2007-08-23
Madam Speaker Aagaard took the Chair at 10 am.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Year 11 Tennant Creek High School students accompanied by their teacher, Ms Rebecca McDonald. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I would like to talk this morning about the recent visit of a high-level media delegation from China. China Central Television is China’s largest TV network and, with the assistance of Tourism NT, will be producing a television documentary about the Northern Territory. The five-part documentary, called Journey into the Mystery Land, will focus on our nature and cultural experiences through the eyes of a Chinese traveller. The program will air to an expected audience of between 200 and 300 million people early next year, and it will focus solely on the Territory. That is some exposure!
I was very pleased to host the group with the Minister for Tourism here at Parliament House. The event was also attended by key local industry stakeholders. We were very privileged to have Mr Gao Feng, Director of China Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio and Vice-President of CCTV, visit Darwin and Arnhem Land during his five day visit to the Territory. Mr Gao had not been abroad for a film shoot for around eight years, but he wanted to see the Northern Territory, a great honour for us.
The incredible coverage we are getting does not end with this documentary. China National Geographic Magazine also sent one of their key journalists, Ms Huang Xiu Fang, and they will publish a 25 to 35 page feature on the Territory’s nature and cultural experiences. Mr Wang Zheng, Director of Grand Events from the China Photographers Association, was here too. He is a very well known photographer, recognised by the United Nations for his work and his photos will be used for National Geographic’s Territory supplement. One of China’s most popular radio stations, Beijing Transport Radio Station, broadcast direct from Darwin, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Central Australia.
There is more. Ms Liang Zi is an internationally acclaimed travel writer. She came here to make a documentary about the documentary as well as interviewing Territorians for her television show Global Trekker, and her blog site attracts many thousands of people who follow her travels. Speaking of bloggers, Mr MaXiao Lin is Executive Director and Chief Editor of Bolian Net, a website aimed at academic and educated Chinese. This site receives around 2000 visitors every day. One of his blogs on his Territory trip attracted close to 1000 comments and questions, many of which revolved around the theme of ‘I want to be where you are’. This was amazing coverage, a boon for the Territory and is great for our profile in China.
I also got to meet two very lucky consumers who were part of the delegation: Mr Wu, a business owner, and Ms Tang, a student, won a national competition called Journey to the Mystery Land designed to raise awareness about the Territory. The competition was coordinated by the Territory’s rep in Shanghai, Joseph Sze. Both these winners are ideal examples of the experience-seeking traveller we are targeting.
In 2006, over 120 000 or 41% of visitors to Australia from China used the Internet when planning their visit here. Most used it to find out more about us after they had made the decision to visit. This shows there are incredible opportunities for us to market directly to Chinese consumers. We want our tourism operators to develop a range of attractive products and experiences that will enable the Territory to increase its share of Chinese visitors. To ensure we are ready to tap into this interest this extensive media coverage will undoubtedly generate, we are now working with inbound tour operators, web-based Chinese companies and Chinese-based Aussie specialists to make sure all run smoothly next year.
I thank our local industry sponsors and our national partners for all they have done to make this visit such a success. Importantly, I acknowledge the efforts of Tourism NT. They have done a great job and I congratulate them and their minister, of course, on their great efforts.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition welcomes the report. There is nothing more important than having people-to-people exchanges to build mutual understanding between two very important and compatible places on the globe. The Territory has a long history with China going right back to the early days. So we have a lot to offer and this kind of facilitation from government is to be commended.
I have to make comment on an issue that underlies all of this, which has been given no reference from government. That is the concern about human rights within China. On one level we have facilitation of people-to-people exchanges, and that is good, but the need for politely and respectfully drawing attention to the need for political reform within China is something we must not shy away from, coupled with the reality of the commercial impact China has on the Northern Territory, on Australia, and on the globe, which is significant.
I would like to see a little deeper reflection on some of the impacts of that on our own economy rather than trying to paint the picture, which is really quite false, that the effect on our economy is a result of the policies of the current government. In fact, the impact of China is colossal, not just in the Northern Territory, on all those resource-rich states and right around the globe. There is also concern about quality of goods coming from China. You might have seen news today that China might have to recall Australian flags because they have produced them upside down. There are a lot of issues. It’s not all glossy.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, your time has expired. Chief Minister, in response.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, these reports are a good mechanism in this parliament. I would hope that if we are talking about building tourism with China, a very big and growing market for Australia, we would have a sensible response from the member for Blain.
This is about tourism and raising issues of human rights is fine, but I would have thought you would have seen the link in terms of engagement that is so important to have tourism. The federal government has issues that they need to deal with, and we have a Foreign Affairs Minister for that. At the local level in the Territory, I would have thought that one of key ways we can engage with China and look at issues identified by the member of Blain is tourism. We should invite Chinese tourists to Australia, to the Territory to look at another way of life. That is what we have done so successfully through this delegation, through the exposure the Territory will have.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Mr HENDERSON (Tourism): Madam Speaker, I would like to update the House on how the aviation industry is moving ahead in the Northern Territory. In the last few years, we have seen steady growth in both international and domestic capacity and passenger numbers.
As at April 2007, federal government statistics showed domestic passenger numbers increasing at all of the Territory’s three major airports: Darwin, Alice Spring and Ayers Rock. Domestic passenger numbers through Darwin Airport will reach over one million for the 2006-07 financial year, a record level.
International capacity into Darwin has increased by over 60% in the last six years and we expect that capacity to further increase over the next six months. Domestic capacity levels for August 2007 for Darwin are at record levels, and growing at approximately 15% per year. Both Alice Spring and Ayers Rock are also showing positive growth.
Over the past three months, a series of announcements of new or increased services into the Territory has highlighted the growing tourism demand for the Northern Territory. It also signals the success that we’ve had in negotiations with domestic and international airlines.
It is estimated that over 300 000 additional seats per year have been committed to by Qantas, JetStar and Tiger Airways for their inbound and outbound domestic and international services. The announcement by Tiger Airways Australia in late June to commence daily services between Darwin and Melbourne as its first two domestic destinations was very warmly welcomed by Territorians, as it was by me. This is tremendous news following the hard work put in by Team NT, including the Northern Territory government and the Northern Territory airports, in pitching for services to the Territory.
It is crucial for the growth of tourism in Central Australia that we develop competition in air services into that market. The further announcement by Tiger Airways Australia that it will begin three services per week between Melbourne and Alice Springs commencing in December is great news. It will add over 1000 seats a week on that route. I really hope Centralians support Tiger Airways, and I am sure they will. Lead-in fares of under $50 will help stimulate a new market for Alice Springs.
Ms Martin: $39.95.
Mr HENDERSON: $39.95! It is going down. It is going down and it is great news for Alice Springs. It will also benefit those locals wanting to travel interstate. People from Alice Springs and Tennant Creek will be able to get down to Melbourne for the footy for less than a hundred bucks. That’s not bad, is it?
The Territory government will continue to work with other airlines such as Virgin Blue to increase aviation capacity in Central Australia. Qantas has tapped into the Central Australian market with an additional four flights a week from Sydney to Alice Springs during the peak tourism season. Reinforcing its commitment to the Territory, Qantas has announcing a series of upgrades to its Territory services. They will now operate a year-round three days a week daylight Sydney to Darwin service, with possible increases in the peak season. It has also announced increased capacity on its Darwin to Cairns and Darwin to Alice Springs services.
An enormous achievement for the Territory is Qantas’ announcement that it will base an additional B717 in Darwin. This will create a further 30 jobs for crews, flight attendants and engineers, great news for Territorians.
Closer ties between Melbourne and Darwin will be developed through the announcement by Tiger Airways Australia of daily services from December 2007, and by Jetstar to begin daily services on the route by October 2007. It just goes to show what a bit of competition can do. This translates to an estimated additional 13 000 seats on the Melbourne to Darwin sector each year, so a lot of Territorians from Darwin will be able to get down to Melbourne for the footy as well.
The announcement by Tiger further strengthens Darwin’s progress as an international hub airport. Passengers on Tiger services between Melbourne and Singapore will contribute to the expansion of Darwin as a hub port in the coming years.
International charter services between Japan and the Territory continue to play an important role in attracting visitors from this challenging market. 2007 has seen two charters from Japan into the Territory, and the first ever charter into Darwin. Tourism NT is negotiating further charters in 2007 and into 2008.
We are currently undertaking a revision and update of our Northern Territory Aviation Strategy to take us into the future. A big issue for most people in the Territory is more day time flights, but the discount carriers fly back of the clock for the cheap fares, and Qantas is increasing their day time services.
This strategy provides direction in the key areas of domestic and international air access, regional air access and freight, and aviation support industries. Through this strategy, we will continue to develop new aviation links and work with airlines to develop tourism opportunities. Equally as important, we will continue to undertake the crucial task of maintaining and developing relationships with those airlines that already service the Northern Territory.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the Minister for Tourism for his report. Of course, our tourism is a great driver of the Northern Territory economy, particularly in my home town of Alice Springs. It is great to hear that the skies of the Northern Territory are opening up, as indicated by the minister.
Aviation plays a vital role, of course, in the Territory. It always has and, no doubt, always will. Choice, I know, is a big concern for air travellers in the Northern Territory. We live in this remote part of Australia here, and particularly in Alice Springs, and it is great to hear some of those figures from the minister. I do hope the Northern Territory government will continue to pursue further options for air travellers. I hope that Territorians will support the new service by Tiger Airways, soon to come to Alice Springs. I also look forward to a briefing on tourism by the minister.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I do not believe the flights to Melbourne are going to affect the issue of the footy finals. I do not believe Melbourne is going to make the grand final.
It is good to know that Tiger Airways may be getting to Alice Springs. We are not going to hold our breath. I know they have announced it, and I hope you are right, minister, that it will go ahead. The cost of seats out of Alice Springs at the moment is enormous, and trying to get a seat on a flight is really difficult. We need to ensure that these airlines deliver, because Alice Springs is the hub, as you know, of the Territory. Perhaps you do not believe us, but it is.
What about Tennant Creek and Katherine? How are the Tennant Creek people going to get to Alice Springs? They have to drive or go by bus. We really should be encouraging airlines to make a proper, daily service to the small regional centres so that they can enjoy the benefits of these new services either from Alice Springs or Darwin.
It is good that you have managed to achieve these extra services to the Territory. There is no doubt about it. It is interesting that the domestic numbers are at such a record high at the moment. We all know that is reflected in what is happening when we try to book a seat.
I understand that Alice Springs Airport has many delays with the introduction of luggage screening. I am unsure of how that can be sped up so that flights are not delayed to the extent they are at the moment.
Minister, do make sure that we get a decent service to Alice Springs, that we can benefit the same as Darwin. Do not be too Darwin-focussed. Also, think about those regional centres. Why shouldn’t they have daily services so they can utilise the services you keep promising us?
Mr HENDERSON (Tourism): Madam Speaker, I thank both members for their supportive comments. As Minister for Tourism, it has been a key priority for me since taking over the portfolio, to establish good relationships with airlines and I will continue that work.
A key issue I always talk about is competition for Alice Springs. It is great. I believe Tiger Airways will deliver. They have delivered everything they have said they are going to deliver so far, and it is certainly great to see there is going to be that competition into Alice Springs. We will continue discussions with Virgin Blue and JetStar. Competition brings more competition, so I urge all Territorians to shop around and support competition. The benefits of that competition are more tourists to and more jobs in the Northern Territory. I urge members from Central Australia to encourage people to support the airlines as they fly into Alice.
Mr McADAM (Corporate and Information Services): Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to welcome the students from Tennant Creek High School and, of course, the teachers.
Madam Speaker, I was pleased to attend the Telstra Business Awards along with the Chief Minister on Tuesday of this week. As the Communications minister, I was delighted that two of the three specific awards and the major award was won by ICT company SRA.
In this Communication’s portfolio, I have been fortunate enough to associate with a number of dynamic and committed entrepreneurs in the Territory’s information and communication technology industry. Chief amongst these local operators is Director of SRA, Mr Steve Rowe. In addition to being the principal of such an important and impressive company as SRA, Steve is also the Chair of the Australian Information Industry Association NT Chapter and the NT ICT Industry Development Group. As such, Steve is one of the major stakeholders in the ICT industry in the Territory.
Steve has been the proprietor of SRA, based in the Territory for 16 years, and has previously worked as a management consultant and teacher. No stranger to awards prior to scooping the pool at the Telstra Awards on Tuesday, Steve and his company have already had a very impressive list of awards, including: 2007 NT Research and Innovation Awards – Chief Minister’s Award; 2007 NT Research and Innovation Awards – Minister for Business and Economic Development Award; 2006 Asia Pacific ICT Awards – Recognition Award, Macau; 2006 Australian Information Industry ICT Awards – ICT Innovation in Agriculture and Primary Sector Award; 2006 Australian Information Industry ICT Awards – ICT Innovation in Corporate Social Responsibility Award; and the 2005 NT ICT Awards – Platinum Award.
Members will be aware of the prestige associated with the Telstra Business Awards. Finalists are selected under strict criteria with stringent benchmarking against industry standards. To become a finalist in the Telstra Business Awards, it means that businesses are being measured against the best in Australia and the world. I am sure all members share my pride in the Territory enterprises that were showcased at the awards.
In addition, it is also important to recognise the sponsors without whom the awards would not take place: the Australian Government Micro Business Award for five employees or fewer was won by Alice Springs Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, the proprietor being Tess Horton who was also the joint Centralian of the Year last year; the MYOB Business Award for six to 20 employees was won by Northern Stainless Pty Ltd whose proprietor is Mr Darren Colbert; the Panasonic Australia Business Award for 21 to 50 employees was won by NTESS Fire Consultants of which Frank Farley and Paul LeMesurier are co-Directors; the Hudson Business Award for 51 to 100 employees wen to SRA Information Technology Pty Ltd; and the AMP Innovation Award also went to SRA Information Technology. As I mentioned, SRA also took out the Telstra Business Award.
SRA was created in 1991 and has undergone the struggle that any developing enterprise experiences. SRA’s primary area of capability is in the development of application software. SRA takes pride in developing software to suit the clients rather than to suit technology. The list of services SRA provides includes: consultants for specific projects; system analysis and requirements definition; development of websites and web-based applications; feasibility studies; IT strategic planning; provision of a development team to work with client staff; training, support and skills transfer; and licensing of Oracle Software. SRA is going from strength to strength with offices in Darwin, Adelaide, Canberra and, most recently, Perth, with a staff of 85 and growing. It is also pleasing to note that SRA is, at the moment, in the process of opening an office in Singapore.
It is important that we recognise and nurture our ITC industry in the Territory. We are fortunate enough to have a natural range of industries to rely upon to create wealth and employment. The ICT industry, however, provides the capacity for a high technology, value-adding sector to the economy. I am confident that with industry leaders such as Steve Rowe anchored in the Territory, we are able to look forward to a vibrant and viable ICT industry into the future.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for this report. Once again, this is a good news story. Can I add my and the opposition’s congratulations to everyone who participated at the Telstra Business Awards, the finalists and the winners, in particular. SRA is a success story. As the minister said, they are going from strength to strength. Opening offices all around the country and moving overseas can only be described as a fabulous effort.
An employer with 85 staff, this is a business on the up and up. The importance of the ICT industry should never be underestimated. I note that the minister said that it generates wealth and employment. Indeed, it does, and what wonderful services it provides to its customers and, in a broader sense, to everyone in the Northern Territory. I join with the minister to congratulate SRA and Steve Rowe and his team and, with the minister, wish them more successes for the future.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders.
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The purpose of the bill is to amend the Bail Act in order to reverse the current presumption in favour of bail in relation to an accused person charged with a serious sexual offence. It requires the court to consider additional criteria such as the protection of an alleged victim of a sexual offence in deciding whether to grant bail, and give effect to recommendation 35 of the Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.
Reducing rates of violent crime is one of the government’s key law reform priorities and a review of bail as it applies to alleged sexual offenders is a key element of this agenda.
In developing this bill, extensive consultation has taken place with numerous individuals and organisations within the legal profession as well as victims groups and domestic and family violence organisations. I acknowledge that the policy decisions reflected in the bill are contentious and do not have the support of everyone within the legal profession. It is not a step that I take lightly, but the government has made the deliberate decision to put the protection of women and children first. After having the courage to report a serious sexual offence, women and children must have the right to feel safe from the alleged attacker. The bill helps to achieve this goal which is why it has been welcomed by many stakeholders, particularly those who have experienced working with victims of these crimes.
I turn now to the detail of the bill. Clause 4 inserts a number of new definitions into the Bail Act including: ‘child’, ‘conduct agreement’, ‘Commonwealth sexual offence’, and ‘Territory sexual offence’. The definition of ‘Commonwealth sexual offence’ is:
These elements are references to serious Commonwealth sexual offences contained in the Crimes Act 1914, the Criminal Code Act 1995 and the Customs Act 1901. By inserting this new definition, the bill makes it explicit that the Bail Act as amended will also apply to serious sexual offences listed in Commonwealth legislation.
A ‘Territory sexual offence’ is an indictable offence containing one or more of the elements set out in the definition. For consistency, the definition of ‘Territory sexual offence’ is similar to that contained in the Evidence of Children Amendment Bill 2007 passed by the House on Tuesday.
Clause 5 then inserts a definition of ‘serious sexual offence’. A serious sexual offence is defined as:
It also includes an offence for which a lesser maximum penalty is prescribed for procuring a child under the age of 16 years to engage in sexual intercourse or an indecent act; the indecent assault of a child under 16 years where the offender is an adult; or an act of gross indecency in public where the act is committed by an adult in the presence of a child.
Offences that will fall within the definition of ‘serious sexual offence’ include sexual intercourse without consent as a Territory offence, and in the Commonwealth context, rape as a war crime; various offences relating to indecent dealing with children or maintaining a sexual relationship with a child; offences relating to child sex tourism, sexual slavery and forced prostitution; and the possession, production and distribution of child pornography or child abuse material, and the use of such materials to groom or procure children for the purpose of committing sexual offences.
I move to clause 6, which is at the heart of this government’s reforms. Through this clause, section 7A of the Bail Act is amended so that a presumption against the grant of bail exists in relation to serious sexual offences. Under this section, a presumption against bail currently exists in relation to a number of offences including murder, treason and serious drug offences. A presumption against bail also extends to some sexual offences that already come within the definition of a serious violence offence, but only in certain limited circumstances where the alleged offender is an adult accused of committing the relevant offence while on bail for another serious offence and has previously been found guilty of a further serious offence within a specified period, being 10 years in the case of a serious violence offence or two years in the case of another offence with a maximum penalty of five or more years imprisonment.
Whilst this provision will be applicable in some cases of alleged sexual offending, it will only apply to an accused with previous relatively high level contact with the criminal justice system. In the government’s view, the current provision does not adequately address the issues and risks that exist in relation to sexual offending. In general terms, the community rightly regards sexual offences, particularly those relating to children, as more abhorrent than other types of offending.
Research indicates that some sexual offenders are more likely than other types of offenders to serially re-offend. Therefore, there are strong grounds to impose higher restrictions on the ability of a person accused of a sexual offence to access bail.
Research further indicates that reversing the presumption on the basis of a recorded history of offending will have a limited effect. In light of these points, the government has determined that the presumption in favour of bail should be reversed in all matters involving a charge of a serious sexual offence.
Clause 7 amends section 24 of the Bail Act, which deals with the criteria to be taken into account by the court or authorised member when determining whether to grant bail. It sets out the only matters that are allowed to be considered when deciding whether bail should be granted. Section 24 currently allows the court or authorised member to consider the probability of the person appearing before court following release on bail, the interests of the person, the protection and welfare of the community, and specific factors relating to the protection of victims of domestic violence. It is proposed to amend section 24: first, by requiring the court to consider the risk of the accused person committing an offence, breaching the peace, breaching their bail conditions or interfering with evidence, witnesses or jurors; second, by specifically requiring the court to consider the risk to the safety or welfare of the alleged victim, his or her close relatives and any other person who could be at risk given the circumstances of the case. Where the victim is a child the court is also required to consider the risk proposed to any caregiver where that person is not the child’s close relative; and, third, by inserting a new subsection providing that the risks that the court must have regard to include the potential for violence and intimidation, property damage and harassment.
New subsection 4 provides that where the alleged victim is a child or the offences are serious sexual or violence offences, particular care must be taken in considering the alleged victim’s safety and welfare.
New subsection 6 also provides that it is the prosecution’s responsibility to inform the court or authorised member of any concerns expressed by an alleged victim for their safety or welfare in connection with the release of the accused on bail.
Finally, section 24 is amended to incorporate recommendation 35 of the Little Children are Sacred report. The report found that communities were concerned about the potential effect that the release of an alleged perpetrator back into the community may have on the child victim. To address these concerns, the board recommended that specific provisions be inserted into the Bail Act to require the court or authorised member to take into account, among other things, the age of the child and the accused person, the proposed living arrangements for the child and the accused person, the desirability of preserving the child’s living arrangements and family and community relationships. This recommendation has been adopted and the considerations I listed are now spelled out in section 24(5).
Madam Speaker, at this point I will make a few comments on the Commonwealth government’s approach to this issue. On 17 August 2007, the Commonwealth parliament passed the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007. The Commonwealth act, at section 90, directs the Northern Territory Bail Authority to (a) consider the potential impact on the alleged victim, witness or potential witness of the alleged offender’s release on bail; and (b) give specific consideration to these issues when the victim is from a remote community.
As I mentioned previously, the Northern Territory bill contains complementary provisions directing the Bail Authority to have regard to risk to the alleged victim, relatives and carers, and adopting the report recommendation 35 regarding the victim’s age, the victim and the alleged offender’s current and proposed living arrangements, the need for the alleged victim as far as possible to maintain his or her living arrangements and community relationships. While the Commonwealth amendments are directed at victims from remote communities, the Northern Territory position is that increased protection for victims, regardless of where they live, is the better outcome.
The provision of the Commonwealth act overlaps with the Northern Territory bill but the two are not inconsistent. For this reason, it will be possible for a Bail Authority to address the considerations set out in both the Commonwealth act and this bill when determining a grant of bail. As a result, no changes have been made to the Northern Territory bill in light of the Commonwealth’s intervention.
Returning to the provisions of the bill, to best give effect to the changes I have outlined, the bill proposes that current sections 27A and 28 be repealed and replaced. Current section 27A relates to conditions of non-association and place restriction which might be imposed on an alleged offender. Under the changes, the capacity of the court or authorised member to impose a condition of non-association and place restriction under section 27A is replaced by a system of conduct agreements set out in new section 27A.
New section 27A sets out the constraints that may be included in a conduct agreement, such as prohibitions on an accused person associating or communicating with specified persons, being within or moving outside a specified locality, and consuming alcohol or other drugs. The bill provides a contravention of the conduct agreement is to be regarded as a breach of a bail condition. The court may, however, excuse a breach of this nature if satisfied that the accused had a reasonable excuse for the contravention.
New section 28 provides that in granting bail, the court or authorised member must impose the bail conditions necessary to minimise risk to the safety or welfare of others or to the proper administration of justice. Section 28 further provides that these conditions must be proportionate to the risks.
Madam Speaker, these reforms are directed at increasing the protection available to all alleged victims of serious sexual offences, and in particular child victims. This is an objective the government takes very seriously. I have therefore directed the Department of Justice to closely monitor the operation of these provisions and ensure they are achieving their objectives. I have also asked the department to submit the provisions to formal review after two years of operation.
I commend the bill to honourable members and table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent four bills entitled Taxation Administration Bill 2007 (Serial 108), First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 109), Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 110), and Revenue Law Reform (Stamp Duty) Bill 2007 (Serial 111):
(a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regard to, respectively, the second readings; the committee’s report stage; and the third reading of the bills together; and
(b) the consideration of the bills separately in the Committee of the Whole.
Motion agreed to.
Bills presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that the bills be now read a second time.
These bills put in place a new taxation administration framework that provides standard rules for the administration of payroll tax and stamp duties. The centrepiece of the package is the new Taxation Administration Act, which is the end result of several extensive and useful consultation processes. This consultation with key stakeholders and users of the legislation has brought about a number of amendments and refinements along the way. I extend my thanks to the many professional groups and expert advisers who have provided input into the development of the legislation.
The new Taxation Administration Act contains more detail than the existing law, providing greater certainty on how it will be administered. This will help to reduce red tape, saving both taxpayer compliance costs and government administration costs. It is based on the model adopted by New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, providing greater consistency across the states and territories. It will also provide increased efficiencies for taxpayers who operate across a number of jurisdictions.
The details of this package of bills are as follows. First and most importantly, the bills introduce a new Taxation Administration Act that will provide a simpler, clearer and standardised taxation administration framework for taxpayers, practitioners and administrators. The various administrative provisions provide for, amongst other things, the processes for paying tax, lodging returns and applications, reviewing decisions of the Commissioner of Territory Revenue, collecting tax, and ensuring compliance with the taxation acts.
Second, the amendments align the Stamp Duty Act with the new Taxation Administration Act. Some stamp duty provisions have been redrafted to use more contemporary legislative drafting style and to take advantage of updated terminology used in the new Taxation Administration Act. I emphasise that the policy behind the taxing provisions has not changed. The provisions have simply been redrafted for greater clarity and ease of reference.
Third, the current Pay-roll Tax Act and First Home Owner Grant Act have been amended to remove administrative provisions that are common to the new Taxation Administration Act such as investigation powers, confidentiality provisions and a review of the Commissioner’s decisions. Common terminology and provisions used in the Taxation Administration Act have also been incorporated into these acts. Again, there have been no changes made to the operation of the taxing provisions.
I turn to the overview of the new Taxation Administration Act. One of the key reasons for introducing new taxation administration arrangements is to standardise administration practises into one act that covers payroll tax, stamp duties and, to a lesser extent, the first home owner grant. Because the Commissioner of Territory Revenue is also responsible for administering mineral royalties, the new Taxation Administration Act’s standardised objection and appeal process which will also apply to mineral royalty decisions.
The new Taxation Administration Act provides common rules for the administration of payroll tax and stamp duties relating to the assessment of tax liabilities, refunds of tax, interest and penalty tax, returns, the payment and recovery of tax, record keeping rules, investigations, the disclosure of information, objections and appeals, and the prosecution of tax offences.
The new Taxation Administration Act also introduces the following new major practises and policies. In relation to assessments, the Commissioner can make an assessment on the basis of all information that is available to the Commissioner, including making an estimated assessment of a taxpayer’s liability where, for example, a taxpayer fails to lodge an instrument or return. In very limited circumstances, the Commissioner can make a negotiated assessment with the written agreement of the taxpayer. This recognises that through no fault of either the Commissioner or the taxpayer, there are unusual cases in which it is difficult to determine the taxpayer’s liability in a timely or cost-effective manner. However, the Commissioner cannot be compelled to make such an assessment. The new act also introduces a standard reassessment period that is generally limited to five years from the time of the initial assessment. This period is aligned with the entitlement of taxpayers to a refund of tax that has been overpaid and is consistent with the reassessment periods applied in the other states and territories.
A significant feature of the new Taxation Administration Act is that it requires taxpayers and their advisors to disclose all the facts and circumstances that will enable the Commissioner to correctly assess the taxpayer’s liability. Failure to do so is an offence subject to certain defences such as the taxpayer making a full disclosure to their advisor, and then relying on the advisor to make the disclosure. This requirement replaces the current inefficient process that can cause unnecessary delay in making the tax assessment, and enable someone to frustrate the process of making a tax assessment by withholding information until it is sought by the Commissioner.
Another aspect of the proposed laws is that the Commissioner may request a written valuation from the taxpayer where tax is determined by reference to the value of property. The Commissioner may recover from a taxpayer the cost of obtaining his own valuation if the taxpayer fails to provide a valuation when requested by the Commissioner, or the valuation obtained by the Commissioner exceeds the taxpayer’s valuation by 15% or more.
In relation to refunds of overpaid tax, the Commissioner will be able to credit the refund against other tax payable by a taxpayer or, with the taxpayer’s consent, against a future tax liability of the taxpayer. This process will alleviate businesses from the need to make payments when they are in credit, and provides for a more efficient tax collecting mechanism as the Commissioner is not required to refund an amount of tax and pursue the same taxpayer for an outstanding tax liability.
Furthermore, where the person seeking the refund of tax has recovered the tax from another person, refunds of tax may only be made where the Commissioner is satisfied that arrangements have been made to pass that refund onto the person who actually bore the incidence of the tax.
The new act has a comprehensive set of rules for imposing interest and penalty tax. Penalty tax of up to 200% was previously imposed by the legislation, with the Commissioner’s discretion to remit any amount of the penalty imposed. This discretion was administered through the issue of written guidelines which included rules for imposing an administrative interest charge.
The new penalty scheme is substantially the same as that embodied in the Commissioner’s administrative arrangements. The new scheme imposes interest on unpaid tax at the prescribed rate until the tax is paid in full. The prescribed rate is composed of a simple interest market rate determined each financial year, and a premium component to act as a deterrent to the Territory being used as a source of finance for tax debts.
In relation to penalty tax, the new act provides for a more certain and transparent approach to levying penalty tax and imposes the penalty tax on a scale that reflects the nature of the tax default by the taxpayer. For example, the bottom of the scale is that no penalty tax is imposed if the Commissioner is satisfied that the tax default arose from circumstances beyond a taxpayer’s control, and reasonable steps were taken to rectify the default. In contrast, at the top of the scale, penalty tax of 95% will apply if the taxpayer intentionally disregarded a taxation law and deliberately concealed information or hindered the investigations of the Commissioner. The Commissioner is also able to reduce penalty tax if a taxpayer makes a full disclosure of a tax default or cooperates fully during an investigation.
The new Taxation Administration Act also enables the Commissioner to approve special tax return arrangements for the lodgement and payment of tax, including special conditions such as specific record keeping requirements. These special tax return arrangements will provide flexibility in tax administration, and allow the Commissioner to respond to individual circumstances and changes in the way that business is conducted generally.
Similarly, the new act sets out the general administrative framework for arrangements to pay tax by instalments where a taxpayer is experiencing financial hardship. Such instalment arrangements were previously provided on an administrative basis.
A good taxation administration scheme provides sufficient powers for the prompt collection of tax and the effective recovery of unpaid tax. The new act includes a new mechanism that applies after a company has failed to pay its tax on time, and a notice has been served on the directors of the company. If the directors do not make the company take a commercially sensible action to address the continued non-payment of tax, then they personally become jointly liable for the tax owed by the company.
The new act also extends the Commissioner’s ability under the existing stamp duty landholder rules to restrict dealings in land by placing an encumbrance over land acquired under a transaction where tax has not been paid. If the tax remains unpaid for an extended period of time, an order to sell the land to recover the unpaid tax can be made to the Supreme Court.
To protect the Territory’s revenue, the Commissioner is currently empowered to investigate non-compliance with the taxation laws, including avoidance or evasion. The new act places limits on the Commissioner’s investigation powers in line with more contemporary standards.
The scheme of investigation powers clarifies the purposes for which an investigation can be conducted, including to determine whether a tax liability exists, audit tax records, gather information relevant to an objection or appeal against a decision of the Commissioner, determine whether a taxation law has been contravened or gather evidence of this, and to decide an application made under taxation law.
In administering the taxation laws, the Commissioner is provided with information relating to the personal, business or commercial affairs of tax payers. Given the nature of the information and the fact that the Commissioner may compel its provision, appropriate limitations are necessary on the disclosure of the information by the Commissioner, staff, former staff and others acquiring the information. The new Taxation Administration Act provides for the confidentiality of information under one act, whereas each taxation law previously had different provisions about the confidentiality of information.
In concluding, the new Taxation Administration and related bills will simplify and clarify components of the Territory’s taxation scheme. I have not set out in detail other features of the bill as they are broadly similar to the operation of the current taxation legislation.
Madam Speaker, further details about the bills are set out in the accompanying explanatory statements. I commend the bills to honourable members and I table copies of the explanatory statements.
Debate adjourned.
Continued from 20 June 2007
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, this is welcomed by the opposition, but, more importantly, there are many Territorians who have come from other places or visited other states and had the opportunity to play a game of paintball and would like to see it operate in the Territory. It is a good step forward and we thank government for taking this on board and introducing it in the Territory. There are many people who will be following this with great interest, as there are people who are interested in being involved in what is a very popular sport in many other states, all barring, at this stage, Tasmania.
Mrs Braham: I wonder why!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Please continue, member for Blain.
Mr MILLS: Thank you. One of the characters over there issued a flyer heralding how great and reformist this government is by saying these are the great things that they have done and they are now going to legalise paintball, which the CLP made illegal. Technically, it is correct, but that was at a time when there was a similar view taken by all jurisdictions around the country. I am not apologising for or defending what happened in the past. There is an historic context there. Other jurisdictions have now looked at the issue, thought it through and are allowing those who choose to participate in a sport like this the opportunity to do so.
It is not for everyone, and not everyone is going to enjoy it. There are those who have a little aversion to this kind of activity, and I suspect the member for Braitling is going to have a shot, although not with a paintball marker. There are people who will have some kind of aversion because it looks dangerous and perhaps violent, but I have seen such people have a go at it. I was at a 50th birthday not so long ago on the Gold Coast, and those who were avowed pacifists who marched during their uni days are now middle-aged and thought it perhaps not kosher for us to be involved, absolutely loved it. It is a hoot. I reckon there will be many in this Chamber who are really going to enjoy having the opportunity …
Mrs Braham: Did you get any bruises? Were you bruised when you played it?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling.
