. That can only benefit the laws that we put through this parliament. We can work in a constructive way. I also value the input from people with a legal background on this side of the House: the members for Brennan and Millner. You have a role as a shadow Attorney-General. I know you have much to offer and I thank you for your suggestions.
I take on board what you say about people needing to be judged by a jury of their peers. There are concerns, not so much that older people will be on the jury, but that we get the mix right on juries. This is very important and we need to watch that. This suggestion has come forward from the Chief Justice himself. When the Chief Justice makes suggestions, of course, government and government departments listen to those and we try to accommodate these very constructive suggestions. I have met with the Chief Justice. I have also met with the Chief Magistrate. These are people who are really, in their own way, representing their own constituency, if I can put it like that. They are putting forth their ideas for the ways in which, they believe, our judicial system can work better. I have given an undertaking to them, as Attorney-General, that, where possible, we will be making changes that they suggest.
The member for Araluen has made a suggestion about judge-alone trials, and this is a very topical issue at present. As I understand it, there are a number of jurisdictions that have the capacity currently for judge-only trials, but that is at the request only of the defence counsel. I understand also that this matter is going to be raised at the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. I will take your comments on board regarding judge-only trials ...
Ms Carney: Nothing higher than you would look at it? You would give it some consideration?
Dr BURNS: Well, certainly in the context of SCAG. You have asked that I seek the advice of the department. I will raise this issue in my regular meetings with people like the Law Society, CLANT, and the Chief Justice. I can assure you it is squarely on the agenda of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. I am yet to attend my first meeting of SCAG, as it is called. I have heard a lot about it. I am looking forward to meeting my colleagues in SCAG. Thank you, member for Araluen, for your comments.
The member for Nelson also raised a very important issue about juries and the imposition on people who have small businesses and about the lost earnings that these people experience, particularly with longer trials. The member for Nelson also mentioned that my predecessor - two back, I suppose - Peter Toyne, did change legislation in relation to longer trials to try to address this issue. It is a difficult issue. On one side, you have the obligations that we have as citizens to serve on juries, balanced, I suppose, by the potential loss of income and, in some cases, threats and even risks to people’s business. I am advised that those are issues that people can put forward if they are called up for jury duty as an encumbrance or a barrier to them serving on a jury. As with the member for Araluen, I undertake to look further into that, member for Nelson, and find out what happens in other states. I am sure it is a common problem right across Australia.
You have raised issues in relation to easements. Basically, as I understand it, these amendments are really enshrining or codifying the importance of reasonable use of easements. They do not preclude other requirements as part of an agreement to do with easements, whether it be with a local authority or between neighbouring landowners, or the person whose property the easement goes through.
You have raised the issue of consultation. As I understand it, what we are doing here is setting a basic condition of easements, covering conditions that were not covered before. Currently, owners troubled by unruly, unjustified or noisy use of these rights of way or easements cannot rely on conditions contained in the easements to ensure reasonable and appropriate use either because there are no conditions or the type of the extent of the conditions are not clearly stated. Therefore, this is setting a basic template, if you like, saying that there should be reasonable use and it should be used in an appropriate manner. It does not preclude people from putting other conditions within the easement. In other words, it is bringing something into being that should have been brought into being a long time ago. I believe it will be welcomed as this moves on in the future, because it is not about retrospective use, it is about agreements around easements into the future.
I thank the member for Goyder for his contribution. He certainly is very passionate about the capacity of our seniors to contribute to our society and our community. He is probably the senior in our Caucus, and he certainly makes a massive contribution there. People who are older mostly have some wisdom and experience of life. It is good that they now have the capacity, if they are over 65, to participate in juries.
In relation to easements, this was something that was proposed by the member for Goyder and I thank him for that. He, together with the member for Nelson, had a lot of representations from people in the rural area about inappropriate use of easements. We stated at the outset that government will not be making this retrospective, because that would probably open up the question of whether we are actually coming over the top of existing agreements, even to the extent that we are acquiring property or rights. The government does not want to go there. That would open up a complete minefield. The top would come off the genie bottle. We would be involved in all sorts of conflicts that I do not think it is appropriate for us to be involved in, as those are existing agreements and we would be trying to override them.
Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contribution. I commend this bill to the House. I understand that we are going into committee stage and the member for Nelson has a number of questions to ask.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Clauses 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 5:
Mr WOOD: Madam Chair, I have a technical question for the minister. This is in relation to a particular issue the member for Goyder was talking about. As an aside, I have not had a lot of people complaining about easements. We have had one person complaining a lot about easements might be the better way to put it
My understanding of this particular block of land is that it is actually a right of way. Doing a bit of reading through my legal dictionary, there are definitions for easements and for right of way. Can you tell me whether this change to the use of an easement in the Territory applies to a right of way or, in other words, are they the same thing?
Dr BURNS: I am advised, member for Nelson, that they are the same. This bill pertains to what is also called ‘easements in gross’ which are really the sort of easements which service organisations such as Power and Water, etcetera have. It applies to both an easement where someone can go through to their property, house or whatever through someone else’s property. However, it also applies to the easements in gross, which are really service easements.
Mr WOOD: Therefore, when I am referring to a road easement, access easement or a right of way, I am referring to the same thing.
Dr BURNS: I will confirm that once again. Yes, I am advised that is correct because an easement is like a right in the land.
Mr WOOD: We just need to clear that up because I know that on the title of the land that we are talking about, it is definitely right of way. I need to ensure that we were covering what was part of the initial problem.
I mentioned about consulting with different groups. The reason is because I agree that this is a template. On the surface, it might appear to be fine, but I would have liked to have found out what Power and Water thought about it. Someone could be a little picky about this. They may have said: ‘I do not think Telstra is doing the right thing and, under this act, we are going to take this somewhere’. I do not know where they would take you. That is the reason I hoped we would get some feedback from Power and Water.
The other area that worries me is Telstra. Telstra, I presume, operates under the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act and have easements for telecommunications. Would those easements that are used for communications be covered by our act?
Dr BURNS: I am advised yes, member for Nelson. Easements in gross that I mentioned before actually give organisations like Telstra and Power and Water the rights over those easements, even though they do not have rights over the land - or an interest in the land is probably the better way to put it.
Mr WOOD: I was just concerned that sometimes, when Telstra does things, they can do them because they come under the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act which has fairly broad powers. As some people would know, they can lay a telephone line on the land, run it along a fence line, and all sorts of things because they have a lot more power built into the act to allow them to do those things. Is there a clash between our Northern Territory law on this and the Commonwealth’s law?
Dr BURNS: I am not sure whether the activities that the member for Nelson is talking about, such as laying a cable along someone’s fence line, really comes into what we are talking about here about easements in gross. I am advised, member for Nelson, that if it is an easement in gross there are clearly spelled-out conditions about access, giving notice, and all of the things that would concern the landowner. I am not sure exactly what you are alluding to regarding Telstra having special powers. However, regarding an actual easement under Northern Territory law and an easement in gross, this is codified here.
In relation to consultation with these organisations, basically, this is a template. My advice is that these organisations have very detailed agreements and conditions within their easements, so it is all very clearly spelled out anyway.
Mr WOOD: Yes. I only used the example of Telstra being able to run a line along the fence because they are allowed to do it because the act that they come under allows them to do that. You are not allowed to interfere with it. I was just using that as an example of the power they have. All I am saying is that, generally, Telstra will have an easement in which they put their telephone lines. I was only just making the example that, presuming Telstra is doing its work under the auspices of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act which allows them to do that, does our law apply? For instance, say they were putting down a trench and they did not fill it in properly or they made a mess of someone’s front lawn, or whatever - they have easements along the nature strips - and you thought they had not done the work in an appropriate and reasonable manner. Would our laws actually apply to the job they had done?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I am advised that the specific issues the member for Nelson is talking about fall under the federal act, and those residents would have redress under the federal act.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, minister. I am not sure here, but, in my bit of research between the briefing and parliament, I gather that you can have easements over things like walls and roofs when it comes to titles of buildings where, for instance, a roof may overlay another block of land. You can get an easement to do that. Would that sort of thing apply and be covered by this act as well?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I am advised that it would.
Mr WOOD: Minister, we have told people that, under the Powers of Attorney Act, you now must use the land for a reasonable and appropriate purpose. What happens if someone does not use it for that purpose?
Dr BURNS: I am advised, member for Nelson, that if someone does breach an agreement through unreasonable or inappropriate use, that the other person has recourse to the courts.
Mr WOOD: My view of the second reading is that it says that the owner can ask for a review. Is that separate from going to the courts, or do they have two options?
Dr BURNS: Member for Nelson, I am advised, that the review is part of the process that could precede court. Hopefully, issues could be resolved through the review but, if they cannot be, I am advised that the person has recourse to go the courts.
Mr WOOD: I think we need to keep to the case we were referring to because part of the reason we are here today is that one neighbour is claiming that the other neighbour is inappropriately using the easement; that is, they are speeding up and down, creating dust, and not locking the gates. From a practical perspective, how could they stop that immediately? They might think that there is danger to life and limb and fences and all sorts of things. At the same time, if you do not have an answer immediately, how long will this process take to try to stop that happening?
Dr BURNS: I am advised, member for Nelson, that the process is as I outlined to you before. We are talking about something that is happening prospectively, not retrospectively. We are talking about someone who makes an agreement regarding an easement under this new law, not an existing easement and, if one of the parties breaches it and has unreasonable or inappropriate use, I have outlined the process through use of the courts. Unfortunately, member for Nelson, I cannot say that it would get into a court tomorrow. We know that courts are very busy. In answer to your question, there would not be an immediate mechanism to stop this behaviour; it would have to come before the court. I cannot give you a definite answer about how long that might take. I suppose we have all had experience with the courts, or seen matters before the courts. It depends on the business of the court and how soon it can get before the court.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, minister. On another issue close to that, in your second reading you said owners will be entitled to seek a review of the grant of easement if the users fail to respect their obligations. My understanding is that you can go to court and complain about the use of it, but the way it is written here, according to the second reading, I can seek a review. The first question I have is: does that mean my attempts to have a review can be knocked back? Who would review my complaint if I put one forward?
Dr BURNS: I am advised, as I said previously, that parties can seek a review if things are amicable between the parties. They can seek a review between themselves and a mediator. If that is not appropriate or successful, the matter then can go to court. The court would undertake that review and ascertain whether the use was appropriate. Basically, member for Nelson, that is what I have been advised.
Mr WOOD: Just to clarify that, if owners will be entitled to seek a review, I thought that might be in relation to the government, because the government gives out these grants of easements under titles when it issues its subdivision. I did not know whether it would be a matter for a government department to review the grant of the easement or it is a job for the court to decide that. Obviously, the review is actually court-based, not a government department?
Dr BURNS: Yes. That is what I am advised, member for Nelson.
Mr WOOD: All right. Just to clarify. I am not trying to be pedantic, but we have introduced a bit of legislation which is new. It might sound small but I need to know who it applies to and the practicality of what this law will mean to ordinary people who have easements from now on. I suppose I am looking to see whether it will work. If it is going to take six months and, by that time, the road is destroyed and the cattle have gone out because the gate is never shut, it can be a long road to get redress.
Thank you, minister, for the answers you have given. I support the amendment. I am interested to see how it works in practice. I might contact some of these service groups just to double check on some of those issues. If I think that there is a problem, maybe it is worth bringing that back to parliament at a future date.
I thank the member for Goyder as well. It is an area that was of concern. It is a pity we cannot fix that particular person’s problems; perhaps it will ensure there are none of these kinds of problems in the future.
Clause 5 agreed to.
Remainder of bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill reported; report adopted.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Climate Change
Climate Change
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, today I make a statement on one of the most critical issues facing the Northern Territory, Australia and the world. It is an issue which affects all of us in our homes and at work and poses huge challenges for all tiers of government across Australia. However, climate change also presents some significant opportunities for the Territory. There are opportunities for our small businesses to develop carbon offset programs. There are opportunities to create more real jobs in remote areas, jobs which will be particularly attractive to indigenous Territorians. These jobs will be focused on the land and country. There are some very significant investment opportunities in new energy sources, what is known as ‘renewable energy’ such as geothermal energy.
The next 12 months will be a crucial stage in developing responses to climate change in Australia. It is a real milestone. This milestone has been created by the actions of the new federal government moving to immediately ratify the Kyoto Protocol. After years of prevarication by the Howard government, Australia can now move forward in the area of climate change. The next 12 months will see the Northern Territory government working closely and cooperatively with the Commonwealth, states and territories.
We will be designing new systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A centrepiece will be the National Emissions Trading Scheme. We will be working with other states that have similar climatic conditions to the Territory to ensure we have the best scientific data on which to base decisions. We will be identifying the best and most cost-effective programs to adapt to the effect of climate change.
Some people view climate change in the same vein as the Y2K bug – just an alarmist idea, an alarmist theory, dreamed up by scientists. They believe it is not going to happen and, if it is happening, we cannot do anything about it. Let me make it clear: those people are wrong on all counts.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its Fourth Assessment Report on the state of knowledge of climate change. The IPCC made a number of major conclusions that have reduced the uncertainty around our impact on our climate. Most significantly, the IPCC found that we can now be over 90% certain that humans are causing the globe to warm.
Last year, the Stern Report from the UK found that, globally, the economic benefits of strong, early action to address climate change easily outweigh any cost. The Garnaut Climate Change Review, about which I will speak further, is Australia’s own in-depth examination of climate change and what we can do about it.
The good news is that these reports, and others like them, present options to slow, stop and even reverse the effects of climate change. These reports also show that the economic benefits of strong, early action easily outweigh any cost. Whether climate change is slowed, stopped or reversed will depend absolutely on what you and I start and stop doing now. As former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said at the launch of the Stern Review:
… unless we act now, not some time distant but now, these consequences, disastrous as they are, will be irreversible. So there is nothing more serious, more urgent or more demanding of leadership ...
The Northern Territory government is taking action and showing leadership. We have a three-pronged strategy we will be focusing on over the crucial next 12 months. This strategy involves: working and negotiating at the national level to ensure the Territory’s contribution and needs are recognised; developing a Northern Territory approach to climate change in light of the national and international developments; and working with Territorians to ensure we are on the right track, both at the national and local levels. This is our plan for active leadership.
Before I ask Territorians, individually and collectively, to increase their contribution to reducing our carbon footprint, I want to set out some of the successful projects which Territorians have already achieved. Two years ago, the then minister for the Environment and now Deputy Chief Minister presented the NT Strategy for Greenhouse Action to the Assembly. I will highlight three of the many successes of this strategy.
First, I will briefly talk about the Solar Cities project in Alice Springs. I know the Minister for Mines and Energy will talk about this project in more detail shortly. This government has been a very strong supporter of the project from the very first bid to the Commonwealth for the iconic town of Alice Springs to be included in this innovative living research.
The second successful project I highlight for the ongoing success of the NT Strategy for Greenhouse Action is the support for the Schools Energy Blitz. This project has been coordinated by the Darwin Cool Mob Community Group which, I acknowledge, was originally an Environment Centre initiative which, I am happy to say, the Territory government now helps to fund. Six schools are involved with this project including Berry Springs Primary, Dripstone Middle, Humpty Doo Primary, Woodroffe Primary and Malak Primary. A number of the projects involve replacing fluorescent tubes with the latest technology lamps which have equivalent light output. An even simpler project features halving the number of fluorescent tubes in the school by installing reflectors in light fittings to reflect more light out of each fitting.
I am particularly impressed by the school’s energy blitz project on three counts: (1) they are effective; (2) they are not rocket science - you and I can do the same at home; and (3) the projects have been spearheaded by a community group - yes, funded by government but taken on board, developed and implemented by the community. The way our sons and daughters get involved in projects like this through the schools never ceases to impress and motivate me.
The third highlight is Northern Territory scientists leading research into estimating greenhouse gas emissions from savannah fires. That phrase has a particularly good ring to it: ‘NT scientists leading research’. Building on the success of the West Arnhem Fire Management Agreement in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from savannah fires in West Arnhem Land, research is continuing to refine emissions accounting to enable strategic fire management projects meet the rigorous standards required to be recognised as abatement or offset projects under existing and emerging carbon markets.
The Territory is a leader in this field. Indigenous Territorians have embraced the program. We need more of these partnerships, and our three-pronged strategy addresses this need. Territory scientists from Charles Darwin University are also leading research in partnership with the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines. This partnership is undertaking climate change scenario planning to assist Territory-based industries. In addition to community involvement in developing the scenario, early results will be communicated at the May 2008 Charles Darwin University symposium on water.
Since 2005, one of our objectives in the area of climate change has been for the Northern Territory government to achieve and maintain best practice energy management in government operations. The intention is that agencies lead Territory greenhouse gas reduction by example. Since 2005, government has had an Energy Smart Buildings policy in place. I have seen an early version of the latest report on this policy and believe there is significant capacity to do more.
Whilst we have achieved some successes in this area, energy consumption per capita is increasing and is across the general population both in Australia and overseas. Early indications are that there has been a whole-of-government increase of almost 1% in total building energy consumption - and, hence, greenhouse gas emissions - during 2006-07. I say ‘early indications’ as there are a number of issues with measuring greenhouse gas emissions. I will have more to say later on effective measurement.
Now is the time for the government to up the ante and do more. As part of the Northern Territory government policy on climate change, each agency will develop a plan to contribute to Territorians’ efforts in reducing our carbon footprint. Most agencies use only a single digit percentage of total NTG energy use. The two biggest users are: the Department of Health and Community Services with 89 sites around the Territory which contributes 42% of total NTG energy use; and the Department of Employment, Education and Training with 179 sites - predominantly schools - around the Territory which contributes to 25% of government energy use.
The department of Health is looking actively at ways to reduce its emissions, particularly at RDH. However, experience here and in other jurisdictions is that it is difficult for hospitals to balance operational requirements with energy efficiency measures. Whether agencies are big or small users of energy, there are ways of reducing our carbon footprint, and I look forward to seeing the implementation of new initiatives.
On a whole-of-government basis, I have asked the new Minister for Corporate and Information Services to examine government office accommodation leasing policies. In the next four to five years, the leases of approximately three-quarters of government accommodation are due to be renewed. I want to send an early message to the owners of buildings across the Territory that energy efficient buildings and measures will be a consideration in new government leasing arrangements. On a related matter, major cleaning contracts will need to be examined to ensure recycling provisions are included. What I want to achieve by developing a leasing policy which reduces our carbon footprint is ‘designing out’ the energy and efficiencies before ‘designing in’ the need for higher energy supplies. The policy approach can be equated to preventative medicine: it is much better not to have the problem in the first place.
These measures are a clear demonstration of the Territory government’s commitment to inculcating in its daily operations the reductions of its carbon footprint. I spoke earlier of the need to measure the effectiveness of the climate change actions we are taking and to ensure more economic rigor is brought to the table. Frankly, there is no point in adopting measures which do not meet a cost-benefit analysis. Treasury has expertise in assessing initiatives to ensure we get a return on our investment over the short-, medium- and long-term. Any assessment of new climate change measures will need to consider the estimated reduction in greenhouse gases against the proposed cost.
I want to go further. I have asked the Auditor-General to develop a performance management system audit program which will examine the efficiency and effectiveness of government agencies’ environmental performance management systems. Systems will need to be developed that provide information to permit the government and others to understand the extent to which outcomes are being achieved, and early warning systems that can alert people to those goals which are not going to be reached so corrective action can be taken in advance. The systems and audits to be developed will ensure costs are minimised wherever possible.
Madam Speaker, I now turn to national and international developments. On a national level, since the swearing in of Hon Kevin Rudd MP as Australia’s 26th Prime Minister on 3 December 2007, the movement on achieving goals in the area of climate change has moved into top gear. On that same day, and as the first official act of the new federal government, Australia commenced the process of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. Formal ratification will take effect on 11 March this year. The Northern Territory government has already stated its support for the ratification. Ratification means that the new federal government has confirmed its commitment to the existing international framework for addressing increased global greenhouse emissions. The previous federal government stated it was committed to meeting Australia’s target under the Kyoto Protocol of limiting emissions growth to an 8% increase above 1990 levels over the years 2008 to 2012. But the Howard government was not willing to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
The new federal government is willing to take this commitment an important step further. By ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, the incentive to meet our Kyoto target is much greater. Australia faces possible penalties under future international arrangements should we fail to meet the current target. Ratification is an important step in showing international leadership. We have already seen at the Bali conference late last year that, by ratifying Kyoto, Australia is now able, willing and actively playing a constructive role in negotiations on the international approach to Kyoto post-2012, which is the end of the first commitment period.
Another advantage of ratification is that Australian businesses can participate in the international carbon markets created by the Kyoto Protocol. This will create yet more opportunities for businesses, and also the all-important investment certainty.
Looking beyond the first Kyoto commitment period, the Commonwealth government has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% of 2000 levels by 2050. This target has the support of all state and territory governments.
Over the next few months, the Council of Australian Governments will be working on a significant and ambitious agenda for climate change in pursuit of this target. Officials from various Northern Territory government agencies have advised me how refreshing it is to now deal with a Commonwealth government that wants to do something about climate change - not just to do something, but to do it quickly and, even better, to work cooperatively with the states and territories in the areas of: an increased national renewable energy target; a national emissions trading scheme and streamlined complementary measures to support the scheme; adaptation measures; energy efficiency, and water.
Whilst each of these areas is important, I take great solace from advice that, by adopting energy efficiency measures, there is strong evidence that Australia can reduce its energy consumption painlessly by around 30%. The development of policies in these areas will be informed by the Garnaut Climate Change Review. This review was commissioned by the state and territory governments in April 2007. The new Commonwealth government has now become an active participant in the review.
Despite the best-laid plans of the Deputy Chief Minister to attend the meeting of the Council of Australia Federation in Adelaide today, it has not been possible. Fortunately, there will be senior officers from the Department of the Chief Minister in attendance at the CAF meeting to consider the briefing by Professor Garnaut on his interim findings of where and how Australia should pursue its climate change objectives.
To coordinate this extensive body of work happening at both the national and NT levels, and to ensure the Territory benefits from the emerging opportunities, I have established, within the Department of Chief Minister, a Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit. After considering the arrangements in other jurisdictions, I considered that this model, with a staff of three people, best suits the needs of the Territory.
Importantly, I draw members’ attention to the title of this unit – Climate Change Policy and Coordination. The unit will develop the Northern Territory climate change policy and coordinate government’s efforts. The unit will ensure that all important operational implementation is handled by experts in line agencies. We are fortunate to have some serious expertise across government. Officers have a strong history of involvement at the national level with such matters as the National Emissions Trading Task Force and the Garnaut Climate Change Review.
My Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit will chair a steering committee of major agencies to develop and drive the Territory’s agenda at the national level; to develop a Northern Territory climate change policy; and to communicate with Territorians. To assist this work we are in the process of retaining a consultant who will work with the steering committee over the next 12 months. The consultant will provide expert advice and strategies in developing the Territory’s position on the COAG climate change agenda including emissions trading, renewable energy targets, land clearing, carbon offsets, and water management.
We all know that the Territory is a unique and special place to live, work and raise a family. We have a young and growing economy. The challenge for us is to ensure the Territory continues to develop whilst contributing to national and global efforts to combat climate change. The Territory’s economy, resources and environment are different to the major states. Certainly, our electricity generation source sets us apart. The Northern Territory primarily uses gas to produce electricity. Gas, in comparison to coal, is a low emitter of greenhouse gases. Coal is used elsewhere in Australia as it is abundant and cheap. Whilst coal may be cheap, it also produces significant amounts of carbon dioxide.
As part of a national scheme to reduce emissions, the Territory will be required, over the coming years, to increase the amount of energy produced from renewable sources. Such sources, of course, exclude both gas and coal. States and territories are looking to their natural resources to source renewable energy. For example, Tasmania has hydro power and South Australia is producing energy from wind. With Commonwealth support, the Northern Territory has some very successful solar electricity generation plants running in Hermannsburg, Lajamanu, Yuendumu and Kings Canyon, to name but a few communities.
There could also be a real potential in the long term with geothermal energy. By long term, we are looking at a minimum 10 years development. Put simply, geothermal energy is generated by heat stored beneath the earth’s surface. Other jurisdictions are looking actively at this significant new renewable energy. Geothermal energy has the potential to be a panacea to Australia’s renewable energy targets. There are enough private investment companies looking to explore further in the Territory that could well make this energy source, in the long term, an opportunity for the Territory.
The Territory will establish a scheme to provide secure tenure for the controlled exploration and development of geothermal energy across the Northern Territory. We intend to fast-track legislation which will establish this scheme. Thus, by early in the next financial year, the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines will be able to issue geothermal exploration licences.
Whatever the final form of the National Emissions Trading Scheme, one thing is for sure: such a major economic and social change within Australia is bound to create some industry sectors that seize the opportunities and benefit. However, there will be other sectors, particularly the energy intensive, trade-exposed industries, which will face particular challenges in reducing their emissions.
The Commonwealth government has made it clear - and I support this intent - that the design of the National Emissions Trading Scheme will address the competitive challenges facing various industry sectors. Obviously, if these industries were to up stakes from Australia and relocate to a country which is not in the forefront of developing measures to deal with climate change, there would be no nett reduction to global emissions; not to mention the detrimental effect on the Australia economy.
This economic and social change will also result in sectors of society being more impacted than others. There are also issues of social equity. Lower-income earners spend proportionately more on non-discretionary items, like power and food, than higher-income earners. Social equity outcomes from the Emissions Trading Scheme need significantly more work, both at the national level and in the Territory. I note that the Commonwealth Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has already made a commitment that one of the design features of the National Emissions Trading Scheme will be measures for exposed households and firms.
My department will be looking specifically at these matters to identify if there are any particular issues pertaining to the Territory, given our highly dispersed population and 30% indigenous population, which might not apply elsewhere in Australia.
There are also opportunities to be seized by having a dispersed population as well as real potential for economic growth and jobs through carbon offset schemes. Basically, a carbon offset enables individuals and businesses to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions they are responsible for by offsetting, reducing or displacing the carbon dioxide in another place; typically, a place where it is more economic to do so.
As part of the developments of the government’s climate change policy, I intend to seek members to join a focus group with wide-ranging views on climate change. The group of invitees - which is not exhaustive - will include: the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory; the Minerals Council of Australia; Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce; Unions NT; the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory; Northern Land Council; Tiwi Land Council, Anindilyakwa Land Council and Central Land Council; Engineers Australia; the Royal Australian Institute of Architects; the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association; and the North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance.
I particularly want the indigenous groups to get involved to ensure the potential opportunities for economic development and real jobs are seized with both hands. Equally important is ensuring that the opportunities we pursue at the Territory level are relevant and workable in the Territory environment. I want to be able to go to the COAG table and say to the Prime Minister, the Premiers, and ACT Chief Minister that we have test driven the potential opportunities and, not only will they achieve the objectives of mitigation, offsets and adaptation, they will have a real nett economic benefit in remote areas. Having a forum where indigenous voices can be heard on climate change is important. The necessity to hear these voices is recognised by the United Nations.
The UN’s International Expert Group Meeting on Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change will be meeting in Darwin from 2 to 4 April. This meeting is a direct result of Charles Darwin University, with financial and in-kind support of the Territory government, being the successful applicant to host the United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies’ Centre for Indigenous Knowledge.
In addition to having the pleasure of opening the meeting, I know our Territory experts, particularly through Charles Darwin University, will have much to contribute to discussions as well as learning from them. I understand from the Vice Chancellor that the university is looking at ways to maximise the opportunities of learning from the experts whilst they are in Darwin.
The focus group which I am establishing is one strand of a communications strategy which welcomes Territorians’ input into the developments of the Northern Territory’s climate change policy. Communication on where we are going on climate change is vitally important. Business wants and needs regulatory certainty in the medium and long term. An established policy implies less risk to business, and this is something we will pursue with vigour.
In concluding this statement on climate change, we need to understand that we, as individual Territorians and as Australians, have some real choices and opportunities ahead of us in the next 12 months. I have set out the Territory government’s leadership agenda on climate change over the next 12 months. We will be leading Territorians through the national agenda, and through the developments of the Northern Territory climate change policy. Whilst we will be leading the front, we will be communicating with Territorians all the way. I look forward to working cooperatively with the Commonwealth government and, in the same way, with Territorians. This will ensure the Territory contributes fairly and equitably to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is well-placed to seize all available opportunities from this major economic and social development.
Managing climate change is a real and confronting challenge for us all. For me, it simply boils down to the fact that we cannot sit back and do nothing; we must all work to make a difference.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I welcome this important statement. It is a difficult one to respond to at this point, in detail, because this is the beginning of an important conversation that is going to be developed across the Territory and across the nation ...
Mr Warren: It has been going for ages. Where have you been?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Goyder!
Mr MILLS: Just hold your horses. I am actually quite supportive of this.
This is a very important discussion that is beginning to strengthen across the nation with Professor Garnaut’s report being reported widely and discussed in depth. Anyone who looks at crikey.com knows that it is coming through now, and there is lots of consideration and weighing up of this important document and what will flow from it. I am pleased to see that this statement has arrived at this point. I believe it is the beginning of a discussion that will commence and develop in the Northern Territory. I look forward to being part of this in a proactive and sensible way, because these matters can easily be hijacked. We can easily misuse our position of power and leadership to lead people to places that, perhaps, do not suit a sincere agenda. It is a time of change; there are new ideas being floated, and we are developing new systems and ways of responding to them.
Chief Minister and member for Goyder, I welcome the report. It is an important beginning of this next phase as it unfolds in the Northern Territory. It is a good step. I am pleased to hear that there is now, in preparation for this national agenda in the Northern Territory, a Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit. I hope the Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit has its coordination connections right down to the grassroots - if I may use that phrase - because, as already recognised in the Chief Minister’s statement, the Territory is unique. That is not just a clich. It is quite different from other jurisdictions.
I grew up in an agricultural area in Western Australia and mistakes were made. We now live in a completely different mode of trying to correct the uncorrectable in many ways; to try to find some improvement. As a young farmer, I did all that I could to replant trees where my father and grandfather removed them.
However, in the Territory, we are in a different place. It will be too tempting to have our minds focused on the electorates of the northern suburbs in Darwin and those in Palmerston, whose people do not have an understanding in an immediate sense of the developmental component of the Northern Territory. We need to balance the need for development and growth in the Northern Territory with the responsibilities and requirements that are being unleashed as a result of this new agenda that has now taken centre stage in the nation and will be borne out in the Territory.
I am urging that the Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit have a hands-on approach, getting in touch with ordinary Territorians on the ground, so that it can deliver policy that is most helpful and relevant to those who will implement it. In these terms, ultimately, the largest land users and those who can effect this change is the pastoral industry. There is a challenge and a great opportunity. Already, there are schemes in place in the Territory recognising the management of land, where we can measure the improvements in the release of carbon into the atmosphere in Arnhem Land. It is encouraging to see those schemes in place where you have the capacity to measure. You can then offset with the requirements of, say, ConocoPhillips or another multinational. That same logic would likely be explored in the pastoral industry as a reward, encouragement and incentive for better and improved land management practices.
There are great opportunities, and I can see them. I am urging - and will be watching – that you ensure that the Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit is not just another unit that is operating in a bureaucratic sense, but is focused on the needs of Territorians first and foremost and is seeking to serve the interests of the Territory and ordinary folk, rather than institutional and organisational needs. That would be the death of it.
There was a reference to education which, of course, is critical. It is remarkable these days, after many years, that the kids are switched on to this. We need to ensure that the education curriculum and the training of teachers ensures that we are able to coordinate this change in the nation’s mindset and policy implementation right through education in a sensible way.
There are a couple of things that do need to be mentioned before going on to some broader issues. I notice the minister made reference to the Energy Smart Buildings Policy. You will probably recall we took an interest in this during estimates because our job, member for Goyder, is to check rhetoric - language that is spoken. Our job, simply in a practical sense, is to have an element of requiring accountability. You can assert and say all sorts of things and we just have to check it. We wanted to check that the things that were said were, in fact, done.
Interestingly, there was mention of the Energy Smart Buildings Policy. That policy set a target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by government and the intention was to report annually on the results. I listened carefully. There was not a report of the results contained in the statement – interesting. You see, this Energy Smart Buildings Policy, which I am sure the member for Goyder has read, sets the target of reducing emissions by 1%. That was the goal of this policy that the government, showing leadership, set.
Thank goodness you have an opposition which will watch that and then ask a question: how did you go? It sounded good, yes, we have a policy. How did it go? Did you meet your target? Well, the 2005-06 report was laid on the table in this place nearly a year late. It reported that the emissions, in fact, member for Goyder, had increased by 1.6%, when the target was a decrease of 1%. I have not heard a question from government backbenchers to the minister on this. Why is it that you do not ask these questions or report these things to the House? Why are they not revealed? It takes the opposition to reveal those things, and we get belted up in the corner for saying such things. How dare we criticise government? However, that is a fact: you set a goal and you failed to reach it. That is an important point. If you are going to set a goal to address a problem, you have to report on it so you carry a level of integrity.
That is why this matter has to be managed very carefully by government. It is an area where you can easily overstep the mark, inflate the rhetoric, and raise assurances, because much of this is vague and abstract. People are going by emotions. They will need scientific data, clear and understandable targets and guidelines, and measurable outcomes. You have to keep the people together on this.
There are a number of other issues. I am glad to hear geothermal being referred to. The first time I ever heard about this was when the member for Nelson, a few years ago, talked about hot rocks. It is now on the agenda and is now accepted. It is good to see that those considerations are taking a greater focus and there is a lot more energy behind those considerations. There is a lot of wind in the Barkly region. There has been talk of solar power. There is talk about tidal power generation with the magnificent tides here.
I would like to make mention of biodiesel. I have been reasonably close to the biodiesel story in the Territory. There was much promise, and announcements were made in this Chamber. There was attendance by government members at launches and openings, tours and trials and so on. However, they hit some serious roadblocks, and there seemed to be little effort made by government to clear those roadblocks. It all became too difficult. There was a political aspect to it, I am sure, with the land clearing issue in the Douglas Daly region. They really needed help. From what I understand, they did not get any help, nor the leadership they expected from the Territory government. However, government members were prepared to have their photographs taken and be involved in all the publicity stuff at the beginning of this but, when they were required to assist, that assistance was not found. You can take the spoils, but you cannot deliver in the heat of battle. That is sad. I am not denying that there are some real challenges. However, there was an extraordinary opportunity, which still exists.
I am really pleased to see that there are some inspiring people across the Territory, in spite of the opposition they may receive, the obstacles that are put in their way, the bureaucratic responses to things that do not really help but, rather, in a very polite way, put up roadblocks. There are some good people out there who are trialling all sorts of things and I take my hat off to them. They are still at work, they still have their vision. There must be something that can be done. I can go into that on another day as this debate unfolds.
An interesting one I have heard about recently is anaerobic digesters. I put that on the list, probably next to hot rocks, as another opportunity that may be presented. These are stories for another day when we look at our mimosa and waste disposal problems. Many other countries, in particular Germany, are using anaerobic digesters which, for the production in an industrial sense of methane gas, is worth looking at. I just put that on the list.
There is going to be some real grunt required to crunch through some of the difficult matters. Biodiesel - fantastic, we can all get excited about it. The practical implementation of a biodiesel industry in the Northern Territory requires some really hard work, courage and very difficult decisions that may be politically unpalatable. That part of it did not occur. The same may occur with some of these other things. We have to go past the feel-good to the hard implementation of some difficult propositions.
That leads me to my final area; that being the adjustments that we attempt to make individually and within our organisations which are admirable and necessary - even if it is just about being better stewards of that which we have responsibility to manage. There are gains, anyway. Whether or not there is climate change, I believe we can accept that as given. There needs to be greater use of recycling, composting, turning off lights, putting in more efficient fixtures in the house and in our offices, or reconsidering what sort of car we drive. All those things are important. What difference does it make in the long run? Well, we can have that discussion for ever and a day, but they are completely justifiable.
Put them aside, and what we are faced with in the Territory, and nationally, is climate change which is clearly measurable. We have seen weather patterns change within living memory in the Territory and across the nation that are going to have an impact upon our policy development, particularly in agriculture. It is an accepted fact that the West and many places in Queensland, and further south, are becoming drier; while the Top End and the Kimberleys are becoming wetter. Due to my connections both in Victoria and Western Australia, a number of farmers - who are the next generation of farmers – are looking for opportunities in the north, buying up pastoral leases, looking for opportunities to invest, and they have made contact with me. That number is quite significant. If they are significant for me, with my connections, how many would be coming to government seeking an opportunity to be a part of this important story as the climate changes? This is going to bear significant future policy challenges for the Northern Territory.
How do we adjust to this? We will have to set an agenda over the horizon. How do we play our part in this great land to best utilise the resources that we have? They will have to be utilised, you cannot fence it all and say no one can come here or do anything. We are a part of the nation, mistakes have been made. Does that mean you do not do anything? When mistakes have been made, you must learn from them. You can farm in a sensible and a sustainable way. My two brothers farm in a very different way than my father and grandfather did. They still farm, nonetheless, and I trust you enjoyed your Weeties, because it is still required. People still wear cotton shirts and they need to eat steak from time to time, so farming must continue. We are going to - in the longer term - have to adjust to these changes and it is going to impose some very significant challenges for the Territory.
If we just want to adjust our positions and create an impression, we may be, in fact, adding to greenhouse gas emission by just being puff and wind. We really have a great opportunity to provide some visionary and courageous leadership that sets some goals way over the horizon. We need to recognise the trends and changes and set a new path, finding a new place to get ahead of the game, and really enjoy the game to show how we can lead the nation and play our part. We particularly have to use well the opportunities that we have been given and the resources that we have.
I am urging we get a clear head on these things. Do not fall into the trap of playing games for impression and effect, but get our planning established on the principle that over the horizon is beyond here and now; it is not about us. It is about the next generation and how this nation is developing and the climate is changing. In the broader sense this will impact upon our policy development and our leaders in this community.
I welcome the statement. It is an important statement. I see this as the beginning of an important discussion in the Northern Territory of which the opposition will be a part. It may be disappointing for some of you who see life in these terms. We will not necessarily agree with everything and that may be upsetting and disturbing for some of you, but it is our job to cut the other side of the argument so that we do find what is right. What is the right way to go? We may not have the right way, but you may not either. You may put out a proposition and we are the ones who ask the questions because you, obviously, do not ask the questions of yourself if the answer is going to be one that is difficult. I would like you to do that. We will have to do it until you start doing it.
However, once you set an emission target, for example, and you do not reach it, put it in the statement and say that is the case; say how you responded to it. Then we will have a bit more confidence that there is a reality to all this. We do need reality in this; we need truth in this. We do not need puff and wind; otherwise we will waste a great opportunity.
Madam Speaker, the statement is welcomed and we look forward to the ongoing discussions and Professor Garnaut’s report to be released later in the year, which will provide further conversations, discussions and debates in this Chamber.
Mr KIELY (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his comments in response to the Chief Minister’s statement on climate change.
I reassure the Leader of the Opposition that this is not all froth and bubbles. This is a very serious issue that we are dealing with. At all times, we will be striving for bipartisan support on initiatives that we will bring out on climate change. The impact of climate change is not lost to this side of the House. I do not believe it is lost over at the other side, either. We are in a developing and growing economy. There is a need to get the balance right. There is a need to consider what we do in the context of climate change.
The Leader of the Opposition also spoke a little about biofuel, and was talking about the hard questions and how it is all caught up in politics. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that this government’s approach to the issue is based on the latest global research. This research indicates that vegetation retention has a more positive impact on the carbon emission balance than land clearing for biofuels. That said, however, there are potential opportunities in the Territory for planting biofuel crops on already cleared land. The government is in active conversation with several parties on this matter, so there are opportunities there. This is a government that is determined to get the science right so that we are best positioned to respond to the challenges and opportunities that the global change presents. We are looking at biodiesel or biofuels, Leader of the Opposition, but we are going to get it right.
As in the rest of the world, human-induced climate change is a reality in the Northern Territory. The consensus of science on this point is beyond doubt. We have well and truly moved on to the important discussion of the implications climate change will have for our lives and the lives of future generations. This means deciding on the most appropriate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also increase our understanding of, and capacity to, adapt to a change in climate.