Ms Martin: It is not compulsory, Loraine.
Mr MILLS: You should be leading by example.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: The member for Braitling refers to herself as being the senior member of the Chamber, been here more than most of us, and we expect her to set a fine example. You will have an opportunity for your chance to say whatever it is on your mind about this.
Mrs Braham: I will.
Mr MILLS: Yes, and I look forward to seeing you on the paintball field. There are some important matters that need to be discussed. First is the historic and social context and it being regarded as a firearm. Those of us who have had experience with firearms know that there is particular care and training and attitude that we must have when approaching a firearm and anything to do with a firearm. Legislation is framed around the very nature of a firearm, and all that a firearm can do and its uses for sport or as part of your work.
It is this matter of the definition and attitude towards a firearm where there are some problems with paintball. It is reflected in the bill and it comes down to definition. The reference to the paintball gun as a firearm puts it immediately into a different context. Those who are involved in this as a sport do not see it as a firearm, but as a marker. These implements have an industrial use, and they use them in the pastoral industry as a marker for marking stock or sending out a tranquiliser. The paint is propelled by air and it is not seen as firearm.
There is a problem when we have the notion of a paintball marker caught up in the idea of it being a firearm. Those of us who have had military or firearms training know that you should never, ever point a weapon at anyone because they can be fatal. We cross a line when we regard this as a firearm, by definition within the legislation, and proceed to permit the pointing of this implement at people, calling it a firearm when it has no ballistic capacity. It is, in fact, technically a marker.
Mr Kiely: A blank will lift your head off.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: It was not a provocative statement. It is a matter of definition, which has some importance. If we are going to go down this path, which I fully support, a responsible position we must take is the definition of the implement. If it be a firearm, that is a different proposition all together from it being a marker. Anyone who has used a firearm knows that you never, ever point it at anyone because of what is implied and possible.
I urge the minister to be prepared for this discussion because flowing through this legislation is the definition of the implement as firearm, a gun, a weapon. That sends a message that I cannot support. We need to create a separate category so that it sits by itself as a specific category; paintball marker. When we get it tied up with the definition of firearm, a whole a lot of other ideas are unleashed and flow through the legislation and our managing of this problem. It is a problem that can be diffused by getting the definition clear. We do not want to run against the message that we run in responsible firearms training, and it would compromise that message if we have the paintball implement categorised as a firearm.
This will benefit those who are sporting shooters; it will alleviate some of their concerns if we create this definition shift within the legislation. If we want to go down that path, I am happy to do so in the committee stage where we can do so quite easily without raising the ire of members over there because they put it up and therefore it must be defended because whatever I am saying cannot be right because I am on the other side and government will not consider it. What I am saying is worth taking on board for reasons of soundness in our approach to firearms and the sport of paintball.
It appears all the way through; the paintball field is called a ‘range’. That immediately introduces the idea that you are on a rifle range. No one really plays paintball on a range; it is played in a field. It is referred to as a ‘firearm’. It is a marker and, technically, the definition fits. It is a marker, therefore, it should sit in a separate category. The definition of ‘paintball pellets’ is redundant; it is a paintball. These are paintballs. They have a plastic coating, which is filled with gelatinous clay. That is the paintball. Calling it a ‘paintball pellet’ takes us closer again to the idea of it being a firearm with a harmful pellet that may come out of it. If you get the definition clearer, it strengthens the concept that it is not a firearm and we are not on a rifle range.
That is the first part I would like to ensure that we look at. I note that the minister has committed to a review after 12 months and I welcome that. Either we have the battle now with regard to these definitions - and it is an important shift that we need to consider taking because right at the outset, we lay the proper foundations - or we wait for the 12 month or three-year review, and make the alterations so that we get the definitions clearer in the interests of our young people and a healthy respect and understanding of the difference between a firearm and a marker. There is a difference between playing a game where you point a marker at someone and fire a paintball and a gun on a rifle range. We do not want people running around and playing with guns.
That then allows us to look at it in a different way. We see it then as a sport. It is an international sport. The Chief Minister has spoken this morning about the opportunity for tourism, and the Tourism Minister reported today on airline capacity and competition. I have been to paintball fields in other states, New South Wales and Queensland, and the number of visitors to those fields is quite impressive. There are people who are doing it for the first time just as something extra to do, corporate groups having a go, or a bunch of 50-years-old, who should know better, running around doing it on a visit to the Gold Coast, having a great time.
It is going to be a real winner for the Territory. We have the lifestyle to augment such an opening of a …
Mr Wood: Lifestyle!
Mr MILLS: Yes, we have not heard that word for a while.
Mr Wood: We have a new term this time.
Mr MILLS: Yes. It is really going to add another plank to what is on offer in the Territory. Most people, when you go around in other states, and I know the minister would have experienced this, are amazed that the Territory, with the image that it once had and still has to some degree, does not permit its residents to play paintball. It seems to run against the idea of what a Territorian is or what the Territory lifestyle is all about. It is good that we are moving in that direction.
I urge the minister to take on board the primary issue of the definitions. I heard what the sporting shooters had to say. When I started talking about this, that was their concern. If we could separate that definition, it satisfies their agenda, their interests are noted and they are worthy of note. It also allows management of the paintball industry in a different way. Once we have it as a classification under the firearms legislation, then you have a licensing regime that reflects that. If it were a stand-alone category, we would be able to package the legislation in a different and a more suitable way, one that can better serve the interests of this as recreation and a business for the Territory.
There are a number of points that I would like to make, but that is the biggest shift that needs to occur. I would hope that the minister can take that on board and revisit the legislation on that basis. Take the approach that we can separate the definitions. We will go through that in committee stage if the minister would like to.
The second point relates to confusion. The second reading speech indicated that you are not able to have private ownership of a marker, but it appears in one passage, and I am trying to find it, that there is an opportunity to do so. I think it is in clause 17. As we go through the committee stage, I will look at it as a point of clarification. There seems to be a possibility that if you have a category C licence, you are able to own one and keep it at home in your safe. I will come back to that when we are in committee.
In reference to the second reading speech, there are a couple of mentions of ‘approved safety courses’. I expect to hear some details as to what is planned with regards to these approved safety courses. Are they already in place? How are they established? How much does it cost to do an approved safety course? How advanced are we in this important part of the move to permitting paintball as a sport in the Territory?
I would like to raise the matter of age. I have supported the age being set at 18 and above. In the review stage after the sport is developed and established in the Territory, I would like to revisit the issue of age. Recognising the authority and rights of a parent, a parent should be able to by way of parental waiver signed in the presence of the operator allow a 16 or 17-year old to participate in the sport. That is for a parent to choose, not necessarily for government to legislate. I would like to shift it slightly so that a parent has the choice; they may sign a waiver and accompany their children in the playing of this sport. I would prefer to go that way than to say no kids can do it. It is like we know better. I do not think we know better than parents. We should give parents the opportunity to make the choice. If parents play the game, they know what they are getting their kids involved in, and allow the parent to make the choice rather than make it easier for us to administer by saying no.
On the point of permitting personal ownership; there seems to be a bit of ambiguity in the legislation. I may be wrong, but I think we need to explore it and put on the agenda now the possibility, being a marker not a firearm, of allowing people to have private ownership of the marker. It is for this reason: if we are talking about the possibilities of opening up greater tourism operations in the Territory, if anyone has had a look at paintball, they will see that it is a sport that is conducted right around the country and internationally. If you are going to develop the sport in the Territory, as it has developed and progressed in other states, the sport progresses to the point where people are able to own their own markers and then take the sport to a new level and enter competitions in other states and around the world.
We need to have the systems in place whereby people will want to have a tournament in the Northern Territory. Will they have to go to the field and hire the run-of-the-mill ones just for the average person who wants to have a shot at this? There is quite a different class, as anyone has a look at it will know. There are different categories of these implements. It is a bit like going to play golf and the only golf clubs you are allowed to use are the old ones out the back that you pay a few bucks to hire.
Mr Wood: It makes no difference to my golf! I still miss them.
Mr MILLS: It makes no difference to me, either, but if you really are serious about the sport you want to have a higher class of apparatus than the old clubs that are out the back of the club house.
Everyone who has an interest in this knows that it is a sport, and a high level sport, too. We need to look at that and make sure we are prepared to go down that path, and allow people to make these decisions. People in other states have looked at it and thought: ‘Yes, let the people work it out themselves. We put the basic parameters in place, but we do not have to get overly prescriptive’. It is working and if we want to unleash the potential that we have here, then we need slightly less rather than more.
That brings me to issues of licensing. It appears to me, and I think it is because it sits under the definition of it being a ‘gun’ or ‘firearm’ shooting ammunition on a range, if we put all that aside, we should approach it as a sport where there is a marker and it is played on a range with teams. However, if we go to the other side, we have a licensing system that requires an operator to collect an extraordinary amount of information and keep it to allow the Commissioner access to this information. It seems to put an excessive onus on the operator. I have to ask: why would they be required to collect and hold so much information? This has to be looked at. Do we want to manage it? Do we want to impede it, to restrict the freedoms of people? It appears it leaves the door open for the police who are not comfortable about this to make sure there is a bit of sand thrown in the gear box so it does not go quite as smoothly. Why do we not remove some of this stuff and strip it back to what we really need rather than putting extra in there just in case? It is taking the excessively cautious approach.
Given the opportunity of coming to government I would like to do it the other way and strip it back a bit so we have the basics in place, and allow people the freedom to choose how they are going to play this within sensible constraints. It appears there is a little bit extra in here, probably too much extra, and we could take out a bit and allow people to be respected as people who are generally responsible. It is easy to pick up the dills. We do not have to regard everyone as dills and put so much in place that you are going to discourage everyone and the poor old operator has a bureaucratic burden on their back. They are just trying to let people have a good time, a bit of fun and fitness, and working together in a group.
That is the approach I would like to see taken. I understand the caution with this. It is a new area that the minister has stepped into, and I am really pleased that he has. I would like to work with the minister through some of these matters so that we get it onto a good footing and take off and really have a good time in the Territory. It is going to be a move that some will frown on, but there is going to be a heck of a lot of people out there who think it is good fun, and who will enjoy and appreciate the move the government has taken.
Generally and in principle, we certainly support it. Hopefully, we can take on some of these readjusting of the definitions now. If not, then at the 12 months review the minister has committed to, or the three year stage when there is a full review. If not and there is a change of government, then we will do it. Hopefully we can tidy it up now so we can get it onto a nice, clean footing and away we go and have a good time in the Territory. We support it, but tidy it up a bit.
Dr BURNS (Health): Madam Speaker, I commend the member for Blain for his constant support for the sport of paintball. He has been very consistent in this. In May 2000, the member for Blain presented a petition to the Assembly with 970 signatures calling for the introduction of paintball in the Northern Territory. Unfortunately, as is now history, and we all know that the then CLP government rejected the proposal, so the member for Blain has been consistent in this and I commend him for that.
More recent history, in November 2006, as part of this government’s assessment of paintball, I visited the Port Adelaide Indoor Paintball Centre to get a feel for what the game is all about. When I became Police minister, one of the very first questions I was asked was: ‘What are you going to do about paintball?’ I said that I was prepared to look at it, and I did. I went to the Port Adelaide Indoor Paintball Centre. I might table these pictures for the benefit of the Assembly.
Mr Wood: That is an improvement.
Dr BURNS: Maybe I should have touched up the eyes a bit, they look a bit frenzied, but that is what it is like in the paintball game. I did get hit a few times with the paintballs and I did sport a few bruises for about a week or so, they were pretty significant bruises. It was a bit like getting hit by a cricket ball, although I did give the operator of the paintball place a bit of a free hit. I just wanted to see whether it would hurt, and I found out in no uncertain terms, basically, that it was the case. So I did come back …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. I have just been seeking clarification from the Clerk, you actually introduced the bill as the Police minister, and I know that you are speaking as the Minister for Health now, but, technically, you will need to seek leave to actually speak in the debate.
Dr BURNS: I apologise, Madam Speaker. I respectfully seek leave from the House to speak on this bill again as Health minister.
Leave granted.
Dr BURNS: By the way, honourable members, if you are going to play paintball, I advise that you wear old clothes, because I had a beautiful shirt from the 1986 Barra Nationals and it still has the paintball stains on it. When you do play paintball, wear your gardening clothes.
Mr Wood: Do not use enamel paints.
Dr BURNS: Something like that. As a government, we recognise there is a significant number of Territorians who wanted to play paintball. We accepted that, with proper controls, they should be able to play the game. As the member for Blain has said, this is a pastime that is popular world-wide, and figures from the US indicate that about 10 million people play paintball annually in the United States. The game is so popular in the US and Europe, there are professional and semi-professional leagues. I understand that paintball is an event at the Police Games, although, to date, the Northern Territory Police have not sent a team to the paintball competition, but now it is legal, they may well consider it. Some of the tournaments attract thousands of spectators, with teams like the Chicago Eagles, Detroit Strange, Portland Naughty Dogs and Stockholm Joy battling it out for prize money. What is being proposed here is really a start in terms of paintball in the Northern Territory. US insurance statistics indicate that, with proper control, it is a very safe pastime.
I introduced the Firearms Amendment Bill in 2007 in the June sittings. The member for Blain has raised a number of issues, which I am sure the Chief Minister, as Police minister, will pick up. One of the major issues that the member for Blain raised was why it is being treated as a Category C firearm. I am advised by the police advisor that the existing definition of a ‘firearm’ that you will find in the Firearms Act says:
(a) by expanding gas produced in the device;
(c) by compressed air or other compressed gases (whether stored in the device or attached to the device in pressurised containers)…
The message from the advisor is that under existing law, it is categorised as a firearm. The police advice was very consistent: that is the way it should be categorised. They had concerns if there was going to be a separate category. I am aware that some other states in Australia do have a separate category for paintball markers, or whatever you want to call them, paintball guns, and some other states categorise it as a firearm. It is a good point you raised, member for Blain, but that was the advice that we had from the police. They had concerns about a whole range of aspects about paintball, some of which you raised also which, as a government, we tried to address and accommodate while, at the same time, introducing paintball to the Northern Territory.
As to the occupation itself, it generally involves two teams attempting to capture the opposing team’s flag. As has been said, there is the use of compressed air guns, called markers sometimes, to shoot the paintballs which are marble sized gelatine capsules filled with coloured paint at other players. The paint is more correctly called polyethylene glycol. I had more success with that than Leon Sayer. Players eliminate each other from the game by hitting opponents with the paintball; the players being considered hit, marked or tagged when a paintball shot by another player strikes and breaks on the player, leaving a paint mark.
As I said before, I can assure you these gelatine pellets are able to travel a good distance at speed, up to 60 m at a speed of 90 m per second. That is one of the reasons why it was decided not to have paintball guns in private hands because, by having it on the paintball fields, whatever you want to call them, and regulated in that way, there can be scrutiny of adjustments made to the guns. I understand that they can be ratcheted up quite high and cause damage to a person. A game normally last between 10 and 30 minutes or until the opposing side’s flag is captured or the opposing side is eliminated.
As I said, I believe the game will be properly controlled to ensure player safety. All paintball operators will have to be licensed or permitted to carry on the business at an approved paintball range. Licences will only be granted to a body corporate, which is an Australian registered company under the Commonwealth Corporations Act. Without putting too fine point on it, that was to ensure that the right sort of people were involved in the ownership of paintball fields. That was also a concern of police. This allows police to maximise enforcement.
The operator licences will cost $300 a year, which is similar to requirements elsewhere. As part of the application process, an applicant will have to obtain all necessary approvals, including relevant town planning approvals. Operators will have to complete an approved safety course. I know that was an issue you raised and, possibly, the Chief Minister will cover when she responds. Applicants have to provide to police the names and addresses of close associates, including the nature of the association. The applicant must also provide the Commissioner of Police the names and addresses of prospective employees who, like the operator, have to complete an approved safety course. This also ensures that they are not prohibited persons under the Firearms Act.
As I understand it, member for Blain, there will be no individual ownership of paintball guns in the Northern Territory, although you have flagged that you will be raising some issues that you seem to have picked up within the legislation that might allow private ownership during the committee stage. However, my advice is that under this legislation, there will be no private ownership.
All paintball guns used at the range and in the possession of the operator must be registered and stored safely at the range. Only people 18 and over will be able to play. Before playing, people must make a player declaration that they are not a prohibited person and provide photo ID. The Police Commissioner will review paintball operations, as has been stated, and there will be an interim review of the act after 12 months.
In short, Madam Speaker, I thank honourable members for giving me the opportunity to speak again to this bill as Health Minister. I appreciate that. This is a reasonable start for paintball in the Northern Territory. I commend the bill to the house.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Madam Speaker, I can understand the member for Nelson’s hesitation to follow immediately on after the Minister for Health’s contribution, a hard act to follow.
I rise in support of the legislation to legalise the playing of paintball in the Northern Territory. I commend the government for taking this position. Paintball is a legitimate sport in its modern format with a strong emphasis on safety. I know from my discussions with constituents in Palmerston that there is much support in Palmerston for paintball.
In my view, appropriate safeguards have been put into place. The legislation is structured in a way that the government’s strong commitment to gun laws remains, individuals are not allowed to own the guns and the operating licence is provided for one year to allow regular checks to be performed.
The truth of it is that paintball is fun. It will appeal to many and will be enjoyed quite broadly. As one young Territorian put it: ‘Paintball is grouse, mate’.
Mr Wood: That is an old word.
Mr BURKE: I said it was a young Territorian who grew up here.
The Martin government is determined to support Territorians in their pursuits. We want to enhance and improve everyone’s lifestyle. Paintball legislation is another part of this approach.
We are in the midst of the wonderful Darwin Festival, the Darwin Cup has been run and won, the show circuit has wound its way up the track, the Palmerston markets, Mindil markets, festivals, ethnic events, fishing, the V8s, all of these things add to the patchwork Territory life. I am sure that paintball will soon be an established part of that patchwork. I support the bill.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Speaker, I support the bill. Paintball is a sport which will catch on in the Northern Territory. I guess it has specific reference to my electorate, being a rural electorate. I visited Sydney early this year and went to one of the premier paintball organisations and had a discussion about their requirements for the paintball ranges. They require ranges of around 100 acres to offer a number of scenarios where people can move from one field to another, and offer a buffer outside those ranges to the boundary of the block. So about 100 acres is what they say is a basic paintball range.
Obviously that sort of area is probably more applicable to the rural area. I would hope to see it …
Mr Wood: They will have to pay rates.
Mr KNIGHT: They may well have to pay some sort of contribution to the services that they encumber on the rest of the shire, member for Nelson. That is exactly right and so they should. It will be welcomed by the poor battling rate payers of the Top End shire who are subsidising commercial businesses as we speak.
Anyway, back to paintball. I look forward to these businesses starting in the rural area. There is a great opportunity. As the member for Brennan said, it is within the psyche of people who live in the Northern Territory to go out and shoot each other with paintballs. I have to disagree with the member for Blain. What I learned from my visit to Sydney was that the company I visited was one of the first established companies operating paintball ranges in Sydney and they do not allow any private guns onto their range. They basically do not trust many of the paintball gun owners because you can calibrate these guns; you can wind them up and put extra pressure in them to get the paintballs to go further and hit harder, I would imagine. So there is responsible …
Mr Mills: More accurate.
Mr KNIGHT: Well, I tell you what: I will fire one that is a highly calibrated at you at close range and see how you last.
It is a very responsible step for the Northern Territory government not to allow private guns to be used, to have in-house guns. They can look after them, they can make sure they are calibrated properly and take some responsibility for their use on the range. It is a responsible way to go. In my discussions with the people in Sydney, they were very excited about the Northern Territory coming on board. As mentioned earlier, Tasmania is not on board. There are obviously particular circumstances down there, and that is their decision.
There is the opportunity in the Northern Territory with our climate and our geography to host a national competition. We should be looking at hosting a national paintball championship in the Northern Territory during our Dry Season when it is winter in southern states. That is an opportunity for the Northern Territory, and for the rural area to gain some advantage.
I hope to see a business starting very soon. The member for Johnston has thrown down the gauntlet for a bit of a challenge of Labor versus CLP out on the paintball field.
Mr Wood: Independents will adjudicate.
Mr KNIGHT: The Independents are always in the middle, firing at everyone.
Mr Wood: Yes, we will supply the paint.
Mr KNIGHT: I am looking forward to experiencing this great sport and to the opportunities that it brings. I support the bill.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the amendments to the Firearms Act. The member for Blain has covered most of the areas on which I had questions, so I will be interested in what is debated during the committee stage.
I do not necessarily agree with everything the member for Blain has said about a paint gun not necessarily being a firearm. If you read the definition, it would certainly fit into that. Whether it could be categorised out of it just because it is a paintball gun, I have my doubts. The general impression I have from this legislation is that the police had a fairly big hand in this. I suppose that is natural. I also have the impression from hearing things in the meantime that they are not overly rapt in the idea of having paintball clubs in the Northern Territory. They have some concerns, and some of those are legitimate concerns, but all in all, perhaps we are talking about the level of the old air rifle. Yes, they can cause damage if used in the wrong hands, but most people, even though they are regarded as a firearm, would regard them as more a hobby or recreational firearm.
Having paintball in the Northern Territory will be of benefit, especially for people visiting. As the member for Daly said, there can be competitions. I have been told that there is a very long waiting list for people who want to use paintball clubs in Queensland, so they are obviously very popular. They might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they are obviously very popular. If they are run correctly, I see no harm in it. It allows people to get a bit of aggression out of their system without doing too much harm. It leaves a few bruises, as the member Johnston said, but what are a few bruises between people? It is no worse than rugby union or other sports. All you are doing is having a bit of fun. I do not think it should be over-regulated, and that is my only concern. The amount of regulation perhaps reflects a desire by the police to keep a lid on this sort of thing. They see it, from their point of view, as something they would rather not have in the Territory. If we are going to have it in the Territory, they have said: ‘We will only allow it with these sorts of regulations’. Some of the regulations are a little bit over the top. I will be interested in the debate when it comes to the committee stage.
I thank the government. We did have a briefing, which explained some of the issues that we have with this proposal. I may not necessarily agree with them, but at least we understood where the government was coming from. All in all, I support the bill.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I am going to be devil’s advocate in this debate. What on earth is this government up to? You are regulating speed limits, we are going to have fishing permits, we are going to have all sorts of restrictions on liquor, but, can we shoot each other with a paintball? That is fine. You are all over the place, you are trying to be popular on one hand, and you are trying to be sensible on the other. Come on, let us get real! Why do we really need this legislation?
Having said that, I have been lobbied fairly strongly by the Alice Springs shooting complex, which has the required amount of land, and they had good reasons why they think they should have it, but they have also raised quite a few queries. I will go through some of those.
I find it offensive that the member for Blain wants to change the terminology from ‘firearm’ to ‘marker’. Come on; let us get real. It is a firearm. You are shooting people. I do not know how many of you, as kids, were brought up in a family where there were firearms. My dad used to go rabbit shooting, but as kids we were taught that you never point a gun at a person, particularly in fun. How many instances do we see of this having tragic consequences? I get the feeling that this is toys for boys.
Mrs Miller: No. Many women want to play this, too.
Mrs BRAHAM: Oh, good. I was beginning to think that’s about all it was. If you were not brought up in an environment of firearm safety, you would probably find this a little bit offensive, particularly as we are all running around at the moment talking about violence in Aboriginal communities, and violence against women. Do not kid yourselves that firearms are not out there illegally; they are. If you think that somehow or other, these will not get out there illegally, you are kidding yourselves as well. Yes, they can be a dangerous weapon. The minister might laugh and say I have a few bruises, but you pump that airgun up, you get a paintball and freeze it, what happens when you shoot that? That more than maims you; that will really hurt. What about supplies? I am talking about places where perhaps it occurs illegally.
Let us not just say this is going to be a fun sport. The consequences of introducing this in the Territory could be quite horrendous. When the first incident happens on the streets with an illegal firearm and paintball, then we will say: ‘What have we done? What have we unleashed?’ Why is Tasmania the only state that does not have it? You do not have to be a genius to understand why they are very wary about anything to do with firearms.
Let us not treat this as a joke. Is it really a game or is it something a bit more serious? Is it supporting a culture of harm? Is it supporting a culture whereby I am going to shoot you and I hope to hurt you by doing it? Is that really what we want in the Northern Territory? I certainly do not. We have had some horrible instances with real firearms, if you want to call them that, in the Territory. However, the use of a firearm in a game desensitises people to the effects of firearms. It desensitises people from using firearms as a weapon, and that is what it is: it is a weapon. This game is about shooting people, hitting people. Even if it is a paintball, that is the whole aim of the game. Is that what we really want to promote? Do we want to promote, through play acting if you want to call it that, this type of culture within the Territory? I would have thought at the moment we do not.
Some of the things that have been raised with me are that a licensed operator has to be a body corporate under the Corporations Act. Most shooting clubs come under the Associations Act. They can buy a shelf company to become an incorporated body, but it will be quite costly. As well as that, they have to pay a lot of money to set up the premises. Okay, some sporting clubs or private enterprises might already have facilities to do that, but they are going to outlay a lot of money to set this up. They are going to have to purchase firearms, which vary between $500 and $2000. How many do they have to have? What sort of equipment do they have and so on? Yet we are saying we are going to review the act after 12 months and the operation after three years. Will it be financially viable for most clubs? What happens if government decides, after a time, that this was not such a good idea? Will they compensate those clubs or the commercial people for investing in something that is suddenly taken away from them?
It is easy to be frivolous about this, but there is a serious side, and that is a little hard. I know the act bars private ownership and that is a good idea. I am impressed at the way, though, members of sporting clubs take care of their firearms; they are safely put away. However, in saying that, there are still people out there on the black market who supply firearms in the Territory. We know that and we have seen it many times. I agree that there should not be any private ownership; that it should be controlled, monitored and maintained by whoever takes it on.
We talked about the age limit of 18-plus. If we are going to do it, then we have to start doing proper training in firearm use. We really have to make sure that our teenagers know about the use of firearms. In a way, this may be an opportunity for young people to do it. You are probably all familiar with the fact that the Alice Springs Shooting Club takes groups of students to the rifle club on a weekly basis to train them in the use of firearms. It is a very controlled and educational program. However, let us not rush in to making it available to the under 18s until we see how it goes with the adults. Knowing the attitude of some of our juveniles, I would hate them to suddenly think: ‘Wow, this is good fun; we can shoot people’, be it with a paintball, a pellet or whatever. We have to be careful we are not developing a culture of the use of firearms for the wrong reasons.
Chief Minister, I am surprised that you are supporting this because I know how passionate you are about trying to stop violence within the Territory. I urge you to defer this until you think about it a little more, even though I guess it is a bit late.
The member for Blain mentioned the approved safety course. Who is going to do it? What is it? How much will it cost? Is this an additional impost on the owner of the paintball premise? How much is this whole business going to cost these people to set up? How much then are they likely to charge people? Is it really commercially viable to do all this?
I am not totally convinced that it is needed. We already have shooting clubs within the Northern Territory. As the minister is probably aware, for a long time these clubs have been lobbying for government to change the rules about people coming to have a go. They have been seeking a change so that people can front up to a club, be they a tourist or someone else, and have a go. Then the club notifies the police on the Monday. People do not arrive with their firearms, but use the club’s firearms. Clubs are suffering, I realise that. Membership has dropped considerably and they are trying to find avenues to encourage more people to join the shooting clubs. It is a sport that has been around Australia for how many years? Years upon years upon years; long before our time people have enjoyed the use of a firearm for all sorts of reasons.
What are we creating by doing this? What sort of mentality are we fostering? Is this really what you want? I ask government and the member for Blain: is it really what you want? Is it really a culture of people shooting people that we should be supporting? Although there is an element of very responsible people out there, you are passing on a message to those who are not so responsible that government says it is okay to shoot.
I know the arguments that will come back to me: it is going to be controlled; it is going to be heavily administered. If all these regulations are as such, perhaps they are there for a reason. Perhaps the police are really passing on a message to us that we are going to make it so hard that you are not going to be able to do it anyway. We are going to make it so stiff to actually set up one of these particular premises that the little clubs may not really want to buy into this because there is no certainty at the end of the day that this will continue. There is a review of the act after 12 months; there is a review of the whole operation after three years. Who is going to risk that type of investment if it is not for a long term?
Chief Minister, I know it is too late, but I say to you again: re-think this; defer it. Can you stand up and say to me quite frankly that you don’t care about people pointing firearms at other people with the objective of hitting them? That to me is where the argument for having paintball breaks down. We can say all the fun things we like and how we are going to get out there and have great fun, but the ramifications of this and what it is doing to the attitude of people - how are we going to control the black market that will go on? Don’t kid yourself; it is already there for firearms. How are we going to make sure that this becomes a sport and not a killing exercise or not an exercise to hurt people?
Madam Speaker, I am not totally convinced this is a good idea. The arguments I have heard today have not changed my mind. I understand why the sporting shooting clubs want it, but there are other ways they could increase their membership if government were to consider some of the other propositions they have put up. There are other ways they could capture the tourist dollar, which seems to be one of the arguments for it, if government would assist them to make sure that can happen. I say to those members who support this: be it on your conscience when something happens to someone out there.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I was not going to speak in this debate, but I have found it quite interesting. I am not a great lover of guns and I never have been, but that is my personal opinion. My experience with guns over the years has been with unfortunate incidents through St John Ambulance, so it has not been very pleasant. I have not had a very good relationship with guns.
When I was first elected as the member for Katherine, I had several people approach me about paintball, and I had never heard of it. I read their claims about how good it was and I did not really believe that the sport existed. I made inquiries into it over time, including some people in my own electorate who have said it is a great idea. They were people I would never have expected to have an interest in paintball, really level-headed people who do not own guns, but they rather like the tactical side of this sport. So I have formed a different opinion of it over the last four years since I was first approached about it.
I was interested to hear the member for Braitling talk about what will happen if a paintball gun gets out. I am not aware of any incidents where that has happened. There may have been, but I am certainly not aware of it. I have a much more open mind to it now. I understand that there are many issues that you have to look at as far as safety is concerned, but I think the legislation before the House today will certainly cover that.
In some areas, we have to have some fun and, while I could never point a gun at anyone, and I am not going to play this game, I do not believe that I should say because I am not going to play it we should take that opportunity away from other people. I am supportive of paintball. I support the legislation, but I will not be on the CLP team that competes. Sorry, member for Daly. I cannot point a gun at someone, but I do believe that the legislation will ensure that safety measures are there to protect all the people who are game enough to play the game. Good on them if they are. There is quite a big area around Katherine, lots of scrub areas, which would make perfect locations for a well regulated paintball area. The legislation before the House today covers the safety aspects that we need to be concerned about. I support the legislation.
Debate suspended.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Lord Snape of Wednesbury from the County of West Midlands, a member of the House of Lords and former member of the House of Commons from 1974 to 2001, and Lady Snape. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
Continued from earlier this day.
Ms MARTIN (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I thank all members who contributed to the Firearms Amendment (Paintball) Bill debate. I listened to various views from around the Chamber and they were mostly supportive of paintball being introduced in the Territory. A stark contrast was the member for Braitling who is the probably the only person in the Chamber who thinks it is not a good idea, and who went into a fair amount of detail about why we should not have paintball. However, the view around the Chamber is that there is strong support for paintball. Maybe there is a bit of difference between the way we are introducing it and the way the members for Blain and Nelson would prefer it was introduced.
The member for Blain has been a long-time advocate of paintball and I recognise his contribution. In time, he may be remembered as the member for Blain who pushed for paintball. That is something I am sure he will cherish. He has been a strong advocate and he welcomes this legislation.
I believe the member for Blain is misguided when he said we should have a much more relaxed approach to paintball such as that you would take with a game like football. He talked about the social context he would like to see it in, and those who play the sport do not see themselves as using a firearm. He called it a marker, and technically it is a marker, but we are dealing with what could be seen as an inherently dangerous sport that involves, as the member for Braitling said all too graphically, firing something at another person. There are considerations in 2007 in the world we live in. It is a sport, even though the member of Blain says that those who want to play it do not see themselves as being part of something that would be categorised as a firearm. It is, in fact, a potentially dangerous weapon. It is very important for government, as we introduce it in the Northern Territory, to ensure that we have the legislative framework and the regulations to ensure that we can be fully confident that this sport, which does relate to shooting, will work effectively. The last thing any of us who are supporting the introduction of paintball would like is for someone to take out a licence, get the permits required to set up paintball in the Territory and something goes wrong. That is the last thing we want.
I pay tribute to the police, who have done a lot of work on the paintball legislation and the regulatory framework, and have looked carefully at what happens interstate. I believe we have found a very good balance in this legislation. While the member for Blain cannot support the description and categorisation of a paintball gun as a firearm, category C, I believe it is appropriately situated there and that we must have a fairly reasonable, not over the top, control of what happens with paintball. So I disagree with him strongly there.
I did take the member for Blain’s point, though. We have committed in the legislation to a review after 12 months, so once we do see someone take out a licence, put in the capital that you need to set up, it is not necessarily going to be a very cheap exercise, then we will take a look at some of the issues that have been raised. We currently have the rider that you cannot play paintball unless you are an 18-year-old. The member for Blain asked about if you get parental approval for a 16- or 17-year-old. Let us look at that as we see how the game develops, and as we see how its operation comes into effect.
I believe very strongly though - and I hope this is supported very strongly in this House as we introduce it – that we have to ensure it has a very tight regulatory framework about it. As I said, in the world of 2007 where we are concerned about activities that encourage people to get better at shooting and targets, we need a very controlled framework. It is sad that in our world, this is what has to happen. We have rafts of legislation in this place to control all kind of things related to broader terrorist activities, but we have to ensure that we do not introduce paintball without making sure that we have it in a proper regulatory framework.