The new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd’s decisive action in signing the Kyoto Protocol means Australia now has a seat at the table in shaping future global initiatives to reduce greenhouse emissions. The head-in-the-sand approach of the former Howard government - an approach supported time and again in this parliament by the Country Liberal Party - means that we have lost 11 valuable years where we needed to be tackling the great challenge of climate change head-on.
Reports in today’s media point to a more pessimistic outlook on the effects of climate change, with Professor Garnaut warning:
- Scenarios, which show rapid future emission growth, which were once considered extreme now seem realistic or moderate.
It is clear we need to act now. It is crucial that we have the best available information to predict how the climate of the Northern Territory will change over the coming decades.
Late last year, CSIRO released the most up-to-date climate projections for Australia. The exact figures on future climate will always contain some scientific uncertainty. The general trends are, however, becoming clearer each year. Scientists advise that even relatively small increases in average temperatures can lead to very significant increases in the frequency of extreme weather events, such as extreme rainfall, wildfires and heatwaves.
We all know that the Northern Territory is a warm place. It is one of the things that underpins our great lifestyle. Under current projections, however, the increase in temperature may not be to our liking. Climate modelling by CSIRO projects that, by 2030, annual average temperatures over the Northern Territory could increase by up to 1.2, relative to recent decades. By 2070, the annual average temperature in the Northern Territory could increase by up to 3.5. In Darwin, we currently have around 11 days per year that are classed as very hot; that is, there are 11 days per year over 35. The CSIRO estimates that this could rise to as many as 44 days per year by 2030. The projection for Alice Springs is a possible increase from 90 days over 35, to 109 days. Even for those of us who like the heat, this is a sobering thought. Of course, it also has direct and serious implications for our energy use, economic activity, our unique Territory ecosystems, and our quality of life in general.
Changes in rainfall patterns are difficult to predict exactly and they are not entirely clear for the Top End from the CSIRO report. We can conclude, however, that decreases in rainfall are likely to occur for Central Australia.
I am sure everyone here still has clear memories of our most recent cyclone, Helen. Although relatively minor on the cyclone scale, Helen still caused significant damage in Darwin and surrounds. While scientific debate about the exact influence of climate change on cyclones continues, there is a possibility we may experience more intense cyclones in the Top End; that is, the cyclones we do experience on average are likely to become more severe.
The CSIRO report also predicts inundation of low-lying coastal areas by storm surge is likely to increase over coming decades. This will have significant ramifications for low-lying coastal areas and freshwater ecosystems. This includes the wetlands of Kakadu, which are particularly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.
How much greenhouse gas does the Territory emit? In 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available, the total greenhouse emissions from the Northern Territory were approximately 13.5 megatonnes. This represents approximately 2.4% of total Australian greenhouse gas emissions. In annual terms, the Northern Territory emits slightly more than Tasmania, with 11.1 tonnes of emissions, but less than other states other than the ACT.
The Chief Minister has said that this relatively low level of emission should not allow us to be complacent. While relatively small now, the Northern Territory’s greenhouse emissions are expected to increase. As a young and developing economy, we need to determine how the Northern Territory can continue to develop and best play its part in responding to climate change. In particular, we need to determine how the Northern Territory can play its part in meeting Australia’s national emissions target - a target of 60% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2050, compared to emission levels of the year 2000. However, given the sobering remarks in the interim Garnaut report, I believe this figure may well be up for review.
This is the challenge facing the Territory. This is the challenge the Chief Minister has just announced this government is willing to tackle head-on in the development of a new climate change policy for the Northern Territory. How do we meet this challenge? I cannot predict the outcomes of what will be an intensive and consultative process - a process which will also be informed by developments at a national level. I can, however, look at some of the fantastic activities that are already occurring in the Territory, under the existing NT Strategy for Greenhouse Action.
These are activities from which we can learn and build upon in our future response to climate change. In 2005, savannah fires contributed around 4.7 million tonnes, or 35% of all greenhouse emissions in the Northern Territory. The amount of emissions from fires can vary considerably from year to year, due mainly to climatic conditions. Nevertheless, fires are currently the greatest source of greenhouse emissions in the Northern Territory. 2005 was the mildest year for wildfires in a decade, with less than 100 000 km2 burnt. The subsequent two years have seen the worst fire weather on record with more than double the area burnt, 240 000 km2 of the Territory burnt last year.
As we are all aware, fire is a major issue in the Northern Territory, not only regarding greenhouse emissions, but also in terms of safety, land management and biodiversity protection. Fire is a natural part of the Northern Territory environment and one to which our flora and fauna have adapted. In addition to the large areas burnt, a compounding problem we currently face is the timing and, therefore, the intensity at the centre of the fires, is changing. This change has occurred dramatically since the reduction in traditional patterns of indigenous burning which, in some parts of the Territory, occurred only 50 years ago. In the past, indigenous people were more evenly dispersed over the landscape and moved about their traditional country regularly. By selectively burning different habitats at different times and in different ways, their fires effectively resulted in a mosaic or patchwork pattern of burnt and unburnt country. This created a system of firebreaks and fuel reduction, as well as enhancing relevant species of value to them. What resulted was a shift from smaller, cooler fires to more of the large hot, late Dry Season fires that we see frequently nowadays. This patchwork of mosaic burning was a regime that the flora and fauna of the Northern Territory were adapted to.
The change to larger and hotter late Dry Season fires has had a negative impact on many of our plants and animals. Recent publications by some of Australia’s leading wildlife researchers clearly implicate these changing fire patterns to a reduction in biodiversity. As a result, it has become clear that getting the management of fire regimes in the Territory right is important, not only to reduce greenhouse emissions, but also to protect our biodiversity - not to mention our ongoing responsibility to ensure protection of life and property.
Through efforts to restore traditional burning practices in West Arnhem Land, it has become clear that strategic management of savannah fires can lead to a reduction in annual greenhouse emissions, as well as positive outcomes for biodiversity. With the financial support of ConocoPhillips, strategic fire management is being undertaken by indigenous land managers in a vast area of West Arnhem Land. This project offers culturally sensitive employment to local people. It is currently exceeding its target of reducing greenhouse emissions from the projected area by an average of 100 000 tonnes per year. This outcome is a credit to all those involved today.
The indigenous project is a model. Experts from within and outside the Northern Territory government are pursuing further savannah fire management projects across northern Australia. Future projects could potentially be recognised under established and emerging carbon markets, such as the National Emission Trading Scheme. A key requirement is to ensure that our ability to estimate emissions from savannah fires meets the required standards. Standards governing greenhouse offset projects are likely to be very stringent. On this front, Bushfires Northern Territory from NRETA are well-advanced and have initiated research to ensure the Territory’s cutting-edge intellectual property continues to grow, delivering economic opportunities, as well as reducing greenhouse emissions. It is also important that we ensure that those groups who wish to undertake strategic environmental projects have the capacity to do so. Land managers will need the right knowledge, the right equipment and the right governance arrangements to ensure their endeavours are a success. Government is also working with interested parties on this.
Strategic management of savannah fires presents a real opportunity for the Northern Territory in greenhouse emission reduction and the provision of real jobs on country for indigenous people. This government is committed to further pursuing both these outcomes. It is an opportunity that we will continue to work with the Commonwealth government as they finalise the design of the National Emission Trading Scheme. I recognise and applaud a $10m commitment made by the new Commonwealth government to provide opportunities for indigenous participation in carbon markets. It is clear that the centrepiece to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Australia will be an emissions trading scheme. It is not yet clear whether or when emissions from different forms of land management will be directly covered by the scheme. These emissions may require additional or complementary measures to address.
These are some of the questions being tackled by the COAG Climate Change and Water Working Group. By working with the Commonwealth and our Territory land managers, our scientists will ensure that when this process is ready to run, fire management in Territory savannahs can play a key part in delivering our contribution to the national response. The capacity to accurately estimate emissions associated with different types of land management is essential to any effort to reduce emissions from the land sectors. This is true whether such emissions are directly covered by emissions trading schemes or not.
The National Carbon Accounting System, or NCAS, is a means by which the Commonwealth government tracks greenhouse gas sources and sinks from the land. This includes activities such as cropping, clearing, grazing and forestry. Given that land-based emissions in Australia account for some 30% of total greenhouse emissions, this is a very important measurement. The Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts has developed its own capacity to utilise NCAS to estimate emissions generated from land management. For example, the department is now able to estimate the carbon dioxide emissions associated with land clearing in the Northern Territory. This is a critical first step for government in understanding and responding to land clearing from a greenhouse perspective. Although this is a significant advance for the Northern Territory government, computer models such as NCAS are only as good as the data on which they rely. It is important that the Northern Territory ensures that the science behind the National Carbon Accounting System is relevant to Territory landscapes and conditions. We need to constantly improve our ability to accurately track emissions from the land.
Here, as with the savannah fire emissions, Northern Territory scientists are making a substantial contribution. With support from the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory government, researchers from Charles Darwin University, Monash University, the University of Melbourne and CSIRO are undertaking a research project to improve the function of NCAS for tropical savannahs. This work will further refine estimates of carbon dioxide and non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions, principally nitrous oxide and methane from savannah soils and vegetation under different land uses and fire regimes. This work started in early 2007 and will progress through 2008 and 2009. It will not only assist government but will assist in allowing land managers to more accurately understand the implications of different land uses and managing their actions in the context of their contributions to greenhouse emissions.
I have mentioned that savannah fires are currently the greatest source of greenhouse emissions in the Northern Territory. I have also mentioned that emissions in the Northern Territory are expected to increase with future economic development. This increase is likely to come from an increase in use of energy in the Northern Territory. We are fortunate that most of our electricity is generated from natural gas, as this emits less greenhouse emissions than electricity generated from other fossil fuels such as coal. This means, however, that unlike the coal-based states, the Northern Territory does not have a readily available alternative source of electricity from which it can make quick emission reductions.
One critical area where we can all make a contribution to reducing emissions is to improve the efficiency of our energy use. We need to be more aware of how much energy we use within our homes, business, and, as raised by the Chief Minister, within government. We also need to be aware of how we can reduce the energy. This can not only lead to savings in greenhouse emissions but savings in energy costs to consumers.
Energy efficiency is recognised nationally as the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse emissions. The role of energy efficiency measures alongside an emissions trading scheme is being explored by the COAG Climate Change and Water Working Group. This is one area where the Northern Territory government, in developing a climate change policy, is likely to focus. This is also an area which we are already addressing.
For a number of years, the Northern Territory government has been actively supporting community initiatives to reduce domestic greenhouse emissions. Many of those listening may be aware of the great efforts of COOLmob. COOLmob is a community-based initiative aimed at ensuring ordinary households in the Northern Territory are aware of the things they can do in their own home to reduce greenhouse emissions. COOLmob operates in Darwin through the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory and in Alice Springs through Desert Knowledge COOLmob.
Households participating in COOLmob receive a start-up kit packed with environment and money saving ideas, a $10 home energy audit, an online savings track account to monitor greenhouse gas savings, and discounts on green products and services. The government provides core operational funding to COOLmob, as well as a number of additional grants through the EnvironmeNT Grants program. In 2006, the Northern Territory government doubled its operational funding to the Darwin and Alice Springs programs. Darwin COOLmob has already saved 500 tonnes of greenhouse emissions and some 400 households have participated in the program. In Alice Springs, a network of over 500 houses is participating in a range of energy and water saving initiatives.
COOLmob has broadened its focus to look at water efficiency in addition to energy savings. The hard work put in by the auditors, coordinators and volunteers is a great demonstration of an initiative which is led by the community. I encourage all Territorians to engage in the program or visit their respective websites. From a personal point of view, my family and I were engaged in that program last year and it really does work. You really do make savings.
In conclusion, the global climate is changing and the Northern Territory needs to be part of the global and national response. The way forward outlined by the Chief Minister will enable the Territory to contribute to this response in a way that is consistent with national settings and local circumstances. It will also enable us to learn from and build upon the steps government is already taking to address climate change.
Madam Speaker, I commend the statement to the Assembly.
Ms LAWRIE (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, the scientific evidence can no longer be ignored: climate change is happening. We are seeing increased temperatures, decreased regional rainfall, coastal inundation from rising sea levels, and an increase in cyclonic intensity.
Climate change presents very serious risks and it demands our urgent attention. There is plenty of evidence of the economic impacts of climate change. The Stern Review report released last year from the UK outlines the economics of stabilising greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This review clearly states:
- Climate change presents a unique challenge for economists: it is the greatest example of market failure ever seen.
In April last year, the states and territories commissioned a review of the economic impacts of climate change on Australia. The review examined the economic impact of not taking action on climate change, as well as the costs and benefits of various international and Australian policy interventions. The Rudd Labor government became party to the review following their election victory in November 2007. The review is being conducted by Professor Ross Garnaut from the Australian National University, with the interim report released today and the final report due in September this year.
Early findings of this report show that recent developments in mainstream scientific opinion suggest the world will experience serious effects of climate change more rapidly than previously understood. Primarily, this is due to underestimations of the impacts of economic growth in the developing world. Australia is likely to be more exposed to the impacts of climate change due to its climatic conditions. Australia’s interests lie in the world adopting a strong and effective position on climate change mitigation. Australia should make firm commitments in 2008, 2020 and 2050 to emissions targets to embody similar adjustment costs to that accepted by other developed countries.
Australia needs to go further under an effective global commitment and to achieve effective mitigation at the lowest possible cost. The Emissions Trading Scheme will need to be supported by complementary measures to promote innovation, take up renewable energy, research and development, and infrastructure provision. We cannot ignore this issue, and those sceptics who continue to do so really need to wake up.
For 11 years, the Howard government was asleep on the issue of climate change. It was only in the last few weeks of their reign that we started to hear comment from the previous government on this issue. At the time, we welcomed the fact that Mr Howard was apparently showing signs of waking up. In complete contrast, one of the Rudd government’s first actions was to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. In doing so, the Rudd Labor government joined the global challenge facing the world today.
In October 2001, as a new member of this House, I heard the CLP ask 11 questions in one day saying that signing the Kyoto Protocol would destroy the Northern Territory economy. Well, guess what? It is signed. And, guess what? Our economy is the strongest in the country and predicted to stay that way for the next five years. As well as ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, the new Rudd government is establishing for the first time a National Emissions Trading Scheme and an ambitious national renewable energy target. These are long-term measures designed to begin dealing with the challenges facing us today.
Since we came to office, we have understood the importance of taking action to tackle climate change. We know that climate change represents one of Australia’s greatest long-term economic and environmental challenges. We need to understand the economics of climate change. We know there will be costs incurred up-front, but action now will ensure these costs remain manageable. All the evidence shows that early action on climate change will far outweigh any costs. Investments made wisely now can help us avoid very serious and costly risks in the future. We will see opportunities for growth and development along the way.
We have heard the Chief Minister today outline our plan to tackle climate change. There are opportunities for small business through developing carbon offset programs. There will be opportunities to create jobs and significant investment opportunities in new energy sources. We will work cooperatively with the federal government and the other states and territory. We will design new systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, linking in to the National Emissions Trading Scheme. We will continue to listen to the rest of the world and ensure we have the most up-to-date scientific data to formulate our plans. Here in the Northern Territory, we already have a number of policies in place to assist in the challenge of tackling climate change. In 2005, this government introduced an Energy Smart Buildings Policy.
As the Chief Minister has outlined today, we will now require each agency to develop a plan to contribute to reducing the Territory’s carbon footprint. We will be examining the government’s office accommodation leasing policies and considering energy-efficient buildings for future leases. We will also be asking Northern Territory Treasury to assess our initiatives and ensure we get a return on our investment. These are all steps the Henderson government is taking to contribute to the fight against climate change and ensure the Territory remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
The Territory faces enormous challenges regarding climate change. In the context of Australia, we truly are the developing economy and, as the developing economy, we will be contributing to increased carbon emissions. Therefore, the importance of us playing a role within the national debate around carbon offset trading is critical. With our natural resources, the opportunities we have for oil and gas, as well as opportunities in the mining fields - for example, uranium for cleaner energy - we have an opportunity to be able to position ourselves as a developing economy to offset what we know will be increased carbon emissions from our developing economy into the National Emissions Trading Scheme.
We already have innovative and exciting arrangements in place. For example, the ConocoPhillips and West Arnhem fire project. This shows we can seize the opportunities of development - in this case LNG development - and ensure that we better understand how we can deal with the issue of savannah burning which, of course, impacts enormously on our carbon emissions.
I look forward, both as Treasurer and also in my role as Minister for Planning and Lands, to look at the opportunities that lie with industry; to be innovative, to encourage and foster research right across the Territory so that we can play our role in understanding climate change and learning better the impact it has on our regions, particularly our coastal regions. These coastal regions are regions into which we are now, for the first time in the Territory, undertaking significant marine research. We have a Marine Branch established within Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts that did not exist before. The coastal mapping that they are doing is critically important to understanding the impact of climate change right across our magnificent coastline. We are not a government that is burying its head in the sand around climate change.
I congratulate the Chief Minister for taking up the portfolio of Climate Change. He is the first Chief Minister in the Territory to do that. He has seized what is very much an international debate that, finally, Australia has shaken off the shackles of ignorance of the past and entered with vehemence. I felt proud to be Australian when Senator Penny Wong, our signatory to climate change at the Bali Conference, announced the significant change in Australia’s position and that we would be signing the Kyoto Protocol. Penny Wong getting a standing ovation was a moment where you felt proud to be Australian; whereas, in the past, it really was quite incomprehensible that we were sitting in the back lots with America and trying to bury our head in the sand about the impact that was having right across the world.
On the doorstep of Asia, we play an important part. We know there is a significant impact right across our region of carbon emissions that is occurring. What we can do innovatively in the Territory, as a developing economy and an economy that has significant savannah burning issues - similar issues to throughout Asia - is actually set in place some very innovative models that could be transported across to our Asian neighbours. In fact, an industry of research and innovators, and people being able to work through Asia with our Asian neighbours, could form out of Darwin. It is a very exciting process to be a part of. I encourage the work the Chief Minister has commenced through the Department of the Chief Minister to really bring a whole-of-government approach to climate change. For the period that I was the minister for the Environment, I was very keen to see us put in place the work we could do to understand exactly how we would position ourselves regarding carbon emissions and offsets trading. The environmental lobby has some very innovative and sound ideas in that regard that we can pick up and work with industry on. There are already small businesses in the Territory that have positioned themselves well in the area of carbon trading.
Madam Deputy Speaker, whilst it is a statement that, certainly some years ago, you would not have heard in this Chamber, it is important that it is being debated here today. I congratulate the Chief Minister for bringing the important issue of climate change to our Assembly today.
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Madam Deputy Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement on the critical issue of climate change. It is an issue not only facing the Northern Territory, but challenging the whole world. It is an issue ignored for 11 years by an ignorant and backward federal Coalition government, supported in their ignorance by an American administration that only recently realised their mistake.
This government recognises that climate change is a major issue with broad-ranging impacts on the economy, industry, communities and the environment. I welcome the initiatives outlined by the Chief Minister. My department will play an important role in delivering a cleaner, greener future.
Tourism is worth $1.7bn to the economy and directly employs over 12 000 Territorians, or 13.5% of all persons employed in the Territory. Tourists contribute 7.2% or $658m of Northern Territory gross state product compared to 3.9% for Australia.
The Northern Territory tourism industry depends heavily on nature-based, outdoor attractions, activities and experiences. Favourable climatic conditions at destinations are key motivators for tourists. The forecast warming of the earth’s climate due to accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is not positive for the Northern Territory tourism industry. The tropical and desert climates of the Territory mean it is particularly exposed to any marginal warming as a result of climatic change. We already face, at certain times of the year, problems with heat being a major disincentive to people visiting world-renowned icons like Kakadu and Uluru. This can result in closure of walkways due to safety concerns.
For the Northern Territory, it is forecast that the average temperature will increase between 0.2C and 2.2C by 2030, between 0.8C and 7.2C by 2070, relative to 1990. The source is a CSIRO report produced in March 2004.