I was interested in the member of Blain’s comments that we have to be very conscious of its social context. He did not say how it would make any difference having this regulatory framework to someone who wants to have a game of paintball. I do not believe it makes any difference. Somebody who wants to play will go along, pay whatever the entry fee is, the commercial operator will decide, and will make a declaration that they are not a prohibited person, that they are over 18, show some photo ID, it will not take long, and if they pass all that, then they can play. The fact that they cannot have a firearm at home and they hire one will not disturb the game, will not disturb the fun they have in a game of between about 10 and 30 minutes - I do not know how long the Health Minister spent playing his game to ruin his special fishing shirt - the game does not go for that long; somewhere between 10 and 30 minutes.
I do not see how having this regulatory framework, a legislative base, and being very careful about who is an operator, who has a licence, the nature of those permits and who can play, affects anyone who genuinely wants to have a game of paintball. It will be reviewed in 12 months, and some of those aspects such as whether you have to be 18 or could you be younger with parental approval, we can look at in that time.
The member for Blain also mentioned the approved safety courses. That is part of the requirement for a permit and, quite appropriately, that will be up to the operator to get. There are approved safety courses in other parts of Australia ...
Mr Mills: Not here?
Ms MARTIN: No, no, they are not here; we have not set it up yet. It is not up to government to run those approved safety courses; that will be a requirement of the granting of a licence and permit, and that will be up to the licence holder to have those safety courses in place for employees. Government is not overly concerned about it. It needs to be done, quite appropriately, but this is a commercial operation and it is up to the operator to get hold of that course.
The member for Blain made a slight reference to data collection by operators. Data collection will essentially be keeping the declarations of people who want to play. The legislation gives a possibility but, essentially, the data they have to collect is declarations from anyone who wants to play. That is required, and it is not an onerous task. I was pleased that the member for Blain understood the caution; it is important. I appreciate that, even though you raised the other issues, and said it is important that we do get it off to a good footing. Thank you for that. For your general and in-principle support, thank you.
The member for Johnston was the minister who introduced this, and gave a balance in his contribution between the fun he had playing the game - we enjoyed the pictures, thank you, member for Johnston - but also looking at some of the issues raised by the member for Blain, particularly a clarification of the characterisation of what this firearm is about, it is category C, but also saying that other states had categorised the paintball gun as a firearm as well. We are not out of kilter with other states. In fact, the police looked around and have taken advice from what has happened interstate.
As noted by the member for Braitling, it was only the Northern Territory and Tasmania that do not have paintball at this stage. I am sure, member for Braitling, that Tasmania, once they see how successfully we implement it, will be inspired to do so as well.
The member for Braitling had many questions. I hope you understand that we need legislation for this. We are not taking it lightly; we are setting in place a framework that is a careful and cautious one. We need to be cautious. Legislation is an important part of that. It is legislation that amends the firearms legislation and allows paintball to happen within that context and, importantly, will be overseen by the police force and the Police Commissioner.
The member for Braitling did spell out the dangers. I was interested to listen to her talk about things like a culture of harm that we could be establishing. I thought: ‘Well, I have been to Zone 3 where I shoot at people’. I have been to Zone 3 and I quite enjoyed it, with my vest which showed up the laser beams, hiding around corners and shooting people. I have not done it many times, but I have done it. What we also need to deal with in contemporary society is the fact that there are many computer games, very expert computer games, and I have watched young people sit and shoot at people for hours on end. I have questions about that, but this is a much healthier option than someone sitting downstairs under the house playing networked shoot-them-dead games.
While I have great concerns about the number of those games, and I do not exclude my household from those, and age does not exclude people either, I think paintball is a much healthier environment. You get out there and it is a bit of fun, there is coloured paint and it has a lightness about it that is something to be supported much more than some of the games I see which can be done in all manner of ways and are available commercially - you can whip up to Kmart and buy one. This is a much better option. It is out in the open. You can have it indoors, but I think it will be in the open. Having fun with a group of people outdoors is certainly a much healthier option than video games.
Mrs Braham: Go and play golf; play tennis.
Ms MARTIN: When you finish your paintball, have a game of golf. It is fantastic. It gives you many options.
I am pleased that the member for Braitling agrees that there should not be private ownership of the guns. That is important when you consider that they look pretty similar to a pistol. I would not like to think that we could have paintball guns in the community. The more we lessen the opportunity for that, the better. Those who have a licence to operate can hold the paintball guns at the premises and they can be part of the cost of playing the game.
You raised also the commercial viability. That is up to anyone who wants to set it up. They are going to have to look at their numbers, capital costs, recurrent costs and staffing, and what the costs for playing a game will be. We are not mandating that you have to set up a paintball operation but this gives anyone who is interested that opportunity. When the announcement was made last year, there were many calls asking when it was going to happen because they wanted to set up a paintball operation. There is much interest. I have had constituents who have lobbied me for a long time to be able to have paintball legislation so it could happen. I suspect there will be people who have already done their numbers and, potentially in the rural area or maybe outside Katherine, who have land and want to do it.
Mrs Miller: Lots of trees that would be good protection for people.
Ms MARTIN: We have to get used to trees with red and yellow blobs, and that kind of thing.
I thank everyone for their support on this, recognising that the member for Blain, I suspect mostly on behalf of the opposition, is not supporting the regulatory framework we put in place. We have done this carefully and I believe that it is the best approach to take. It is certainly one that the police have worked on carefully to make sure will be effective without being overly onerous. We have the confidence that if someone does set up a commercial operation for paintball, it will work well and the community will strongly support it.
This is fun for the Territory, a good day. I will have a try. I am not overly keen on being splattered with coloured paint. Maybe it is better to play golf. I have done the Zone 3 thing and I will do the paintball thing.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate almost everyone’s support for this amendment to the firearms legislation.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mrs BRAHAM: Division, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Do you have someone to support the division? There is no one to support the division. Resume your seat.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! We are going into committee now. I will vacate the Chair.
In committee:
Clauses 1 to 3, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 4:
Mr MILLS: There are a number of definitions contained in this section which I would like to address. Quite seriously, the concerns raised by the member for Braitling reflect on the rise of a gun culture, and associating guns and violence, and lowering our acceptance thresholds of violent acts.
The definitions align this sport with a gun culture. My argument arises out of sensitivity for that important issue. There are a number of words contained in this section which, if changed, could move it from its alignment with guns, firearms and weapons - which is the word that has been used by the member for Braitling.
Firearms and guns are generally understood to be implements for the inflicting of harm, perhaps even for killing a person, whereas what we are talking about is a sport. The Chief Minister said that I did not make a case for what difference it is going to make for someone who is on the paintball field. More importantly, it is the difference it will make for those who handle genuine firearms that have a projectile that can kill or maim. The intention is to create a difference between our view of paintball and participating in that sport as opposed to those who use rifles that can discharge a pellet that can kill or maim, and to create some definitional difference between the two, therefore strengthening the community’s understanding of the firearm, the rifle, the gun that can discharge a bullet to kill or maim.
In section 3(1), if we go down to the second line, it says ‘approved paintball range’. ‘Range’ is a term that implies shooting at targets, but a range in this context really refers to a field. Paintball is not conducted on a range; it is conducted in a field. So it is a ‘field’ rather than a ‘range’. A range is where you have a rifle and you shoot at targets down the range. I propose that the word be changed to ‘field’. It takes it slightly away from the idea of rifles being used on a range where you are shooting targets.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Are you putting this as an amendment Deputy Opposition Leader?
Mr MILLS: I am not quite sure how best to deal with this, so I am in your hands.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Is that the only amendment you have to this clause?
Mr MILLS: No. I was going through point by point in this section.
Mr STIRLING: Why didn’t you circulate the amendments?
Mr CHAIRMAN: Sure. One moment, Deputy Opposition Leader. Chief Minister, would you like these amendments in writing?
Ms MARTIN: I am assuming that the member for Blain has thought about this. Usually, if you want to put amendments, you circulate them and have them prepared by the Assembly staff.
Mr STIRLING: By drafting to make sure they are consistent.
Mr MILLS: All right.
Mr STIRLING: The suggestion may be eminently sensible, but sitting on the floor of parliament, we do not know where the word appears elsewhere in the bill for another specific reason where it has to be word ‘range’. So if we were to say: ‘Yes, that is a good idea; let us do that’, then we could be inconsistent with other parts of the bill or with other parts of the legislation where it may have a legal meaning.
I am not demeaning the suggestion from the member for Blain, but we cannot accept amendments from the floor, no matter how good the intent might be. You might agree with it without understanding its relevance to law overall and to other legislation. That is the problem.
Mr MILLS: I do understand that.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Would you like to push ahead with these amendments, or would you just like to make some suggestions?
Mr MILLS: I will deal with this by means of making suggestions and leave it at that.
Ms MARTIN: Okay. I am happy to address the nature of those at the end.
Mr MILLS: I am aware that in 12 months time we can have another look at it. In the next clause, ‘”paintball” means a game in which players attempt to shoot at one another with prescribed paintball firearms …’ My suggestion is the removal of the word ‘firearms’ and its replacement with ‘markers’. We have ‘firearm’ mentioned again. Then there is the ‘discharging of paintball pellets’; I am suggesting it be ‘paintballs’. It is redundant, so it is ‘paintballs’. That is basically it.
I make these as suggestions and we can consider them as we proceed for the first 12 months, and to consider what is being said here. This supports the sporting shooters so their concept of a firearm – which is a weapon that is designed to kill or maim - can stand as it is. Paintball can then be moved slightly away so that we are not strengthening that culture of shooting with the subliminal message that it is okay to point something at someone that is a gun. I want to change that definition because it is a marker not a weapon. It is not a firearm. It is not a weapon. They are not pellets.
Mrs Braham: It is a weapon! It is a weapon to shoot someone!
Mr MILLS: It is not a weapon. A weapon is used to defend or attack for the purpose of killing or maiming and this is not; this is a sport.
Mrs Braham: Well, it is maiming.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Order!
Mr MILLS: I will leave it at that. I wanted to make that point. That concept can run all the way through. Just while I am dealing with this section, I did make reference in my contribution before about being uncertain whether one section referred to the capacity of actually owning one at home. I have read it again carefully, and it is fine.
Ms MARTIN: Yes, I was going to point out section 58. Thank you for saying we will look at this in 12 months, but we have a philosophical difference here. This is an amendment to the Firearms Act.
Mr MILLS: Yes, good point.
Ms MARTIN: So we are dealing with firearms here in a context, which is why, appropriately, the caution from the Attorney-General of dealing with amendments that would simply not work within this legislation anyway. I will give you an example. You said it should not be an ‘approved paintball range’.
Mr MILLS: Just the word ‘range’ to ‘field’.
Ms MARTIN: Just to go through that, the term ‘paintball range’ means the premises for playing paintball. I can go through the development of that, but the range differs from a playing field because a range may have a number of playing fields within that range area. So there are terminologies that are being used because, I assume, that as an operator gets bigger, they have different areas which are called fields, and that then fits into a range.
We are dealing with a different philosophical position. You are saying put it in a separate category, it is not to do with firearms. I am saying we have looked around the country and it is something which works within a firearms category, and that is why we have decided to do it this way. We are very happy to look at it in 12 months to see whether it is still appropriate.
Mr MILLS: Thank you. I accept that and I am prepared to proceed on that basis. The ultimate suggestion that I am directing my comments towards is the classification of a ‘paintball marker’ in a specific and described category, rather than being lumped in with firearms, which has a completely different purpose. Ultimately, I guess in 12 months’ time we can prepare some amendments for discussion at that time, the point being a different classification so we create some difference between this, an implement for sport, fun and recreation as opposed to something that can kill or maim.
Clause 4 agreed to.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Is it the wish of the committee that the remainder of the bill taken together?
Mr WOOD: Hang on! You said the remainder of the bill. Have we just shot to the end? That was quick.
Ms MARTIN: You had not indicated you had any points.
Mr WOOD: I thought the member for Blain was going to be here for a week. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Chief Minister …
Mr CHAIRMAN: Member for Nelson.
Mr WOOD: Yes?
Mr CHAIRMAN: Can I just seek clarification on which clause …
Mr WOOD: Division 14 generally at the moment.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Clause 14?
Mr WOOD: No, Division 14, Subdivision 1. On Division 14, Licenses for paintball, I have a general question to ask.
Mr Stirling: Have we passed the other stuff?
Mr CHAIRMAN: Just a minute.
Mr WOOD: You were heading to the end of the bill there, weren’t you?
Mr CHAIRMAN: Clause 9.
Ms MARTIN: Clause 9.
Mr WOOD: Yes, clause 9, sorry, Division 14.
Mr CHAIRMAN: I will just tidy up the rest of it, member for Nelson.
Mr WOOD: Okay, yes.
Clauses 5 to 8, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 9:
Mr WOOD: Chief Minister, this section deals with licences for operators, employers and employees. I am presuming that a person who goes to a paintball premises to operate a paintball gun is required to have a shooter’s licence. Could I therefore ask: if one is to say that this is a firearm and it is in Category C, which is a serious firearm, which most people cannot get easily, surely, if that is the case, one would have to have a shooter’s licence?
Ms MARTIN: Someone who wants to play a game of paintball turns up, they have to be over 18, they have to have some photo ID, so they bring their drivers’ licence along, and they have to be able to sign a declaration that they are over 18 and they are not a prohibited person.
A prohibited person is, for example, someone who is ineligible to apply for a firearms licence, someone who has been found guilty of an offence of violence or someone who is the subject of a domestic violence order. They will be categorised as prohibited persons. They have to make a declaration that they are not one of those persons. It will be set out and that is fair enough. This is a type of hybrid, minister …
Mr WOOD: I will try to be a minister one day.
Ms MARTIN: Member for Nelson, keep dreaming sweet.
It is a hybrid because what we have done is set a framework for those who hold the licences for regulation of the permits, and to ensure that those licences are held in a corporate sense, by fit and proper persons; that the associates of the persons who hold it are fit and proper as well. Then you get down to the fact that it is actually a game. You have that difference. We have set up a very solid framework. It will be carefully overseen by police and it will have annual licences. However, when you go to play, you will be able to do it as long as you are 18 and not prohibited. Even though a paint gun outside that range is considered within Category C of firearms, while it is at the paintball range, it is something that can be used freely by anyone over 18.
You are making the point that this is a hybrid kind of activity. We have set the framework, we have it in legislation. Once you go along, if you want to get splattered and covered in paint and get the odd bruise, as the member for Johnston did, that is the kind of context we have put together. It is similar to how it is played elsewhere.
Mr WOOD: Thank you. I am not trying to make the game harder to get into than it will be, but it just seems that if I were to go to the local pistol club, I would have to produce my shooters’ licence. That shows that I am a fit and proper person to use that particular firearm responsibly. Pistol clubs, of course, only shoot at targets, which are usually metal or cardboard, and that is only having fun.
Ms MARTIN: They shoot with bullets.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but they are shooting – that’s right.
Ms MARTIN: They do. They shoot with bullets; there is a big difference.
Mr WOOD: Well, it has the potential to kill someone. Commander McAdie said that paint guns, if used incorrectly, can cause at least injury; bruising is not exactly a pat on the back. If these were used unwisely, they could cause some damage. It seems to me that we have put these in the Firearms Act, we have classified them as a C category gun, and then we say you do not need a licence to operate it. I understand where you are coming from. You are saying it is a hybrid, but it seems to be sending mixed messages about whether this is a firearm as against a toy to throw paint at one another.
Clause 9 agreed to.
Mr CHAIRMAN: I will seek some clarification from the Deputy Leader of the Independents: any further questions?
Mr WOOD: I am not the Deputy Leader.
Mr CHAIRMAN: The Leader, sorry.
Mr WOOD: The Equal Leader. No, they are all my questions, thank you, Mr Chairman.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment; report adopted.
Ms MARTIN (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I will use the third reading as an opportunity to comment on some of the matters raised by my equal leader of the Independents, the member for Braitling. She raised reasonable concerns, but in response, if we believe that some sports which involve physical contact could create in some people’s mind an atmosphere of approving of violence, we would have to get rid of nearly all our contact sports. We have things like judo, things like …
Ms Martin: Netball.
Mr WOOD: Netball?
Ms Martin: It is a contact sport, officially.
Mr WOOD: Well, those sports in which we deliberately have contact with people …
Ms Martin: Yes, netball.
Mr WOOD: Netball, okay, Rugby Union and some of the martial arts. We allow in society a certain amount of, you might say, aggravation or a form of violence that is controlled. There are some advantages to that. People used to wonder why Australians don’t get out and fight one another in the streets and have a revolution. It is because they go to football on Saturday. They go to football on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday now, but in days gone by, people who were able to go a football match cheered and booed and carried on. It allowed people to free themselves from some of these emotions that they have. It is the same with sport. No one wants people deliberately hurt in sport, but sport with a reasonable amount of contact does not do any harm. Having control over your aggression in those sports can be good.
I take the member for Braitling’s point of concern: you do not want to be promoting sports which then would be seen by younger people as giving approval for violence; that would not be acceptable. In a football match, we would expect that if two players deliberately collided, we would accept that, but we would not expect someone to believe that it is okay to go out in the street and knock someone flat and put them in the gutter. We know that there are limitations on what we are doing. One is aggression within a set of rules and those rules are clearly laid out. Outside of that, we know that it is wrong and illegal. We have to ensure that people understand that.
Although the member for Braitling might say that paintball is perhaps promoting the concept of being able to shoot another person, which could be a reasonable point of view, on the other hand you are saying you can do this safely within these laws and regulations. Outside of that, you cannot. That is where we have to put this debate into balance. The member for Braitling raised a good point because we need people in this House to raise other points of view. What she said may not be the case with paintball as with other sports simply because you clearly define the rules and tell people what it is about: this is entertainment, it has some aggression but that aggression is controlled and must be within the rules, otherwise it becomes punishable because it is outside those rules.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, I wish to add my final comments. It is good news that we are opening this up as a recreational pastime for those who may be interested. There will be many people who will be happy with this. With the passage of this legislation, the system is in place to process that which has been permitted in this parliament. I still have a couple of issues to raise and hope that the leadership of government will ensure that procedural matters do not bog down this initiative which will be passed today.
One is the reference to ‘approved courses’. I need to know by what means will a course be approved if there are no courses on offer in the Territory. How will a course that is on offer somewhere else be deemed to be an approved course? Therein could well be a challenge for someone who wants to act on this legislation.
That goes to the broader issue of licensing procedures. I hope there would be no unnecessary impediment put before any citizen who wants to move to the position of having a licence. There are still, in my view, some impediments that could easily arise through the system that has been established in this legislation.
From opposition, I am prepared at this point to offer full support and hope that the sport gets off to a sound footing. I foreshadow revisiting this bill in 12 months time to look at a reclassification of the definition of a paintball marker as opposed to it being classified as a firearm and having it classed in a category of its own, and all the ensuing changes would flow from that. That would address some of the concerns that the members for Braitling and Goyder seemed to have on this matter.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 21 August 2007
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement on the Northern Territory Indigenous Plan of Action, Closing the Gap.
Since the Martin government came to office, we have had to confront many issues that were totally neglected by the Country Liberal Party for 27 years. I know there are people on the other side who say: ‘We were not part of that Country Liberal Party government’, but there are people in the Country Liberal Party and people who run as or sit with the Independents who were members of that government until 2001.
I am proud to stand in this Assembly as a member of the Martin Labor government to address this very serious issue that requires commitment and a generational plan of action.
Before I continue, let me speak about this issue in broader terms. I come from a culture where children are paramount – not only sacred, but paramount. The purpose of the Greek family is to get married and have children, and provide everything for those children. It is cultural. It goes back thousands of years. The reason that millions of Greeks migrated from their country for thousands of years is to give the family a better opportunity, and give their children a better opportunity. In every generation, especially of migrants, you will see that the new generation, the younger generation, is more educated, better fed, given better opportunities and have things their parents did not have. So for me, the situation with children in Aboriginal communities strikes a chord.
Also, I have worked in an allied profession, environmental health, since 1985. I had the fortune and misfortune to work in two jurisdictions, both urban and rural areas. My tenure in Port Hedland was an eye opener. It was the first time I saw the problems in Aboriginal communities, the extent of the problems in Aboriginal communities, and I witnessed people who were prostituting their children outside the Hedland Bar and Hotel in order to get money to drink.
When I came to the Territory, I visited many Aboriginal communities and I was not very proud to say I was a citizen of an advanced country when people in the same country would live under these squalid conditions. You might ask: what are the reasons for this kind of behaviour, this kind of society in decline? There are many reasons. It is not only one; it is a combination of factors: alcohol, drugs, violence, breakdown of culture, breakdown of authority, people caught between two worlds, and lack of leadership. As one of my indigenous friends has described it, indigenous people are like black mud crabs: the moment one escapes from the box or trap, all the others will drag him back down.
This situation came to the forefront after the 30 June 2006 ABC program Lateline, with allegations of corruption and sexual abuse in Mutitjulu, a small community at the foot of the Rock in Central Australia. The media was in a frenzy. Mal Brough and the federal government made every effort to say that this situation was so widespread in the Territory that they labelled many Aboriginal communities as paedophile havens and nearly every Aboriginal man as a paedophile. I find that very distressing because I have many indigenous friends, and not all of them drink, are violent or abuse their children. There are cases of childhood abuse. I would be a fool to say that there are not. There are, but they are not as widespread as we are led to believe. It is certainly not a problem created by the Territory Labor government after it was elected after 2001.
In the past 29 years of self-government in the Northern Territory, 23 years were under the stewardship of the Country Liberal government. It was not the Labor government, but it has been a very broad attempt to label this Labor government, and the Chief Minister in particular, as the only reason that this was happening in the Territory. They took an example of Mutitjulu, but the reality is they never told anyone clearly that Mutitjulu is actually under Commonwealth control; it is not under Northern Territory control.
It gets better, or worse, because the reason the intervention in the Territory took place was not because Canberra all of a sudden discovered there were kids abused in the Territory, but because there was a hidden agenda. This is clearly stated in Paul Toohey’s article in this week’s Bulletin. Toohey said:
This was the first intervention at Mutitjulu with the appointment of the administrator, which was later found, after the traditional owners applied, that it was not done properly and he had to be removed. He was removed, leaving Mutitjulu in tatters.
Our government stepped in. The allegations were serious. We knew there were problems and something had to be done. Our government commissioned the Wild/Anderson report which came back with 97 recommendations. Those 97 recommendations probably do not go as far as we want them to go, but they were very clear and provided direction as to where we should go. The federal government used this report as an excuse initially, and ordered the intervention.
Mal Brough reflected on his training in the army. He talked about intervention, stabilisation, organisation and exit. However, one thing I do not understand, and probably Mr Brough has forgotten intentionally, is that when you have a national emergency like the one he said we had in the Territory, which he described as an epidemic, one basic step to eliminate this problem is isolation. When there is a crisis, a problem, an epidemic and you are going to step in to fix that epidemic, the first thing you do is make sure no one comes in or goes out in order to isolate that emergency, that epidemic. We have very good examples every day: SARS, bird flu and in the Territory, we had a very good example with Cyclone Tracy. That was a national emergency and, in order to prevent any epidemic occurring, they closed the city down and would not let people come in or go out.
On the other hand, what is very curious is that, instead of ordering isolation to isolate and capture the offenders, Mr Brough and his merry men in Canberra have decided they are going to remove permits. They are going to remove permits meaning they are going to open wide all these communities that they say have all these problems. It does not make sense. Any health professional will tell you it does not make sense. There are doubts about the whole thing. I said before that use of the report for intervention, in my opinion, was an excuse; it was not the main reason.
Of course, there are critics although many people might think it is a good idea. I admit that intervention to sort out the problems could be a good idea. What was bad was the execution, the timing, and the way it was done. If it was done two years ago, I would be one of the first people to say that someone is going to do something about it. If the federal government came in and said: ‘We have a crisis and we want to work with you. We are going to respond to the letter you sent us about a year ago about a 20-year plan to rectify the situation, and we will put so many million dollars on the table in order to rectify it’, I would be the first one to say I am very pleased that someone, irrespective of whether he is in our political party, is prepared to do something.
What we have seen here is unilateral intervention bypassing our government. Our government found out in a media release from Brough’s office and from sections of the media, and it was in order for the federal government to respond to the concerns raised by Mark Textor in his document that was provided to the federal government and leaked to the media a few weeks ago.
Of course, the Territory, accordingly to Mal Brough, is a haven for paedophiles and is a really bad place to be. It is an awful place and things are not very good. However, a cursory look at some other states in Australia, in particular Mr Brough’s own state, will show you that the situation there is very similar to the Territory’s. Do I have to mention that in Mr Brough’s own electorate, Longman, the poverty rate is 11.7% whereas the national poverty rate is 9.3%? That is from a report done by ACOSS. Do I have to mention that while in Solomon, the percentage of children living in the electorate in jobless families is 18.1%, in Mr Brough’s electorate of Longman, the percentage of children living in the electorate in families without a job is 26%?
From Queensland Police statistics, the rates of offence against the person in Caboolture Local Government authority within Mr Brough’s electorate, was similar to the rate for Queensland, but the rate of offences against the person and other offences in the same local authority have increased significantly since 2000-01.
I turn to Queensland statistics about children. In an 11-year study of homicides from 1989 to 2000, it was found that while indigenous people are only 3% of the Queensland population, indigenous people were involved in 15% of total homicides. In 2005–06, there were 112 homicides in Queensland; in 26 cases, nearly 30%, the offenders were indigenous people. Breach of domestic violence orders: again, 30% are indigenous people. The indicators in child abuse and neglect are even worse in Queensland, Mr Brough’s own state. There were 15.9 indigenous children for every 1000 children who suffered abuse or neglect in Queensland. This is 1.5 times the state average. The rate of indigenous children under care and protection orders was nearly four times the rate of non-indigenous children. Indigenous children were in out-of-home care at more than three times the state average, and the statistics go on and on. It is not only a problem of the Territory; it is a problem for Australia. If there is intervention, it should be Australia-wide in consultation and cooperation with the different governments.
I understand that the Country Liberal Party has commissioned a review of the Wild/Anderson report. The review was commissioned by the Territory leader, Jodeen Carney, and the review was done by Dr Annie Cossins. Many times in the past, the Leader of the Opposition has referred to it, but she has not tabled the review. Dr Cossins had an interview with Leon Compton. She said she was asked to review the recommendations and how each of the recommendations could or could not work in practice. She was asked to review the gaps in the report, and that is what she did. ‘I, on the one hand’, said Dr Cossins, ‘think the report contains a large amount of very useful information and this information will be terrific for the government’. Mr Compton asked what the situation is now with local government and Dr Cossins said: ‘I don’t get any feeling from the federal government what they plan on, you know, if they are taking the report’s recommendations into account’. The reporter then asks: ‘So the federal government, on the one hand, says that it triggered the response but on the other they are not really following the text?’. Dr Cossins, who did the review of the Wild/Anderson report, says: ‘Yes, I agree with you, I absolutely agree. I don’t necessarily agree with Mal Brough’s approach to this problem. I think his heart is in the right place, but I am not sure that his approach is going to have the desired effect either’.
With the package we announced in parliament this week, we intend to make that difference. We are so committed that we have put 1.7% of the Territory budget on the table. That is compared with 0.25% of the money that the Commonwealth has put toward this intervention.
We all agree that a generational plan of action that requires bipartisan support and commitment, while there may be levels of disagreement, must happen. Something has to be done. We cannot continue with this situation. Closing the Gap outlines the strategy that will lead to improved health and wellbeing outcomes, will increase educational levels, will tackle the massive overcrowding in remote communities, and will provide increased care and safety by way of improved policing and child welfare presence.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand the issues confronting our indigenous Territorians. Over the years, hundreds of reports have been written that show indigenous people have been the most disadvantaged group in Australia. I will not elaborate further on this as the Martin Labor government’s response is the most comprehensive plan aimed at addressing indigenous disadvantage ever produced by a Northern Territory government.
As a member of the Martin Labor government, I am committed to playing my role to create an environment in which indigenous people are provided with the opportunity to enter into mainstream society as an active participant and not as an economically-deprived observer, always looking in from the outside but never being part of the main game.
I am passionate about regional development. I am passionate about creating jobs, especially in the bush, and I am passionate about giving opportunities to young indigenous Territorians. Our government’s commitment of $286m will not only create jobs and employment opportunities for local people in the area of health, education and police, but will enable regional communities to participate in the economy of the Northern Territory.
Three years ago, the Martin government laid out an Indigenous Economic Development Strategy, which we will continue to support. At the second Economic Development Summit for 2005-15, Moving the Territory Ahead, the business community welcomed the Territory government’s focus on and commitment to regional development and committed to showing support through employing apprentices and trainees in accordance with the Jobs Plan. The participants accepted that involving our indigenous citizens in jobs and businesses would ensure that benefits will flow on into the wider community and add to the wellbeing of all.
Regional development in the Territory has always been fragmented and usually based on extracting resources from isolated areas. Whilst remote regions of the Territory produce great wealth for the country, indigenous people of the regions have not really benefited in any great way. It is our intention to totally change this depressing situation.
The Closing the Gap statement provides the building blocks for this momentous change to occur. Recently, Community Cabinet travelled to Pine Creek, Jilkminggan, Mataranka and Katherine. The common theme we heard from all the businesses there - pastoral industry, horticulture industry and mining industry - was they need workers, and they do not need workers who fly-in-fly-out; they need local workers.
It is not economically plausible or, moreover, sustainable to bring people from outside the regions to fill jobs when there are unemployment rates of 80% within spitting distance of these enterprises. The French poet, novelist and playwright, Victor Hugo, once said: ‘There is nothing so powerful as an idea whose time has come’. The time has come. In this instance, all the ingredients are in place: a strong desire by business to include indigenous people in the economic development of the Territory; a bipartisan approach by members of this House to see all Territorians included in our economic expansion; and, finally and most importantly, the desire of indigenous people to shake off shackles of poverty and ignorance and become real partners in the overall future of the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, as the Sport and Recreation Minister, I am also committed to supporting indigenous Territorians and people in the bush. It is not only playing sports; it is a change of lifestyle. I am pleased to announce that the Northern Territory government is committed to reform the way we deliver sport and recreation services in the bush. We are injecting $4.5m initially over five years to provide increased funding in the area of sport and recreation officers in the remote and regional shires. Second, we are establishing, upgrading and maintaining key remote and regional sporting facilities and infrastructure. Third, we are expanding indigenous sport programs and expanding on-the-ground support for the regional and remote shires.
This additional funding brings the total Northern Territory government commitment to remote indigenous sports and recreational programs, through local government, to $10.5m over five years. It is an example of this government’s desire to positively impact on Territorians’ lives beyond political terms and aim for a future where indigenous people achieve similar social outcomes as the non-indigenous population.
Sport also plays an important preventative and diversionary role in indigenous communities. We have seen a number of indigenous sport stars excelling nationally and internationally in their chosen sports, and these reflect the capacity for other indigenous people to follow similar paths. Sport and recreation is often interpreted as supporting organised sporting events only, either at the grassroots or elite levels, and this is not the case. The Northern Territory government is also keen to promote physical activity and its benefits across the community to achieve greater health outcomes for the Territory.
I am passionate about jobs in the bush and I am talking up jobs in the bush. I encourage people to get a job. There are plenty of jobs out there. What a pleasure it was the other day to go to Borroloola and find the McArthur River Mine has just completed 13 apprenticeships or traineeships. These people will complete their training and will have a starting salary of $72 000 a year. Not only that, but they announced on the same day that they are going to have another 43 local apprentices learning how to drive not the lawn mowers, but the big machines these mines need. Of course, it is a give and take. The mine wants workers. They cannot get workers because there is such a skills shortage. This is a unique opportunity for us to provide these jobs and train local people not only to drive a truck, but to train them to read and write and give them budgeting skills. I intend to support the private and local communities to achieve this.
I said before that I feel very passionate about the intervention. I am offended. I feel the Territory has been dealt a blow from Canberra. This is not a Territory problem; this is an Australian problem. We have to address it as a nation. It is easy to sit in Canberra and give orders. I would like to remind Mr Brough that he is not in the army any more. He is a politician and you can achieve much more by consensus than by giving orders. After all, I would be pleased to take a lesson from Mr Brough if Mr Brough keeps his nest clean, but when I found out that the federal government has underspent hundreds of millions of dollars for indigenous jobs, when I find out that Mr Brough will raid the indigenous benefit account to provide millions of dollars for festivals or pools, I have a problem. I say again that I would be very happy to sit down with Mr Brough or anyone, irrespective of political persuasion, to discuss how to find the solution to the problem. This opportunity was never given to the Territory. We learnt about it from the media and from media releases.
One thing that disturbs me is that I well recall since the time I came to the Territory, every time there was even a hint of federal government intervention in the Northern Territory, every Chief Minister and every member of the Country Liberal Party would be jumping up and down. It happened with euthanasia. It also happened when the federal Liberal government put conditions to then Chief Minister Burke for mandatory sentencing. This time, there is absolute silence.
We have been dealt an injustice by the Commonwealth, and what makes me angrier is why we have been portrayed all around Australia and the world as a redneck country that does not care about its citizens when we have 700 examinations of children in the Territory and only four referrals. Compare that with the arrest that took place in Halls Creek in Western Australia and the paedophile ring that was broken, which I support. Everyone who interferes with children should be thrown in prison and the key thrown away. Children are sacred, but this is not a Territory problem. This is a problem for the whole of Australia - not just for black children, but black, white and anything in between.
That is the reason I strongly support the package we have put in place. It is not everything, but it is a first step. We have to do something. It is never too late, and we are doing it. As I said, for me personally, children are always sacred and I am happy to sit down with anyone to talk in dialogue. I will not accept orders.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker, I have listened to the responses to this statement over the past couple of days and have found them very diverse. Of course, I expected to hear a lot of criticism for anything and everything other than what the Territory government is contributing to indigenous disadvantage. Let me say from the outset that I am very supportive of all efforts by all levels of government to make changes and big improvements to the way indigenous people live, and the disadvantage that so many of them are experiencing.
First of all, for the members of this Assembly, and especially for the member for Millner, I must confess that I have only lived in the Northern Territory for 19 years. I was not born here and I am not indigenous, so I am assuming, from your tirade yesterday afternoon, that I am not qualified to speak or make any comments about anything relating to indigenous people in the Northern Territory.
Mr Bonson: The member for Greatorex and the member for Araluen – put their time together and it is not as much as you.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: Forget that I have been living in Katherine for those 19 years, forget that I ran a business in Katherine for 11 years, and forget that I was born in Ceduna on the west coast of South Australia where there is a large indigenous population. Forget that I have many indigenous friends, and forget that I am only too acutely aware, member for Millner, of the disadvantage in which so many indigenous people live not only in and around Katherine, but throughout the whole of the Northern Territory.
I also found it a little amusing that the member for Millner should get so hot under the collar about two of my colleagues, the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Greatorex, implying that they were not qualified to have opinions and debate this subject because they have not been here long enough. I am standing opposite quite a few members of this parliament and this government who also were not born here. What makes them so qualified and special to have opinions and make decisions over and above us on this side about indigenous welfare? I acknowledge the member for Stuart; he was definitely born here, but there are others who were not. It is simply because you can make those comments. You were born here, member for Millner, but some of us were not. That does not make us less informed about indigenous affairs. As members of government, you should be making decisions, and we, as opposition, have equal rights to express our opinions, and that is what we are here to do. It is obvious that we are not going to agree on many issues. Unfortunately for you, we still have equal rights to express our views in here.
Having said that, with all the activity that the Little Children are Sacred report has generated, I welcome the intervention of the federal government, especially in the areas of the protection of children, alcohol, additional police, health, education and housing. Right from the time of the announcement of the intervention by the federal government, I felt a sense of relief that, at long last, the financial resources would be available to really make some significant changes for indigenous people and their communities.
Together with other members in this House, I am very aware of the problems facing indigenous people and for most communities, they are not getting better. It is also obvious that the Territory government alone would never have enough money to be able to impact significant improvements in the short term. The situation was too enormous. Therefore, the effects of disadvantage are compounding. Now, with Closing the Gap announced by this government in addition to the millions of dollars and intervention from the federal government, is the perfect opportunity for both levels of governments to be working cooperatively to get maximum progress to the advantage of indigenous Australians.
I am more than a little tired already of the argy-bargy that has crept into so many debates about who said what, who gave what, who should have done this and that, and the blame game that goes on and on. For goodness sake, let us all show maturity and some leadership and get on with what this whole process is about: making the lives of indigenous children and their families something to be proud of by instilling pride and giving them the opportunities to do so.
With the federal and Territory governments’ aims and objectives under their belt, under the different headings of intervention and Closing the Gap, why do you not form a joint task force with the federal government? Oh, no! Politically, that would not look good, would it? Why do you not form a joint task force with them so that all of the great ideas coming from both the Territory government and the federal government’s intervention and the money that is being contributed can actually have some productive outcomes? Why can we not work cooperatively? Instead, things are going to be duplicated and it makes pure sense that things do not need be duplicated and a task force needs to be formed. I am absolutely sick of the politics in this already.
The outcomes will take a darn sight longer to achieve unless government and government agencies work cooperatively. You would receive more respect from the community, and be able to achieve more in a shorter space of time and, therefore, bring about a quicker and better result. Gosh, doesn’t that sound sensible? Oh no! That is the way politics is played, isn’t it? While talking about working cooperatively, these changes cannot work successfully, and be sustained, unless Aboriginal Territorians work toward those same goals. They will have to do their part, too.
On the abuse of alcohol, we know that when we are working out in communities, and I speak about the experience around Katherine, we have a sobering-up shelter and a rehab centre, but the two don’t actually gel. What each of these communities are going to have to do now is have a sobering-up shelter, a detox centre and a rehab centre before we are going to be able to make any difference in this area.
I want the Territory government to seriously think about this: if you are serious about making some dents into rehabilitating indigenous people and helping them to get some focus into their life, I am going to talk about the rehab centre at Dalinya again. The only reason you are not looking at it favourably and the only reason that you won’t give it funding is because Sheila Millar, who owns and operates Dalinya, will not tell you the secrets of what she does because she does her healing traditionally. It is something that she does herself. Why is it that she has to put it down on paper? Why is it that she has to say: ‘I do A, B, C, D and E’? She does not do that. She does it from her traditional healing and it is successful. Why don’t you look at something that is working instead of saying: ‘No, it has to be done in a big building over here and it has to be done in a program that suits us’? Do what works! Dalinya works.
I encourage you to get out there and look at Dalinya if you are dead set serious about making a difference. Help the people who are trying to help themselves. Sheila Millar happens to be one of them. I don’t know how she has the energy to keep her focus going because she is quite drained from trying to get assistance to run that place. She has run it on her own, out of her own pocket, for years. This is the only time I want to talk about politics in this area because I am really cross about what has been happening.
Sheila Millar approached me in 1999 or 2000 and she was able, through the Territory government, to get funding for 12 months to run Dalinya. The minister at the time went out to see how the program was running and was pleased with what she was doing. He did not understand how it worked and he did not have to because she knew how it worked. She was funded and she did not have to worry about handling the financial affairs herself because Anglicare did all the bookwork for her. That program was running successfully. She had people there that she was able to get off alcohol and to give them some sense of life and self-esteem.
At the end of that 12 months was a change of government and that funding was withdrawn. I am urging you, if you are serious about addressing the most serious problem that we have, which, according to all the reports that have come out, is alcohol, have a look at that program at Dalinya and give an indigenous woman, who has tried so hard to make a difference to help her people and is perfectly capable of doing it, the support that she needs.
But, oh no! It will be politics again. She does not have it written down on paper so it won’t work. I am telling you: you are talking about dealing with cultural issues here and that is what we have to look at, everything culturally. Talk to her and the people that she knows can help her help more people. She has always said to me she could take her car down the street of Katherine and pick up a dozen people and take them out just like that. She said: ‘I could have those people with a quality of life and saving their lives, and it would be happening within 12 months’. You need to look at that.
Katherine does not have a detox centre. I know they are looking to have one in Alice Springs, but it is not there yet. We have a rehabilitation centre that is not used to rehabilitate alcoholics. It is used through the justice system and it does not have programs that work effectively. We need to get that working properly. Stop putting money into programs that do not work and put money into those that do.
In the area of health, I would like government to look at what is happening to indigenous men. I am going to read comments by Dr Tony Mordini from the Batchelor Institute. Tony is going to be speaking at the International Association for Suicide Prevention Congress to be held in Ireland on 28 August. He is saying that Aboriginal males who commit suicide feel trapped. He is going to present a paper, and I wish he would present it to us, too, but he is going to Ireland, which is really good, but we need to look at it as well. He is saying the issue of Aboriginal male suicides, particularly in the Territory, is of national and international significance because of their marked over-representation. He said:
That is an absolutely tragic figure, absolutely tragic. The reason I am talking about this is that I know that there are men specifically in the Katherine community, and I know there will be men in other communities, who are crying out for funding to run programs for men’s health. I have been approached constantly by two people in Katherine to lobby for funding for men’s health programs for indigenous people. For goodness sake, some of this money that you are putting toward Closing the Gap, there is a prime example of where a lot of money has to be put into programs. You have the people out there with the skill to run them. They have run them before, and very successfully. That is where a lot of the money has to be put. It is not much good doing all these other things if we do not save their lives. It is terrible if they are dying between 10 and 39 from suicide. That is an absolute tragedy. That is where some money definitely has to go.
On the subject of housing, I have mixed feelings. I know that there is an extreme shortage of housing in indigenous communities. I want to talk about abandoned houses because there are quite a few of those throughout the Northern Territory. I do not know why they have been abandoned, but no wonder there is a shortage of housing if we have houses that no one is living in. The government needs to look at a system whereby housing is established in a place. People must be told: ‘That is your housing. If you want to just keep moving around the place, we are not going to provide housing for you over here and over here and over there’ because we will all jump on the band wagon. I would not mind a house overlooking the ocean somewhere or on a river or something. There needs to be tougher rules set down for housing.
I want to talk about a couple of businesses in Katherine which are putting a lot of effort into developing a suitable model of housing for indigenous communities. I am really impressed. It is difficult to come up with one that suits everyone. I know the minister has had a look at this model, he has been briefed on it, and I know he is looking at it favourably. I certainly hope he does because it is a design that can be used anywhere in the Territory. It is not a standard three-bedroom home, which is really good. It is a five-bedroom home. It can be built in a place, Katherine or Alice Springs or the Top End, all year round. Even if you cannot get access to communities in the Wet Season, building of the houses can go on. Then, when they do have access to the communities, they can bundle up all of the house components and that house can be erected within two weeks.
The beauty of the project that they are trying to get up and running is that when they are doing that building, they bring in young people from the communities who want to be trained as apprentices. They will train them to get the skills, to do the electrical work and to be carpenters, and to maintain those buildings because, as the minister does know, there is an enormous amount spent on repairs and maintenance for housing. We need to try to bring that back as well as providing more houses.
The advantage of this particular design is that this five bedroom home is designed as fully self-contained with power, which means it would be solar powered. It is a really good design. The style of solar system they have worked out would have enough excess power to go into a grid, so they would be able to utilise that power as well. It is a fabulous design. I am pretty chuffed about it. It has my support and I hope it has the minister’s approval as well.
The exciting thing is that they could build 50 in a year, and that is in one spot. So if you could build 50 a year in Katherine, Alice Springs and Darwin, that is 150 houses. They are a decent size, five bedroom homes, because as we know, most indigenous people have family coming and going all the time. It is a great idea. I am very supportive as I am of having indigenous people undergo training in the process. Those houses are also, very pleasingly, cheaper than what is presently being put on to communities so there would almost be four houses for the price of three, on current prices of houses on a community, so I am pretty chuffed about that.
Housing in communities is very important and it needs to be addressed quickly and with a safe model.
Ms Carney: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the member for Katherine be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mrs MILLER: Thank you, Leader of the Opposition. I want to finish on education. Education has to be on a reward and incentive basis to encourage many indigenous children to attend school. I want to use the example of the breakfast program that runs in Katherine. We cannot expect children to learn on an empty stomach. I do not expect any child to go to school without breakfast. I was not a great supporter of the breakfast program in the early days. I used to think you have to give kids breakfast before they go to school and it is the parents’ responsibility, but there are many situations where parents do not have food in the house for one reason or another. I have only done this once, and I must do it again because I did enjoy it, but I went to MacFarlane Primary School to help them with their breakfast program. It was absolutely fabulous to see the children come in with their parents and teachers, and have their breakfast at school. They have a choice, but they must have some fruit and they can have juice, milk, cereal or toast. They are very polite when they ask for what they want. They take it to a table, sit down, eat their breakfast and then they have to wash their utensils and take them back to the canteen.
The looks on those children’s faces - they were all happy, they were all healthy, they were all clean, and the difference it is has made to their learning abilities has been quite remarkable. The school is very happy with the program and the way it runs. So I have changed my view entirely in the last 12 months about how breakfast programs run and the benefit of them. It is very important that we get into the habit of teaching children that it is important to have breakfast before they go to school.
That breakfast program is working in some communities. It is actually a training program for the parents as well because the parents need to understand that children are much healthier, happier and learn more if they have breakfast before they go to school. Hopefully, eventually parents will take that responsibility. At the moment, the Smith Family runs the program at MacFarlane Primary School. A suggestion is that parents pay a small amount towards the breakfast in communities so that they are used to the idea that not everything is for nothing, but their children are always going to be guaranteed breakfast before they go to school.
I am going to speak later in response to the sport statement because there are some areas which are incentive-based for education that tie in with sport as well.
I am tired already of the argy-bargy of the political side of all this. For whatever reason, I do not care, we should organise a combined task force and work together. I do not care who is in federal politics and who is in Territory government. We should work together so that this enormous amount of money makes a huge difference to a lot of people in the shortest space of time. Otherwise, it will be a disadvantage to us. We owe it to the indigenous people of the Northern Territory to do the best that we can.
Mr HAMPTON (Stuart): Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement on Closing the Gap of Indigenous Disadvantage, a Generational Plan of Action.
The plight of Aboriginal people can be no better illustrated in Australia than in Central Australia and, in particular, my electorate of Stuart. These issues and the struggles of our indigenous Territorians have been well documented and debated over the years. The Wild/Anderson report, Little Children are Sacred, commissioned by the Chief Minister, has provided the springboard for this generational plan of action.
I first acknowledge people’s contributions to that report, in particular Rex Wild QC and Pat Anderson. I was at Lajamanu and Kalkarindji and Daguragu when they were conducting consultations with those communities, and can vouch firsthand for how they ran the information sessions and consultations. They were very inclusive of the whole community. They had the whole community meeting and separate men’s meetings, which I attended.
I acknowledge many of the other people who worked on that report: Julie Nicholson, the Executive Officer; Dr Adam Tomison, the Director Policy and Research; Stewart O’Connell, the Senior Policy Officer; Barbara Kelly, Senior Research Officer; Noelle Chandler, Administrative Assistant; and also the expert reference group that assisted in the development of this report: Professor Paul Torzillo AM, Professor Dorothy Scott, Ms Barbara Cummings, Mr John Ah Kit, Ms Stephanie Bell and Mr Charlie King. I am sure there are plenty of other people who did hours and hours of work on this report, and I acknowledge all of those people as well.
I could stand here and have a go at the neglect by successive governments, both Commonwealth and Northern Territory, or simply blame the victims. However, the issue of child abuse and generational neglect are far too important to play politics or the blame game. I do think it is important, however, to highlight that the Wild/Anderson report was the catalyst for the current Commonwealth intervention into the Northern Territory, and placed indigenous issues on the national agenda in the way of a national emergency and now an election issue.
My contribution to this debate is centred on three areas: the children; the people, particularly those living in Stuart; and the government.
As the Chief Minister stated, Closing the Gap not only delivers a response to the Wild/Anderson report, but delivers the most comprehensive response aimed at addressing indigenous disadvantage ever produced by a Northern Territory government. The statement spells out what the Martin Labor government is going to do over the next five years in relation to addressing the child protection system as well as the broader social and economic factors including housing, unemployment, offender rehabilitation, health, alcohol misuse and education. Closing the Gap also demonstrates that the Martin Labor government has begun closing the gap since coming to government in 2001, but as we all know, more needs to be done.
I thank the member for Katherine. I am a born and bred Territorian and, as a local member of a bush electorate whose constituency consists of 84% indigenous people, I am probably more critical of all governments in their handling of indigenous affairs policy and expenditure than anyone. There are, no doubt, critics of this generational plan for action across Australia, and maybe on the other side of this House, but as I said, we cannot afford to get bogged down in debate that skirts around the issue and does not focus on effective, practical and long-term solutions.
It was nine weeks ago today that the Prime Minister and minister Brough announced the national emergency in response to the Wild/Anderson report. It has been a huge challenge for me in getting out to the electorate of Stuart and passing on the information to my constituents. Behind the hundreds of kilometres of bush trips and the hundreds of constituents I have talked to, I have been driven by the need to achieve the following: a desire to improve the situation for our children and be part of a generational change that will provide a better future for them; and the need to get the information out to the people who these changes will affect the most and the people who ultimately will make this generational action plan succeed. As a member of parliament, I have a responsibility to my electorate and to the Northern Territory to do my bit to make sure change happens to address the most serious issue of child abuse, and to make sure those people most affected by this issue are engaged and are part of the solutions.
Given that in the last nine weeks, the intervention has played a big part in my job, I would like to briefly focus on the interventions we have seen happen over this time. As I have said, the approach taken by the Commonwealth government, particularly in the first few weeks, had a big impact on the people of Stuart. As I talked through the Canberra interventions with communities in my electorate, people have expressed much anger, sadness, disbelief, relief, and uncertainty.
There are no greater advocates, workers and role models for tackling child abuse and violence than the people living in Stuart. You only have to look at programs such as the Mt Theo program as a case in point. People in the bush must be congratulated for the last nine weeks because they have opened their hearts, their communities and their homes to these teams. That is why I would like to place on the public record the consistent messages I have received from the people of Stuart about other aspects of the Canberra intervention.
The banning of alcohol gets a big tick; people out there do support the banning of alcohol. Banning of pornography, another big tick; they do support that and they have been fighting for those two things for a long time. Quarantining of Centrelink money in respect of school attendance particularly, another tick; people out there support that because they want their kids to get an education and a better life and a job into the future. Policing: we have had three police stationed at Willowra, Nyirripi and Utopia for the past month and I have been to all of those communities. People are very happy to have them there. It has restored a lot of community safety. People in those communities have not had a police presence for a long time. Often, they have police visit from Harts Range, Yuendumu or Ti Tree. To have police stationed there, however, provides a lot of support and safety for the women particularly, who have come to me and expressed great happiness and joy that they have them there. Talking to the police, they have not experienced a lot of law and order problems, maybe the occasional alcohol issue, which they deal with quickly. I would like to see a longer term commitment from both the Commonwealth government and our government to a greater and long-term police presence.
One area where there has been a lot of controversy relates to land rights: the five year leases; compulsory acquisition of land, town camps; and the removal of the permit system. I can say that for people in my electorate, this caused the most worry. They are worried because nowhere in the Little Children are Sacred report is there any mention of the permit system contributing to either child abuse or the need to compulsorily acquire Aboriginal land. What investor in the commercial world would consider investment anywhere where land tenure exists for only five years?
Make no mistake; the Northern Territory government supports actions that are effective and sustainable. We support incentives that will genuinely attract private sector investment in remote communities. We support initiatives that are going to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal children. We support strategies that protect women and children. We support initiatives that will have a long-term impact on the lifestyles and livelihood of indigenous Territorians. There is no doubt many would have liked to have seen improvements in Aboriginal living conditions occur must faster than what we have been able to achieve in our first six years of government. There is no doubt that we have achieved much in the time we have been in government.
In terms of education, since 2001 we have employed 110 additional teachers above formula aimed directly at the bush and regions. We have improved secondary education in the bush, with six secondary schools, and introduced secondary education to a further 22 schools across remote areas of the Territory. The announcement of 15 additional classrooms at a cost of $6m is most welcome, as is the upgrade of two homeland learning centres. In particular, I record my appreciation of the great work of the many teachers and assistant teachers throughout my electorate. I am sure the 47 teachers and the assistant teacher positions for remote schools will be most welcome and will create further job opportunities for living in these communities.
In my own electorate, the mobile preschool working in the Sandover Highway area has had a marked and positive impact on the region’s children. It provides an extremely important developmental education component to those kids in their early years, the formative years, by establishing a foundation for future socialisation, learning and contribution to their community. It also enables parents and community members to be actively engaged in structured learning programs and provides employment opportunities at a local level.
I also want to mention the Clontarf Football Academy at Yirara College, ANZAC Hill High School, and ASHS or Alice Springs High School. The program kicked off this year and, as we have heard many times in this House, it is really starting to kick some goals for young indigenous men. The other exciting program I had the pleasure of launching on behalf of the minister for Education is the Partnerships for Success program targeting kids at a higher level.
I have much experience working in the employment and training sector over 30 years, having worked in the CES and the mining sector at the Granites Gold Mine and Central Land Council. As a member of the Martin Labor government, I am proud that we have focused our training policies at indigenous training in Jobs Plans 1, 2 and 3. One real and practical example of how this government is working with all stakeholders to create real jobs is in the Ti Tree region in my electorate in the horticulture industry. Organisations such as the Ahkeye Aboriginal Land Trust, Anmatjere Community Government Council, Congress, Central Desert Training, Central Land Council, CentreFarm, DEET, DEST, Primary Industry and Fisheries, DEWR and the Tangentyere Job Shop are all major stakeholders leading the way in creating new jobs.
I look forward to seeing further employment opportunities being created in my electorate. I acknowledge programs that have already begun providing real jobs as well, such as the Wulaign Rangers program at Lajamanu, Newmont Mining operations at the Granites, and Tanami mines in partnership with the Central Land Council.
We have introduced an Indigenous Employment Strategy in the public sector which has significantly increased the numbers of indigenous people in the private sector. In fact, there are now 450 more indigenous public servants than there were in 2001, a 64% increase. Closing the Gap will value-add to initiatives such as this by providing more opportunities for Aboriginal people to fill critical public service positions that are specifically targeted at improving the wellbeing of the young and vulnerable in our community. I am particularly encouraged by our $10m commitment to transition those CDEP positions that support the Northern Territory government’s efforts into mainstream jobs within our public service. I hope the Commonwealth government will continue to support to our local government reform processes and provide practical financial assistance to transition local council CDEP positions into mainstream jobs.
Since 2001, this government has increased Health and Community Services funding by 75%. Unfortunately, the indigenous population in the Territory is the main user of our health system, with approximately 60% of the Health budget being used for indigenous purposes. But there is light at the end of the tunnel; there is cause for hope. Since 2001, life expectancy for indigenous women has increased by three years to 68 years of age. Indigenous infant mortality rates have decreased by 36%, and we have invested significantly in improving access to renal dialysis services in the regions. We have a renewed focus on child health.
Closing the Gap will provide more integrated family and children’s centres in communities, sport and recreation programs, and the expansion of programs for preventable chronic disease. In my own electorate, integrated early childhood centres at Yuendumu and Laramba continue to provide young mums with the knowledge and skills they need to nurture their kids and, importantly, provide critical developmental learning in the early years for our little kids. This gives these kids a leg up for primary and secondary school.
I pick up on comments made by the member for Katherine in relation to men’s health. I also read the article by Dr Mordini about Aboriginal male suicides and the theme of feeling trapped. For me, this year has been hard. I personally know two people, young men, relations of mine, who committed suicide. It is a very sad occasion. It takes a lot out of the families who have to go through Sorry Business and deal with the loss of loved ones. As the member for Katherine said, on average, nearly 50% of suicides are indigenous, yet indigenous Territorians represent only 30% of the population. Our indigenous men are caught between two worlds. In one world, at the age of 14, you are an initiated man for many of our young men, with all the roles and responsibilities that entails. In another world, you are just a boy in a middle school.
There is no simple solution, but I would like to mention one organisation that is trying to deal with that: Congress Men’s Health Unit in Alice Springs. I go down there quite often, particularly on a Monday. I sit down and have a cup of tea with the men. It is mainly used by men from the bush. It provides a safe house for them. It provides a shower, a place where they can have a shave, sit down have a talk and have a meal. I strongly recommend to our government that we look further into supporting men’s health centres, or men’s health sheds is what they call them.
Mrs Braham: Safe houses, too.
Mr HAMPTON: Safe houses, yes. The Martin Labor government recognises that overcrowding of housing is a key issue for people living in remote communities and contributes to the cycle of violence against women and children.
Since 2001, we have built over 1000 houses for remote indigenous Territorians, and we have committed an additional $100m to overcome the backlog that has existed since self-government. A commitment from the Commonwealth government to a significant share of the $1.6bn in the Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation Program to upgrade housing stock in remote communities to a standard that we all expect would be a good start.
It is also time the Commonwealth government recognised the massive deficit in indigenous housing in the Territory and committed some of their massive budget surpluses to closing that gap. The Northern Territory cannot do this alone, nor should it be expected to. If the Commonwealth can establish a Future Fund, a Higher Education Endowment Fund, and a Health and Medical Investment Fund with their massive surpluses, it is reasonable that they immediately redress the inequities of history by funding the backlog in indigenous housing left as a legacy by pre-1978 federal administrations.
I am heartened by our increased focus on providing government housing to local recruits occupying government positions. For me, as the member for Stuart, this is a regular issue about which people approach me. The Martin Labor government’s decision three years ago to overturn the previous CLP administration’s policy of not providing staff housing for local recruits will make a significant difference to the people living in the Stuart electorate.
I congratulate this government for its $42.3m commitment to housing in Closing the Gap. We have all these extra dollars going into housing, and it is vitally important that we also have employment and training programs coming behind and supporting the construction programs. I know in my electorate at Laramba, Ampilatwatja and Yuendumu, there was the old Papunya IHANT builder trainer program. I am not too sure what happened to that program. It is something that I would like to find out a bit more about. I have talked to a lot of older Aboriginal men and it is amazing the skills they have from previous years. There used to be housing building teams out there 20 or 30 years ago, and many of these men are still around. Many of them are the ones who are on CDEP. It is important that we put together a really strong builder trainer program to support the construction program.
The safety and security of our community is of paramount importance. Throughout my community visits over the past nine weeks, people in the bush say they want to be safe and secure in their own homes. It is something that they have been working …
Mr WARREN: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the member for Stuart be given an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As I said, it is something that people in the bush have been working on for many years. You only have to look at the Night Patrol programs and where they began. For members’ information, they began with the women in the communities walking around together and dealing with a lot of the social issues that occurred in communities where there were no police. Night Patrols are one example of how communities have been trying to deal with social issues in their communities over a number of years.
The additional $80m investment for child protection is welcome by all the people in the Territory, whether they are indigenous or non-indigenous. Expansion of the child abuse task force with additional Family and Community Services’ staff, police, additional child protection workers and school councillors will go a long way towards protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
Establishment of a Remote Area Policing strategy with more police officers is also good news. The addition of community courts and more Community Corrections Officers, the introduction of community-based family violence programs and new sexual offender rehabilitation programs provides the comprehensive approach required to have a long-term impact on repeat offenders.
We are all acutely aware of this government’s record investment in the police force. We have increased funding by 65% since 2001, and Closing the Gap adds to that investment. I know that people in my electorate will welcome the increased presence of police, as I have already stated.
I trust that the Commonwealth government will maintain its commitment to Aboriginal people in the Territory by working with the Northern Territory government to ensure that the police presence is sustainable.
Despite the CLP’s assertions that there is too much emphasis in the Little Children are Sacred report on alcohol as a determinant of violence and abuse against women and children, evidence is against them. Recently, the Chief Minister was advised by police that 85% of their workload in Alice Springs and Katherine was dedicated to alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour. A recent examination of stabbing presentations at the Alice Springs Hospital showed that a majority were female victims and over 30% were alcohol-related.
I support the strategies outlined in the Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan. Grog restrictions are working, but more can be done and I am pleased that more will be done. The problem is not confined to public drunkenness. Our alcohol consumption per capita relative to the rest of the nation is nothing to be proud of. Alcoholism is at the heart of this problem and it cuts across both indigenous and non-indigenous families.
Amendments to the Liquor Act will complement the $10m commitment in Closing the Gap to tackle alcohol and drug issues and will ensure that we continue to focus our efforts on long-term answers to grog-related crime, antisocial behaviour and personal harm.
Closing the Gap is the most comprehensive response to Aboriginal disadvantage and the causal factors that underpin violence against women and children ever seen in the Territory. Unlike the CLP, which has no vision, no answers and no idea of the issues that really impact on Aboriginal people living in the Territory, the Martin government’s response tackles deep-seated, structural issues whilst also addressing the immediate issues of safety and security.
I welcome the establishment of the Indigenous Advisory Council to the Chief Minister and the creation of local community boards. It is a credit to this government that there has been a concerted effort to consult with Aboriginal people about how we can stop the abuse. It is a credit to this government that structures will be put in place to continue to hear directly from Aboriginal people, a means of working together rather than dividing to conquer.
Over the past two months or so, I have travelled extensively across my electorate, talked to hundreds of constituents and listened to their concerns. I am sure that Closing the Gap will instil a sense of confidence amongst those living in Stuart and Central Australia that this government is genuine in its continued efforts to overcome indigenous disadvantage.
I have been encouraged by many comments from indigenous people living in Alice Springs and in my electorate that they want to work with the Territory government on Closing the Gap. We, as indigenous Territorians, must also work together, whether we are living in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Yuendumu, Ampilatwatja or Hidden Valley. I would like to quote from a letter from Mr Andrew Stojanovski OAM during his recent acceptance speech at Yuendumu last week:
Mr Deputy Speaker, I conclude by saying Closing the Gap is a good start. It is only the first five years of a generational plan, the commitment of $286m. I place on the public record my commitment to the people of Stuart that I will stand up and ensure that this commitment is honoured and that we continue to work together in partnership in closing the gap.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a few comments regarding Closing the Gap. I support the responses by the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Katherine. I support anything that will help Territorians and Territory children who are exposed to child abuse, or are victims of child abuse.
I noted yesterday that the member for Millner protests time and time again at how ashamed and disgusted he was at the Leader of the Opposition’s response to the Wild/Anderson report. He asserted that because she was not born in the Northern Territory or had not being here for some significant amount of time she was somehow not qualified to comment.
Ms Carney: Did he?
Mr CONLAN: He did. The member for Millner does not have to agree with the comments of the Leader of the Opposition. He can kick and scream all he wants, shout until the cows come home, but to suggest that those people who are not long-term residents or who were not born in the Northern Territory essentially have no right to an opinion on such matters is an insult to all those who now call the Northern Territory home. The member for Millner said, and this is from Hansard:
Even I got a guernsey …
How long have you been here, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms Carney: Coming up to 20, I think.
Mr CONLAN:
By logic, one must be here for some 25 years before they can contribute. Perhaps the member for Millner should look at his own leader, who arrived in the Northern Territory in 1983. Last time I checked 2007 minus 1983 equals 24, not 25. Does that mean that the member for Millner is saying that his own Chief Minister does not understand how the Territory works?
Perhaps the member for Millner should remind himself that it was the people of Millner who put him in this Chamber. I can’t be sure how many residents of Millner were or were not born in the Northern Territory or, moreover, how many residents of Millner have lived in Millner for 25 years, but you can bet your bottom dollar it wasn’t all of the 52.7% who voted for him on first preferences. If we could extrapolate from the member for Millner’s comments, should something as serious as their vote count if they have not been here for that amount of time? If you are not a long-term resident and you were not born in the Northern Territory then your input and opinion does not count, but we will take your vote and your taxes, anyway, thanks very much.
His comments are compounded when one of the greatest challenges that we face in the Northern Territory is growing the population, recruiting and retaining the workforce, encouraging young families, retirees from all walks of life, people from all professions to move to the Northern Territory and call it home, bring their skills here and their experience to this part of the Australia, namely the Northern Territory, just like many members of this House who were not born in the Northern Territory and have not lived here for 25 years, some of the member for Millner’s own parliamentary colleagues!
If someone living interstate was thinking of exploring the opportunities that the Northern Territory has to offer and heard the comments by the member for Millner, I am sure they might think twice about relocating here. From my experience, people in the Northern Territory, people who were born in the Northern Territory or have lived here for more than 25 years roll out the red carpet to those moving here from interstate say: ‘Welcome, come on board. Bring us your experience, bring us your skills, bring us your investments. Welcome aboard! Welcome to the Northern Territory.’
There is one Northern Territorian, though, who seems to have a momentary lapse of reason and that is the member for Millner. If everyone in the Territory subscribed to the member for Millner’s theory, anyone not born in the Northern Territory or has not been here for 25 years cannot do anything - that isn’t what I call progress. Thank goodness commonsense has prevailed.
It is worth noting that every single Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, past and present, was born interstate. For the member for Millner to suggest that those who were not born in the Northern Territory or have not lived in the Northern Territory for more than 25 years do not have ‘corporate knowledge’, they don’t know the real people of the Northern Territory and they don’t understand how the Territory works is not only …
Mr BONSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Greatorex knows he is misquoting me. We can point to the Hansard …
Mr Conlan: Madam Speaker, it is in Hansard.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BONSON: … where I specifically pointed out and was talking about the members for Greatorex and Araluen. He is indicating that I am speaking about all members. I also said that I am more than willing to teach them over the next few years the corporate knowledge that they need to know.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Millner, resume your seat. There is no point of order. Member for Millner, if you feel you have been misrepresented, you may approach me at a later hour to discuss making a personal explanation.
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, I only have about 30 seconds more. For the member for Millner to suggest that those who were not born in the Northern Territory or have not lived in the Northern Territory for more than 25 years don’t have the corporate knowledge of the Territory, they don’t know the real people of the Northern Territory, and they don’t understand how the Territory works is not only an insult to many of his own parliamentary colleagues who weren’t born here and haven’t lived here for more than 25 years, but it is an insult to all of us who live in the Northern Territory and now call it home and are doing everything they can to protect the children and victims of child abuse.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr Warren: Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Goyder! I have not called you yet. I remind honourable members once again of Standing Order 51. I believe the member for Goyder wishes to speak next.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the Chief Minister’s statement on Closing the Gap. I fully support the statement, which outlines the most comprehensive package since self-government to tackle indigenous disadvantage in the Northern Territory.
Let us be clear: this is a very long term strategy, and it has at its core a generational approach. I am really disappointed by the member for Greatorex’s lack of contribution and substance to this debate. It is a serious debate, and I hope in future to see an increased performance and a bit of substance from him rather than a serious attack on the processes of parliament and lowering the standards to such a degree.