The International Governmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report released last year concluded that it is very likely that changes in the global climate system will continue well into the future, and that they will be larger than those seen in the past. Climate change is real and it will not disappear. As an example, a few days ago, I spoke to my parents in Greece and my father told me that, for the first time in the 50 years he has been living in Athens, he had to shovel snow in the yard so he could go up the street. For the first time in his life in Athens he has seen 4 cm of snow fall in one night. Athens is surrounded by sea. Nobody would expect snow to fall in a Mediterranean climate, down to the water line, but things are changing. When I was growing up in Athens, it used to snow once every 10 or 15 years. It was a joy if it happened to snow. Now, every year, or every second year, there are significant snowfalls in Athens, the capital city of Greece, that results in the breakdown of communications, the metro not being able to travel outside the town because of severe snow storms, and the buses stopping. People are not able to move around their own suburbs. Things are happening.
While we are talking about those snowfalls in Greece, we can look at the other side of the world where information produced by CSIRO predicts severe cyclonic activity to the north of Australia and, believe it or not, increased rainfall - not in Queensland, the south-west of Western Australia, but in Alice Springs and Central Australia. As a matter of fact, in the past 25 years, south-western Australia have lost about 20% of their rainfall. As a result, desertification is increasing. Crops that used to grow in south-western Australia now cannot because there is not enough water. Also, in the north, we have seen significant cyclonic activity. Cyclone Nicholas is hovering outside Exmouth as we speak. The prediction is that it will probably travel south, hitting somewhere between Exmouth and Geraldton.
There is evidence that people who want to visit a place, want to visit a place that is safe. We should be able to provide them with a safe environment. We are not going to see many people in the Territory, especially in the Top End, if there is always the threat of significant storm or cyclonic activity. It is a significant cost to the tourism industry to provide places to stay, when they have to upgrade facilities to withstand Category 4 or even Category 5 cyclonic conditions. Not to mention that iconic places like Nhulunbuy or Borroloola might not be there in 20 or 30 years time because of a significant rise in water levels. Borroloola could become a coastal town or even have parts of it submerged. Every year, we see Borroloola flooded from the McArthur River when significant rainfall takes place in the catchment area. Are things going to change? Are some areas in Darwin going to be as threatened by water or even by cyclonic action with rising tides and cyclonic winds?
We also have to remember that tourism can be affected by these climatic changes and carbon emissions. There is already increasing debate in Europe where the threat of climatic change is used to discourage people from travelling long distances, for example, from Europe to Australia. They advise prospective travellers that the trip to Australia produces so much greenhouse gases from the exhaust from the aeroplanes that the carbon footprint for every person travelling to Australia is significant. I dispute that. I will ask my department to do further assessment because I am aware of air travel that takes place in Europe. I am also aware that most of the exhaust from aeroplanes is emitted during takeoff when they go full throttle or during their approach to the airport, rather than high altitude trips in the stratosphere.
Consumer research undertaken by my agency, Tourism NT, in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Japan and Australia in 2007 has indicated heightened concern regarding climatic changes in our target market segments. Consumers are showing an increasing preference for environmentally-friendly tourism experiences. Because of this, my agency, Tourism NT, is working towards the establishment of carbon offset programs for the Northern Territory tourism industry as one of the initiatives through the NT Climate Change Policy and Coordination Unit, and encouraging the tourism industry to achieve carbon neutrality. Minimising the tourism industry’s carbon footprint will become paramount if we are to stay ahead in this highly competitive game.
Tourism NT is currently running a pilot project to assist businesses become carbon neutral. The project has been trialled with a select number of tourism operators in the touring and business tourism sectors in Central Australia and is scheduled to be completed in the next few months. Subject to the pilot project being a success, the next steps will be to work out the transactional logistics and how best to reach the consumers and encourage uptake.
Tourism NT is also exploring options for green accreditation for operators, including Green Globe and Eco-tourism Australia certification initiatives. This has included contribution of funds towards a special carbon emission module. The module is planned to be tested in the Northern Territory in June this year. My agency is also a member of a Climate Change Taskforce which has been established by the Tourism Industry Council to develop a Tourism Action Plan on Climate Change for the national tourism industry.
Being environmentally sound will strengthen our market position, with some consumers willing to spend more to reduce their carbon emissions imprint on the destination. Climate change is a reality. It is a hard reality we have to face. This reality might not threaten us in the short term, but it will certainly become a threat to our children and our children’s children. Nobody wants to live on a planet where the temperature will increase between 4 and 7, and all the consequences of this temperature increase.
Our houses have to be different and built differently. Our houses have to be even painted differently. I recall when I was the former minister for Infrastructure, I presented in this parliament a few years back the Building Code of Australia proposals not to paint roofs dark colours for the simple reason that dark colours attract solar radiation, heat the house and, in return, we need more airconditioning to cool the house. I recall the then member for Katherine, Mike Reed, was laughing. The funny thing is he was the one who had agreed to the proposal and had actually put his signature down so the changes would take effect in the Building Code of Australia. Of course, he was playing politics and I can understand that.
The reality is, we have to be really careful with the orientation of the house, the selection of the type of house we are going to build, how the house is built and even the material of the roof to minimise - especially here in the north - the impact of solar radiation.
In the old days, most of the houses in Darwin were built in such a way that allowed breezes to go through them, using louvred windows. Nowadays you do not see many louvred windows; you see glass panels that can create two problems. One, they stop the breeze coming through your house and two, I would like to know what will happen with all these glass panels if a cyclone comes and debris starts flying around. There is going to be a lot of business for glass manufacturers and installers but, also a lot of dangers for people who might find themselves in the path of flying glass.
We have to consider how we provide lighting to houses; hot water systems; cooling and even fittings underneath the house. Our actions in regard to this will have a significant impact on the climate through emissions. The Power and Water Corporation is the government-owned company that has an interest in this because its business is selling power. However, to increase the selling of power means you are using more gas which, in turn, creates more emissions. We are lucky we have gas while other places have coal or diesel. At least gas produces four times fewer greenhouse emissions per unit of electricity as compared with coal.
I will list some of the things that the Power and Water Corporation is doing responsibly in climate change. The Power and Water Corporation has been aware of the impact of climate change and has worked on a range of initiatives to reduce carbon footprints for many years. Much has been done by the corporation to support and implement renewable energy projects. While Power and Water creates electricity from clean natural gas throughout the Territory, a number of research projects have been used to draw energy from non-fossil fuel sources. Not only do these projects help develop technology for further use of renewable energy sources but it helps us to help our environment.
These projects include: research into biodiesel substitution; encouraging Territorians to switch to solar hot water systems; and installation of solar dish concentrators at Ntaria (Hermannsburg), Yuendumu and Lajamanu. Power and Water has entered into a 20-year agreement to purchase all generated electricity from these solar dishes, and will use it to help power these remote communities. The solar dishes mean these communities can reduce the consumption of diesel fuel during daylight hours by substituting power directly from the sun. Hermannsburg has eight dishes, Yuendumu has 10 and Lajamanu have 12.
Power and Water purchases the power generated by the solar dishes and feeds it to the power network grid that currently serves the community of Hermannsburg. This is the first time the Power and Water Corporation has agreed to a 20-year commercial contract for the supply of renewable power. These solar dishes are an innovative application of engineering principles that produce low cost photovoltaic power. The environmental benefits include reduced diesel costs, reduced noise levels, and reduced greenhouse emissions. Combined, the three solar dish sites at Hermannsburg, Yuendumu and Lajamanu will reduce diesel consumption by around 420 000 litres per year.
Investment in solar power stations means that preparations are being made for a more sustainable future. Power and Water has a major stake in the Alice Springs Solar Cities Project which provides another opportunity to trial procedures and technologies to help us live sustainably. Let us not forget that at the Desert Knowledge campus there will be eight solar power panels and solar power generation facilities to display to the consumers either in or outside the city what they can do to minimise using diesel or other fossil fuels for generating power for their house. The biggest problem with solar energy is how to save the energy produced in the day time so you can have it through the night. The biggest cost is the batteries due to them needing to be replaced every six years. Now there is a new generation of batteries that can be replaced every 10, 12 or 15 years. The cost will be significantly decreased as the demand for this type of technology increases. If the number of units produced increases, the cost per unit decreases.
You probably remember if you wanted to buy a DVD player when they first came out six years ago it would have cost $600 to $700. I know, as I bought one. I paid that amount of money. You can buy one today from Big W for $49 because of the significant number being produced and the cost going down.
The introduction of a National Emissions Trading Scheme in 2010 is a key driver for mitigating national greenhouse gas emissions. Power and Water is studying ways of managing the impact of the Emissions Trading Scheme on the Northern Territory where the emissions are small on a national basis, and costs to the consumer may be disproportionate to the benefits.
Another federal initiative that the Chief Minister mentioned is the increased mandated renewable energy target to 45 000 GW/h. Power and Water has managed to satisfy the existing targets for the past seven years, and is planning its strategy for handling the increased target.
In recent years, Power and Water participated in a number of studies which looked at the impact climate change may have on the Northern Territory in general, and on the operations of Power and Water in particular. Indications of higher temperatures, sea level changes, more frequent and more intense cyclones and change in rainfall patterns will all have an effect on all aspects of the corporation, including power generation, power distribution, water supply, water reticulation and sewerage services. One example is Cyclone Helen which, though it did not directly hit Darwin, impacted people living in Darwin and in rural areas. It was the strength of the cyclone that brought down trees, power lines, and interfered with water or sewerage pipelines. If it had been a more severe cyclone, it would have had a bigger impact and been a greater cost to our consumers because, after all, our taxpayers have to pay for the repair and maintenance of the water, sewerage and electricity infrastructure.
Power and Water also has a targeted marketing strategy to encourage Territorians to reduce energy and water consumption. Key marketing messages are promoted through a range of community events and sponsorship activities and via corporate advertising in the media, and also by productions of Power and Water. A significant number of booklets have been produced by Power and Water to show consumers how they can reduce energy consumption; water their garden more effectively by using less water; and buy equipment, like washing machines and dishwashers, which use less water, less power, and thus producing less effluent. Some of these new machines are front loaders. I recall very well growing up in Europe, we never used a top loader washing machine. More European houses have front loaders. The difference is a front loader uses about 15 times less water for the same wash than a top loader.
We have the star system and you can select your dishwasher or washing machine based on the stars - the more stars the appliance has, the more efficient it is. What impressed me recently when I was looking for a dishwasher to replace my old one which had broken down, was how the dishwasher we bought can do a whole load of dishes using only 13 litres of water - from rinse to dry. Thirteen litres of water is actually one and one–third of a bucket. If you try to do the washing-up by hand, it is likely that you will use more than 13 litres of water. There are efficient machines and they do not cost more than the normal ones.
As I said before, Power and Water has produced booklets. I am happy to provide these to members if they want them. Another point is that a lot of the water we use in the washing machine, especially in the rinse cycle, can be used to water your garden. How many of us do not have the ability to do that because the plumbing is not there? You will need to spend money to install the equipment to redirect your rinsing water to the tank. If you do the calculations - how much water you save a year by doing that, how much you save watering your garden - you can make significant savings; probably not in the first year, but in the second, third and subsequent years.
If you want the Green Guide produced by Power and Water you only have to visit www.powerandwater.com.au. You can get the information there and you can print out the guides for your own use.
Since 1984, Power and Water has been using natural gas as the primary fuel in its power station. This fuel emits less than half the greenhouse gas of similar sized coal-fired power stations. The generators that will be used in the new Weddell and Owen Springs power stations will use more efficient technology that will produce fewer emissions than existing generators. We will be using coal generation, utilising the exhaust of the turbines to power another turbine to produce electricity. Of the three turbines, two of them will use gas, and the third one will use the exhaust and some gas, but not as much as the other two. It is Power and Water’s aim to eventually reduce average emission per megawatt hour of electricity generated by about 30%.
Power and Water’s annual environmental excellence awards, the Melaleuca Awards, recognise Territorians who are doing the right thing by the environment. These awards started in 2003, with an aim to make people more environmentally aware and give recognition to Territorians who are achieving environmental excellence.
Power and Water is also involved in some fantastic environmental initiatives that are innovative and environmentally sound projects. The Water Reuse in the Alice project will treat effluent so it can be reused as irrigation, rather than letting this precious water resource go to waste through evaporation or by overflow into Ilparpa Swamp. Also, treated effluent can be used for reforestation. The best way to reduce carbon and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is in the cells of the plants, in biomass, and that is what the trick is. We can use that water to reforest areas, even in the desert, and that can be used to buy carbons or as carbon trade-offs.
Only a few years ago, we commissioned Australia’s largest flat plate photovoltaic solar power station at Kings Canyon, followed by another one at Bulman in Arnhem Land.
You may not realise that Territorians are some of the biggest water users in the country. Power and Water has a strategy to help educate everyone on ways to be water wise, especially in Alice Springs where the rate of water extraction is higher than the natural recharge from rainfall.
Ultimately, by working hard to conserve water and energy use, we all minimise our impact on the environment. And every effort, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Of course, we can always take the little steps in our house. How many of us leave lights on? How many of us have replaced every single globe in our house with the new generation fluorescent globes? The globes now come in different sizes. I remember when they first came out, they were that size and used to stick out of the socket. They were visually very unattractive. Now you can buy ones that fit. They come in very small sizes. You can use them in table lamps or in the bedside tables. They use about one-eighth of the energy of an incandescent globe.
The other thing that we have to mention, and this is on a government level, is: why do we still have to use V6 and V8 cars? Why cannot we use efficient four cylinder cars? After all, many cars outside Australia, especially in places like Europe or Japan, are smaller cars with a four cylinder engine. In addition, why do we not have plans in place that, as we replace cars, wherever possible we utilise hybrid cars? First, we would reduce the consumption of fuel, thus reducing the cost to the government. Second, if we use hybrid vehicles more companies will produce them and so reduce the costs to the consumer. Third, we would be helping the environment. Fourth, there would be a profit for government, because I am aware that people are queuing up and putting their names on the list to acquire hybrid cars. It was only two years ago in America when second-hand hybrid cars were more expensive to buy than a new one because you had to wait about six or eight months for a new hybrid.
I have asked Power and Water, and my other departments, if there is a way we can acquire more hybrid cars in our fleet rather than using V6 cars or manual four cylinder cars. Currently, the Power and Water fleet and other departments are managed by NT Fleet. At the moment, there is a review to find out if Power and Water can manage their fleet more effectively. If this is possible, I want them to actively pursue replacement of big cars with hybrid cars. In addition to that, now with some of the Japanese companies coming up with hybrid trucks, there is an opportunity for us to have a look at the efficiency and cost of those trucks, and replace some of our fleet with them.
Currently, Power and Water has six hydrogen cars in the fleet, with another one on order. I am very pleased about this. I promise I will be pushing harder and harder for Power and Water to replace some of these fuel hungry trucks and cars with more efficient and cheaper to run hybrid cars.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Deputy Speaker, when the Northern Territory gets up and talks about climate change, I believe we have to keep things in perspective. We are only a drop in the bucket compared to other parts of Australia and the world. We have a very small manufacturing base, and our consumption of electricity seems to be more related with airconditioning than anything else, especially in this part of the world.
The Minister for Tourism was talking about having better washing machines and better fridges. I reckon that many of the new fridges might be more efficient in the use of electricity, but I do not think they are very good fridges. If anyone looked at fridges in days gone by they would see the back of them was always open, and now they are sealed. I have a fridge that is not sealed at the back – fantastic – you get cold water; the other ones struggle and I think the design is not made for the tropics.
Be that as it may, there are lots of little things we can do and the Chief Minister has spoken about them. In reality, if you were going to do something serious about climate change from a Territory perspective it is very difficult. Where do all the problems come from in the Territory? They come from production of electricity and the motor vehicle. They would be the main greenhouse gas producers. How are we going to fix those? It will be very difficult because they are big issues and, for the Territory to go alone, switching over to some other form of energy is not going to be easy. We do not have the population and manufacturing base to make that worthwhile. What can we do to, at least, reduce the amount of electricity we use, and reduce the use of motor vehicles? There are some things that the Territory needs to lead the way in, because I believe it is lagging behind.
Why do people use airconditioning? We have these multistorey buildings going up and they will all be airconditioned. You have units after units after units and they are all airconditioned. You could not live in them – they would become hot boxes. They are not designed for tropical flow, as the minister said. Minister, one of the reasons people do not put louvres in any more is because they are dearer than ordinary glass. They require a higher standard under the building regulations and are more costly. Glass is thicker than it used to be, since it has to be cyclone proof, as well. I would love to have more louvres in my place but it has sliding windows. The reality is that it is more costly.
What are we doing about building design? The minister said, and I recall that debate in parliament, when he was talking about the colour of roofs. It is not very hard for anyone driving down the highway to look at Farrar and see the number of black roofs. Those black roofs have been built courtesy of the existing government’s rules and regulations. There has been no change in that. I was talking to someone the other day and they said they liked the black roof. I asked if it made it hotter. They said: ‘No, we put all these extra things in the roof to make sure the hot air all goes out’. So, to overcome the extra heat created by having a black roof, they made the house more expensive.
The minister mentioned orientation of houses. If the block is small you cannot orientate your house according to the weather. We all know there have been great problems in the suburbs - Darwin and Palmerston - where the blocks are so small there is hardly any room between the houses. In many cases there will be a bank of airconditioners down one side. You only have to go to the subdivision on the Stuart Highway near Fannie Bay on the left hand side behind the big wall. If you have a look there you will see how close houses are there. They have a fence down the middle, they have airconditioning down one side, and the other people are very close to the fence on the other side. Talk about untropical design. Of course, it is about maximising profits – that is what it is about. If you can get more houses on a parcel of land, you make more money. Unfortunately, that is the way the world goes. Is it good planning? Are we making things more difficult for ourselves?
I am interested in some statistics, if it is possible, to look at how much electricity we have used from 10 years ago until now. How many airconditioning units have been installed in Darwin from 10 years ago until now, or even look back 20 years. I do not have an airconditioner in my house, and my house is not well designed either. I am used to living under a fan. Sometimes in the Wet Season, when there is no monsoon around, it is very difficult. We do not have a hot water booster. When there are monsoons around we do not have too much hot water. You learn to live with these things.
In reality, we are continuing to build buildings with very poor design. I do not think the government is encouraging people to reverse that trend. We get up here and talk about it, but I guarantee there will be another 33 storey building going up that requires airconditioning. There will be another suburb somewhere in Lyons or somewhere else where the style of housing is not conducive to the flow of air through the house. When I was working on Bathurst Island one of the in things was to have a breezeway. You had a section of a building where the breeze simply went straight through. I have been to some houses like that; they are fly screened, and all the louvres are open and the breeze goes through the lounge room out the back of the building. It is very comfortable to live in and quite cheap, and you certainly reduce your costs.
Four houses on the old Arafura Bowling site on Ross Smith Avenue have won architectural awards. However, the cost of them is out of this world; they are very expensive houses. Yet they are houses with louvres, they are on stilts, they are meant to have a flow-through design, and they are corrugated iron. They look very nice, except they are beyond the reach of ordinary people, which is unfortunate.
The government needs to promote the idea of simple housing that does not require high use of energy. Can we build strong houses in a cyclone area but with less costly material? Concrete, believe it or not, is one of the most energy absorbing materials we can use. People might think we can produce energy out of solar or wind alone - and I am not knocking solar or wind - but if you want to produce some of the materials to build your house, like steel and concrete, an enormous amount of energy is required to produce that. We should look at changing the materials we use to build our houses to materials that are less energy absorbing.
What about the design of our cities? I remember a few years ago as Darwin and Casuarina was developing, what did the government do? It looked at putting some buildings out at Casuarina. Why? Because it believed that you should not have all your workers in one particular area of the city. All that does is concentrate all the traffic in that one place. For some reason, I do not know why, they built a number of buildings at Casuarina and now it seems to have stopped. Then Palmerston came along and they built Highway House. It sat out there like a beacon for many years amongst the bush. Then they built the Goyder Building. Recently, there has been nothing. We ought to be thinking a bit like Canberra: if we build Weddell - I hope they do build Weddell - that we allocate an area where some of our public servants work.