We, on this side of the House, have all offered debates of substance, which have considerable content and relevance to our own electorates, and I will continue in that vein. I will explain why we have arrived at this point.
I cannot separate the deplorable situation we have arrived at now without emphasising the neglect of successive CLP governments. I do acknowledge that the Leader of the Opposition has taken great pains to rebadge the CLP, her CLP opposition, as separate and distinct from the poor form of the previous CLP governments, particularly when it comes to dealing with indigenous disadvantage.
There was clearly an opportunity at self-government to make a difference, but the CLP chose not to. They chose the path of populism and cultural division. They focused on those aspects that distinguished Territorians from one another, rather than those aspects that make us unique and special in unity. Basically, it came down to a conga line of successive CLP governments neglecting a significant proportion of our Territory population. In a sentence, they let down our indigenous Territorians.
When Labor came to government in 2001, the first major issue we had to tackle was the financial mess and economic disintegration that previous CLP governments had left as their legacy to Territorians. Our economy was on its knees, if you remember. Let us not forget that. This is the environment in which the Martin Labor government found itself in 2001. We were acutely aware of the deplorable gap between the basic living standards of indigenous and non-indigenous Territorians. However, we needed the federal Coalition government to acknowledge the unacceptable situation in indigenous living standards in the Territory, and get serious back then and begin to help the Territory government. Instead, they chose to pay only lip service to this chronic situation.
If you want to know why, you only need to look at the federal political agenda of the day. Like the CLP, they were also in the mode of cultural divisiveness. Let us not forget the Tampa children overboard fiasco, and the continued overt questioning of the loyalty of Australians who follow the Muslim faith, or those of Middle Eastern descent.
I would like to go over our achievements since 2001. The Martin Labor government has not just come to the sudden revelation that chronic indigenous disadvantage needed addressing. This government has already undertaken considerable initiatives within its fiscal capacity, and I stress that. We had a black hole as far as economic disintegration had occurred, and now we were in the situation of trying to also address the gap in indigenous disadvantage. We took that role on, we took it seriously.
Let me touch on some of our achievements since 2001. In the area of education, we have employed 110 additional teaching positions, above formula and aimed directly at the bush regions. The Martin Labor government has brought proper secondary education to the bush, and the first students graduated with the NTCE in their own community in 2003, and that was Kalkarindji. Since then, new secondary schools have been built in Wadeye, Minyerri, Kalkarindji, Maningrida, Shepherdson College and Papunya, and they should be noted. In addition to these schools, secondary education has now rolled out to a further 22 schools across the remote Northern Territory. This government has also implemented the majority of the Learning Lessons recommendations. In fact 85% have been implemented.
The Territory government has introduced partnership agreements aimed at getting children into school. Yirrkala was the first, incidentally, in late 2003. This government has rebuilt the distance education service to provide greater delivery of eduction and teacher support in the bush. We have also changed the staffing formula to ensure it reflects the needs of remote indigenous communities.
In respect of jobs, we have introduced an Indigenous Employment Strategy in the public sector. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of indigenous public servants. In 2001, there were approximately 700; today, there are over 1100. That is a 64% increase. This is due to focusing training policies at indigenous training as part of the Jobs Plans.
In the area of health, the Martin Labor government has provided 318 new nurses since we came to office. We have substantially increased resources to Health and Community Services, up 75% since 2001, with 60% of funding being used for indigenous purposes. I am very proud of the fact that this government has increased the life expectancy of indigenous women by three years to 58 years. There are indigenous Territory women who would not be here today if it was not for the effort that this government has put in. The indigenous mortality rate has fallen by a massive 36%. An expanded kidney dialysis program has been delivered to the regions and remote areas; for example, at Tennant Creek. The Martin Labor government has spent $2.2m per year to employ 25 child health staff, including nurses and Aboriginal community workers. This government has introduced a $500 000 free rotovirus vaccination program for all infants.
In the area of housing, the Martin Labor government has built 1063 houses for remote indigenous Territorians. We have added $100m to existing expenditure under all other agreements. We have reversed the previous CLP administration’s decision not to provide local recruits with housing. This government’s recruits will receive government employee housing.
In the area of community safety, we have increased police numbers by 200. We have substantially increased resources, up 65%, for police where 58% of funds are used for indigenous purposes. Most of that money goes towards indigenous purposes. We have implemented the specialist teams and task forces, such as the sexual assault team and the child abuse task force. We have implemented significant new legislation to give the police and justice system the tools to tackle antisocial behaviour, including drug courts and alcohol courts, drug house legislation, dry area legislation and private premises legislation.
The Martin Labor government has put into place an Alcohol Framework. We are progressively putting in place local area alcohol management plans that have been successful in reducing the scourge caused by alcohol abuse. I will give you a couple of examples. Groote Eylandt has seen a drop of around 70% in crime and antisocial behaviour. At Alice Springs, the most recent figures show there are clearly recorded drops in alcohol usage. The Martin Labor government was the first Territory government since self-government to tackle alcohol abuse with serious intent.
I am proud that we have begun a comprehensive reform of local government throughout the Territory to provide a significant boost to the services provided to remote communities.
It is, therefore, patently mischievous and incorrect to suggest that the Labor government has stood by and done nothing. Through this Territory government’s commitment, despite our fiscal limitations, we have been able to lever some dollars out of the federal government, but their efforts have been tokenistic at best; that is, until the most recent and very public federal intervention.
I would like now to talk about what the Labor Martin government is doing to close the gap. The Martin Labor government has not forgotten its commitment to indigenous Territorians. This government has continually taken the lead. Let us not forget that it was a Martin Labor government which took the first steps by commissioning Rex Wild and Pat Anderson to investigate and report on child abuse, and to specifically identify the issues that needed addressing. As a result of that report, the federal government has decided that it is politically expedient in the lead-up to a federal election to suddenly awaken to what has been happening for at least the past 40 years and what the Territory Labor has been crying out for since self-government.
Putting that aside, my concerns, and in particular my concerns with the manner and timing of the federal intervention, I welcome the belated interest and associated financial commitment by the federal government now that it has finally decided to get serious. The Martin Labor government can finally do what it has always wanted to do and use our Closing the Gap program to lever Commonwealth monies into addressing the concerns of Rex Wild and Pat Anderson in their report and their recommendations, and even go much further.
I would like to take a couple of moments to talk about Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage because it is a generational plan of action. It contains a vision and objectives for the future social and economic wellbeing of indigenous Territorians for the next five, 10 and 20 years. It also identifies priority areas for action in the next five years. Not only does the Northern Territory government support the messages and recommendations of the inquiry, it goes further in addressing additional areas which need to be addressed if we are to overcome indigenous disadvantage.
The government has committed $286.43m over five years to implement Closing the Gap. This includes: $79.36m for child protection; $38.61m to implement the remote area policing strategy, community justice and other safety measures; $10.11m for alcohol and drug management; $23.4m to achieve better health outcomes; $42.32m for housing in indigenous communities; $70.68m towards education; $13m to improve indigenous employment and economic development; and $8.95m towards better cross-cultural understanding and engagement in service delivery.
The package includes 223 positions: one Children’s Commissioner; 10 child protection workers; 37 additional specialist Family and Children’s Services staff; 40 police, particularly in the remote policing strategy as part of the child abuse task force; four specialist alcohol and rehabilitation workers; 26 family violence support workers; 10 school counsellors; 10 community corrections officers; 47 teachers and assistant teachers for remote schools and pre-schools; three specialist Department of Employment, Education and Training staff; two court clinicians; one witness assistance officer; eight alcohol compliance inspectors; one Aboriginal and Islander education coordinator; and 23 specialist FACS staff for the child abuse task force.
I return to the assertion by the Leader of the Opposition, who went to great pains to claim her rebadged CLP opposition as separate and distinct from the poor form of previous CLP governments, particularly when it comes to dealing with indigenous disadvantage. Based on the Leader of the Opposition’s attack on the Wild/Anderson report during her reply to the statement, her version of the CLP is clearly the same creature in opposition as it was in government.
The Leader of the Opposition is damned by her own words when she says her version of the CLP is now different and more compassionate, yet she shows her lack of compassion by attacking the very report which tried to get to the heart of the issue of child sexual abuse. I cannot recall hearing the words ‘engagement with indigenous Territorians’ in her speech.
As an aside, I join the member for Millner in calling on the Leader of the Opposition to table the Annie Cossins report. After all, it was the basis of her criticism of the Little Children are Sacred report. I call on the Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of members on this side of the House, to table the Annie Cossins report because it was the basis of her argument. Without being able to look at that, we can’t test the veracity of what she said.
Madam Speaker, I contend that this Leader of the Opposition’s version of the CLP is still not serious about the wellbeing of our indigenous Territorians. I wonder whether her CLP colleagues share her lack of compassion. They need to clearly state, independently, whether they support their leader’s statement of lack of compassion and angst or whether they can differentiate themselves from her stance and show some compassion. That is the challenge I put to CLP members. Based on what I have seen, they have formed their own, albeit short, conga line and I am not really impressed.
Mrs Braham: Conga line?
Mr WARREN: That is exactly right. A conga line of lack of compassion and angst, typical of the CLP in years gone by, and not much has changed.
The Leader of the Opposition and her team has not seriously entered into the spirit of what our parliament is debating here this week. This is a very serious issue indeed. She seems to be disengaged and in denial mode. Her shadow ministry has had two days to respond to the Chief Minister’s statement. Some things don’t change and I contend that the CLP leopard has not change its spots. Heaven help indigenous Territorians if the CLP under their current leader ever comes back to government.
Madam Speaker, I commend the Chief Minister and the Martin Labor government for such an appropriate response to such an important issue.
Debate adjourned.
Mr VATSKALIS (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, the Sport and Recreation portfolio continues to deliver opportunities for all Territorians to participate in sport and recreation activities both in urban and remote areas of the Territory. The health, education and justice related benefits derived from encouraging participation in sport and recreation amongst all Territorians is well known, and the Northern Territory government continues to work with sports and the broader community to optimise the benefits that these activities bring to the overall wellbeing of our community.
The construction and maintenance of sporting facilities in the Territory remains a cornerstone of this government’s commitment to ensuring that all Territorians are provided with opportunities to participate and access all sport at all levels.
In the 2006-07 Budget, our government delivered on its election commitment to the Palmerston community with the opening of the Palmerston Recreation Centre. This fantastic facility, now owned by the Palmerston City Council, provides a contemporary, multiuse recreation facility which should benefit all residents and sporting organisations in the Palmerston region.
We are all aware that the Darwin Football Stadium was also recently completed and thus fulfilled another important election commitment of this government. It was used for the first time during the Arafura Games and then officially opened on 28 July. It was fitting that this opening could be marked by the first ever pre-season A League game between Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory. That commitment cost this government $78 000 and, as you will agree, it was money well spent.
In the current budget, we have allocated $4.8m for the construction of an outdoor netball centre at Marrara, which will go to tender before the end of this year.
These initiatives are a strong demonstration of this government’s commitment to provide local sports with quality venues and to provide national and international elite athletes with excellent venues to consider for their training and match play needs. In addition, we are committed to ensuring that all existing government facilities are maintained at an acceptable level, and funding of $920 000 will be provided in 2007-08 for the repairs and maintenance of government-owned sporting facilities. This is on top of an allocation of $0.5m for the Stage 3 upgrade of Hidden Valley Raceway.
Grassroots sporting groups are one of the top priorities. This year, $6.1m is available through the Sport and Recreation Grant funding program and, once again, will assist many organisations. This program provides much needed support to many organisations, and I am proud to say that this will continue through the provision of variety of grants to peak sporting and local governing bodies as well as grassroots organisations. Fundamentally, this provides funds to increase their capacity to provide regular activity for a wide cross-section of Territorians.
This funding also assists with the development of sporting organisations. It establishes best practice management and increased opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities.
I am committed more than ever to increase opportunities for Territorians to participate in physical activities and develop a level of interest in sport by providing opportunities to see performances by elite athletes. This is achieved through attracting national and international sporting events to the Territory. During this and last year, Territorians were able to see events such as:
National Rugby League game played in Darwin between the Penrith Panthers and the Newcastle Knights in February 2007, with Alice Springs due to have an ARL game played during the 2008 season;
This year, $610 000 has been provided to continue the financial and administrative support for national and international sporting fixtures in the Territory.
Funding of $3.9m has been allocated to the Northern Territory Institute of Sport, which is a key partner in the sport and recreation sector through its identification, development and support of the Territory’s talented and elite athletes. It provides high quality service and support to aspiring athletes and their coaches to optimise opportunities to achieve at the highest level in sport and in life.
The Northern Territory Institute of Sport offers support to athletes through Individual Scholarship Programs and through the following squad programs: Australian Football League; cricket; hockey; Australian Rugby League; Australian Rugby Union; netball; tennis; weightlifting; cycling; and ten pin bowling.
It is my intention to promote the services of NTIS and the wonderful international standard facilities we have to international and national sporting bodies. The promotion of our services and facilities at this level will offer a new gateway for the Northern Territory to become competitive in the international and national sporting scene. We have a nationally recognised acclimatisation centre at the NTIS, with staff who are at the peak of their profession. This facility will be promoted to enable the rest of Australia and other countries to make use of these great facilities and services.
I personally wrote to the Socceroos last year, proposing that they use our acclimatisation facilities at the NTIS prior to the Asian Games. Unfortunately, they declined and the results are well known to everyone. On the other hand, when Melbourne Victory came to play for the opening of the stadium and saw our facilities, they were absolutely thrilled. They advised us that they will have a look at their draw, and if they are drawn to play against a South-East Asian team, they will certainly come to Darwin to make use of our facilities. Then, when they play in places like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, they will be prepared for the adverse climatic conditions in those countries.
It is also clear that the work that the NTIS undertakes with local athletes is paying dividends. Just last week, local NTIS netballer Jessica Moller was named in the Australian Schoolgirls team. This follows on from the selection of Kim Bruyn in the same team in 2006. I note that the Australian Sports Commission has named no less than 14 NT hockey players in this year’s Talent Identification Development Program. These players are Desmond Abbott, Dwayne Abbott, Cameron Abbott, Joel Carroll, Travis Carroll, Jonathan Peris, Emily Peris, Brooke Peris, Candice Liddy, Simone Liddy, Amy Porter and Jodie Brown. They join a growing number of NTIS athletes who have been recognised nationally and, indeed, internationally.
I also note that in less than two weeks, NTIS athlete and 2006 Sports Person of the Year, Crystal Attenborough, will be running for Australia in the 4 x 100 m relay at the World Athletic Championships being held in Japan. These are wonderful achievements from a small, but hard working, dedicated group of people at the NTIS.
My portfolio of Sport and Recreation provides a great service for the whole of the Northern Territory through the provision of training services to improve or educate people in subjects such as indigenous sport, coaching, volunteer management, sponsorship and fundraising, strategic planning, disability education and much more.
At present, 40 communities are employing Community Sport and Recreation Officers through the Local Governing Bodies Grant program. In turn, Community Sport and Recreation Officers are provided support by the department’s Indigenous Sport Program officers. The Indigenous Sports Program is an Australian government-funded initiative. I would like to state that the Northern Territory government provides significant in-kind and financial support, and is very aware of the outstanding job that these officers do in such remote locations. Sport and Recreation Officers ensure that remote communities are able to access funds to upgrade or construct sporting facilities through the Capital Grants program.
The successful delivery of quality sport and recreation in the Northern Territory is no easy achievement. However, understanding community needs and being aware of the benefits that the delivery of sport and recreation can provide to the Northern Territory community is an opportunity that we take on with enthusiasm and dedication.
In conclusion, it is not only providing these sporting and recreational opportunities for the Territory, but sport and recreation can provide many benefits to the Territory: the creation of jobs through tourism. What is the relation between sport and recreation and tourism? Every two years, we have the Arafura Games, one of the biggest events in South-East Asia where thousands of athletes come to Darwin to participate, and thousands of other people accompany the athletes. Many of these people will return to their countries and become ambassadors for the Territory.
A typical example was this year when the Paralympians participated in the Arafura Games, and the comments we received about the quality of the games and, in general, the quality of living in the city, and the opportunities in Darwin and the Territory in general, were incredible. People who have never been to Darwin were amazed that such a small city can host such an incredible, quality event. As a matter of fact, the Olympic Committee members from China were in Darwin, and they said at the dinner we gave in their honour that what they found in Darwin was unbelievable and they were taking back to Beijing the idea to incorporate community participation in the opening of the event.
If you have seen a video or DVD, or if you were at the opening, or if you were participating in the opening of the Arafura Games, you will know it was a fantastic event. Not only did we have the big helium balloon with the young lady hanging underneath dancing around the stadium, but thousands of Territorians from different walks of life, from different ethnic backgrounds, participated to make 2800 athletes from all over the world welcome to this small corner of Australia called Darwin. That was the incredible part.
Sport and recreation is a very important part of the Territory lifestyle. We have the weather, the facilities and the people. We can go out and do it; and we are going in droves. If you go to Bagot Road and Malak on Sunday mornings, you will see hundreds of young children and their parents taking part in sport - soccer, football, Rugby, or riding a bike - and this is all about sport and recreation. It is not only organised sports; it is about giving an opportunity to young people, to give them a focus to escape the problems and temptations of today’s life.
To give a very good example, I was fortunate enough to coach my son’s soccer team from when he was five years old until the election, when he was 12. The kids who were in that team have stayed together. They are still together; they go to school together. None of these kids have gone astray. We gave them a focus. We told them how to play in a team situation. They followed that advice and will follow that example for the rest of their lives.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement. I concur with him about how important sport and recreation is to all Territorians. I know how much he appreciates sport. He is a soccer fan, and I know he is dedicated to the portfolio. It is a great portfolio to have. I can only imagine what it would be like to have it as a minister. As a shadow minister, it is great to have.
As we know, the Territory has produced world-class athletes, and we have some of the best facilities in the world. Sport in the Northern Territory, whether it is played at an elite competitive level or a more recreational level on weekends to blow off a bit of steam, is a defining part of what makes up the Northern Territory, from juniors right through to our local Masters, highlighted, of course, through the Alice Springs Masters Games. In fact, the types of sport on offer in the Northern Territory highlight just how important it is to all Territorians.
It is good to hear the continued success of the Northern Territory Institute of Sport achievements of Jessica Moller and Kim Bruyn, both representing Australia. The minister highlighted a few names of more success stories through the Northern Territory Institute of Sport.
I am pleased to hear that the minister is continuing to promote sport right throughout the Northern Territory community, something the Country Liberal Party did well when they were in government. I am pleased that this government continues to build on some of that sporting infrastructure and has added new sporting infrastructure in Northern Territory. There are areas of improvement of course and, as a result of the sheer numbers of people who participate in all levels of sport, our facilities are always pushed to their limits, as the minister would know very well. This is a challenge for this government and I hope that the minister will continue to grow sport and invest in sporting infrastructure, facilities and the development of sports in all parts of the Northern Territory.
The initiative shown by this government, and the Country Liberal Party, for the Finke Desert Race, the Alice Springs Masters Games, the V8 Supercars in Darwin, the Arafura Games, which are a fantastic success – they just seem to get bigger and better, as do the Alice Springs Masters Games - the NRL and AFL games into the centres of Darwin and Alice Springs, the national basketball, and international cricket into Darwin, as highlighted by the minister. These are examples of the dedication that Territorians have towards their sport. The minister outlined funding for various initiatives in his statement.
I was concerned though, that there was not a lot of mention in the statement about sport in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek or Katherine. They are all big, strong sporting communities of the Northern Territory and again, parts of the Northern Territory that have produced elite athletes and have some fantastic sporting facilities. We can always do with more. I would like to see some more of a commitment to those regions.
In my own home of Alice Springs, sport could well be the backbone of the community with so many people involved in all levels of sport. Whether it is participating, or in an official capacity as an umpire or a coach, or just mums and dads, sport touches just about every person in that community, as it does in the smaller communities of the Northern Territory and indeed, in Darwin, of course. The minister has not outlined any funding initiatives for those sporting towns and I hope that he will do so.
The Alice Springs Golf Club is a great example. It is one of the top five desert courses in the world. I would like to see that marketed by Sport and Recreation to the national and international golfing community. It is a stunning course set in the MacDonnell Ranges. It is expensive to maintain the course, particularly watering. I would like to see some funding channelled into the Alice Springs Golf Club to put it on a stage for the national and international golfing community. It is flanked by the five star hotels of Alice Springs so the opportunities there are perfect.
I am heartened to see that this government has committed to being passionate about sport, as was the former CLP government. It is a great portfolio to have, and we know that Territorians love their sport.
Madam Speaker, I can only say with the extra money that this government has, I hope they will continue to support local sport as well as attracting other national games such as cricket and the minister’s favourite, soccer, and rugby league and union games. It would be great to see a rugby union game in the Northern Territory.
I thank the minister for his statement today because it has given me a chance to concentrate on this portfolio for the first time, as this is my first week of sittings. I hope the minister continues to focus on service delivery rather than the image that goes with sport.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, the minister for cheques - isn’t that what they call him?
Mr Vatskalis: That was Nick Dondas.
Mrs BRAHAM: It would have to be the best portfolio you could possibly have because you go around giving people such good tidings. As the member for Greatorex said, we hope it flows on to other areas of the Territory, not just Darwin.
One of the things that the minister neglected is the input of volunteers within our sporting bodies. They just would not function without that huge group of volunteers who front up every week to their particular sport. When we go to many of the sporting venues, you see committee people, umpires, people who help with sports medicine, you name it. We have to say a huge thank you to the large group of volunteers who every week help sports within the Territory. Without them, sport just would not occur.
We have a special request of the minister in respect of Alice Springs. I know he has opened some wonderful facilities in Darwin, but he has been lobbied for a multipurpose sport facility for Alice Springs. This has come about particularly from the gymnastics association. At the moment they do not have a home in Alice. They utilise different venues, but every time they want to do something, they have to set up and set down all the equipment. They are asking for a multipurpose sports facility. The gymnastics association has a number of successful programs in Alice. Centralian Senior Secondary College has 148 gymnasts. That are many young kids involved in gymnastics and they have often done very well at the nationals. A Kinder-gym program operates from the YMCA and at the moment has 23 children. It has only been operating for one term this year, but I know it would capture more of our very young gymnasts if they had a venue that was already set up.
The gymnasium is not always available during the day so the gymnastics association has to rely on the good will of the different facilities within the town. The proposed facility would not be just for gymnastics; it would also be for table tennis. It could also be available for schools coming into town and it could provide activities for other schools to use. All in all, it could be a hub to promote healthy sports, healthy living.
I know meetings have occurred. So far, I don’t think the Alice Springs Town Council has come totally on board financially. I know they have a financial problem, but it would be good if the minister takes note of the application and gives it serious support. We need a good location, a decent sized facility and a management committee. Minister, I am sure you have received this request for a multipurpose sports facility in Alice Springs. You have some in Darwin. If you can possibly oblige, that would be great.
There are so many different things going on in Alice that people do not realise what they all are. I am not just talking about netball, which has hundreds of young and not-so-young people turning up every Saturday. I am not talking about soccer that enjoys huge support within the town, or the football through CAFL. There is the tennis club. What about some of the little ones that people don’t know about?
They include the Alice Springs Cycling Club. Thanks to the Office of Sport and Recreation, they were able to secure a small grant over the past two years for them. They have purchased junior track bicycles and a refrigerated water cooler. That might seem strange, but when you are riding in the heat of Central Australia you really need to have that refrigerated water cooler. They have a number of junior cyclists and every Wednesday, teacher Mandy Hargraves from ANZAC Hill takes out a group of students from the different schools to learn how to ride on these bikes. When I was out there last week, she was teaching the group how the bike is held and how you position yourself on the bike to get the best possible start. The kids love going around the velodrome on these beautiful bikes that are purpose built. That little program has captured so many young people whom we hope will eventually take up cycling because it is a fantastic sport.
We have a wonderful facility in Alice Springs. Not everyone knows that we have a velodrome. It is an excellent facility and I know that it is being used quite successfully. Thank you to Mandy Hargraves, the President of the Alice Springs Cycling Club, for the work she does with those young students. If you are down there on a Wednesday afternoon during school time, please pop in and have a look. The official cycling season has not started yet, but it soon will.
Another program is with the Sporting Shooters Association. Every Wednesday, Robert Kittle takes Year 9 students from the OLSH Sadadeen Campus. They have been attending the club ranges for the past 18 months, and the kids love going out and learning how to handle a firearm and how to use it properly. We also have some students from St Phillips College. The rifle training with these schools has been ongoing. The kids’ enthusiasm is obviously passed on to other students at their schools. They attend regularly every week.
The Sporting Shooters club provides the range officers and they usually have four to five coaches attending to the training of the students. The range officers provide all the information, training and details with regard to the club rules, regulations and safe handling associated with the rifles. Each range officer conducts this training on a one-to-one basis with a student to teach them how to sight, aim and what have you. The students are always keen to learn, and with good training provided by these volunteers, it is resulting in some very good scoring shots from these students. The club has purchased six rifles for students’ use and is looking to purchase more.
I have mentioned this to the minister many times: we need to change the regulations so that people can come to the club and have a go, and we need to get young people involved. This is one way of doing it in a very structured, educative manner. We need to pass on our thanks to Robert Kittle and all the volunteers from the Alice Springs Sporting Shooters Association. Without the volunteers this just would not happen. I should mention one young fellow by the name of Ben Kittle, who has done very well with his shooting. I will come back to him.
The Clontarf program has been mentioned many times in the House and is doing really great things for young footballers in the town. We also have at Centralian College what we call the Gateways Program, and I have mentioned this before. It is for Year 11 and 12 students in Alice Springs, indigenous and non-indigenous. It is designed to increase retention and attendance for students who are most at risk, in providing a very good, supportive learning environment for them. Most of these students will, hopefully, stay on and complete their Year 12. It really has been a remarkable success, so much so that they have received a federal Award for Excellence in Indigenous Education.
The young students, there are 19 of them, with five from Yirara, are going to Melbourne. They are going to visit all sorts of places like the zoo, the aquarium, and Phillip Island, and the highlight of their trip will be attending an AFL match and touring the MCG. We capture that love of football for young students in Alice Springs because we know that it is a way to get them to stay at school. We have a number of young students from Alice Springs who were involved in the Under 18 NT Thunder squad. They have done very well. I know the member for Stuart’s son, Joshua, is one, and the member for Stuart is very proud of him because it is also giving him the incentive to stay at school, and that is a great way to do it.
When we are talking about education, you can do what the federal government is doing in saying: ‘We are going to quarantine your welfare payments if you do not send your kids to school’, or you can do the other thing that happens so often in our schools: you can reward those who do go to school. You have heard of the ‘No school, no pool’ which operates freely. Ali Curung had ‘No school, no recreational activities after school’. There are many ways you encourage young students to stay. At Drum Atweme, the rule is ‘No practice, no school, then you do not get the benefit of going to any of these functions to play’, and this is good.
I wanted to tell you about young Ben Kittle. At 16 years of age, Ben lined up to compete in the Northern Territory 2007 Shotgun State Title Championships over a long weekend. Ben was awarded the title Northern Territory Top Junior High Gun, which means he got the top score for juniors, and has been selected to compete with the Northern Territory team in the open competition in Wagga. At the NT titles, Ben competed in the junior shotgun competition against five other juniors, all under 18 years of age, and he took out the competition with very good scores. He was very excited about doing this because Ben has, in fact, had some health problems and this is a great reward for him. He has competed in seven events over the three-day long weekend. We have this young shooter who has been training in shooting shotgun for only three years, which is a very short time for that particular sport, at a local Alice Springs club. That is a great achievement, and we wish Ben all the best so that he continues with his sport. I hope he continues to achieve top scores.
I have strayed a little from the minister’s statement. He talked about Sport and Recreation Officers in communities. One of the most successful places with Sport and Recreation Officers has been at Docker River. They have not just one Sport and Recreation Officer; they have two, a male and a female. That combination of having a male and a female has worked extremely well for Docker River because the two gender groups can do their own thing without distraction or competing for the officer’s time.
If the minister is putting Sport and Recreation Officers into communities, let us talk about having male and female role models for them, rather than just have the one, so that they can cater for all the young people. It has proven very successful. Sometimes I worry; I hate to think that we are not going to continue to funding Sport and Recreation Officers in the bush communities. They provide tremendous after-school activities and incentives for young people and promote healthy lifestyle.
In respect of Alice Springs Golf Club, yes, they have a huge cost to keep their lawns green. It is a power cost, and I do not know whether the minister can do anything for them. They have their own bores and they pump water onto the greens, but the cost of power runs into thousands of dollars. If they can be helped to alleviate some of that cost, that would be great because it is a big burden for the golf club to cover.
As I said, you have to be lucky to have the Sport and Recreation portfolio. It has to be one of the best that any minister could have because it is the good news story for the Territory. I ask the minister to think seriously about our multipurpose facility in Alice Springs. I ask him to keep making sure that our footballers get a fair go when you are choosing representatives for the Under 18 side for Thunder. I notice the minister over there grinning. I think he knows why I am saying that. I hope he continues to support all those young people who want to represent their sport right across the Territory. Now and again we have to give that extra plug for Alice Springs because we do feel sometimes that we miss out.
Mr NATT (Mines and Energy): Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the minister’s statement on the benefits of sport and recreation in the Northern Territory.
As this House knows, I come from a sports administration background and have, until recently, always been actively involved in sport in one way or another. My administrative roles luckily did not confine me to the one sport in which I was employed. I had dealings with many administrators and this interchange provided an extremely good insight into the sports and the development, commitment and background to which they extended in ensuring their programs and training services are encouraged and maintained. It is interesting to note nearly all sports have something in common in one way or another. I am pleased to say that in most cases, all sporting bodies within the Northern Territory work closely together to ensure a sharing process is established and there is no cutting across anyone’s bows to cause undue hardship.
The minister has outlined the strong commitment this government makes to sport and recreation in the Northern Territory. The importance of this support can be seen and felt across many sectors of the community. I guess the most important facet of this support is the grants for peak sporting bodies, local government bodies and grassroots organisations. In excess of $6m is budgeted for this program and this distribution enables many sporting and recreational bodies to maintain the administrative and financial support that is vitally needed to ensure that activities are appropriately programmed and maintained.
In many cases, some of the smaller organisations would find it extremely difficult to survive on the minimal financial support of its supporters, sponsors and participants. For one reason or another, this financial support is difficult to obtain and it appears that, as costs continue to grow across the board, so it is increasingly more difficult to maintain the appropriate measures and opportunities within many sporting and recreational organisations. The higher profile sports and activities are extremely lucky to be supported by their peak bodies. I am aware of the wonderful contribution the AFL makes to Australian Rules in the Northern Territory. This contribution enables the sport to flourish and grow as well as provide tangible benefits for other organisations, be it health, education or police via its development and promotion activities.
Many of the smaller profile sports do not have this luxury. They have to battle with the larger organisations with strong followings for the same sponsorship dollar in many cases. As is the most common outcome, the sponsor will follow or become involved with the sport that will provide the best outcomes and exposure for their dollar. Consequently, the smaller profile sports miss out and therefore desperately rely on grant monies to ensure they continue to survive.
Another benefit of grant dollars is participation. If the sport or activity has not been adequately supported financially, its administrative processes fall by the wayside and the sport unduly suffers. We all know that participation has many benefits for our community. The health benefits cannot be underestimated and the camaraderie and education aspects of the sports are a wonderful community tool for all involved.
One of the largest tangible benefits of the grants process is the maintenance and construction industry. As we are aware, nearly all sporting and recreational organisations have some form of facility they use to undertake their activities. We have seen in recent times the construction of the new football stadium at Marrara and the wonderful Palmerston Recreational Centre in my electorate of Drysdale. Upgrades have been undertaken on the surface of TIO Stadium in recent years, Alice Springs has a new grandstand at Traeger Park and Hidden Valley Raceway is constantly upgraded, to name but a few.
Coupled with this expenditure on new and budgeted items is the annual government facilities maintenance funding. It is imperative that our sporting stadiums, grounds and courts are maintained to a high standard, ensuring that we have every possibility of securing high profile national and international events in the Northern Territory.
While talking about high standard events, who can forget the work that has been undertaken by the government with peak sporting bodies and their club administrators to ensure elite sporting events? Gone are the days when the Northern Territory, and more particularly Darwin and Alice Springs, was classed as a backwater breeding ground for sports. In recent times, our athletes have proved they have equal ability with the nation’s best in their chosen sport. These talented individuals have, in one way or other, opened the door, which was previously ajar, wide.
This has been highlighted by the endeavours of the AFL to take their sport national. AFL competition games are now played in all states and territories of Australia. I use this sport as an example only because of my background, and I do not wish to take kudos from others sports that are promoting their activities in the Territory. I have no doubt that the AFL interest in the Northern Territory has been promoted and highlighted by the players who have emanated from the NT into AFL ranks and clubs. This contingent of players has created another element of interest and skill into the game, and we can thank players like Maurice Rioli, David Kantilla, Michael McLean, Nathan Buckley, Andrew McLeod and our wonderful ambassador for the AFL in the Northern Territory, Michael Long. I have named just a few of an extremely long list of players who have donned an AFL jumper, but I feel it is the ground work of all of these players in the sport that has highlighted the interest of the Northern Territory in all AFL administrators. This is the case in many other sports.
There are many flow-on benefits from having a peak body’s support, not just the financial advantages. The professionalism of sporting administrators is enhanced when teams and peak bodies visit. The interchange of ideas and initiatives assists our administrators with the day-to-day running of their sport, which is supported by the fact that they know assistance is at the end of the phone if it is required.
Other areas of administration to take advantage of these visits include marketing aspects of the sport. Marketing sport is becoming increasingly more demanding, and if successful, it can pave the way to successful exposure in the public eye. The educational aspects of all realms of the sport are also enhanced. Coaches have the ability to interact with their peers who are coaching at the elite level. Again, the interchange of ideas, skill drills, fitness training and tactics take place, which is ultimately passed onto their players and that boosts the standard of competition.
Players not only benefit from their coach’s increased knowledge of the game, they, too, get to attend coaching and training sessions to assist with their knowledge of the game. This, too, has flow-on benefits for the standard of competition.
Two important aspects of sport which are often forgotten are the referee or umpire and the sports trainer. To have individuals involved at an elite level providing feedback on the latest rule changes and strapping techniques is imperative. For the safety and wellbeing of competitors, these two fields of endeavour play an important role within any sport and enhance and support the competition and the athletes.
Having elite sport played in the Northern Territory also provides inspiration and hope for many of our aspiring sports people. To watch a sport played at elite level and then meet and greet the athletes adds another dimension to a player’s or fan’s belief. It is not often that people from the Northern Territory travel south to witness an elite game of their choice, so it is imperative that this government continues to bring elite competitions to the Northern Territory.
We have been lucky over the years to witness some great sport. Who can forget international cricket when it first came to Darwin a couple of years ago? More recently, we have had A Series matches between Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan in July last year. Women’s cricket has come to the fore. This year, we had the Rose Bowl between Australia and New Zealand played in Darwin last month. The National Basketball League has convened games in Darwin and it is fantastic to see the Perth Wildcats establish Darwin as their home. This year, they played the Cairns Taipans in February. It was a great night of fun and frivolity and there is fantastic crowd participation.
The National Rugby League has followed the AFL to Darwin and Alice Springs. This year, we had a game in Darwin between Penrith Panthers and the Newcastle Knights, and next year it will revert to Alice Springs. It is terrific to see that Alice Springs is brought into the fold.
From my side of the fence with AFL football, who can forget the Indigenous All Stars games? They started in the early 1990s and were rejuvenated a couple of years ago when they played Carlton up here. More recently, the All Stars played Essendon in February this year. Again on the AFL front, we have two AFL premiership matches at TIO stadium. We had the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide play in August last year, and Western Bulldogs played Fremantle this year. We thank the Western Bulldogs for establishing Darwin as their home base and using the Northern Territory for home ground advantage. When teams travel up from interstate to play the Bulldogs here, they are in for an extremely hard match.
Also involved with the AFL package are the NAB Cup games. This year, we had a quarter-final match between Geelong and Port Adelaide. I will not go too much into that because Port Adelaide lost that one. We also had loser’s games in Alice Springs. It is great to see that they are having AFL exposure. In the couple of games that we have had down there, we had crowds of nearly 10 000 people, which shows that nearly half of Alice Springs rolls out to see a quality fixture.
The Australian Tennis Titles for junior men and women has been played in Darwin for the last couple of years. The Northern Territory has had a very competitive team in the Australian Hockey League competitions. The Pearls and the Stingers have performed extremely well and are improving each year, and I am sure in the next couple of years, they will be a force. Australian Netball scheduled a Commonwealth Bank Cup match here this year. It was one of their first games. The exposure of some of these national teams to Northern Territory people has been fantastic.
Let us not forget the Arafura Games, with competitors from around the world participating in Darwin. The athletics, soccer, Sepak Takraw, which I went to one night, which is a fascinating game to see, badminton, squash and the list goes on. It is a great competition. Something I should mention is the disabled athletes. On a couple of occasions at the Arafura Games, I witnessed the athletics and the disabled athletes were involved. It was fantastic to see them pushing through all the barriers to gain a gold medal. It is great to see that we have support for them.
Alice Springs has the Masters Games and that sees a huge influx of competitors as well as spectators into Alice Springs every couple of years. So the money is well spent and it supports all of those sports, and it is great to see.
One organisation within the Northern Territory Sport and Recreation department which plays an integral role with many sports in the Northern Territory is the Northern Territory Institute of Sport. Nearly $4m is budgeted annually for the Institute, which plays a key role in nearly all sports and recreational activities in the Northern Territory, both in Darwin and the southern regional office in Alice Springs. The quality and service it provides to our representative teams, aspiring athletes and coaches is second to none. It has been recognised nationally and internationally by many sporting codes to the point where many of these codes are now utilising their services.
Again, through my previous role, I had several dealings with the staff of the institute, both as an administrator and as a father. The institute is gifted with some remarkably talented and professional staff. The expertise, services and resources of the centre enable focused delivery of programs designed to enhance athletic and coaching performances. Its interaction with the Australian institutes and academies of sports enables them to provide development programs and training regimes second to none.
One interesting factor of the institute’s program is that there is a focus on youth; 90% of athletes are under the age of 19. This enables young athletes who have huge potential, to work through their various stages of development to achieve a high level.
It is amazing how much sporting and recreational activities have advanced over the years. I am sure this advancement has been enhanced by the exposure of the sports through various media. Obviously, television has exposed and driven many sports and its competitors to greater heights and, of course, live attendances support this exposure. With this exposure comes increased interest by the competitors in the sport to improve their performance in order to achieve their aims. In most cases, the athlete’s talent will not solely get him or her through to the required standard of participation. This is where the institute plays an extremely important role. Various programs have been implemented at the institute to ensure the athletes achieve their ultimate goals. Obviously, all programs are highly managed between the athlete and the institute’s sport science members, while overseen by institute coaches.
Professional coaching programs have been developed, and I understand there are about 10 sports currently in the institute’s program. These programs take in all aspects of the skills and fitness training and are coupled with sports psychology and performance analysis, each having specific coordinators at the institute.
The day-to-day health and wellbeing of the athletes is adequately catered for with nutritional advice from private practice dieticians, sports medical assistance and physiotherapy services from qualified staff at the institute. The field of sport psychology and the education required to enhance an athlete’s career is a specialist field covered by a qualified sports psychologist. Sports psychology focuses on the mental skills for performance enhancement, such as goal setting, motivation, relaxation and competition preparation. The programs are very specific and tailored to suit individual needs, with an emphasis on contemporary-based training. Personal counselling is also covered by the sports psychologist.
All of the staff at the institute, from the managers down to the sports scientists and coaches, are highly professional individuals with a focus on assisting our talented sports men and women. I congratulate them on their performances, and the dedication of our budding athletes in the Northern Territory. I thank the government for their support of the Northern Territory Institute of Sport.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I could go on about my passion, but time is against me. I thank the minister for his statement. In closing, I must add that this government has driven sport and recreation to greater success since coming to government six years ago. I congratulate the minister for carrying on this tradition.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker, in responding to the Minister for Sport and Recreation’s statement, I agree with everyone else: this is the best portfolio there is. I bet you have a line up of people who want to take that portfolio …
Mr McAdam: You can’t have Local Government.
Mrs MILLER: Aside from Local Government, Sport and Recreation definitely is the most exciting one. There are not too many bad stories that come out of watching sport. Of course, with obesity now recognised as being a major problem, especially for young people, sport and recreational activities are to be encouraged as much as possible, and not only just for the young people, but for more mature and older people. There are different types of activities which suit most people.
One of the advantages of living in the Northern Territory is that sport and recreational activities are encouraged because we have such fabulous weather most of the year, and we do not usually have to play our sport in rain and extremely cold conditions as they have to down south. It is more conducive to sport and recreation in the conditions we have in the Territory.
There are many sporting activities available throughout the Territory and the minister highlighted some of those in his statement. Other speakers have talked about what was important to them. I want to highlight what is happening with many young boys, mainly indigenous, who are playing AFL in Katherine. I give a lot of credit to Paul Ah Mat from the Arnhem Crows, and to Fred Murphy and Lindsay Turner who have worked hard with the Under 17 lads for some time. In the three or four years I have been involved with them, the commitment has not changed. They have worked continuously to promote AFL to these young people. I take my hat off to them.
It is really quite an exciting weekend for a lot of these young players because this weekend, and I think the member for Nelson is reading about it now, a lot of these young Katherine region footballers will have the opportunity of a lifetime when they play in front of about 50 000 fans this Saturday in a curtain-raiser for Collingwood versus the Sydney Swans on Saturday at the MCG. The boys will be playing a multicultural side, which is a great opportunity for them to meet people of different cultures. It is thanks to the support of the Collingwood Football Club and the federal government that the boys can now realise their dream. They are aged between 14 and 17 and play football in the local AFL Katherine Under 17 competition, which is made up of five teams. I have to say that most of these young boys that I watch, because I really do enjoy AFL, are either in the member for Arnhem’s electorate, or the member for Stuart’s electorate. Some are in the member for Daly’s electorate, too. It is really good that they come into Katherine as their regional centre.
The five teams are the Minyerri Tigers, the Ngukurr Bulldogs, the Vic River Hawks, the Arnhem Crows and the Katherine Cannons. After each game is played, the teams come together and sit down under a tree and listen to positive messages about life and how playing football is only a stepping stone to the big world. It is a credit to Fred Murphy because Fred teaches these young people about the value of sport and about their leadership roles. These boys were chosen for the Melbourne trip with pretty strict selection criteria, which included 80% or over school attendance, no drinking alcohol or smoking, volunteering in the community and the school, and good behaviour at school and in the community. It was great to see that there were so many boys who met the criteria. Unfortunately, only 22 of them could be chosen, but the others will be rewarded because they did achieve a great result.
The AFL Katherine Under 17 committee believes that giving boys the opportunity to play football and learn more about life is an important part of what they are trying to do for the communities around Katherine. While in Melbourne, the boys will today visit the zoo. They are going to play a game at Trinity Grammar School and train at the Lexus Centre, which is home of the Collingwood Football Club.
Mr Hampton: Hear, hear!
Mrs MILLER: Not me, but good on them! Yes, you are, member for Stuart. Your teams here would be very proud to hear that. It is a fantastic opportunity. Today there was a photo on the back page of the NT News that highlights a photo of Damian Williams. At 13, he happens to be the youngest member going, with Michael Joshua and Liam Carusi. These guys are fairly excited. I watched them have a scratch match on Saturday and it was good to see healthy, fit young men really putting their all into the game. It was a great day. Congratulations to Paul Ah Mat, Fred and Lindsay for what they do with those young people.
One of the special things about the way that AFL is run in Katherine is that there is no alcohol allowed at the grounds. That has made for a much better environment for the sport. There are more people going to watch. At one stage, attendances fell away dramatically. There are still not as many people there as we would like to see support these young fellows because, as you can imagine, many of the community young people who come in do not have family to support them. The local lads who play, the Katherine Crows, certainly have locals who can support them. It would be really good to see some sponsorship from some organisations which would go towards sponsoring the Katherine AFL.
Guernseys are provided for these young lads, but it is always a scratch around to try to get some funding for them and it is really quite difficult. We are trying to send a message to them about not drinking grog, so we certainly don’t want to have alcohol there. It was a bold and brave initiative for Katherine. They have paid for it financially and they should not have to do that.
One of the biggest challenges to face sport, especially in regional areas, is distance and competing at a higher level. We have many very talented sports people who live in regional areas who have to travel long distances at great expense to be able to compete. That is a detractor for them. I know that some families have moved interstate from Katherine so that their children can train further in swimming because it is just too difficult with the distance. I don’t know how we are going to overcome that or if there is any suggestions the minister could make.
One of the clubs it is affecting this year is the Katherine Judo Club, which has the highest standards and the biggest bags of medals from competing at national titles. Each time they compete, they come home with medals. It is just fantastic but it costs their parents an enormous amount of money. They are looking for some support. The Katherine Judo Club has paid a lot money out for these kids to achieve their success.
Baseball in Katherine has been revived. I hope you do not have the photo of me pitching the first ball. It was not that great. I made sure that all the spectators were cleared off to the left and took cover for their sunglasses and their hats because I wasn’t quite sure where this overarm was going to go.
Mr Natt: Curve ball?
Mrs MILLER: No, the curve wasn’t good, I can assure you. It was a direct throw out to the right, but it was good fun. It is really good to see the baseball diamond well and truly in use again. When I went out for the weekend carnival, games were played between Alice Springs, Palmerston and Katherine. The really good thing about this sport was that this was addressing age groups from teens to the more mature person playing baseball. That was really good to see. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is great environment; great scenery and location and it is certainly good to see baseball back in Katherine.
I heard the member for Braitling talk about the golf course in Alice Springs. It is an absolutely beautiful golf course. I still have the plan, but I remember a few years ago that a proposal was put to me to have a golfing tour of the Northern Territory visiting the very diverse golf courses throughout the Territory, starting in Darwin because it is hotter and we would have the beautiful green golf courses here, down to Katherine, which is a lovely golf course, and then go to Elliott where they have an entirely different but still good golf course, go onto Tennant Creek and play golf and then they were going to go out near Harts Range somewhere – is that at Gem Tree?
A member: Yes.
Mrs MILLER: Right, so they would go there and they would have a lot of pebbles, I would imagine, but that is an entirely different game of golf. They would end up on one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world, and that’s Alice Springs. It would be a golf tour of the Northern Territory.
Mr Wood: Did you include Elliott?
Mrs MILLER: Yes, we did.
Mr Wood: Pussycat Flats?
Mrs MILLER: Yes, we could include all of these different golf courses to make it exciting. With The Ghan, you could include the train trip and a golf tour of the Northern Territory. It would be a very interesting one to promote and I believe we should all try it, just to see if it would work.
There are plenty of opportunities in the Northern Territory for all age groups to participate in sport. I am a great supporter of all sporting activities, and it does not matter at what age. As I have said before, some of the seniors in Katherine took part in aquarobics yesterday morning and we had a couple of them do climbing, which I thought was very brave of them. So there is something for everyone. I thank the minister for his statement, and if you ever get tired of the portfolio, I am sure I could give you a hand any time.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, I concur that it is one of the best portfolios, but I reckon Primary Industry goes close. You would get around and see people in the Northern Territory being very productive. The only thing I would say is that it is a very small statement compared with some of things we have had rattled past us lately.
Mr Vatskalis: There is a reason for that.
Mr WOOD: There is a reason for that so we can expand on it for you. I will try to do that.
I have not yet spoken on the Closing the Gap statement. It did raise in my mind that there is one gap that has not been closed, and that is the focus on sport as a means of closing the gap and improving health. That is an area you could expand on.
We travel around the Territory occasionally as the Sport and Youth Committee, and my own travels, and from what you see in the newspaper, if there is one area that many indigenous people excel in, it has to be sport. The problem is that there are only going to be so many indigenous people who will reach the elite level, yet there are many others who love their sport. Most of those people are living in remote areas of the Northern Territory.
I visited Canteen Creek, which is a very small community, but they are fanatical Blues supporters. They have a piece of gravel they play on. There is not one blade of grass. They have a little truck which has the Canteen Creek Blues, which is where the commentary box is and that is it. What that says to people is that, no matter what the facilities are, these people just love their football. In the context of Closing the Gap, there should be a fairly strong emphasis on improving facilities at these communities. I did not see what you could call very flash facilities at many of these communities. As I said, the Canteen Creek oval is a piece of the desert. I went to Alpurrurulam, and its oval was not much different from the Canteen Creek one. They did not have a blade of grass. They were lucky; there were two ovals at Alpurrurulam. They must have a lot of people there. They play their Aussie Rules competition in Mt Isa.
The government, in this statement, talked about the very noticeable side of sport in the Northern Territory: the new Darwin Football Stadium, the new Palmerston City Council and Palmerston Recreation Centre, and the netball stadium you are about to build. You talked about the NTIS. You talked about some of the great events that have occurred in the Territory, and they are terrific. All sorts of sport have come to the Territory – Aussie Rules, cricket, Rugby League, women’s cricket, and that is all fantastic. We also have, as the member for Drysdale said, the Arafura Games and the Masters Games.
However, we have to start looking at putting more of that money into those communities. If we are really to change things, we have to have a combination of employment, better housing, education, and sport can be very much a part of that.
To have good sports people, you need good diet; you need to be fit. You learn team work and discipline and leadership, which is one of the key things we need in the communities these days. Sport, as we know, can be used for education. You only have to look at the Clontarf School in Alice Springs as one example of how sport is now being used to help people with education.
Recently, I spoke to a family in the rural area, and I helped to sponsor one young bloke to go to Rostrevor College in South Australia. He has just won a sport scholarship there. It is similar to Clontarf, but it does not just associate itself with AFL, but with sport in general. It has the same approach, but has a broader outlook on what sport the child takes up.
I have heard of sport now being used in schools. Sport before the kids come to school; sport when kids are at school; and sport when kids have left school. It is important. If we are to take the Chief Minister’s Closing the Gap statement seriously, we need to focus on sport. I do not want people to think I am a sport fanatic, but you cannot deny indigenous people love their sport or we would not have that young lady from Bathurst Island in the NT News and on the ABC news last night. She can kick better than I ever kicked and she is a natural sportsperson. It is great to see that happening and there is an opportunity for us to pick up on these natural abilities and the popularity of sport in many of the communities, and use that as part of the way of improving health, education, introducing leadership and confidence, which is what happens when people start to achieve.
Recently, the Parks School competition was held at Fred’s Pass for soccer, or football, and there were hundreds of kids who came from everywhere. Parks is a big region and includes Borroloola, Humpty Doo and Howard Springs. The Borroloola girls won their section in the Parks group. They were fantastic. The Parks competition pits children from places such as Borroloola against kids from the rural area who are a little less formal than city kids. Those kids mixed well together. It was good for the kids in the rural area to play soccer against the girls from Borroloola, and vice versa, and everyone got on very well.
You could see straight away that when we put opportunities before these young people such as the Borroloola girls, they run with it and are excellent. I saw the curtain raiser before the Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory match, and the Borroloola team was there. If you ask me which match I enjoyed the most, it was the Borroloola match because it was attacking. They did not go backwards very often; they were there to try to kick goals. They had plenty of skill and it was a great game. They played it with a sense of enjoyment. They wanted to win, even though they were 10-0 at half-time, they came back and it was 10-4 or 10-5. They did not give up, and everyone enjoyed it.
Minister, I believe, whilst you have the best portfolio, you have a unique opportunity in this Closing the Gap program. It is something that should have been in this document. I cannot find much in this document about it, and it should have been. You might be able to take it back to the boss and say as part of what you are trying to do in education, health and employment, you should be ensuring that sport is a key factor in this.
The other issue, of course, is boredom. When I talk about Closing the Gap next week, one of the key factors in people getting into trouble, sexual abuse, breaking and entering, vandalism, all that sort of stuff, is about boredom. It is not a modern thing that if you are bored, you will get into trouble. I have forgotten the proverb or the phrase about idle hands.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Idle hands do the devil’s work.
Mr WOOD: That’s right, do the devil’s work. It is as pertinent today as whenever it was written. We need to pick up on the facilities. I know the facilities are not up to scratch in those areas. I know that many of our recreation officers are not paid a lot of money unless the council picks it up. Unless there is a place for them to stay, it is very hard for recreation officers to live on a relatively small wage. They must have assistance from somewhere else, otherwise it is very hard to hold those people. They do not get a lot of money to go with that to spend on the running costs of providing those facilities.
In our travelling around or maybe even through the department’s people travelling round, we need a really good audit, and it may have already been done, of exactly what facilities are on the ground, what state they are in, how much money it would take to bring them up to scratch and, if it requires federal government money, that would be something I would be talking to Mal Brough about. It is an important part of what we are trying to achieve. That is a constructive suggestion and I hope the minister will take it on board.
I am very lucky. The rural area of the Litchfield Shire is well endowed with sporting facilities. There is no doubt about that. After being out to some of the facilities I have seen lately, and then come back to Freds Pass, we are blessed. We have plenty of water. We have ovals for cricket, soccer, Rugby League and Rugby Union. We have grounds for polocrosse. We have places for equestrian, we have dressage, pony club and show-jumping. We have training of dogs. We have archery. I’d better make sure I do not forget anyone else at Freds Pass. We have rural athletics. They are all very important parts of our community. In the debates about local government and those sorts of issues, we must not forget that those sporting groups are very much part of the identity of my area and of the identities of other members’ places.
There are many parents who help out and many volunteers. The member for Braitling spoke about volunteers, and they must be the hardest people to come by these days. You see people working year in, year out in a sporting group and when they decide they have had enough and don’t want to be the secretary any more because they have been doing it for 10 years, you go to a meeting and can you get someone to put their hand up? Not easy. We have to look at ways of helping get more volunteers. Perhaps the government should have a year of the volunteer and try to promote and help clubs get volunteers. It is very hard in the rural area because people have to travel long distances. Even getting kids to play sport is not that easy. Freds Pass is a hive of activity on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All these kids have to come by bus or by someone dropping them there. When I say bus, they happen to get off the school bus on the way. It is not that easy to get to Freds Pass, but the place is just chokkers with kids and young adults playing sport and practising at night.
We now have a cricket club that has been able, through raising money, to put lights on the nets. They can practice cricket until as late as they want. Most workers get home about 5.30 pm or 6 pm in the rural area. In the Dry Season, half and hour and that would be it. That was about the only practice they could get. Now, with the help of local people in the club and people donating equipment, they have a fully-lit cricket net system with the bowling machine and that is showing in the cricket ladder for A grade, in the championship trophy, where Southern Districts is on top. So if you have the facilities, you get the results.
We have more than Freds Pass. We have lawn bowls at Humpty Doo, we have shooting and we have Mickett Creek which is in Litchfield Shire, all those facilities, plus we have got TEPSL which is in the southern part of the shire. We have aquarobics, believe it or not. We don’t have a swimming pool, but they use the caravan park swimming pool. The Darwin Rally Association often uses facilities in the Litchfield Shire. We have the Police Youth Club. People forget that is in the Litchfield Shire. They have judo and gymnastics and we have other gymnastics groups operating within Litchfield as well.
We are well endowed with sporting facilities. People sometimes say to me: ‘My kids have nothing to do’ and I say they you are living in dream world because if they make the effort, there are plenty of things for people to do. You even have sport in the pub. There is eight ball and darts, which is all part of a mix. We are lucky.
Of course, Southern Districts Football Club, which unfortunately had the recent tragedy with a number of its players killed on the road near Geraldton, has been remarkably successful in producing AFL players. Nathan Buckley is one of many who have come out of that club. It is a good club, but it relies on so many people to help.
I should raise the issue of a swimming pool. I know it is controversial and I am not going to hammer the pros and cons of what happened in the past. It is an issue that is controversial within the community. There are those who say they don’t want it because it will cost a lot of money in rates. Recently I was in Tennant Creek and I asked the people who ran the pool how much is it going to cost. It is a big cost. On the other side, there are people who think it is great for swimming competitions. Even though the government has said it is not on the radar at the moment, perhaps it is something we need to look at in the future. One of the problems in the beginning was that the money was allocated according to election cycles. There was not any discussion with the council. The other side, the other party, said the same thing. There was no sitting down with the council and saying …
Ms Scrymgour: The feds have done a good job of that.
Mr WOOD: You wouldn’t know, but anyway.
Ms Scrymgour: They do! The feds do it all the time. They are the ones who pork barrelled this.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Arafura!
Ms Scrymgour: I am sorry.
Mr WOOD: The facts are it was used as an election promise on both sides of the political spectrum at that time, and there was no discussion with the council.
Forget all the politics after that. All I am saying is, minister, maybe there is an opportunity in a couple of years’ time to talk to the council about a moderate pool at Freds Pass where it could be used for training and aquarobics. Minister, we are building a shed that you helped donate to us. We are building another shed which will be used for indoor sports and that is all sand blasted and ready to erect. If you combine that with some of those facilities – and I know pools do not make money on their own; they have to have something else to keep them going - there may be an opportunity to look at that. I have looked at the Goldfish Bowl, for instance, at Palmerston, where they have swimming lessons and aquarobics. It is a good place for people who have muscle problems because you can have it heated. There is an opportunity there for the new council to look at. I would not be asking for any money from the government and I would not be asking the council to put money up, but there may be an opportunity to get together, look at all the costs, the feasibility and go from there. There has been a lot of hype and politics. We should put that aside.
I would like to see facilities grow in the Litchfield Shire. I would like to make sure that those facilities do not cost rate payers a vast sum of money to maintain. I visited Katherine pool some years ago when Litchfield was looking at a pool, which was before all this happened. Katherine Town Council funds that pool quite considerably to keep it open. Not many people use it in the Dry Season. YMCA help run it, but I think they fund it for $70 000 a year just to keep it open. It is something worth keeping on the radar. It will not happen for a while, but perhaps with time and sitting down with the council and government, looking at a proper feasibility study, it may be worth looking at. That does not mean it will happen, but at least it gets the politics out of the way and allows us to look at the real figures. If it could be done, it would be another great asset for Litchfield Shire along with all the other facilities at Freds Pass. It would be of benefit to everyone. First, we have to look at the cost.
I thank the minister for his statement. I reiterate that we need to focus on using sport as a means of closing the gap. It has so many benefits. We know that Aboriginal people enjoy sports immensely. We know they are very good at it. It is a way of helping to change what is happening. It is not the only thing; it has to be in conjunction with many other things, but it is certainly a very important part of trying to make all Territorians have equal life expectancy, equal opportunity for jobs so that everyone enjoys living and lives a wholesome life.
Mr VATSKALIS (Sport and Recreation): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I thank all the members for their contributions. I know members believe that the sports portfolio is one of the best if not the best portfolio. You are always welcome when you give out cheques. Equally, there are decisions to make. Who is getting the money, how much, where do they go, why them and not us, why did he get a bit more than us? Of course, when you have sports organisations run by volunteers, inevitably you have disputes, and people in dispute try to drag the minister into resolving the dispute without realising that the minister cannot resolve their disputes. Other people inside the organisation have to resolve these disputes.
It is an excellent portfolio. It gives me personal satisfaction not because I give out cheques, but because the focus of the portfolio is on young people, to give them skills, teach them to play in a team situation and provide discipline. I enjoy it very much. My ancestors said: ‘Healthy minds need healthy bodies’. That is absolutely the truth. That is why I encourage everybody wherever I go to get their kids involved in sports. There are too many temptations called DVDs, computers, and computer games which keep kids inside occupied for hours. From my own experience, sometimes I have to turn the computer off before my son will go out in the garden and play basketball. When he goes out and starts playing, he does not want to stop, but the problem is getting them out.
I am committed to supporting sports throughout the Territory, from Darwin to Alice Springs, from Borroloola to Timber Creek. That is why we are providing all this facility money to different communities. For example, $45 000 for Gapuwiyak to organise their sporting facilities; Tennant Creek Town Council, $500 000 for the Perkins Reserve; the upgrade of the Bulman Oval, $35 000, $1m to Katherine Town Council to repair infrastructure that was damaged by the floods; $125 000 to the Katherine Town Council to repair and upgrade netball courts damaged by the floods; $500 000 to upgrade the Ross Park facilities for junior soccer; and Canteen Creek, $100 000 to upgrade facilities and build a sports centre. In Alice Springs there is $8m for an aquatic centre; and $5m for Traeger Park, the most recent addition was the Ted Hayes scoreboard that was repaired and renamed. For Kulgera drag strip there is $1m for a quarter mile drag strip which will now attract not only national, but international races.
Sport and recreation is very important. Member for Nelson, I point out that in my speech about bridging the gap supporting the Territory Chief Minister’s statement, I said it is widely acknowledged that participation in sport and physical activity promotes healthy lifestyles, achieves better health and educational outcomes, and promotes positive social cohesion. That is why we are putting in $10.5m over the next five years. What we are doing is significant and important. Territorians are sports crazy. As I said, if you go out during the week after work, people are walking, riding their bicycles, playing tennis, playing bowls. If you go out on the weekend, you see exactly the same.
Because we are sport crazy and get such high standard sports, we have young up and coming athletes participating in national level sports, and I do not mean the AFL only. There are tennis players. Natasha Puatjimi is a very good example, and I mentioned her during Question Time today. We have young kids 16, 17, 18 years old who leave Darwin to play with AFL teams down south, or in soccer teams down south. It is important for us that we maintain the legacy of young people coming out of a small jurisdiction like the Territory and becoming household names in AFL or other sports.
My personal commitment is to promote sport, and not only sports I like such as soccer. It does not matter if I am not a fanatic about Rugby League or Rugby Union. Many people love it, and the more people we attract to the Northern Territory to play international Rugby League or Rugby Union, the better for us. We are too far away and many people do not have the ability or the time to drive or fly down south to watch Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL, a soccer game or a basketball game. It is easier and better for us to bring them up here. Every time we bring a national team up here, the game is very well patronised, be it basketball, Rugby League or Rugby Union.
I want to bring sports back to the suburbs. We have all these parks in the different suburbs which are empty, day in day out. We can utilise them more effectively and bring the neighbourhood kids back to the park, the same way we did when we were growing up, be it here or down south or in other countries. The only thing we needed was an empty block of land and a ball, and we had an international game. Today, after 6 pm, kids are locked in. They do not go out or do anything. We can bring the kids and families out to the parks. For example, we gave $400 000 to Darwin City Council to install lights at Nakara Oval, not for soccer, but for everyone to enjoy after hours. After all, it is too hot during the day and people enjoy going out after hours to play. We will continue with these kinds of activities.
I thank everyone for their contributions. It is a great portfolio, and it has given me the opportunity to go to different events and enjoy different sports. It has also given me the opportunity to invite people to the Territory. The moment they come, they are very impressed.
After the recent soccer game we had with the opening of the stadium, the Melbourne Victory players spoke to Charlie King at the ABC. They said that they had played at the Telstra Superdrome, and then they came to Darwin and had a look at the stadium, and the surface of the Darwin soccer stadium leaves the Superdrome for dead. We have the facilities and the weather; we can exploit and utilise them. I intend to do that.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
August is a very special month, Seniors Month. In fact, I am officially a senior since in April; I crossed my 50th year Rubicon. Someone had the idea of sending me a Seniors Card in the mail, which I duly filed for future reference.
Now is a time we should let the special seniors in our life and community know how much they mean to us by doing something special for them. There is a comprehensive seniors calendar of events covering all activities from water aerobics to social events, to encourage our senior Territorians to stay active, keep fit, try adventure and to meet new people. There is something for everyone, whether you live in Darwin rural, Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek or Alice Springs.
Once again this year, I had the pleasure of inviting a very special group of seniors to morning tea at Parliament House, the Darwin Legacy widows. This lovely group of ladies, headed by Nola, Norma and Heather, visit my electorate office every month for their committee meetings. I was delighted to host the ladies to a lovely morning tea in the Members and Guests Lounge, and we shared some interesting conversation over a cup of tea or coffee. I look forward to seeing them again next year.
I would like to keep you updated with the development progress of the new suburb of Lyons. With my colleague, Paul Henderson, the member for Wanguri, I attended the official opening of the new Lyons neighbourhood centre on Thursday, 12 July 2007, which marked the completion of the centre. The opening was attended by many local and interstate visitors, and many people recognised the key role the Northern Territory government, local authorities, businesses and general community have played in assisting the project reach this important milestone. There were beautiful Larrakia paintings on the wall, and the Kenbi Dancers entertained all the guests.
The neighbourhood centre is located in Garanmanuk Park, which is Larrakia for ‘grandmother’, and that will become the recreation and community hub of Lyons. It contains a fantastic children’s playground with lots of play equipment, two community rooms, kitchen facilities and amenities which will all add to the civic identify of Lyons. Initially, the centre will be used as the Lyons sales office, with rooms available for community use, and it will eventually be available for use by local community groups and the Darwin City Council.
It is always a pleasure to visit the schools in my electorate. The dedication of the teachers is reflected in the hard working, well-mannered students whom I have grown to know over the years. Each school is different in its approach to the school year, but the end result always bears the fruit of their labour and consistency.
The Dripstone High School will be changing its name to Dripstone Middle School as of next year to reflect the change of becoming a middle school. Dripstone High School has been hosting students from Kibi Cho Junior High School in Japan for 10 days. The students participate in education and tourist activities. They were billeted with local families within the Dripstone School community. The exchange between Kibi Cho Junior High and Dripstone High has been in place for over 10 years and, once again, a group of Dripstone students will be returning the visit to Japan in September and October.
Congratulations to 15 Year 8 students from Dripstone who recently volunteered to participate in the international competition and assessment for schools science tests, gaining fantastic results. Well done to Jack Campbell with a high distinction; Jack Cooper, distinction; Phillip McIntyre, distinction; Michelle Fisher, credit; Michael Vatskalis, credit; and Jayde Walding, credit.
Dripstone is one of six schools that participated in the Energy Blitz project, which is one of the focuses for the Year 8 middle-year program. The Energy Blitz project involves students investigating energy issues, energy use and its relationship to the greenhouse effect, and making real changes to their homes and school to save energy.
I congratulate one of my constituents, Ms Simone Liddy, a talented lady. Simone was recently named the National NAIDOC Youth of the Year for 2007. She received the award for her continued academic achievement, athletic prowess, and commitment to mentoring and supporting indigenous students. Simone is currently a third year Bachelor of Pharmacy student at Charles Darwin University. She plays hockey and has represented the Northern Territory with the Territory Pearls and co-captained the under-21 team this year. Simone, you have made us proud. I wish you all the best for the future.