Stand on the Stuart Highway in the mornings around the Lambrick Avenue intersection and the Howard Springs Road intersection and have a look at the amount of traffic from the rural area, not taking into account Palmerston. With the amount of traffic that is going into Darwin every day to work, you would have to ask why? Why are so many people working in Darwin? Why have we not spread the workload out to the northern suburbs, Palmerston and the rural area? We are not thinking laterally enough about ways to reduce the emphasis on using cars. The cost of having infrastructure for large volumes of traffic travelling into Darwin is exemplified by the amount of money it is going to cost to build Tiger Brennan Drive. It is something like $100m. We are building that simply because traffic volumes are increasing and they are increasing because people are working in a centralised area.
This is not brand new science. I can remember studying this about 30 years ago and looking at how cities should be designed. Canberra has done something like that. You go to their centres and you will see large office blocks in those areas. They have been planning and thinking in the way that city is designed and we should take a note of the way it is done there.
We need to put more emphasis on good public transport. We have car after car. I am one of those who comes to town with one person in the vehicle. We need public transport that is attractive to people. Buses might be great – I know the thinkers in the transport industry will tell you that the buses are the cheapest way to have transport, as they get you closest to your home, but there are other ways of doing things. A light rail system has been spoken about here before. I believe there is a possibility of having light rail from Darwin to Palmerston to Humpty Doo to Noonamah. In the rural area you would have a secure place to leave your car. You might have something near the Humpty Doo shops. The government would set it up and the train would pull in and pick up people - no different than railway stations in the suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney. To make it a little more attractive to people to ensure their vehicles would not be damaged while they are away you would want a secure car park near these facilities. If you had a good airconditioned light rail coming into Darwin, or stopping at Palmerston, that would be attractive to people. It would get vehicles off the road. You would be using a cleaner form of energy because you would be using electricity which is run on gas, so you would not be using so much petrol or diesel.
We seem to be in a vision vacuum, if I can call it that. These things would cost money and are probably a bit radical. In Melbourne, where I came from, they built an enormous rail and tram system in 1928 and even before that - way back. It must have been pretty expensive to build things then, and they went out into the bush. Melbourne is expanding its tram lines further out. Why can’t we? The economics people might say it is very costly and will be costly to maintain, but what is the alternative - more roads; more $125m Tiger Brennan Drives? That is the alternative.
We have to weigh up the costs in total, not just look at the particular costs of setting up public transport - quick, efficient, airconditioned, modern public transport. When I was in Melbourne during the Christmas break, I looked at some of those new trams. They are very comfortable, and are easy for people, especially older people, to board. They are very efficient forms of transport. People will say: ‘Melbourne built this many years ago and it is costly but we live with it’. It is certainly a popular form of transport. We should be looking at those types of things.
The Minister for Tourism mentioned using effluent. Any new city that is to be designed in the Territory should have a dual pipe system. We need one pipe for fresh water for the home, and we should be able to look at recycling our sewerage water and grey water through the town. There are cities designed with dual reticulation systems so that you can water your garden with the grey water or treated sewerage water, and have your drinking water go directly to the house - and none of that would go into the sea. When you consider the figures of the amount of sewage that goes into Darwin Harbour either at the Larrakeyah outfall, the Ludmilla Treatment Plant, or at the Leanyer plant, there is a considerable amount of water going to waste. New designs of cities should be including that as part of a process for ensuring we do not waste water. People might say that it will make it more expensive to build a city. Your option is then you build a dam. Do we say we will build another dam, or can we use our existing water better? It will cost something initially but, once that cost is in there, you would have some savings.
If you are looking at the bigger picture, it is interesting that the minister mentioned geothermal. I am a great fan of geothermal. I have raised the issue of geothermal energy use in here since the day I arrived. Geothermal has possibilities. The only problem is that it is still not proven. Innamincka has been on the drawing board in South Australia for quite a while; they have drilled holes. I have not heard the latest, but I know they had problems with one of the drill holes that had a piece of equipment stuck in it. Even though I am a great supporter of it, it has not come to fruition yet. I hope it does because, if you are looking at a clean - renewable I am not sure yet, I am not sure how long heat in the ground will last if you are tapping it, but it has certainly lasted a long time. It is clean and it does not cause any pollution. If it can happen, it would be good.
A lot more work has to be done on hydrogen. To me, hydrogen is still the future fuel for cars. If we are going to rely on private transport, hydrogen is the way forward. There are still a lot of technical problems with the broad scale use of hydrogen because the storage of hydrogen is not that simple. The production of hydrogen presently uses fossil fuels, so even though you are producing a nice gas that is free of any pollutants, it uses a fuel or energy source that creates greenhouse gases.
Of course, there is uranium. The Chief Minister and the Minister for Mines and Energy issued a joint media release yesterday, 20 February. In that media release there was reference to the Cameco/Paladin uranium deposits in Central Australia. The ministers said:
In the face of climate change …
And that is what we are talking about today:
- … the world is seeking clean energy solutions, and the Territory is well placed to benefit as an exporter of uranium and LNG.
Well, knock me over with a feather duster. I get confused. We have a government that does not support nuclear power, but which now says uranium is a source of clean energy and we are happy to export it to other countries. It is like saying we do not like bombs because bombs kill people but we are happy to export them because it is a wonderful manufacturing industry; we make a lot of money and we send it to some other country and what they do with them we do not care.
In the case of uranium, we are saying something similar. We do not like uranium in the Northern Territory because we do not like nuclear power because we have problems with the waste. But we are happy to send it to another country and what it does with the waste is its problem. To me, we have a little hypocrisy. You send the stuff overseas, you say it is a clean energy source, yet we seem to be bound up in this sort of tunnel vision that says, ‘It is not for us’. Maybe it is not. If we can get geothermal, I will go for geothermal any day. You do not have to worry about the waste product.
The reality is, and I mentioned it before, the cement that builds our houses requires a vast amount of energy, huge volumes of energy. The steel that goes into the roofs and the doors, the doorframes, the window frames, and aluminium, again, enormous amounts of power. You are talking big, big power. Somewhere along the line, if we are not going to use coal, and gas is eventually going to run out, we have to find an alternative. People say solar and wind. I am still yet to be convinced that when it comes to large quantities of electricity we are going to get that sort of power. Storage is one of the problems with solar and wind. When it is not sunny you are not producing power, and when it is not windy you are not producing power, so you have to work out ways of storing energy. Certainly, uranium is one of those. I know people have their views on uranium, but just because they do not agree with it does not mean we should close our minds to it. In fact, I was reading some articles the other day which claim that some of the new nuclear plants will actually use up the waste that comes from those power plants.
We need to keep our minds open, but it does seem strange to me that when you are talking about climate change today, the Chief Minister has taken on climate change. On one hand, he makes no mention of uranium or nuclear power, but, on the other hand he says that this uranium exploration in Central Australia is wonderful because, in the face of climate change, the world is seeking clean energy solutions. That is the minister’s own words. I find it hard to put those two things together.
The Minister for Tourism mentioned saving water. There is nothing wrong with saving water. But you have to be fair dinkum with people when you say save water. Water from our tap costs us very little money. To buy a rainwater tank is in the thousands of dollars. If you have to buy a rainwater tank you would have to ask if there are savings. First of all, someone has to produce the rainwater tank and there are emissions involved in producing a rainwater tank, it has to be transported, etcetera, and then you have to pay for the tank. You have to look at the value of it: is it cheaper? How long is it going to take to pay for that rainwater tank? It is a bit like people saying, I would like to put solar electricity in my house and there is a power line going past the house. I can guarantee that when you look at the costings, it is hardly worth it. Some of these things are all right where you have no other forms of water, or no other form of electricity, but when you are close to mains water and mains power, the issue comes down to economics. In many cases, much as people might like to have rainwater tanks, they would have to pay a fair bit of money to get them installed and then you have to look at the savings compared to using water carefully at home.
I welcome the minister’s statement. It is important. A lot of what he has in there relates to the small things we can do and that is important. But when the crunch comes, and you look at the big picture, the big picture is about the big things we burn up in our society. That is gas to produce electricity and petrol to drive our cars. They are the biggest polluters we have. Do not forget we have Wickham Point sitting in the middle of the harbour which churns out a fairly large amount of CO2 every day so we can send lovely clean gas to Japan. Their pollution goes down and ours goes up, but that is the way of the world.
It is a good statement but we should keep our feet on the ground and look at where we fit in the global picture. We are only a small drop in the bucket. We will do the best we can with what we have. The only other way to change things is to change those big energy users like oil and gas and find alternatives to that. When we find alternatives, then we will really do something about climate change. We have to change the rest of the world as well, not just Australia.
Mr BONSON (Sport and Recreation): Madam Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the Chief Minister’s statement on climate change. As the Chief Minister quite rightly pointed out, climate change is one of the most critical issues facing the world today. I know there are some sceptics out there but it is now widely agreed that the world must act now on climate change or we will face disastrous consequences.
Last year, the former World Bank chief economist, Sir Nicholas Stern, released a report which highlighted the overwhelming evidence of global warming and its likely environmental and economic consequences. The Stern report portrayed the global situation in stark terms.
Carbon emissions have already increased average global temperatures by half a degree. Without action, there is a 75% chance that average temperatures will increase by 3 in the next 50 years. The Stern report goes on to make further warnings. These include the prospect of rising sea levels; more extreme weather patterns; the extinction of species; and declining crop yields. The new federal Labor government acted quickly to prove its commitment to addressing climate change when it ratified the Kyoto Protocol. I believe we all recognise the Howard government’s pointless obstinacy on Kyoto in spite of the weight of scientific evidence. Howard dealt in fear and greed. Rudd deals in hopes and dreams.
I thank governments all around the world for working to tackle climate change. In the Territory, we have a unique natural environment and this government is committed to its preservation. We must do everything we can to protect our environment for future generations. We can also play a part in helping Australia achieve its Kyoto target for greenhouse gas emissions.
The Northern Territory Strategy for Greenhouse Action 2006 sets out practical and achievable greenhouse initiatives that encourage behavioural change, support research and build partnerships. For example, by 2011 the government will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption in government buildings by 10%. We are determined to lead by example.
DCIS, through its Northern Territory Property Management Unit, is developing a draft policy on building sustainability for both new and existing buildings. The Property Management Unit is also coordinating the NT government’s participation in the National Energy Efficiency Survey being conducted by the Sydney University. Ten buildings owned or leased by the Northern Territory government, including Parliament House, are expected to feature in the survey. The survey will produce extensive feedback to building owners regarding their building’s performance and how it can be improved in a cost-effective manner. The policy on building sustainability will address the Green Building Council of Australia, building sustainability standard required for new buildings; the Australian Building Greenhouse Ratings, or ABGR, energy efficiency standard required for new buildings; the ABGR energy efficiency standard required for existing buildings, and the centralised management in all leased buildings of energy, water and waste expenditure via the NT Property Management Unit.
This policy is being developed in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. Consultation will also occur with the Development Consent Authority regarding this policy. Additionally, NT Property Management will work closely with the Property Council of Australia.
Once national standards are adopted, buildings in the NT can be rated for energy efficiency in a similar manner to electrical appliances. After building ratings, the next national priority will be to resolve barriers to improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings.
The management of carbon emissions over the life cycle of the building’s operation is assessed during the design phase using the Green Building Council of Australia Star Rating Scheme which rates environmental sustainability of buildings. The highest rating available is six stars and the lowest is four. At present there is no GBCA accredited building in the Northern Territory. I understand, though, that accreditation is being considered by a number of developers. Under the GBCA rating scheme, once buildings are commissioned, the energy efficiency of the building is assessed and managed using the Green Building Star Rating system. The maximum rating is five stars with a minimum one star. The Government Property Group under the auspices of the Procurement and Construction Council of Australia is currently developing a National Building Sustainability Framework for government owned or occupied buildings. Our Property Management unit is a member of the Government Property Group and is actively contributing to development of this framework.
Under our Greenhouse Strategy 2006, the government is also aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the government’s passenger vehicle fleet. We had aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the government fleet by 5% by the end of June 2007. In fact, by the end of June 2007 we had achieved a 6% reduction and by December 2007 this had increased to 7%. This is a saving of 21 grams of CO2 emissions for every kilometre a government vehicle travels. This equates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 84 tonnes a month. The government has also recognised that by acquiring a more fuel efficient fleet the annual spend on fuel is reduced as is the amount of greenhouse gases produced.
The NT Fleet will continue to encourage customers to consider more fuel efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles including four cylinder turbo diesel models and hybrid vehicles with the aim of further reducing fleet costs and the production of greenhouse emissions. By replacing just one six cylinder passenger vehicle with a four cylinder model, government can realise annual savings of at least $500 in fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas production by as much as 8.5 tonnes a year. Replacing a six cylinder vehicle with a new common rail four cylinder turbo diesel, where operation is suitable, can result in a saving of up to $1800 per vehicle.
NT Fleet is in the process of buying state-of-the-art diesel engines, small passenger vehicles such as turbo diesel sedans which have an expected fuel economy of 4.5 litres per 100 km compared to 11.7 litres per 100 km for some six cylinder petrol engine vehicles. NT Fleet has increased its fleet of Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles by more than 100% over the last 12 months. The Prius has a fuel economy of around 4.5 litres per 100 km. There are more than 30 in the fleet and I expect the number to continue to increase. NT Fleet has bought a number of factory fitted LPG vehicles for evaluation to assess fuel costs, suitability and customer acceptance.
There are many ways in which government works towards achieving national Kyoto targets for greenhouse gas emissions. One of them is through environmentally friendly and sustainable procurement practices. In the Northern Territory, government procurement is estimated to account for between 10% to 15% of gross domestic product. Northern Territory government procurement is worth $1.9bn a year. This represents a significant opportunity to achieve direct, sustainable development benefits.
In 2007, the Australian Procurement and Construction Council, of which the Northern Territory is a member, developed an Australian and New Zealand government framework for sustainable procurement. The framework includes the following four principles as a guide for public sector agencies:
1. adopt strategies to avoid unnecessary consumption and manage demand;
The Territory government will continue to help Australia and the world reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This effort is important - not only to help Australia meet its international environmental commitments but, as a government, we are also determined to protect the Territory’s unique natural environment.
Madam Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Madam Speaker, we are clearly in an era and a time when our species deals with climate change. How we deal with it will be the single most defining issue facing mankind. This issue is global, while also personal for each and every one of us. We will only get one shot at this; that is very clear. Our destiny depends on getting it right. It truly is that serious and everyone in this House understands that. In the Territory, we need to play our part. The good news is that we can make a difference. The good news is that this government will make a difference.
Let us not be misled into thinking that if we globally act today we could suddenly stop global warming and, further, climate change in its tracks. It does not work that way. To help members conceptualise this, if a super tanker at sea was to suddenly throw its propellers into reverse to avoid running aground, it would take some seven miles for it to come to a stop and begin to reverse. It is much the same with climate change. No matter what we do right now and into the future, it will get worse before it gets better. We need to have a clear understanding of that.
I am, by trade, a man of science. I understand the seriousness of the matter and the challenges each and every one of us face. In February 2006, I spoke to parliament on this very subject, where I gave a good explanation in everyday terms of global warming, which is causing our climate to change. It is worth repeating some salient points here today as I lead into what I will add later in my speech.
It is all about what is happening in our upper atmosphere; that area of sky that appears clear and empty but is actually made up of many elements. The main two elements in the atmosphere are oxygen and nitrogen. Oxygen is the basis of the air we breathe, and nitrogen is essential to the production of protein and, hence, the growth of all living things. While both oxygen and nitrogen allow most of the incoming solar radiation heat to reach the Earth, they also allow infrared radiation heat coming from the Earth to move out and escape the Earth’s atmosphere. This process is in natural equilibrium and is the reason that all life on Earth can survive and why all life on Earth flourishes. Aside from oxygen and nitrogen, there are other minor constituents in our atmosphere. These include water vapour, carbon dioxide, and trace elements like nitrous oxide, methane and halocarbons.
Here is where the science lesson gets quite interesting. While water vapour, carbon dioxide and trace elements, the so-called greenhouse gases, allow incoming solar radiation to heat and reach the Earth, they tend to inhibit infrared radiation coming from the Earth to move outward and escape the Earth. In fact, some of the infrared radiation heat gets directed back into the Earth’s surface where it increases the warmth of the surface. Because water vapour, carbon dioxide and the trace elements are normally in low proportions in the atmosphere compared to oxygen and nitrogen, surface warming has been kept in check.
Unfortunately though, since the Industrial Revolution, the amount of water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, halocarbons and nitrous oxide, the so-called greenhouse gases, have increased in our atmosphere and are increasing at an alarming rate. Consequently, more and more infrared radiation heat is being directed back to the Earth’s surface. Our atmosphere, rich in greenhouse gases, is beginning to act precisely like a greenhouse around our earth, keeping more and more of the heart trapped inside. This is the problem of global warming which is causing our climate to change.
To put this in perspective, in pre-industrial times, the level of carbon dioxide was about 280 parts per million, while today it stands at over 370 parts per million; this is an increase of over 30%. Most of this comes from the burning of fossil fuels and native vegetation, as well as, to a lesser extent, land clearing. Why land clearing? Because plants are the great absorbers of carbon dioxide; it is what plants breathe in. What they breathe out is the oxygen we breathe in.
One of the atmospheric greenhouse gases is methane. Atmospheric methane concentrations have increased by 150% in the past 250 years. Methane is generally naturally occurring in wetlands and bogs, while livestock grazing and landfill activities are the main manmade sources. Halocarbons, or CFCs as they are commonly known, are another group of greenhouse gases, but this is a case of one good news story. We have known for some time, internationally, that these gases are quite insidious as both a greenhouse gas as well as a major factor in the depletion of the atmospheric ozone layer. Fortunately, following implementation of the Montreal Protocol Regulations, the atmospheric abundance of halocarbons peaked in 1994 and is slowly declining. Obviously, globally, we can make a difference and this is the kind of story which will encourage us to put our combined global effort into action.
A greenhouse gas that is particularly noteworthy to us in the Territory is nitrous oxide, because it is generated, along with carbon dioxide, from bushfires. Unfortunately, nitrous oxide in our atmosphere has increased by some 16% in the last 250 years. It is particularly important that we talk about nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide from bushfires because, unlike the member for Nelson’s suggestion that the biggest area that we can influence global warming is through vehicles and industrialisation, the truth is we contribute to global warming through the extent of our bushfires.
Overall, we contribute something like 3% to 5% nationally towards greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. The exciting news is that the studies that I discussed once before, and other members have discussed, about the arrangements and the studies that have been done with the Charles Darwin University and ConocoPhillips in the East Arnhem area are showing us what is happening out there.
By expanding that sort of program and trying to get on top of the somewhat unnecessary bushfires that occur in the Top End, indications are that we can make a difference of about 1% to 2% nationally. That is pretty exciting. We are working towards getting those programs well established. It is more important we take things in perspective and do not just lose sight of the forest for the trees and jump on the bandwagon and think it is all about vehicles and things. That is very important, but the big changes we can make, the big impacts that we can have up here, are related to fire management.
I also want to talk a bit about emissions trading schemes. I am relying very heavily on the eminent work that has been carried out by the National Emissions Trading Task Force and investigations and the Garnaut Climate Change Review. These are very important documents and there is still a lot of work in progress in these areas. What I am talking about now relies heavily on those areas. The real question is why do we need to talk about emissions trading? What is it, and how is that going to help us? I quote particularly from the National Emissions Trading Task Force and then explain a bit about that. They say in one of their reports that:
- In particular emissions trading appears to be particularly suited to sectors where emissions can be estimated and reported accurately at low cost, where there is a reasonable number of liable parties, and where the transaction costs of covering those liable parties are not unreasonable. Most importantly, emissions trading can encourage abatement activity in markets where price signals are likely to have an influence.
I guess that comes to the crux of it. It has to be in areas at the country level, not just in sectors. It really lends itself to the kind of scale of abatement measures that we need to take. We have all of those factors in place in Australia, along with many other countries. That is particularly important.
Some of the other salient aspects of emissions trading are encapsulated in the work being done by those two bodies I mentioned before. In essence, it is probably fairly simple to understand that if you can get businesses that are operating in sectors and you make it worthwhile, and the more efficiently they upgrade the standard of equipment they use, particularly in the manufacturing areas, but across a range of areas that reduces their carbon footprint, then that has to be where we need to head. The way you can do that is by making the marginal cost for them to operate influenced more by the elements of carbon trading. In other words, if they perform their functions such that it is more economic to produce their goods by having more efficient, less carbon producing machinery, then they will do that. Consequently, those businesses that tend to move into areas when they have the opportunity to invest into more efficient and less polluting manufacturing processes will have an obvious marginal advantage.