A few days ago, I was saddened, as was my family, that a long-term Territorian and good friend, one of the first people we met when we arrived in Darwin in 1983, Ms Remil Kaye, passed away recently in Falcon, Western Australia.
Remil Kaye was born in Sydney on 22 May 1927. Her parents were Eileen and James Murphy, and her father was a merchant ship doctor who travelled the world with his profession. His family travelled with him, and Remil, along with siblings Jim and Clare, grew up all over the world. One of the most interesting memories she had, and she described it to us vividly, was her visit to pre-war Germany, and she remembered the Black Shirts marching down the street.
Remil was born with a deformed backbone and brittle bones, and the diagnosis was that she would not grow up past 15 years of age. She spent many years in hospital, encased in plaster, however, her determination and swimming ensured the doctors were proven wrong.
Remil married Maurice Kaye. She was about five foot nothing; Maurice was about six foot something, so they were a very matching pair. They married in 1959, and came to Darwin in the early 1960s for a short period, living in the Wood Street flats. I recall she told us they drove to Darwin in a Peugeot 203. Maurie worked for the government.
They returned for a brief period to Sydney and their daughter, Kim, was born there in 1965. They returned to Darwin in the late 1960s. Maurie was still working for the government with the Education Department. Initially, they lived in Larrakeyah near the old Darwin Hospital, but later they bought a house in Thornton Crescent, Moil. They went through the Cyclone Tracy experience; however, this did not deter them from living in the Territory. Their house was totally destroyed, but they rebuilt it and lived there for many years. After all, it was a place they loved.
Maurie passed away suddenly in 1980 and Remil was forced to go back to work after 20-odd years of not being in the workforce. She took on a position as tea lady in the Northern Territory Electricity Commission, and then went on to work on the switchboard. Kim was a teenager then, studying at St John’s College and Remil continued working to support her.
A few years later, Remil suffered two bouts of cancer and, because of brittle bones, a broken femur and a few small breaks in her wrist and her arm, but she still soldiered on. Remil sold the Moil house as it became too much work and bought a unit in Nation Crescent, Nightcliff.
She went on to do charity work for the Guide Dogs and a few other charities. She was a member of the Darwin Club and a Life Member of the Darwin Trailer Boat Club where she often loved to go. Many people in Darwin knew Remil. After all, she had been in the Territory since the early 1960s and she was an active member in the social life of the town.
We met her when we bought our first house in Coconut Grove. She was our next door neighbour. Actually, we met her the very first day we moved to our new house. She came around with a bottle of red wine to welcome us to the neighbourhood. I have to tell you after a whole day of unpacking, it was a great pleasure for someone to come along to offer us a drink.
The more we got to know Remil, the more we loved her. We spent many nights together listening to her endless entertaining stories about her life and experiences around the world and in Darwin. She really did have an interesting life. We formed a very strong relationship, and many times we spent Friday or Saturday afternoons either at our place or at her place enjoying dinner - she used to cook a great paella - talking or drinking red wine.
Remil was an early riser, and she was the first person I would say good morning to every day. Our son Alexander, then three years old, had grown up without any grandparents and he used to call her Nanna Remil, something that amused her a lot, but I know she really liked it. Some of the stories she told us were really funny, but also showed what a strong and realistic person she was. Here are some of her stories.
She always recalled the days after Cyclone Tracy, having sheltered under the house and survived, they had to live on tinned food that was stored in the pantry. Unfortunately, the rain had caused all labels to fall off. She would open the first can with a flourish and announce, after a quick look in the tin: ‘For dinner, we have rice cream and for dessert’ looking in the second tin, ‘tuna!’
Pre-cyclone, she was also an avid gardener and her garden was always colour coordinated. After the cyclone, she did not bother any more with colour coordination. She also wore all her jewellery and used her best dishes all the time because you never knew when you could lose it all.
We moved out of our house in Coconut Grove in 1995, but we kept in touch and we continued to have a few afternoons together in our new house or Sunday afternoons down at the Nightcliff foreshore. In 1993, she became grandmother to Corey. She was there for the birth and formed a special bond with her grandson. I remember her joy about her new grandson and how proud she was when she was showing us photos of the baby. I also remember how she looked after him in her small unit. I recall watching her running behind him, trying to stop him doing what little boys do best: run all over the place.
In 1998, she became grandmother of Karlee who tested her patience, but she loved her dearly. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her daughter and grandkids moved to WA in 1999. Remil was distraught but she still soldiered on as her love for Darwin was too great for her move to the southern states.
In December 2005, she had a stroke and her health forced her to move. She missed her home of Darwin and longed to go back. Remil passed away peacefully with her family in Mandurah on 8 August 2007.
Her daughter, Kim, will bring her mother back to Darwin to be with her beloved Maurice and to be laid to rest in Darwin, a place that she said was the only place that felt like home. She was much loved by many people in Darwin, particularly by her friends and neighbours in Coconut Grove: Patric and son, Liam, who used to call her Gremil, Grandma Remil, myself and Margaret, Alexander and Michael. Remil, we will miss your stories, particularly the ones you told us after the two drink rats had appeared, your love and friendship, and most of all the great times we had together for many years. Dearest Remil, may you rest in peace.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to report on a little trip I did in the second week of July. Each year I try, where possible, to take a trip into other parts of the Territory to educate myself about where people live and what they do for a living. This year, I went down to the Barkly. My original purpose was to see the Davenport National Park and to visit a couple of cattle stations and Aboriginal communities.
I was travelling through a couple of areas which were of interest to me so on the first day, I travelled to Renner Springs and stayed overnight, and the next morning, I visited Muckaty Station, a name which sounds political alarm bells around this parliament occasionally. As you all know, it has been nominated as a site for a radioactive waste facility so I thought I would have a look at the site.
I went to Muckaty Station, which I arranged beforehand. There is a pastoral property which sits within Muckaty Station itself. It does not cover the entire Aboriginal lease. Muckaty is run by a gentleman called Ray Aylett who is certainly a bit of a salt-of-the-earth bloke. He knows his cattle and that. He lives on a station that looks like my back verandah sometimes, but it is what you can call a working station. There are fencing materials and drums and all sorts of things, but the friendliest fellow you would ever meet. I had a great cup of tea with him on a very cold morning and we discussed some of the issues about the area. He is not directly involved in the matter of the radioactive waste site; that is a matter for the traditional owners who live on Muckaty Station.
He employs two young Aboriginal lads from Elliott, Brendan and Thomas, and he said they were great workers and very reliable. They go down at the end of the weekend, stay for the week and then went back to Elliott. One of their great joys, of course, is playing football for the Elliott Hawks, so they could not miss out on that.
I had a look at the site. I had a map which showed me the exact place. It is certainly a long way from anywhere. I am happy to show people photographs of the site. Of course, it is only nominated. It would have to go through a fairly stringent environmental impact statement by the Commonwealth. At least now I know where people are talking about putting it.
Muckaty Station is not far from Bootu Creek Mine, which is a place I have wanted to visit. As you know, the rail now takes manganese from Bootu Creek Mine and it is now offloaded at the port, so it was worth visiting. It is a big mine. The funny thing is you drive out there, you think you are in the middle of nowhere, and you open the door and the first person to greet you when you open the door is someone from Howard Springs. It is amazing where people work in the Northern Territory. Often you find people who know you. In fact, I met another gentleman there who said: ‘You were the president of the Litchfield Shire. We had problems with our road once’ and so we talked about local government issues. He was pretty cheerful; he knew I was not on the council any longer. In many ways, the friendliness of people, even though they are mining out there in the middle of nowhere, is one of the reasons it is great to be in the Territory.
Bootu Creek is a very important mine. It sends manganese to China. It is a very interesting place. They have to take about 32 m of overburden off the top of the manganese before they can start mining it, so it is no cheap job trying to remove that top layer of soil and rock before you get there.
I then travelled down through Tennant Creek to the turnoff to Epenarra, which leads you out to the Davenport Ranges. It was getting on for evening. I passed Kurundi Station and stayed at Whistleduck Creek. It is part of what they call the Davenport Ranges. It is a question for the Minister for Parks and Wildlife, but it has been proposed to be a national park since 1993 and it still has not been declared. There are issues in relation to pastoral leases and native title, but it seems a long time for something to have been proposed but not finalised. I went back to Kurundi Station the next day and met the Saint family. It was fortunate, because I had a tyre that had been going down and it went all the way when I got to Kurundi Station. Ben Saint was kind enough to fix the tyre. That meant I had a spare, which is good because it is not the sort of country where you have no spare tyres. The roads are very gravelly. Although they say they are four wheel drive, they are tough on tyres and you do not want to drive like a maniac because you will shred your tyres.
After talking to the people at Kurundi, I went to Old Policeman’s Waterhole, which is another camping site in the Davenport Range. It is a beautiful place, absolutely beautiful. If you want some solitude, a nice quite place, it is the place. It is only has the basics such as a drop toilet and some signage. There is a huge water hole. You could go water skiing on it. I am not recommending that, by the way, but that gives some idea of the size of it. There is quite a bit of wildlife. If you walk around the other side of it, you will find the remains of the police station that was there in the late 1980s, because there were some problem between the Aboriginal people and one of the pastoralists and the miners who used to work in that area.
I headed off to Canteen Creek, which is a place I never knew much about. There, I introduced myself to a couple of people who I had known from a Territory Tidy Town conference held recently, Kathy Gers and her husband. I also met Adrian Mick, who is the president of the association there. I am quite impressed with Canteen Creek. It is a small community which has about 200 people and is quite clean. It was interesting to see a sign that had been sponsored by NAPCAN. I have not written down the Aboriginal name for Canteen Creek. It has a big budgerigar on it and says that this is a place where they care for children. It seemed that, with the intervention occurring, I had come to a town that has a sign saying: ‘We are proud of our town because we care for children’. NAPCAN, as you know, is a group that looks after children. I have taken photographs of it. It certainly gave you a feeling that you were coming to a friendly town, and it certainly was. I had a look around and talked to some of the women at the preschool who were sitting out in the sun, because it is pretty cold on the Barkly at that time of the year. It is a beautiful place to go, but it certainly gets cold. By the way, fuel at Canteen Creek is $1.80 a litre.
I headed back to Epenarra Station, which has a community nearby, and fuel there is $1.90 a litre. It is surprising that the fuel another 50 km or 60 km further into the desert was cheaper than on the cattle station. I wondered about the prices.
I travelled from Epenarra up to the Barkly Highway. There is a track that goes up there. I know the people who manage Epenarra Station; the Lee family, believe that that road is not a public road, but it is a road that many tourists would like to use because it cuts off having to go into Tennant Creek if you are going through that area. It is a really beautiful area. There are many trees and the bushes are flowering at this time because the Barkly had some good rain. If you enjoy native plants and birdlife, the Barkly is alive when that rain comes in and makes the place a picture.
I travelled from Barkly Homestead through to Camooweal, stayed overnight and then went to the Camooweal/Urandangi Road because I had appointments to visit Alpurrurulam, another place I have never been. I was surprised at the size of the town. There are 1000 people who live at Alpurrurulam. It is 15 km just inside the Northern Territory border. I can guarantee the Camooweal/Urandangi Road to Alpurrurulam was probably the worst road I have ever driven in my life. It was a black soil road that had been dug up by trucks after the rain. It was rutted, and you were driving in vast areas where there are absolutely no trees. There is only a black line heading east or west. You know that when you eventually get to the end of it, you will get to some form of civilisation.
Alpurrurulam is a big community next to Lake Nash Station. I gather some years ago it was cut off from Lake Nash Station. It has a very modern local government community council building, a good store, many houses and, of course, it relies on CDEP because of where it is. I gather some of the people in that area also get work from local cattle stations. It is certainly more affiliated with Mt Isa than it is with the Barkly.
If I had to make a point about local government boundaries, one got the impression there that perhaps because of the size of the community, if we were looking at other options with boundaries, Alpurrurulam could nearly have been the centre of a shire. I know the footballers all go to Mt Isa and it is in a part of the Territory that is pretty well isolated from other parts of the Territory.
I travelled from Alpurrurulam through Austral Downs along the Tablelands Highway, which is not the greatest highway at the moment. Some parts of the Tablelands Highway are very broken up and it is in need of repair. It is a beef road and it has been around for a long time but some parts do need repair.
This trip took me out onto the Calvert Road and out towards Nicholson River. I visited the Benmara Station, which is owned by the Holt family, where I stayed overnight. That was interesting in itself because you have a pretty good idea of how families live on cattle stations that are a long, long way from anywhere. Benmara is a station which is not near any major town. They get their supplies from Tennant Creek. When we talk about pastoral properties and local government, and I am not a person who says cattle stations should not be in local government shires, but it is hard to support the idea that they will be serviced by local government. They are so far from anywhere, the cost of fuel running that station must be enormous. They live out there by themselves and they do not visit the main areas very often at all. My feeling is with cattle stations, we should have a flat rate for all cattle stations. That puts them, nearly like a membership fee, into a local government entity and that flat rate is adjusted by the CPI. They do live a long way from anywhere.
To cut this short, I travelled from Benmara Station back through the Carpentaria Highway and up to Ceres Downs. Part of what I was trying to do is find out what people where thinking about local government amalgamation, about the intervention, and learning about where people live in this vast Territory. I travelled to Ceres Downs, which is at Douglas Daly, and had discussions with Sarah Thompson, Ian McBean, and Chris and Marie Muldoon. They are residents of the Douglas Daly area and we discussed a range of issues relating to the amalgamation of the council. I left them to ponder on some of those matters.
It was well worth doing. It took a week. It was a beautiful time of the year to do it. The nights were very cold. Sleeping in the back of the ute, I wanted to make sure there wasn’t too much skin appearing out from under the sleeping bags and blankets, but the country was just beautiful. If you ever get a chance, go down to the Barkly, turn left at the Epenarra Road and you run into some country which is just magic. You don’t always need a four-wheel drive. Take your time and make sure your tyres are in good nick. I am lucky enough to have a ute, which has a slightly higher clearance. You meet some wonderful people, both black and white, and you see some wonderful sights. I have done a PowerPoint presentation for some of the seniors in Howard Springs, and a few people have said to me: ‘Why didn’t you take me along?’ That is the sort of country it is. I thank all those people I met for their hospitality.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to mention some of the outstanding achievements of the stars of the Johnston electorate.
Tonight I would like to congratulate Irene O’Meara of Jingili who was recognised for excellence in her Enrolled Nursing (Certificate IV in Community Services) course at the Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Education, Health and Science 2007 Prize Giving Ceremony recently. In a study cited in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, 1996 which explored the meaning of excellence in nursing care, respondents were asked to reflect on practice which enabled a clear understanding of the meanings given to excellence in nursing care. According to these respondents, this means nurses who deliver excellent nursing care, implement nursing in a professional and competent manner, demonstrate an holistic approach to caring, possess certain personal qualities which enhance practice, and relate to patients, families, peers, hospital administrators and community members in a competent and cooperative manner. It was no doubt based on these qualities that Irene was recognised for the Senator for the Northern Territory, Trish Crossin’s Award for Excellence, and it was my pleasure to present it to Irene on behalf of Senator Crossin.
Whilst in her second year of studying and doing practical work at Royal Darwin Hospital, Irene has been raising three children: Mathew, 10; Jason, 7; and Kristine 5. She also ensures husband, Mick, is well cared for, with the usual cooking and cleaning and, of course, consoling him when the Melbourne Demons lose a game, which, unfortunately, has been quite often this season. Never mind, Mick; there is always next season.
I wish Irene all the best, and I am sure members join me, as she continues her course of study.
Sita Rodgers and Shashank Ramakrishna of Casuarina Senior College were recently awarded an Australian Defence Force Academy education award. Congratulations to Sita and Shashank. This award is presented annually to Year 12 students in recognition of outstanding achievement exhibited during the recruiting process for entry into ADFA, the Australian Defence Force Academy. Only 120 of over 1200 applicants Australia-wide are awarded a laptop computer, certificate for the recipient as well as a plaque for the school. These awards are presented on behalf of the Navy, Army or Air Force.
Congratulations also to Jason Vieira of Wagaman who represented the Northern Territory in tennis at the secondary school tennis championships, otherwise known as the Pizzey Cup, held in the Australian Capital Territory in May this year. Jason has played in an event which, in previous years has seen the likes of Wally Masur, Anne and Liz Minter, Mark Woodforde, John Frawley, Richard Fromberg and Patrick Rafter, to mention a few, compete.
The Pizzey Cup has been won by New South Wales on 19 occasions, Queensland 5 times, Victoria and Western Australia twice each and South Australia once. I am sure the Northern Territory team gave a great account of itself, and particularly Jason, who I know is very keen on tennis. His parents are very supportive of his tennis career.
Three Casuarina Senior College students, Carmen Chau, Josh Leslie and Danielle Lede, were selected on their performances at the Northern Territory United Nations Youth Association conference in May to represent the Northern Territory at the national conference of UNYA, which was held in Canberra in July. The conference brought together almost 130 of Australia and New Zealand’s most intelligent and eloquent young people for a week of discussion and debate. They were addressed by some renowned and knowledgeable thinkers, including youth leaders, politicians and university lecturers on various current and relevant topics. This is a fantastic opportunity for our motivated young people, and sincere congratulations to Danielle, Josh and Carmen on their selection to represent the Territory.
Just announced this week were the 2007 Apprentice of the Year Awards as part of the Excellence in Building and Construction Awards. It was fantastic to hear that Alex Wie, also a student at Casuarina Senior College, won the James Bell Award, which is open to first year construction apprentices in any trade. Alex was also nominated for and won the Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award, which recognises that a Year 11 or 12 student, as an Australian school-based apprentice, is not only working up to four days a week, but completing their high school certificate at the same time. Congratulations, Alex. The award was open to any Australian school-based apprentice in the building and construction, electro-technology and plumbing trades.
Also at Casuarina Senior College is Ms Fran Davies. Fran was recently awarded the 2007 Geography Teachers Association of South Australia DD Harris Award for Excellence in Geography Teaching. The award is named after Don Harris, who was involved in teaching and professional development in South Australia for over 60 years. The aim of the award is set out on the nomination form:
The award was made at the GTASA conference, Geography: Exploring the World, in June this year where Fran ran a workshop on sustainable futures. Congratulations, Fran.
Also to be congratulated tonight are the children at Moil Primary School who recently participated in the International Competition and Assessments for School. They have been awarded certificates for their academic achievement. The ICAS program assesses knowledge, problem solving and higher order thinking skills in key aspects of mathematics, writing, English, spelling and science. As the list of students at Moil Primary School is too long and far too many to mention tonight, I will mention a few of those awarded a High Distinction or Distinction now, but I will be writing to each student to congratulate them personally on their great achievement.
In the Mathematics assessment, Year 3 students, Jackie Liang achieved a High Distinction, whilst Gajan Packiakumar was awarded a Distinction. In Year 4, Tess Harbeck was awarded a Distinction. In Year 5, Benjamin Carpenter, Helen Carroll, Andrew Harding, Adam Johnston and Mathew O’Meara were also awarded Distinctions. Mathew is Irene and Mick O’Meara’s son, whom I mentioned earlier in this adjournment debate. Year 6 students, William Carroll, Ethan Dilettoso, Kenny Lee, Sau-ching Leung, and Year 7 students, Jethro Dickens and Sam Newbery were also awarded Distinctions.
Turning to Writing, Distinctions went to Helena Frewen-Lord of Year 4 and Adam Johnston of Year 5. In the Science field, High Distinctions went to Grace Fuller and Garwerd Liang of Year 4, and Sam Newbery of Year 7. Well done, Grace, Garwerd and Sam. Certificates of Distinction went to Jackie Liang of Year 3, Andrew Harding and Chloe Wallent of Year 5, William Carroll and Nick Deveril of Year 6, and Warren Collins and Sassikumar Packiakumar of Year 7.
In English and Spelling, English Distinctions went to Nathan Ryan of Year 4, Andrew Harding and Adam Johnston of Year 5, Kenny Lee of Year 6, and Warren Collins and Sam Newbery of Year 7, with Vaanathy Kandiah, also of Year 7, earning a High Distinction. Well done to all of those students.
In Spelling, three students, Helena Frewen-Lord of Year 4, Jethro Dickens and Vaanathy Kandiah, both of Year 7, were awarded High Distinctions, whilst Tess Harbeck of Year 4 and Adam Johnston of Year 5 were awarded Distinctions.
These are great achievements for our young minds, and I congratulate all the boys and girls on their success.
I also congratulate Emma Jackson and Isabella Hodgson of Wagaman Primary School, Damien Jongue of Year 4/5S; Isaac Verity of Year 1W at Moil Primary School; Sarah Harpur from Year 1/2 Hughes, and Emma Ramsay from Year 5/6/7 MacPherson at Jingili Primary School who were all awarded my Quiet Achiever Awards at the end of the second semester. Well done, children. It is great to hear that you are doing great work and that your teachers think so highly of you.
It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Norman Henry Douglas at the age of 74 who lived in Moil from at least 1987. I first met Norm and his partner, Shirley Davies, who is unfortunately now deceased, when I was door knocking over seven years ago. They were such great, friendly people, but down to earth Territorians, told you what they thought, very direct and the salt of the earth. They were the antithesis of each other in some ways, but they had been together a long time. Norm became a wonderful carer for Shirley in her later years, and he was devoted to her, taking her out to Stella Maris, and St Vincent de Paul, and they were both often seen at the Cas Club having a quiet drink on an afternoon. Both Shirley and Norm did great work for Stella Maris and St Vincent de Paul and they will be sadly missed.
Norm was a typical salt of the earth kind of a bloke who said little, did lots and had done a lot in his life. He did not really talk about it. Maybe after he had had a beer or two, you would hear a bit more from Norm about what he had done. He had knocked around the Territory for over 50 years, coming across from Queensland in his early 20s. He had been a jockey, a stockman, working on cattle stations and helping with mustering, a road ganger building Territory roads, a grader driver, a taxi driver, a driving instructor, in fact, a man of all trades, and a great mate to all his friends.
Norm had fantastic stories to tell about his adventures but, as I said, you would need to have a beer with him, although Norm did like a rum and Coke, too. He was a very gentle soul, very quiet, totally unassuming, a kind man who never raised his voice. He never had a harsh word to say about anyone. He will be best remembered in his street for his fried rice, a recipe he picked up from a camp cook, and his mates angled for an invite when Norm was cooking. I will miss seeing Norm walking down the block for his morning paper from the Moil Supermarket and will remember him for the quiet and contented man he was, a real backbone of the Territory. Vale, Norm Douglas.
It is with great appreciation I mention Ken Tinkham of Wagaman who is going on recreation leave, and accumulated long service leave before formally retiring on 4 July 2008 after 26 years of dedicated service to the Northern Territory government. Ken is currently the Chief Financial Officer with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, a position he has held since November 2002. It was during this time that Ken oversaw the financial transition of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure from the previous Department of Transport and Works. Ken’s financial expertise has been greatly appreciated by both the Chief Executive Officer and departmental management.
He was heavily involved with projects such as the implementation of the new Financial Management Act across the whole of government, and introduced the concept of government business divisions. He was a key player when the goods and services tax was introduced in 2000 and implemented in 2001, and he successfully managed the department’s involvement during establishment of a centralised service provider under the government’s Planning for Growth initiative. His ability to manage significant change during these periods has been most appreciated.
Work colleagues speak highly of Ken’s professional and financial expertise. He is applauded for his commitment and dedication to his profession, and the strategic financial advice he has provided during this period. It has been greatly valued. I can say as the minister who appeared before Estimates - and it is a large portfolio, as my colleague, the member for Karama, will attest - Ken was across all the detail. He was so informative and had a wonderful, competent style of a chief financial officer.
I am pleased to say that Ken is planning to stay in the Northern Territory to spend quality time with his family. I take this opportunity to wish him and his family all the best for the future, and an enjoyable retirement. Ken, it is great you are staying in the Territory. Thanks very much for all your work over the years. I know you are going to be greatly missed in the Northern Territory Public Service.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, enough of my adjournment debate tonight about the wonderful seat of Johnston. There are some great kids learning, playing sport, and some great constituents. I remain very proud to be the member for Johnston in this Assembly.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I want to advise the House of some of the events which have occurred in Goyder over the past few weeks.
The Goyder area has again been very active socially this Dry Season. The seniors in our community are always on the go, and are currently busy attending Seniors Month events. The program for the Palmerston and rural areas is very crowded with lunches, morning tea and a sunset cruise. One annual favourite is the ‘come and try’ day at Litchfield Bowls Club. This is a great opportunity for newcomers to learn the game under the wing of more experienced players. There are many prizes, a tasty morning tea, and everyone has an enjoyable day out. A big thank you to Caroline Smolski and the rest of the committee. It was a great day out. The member for Nelson was there and he was involved in the bowls. Unfortunately, I had a couple of other functions I had to attend, but I was made to feel very welcome. It is a great annual event in the rural area.
Many seniors also attended the morning tea in the Main Hall of Parliament House. I thank the Minister for Senior Territorians, Marion Scrymgour, for hosting this function and allowing me the opportunity to invite seniors from my electorate of Goyder. Some of those who attended were Gail Maddox, Dave and Jan Sanders, Lawrie Doldissen, Arie Mulder, Iris McGregor, Frank and Jessica Hoschke, Ron and Phyliss Thomas and Barbara Gabel. It was a good morning tea. The politicians were involved in serving food to the seniors, and they had a great time. I took some good photos of most of my seniors from the rural area. It was a great day out and it is good that the Northern Territory government can take the time to honour our seniors in such a respectful and gracious manner.
While these events are very special, the highlight of the Dry Season for the Goyder area would have to have been the Taminmin High School’s first musical production Cold as Ice. I was lucky to be an invited guest on the second night of the performance, held in the school gymnasium which, I remind you, is soon to be upgraded by this government as a public cyclone shelter.
I will mention some of the performing stars, but first I congratulate Tanya Ham, the school’s music teacher and the Director of the musical.
Tanya came up with the story line and contacted a well known playwright, Megan Rigoni, who turned the idea into a reality especially for Taminmin High. They were ably assisted by Taryna Deslandes as the Producer and many from the school community were engaged in some capacity as part of the hard working backstage crew. I can assure you they all worked together as a fantastic team to make this a wonderful production. Even the students of the newly opened Hospitality Unit got in the act, so to speak, by preparing and serving a scrumptious snack during the interval.
Cold as Ice was billed as a romantic comedy with a twist, and indeed the rock and roll musical was a memorable feature which allowed the 70 students to dress up and dance. Time does not permit me to list all those fabulous performers but I would like to mention the main cast. They are: Cal Kennedy as the nutty scientist who invents a machine that freezes people; playing the lead ladies opposite him were Emily Coleman as his true love and Ellen Walshe as the school principal. The remaining performing cast consisted of Jesse Milne, Luke Richardson, Melanie Totten, Jacquie Corrick, Kate Hatton, Jess Roach, William Bampton, Cassie McDonough, Mariha Moon, Joanna Pickering, Rebecca Jennings, Alix Willian, Fiona Weir, Rachael Timson, John Harris, Melinda Hazel, and Erin Evans.
Incidentally, both nights were sold out so I recommend that you get in very quickly for your ticket for next year’s production. I am assured that this will happen as the school will be offering Performing Arts subjects in 2008. Students are already lining up to take the subject knowing that they will be working on another highlight of the community Dry Season calendar.
A lifetime of contribution to community by a local constituent of mine, Mr Boyd Scully, was recently fittingly recognised when he was chosen by NAIDOC as the Male Elder of the Year. He was presented with his national award at a ball held in Darwin in mid-July to honour him for his unwavering commitment to young indigenous people and the strong leadership he has shown within his own community. This award as National Elder of the Year is the culmination of Boyd’s many achievements.
Boyd was the Australian Junior Welterweight Boxing champion in 1960 and went on to represent Australia in the Oceania Games in 1962 where he beat an Olympic gold medallist in the competition. He has continued his involvement with boxing ever since. He has led teams to the Olympics, the Arafura and the Oceania games, and was actively involved in the boxing program at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games where he was handed a limited edition Bronze Medallion for his efforts in looking after boxers from several countries, both in and out of the ring. Boyd was the first indigenous person elected to the Board of Boxing Australia and in 2000 he received an Australian Sports Medal for sporting achievement. He has continued to play an important role in the coordination of many events including the recent Arafura Games and the Australian Boxing Titles.
Boyd is very well known mainly due to his involvement as boxing trainer at Taminmin High School for our local youth. I have attended several boxing tournaments where Boyd has been the main organiser in his capacity of President of Boxing NT. Boyd holds coaching clinics for many at-risk kids in indigenous communities. He leads by example, showing indigenous youth ways to stay away from drugs and alcohol. He is an inspirational leader for many young people and I consider him to be a local hero.
A community group working to improve the Goyder electorate is the Friends of Fogg Dam. This group was formed less than a year ago to work in partnership with Parks and Wildlife and Landcare. Their main aims are to raise awareness of the uniqueness of the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve and to help maintain and improve visitor facilities. They have not wasted any time. Already they have held working bees and field excursions, manned a display at World Environment Day held at the museum in June, and they are now conducting a visitor survey. They recently invited me and the previous minister for Environment, Marion Scrymgour, to tour the facilities at Fogg Dam. I must admit that there was an ulterior motive behind this invitation, as they wanted to highlight to the minister the desirability of reconstructing the monsoon forest boardwalk. Jeremy Hemphill and Heather Boulden were our guides and hosted welcome refreshments in the Pandanus Lookout after the tour.
The group is currently circulating a petition due to come into this House next week which is seeking funding to replace the boardwalk. I am proud to support this petition as I believe the reserve to be a truly unique place. I encourage all members of the House to visit in the near future and see the improvements resulting from the work of the Friends of Fogg Dam.
I congratulate the Berry Springs Primary School on providing 30 years of education in the rural area. In September, the school will celebrate this milestone with a very special assembly, which will include a performance by students and the choir. I have heard the choir sing the school song a few times now, and I am sure they will perform this very capably, as always. There will be a birthday cake to share, and I will report to the House on how it tasted because I will attend this very special day with my colleagues, Paul Henderson and Robert Knight.
The assembly will be followed by morning tea for parents, former pupils and friends in the library. The library will be open all day for visitors to come in and browse through the photographic displays and other memorabilia. I know that Donna Pearson from the Planning Committee will welcome any contributions from former students who, no doubt, have plenty of stories to share.
Also celebrating a birthday is the Bees Creek School, which will turn 10 this year and will have their main celebrations at a dance night this Friday evening. I have been able to obtain a short history of the school and I would like to tell members a little more about this great community resource.
The school was opened in January 1997 with an enrolment of 92 primary and 27 pre-school students. The first principal was Peter Collins, and he oversaw rapid increases in enrolment such that a double class room transportable needed to be added for the start of 1999 and a four class room general learning area, C Block, was opened at the start of 2000 to bring the student capacity up to 420. Peter was principal for seven years before handing over to Ken Brodie for a short period until the current principal, John Tait, started in 2005.
As I said, the school is a great community resource and is utilised after hours by several groups, including Soo Bak Do, belly dancing, junior football, Fem Fishing and junior netball. There is great interest and pride in the school, and parental support is excellent, so much so that parents have raised nearly $80 000 to provide shade for the double basketball courts, a new sand pit with water feature and a new storage shed.
A Special Education learning centre was completed in April this year and received significant in-kind support from the school community. They have a special rural focus with the organic garden and horticultural program, which is used by all classes to enhance environmental and authentic learning. I have seen some very beautiful sunflowers in this garden and sampled some of the vegies.
Mr Deputy Speaker, it is with great sadness that I heard about the tragic deaths earlier this month of two former players from our local Southern Districts Football Club. The two young men, Dwayne Whitehurst and Murray Hill, were widely respected team mates and will be greatly missed by all their friends in our football community. I extend my sincere condolences to the families, and especially to Dwayne’s brother, Kingsley. I know Dwayne and Kingsley were looking forward to playing together this season to help retain the premiership for our club. The dedication of the first game this season to Dwayne and Murray will be a fitting testament to these missing team members. I am sure that wherever they are, they will be shouting: ‘Go, Crocs!’ with every goal we score.
There is another sad event which touched all of us in the House recently, and that is the bereavement of our fellow member, Barbara McCarthy, who lost her mother, Limandabina Charlie, loving mother and grandmother, strong Garrawa and Yanula elder. I would like to pay tribute to Limandabina, and will read into Hansard notes on her life which were given at the service.
That is a noble and distinguished tribute to Limandabina’s life.
In the couple of minutes left, I would also like to read into Hansard the tribute from her family.
On behalf of all members of this House, I wish the Charlie family and Barbara and all the extended family our condolences. It was a very honourable service. Those who were at Borroloola attended the service at the cemetery where we all said our fond farewells to Limandabina.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Mr Deputy Speaker, I had the pleasure of attending the Reach for the Stars gala dinner on Friday, 17 August in honour of Mr Jim Reilly II, a NASA astronaut. I was also honoured to host a reception on behalf of the minister for Education for Jim, representatives from the Young Astronauts Space Schools Australia, and those here in Darwin and Palmerston that made Jim’s trip to the Northern Territory possible.
Jim was most recently a Mission Specialist on STS-117. This Space Shuttle Atlantis mission to the international space station was the 118th space shuttle mission and 21st shuttle mission to the space station. The successful construction and repair mission involved multiple EVAs by five astronauts. Reilly accumulated 30 hours and 43 minutes of EVA in five space walks. The mission also delivered and returned with an expedition crew member. STS-117 returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California, having travelled 5.8 million miles in 14 days. Over several missions, Jim has logged over 853 hours in space, including eight space walks, totalling 47 hours and three minutes. I should acknowledge that this information about Mr Reilly is sourced from the astronaut’s biographies page on the NASA website.