Businesses that are not moving as quickly have the potential to buy credits, initially from the government, but also the secondary market from businesses that are already moving towards efficiency. The older businesses have the competitive advantage because they are more efficient, and other businesses will want to move that way and improve their capacity by buying those credits. Those credits, though, come at a cost; it makes them less competitive. They are just buying time for themselves and will be forced into making their businesses and operations more efficient.
The costs of pollution on the Australian economy will depend on a range of factors; most importantly the availability of low-emission technologies, which is what I was talking about before, about businesses having access to those technologies.
The schemes that we are talking about have a couple of important elements to them. We have to understand that we are not just operating in a situation where Australia stands alone. We operate on an international playing field. There are situations where some of our industries would become uncompetitive overnight. The energy intense trade would be particularly exposed if we were to really go heavily into some of these areas and not give them some sort of competitive advantage or compensation that would make them competitive.
When I mean compensation, I am not talking about compensation insofar as tax relief. I believe we need to have an area where there is a free allocation to them and the excess that they need to operate so they can compete internationally. So there is that free element and from then onwards you need to buy your trading credits. The same would apply to our electricity industry. If you implemented the trading scheme without any element of credit that is recognised by the industry, then you will be passing costs directly on to the secondary industries. These are two areas that we need to look at, as far as giving them some sort of free credits.
Next, we need to work out the excess for the whole of Australia. We need to set some limits on the capacity so we get some standards of what we require as far as the standards we set. The government will be working towards that. We need to work out what is required to keep those particular industries going – the power industry, to ensure that the costs are not flowing on to secondary industries and significantly affecting them. Then the excess, which represents the vast majority of credits, can be openly traded.
When it comes to methods of trading, the most generally accepted is the cap and trade schemes. How does a cap and trade scheme work? Basically, the emissions are capped over a particular period. It is up to government to do that and they have the background information to do so. Then you have the other approach where permits to emit greenhouse gases are issued for particular periods. How that is done we will come to in a minute. I will talk about the auctioning method, which is the second element. Third, you have to have some sort of penalty for non-compliance which underpins the value for emission for polluting.
The fourth element is that participants can trade these permits amongst themselves. If they have overestimated their targets because they have improved their standards, they can actually trade that excess back into a secondary market. The good thing is that, under most schemes that are proposed, it is not set by government. It is, rather, dictated by the marketplace which makes it subject to marginal costs constraints of business. That is the good thing about it. It is a realistic process.
In Australia, we are probably heading the way of the auctioning process. The objectives of the auctioning for greenhouse gas permits are that there is the allocating of permits efficiently to those who value them the most and, of course, it comes back to the marginal cost of operations for those businesses. By generating price signals, options reveal marginal abatement costs, and well-designed options pool the beliefs of all participants regarding the future value of permits and, thus, decisions on investment and abatement measures. It is important that early and accurate price signals let us implement the least cost abatement measures available.
I know it sounds quite technical, but it is at the heart of the emissions trading; that we actually have something that will work. There has been a lot of work, science, and economics done on this. It is the way forward, but the important thing is that we put a value on polluting, and that people who are best able to cope with that have a capacity to take advantage of it. Those industries or businesses will thrive, and businesses that pollute will either have to change, or spend a lot of money on it and make themselves viable in doing so. If they persist with their polluting ways it will cost them more, and the general process will lead to us meeting our targets.
Madam Speaker, there is one important thing that we all need to know and that is we need to play our part for our generation but, most importantly, for our children and their children. I commend the minister on his statement.
Mr HAMPTON (Stuart): Madam Speaker, I support our Chief Minister’s statement on climate change - and what an important statement it was. I acknowledge all the other speakers this afternoon who have talked on that statement.
I listened with keen interest this afternoon and learned much about climate change. It is a topical issue. We have a new government in Canberra which has shown leadership on this by signing up to the Kyoto Protocol - something we have waited for, for a long time. Members have talked about being accountable. That signifies to the country that we now have a government in Canberra which is committed to doing something about climate change.
We may wonder why we struggle with this issue of climate change. It goes back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when we saw huge numbers of factories and steel works sweep across Europe early last century. We have come to the point where we now all recognise that climate change is not a myth. Human beings have been responsible for extensive damage to the environment and the ozone layer. It is important that we acknowledge how we have contributed heavily to the situation we find ourselves in today.
As the Chief Minister stated, with climate change, however, there are some significant opportunities now arising in areas such as the Desert Knowledge Centre and research, particularly in Central Australia. There are real opportunities to create jobs in remote areas as we continue in our efforts to deal with climate change. He also said that the centrepiece will be the National Emissions Trading Scheme which, I have to admit, I do not know too much about. It is something we need to work on more and commit ourselves to. The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change released its Fourth Assessment Report. We can back it up with some strong leadership from our Chief Minister. Those high-level international agreements and commitments are important to keep us on track to achieving what we are saying we are going to do with climate change.
Reading from the website of the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, there are challenges for the Northern Territory. We can see for ourselves the weather patterns in Darwin and across the country to Queensland and Western Australia, and the amount of rain we are experiencing and the flooding. Down in the Centre, back home in Alice Springs, there is extreme heat. One of the symptoms of climate change is the extreme weather we are currently seeing right across our country.
Quoting from the Natural Resources website:
- Significant changes have been observed in the Territory’s climate in the last 50 years, and more change is projected for decades to come. The following projections are based on complex climate models and provide an indication of what we can expect.
In terms of temperature and water:
- During the past 50 years, most of the Territory has experienced warming around 0.60C, and more warming is expected for the future. Scientists say Territorians can expect future warming of between 0.20C to 2.20C by 2030 and 0.80C to 7.20C by 2070. Warming in the Territory’s south-west is expected to be greater than in the Top End. There are projected to be fewer frosts in the south during winter.
- The Territory is also projected to become drier overall, with more frequent and severe droughts. Although projections for changes in rainfall are unclear, they tend towards decreases in most areas. Combine this with the increased rates of evaporation associated with higher temperatures, and less water is expected to be available overall.
Extreme weather events
- While temperature and rainfall averages are important, Territorians are most likely to experience climate change through extreme weather events such as heatwave, drought, cyclone, storm surge and flooding. A small change in average temperatures (such as 1.00C) can cause significant changes in the frequency of extreme events.
From that information from the NRETA website, you can clearly understand why the Chief Minister’s statement is so important. I commend the Chief Minister and this government for showing some great leadership.
The Chief Minister announced a three pronged strategy, which we will be focusing on over the next 12 months. Those 12 months will be crucial. The strategy involves working and negotiating at the national level to ensure the Territory’s contribution and needs are recognised; developing a Northern Territory approach to climate change in light of national and international developments; and, working with Territorians to make sure we are on the right track at both the national and local levels.
The Chief Minister also stated that, two years ago, the then minister for Environment and our Deputy Chief Minister presented the NT Strategy for Greenhouse Action to this Assembly. In relation to that, one of the great successes from that strategy was the Solar City Project in Alice Springs. On 16 April 2007, the Commonwealth government announced Alice Springs as the fourth Solar City, and that it would contribute $12.3m, comprising $4m of the Solar City and $8.3 Renewable Remote Power Generation Program funding. Agreements to administer these funds have been established. The Northern Territory government has been a strong supporter and proud partner of the Alice Springs Solar City Project from the beginning and has provided the following: $145 000 and significant in kind support to the Alice Springs Solar City Consortium; $3.439m to support renewable and energy efficiency projects at the Araluen Cultural Precinct and Alice Springs Hospital; and, funding of operational costs to ensure the success of the Alice Springs Solar City Project.
The Territory government has already provided $127 000 to the Alice Springs Town Council for start up funding as part of its commitment. The Alice Springs project incorporates installation of smart meters; domestic time of use tariff trial; installation of solar technologies at residential and iconic sites; financial incentives and packages; and, the provision of information and advice on energy efficiency and demand management. There is great support from the Northern Territory government for that successful project. I look forward to attending the launch with the Chief Minister and other members of this government in the near future.
The Territory economy relies heavily on the natural resources and the land that we are fortunate to have. The mining and pastoral areas, as well as the growing horticulture and agriculture industry, are far too important for our future not to have a policy dealing with climate change. It is great to see that this policy and our Chief Minister showing leadership particularly providing confidence and a stable future for those particular industries.
In terms of responsibilities, I have mentioned our Prime Minister signing up to the Kyoto agreement and also our Chief Minister putting together this climate change policy, but also there is the responsibility of individuals. We have had several speakers today talk about the responsibility of families and of individuals and the rest of the community. There is another area I would like to mention. That is the NT Waterwise Central Australian Rebate Scheme in Alice Springs. The Northern Territory government provides rebates of up to $50 for certain water saving products, and up to $500 for eligible plumbing services purchased by residents in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. That is a great initiative from this government in promoting climate change water efficiency schemes in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. The rebates can be used for selected products such as low flow shower roses, flow controllers, hose trigger nozzles, garden timer taps, dual flush toilets suites, washing machines and swimming pool covers just to name a few.
I would also like to mention the solar dishes and renewable energy schemes in Lajamanu and Yuendumu in my electorate. A couple of speakers have mentioned them today. Those systems have provided a lot of cost savings but also more environmentally friendly power supplies to those communities. I believe they are producing up to 50% of the power for those communities.
I have recently talked to the Minister for Parks and Wildlife about the Indigenous Protected Areas programs at Lajamanu. It is the biggest program of its kind in Australia. Basically it is tapping into the knowledge of indigenous people, particularly in terms of land and native flora and fauna, and conservation-type issues. When we talk about climate change we tend to focus on the weather, extreme weather, but there is also great impact on our native animals. We need to protect the native animals from extinction and programs like the Indigenous Protected Areas program go a long way in dealing with that.
I commend the Chief Minister’s statement. I and my family do our best to save energy where we can, whether it is keeping the airconditioner off when it is not too hot and using ceiling fans, having shade cloth around the house, and water tanks. As parents, if we do these minor things then our message is going to get through to our kids. Things like turning power off switches at night or when you are not at home goes a long way in helping out. Education is the key. Projects in schools educating our kids about climate change and the ways they can save energy should be promoted.
In closing, it is disappointing that no one from the opposition who lives in Alice Springs has contributed. There are some exciting things happening there with the Solar City success, the Waterwise Central Australian Rebate Scheme, the COOLmob Desert Knowledge Projects. I believe people in Central Australia have much to be proud of; proud of how they are leading the way in dealing with climate change. I commend this statement to the house.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution on what is going to be a very important debate for the world, for the nation and for the Northern Territory. We are all becoming increasingly more aware of the environmental debate and, very importantly, the economic debate that surrounds the issue of climate change. It is important that, as policy makers and legislators, we inform ourselves about all sides of this debate because, ultimately, it is going to be the parliaments of Australia that endorse the changes that are going to come into place as a result of climate change.
The Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage, and the Treasurer made insightful contributions. The members for Goyder and Stuart also had very thoughtful observations about these challenging issues.
Other members spoke from an electorate point of view and I am pleased that the Opposition Leader said he supported the statement. I can assure the Opposition Leader that the government’s policy unit will take an active role across government. I look forward to how this debate plays out in this House given that the CLP for most of the last 11 years endorsed the Prime Minister’s position that we did not need to sign up to Kyoto. I did not hear the Opposition Leader say that he now agrees that we should sign up to Kyoto. In preparing for this statement this afternoon, I recalled a question from the member for Blain to me as Resources minister back in 2001 where the member for Blain actually alleged in his question about why we as a government endorsed Kyoto when signing Kyoto would see a 2.5% reduction in employment in the Northern Territory as a result of us signing Kyoto. I suppose those were the debates six or seven years ago and we can see that signing Kyoto is not going to lead to job reductions. There is going to be a change to various industry sectors but they will be more than offset by gains in other industry sectors.
The member for Nelson made some positive comments but really should get off the back of the LNG plant at Wickham Point. From day one, he has been on the record, on the one hand, saying he supports the LNG plant but it was not to be at Wickham Point; it was supposed to be somewhere else. It is only now that he supports the LNG plant because all the time he has been critical.
The carbon offset program through the West Arnhem Fire Abatement Scheme, which has been one of the few schemes, if not the only scheme, actually endorsed by the National Greenhouse Office goes to show that we can have industry in the Northern Territory, but industry can work with community, with the Northern Territory to offset those emissions. I am pretty sure it is one of the only industry offset programs that has been endorsed by the National Greenhouse Office.
Get off the back of ConocoPhillips, member for Nelson, and start making some positive contributions about where this debate is going. The expansion of the LNG gas industry in the Northern Territory is only going to increase into the future.
Today, Professor Ross Garnaut, the man charged by the Prime Minister with guiding the Australian government on climate change, told the Council of Australian Federation that:
- Contrary to the conventional wisdom which has dominated Australian debate over the past decade, comprehensive global efforts to reduce emissions will play to Australia’s strength.
It is important for me, as Chief Minister, to be here to be accountable for the government, but it was also important to be represented at a very senior level at that meeting. The reason my colleague did not attend was because of a mechanical failure on a Qantas plane. If she could have gone there, she would have. However, I am pleased to say we had some very senior policy officers from government there. I look forward to their briefing and a copy of Ross Garnaut’s report to CAF next week.
He said it is in Australia’s interests for the world to adopt a strong and effective position on climate change mitigation. Professor Garnaut told the council that Australia has a first-rate skills base in areas related to innovation, management and financial services. I quote from his report today:
We have rich renewable energy sources. We are among the world’s largest exporters of uranium and natural gas …
that I talked about yesterday:
- … which can benefit from the low emissions efforts of other nations, and our agricultural sector emits less that other developed countries.
This debate presents opportunities for the Northern Territory, as well as some potential concerns.
Territorians are in an exciting and challenging place. The Territory will have the chance to be at the forefront of tackling climate change. We must all accept the climate change challenge. To do anything less would be letting the Territory down. It is going to be a very interesting debate as we move forward throughout the rest of this year and into the future.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
SESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON
SPORT AND YOUTH
Progress Report
SPORT AND YOUTH
Progress Report
Mr HAMPTON (Stuart)(by leave): Madam Speaker, in my capacity as the new Chair-elect of the Sessional Committee on Sport and Youth, I make a report in relation to the progress of this committee’s inquiry since the last statement made by the committee Chair in November 2006.
I thank the previous members of the committee for their enthusiastic and comprehensive contribution to the inquiry. These are the former Chair, my colleague, the member for Port Darwin; the now Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage, the member for Sanderson; the Minister for Sport and Recreation, the member for Millner; and the newly-elected Leader of the Opposition, the member for Blain. In doing so, I pay tribute to their work during their terms on the committee. Although I have not had a lot of opportunity to get across all of their work of the past two years, I know that the committee has reached a stage where it is almost ready to bring down its first report, and I extend my thanks to them for this.
I also take this opportunity to welcome on board the other new members: the members for Macdonnell, Greatorex, and the member for Arnhem who is rejoining the committee. I look forward to working with these members together with those remaining on the committee: the members for Nelson and Katherine.
I remind members of the terms of reference for the Sport and Youth Committee, which gives the committee three areas upon which to concentrate, namely:
the ability and effectiveness of existing structures and programs from grassroots to elite, to deliver in urban, regional and remote areas, and recommendations for improvement;
In the committee’s last statement, the Chair outlined what she saw as the committee’s role of investigating how to change or improve the way sporting programs for our young people are delivered across the Northern Territory. This is with the aim of ensuring that more young people are able to access - and, more importantly, are motivated to do so - a range of sporting activities. I wholeheartedly endorse this role, as I am sure will other new committee members. The range of suggestions, ideas and input the committee has received in the last year from Territorians is encouraging, which is why I today intend to express some of the preliminary policy directions that the committee has previously endorsed. In doing this, I emphasise that the committee still has work to do on finalising its report, which I anticipate will be tabled in the April/May sittings.
The report will expand greatly on what I will be saying today and will contain the committee’s definitive findings and recommendations. However, there are a number of areas where the reporting direction has been endorsed and I will go through these today. Before doing so, I will recap the work of the committee since the then Chair reported to parliament on behalf of the committee in November 2006.
Shortly after the last statement, the committee received feedback from members on sporting initiatives for young people in their electorates, that they were showing encouraging outcomes for young people in terms of participation and positive lifestyle changes. I thank those members who responded for their constructive comments. It was pleasing that Sport and Youth committee members were able to meet with some of the organisers mentioned by members during the extensive community consultations in the latter part of last year. In her November 2006 statement, the former Chair indicated that the committee’s community consultation program was yet to be finalised, but I am pleased to report that this has largely now occurred.
A comprehensive program was developed and commenced in July 2007, with the initial public hearing being held in Darwin. I should mention that, at this time, July 2007, the committee, in view of the uncertainty in various remote communities regarding the then recently announced federal intervention, agreed that addressing of the last of its terms of reference, which would necessarily involve hearings in remote communities, be deferred for the time being. All members agreed that the last thing remote communities needed at that stage of uncertainty was more politicians asking more questions about young people. As a result, the decision was made to focus on the first two terms of reference in relation to how effective existing structures are in delivering sporting outcomes for all our young people, as well as the operation of School Sport NT.
Since this time, hearings have been held in Palmerston, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Batchelor. The committee will travel to Katherine in two weeks, and the Jabiru Town Council is to be requested to compile a submission representing the views of that community. These sessions have provided the committee with an excellent opportunity to liaise with members of the public representing a wide range of groups – parents, teacher, coaches, sports administrators, police, recreation officers, council members, facility operators, researchers and young people have all made valuable contributions to the inquiry and given the committee an extensive overview of the current status of program delivery and how changes may improve some situations. In excess of 70 individuals spoke with the committee and I thank them for their contributions.
Since November 2006, the committee has convened on 12 occasions to take evidence from witnesses, deliberate on evidence, and receive official briefings from key stakeholders. To further contribute to the inquiry, visits by the committee research officer to interstate counterparts delivering sport, school sport and other relevant programs were undertaken. This consultation has allowed for comparison with Northern Territory models and given the committee a wide range of options to consider.
Members should be aware that School Sport NT is part of a national framework of sporting delivery for young people in all states and territories. The committee has been very mindful that if it is going to adequately fulfil its charter with regard to the School Sport NT reference, it was essential to understand how counterparts of School Sport NT operate in other jurisdictions.
In addition, official briefings have been provided by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport to ensure that the committee was aware of the changes to local government that may impact on sport delivery, particularly in remote communities, and to also inform the committee of activities surrounding the development of a sport and recreation policy for the Territory. Development of this policy is directed by my colleague, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, and the committee is very supportive of this initiative. Materials and information have been provided by the committee’s research officer to assist the policy coordination unit responsible for its formulation. The committee looks forward to continued dialogue with this unit to ensure that feedback we have received is considered in the developmental policy.
Other briefings have been provided by the Northern Territory Institute of Sport and School Sport NT, keeping the committee up-to-date of most recent activity within grassroots and the elite settings. With this the link to policy development in mind, I am pleased to provide some feedback on a number of policy directions that the Sessional Committee on Sport and Youth has agreed to, to date, based on the evidence put to it and its deliberations on this.
As noted earlier, the committee plans to table a comprehensive report outlining its recommendations and findings in support of these later this year once the initial inquiry phase is completed. The policy directions from the existing evidence which I will talk about today are in relation to the first two terms of reference, that is the ability and effectiveness of the existing structures and programs from grassroots to elite to deliver to urban, regional and remote areas, and recommendations for improvement and the role and benefit of School Sport NT programs and links to participation. The timeliness of this statement today will allow the Sport and Recreation division of the Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport to consider its contents during development of the Northern Territory sport and recreation policy which I referred to earlier.
There are a number of reasons that I take the opportunity to provide information on the committee’s progress with the inquiry on the first two terms of reference. As I stated earlier, with the activity being undertaken by the federal government in Aboriginal communities, the committee felt that to conduct hearings or community consultations in these settings would create additional confusion for community members. Until the situation becomes more stable in the bush, the committee will not visit. However, the committee was lucky to hear from a representative of the Jaru Pirijidi program operating at Mt Theo and Yuendumu during the public hearing in Alice Springs. This is an excellent example of sport and activity being used to divert young people away from behaviour that could compromise their health or safety and links very closely with the third term of reference of the committee.
A number of similar programs have come to the attention of the committee and we would like to explore these further through community visits and, as such, be able to report in a more holistic way against term of reference number 3. Another reason is that the first two terms of reference have become seemingly intertwined with many contributors to our inquiry highlighting the importance of sport at school as a contributor to participation in sport in the community.
Other links between the two terms of reference include the use of the facilities by schools and sporting groups with similar outcomes and correlation between skill acquisition during quality physical education and sporting ability and participation. Another area of interest that has been highlighted to the committee is participation by young people with disabilities, through school or community settings. I look forward to reviewing more of the evidence presented to the committee.
I will now share with you some of the interim policy directions which the committee has endorsed to date. Concerns were raised with the committee of safety issues associated with billeting of young people. It has been common practice for school sport participants to be billeted by families when participating in Exchange or Championship events, but there is scope within School Sport NT guidelines and policies for other accommodation arrangements to be made. This includes arranging for camping, hostel or similar style lodgings, parents making arrangements for their children to stay with relatives or friends at the event destination, or the option for parents to travel with teams and accommodate their children with them. These options have costly implications, making them sometimes impractical choices. Duty of care is provided to students while they are in the care of the teacher travelling with the sports team but there is no guarantee for safety of students once they leave an event and enter the care of a billeting family.
While the committee was considering the introduction of compulsory police checks for billets, there has been a recent legislative change that supports the view of members. The Care and Protection of Children Act 2007, assented to on 12 December 2007, will, when enacted, provide measures for the prevention of harm and exploitation of children, which includes screening for child-related employment. I refer members to Chapter 3, Part 3.1 of this act. It is clear from this legislation that although billeting families are volunteering for that role they will be required to undergo relevant checks to be issued with a clearance notice.
I anticipate the committee will also suggest a review of the management structures of School Sport NT with the possible investigation of the establishment of a foundation as presently operating in some other states, which also would be responsible for generation of sponsorship and funding. The foundation could be financed on a commission basis. That is, individuals and businesses responsible for sourcing funds would receive commission. Guidelines for expenditure of the funding need to be developed and possibly directed towards those in most need, such as remote and disadvantaged participants. This could be expanded to become a junior sport foundation and cater for mass participation programs as well. The committee sees this necessary because of the need to address funding shortfalls for resources, equipment, travel, uniforms, expert training and facilities. All common concerns arose through the community consultations. In fact, the whole area of funding School Sport NT to allow it to operate effectively and deliver on its programs would appear to need to be addressed.
I should emphasise at this point that the management of School Sport NT is dedicated and enthusiastic, but the operation of the body is not readily understood by those outside it. In fact, confusion was noted both from parents and from peak sporting bodies. I would also think teachers and program deliverers with skills in coaching and event management should not be required to undertake fundraising or administrative tasks. These should be done by staff skilled in these areas.
The committee is also concerned at the workload required of the seven existing Physical Education Coordinator positions. I would think that by ensuring that each of the eight school clusters has its own dedicated PEC, their ability to operate effectively for the young people in the cluster is maximised. It should be noted that 50% of the PEC’s role is to support and deliver School Sport NT programs, while the remaining time is to assist schools with professional learning and support for delivery of quality physical education curriculum programs.
The committee was greatly impressed during a visit of hearings and meetings in Alice Springs to witness an example of a successful physical education program in Alice Springs, school participants in a weekly interschool sporting program. This has been conducted regularly for primary schools and, in 2007, was introduced for secondary students. A secondary program is driven by School Sport NT cluster committee.
The Sport and Youth Committee can see huge benefits flowing from the Department of Employment, Education and Training introducing this model into all Territory primary schools at least as a compulsory weekly activity. It is considered that the infrastructure currently exists for PECs in School Sport NT to deliver this. This model would be ably supported with all primary schools being encouraged to have an identified physical education teacher, or at least a suitably qualified generalist teacher to support other teachers in the classroom. This identified teacher should have, as a minimum, training in motor skill development. This is another area that the committee is looking at for its report.
Another issue is with regard to sporting access for young people with disabilities. The committee would like to see the re-establishment of the disability support education officer position with the Department of Employment, Education and Training. Joint funding options between the Office of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Employment, Education and Training for this could be explored. This position was formally housed in Sport, Health and Physical Education School of the Department of Employment, Education and Training. Since its abolition there is no longer a central point of contact for students with disability, teachers or parents of students with disability to access information and support for their inclusion in sporting programs whether they are schooled or community based.
Evidence received by the committee from a young man with a disability highlighted how different his experience with sport would have been had such a position been in place. While providing education and support to the school environment, this position could also link with community providers, sporting groups and non-government bodies such as Total Recreation.
The committee also sees benefits in the re-establishment of the Junior Sport Reference Group under the auspices of the Division of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Local Government, Housing and Sport. This group would provide ongoing advice to government and relevant ministers on the needs of sport for young people. It could benefit from being strategically linked with the Youth Round Table and other existing youth groups.
An important link in sports participation identified by much of the current literature is that between school and community sport. Further investigation by the Department of Employment, Education and Training into mechanisms for making school facilities available for use by community groups could be of value. By the same token, use of community facilities by schools should also be expanded.
As I already mentioned, the committee intends to table a comprehensive report of our findings and recommendations during upcoming sittings. The policy directions I have highlighted thus far will be explored in the report, and I look forward to presenting it to members.
I acknowledge the excellent work of former committee members and thank them, along with the many members of the Northern Territory public who have contributed so thoughtfully and comprehensively to the committee inquiry. I look forward to fruitful deliberations with my colleagues, the new and continuing members of the Sessional Committee on Sport and Youth.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the report.
Debate adjourned.
SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly, at its rising, adjourn until Tuesday, 29 April 2008 at 10 am in Parliament House or such other time and/or date as may be advised by the Speaker pursuant to sessional order.
Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Madam Speaker, I thank all teachers across the Northern Territory and, specifically in my electorate, for a very successful back to school this year. Our teachers do a great job. They have had a well-earned rest, and the transition back to school this year has been very good right across the Territory. Thanks to our teachers.
I also thank the groundsmen and janitors at our local schools in my electorate who did such a huge job in the wake of Cyclone Helen - a really big cleanup around the schools. The schools in the Wanguri electorate have lots of trees around them: Holy Spirit had a large tree go straight through their front fence, and Leanyer Primary School had a tree fall onto their play equipment. To all of those people from those schools who helped to clean up, thank you very much.
It has been busy at Wanguri Primary School. There is much to do and people to see. In late November, I was delighted to be invited to the primary school to take part in a morning tea put on by the school to thank all staff and parents. It was great that the school actually wanted to say thank you to the parents for their support that year. As you can imagine, there were the end-of-year school assemblies - lots of assemblies. I love end of year, getting round the schools and helping the principal, Jenny Robinson and assistant principal, Leah Crockford, hand out awards. Even my daughter, Isobel, was presented with an award by her dad, so that was pretty special.
Many awards were given out on the day which shows the students at Wanguri Primary School are a hard-working, well-behaved bunch of kids and a great credit to their teachers, parents and community. The primary school concert at Wanguri is becoming legendary. This year’s show was fantastic. The performance by the school percussion group was especially good, but I might be a bit biased because my son, Liam, is in that group. It was a fantastic end-of-year concert.
After all of the excitement of Christmas and after the students had gone home for their holidays with their teachers, work on the renovation of the front office area began. The whole front area was ripped out and changed around to better suit the growing school needs. The offices have been revamped and laid out so there can be easier communication between office staff. The ‘hole in the wall’ reception area has gone, replaced by a front counter with an area so even the smallest of students can be seen. I went to the school a couple of weeks ago to check out how it was all going. On that day, the electrician was in making sure everything was wired up as it should be.
Another one of my electorate schools, Leanyer, has been very busy. Henry Gray has provided me with an extensive debrief on what has been happening at a great primary school. It has been a smooth start to the year. A number of teachers who have left Leanyer on transfer were farewelled. They have provided outstanding service over the years. Several teachers have gone to the new middle schools. Shannon Russell and Sarah Belsham transferred from the beginning of this year to Dripstone Middle School. This is good for the Year 7 students who have moved to Dripstone, because they have a point of contact with their past and their future. Mrs Dobrini, who has gone to Dripstone, is an expressive and creative arts teacher. Merryn Brown transferred to Darwin Middle School, whilst Nathalie Ede has earned her senior teacher’s position as an advisor on middle schools teaching and methodology. In this capacity, she will be working with a number of schools, imparting valuable advice and offering assistance to those engaging in this bold new approach to teaching and learning. Several teachers, including support staff transferred from Leanyer. All have offered valuable and appreciated service over the years.
Several new staff members have joined Leanyer School’s team. The school welcomes Mereme Hyde, Fiora Breuer, Darren Beattie, Kerry May, Stephanie Wannan and Lyn Oxley. They and continuing teachers will continue to support Leanyer’s holistic approach to education with the underpinning motto, Together As One, continuing to drive the school.
Within the next few weeks, elections will be held for the SRC. For the first time, Year 4 students will be elected to the SRC along with Year 5 students. Ongoing students previously elected will be joined by several new senior students. New and ongoing members of the council will ensure that school governance engages children as part of the educational process. The SRC fills a valuable and ongoing role within the school community. This year, the SRC enters its 17th year of support to the school community.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Leanyer School’s existence. The school is planning a celebration on Saturday, 30 August 2008. The day time carnival will turn into a night time dance, and our community will be kept informed of upcoming festivities.
Stage 2 of Leanyer’s capital works program is on the drawing board. The concept drawings for this project include a new general learning area of four classrooms, a drop-off and car parking facility in Gotham Street, and substantial modifications to the cover over the basketball court shade. Proposals are being considered in their final form by the school council, staff and members of the community at the moment.
I would like to make special mention of Rachel Fegan. Rachel was presented with the Administrator’s Medal for Outstanding Student 2007 on 8 February at Parliament House. Rachel was chosen to receive the award from among nominees of the northern suburbs schools. Her award recognises outstanding academic performance, quality student leadership, contribution to the community, and general overall qualities of excellence. Rachel was Vice President of the Leanyer SRC and a major contributor in arts and in the cultural areas. Rachel popped into my electorate office last week and had a chat about how she is adjusting to the new year in middle school. Rachel moved to Dripstone this year and is settling in well; she thinks it has not been that much of a change, which has been good to hear.
Rachel joins several other students from Leanyer who have earned this prestigious award in the past few years. Courtney Chin earned the medal in 2006; Rhiannon Oakhill was runner up in 2005, whilst Anne-Marie Chin was the medal’s recipient in 2004. The school is justifiably proud of the success of these students, and so am I.
The final comment on Leanyer, I attended the Year 7 graduation day last year. Congratulations to all those in Year 6, like Rachel, and in Year 7 who have now moved on to middle schools across the Top End.
Holy Spirit Primary School is going really well in Wanguri. Principal, Bernadette Morriss has been there for a full year now and has settled in fantastically. The Holy Spirit Christmas concert was magnificent and was a chance to sit back and be thankful for all that had been achieved in 2007. The level of parental involvement at Holy Spirit is tremendous, and the number of loved ones there on the night was heartwarming. I also attended the Holy Spirit end-of-year Mass and presentation day, and presented the Paul Henderson Award and Trophy to Sebastian Butcher from Year 7 and Taylor Cramp for Year 6. Sebastian and Taylor have shown great leadership and citizenship throughout the year, and I was proud to present them with the inaugural Paul Henderson Citizenship Trophy.
Holy Spirit approached me late last year to tell me they did not have a Northern Territory flag at the school. As local member, I donated a flag to the school and it now flies proudly.
Dripstone High School is now officially Dripstone Middle School. I was very proud to present the annual Paul Henderson Award to George Karavas for his achievements throughout the year, and George had made a really big contribution.
I love Christmas time around Leanyer and Wanguri. My congratulations go to Franco and Jenny Zuccarato for putting on such a fabulous display of Christmas lights at their house in Haritos Street. They are just down the road from me. The Zuccaratos always put on a great show and I noticed many cars, many hundreds, many thousands of cars driving past to get a decent look at what is a magical scene. Franco starts putting those lights up in October every year. It is an enormous job and he brings joy to many thousands of people, and to Jenny for losing him for so much of the time – well done.
The ‘Look good, Feel better’ program uses my electorate office community room to run their monthly workshops. I am a big fan of the program which helps Territory women and men feel better about themselves during and after they have undergone treatment for cancer. There was also a great turn-out to their workshops. The program has been so successful in the Top End they are now holding workshops in Katherine and Alice Springs. I was privileged to be invited to attend the end of year cocktail party at the Trailer Boat Club. It was hosted by Marilyn Harvey who is the coordinator of ‘Look good, Feel better’ in the Territory. Marilyn was awarded the ‘Look good, Feel better’ Australian volunteer award late last year and I was very proud to present Marilyn with that award. I also drew the winning ticket for the raffle in December. Territory Colour very generously donated a beautiful water colour to be raffled and gave it to ‘Look good, Feel better’ so they could raise some extra money.
This evening I would like to pay tribute to an outstanding Territorian, a Greek Australian whose contribution to the Greek community in the Territory has been formally recognised by the government of Greece.
On 11 December 2007, Mr George Kapetas was presented with the Medal of the Golden Cross of the Battalion of the Phoenix by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Greece, the Honourable Dora Bakoyannis. The Order of the Phoenix is the highest government honour awarded to civilians in Greece. It is bestowed on Greek citizens who have excelled in the arts, literature, science, public administration, shipping, commerce and industry. It is also awarded to non-Greek citizens who contributed to Greece’s international prestige. The only other two Australians who have received the award are former Prime Minister, the Honourable Gough Whitlam, and the Honourable Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia.
I am sure all honourable members are familiar with the contribution of George Kapetas to business, architecture, the Hellenic Macedonian Association and the Greek community in Darwin. George is known for his generosity, business ethics and commitment to the social and economic development of the Territory. The Order of the Phoenix was awarded to Mr Kapetas for his contributions to Hellenism including his distinguished service as Honorary Consul of Greece in Darwin.
The citation of the Foreign Affairs Minister in presenting the award eloquently acknowledges the contribution of George Kapetas:
- It is with particular joy and pride I welcome Mr George Kapetas to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in order to deliver to him the Medal of the Golden Cross of the Battalion of the Phoenix granted to him by the President of the Greek Republic in recognition of his contribution to Hellenism.
Mr Kapetas embodies a model Greek. He developed and was recognised as a scientist - a studious architect in his second homeland, Australia and his forever first homeland, Greece - but also internationally from Darwin to New York and from Hong Kong to Athens.
He lived for many years in Adelaide, Australia and, like each true Greek, he was involved with civic affairs. He served Hellenism in an exemplary way from a simple volunteer as a school teacher of Greek language in the Adelaide Greek Community School, elected as a member of the Governing Council of the Adelaide Community and later as a member of the Governing Council of the Greek Community of Northern Australia.
- In recognition of his contribution, he was appointed as an ‘unsalaried’ Consul of Greece in Darwin, and from this position he served with devotion and effectiveness not only the Australian Greek Community but also the interests, the principles and the values of all Hellenism in general.
For all these reasons, Mr Kapetas, you are decorated by the President of the Hellenic Republic. For all these reasons it is my own pride and joy to present you today with this decoration here in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on behalf of all of us, all the Greeks.
Madam Speaker, I am sure all honourable members will join with me, the Greek/Australian community and the people of the Territory in congratulating Mr George Kapetas for being awarded the Medal of the Golden Cross of the Battalion of the Phoenix.
Knowing George as I do, he will regard the award not only as a personal honour but as a recognition of all the Greeks who have made this great Territory their home. It is certainly an award that is well deserved.
It would not be Christmas without the Hakka Society’s Christmas dinner. As always, the food was great and the company was enthralling. Thank you to the Hakka Society, particularly its President, Rui Mu, and their great committee for putting on such a good spread every year. They are a tremendous community and the committee works very hard every year.
I hosted a reception last Thursday at Parliament House to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Rat. It was fantastic to see so many of our Chinese Territorians in the one place. As I said in my speech on the night, the Chinese do new year right. We only have one night to celebrate; the Chinese manage to spread their celebrations out over 15 days. Gong Xi Fa Cai to all of my parliamentary colleagues and my constituents.
On Saturday night I attended the Chinese/Timorese Association’s Chinese New Year party at their club house in Marrara. It was great to see all the redevelopments in the club with the kitchen being upgraded. It was a fantastic turnout and I saw many of my parliamentary colleagues there for the fun. Again, I thank Rui Mu and the rest of the committee for hosting such a wonderful evening and getting the community involved.
Mr NATT (Drysdale): Madam Deputy Speaker, I also will talk about my electorate, especially the schools, and the start of the school year. I welcome the new students and families to all the schools in my electorate. The Durack Primary School is a wonderful school; it has a high turnover of children each year being the Defence Force district that it is.
I welcome and congratulate Emma Connelly, Michelle Koulakis and Catherine Nunn who were all prac teachers in 2007 and are now teaching. I had to do some work with Emma Connelly last year with one of the classes and it is great to see that she has graduated and stepped out into the school and is doing some great work. Emma is taking physical education; Michelle is looking after Year 4; and Catherine is looking after Year 7. I also acknowledge Mic Carter, the Wellbeing Officer. He is situated at the Durack Primary School, and will be spending some time there as well as at Driver, Gray, and Howard Springs schools. Yvonne Darcey is new to the school and will teach Year 5/6.
I extend a belated welcome to Sue Wilson as the Defence transition aide. Sue replaced Corinne Hunt who was in the position previously and did a fabulous job. Corinne and I had a terrific working relationship and she often referred many of the Defence Force wives to me if there were problems within the electorate. I really appreciated the support and the work that Corinne did within the school. I wish her well in her new job. Sue Wilson will assist Defence families with the settling in of their children into the school and liaise with mums and dads on their children’s progress and assist with problem solving. It is very difficult for Defence family children moving to new schools every few years or so and, on many occasions to other states, away from close family and friends. I wish Sue well in the role and look forward to meeting her tomorrow and working closely with her as I did with Corinne.
Lorraine Evans is now the principal of the Gray Primary School. She was filling the role at Driver last year for Rob Presswell who transferred temporarily to manage the Palmerston High School transition of the middle schools.
Rob is now back at Driver for 2008 and he has some new staff members: Vicki Collister, Leanne Harding, Kate Gossage, Heidy Rubin, Antje Herrmann, Tash Ryan, Kylie Langford, and Karina Matschke. They have many Australian Defence Force families and that school works well with the Australian Defence Forces to make them feel welcome.
I welcome back Mark Monaghan to Driver Primary School. Mark was the Deputy Principal of the school in 2006 and he had transferred to New South Wales as an exchange teacher. He has moved back to the school and it is great to see him back on board. I acknowledge Jim Crisp who was his replacement at the school last year. Jim was part of that exchange and he has gone back to New South Wales. I thank him for the work he undertook at the school last year and wish him well with his future in New South Wales.
I also farewell Gai Wright, who is now the Assistant Principal at Alawa; Lorraine Evans, whom I just mentioned, has moved to Gray; Helen Chatto, who has a department position; Brett McNair, who has moved to the Palmerston High School to help with the Palmerston High School Middle School; Ben Slocombe, who is now with the Darwin Middle School; Rebecca Carson, who has moved to Perth; Rebecca Smith, who is on maternity leave; and Rosa Rasing. I thank them for the work they undertook at the school last year and wish them well in their new roles.
Another great school in my electorate is Kormilda College. I welcome back the Principal, Malcolm Pritchard. He has the school buzzing and is a very innovative principal. I am looking forward to working with him closely again this year. They also have some new staff: Shane Shedden, the Head of Senior School; Reverend David Burgess, the Anglican Chaplain; Emma Crassini, the Head of Maths; Adelle Barry has Humanities and English; Julianne Cobb has Science; Liz Tennyson, Humanities; Shona Welsh, English and Drama; Michael Cassidy, Head of Outdoor Education; Jonathan Graham, Music and VET; Bernadette Marcel-Hubert, who is teaching French; Leanne Hedley, the Assistant Head for Year 10 and has Humanities; Andrew Lal, who has Information Technology; Regina Wilson, who has Indigenous Education; Graham Clarkson, who has Design Technology; Ryan Woolfe, Physical Education and Health; Grace Baker, School Officer Residential; Karen Jenkins is teaching Maths; Jasmina Bojovic, who has Information Technology; Joanne Gerke, Teaching Assistant in Indigenous Education; and Rani Richter, who is also a Teaching Assistant in the Indigenous Education area.
There are two new student leaders this year. I congratulate Gabrielle Morriss and Daniel Popple who have been elected as their Senior School Captains for 2008, and wish them well for the year in their guidance of the school. Their Vice Captains are Tomas Scanlan and Bryony Crowe. Best wishes to them for their work they are going to undertake at the school this year.
The Senior School House Captains this year are: Veronice Pierik, Louis Bamford, Jessica Moller, Benjamin Palmer, Nakita Dendle, Jonathon Miles, Claire Doyle and Mathew Bacon. The Residential Chaplains are Tamara-lee Stacey and Christopher Miler. I congratulate everyone who has moved to the school and on their new roles, and wish them all the very best.
I congratulate two of last year’s Year 12 graduates, Melissa Davies and Peter McKay, both of whom have been selected as cadet officers for the Australian Defence Force Academy.
I make special mention of Austin Wonaemirri. Austin completed his Year 12 last year. He is a wonderfully talented Australian Rules footballer, and was lucky enough to be selected in the AFL draft last year. Melbourne has recruited him in the national draft, and he has made his way to Melbourne to play with that club. I wish him all the very best. It is a huge step for Austin. I know that he is a dedicated young man. He loves his footy, and I am sure every step that he takes will be a big one - and it will be a confident one knowing him. I wish him all the very best with his AFL career. I know that he is going to do very well; he has a ton of talent and he is going to go a long way. Good luck, Austin.
Palmerston High School has been undergoing some changes. I know that we have not had very good news with the building of the new school there, but it is well under way. I am sure that things will settle out early in the new year so that the school can get into a nice rhythm and carry on for the rest of the year and the years forward. There are a number of people who have been working tirelessly to ensure that classes are not disrupted all that much.
The Education department has been working with the new principal of the school to ensure that the middle years’ transition for the children going to Palmerston High is not disrupted all that much. Teachers have been allocated to the various primary schools to ensure the middle school process flows smoothly. At Bakewell Primary School are Sam Brannelly and Tracy Woodroffe; at Moulden Primary School, Glenn Randall and Ian Adams; at Driver Primary School, Kirsteen Squires and Brett McNair; at Gray Primary School, Pauline Schober; at Durack School, Catherine Nunn; and at Woodroffe Primary School, Jo Anne Coughlan. I acknowledge them for the work they do.
There are some new teachers at Palmerston High School. I acknowledge Elizabeth Laughton, Margaret Couper, Patricia Munn, Michelle Jean, Katie Grimshaw, Thevi Chelliah, Matthew McAulay, Fleur Billing, Fran Davies, Nathan Lee, Judith O’Hearn, Patrick Fee, Paulina Jurkijevic, Sukumaran Doraiswamy, Liam Kruytbosch, Matthew Walker, Rebecca Collins, Beryl Brugmans, Matthew McDonnell, Stephen Mandivheyi, and Kim Wright. I welcome them all to the school. Chris Fairgrieve is the school-based policeman and I wish him well. They do some great work with the students.
Palmerston High School has a great set up and it is only going to get better. My colleague, the member for Brennan, and I have been working closely with the school to ensure that we can put a little bit of pressure on in certain areas to make sure that the building does move along as best it can. I know that, with the new principal, it is only going to get bigger and better. I welcome Jenny Nash to the school as the principal. I know that she is keen to ensure that everything keeps moving. She is looking forward to getting everything settled down as quickly as possible to ensure that the Palmerston High School students move on to bigger and better things into the future.
Palmlesstonnes is a fun and friendly community challenge. It is a wonderful concept put together by the council in conjunction with the Top End Division of General Practitioners and the City of Palmerston. The whole idea is to increase your fitness and lose some weight, and that is done by regular guided walks; exercise sessions which are led by professional instructors; interactive sessions such as supermarket tours and cooking classes; weekend special events and bike rides; water fun days; Sunday walks followed by a healthy breakfast, which the member for Brennan and I will be running, and it is aptly named, Walk With the Pollies; and we will be closing with a big party celebration for the participation and achievement of all those who have become involved.
It is run over two five-week blocks. There are a few incentives involved and a few prizes. I congratulate everyone involved. I understand there are well over 100 registrations so far. I ran my first Pollies Walk last Sunday, and it was very successful. I am looking forward to getting more involved now that sittings are finished for a month or so, and also increasing my fitness.
I acknowledge the sponsors: AirNorth has given a wonderful prize of two tickets to Broome, valued at over $2000; their sponsorship is acknowledged and I thank them for doing that and adding that incentive. I also acknowledge the Palmerston Sun, the Healthy Living NT, Life Be in It, Heart Foundation, Palmerston Library, the Palmerston Recreation Centre, Good Beginnings NT, the Water Safety NT, Spokes NT, the CDU and Bodyfit NT. More importantly, I acknowledge the hard work and the organisation of the committee. Brooke Kimberley, Chronic Disease Project Officer with the Top End Division of General Practice, does a wonderful job of putting this together, as does Leila Collins from the City of Palmerston. The other committee members are Carmen Thomas, Pollyanne Smith, Judith Schneider, Maggie Schoenfisch and Kathy James. I congratulate them on the work they have undertaken and wish them well. I will see them on the ground clocking up a few more miles and hopefully shedding a few ounces of fat and a little bit of perspiration.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Madam Deputy Speaker, the Wet Season is in full swing and the heavy rains in recent days are a constant reminder of the environment in which we live in the Top End.
In January, we prepared for the arrival of Cyclone Helen and, thankfully, her full force did not hit the Territory’s capital. But it did leave a trail of river flows from the west of the Top End to the east. In Arnhem, the Waterhouse, Wilton and Roper Rivers were the rivers to watch. For the communities along the Central Arnhem Road, the Wilton and the Waterhouse caused major delays to residents who were unable to cross. However, at the Wilton, in the community of Bulman, the Northern Territory government has built a new bridge for $2m, which is a welcome asset for the residents of that region, especially those who travel from Nhulunbuy and Ramingining through to Katherine.
For the people of the Wugularr community, the Waterhouse River rises and falls quickly and then can go for a number of days, if not weeks, without rising again. It was in the cleanup after Cyclone Helen that the then Acting Chief Minister, the member for Arafura, flew by helicopter to the Katherine region to assess flood levels. Katherine was on high alert as the Katherine River threatened to break its banks but, thankfully, it did not. The flood preparation plan worked well as families along Gorge Road prepared well in advance for possible flood. I commend the Katherine NT Emergency Services team, in particular Commander Greg Dowd, who kept a vigilant eye on the floodwaters and alerted residents as to what they should do at various times with the Katherine River rising. For the people of Wugularr, it has become a well known fact that the Waterhouse River will rise considerably in the community long before the Katherine River breaks its banks in the town of Katherine. We have learned this from previous years of noticing the Waterhouse break its banks there and flood the town of Beswick.
I also commend the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts for the flood monitoring system in the Katherine region, and also to the Bureau of Meteorology for the constant updating of those statistics on their website so that anyone across the Northern Territory can access up-to-date information. While there may be some problems with the water level monitoring around the Waterhouse and the Wugularr region, I suggest to the department that we can probably do some more work not far up the Waterhouse River region just to ensure that the people of Beswick have statistics that are more appropriate to where they are, especially because the levels there seem to differ greatly at times to the other areas of Katherine region.
A few years ago, I spoke about how Wugularr Primary School was flooded at least three times over the Wet Season, and that raw sewage was flooding into the school. I say with great delight that our government has acted on the serious health and safety issues for the Wugularr people by building a new primary school, costing nearly $3m, on higher ground in the community. It is not only a beautifully designed school for the students and staff, it is also an emergency shelter for residents in the future. This year for the kick-off to the new school year, Wugularr children started in their new school which our government will officially open as soon as is possible for the community and the Department of Education.
I thank, especially at these times of the year, the Nyirranggulung Regional Council, in particular the CEO, Michael Berto, and also Jake at Barunga and Chris Conway, and many of the residents of both Barunga and Beswick who are always on alert. The ACPOs in the region, certainly Maranboy police, do a tremendous job making sure that people are okay, especially in the Wet Season.
I would also like to express thanks to the Fred Hollows Foundation for their continued good work in the Wugularr region. I recently visited the head office of the Fred Hollows Foundation in Sydney to see firsthand the offices and the staff involved with the foundation. The Fred Hollows Foundation is very instrumental in the Barunga/Beswick region and in the town community of Manyallaluk, or Eva Valley, and they have been for many years.
Through their networks we have seen relationships build between the communities and swimmer Ian Thorpe who became involved in the establishment of the Wugularr’s beautiful art centre. The Fred Hollows Foundation also introduced well known journalist and presenter, Jeff McMullan, formally of 60 Minutes fame, who has built a special friendship with the schools in the East Katherine Region with the BackPack Program where books are given to the children in BackPacks so that more reading can be done. It was an idea that began, I understand, from Jeff’s children.
I thank CEO of the Fred Hollows Foundation, Brian Doolan, for taking the time to show me around and to explain the latest initiatives the foundation is doing in remote regions in Australia and the latest place is going to be in New South Wales. It is a credit to the board and staff of the foundation, in particular Gabby Hollows, for persevering in often complex and challenging circumstances in remote regions around the world to improve the lives of those who need help, societies vulnerable and disadvantaged.
While in Sydney, I heard the stories from staffers who are working in Pakistan during the recent assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The stories were about the unrest in that country, unrest that continued right up to the ballot box this week. Thank you to The Fred Hollows team in Sydney, in Darwin – in particular Alison and Tanya. Tanya seems to travel the South Arnhem region as often as I do. Congratulations on the work that you do and keep up the good work.
In Alyangula, at the Australia Day Ceremony Awards, Kylie Dospisil was a recipient and the Gemco Picnic Day was a community event that was recognised. Congratulations to Alyangula and the people of Groote Eylandt for the work that you do on the island and, in particular, Kylie.
Milingimbi Council hosted an Australia Day Achievement Award Ceremony on Saturday. The crowd by midday at the closing of the local store had built up to considerable numbers and so the flag raising ceremony was a special event. I have attended an Australia Day Ceremony at Milingimbi when I was first elected and they are an event well worth attending. I encourage anyone who would like to have a different kind of Australia Day to go Milingimbi.
The flag raising ceremony was conducted by council members, David Marpiyawuy and Mrs Dorothy Buyulminy and the Australian flag was raised by Mr Henry Harper, visiting from Darwin ALPA on invitation of Mr Keith Lapulung, the Council Chairman.
Following the flag raising ceremony, Achievement Award Certificates were given out to long serving local indigenous staff from the following organisations: the Aboriginal Interpreter Service – Margaret Mawurra and Jonathan Yalandhu; from the Council – Joe Mawunydjil, Rexie Anawawdidma, and Clancy Bandhamarra; from the CDEP program – John Baya, Paul Bundutu, Judy Gawuki, and Mark Yingya; from the Milingimbi Health Centre – Beryl Mayanini, a very special lady, congratulations; from the Centrelink office to two outstanding people, Yvonne Dhambirralunni and Jason Mewala, who do incredible work on Milingimbi to help people with their Centrelink business; from the Milingimbi Outstations Progress Resource Association, or MOPRA – Jennifer Yuwatjin, Billy Buyman, and Jacky Manala Nguwarrkpithi; from the Milingimbi Community Education Centre – Charlie Manydjarri Garrawurra, Judy Munymuny Lawuk Ganambarr, and Judy Mgalambirra; from the ALPA store – Marraykama, and Dora Manbangarr; and from TCU - Raylene Ratja and, also, I could never forget the wonderful Daisy Djanydjay Baker who received a community award.
At the completion of the ceremony there was a sausage barbecue enjoyed by all. A special mention: the Milingimbi Council would like to thank the Australia Day Council for their support and, especially, for the cake, and ALPA for the attendance of Mr Harper.
I congratulate the Ramingining Primary School for the recent partnership signing with the Northern Territory government. We had a wonderful day there when we travelled to the community. The school kids were all excited about the day. It is an incredible credit to principal, Coralyn Armstrong and Ronnie Barramala for the event, and to all the staff at Ramingining who do a fantastic job with the students there from the early years. They have children from infants, basically, and young mums coming into the school with their babies right up to Year 12 students. Last year we saw four students from Ramingining graduate from Year 12.
To have the member for Arafura, the Education minister, attend the event and sign the partnership, as well as to see the support of the local families and staff at Ramingining gives great hope to the many achievements that are taking place across our remote schools in the Northern Territory; in particular, those schools I am proud of in Arnhem.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Madam Deputy Speaker, I start tonight by recognising the excellent achievement of Daniel Fawcett, a Palmerston High School student last year. Daniel achieved a perfect score in his final English exam. He was recognised at the NT Board of Studies 2007 Student Awards at Parliament House on 8 February.
I first met Daniel when he came to interview me last year for a school project. He struck me then as an obviously intelligent young man with a great level of personal motivation. I was extremely happy to see him receive a merit certificate at the student awards. When I spoke to him on the night, he advised me that he had been accepted into Adelaide University’s Law School. This was exactly what he had wanted. Congratulations, Daniel, and well done – it is no mean feat at all.
As members of the Assembly are aware, I recently went to Melbourne to visit a couple of super clinics. This trip received some publicity and I am very glad it did. Health services are an extremely important issue for Palmerston residents. As was reported, I accessed my parliamentary entitlement to travel interstate to join the Minister for Health touring two super clinics in Melbourne. I stayed with relatives to keep costs down. I publicly thank them for having me and indulging my love for Papa Luigi’s pizzas. In my humble view, a pizza from Papa Luigi’s is one of Melbourne’s great gastronomic delights.
I also record my thanks to the Victorian Department of Human Services, Northern Health, which manages Craigieburn Health Service and Djerriwarrh Health Services, which manage the Melton Health for the Victorian department. Particularly, I thank the Executive Director of Northern Health, Ms Jenni Gratton-Vaughan; Mr David Grace, Executive Officer; and Mr Bruce Marshall, Chief Executive of Djerriwarrh Health Services. I also thank Mr Craig Guscott, Project Manager from the Victorian Department of Human Services. Craig was a wealth of information about the tender and associated processes that Victoria undertook to get the super clinics built, as well as the actual building.
As the Minister for Health said in this House yesterday, the Palmerston super clinic has as its parameters: 24-hour urgent care services; chronic disease and complex care management services; enhanced outpatient services visiting from Royal Darwin Hospital; enhanced general services and allied health services; integrated primary health care with Danila Dilba; and health services for families of Defence personnel.
The Victorian super clinics are a good model for us to investigate. They represent a new way of delivering health services. The clinics, as it was described to me, sit between the traditional general practitioner clinic and the hospital. I was advised that both clinics had to ensure that local GPs understood that the clinics were not taking their business. In fact, it was emphasised just how much time you had to expend ensuring that you brought private GPs along with you, because having GP services and GPs onside was extremely beneficial to the whole process.
There was also a level of education required for health professionals within the hospital system to fully appreciate what the super clinics could handle. For example, it was second nature for a patient on discharge to be referred to the hospital’s outpatient service. This was something that could be done at the super clinic. This was beneficial to the patient, as it was closer, a friendlier environment and the waiting time was shorter. It was beneficial to the hospital, as it took another person out of its system, freeing up resources.
I asked at one health service if it had, indeed, had a significant impact at the hospital. The answer was that this was still being evaluated. As people inside the hospital, as well as the public, became more aware of the services offered by the super clinic, greater use was witnessed. However, there did seem to be people who still preferred to front at the emergency department at the hospital. This was the case, notwithstanding a lot of work had gone into advising people they could get the same treatment without the long wait at the super clinic.
I asked if there were any theories as to why this might be the case. I was advised that the evaluation should provide answers to this question. One private view, though, was that people were simply used to going to the hospital accident and emergency. They knew they could go there and be seen free of charge. It was something that these people were used to. The super clinic was something new that they were not yet familiar with.
It is clear that we will have to pay a great deal of attention to ensuring the public know what the clinic at Palmerston will cover. We will need to do this through a variety of avenues addressing different audiences. The two super clinics were similar in the services they offered, but not exactly the same. Both were urgent care facilities. Urgent care is different from emergency care. Treatment may be required urgently for a condition, but it is not necessarily a medical emergency. Both clinics had multidisciplinary teams. This enabled the coordinated care approach to patients. Rather than have to go from one place to another to visit different professionals, these teams work together at the clinic. This has the advantage that the teams can meet together to discuss a single patient’s care when that is appropriate.
One of the biggest teams at the Melton clinic was the paediatric team, with the equivalent of 10 full-time staff. This was in recognition of Melton’s young population, although the Craigieburn clinic also offered paediatric services. This seems to me something we should look at repeating at a super clinic in Palmerston, given Palmerston’s and the surrounding areas’ young population, even younger than Melton’s.
I was very interested in the idea of nurse practitioners. I was told the use of nurse practitioners was integral to the success of the clinics. I understand that the Territory is looking at how we might also introduce the nurse practitioner system. This would be a great addition to our ranks of health professionals.
I found the tours to be extremely beneficial. I again thank those who made it possible and allowed us to disrupt their day with a visit. The facilities were very impressive. I encourage the other Palmerston members of parliament to have a look at the clinics.
While in Melbourne, I also met with Ms Katie Howie of the Victorian Department of Justice, and Mr Stan Winford, Senior Legal Adviser to the Victorian Attorney-General. We discussed issues surrounding the Victorian experience of public interest disclosure legislation. I thank them for their time and generous sharing of knowledge. I believe that public interest disclosure legislation can be a useful tool in open and accountable government. In a curious contradiction, it can also hinder government accountability if it is not carefully thought through. It, therefore, pays to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions.
Ms Howie alerted me to an issues paper published by Dr A J Brown in November 2006 titled Public Interest Disclosure Legislation in Australia: Towards the Next Generation. I understand Dr Brown has published a more recent report building on the one I have just mentioned.
As my colleague, the member for Drysdale did, I would like to make mention of Palmlesstonnes, a fantastic community event and one which many people have been getting involved with in the past couple of years and, I am informed, are involved again this year. Congratulations to all involved, particularly Brooke Kimberley who does a great deal of work putting everything together along with other members of the council. It is a great initiative. I would also like to congratulate again the Palmerston City Council for maintaining this program.
Congratulations to the Palmerston City Council for the Australia Day ceremonies they organised, at which the Mayor of Palmerston officiated. It is always good to attend the citizenship swearing-in ceremonies in Palmerston. People from such a wide cross-section of countries of the world attend the citizenship ceremonies to swear their allegiance. Congratulations to those people who did so this year.
I congratulate Perkins Shipping on their 50th year anniversary. I provided my apologies for not being able to attend on the night, and I would like to do so again publicly. I had intended to go, but for reasons outside of my control I was unable to attend. I am reliably informed by my colleague, the member for Port Darwin, that it was an excellent night and it was a shame that I did miss it.
I welcome Brigadier Michael Krause, the Commander of 1st Brigade and his Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Greg Rowlands, as well as the new Commander of 2nd Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Malone. Lieutenant Colonel Greg Rowlands is a Darwin boy. He grew up in the suburb of Wulagi, he told me, and has spent considerable time away, but has now been posted back and is very happy to be back. I am glad he was able to come back here with his family. I hope he is able to stay for some length of time.
The military are a huge part of life in the Top End and certainly in Palmerston with so many of the people who work at Robertson Barracks living in Palmerston as well. The impact is certainly felt in the schools where a large proportion of the school population is Defence families. My office is always more than willing to help anyone, be they Defence families or just people new to the Territory, to help them access information not just on government services, but community services, childcare services, where the doctors surgeries are, all the sorts of things that you try to find out when you are new to a place.
I welcome those officers. I am sure they will have a great time in the Territory. I look forward to catching up with them soon, either on Robertson Barracks or in my office. I look forward to a close working relationship.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016