Jim is an extremely engaging speaker. He spoke about his space walks and had pictures from his most recent missions. He had all of us who attended the gala dinner absolutely enthralled. He referred to one instance when he was returning from working on part of the space station. He looked up from what he was doing as the sun was coming over the edge of the earth, and I do not know whether you can describe that as the sun coming over the horizon when you are in space. He said it made clear the layer of atmosphere that blankets and protects us. What was really obvious, he said, was how thin it actually is.
Another anecdote of Jim’s to which I would like to refer is that most of the astronauts in the program are from small towns. This is a very powerful observation to make. Too often, young people are made to feel that they cannot reach for the stars from where they live, that they have to go to large cities to have a chance. No matter where you grow up or go to school, it is up to the individual’s personal drive and, most importantly, imagination, and Jim certainly showed that.
I congratulate the major sponsors who brought Jim to the Territory: Palmerston City Council and Shorelands. There are other sponsors, of course: Direct Air Charter, SKYCITY Darwin at which the gala dinner was held, Image Offset and Digital Mojo. They are the corporate sponsors but, of course, there were lots of individuals who put in lots of time of their own.
Arthur Hamilton, principal of Shorelands, gave an entertaining speech during the gala night, which included him presenting Jim with a can of VB, which he explained stood for ‘Visitors Beer’. At the reception on Monday night, Jim spoke about his trip to Goulburn Island and his visit with the school kids out there. They did a deal with the school to attend on Saturday, and the kids could then take Monday off, just so they could meet Jim, whose time was short. I understand that Jim was extremely impressed by the students because of the research they had done in preparation for his visit, and they way they had decorated their classroom.
I know that Jim touched the hearts, minds and imaginations of all the children he met during his visit to Palmerston and the Top End. I am sure he inspired many of them to take a great interest in science and mathematics. I thank Jim Reilly II for his time, and for visiting Palmerston and the Territory.
Another member of the party to come to the Territory was Dr Jeanette Rothapfel. She is the principal and founder of the New South Wales School of Space Science. She is also known as Mrs Rocketfuel. Her website, www.mrsrocketfuel.com is set up so people can ask her any question relating to the universe. Jeanette is the only person in the world who has a collection of moon rocks on permanent loan from NASA. I had a chance to see them on Monday night. They may not look much, but they have provided a wealth of information about our own world. The forces of erosion on Earth destroy all information beyond a certain age. Rocks from the moon and Mars have not been subject to the same erosion forces. These rocks fill in nicely the periods of Earth’s evolution that are blank in Earth’s geological history.
I understand that Mars also provides information that the moon does not. This is one of the reasons why Mars is of such interest to scientists. I understood from Jeanette that the rocks she has possession of are worth several million dollars. They are something she is very careful with, although she did, amusingly, refer to a story that the rocks are kept in a safe with one of the police organisations, and the safe is also used as a drug storage container. She occasionally has trouble with some of the drug sniffer dogs at the airport because of the material that the moon rocks have been stored with.
I would like to mention a lady who was instrumental in bringing Jim and the others to the Territory. This lady is local to Palmerston; she works in Palmerston and makes her own contribution, inspiring young minds in Palmerston. I am, of course, referring to Ms Helen Armstrong. Helen worked tirelessly making arrangements and putting together a program for Jim’s visit. I confess I do not really know everything that she must have done, but I do know that it must have been a huge workload for her. I thank her also for her commitment to the children and youth of Palmerston, to work so selflessly to give them this opportunity. She was saying on Monday that she must be a bit of a space nut because she married a Mr Armstrong.
One project that the Palmerston council and Young Astronauts Space Schools Australia would like to work towards is setting up a Northern Territory space school. It is a fantastic idea, and I support it. The YASSA website, at www.yassa.com.au, states:
I recommend that all members go to the website and review the information available. I think a Northern Territory young astronaut space school would assist the Territory’s future, encouraging young Territorians to study sciences and engineering to high levels of expertise.
The member for Drysdale and I have been conducting forums in Palmerston about the future that residents see for Palmerston. We have now had three forums, the most recent of which was last night. I thank all those people who have attended so far for coming along, showing interest and sharing with us their great ideas. We have more forums to come. I am sure we will hear even more great ideas as we go along the process.
I am very proud to represent the seat of Brennan and, more generally, the municipality of Palmerston. This exercise in conducting public meetings is an important step in delivering for Palmerston and I thank all the volunteers who have assisted me in delivering pamphlets and, leaflets informing people of meetings to come and then the leaflets which will be dropped off after the meetings to summarise what it was we heard. These things do not come together all on their own and the support I have received is gratefully acknowledged. I will thank people in more detail at the conclusion of the full process.
On 18 August 1966, D Company of 6 RAR left the operations base at Nui Dat, Phuc Toy province established by the 1st Australian Task Force. The rest, as they say, is history. I attended the Vietnam Veterans Day service at the Esplanade. This year is the 41st anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. It was good to once again see many veterans attend the service.
I attended the Open Garden Scheme last weekend. A garden in Trilla Court, Bakewell was the feature garden, and it was a revelation. I understand it hardly requires any watering, even in the Dry and I think it was said that the owners had only watered the garden three times this Dry. I congratulate the Dicksons on their wonderful garden. I saw just how a regular suburban block can be turned into a paradise of garden beds, meandering walks, scented plants and bird-attracting trees.
I would like to record my apologies to Cate Stedman and the other parishioners of the Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Parish. I was unable to attend their last parish dinner, which I was expecting to be able to do.
I was asked to be a part of a cross-party delegation to the Philippines under the sponsorship of the Australian Political Exchange Council. The delegation was in the Philippines from 25 to 31 July, although I did have to attend a compulsory briefing day in Canberra and overnight in Sydney prior to the delegation commencing. All the costs of the trip were borne by the Australian Political Exchange Council. The aim of the Australian Political Exchange Council is to develop Australia’s young political leaders through international exchange. This was the second delegation to the Philippines. The aim was to foster closer links with the Philippines and a greater understanding.
With me on the delegation were Mr Nicholas Kotsiras MLA, Victorian state member for the seat of Bulleen, shadow minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, and also the shadow for Youth and Sport; Ms Judith Donnelly from the office of the Honourable Bruce Billson MP; Mr Gary Kent, Company Secretary of Defence Housing Australia and President of the ACT Liberal Party; Ms Mary Mawhinney of the federal Opposition Leader’s Office; Mr Ben Sakker-Kelly from the office of Mr Robert McClelland MP; and Mr David Wilson from the Australian Political Exchange Council.
The official report of the delegation will be posted on the Australian Political Exchange Council’s web site in due course. I will seek to make this report available to the Assembly once I become aware the final report has been posted. I do have a draft report that runs to 19 pages.
Our hosts for the delegation were the Philippine Council of Young Political Leaders, PCYC. I wish to thank Rolley and KP for looking after us while we there with such aplomb. They kept us moving and under control, and were always there when we needed assistance. I thank them very much. I sincerely hope that the Philippines return delegation finds their trip as valuable as we found our trip to the Philippines.
One visit of particular interest to me as a representative from the Northern Territory was the Philippines National Mango Research and Development Centre on Guimaras Island. The centre is building a genetic bank of mango varieties. It is also pivotal in building a mango industry on Guimaras Island. It already assists a number of farmers. Unlike the Territory, in the Philippines, they must induce flowering and fruiting. This Philippines export mangos to a number of countries, including Australia.
I knew that we exported live cattle to the Philippines, but did not know that there are also links on the mango front. It seems to me that the Territory and the Philippines could both benefit from close ties and exchange of information.
Trade between the Philippines and Australia was valued at $1.75bn in 2006. Major Australian exports were copper ores, dairy products and medicines. Major imports from the Philippines are crude oil, telecommunications equipment, integrated circuits and computers, and we have a close defence relationship, which is getting closer and closer with another major defence document due to be signed shortly.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I wish to speak about a fantastic event in Leanyer at the start of July, the Premium Great Sk8 competition showcasing the wonderful skills of our youth in the Top End.
The Premium Great Sk8 is an alcohol- and drug-free event for the youth of the Northern Territory, which offers great challenges in sporting endeavour. They battle it out to be recognised as the best. The Premium Great Sk8ers were roller skate boarders, roller bladers and bikers from the whole of the Territory and around Australia being attracted to Darwin.
This spectacular event offers competitors and the audience adrenaline that arises from the performers with their fearless stunts. Two professional skate boarders, freestyle bike riders and freestyle roller bladers came to the Top End to perform at one of the Territory’s finest youth events, which commenced on 13 July with the Meet and Greet, and then two fun-packed days on 14 and 15 July.
I had the pleasure of meeting the pro-skate boarders, Jody Blatch and Amanda Ghorra. The pro bikers were Christopher O’Donnell and Brandon Jones, and the pro roller bladers were Gavid Drum and Hayden Watt. They were full of praise for the Leanyer Recreation Park and what we have done there. They said it was one of the best facilities in Australia.
The Premium Great Sk8 is also known for its Territory theme: beautiful weather, inspirational atmosphere, inspiring time. Where else can you have an event so brilliant as this that the performance of the youth, aged from 14 to 25 years, in a cement outdoors show ring in front of hundreds of people to perform at the best of their ability through sweat and fear with greatness and determination to be best on the day, as it is their day.
I opened the event and went back a couple of times over the days. It was exactly as the organisers forecast. There were hundreds if not thousands of youth all over that skate park, which was fantastic to see. Everyone was having a great time. The event has a powerful impact on our youth, which is why they performed with magnificent talent which entertained everyone.
Some of the other attractions at the event were: the kiddies age group, aged four to eight years; juniors at nine to 15 years; and seniors at 16 to 25. There were the Eagle Boys Ollie Comp and Bikes to Fit Foam Pit. I have to tell you about the foam pit, however I would direct anyone who is having a look Hansard to refer you UTube. It is daredevil sort of stuff, or devil may care; they ride their bikes up a big ramp, virtually do a somersault and land in a big pit of foam. It is absolutely fantastic.
Leanyer Recreation Park used to be neglected and was not well attended before we consulted with the community and made it into the Leanyer Recreation Park with the water and skate park facilities, and outside playing area. It is a fantastic complex to have for our young people. At this event, there was a great sense of community and everyone got on fantastically.
When I was talking to the professional skateboarders, I said we were thinking of doing more there and I asked what they thought would be good. They suggested that a streetscape was the way to go. As I understand it, there is one being built by the Gold Coast City Council, which I am keen to have a look at. I might do later this year. We need more facilities for our youth. We have an ideal venue there to build up and potentially make it the best in Australia, which would be fantastic.
There were so many sponsors behind this. I want to take the opportunity to thank them. There were also many volunteers; it numbers the 20s and 30s. There were competitions in all sorts of categories such as Junior Boards, Blades, Bikes, Senior Boards, Foam Pitt Juniors, the Red Rover, the Ollie Comp, the Parent and Youth Comp.
I seek leave, Mr Deputy Speaker, to incorporate this list of sponsors, volunteers and helpers, and the list of winners of the events into the Parliamentary Record.
Leave granted.
Mr KIELY: In conclusion, I express my appreciation for volunteer, Peta Lee, who has been behind this for a number of years, and does it mostly off her own bat. She has help from family and friends and from the community, but she is the driving force. We owe her a vote of thanks. I asked her to contact us next year so we can see what we can do to help her along. It is a fantastic event, something that we as a community, and as a government, should get behind.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Year 11 Tennant Creek High School students accompanied by their teacher, Ms Rebecca McDonald. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
MINISTERIAL REPORTS
Promoting Territory Tourism in China
Promoting Territory Tourism in China
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I would like to talk this morning about the recent visit of a high-level media delegation from China. China Central Television is China’s largest TV network and, with the assistance of Tourism NT, will be producing a television documentary about the Northern Territory. The five-part documentary, called Journey into the Mystery Land, will focus on our nature and cultural experiences through the eyes of a Chinese traveller. The program will air to an expected audience of between 200 and 300 million people early next year, and it will focus solely on the Territory. That is some exposure!
I was very pleased to host the group with the Minister for Tourism here at Parliament House. The event was also attended by key local industry stakeholders. We were very privileged to have Mr Gao Feng, Director of China Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio and Vice-President of CCTV, visit Darwin and Arnhem Land during his five day visit to the Territory. Mr Gao had not been abroad for a film shoot for around eight years, but he wanted to see the Northern Territory, a great honour for us.
The incredible coverage we are getting does not end with this documentary. China National Geographic Magazine also sent one of their key journalists, Ms Huang Xiu Fang, and they will publish a 25 to 35 page feature on the Territory’s nature and cultural experiences. Mr Wang Zheng, Director of Grand Events from the China Photographers Association, was here too. He is a very well known photographer, recognised by the United Nations for his work and his photos will be used for National Geographic’s Territory supplement. One of China’s most popular radio stations, Beijing Transport Radio Station, broadcast direct from Darwin, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Central Australia.
There is more. Ms Liang Zi is an internationally acclaimed travel writer. She came here to make a documentary about the documentary as well as interviewing Territorians for her television show Global Trekker, and her blog site attracts many thousands of people who follow her travels. Speaking of bloggers, Mr MaXiao Lin is Executive Director and Chief Editor of Bolian Net, a website aimed at academic and educated Chinese. This site receives around 2000 visitors every day. One of his blogs on his Territory trip attracted close to 1000 comments and questions, many of which revolved around the theme of ‘I want to be where you are’. This was amazing coverage, a boon for the Territory and is great for our profile in China.
I also got to meet two very lucky consumers who were part of the delegation: Mr Wu, a business owner, and Ms Tang, a student, won a national competition called Journey to the Mystery Land designed to raise awareness about the Territory. The competition was coordinated by the Territory’s rep in Shanghai, Joseph Sze. Both these winners are ideal examples of the experience-seeking traveller we are targeting.
In 2006, over 120 000 or 41% of visitors to Australia from China used the Internet when planning their visit here. Most used it to find out more about us after they had made the decision to visit. This shows there are incredible opportunities for us to market directly to Chinese consumers. We want our tourism operators to develop a range of attractive products and experiences that will enable the Territory to increase its share of Chinese visitors. To ensure we are ready to tap into this interest this extensive media coverage will undoubtedly generate, we are now working with inbound tour operators, web-based Chinese companies and Chinese-based Aussie specialists to make sure all run smoothly next year.
I thank our local industry sponsors and our national partners for all they have done to make this visit such a success. Importantly, I acknowledge the efforts of Tourism NT. They have done a great job and I congratulate them and their minister, of course, on their great efforts.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, the opposition welcomes the report. There is nothing more important than having people-to-people exchanges to build mutual understanding between two very important and compatible places on the globe. The Territory has a long history with China going right back to the early days. So we have a lot to offer and this kind of facilitation from government is to be commended.
I have to make comment on an issue that underlies all of this, which has been given no reference from government. That is the concern about human rights within China. On one level we have facilitation of people-to-people exchanges, and that is good, but the need for politely and respectfully drawing attention to the need for political reform within China is something we must not shy away from, coupled with the reality of the commercial impact China has on the Northern Territory, on Australia, and on the globe, which is significant.
I would like to see a little deeper reflection on some of the impacts of that on our own economy rather than trying to paint the picture, which is really quite false, that the effect on our economy is a result of the policies of the current government. In fact, the impact of China is colossal, not just in the Northern Territory, on all those resource-rich states and right around the globe. There is also concern about quality of goods coming from China. You might have seen news today that China might have to recall Australian flags because they have produced them upside down. There are a lot of issues. It’s not all glossy.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, your time has expired. Chief Minister, in response.
Ms MARTIN (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, these reports are a good mechanism in this parliament. I would hope that if we are talking about building tourism with China, a very big and growing market for Australia, we would have a sensible response from the member for Blain.
This is about tourism and raising issues of human rights is fine, but I would have thought you would have seen the link in terms of engagement that is so important to have tourism. The federal government has issues that they need to deal with, and we have a Foreign Affairs Minister for that. At the local level in the Territory, I would have thought that one of key ways we can engage with China and look at issues identified by the member of Blain is tourism. We should invite Chinese tourists to Australia, to the Territory to look at another way of life. That is what we have done so successfully through this delegation, through the exposure the Territory will have.
Madam SPEAKER: Chief Minister, your time has expired.
Growing Flights into the Territory
Mr HENDERSON (Tourism): Madam Speaker, I would like to update the House on how the aviation industry is moving ahead in the Northern Territory. In the last few years, we have seen steady growth in both international and domestic capacity and passenger numbers.
As at April 2007, federal government statistics showed domestic passenger numbers increasing at all of the Territory’s three major airports: Darwin, Alice Spring and Ayers Rock. Domestic passenger numbers through Darwin Airport will reach over one million for the 2006-07 financial year, a record level.
International capacity into Darwin has increased by over 60% in the last six years and we expect that capacity to further increase over the next six months. Domestic capacity levels for August 2007 for Darwin are at record levels, and growing at approximately 15% per year. Both Alice Spring and Ayers Rock are also showing positive growth.
Over the past three months, a series of announcements of new or increased services into the Territory has highlighted the growing tourism demand for the Northern Territory. It also signals the success that we’ve had in negotiations with domestic and international airlines.
It is estimated that over 300 000 additional seats per year have been committed to by Qantas, JetStar and Tiger Airways for their inbound and outbound domestic and international services. The announcement by Tiger Airways Australia in late June to commence daily services between Darwin and Melbourne as its first two domestic destinations was very warmly welcomed by Territorians, as it was by me. This is tremendous news following the hard work put in by Team NT, including the Northern Territory government and the Northern Territory airports, in pitching for services to the Territory.
It is crucial for the growth of tourism in Central Australia that we develop competition in air services into that market. The further announcement by Tiger Airways Australia that it will begin three services per week between Melbourne and Alice Springs commencing in December is great news. It will add over 1000 seats a week on that route. I really hope Centralians support Tiger Airways, and I am sure they will. Lead-in fares of under $50 will help stimulate a new market for Alice Springs.
Ms Martin: $39.95.
Mr HENDERSON: $39.95! It is going down. It is going down and it is great news for Alice Springs. It will also benefit those locals wanting to travel interstate. People from Alice Springs and Tennant Creek will be able to get down to Melbourne for the footy for less than a hundred bucks. That’s not bad, is it?
The Territory government will continue to work with other airlines such as Virgin Blue to increase aviation capacity in Central Australia. Qantas has tapped into the Central Australian market with an additional four flights a week from Sydney to Alice Springs during the peak tourism season. Reinforcing its commitment to the Territory, Qantas has announcing a series of upgrades to its Territory services. They will now operate a year-round three days a week daylight Sydney to Darwin service, with possible increases in the peak season. It has also announced increased capacity on its Darwin to Cairns and Darwin to Alice Springs services.
An enormous achievement for the Territory is Qantas’ announcement that it will base an additional B717 in Darwin. This will create a further 30 jobs for crews, flight attendants and engineers, great news for Territorians.
Closer ties between Melbourne and Darwin will be developed through the announcement by Tiger Airways Australia of daily services from December 2007, and by Jetstar to begin daily services on the route by October 2007. It just goes to show what a bit of competition can do. This translates to an estimated additional 13 000 seats on the Melbourne to Darwin sector each year, so a lot of Territorians from Darwin will be able to get down to Melbourne for the footy as well.
The announcement by Tiger further strengthens Darwin’s progress as an international hub airport. Passengers on Tiger services between Melbourne and Singapore will contribute to the expansion of Darwin as a hub port in the coming years.
International charter services between Japan and the Territory continue to play an important role in attracting visitors from this challenging market. 2007 has seen two charters from Japan into the Territory, and the first ever charter into Darwin. Tourism NT is negotiating further charters in 2007 and into 2008.
We are currently undertaking a revision and update of our Northern Territory Aviation Strategy to take us into the future. A big issue for most people in the Territory is more day time flights, but the discount carriers fly back of the clock for the cheap fares, and Qantas is increasing their day time services.
This strategy provides direction in the key areas of domestic and international air access, regional air access and freight, and aviation support industries. Through this strategy, we will continue to develop new aviation links and work with airlines to develop tourism opportunities. Equally as important, we will continue to undertake the crucial task of maintaining and developing relationships with those airlines that already service the Northern Territory.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the Minister for Tourism for his report. Of course, our tourism is a great driver of the Northern Territory economy, particularly in my home town of Alice Springs. It is great to hear that the skies of the Northern Territory are opening up, as indicated by the minister.
Aviation plays a vital role, of course, in the Territory. It always has and, no doubt, always will. Choice, I know, is a big concern for air travellers in the Northern Territory. We live in this remote part of Australia here, and particularly in Alice Springs, and it is great to hear some of those figures from the minister. I do hope the Northern Territory government will continue to pursue further options for air travellers. I hope that Territorians will support the new service by Tiger Airways, soon to come to Alice Springs. I also look forward to a briefing on tourism by the minister.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I do not believe the flights to Melbourne are going to affect the issue of the footy finals. I do not believe Melbourne is going to make the grand final.
It is good to know that Tiger Airways may be getting to Alice Springs. We are not going to hold our breath. I know they have announced it, and I hope you are right, minister, that it will go ahead. The cost of seats out of Alice Springs at the moment is enormous, and trying to get a seat on a flight is really difficult. We need to ensure that these airlines deliver, because Alice Springs is the hub, as you know, of the Territory. Perhaps you do not believe us, but it is.
What about Tennant Creek and Katherine? How are the Tennant Creek people going to get to Alice Springs? They have to drive or go by bus. We really should be encouraging airlines to make a proper, daily service to the small regional centres so that they can enjoy the benefits of these new services either from Alice Springs or Darwin.
It is good that you have managed to achieve these extra services to the Territory. There is no doubt about it. It is interesting that the domestic numbers are at such a record high at the moment. We all know that is reflected in what is happening when we try to book a seat.
I understand that Alice Springs Airport has many delays with the introduction of luggage screening. I am unsure of how that can be sped up so that flights are not delayed to the extent they are at the moment.
Minister, do make sure that we get a decent service to Alice Springs, that we can benefit the same as Darwin. Do not be too Darwin-focussed. Also, think about those regional centres. Why shouldn’t they have daily services so they can utilise the services you keep promising us?
Mr HENDERSON (Tourism): Madam Speaker, I thank both members for their supportive comments. As Minister for Tourism, it has been a key priority for me since taking over the portfolio, to establish good relationships with airlines and I will continue that work.
A key issue I always talk about is competition for Alice Springs. It is great. I believe Tiger Airways will deliver. They have delivered everything they have said they are going to deliver so far, and it is certainly great to see there is going to be that competition into Alice Springs. We will continue discussions with Virgin Blue and JetStar. Competition brings more competition, so I urge all Territorians to shop around and support competition. The benefits of that competition are more tourists to and more jobs in the Northern Territory. I urge members from Central Australia to encourage people to support the airlines as they fly into Alice.
Telstra Business Awards
Mr McADAM (Corporate and Information Services): Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to welcome the students from Tennant Creek High School and, of course, the teachers.
Madam Speaker, I was pleased to attend the Telstra Business Awards along with the Chief Minister on Tuesday of this week. As the Communications minister, I was delighted that two of the three specific awards and the major award was won by ICT company SRA.
In this Communication’s portfolio, I have been fortunate enough to associate with a number of dynamic and committed entrepreneurs in the Territory’s information and communication technology industry. Chief amongst these local operators is Director of SRA, Mr Steve Rowe. In addition to being the principal of such an important and impressive company as SRA, Steve is also the Chair of the Australian Information Industry Association NT Chapter and the NT ICT Industry Development Group. As such, Steve is one of the major stakeholders in the ICT industry in the Territory.
Steve has been the proprietor of SRA, based in the Territory for 16 years, and has previously worked as a management consultant and teacher. No stranger to awards prior to scooping the pool at the Telstra Awards on Tuesday, Steve and his company have already had a very impressive list of awards, including: 2007 NT Research and Innovation Awards – Chief Minister’s Award; 2007 NT Research and Innovation Awards – Minister for Business and Economic Development Award; 2006 Asia Pacific ICT Awards – Recognition Award, Macau; 2006 Australian Information Industry ICT Awards – ICT Innovation in Agriculture and Primary Sector Award; 2006 Australian Information Industry ICT Awards – ICT Innovation in Corporate Social Responsibility Award; and the 2005 NT ICT Awards – Platinum Award.
Members will be aware of the prestige associated with the Telstra Business Awards. Finalists are selected under strict criteria with stringent benchmarking against industry standards. To become a finalist in the Telstra Business Awards, it means that businesses are being measured against the best in Australia and the world. I am sure all members share my pride in the Territory enterprises that were showcased at the awards.
In addition, it is also important to recognise the sponsors without whom the awards would not take place: the Australian Government Micro Business Award for five employees or fewer was won by Alice Springs Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, the proprietor being Tess Horton who was also the joint Centralian of the Year last year; the MYOB Business Award for six to 20 employees was won by Northern Stainless Pty Ltd whose proprietor is Mr Darren Colbert; the Panasonic Australia Business Award for 21 to 50 employees was won by NTESS Fire Consultants of which Frank Farley and Paul LeMesurier are co-Directors; the Hudson Business Award for 51 to 100 employees wen to SRA Information Technology Pty Ltd; and the AMP Innovation Award also went to SRA Information Technology. As I mentioned, SRA also took out the Telstra Business Award.
SRA was created in 1991 and has undergone the struggle that any developing enterprise experiences. SRA’s primary area of capability is in the development of application software. SRA takes pride in developing software to suit the clients rather than to suit technology. The list of services SRA provides includes: consultants for specific projects; system analysis and requirements definition; development of websites and web-based applications; feasibility studies; IT strategic planning; provision of a development team to work with client staff; training, support and skills transfer; and licensing of Oracle Software. SRA is going from strength to strength with offices in Darwin, Adelaide, Canberra and, most recently, Perth, with a staff of 85 and growing. It is also pleasing to note that SRA is, at the moment, in the process of opening an office in Singapore.
It is important that we recognise and nurture our ITC industry in the Territory. We are fortunate enough to have a natural range of industries to rely upon to create wealth and employment. The ICT industry, however, provides the capacity for a high technology, value-adding sector to the economy. I am confident that with industry leaders such as Steve Rowe anchored in the Territory, we are able to look forward to a vibrant and viable ICT industry into the future.
Ms CARNEY (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for this report. Once again, this is a good news story. Can I add my and the opposition’s congratulations to everyone who participated at the Telstra Business Awards, the finalists and the winners, in particular. SRA is a success story. As the minister said, they are going from strength to strength. Opening offices all around the country and moving overseas can only be described as a fabulous effort.
An employer with 85 staff, this is a business on the up and up. The importance of the ICT industry should never be underestimated. I note that the minister said that it generates wealth and employment. Indeed, it does, and what wonderful services it provides to its customers and, in a broader sense, to everyone in the Northern Territory. I join with the minister to congratulate SRA and Steve Rowe and his team and, with the minister, wish them more successes for the future.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders.
BAIL AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 107)
(Serial 107)
Bill presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.
The purpose of the bill is to amend the Bail Act in order to reverse the current presumption in favour of bail in relation to an accused person charged with a serious sexual offence. It requires the court to consider additional criteria such as the protection of an alleged victim of a sexual offence in deciding whether to grant bail, and give effect to recommendation 35 of the Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.
Reducing rates of violent crime is one of the government’s key law reform priorities and a review of bail as it applies to alleged sexual offenders is a key element of this agenda.
In developing this bill, extensive consultation has taken place with numerous individuals and organisations within the legal profession as well as victims groups and domestic and family violence organisations. I acknowledge that the policy decisions reflected in the bill are contentious and do not have the support of everyone within the legal profession. It is not a step that I take lightly, but the government has made the deliberate decision to put the protection of women and children first. After having the courage to report a serious sexual offence, women and children must have the right to feel safe from the alleged attacker. The bill helps to achieve this goal which is why it has been welcomed by many stakeholders, particularly those who have experienced working with victims of these crimes.
I turn now to the detail of the bill. Clause 4 inserts a number of new definitions into the Bail Act including: ‘child’, ‘conduct agreement’, ‘Commonwealth sexual offence’, and ‘Territory sexual offence’. The definition of ‘Commonwealth sexual offence’ is:
- an indictable offence against the law of the Commonwealth containing one or more elements set out in the definition.
These elements are references to serious Commonwealth sexual offences contained in the Crimes Act 1914, the Criminal Code Act 1995 and the Customs Act 1901. By inserting this new definition, the bill makes it explicit that the Bail Act as amended will also apply to serious sexual offences listed in Commonwealth legislation.
A ‘Territory sexual offence’ is an indictable offence containing one or more of the elements set out in the definition. For consistency, the definition of ‘Territory sexual offence’ is similar to that contained in the Evidence of Children Amendment Bill 2007 passed by the House on Tuesday.
Clause 5 then inserts a definition of ‘serious sexual offence’. A serious sexual offence is defined as:
- a Commonwealth sexual offence or Territory sexual offence for which a maximum penalty of imprisonment for seven or more years is prescribed.
It also includes an offence for which a lesser maximum penalty is prescribed for procuring a child under the age of 16 years to engage in sexual intercourse or an indecent act; the indecent assault of a child under 16 years where the offender is an adult; or an act of gross indecency in public where the act is committed by an adult in the presence of a child.
Offences that will fall within the definition of ‘serious sexual offence’ include sexual intercourse without consent as a Territory offence, and in the Commonwealth context, rape as a war crime; various offences relating to indecent dealing with children or maintaining a sexual relationship with a child; offences relating to child sex tourism, sexual slavery and forced prostitution; and the possession, production and distribution of child pornography or child abuse material, and the use of such materials to groom or procure children for the purpose of committing sexual offences.
I move to clause 6, which is at the heart of this government’s reforms. Through this clause, section 7A of the Bail Act is amended so that a presumption against the grant of bail exists in relation to serious sexual offences. Under this section, a presumption against bail currently exists in relation to a number of offences including murder, treason and serious drug offences. A presumption against bail also extends to some sexual offences that already come within the definition of a serious violence offence, but only in certain limited circumstances where the alleged offender is an adult accused of committing the relevant offence while on bail for another serious offence and has previously been found guilty of a further serious offence within a specified period, being 10 years in the case of a serious violence offence or two years in the case of another offence with a maximum penalty of five or more years imprisonment.
Whilst this provision will be applicable in some cases of alleged sexual offending, it will only apply to an accused with previous relatively high level contact with the criminal justice system. In the government’s view, the current provision does not adequately address the issues and risks that exist in relation to sexual offending. In general terms, the community rightly regards sexual offences, particularly those relating to children, as more abhorrent than other types of offending.
Research indicates that some sexual offenders are more likely than other types of offenders to serially re-offend. Therefore, there are strong grounds to impose higher restrictions on the ability of a person accused of a sexual offence to access bail.
Research further indicates that reversing the presumption on the basis of a recorded history of offending will have a limited effect. In light of these points, the government has determined that the presumption in favour of bail should be reversed in all matters involving a charge of a serious sexual offence.
Clause 7 amends section 24 of the Bail Act, which deals with the criteria to be taken into account by the court or authorised member when determining whether to grant bail. It sets out the only matters that are allowed to be considered when deciding whether bail should be granted. Section 24 currently allows the court or authorised member to consider the probability of the person appearing before court following release on bail, the interests of the person, the protection and welfare of the community, and specific factors relating to the protection of victims of domestic violence. It is proposed to amend section 24: first, by requiring the court to consider the risk of the accused person committing an offence, breaching the peace, breaching their bail conditions or interfering with evidence, witnesses or jurors; second, by specifically requiring the court to consider the risk to the safety or welfare of the alleged victim, his or her close relatives and any other person who could be at risk given the circumstances of the case. Where the victim is a child the court is also required to consider the risk proposed to any caregiver where that person is not the child’s close relative; and, third, by inserting a new subsection providing that the risks that the court must have regard to include the potential for violence and intimidation, property damage and harassment.
New subsection 4 provides that where the alleged victim is a child or the offences are serious sexual or violence offences, particular care must be taken in considering the alleged victim’s safety and welfare.
New subsection 6 also provides that it is the prosecution’s responsibility to inform the court or authorised member of any concerns expressed by an alleged victim for their safety or welfare in connection with the release of the accused on bail.
Finally, section 24 is amended to incorporate recommendation 35 of the Little Children are Sacred report. The report found that communities were concerned about the potential effect that the release of an alleged perpetrator back into the community may have on the child victim. To address these concerns, the board recommended that specific provisions be inserted into the Bail Act to require the court or authorised member to take into account, among other things, the age of the child and the accused person, the proposed living arrangements for the child and the accused person, the desirability of preserving the child’s living arrangements and family and community relationships. This recommendation has been adopted and the considerations I listed are now spelled out in section 24(5).
Madam Speaker, at this point I will make a few comments on the Commonwealth government’s approach to this issue. On 17 August 2007, the Commonwealth parliament passed the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007. The Commonwealth act, at section 90, directs the Northern Territory Bail Authority to (a) consider the potential impact on the alleged victim, witness or potential witness of the alleged offender’s release on bail; and (b) give specific consideration to these issues when the victim is from a remote community.
As I mentioned previously, the Northern Territory bill contains complementary provisions directing the Bail Authority to have regard to risk to the alleged victim, relatives and carers, and adopting the report recommendation 35 regarding the victim’s age, the victim and the alleged offender’s current and proposed living arrangements, the need for the alleged victim as far as possible to maintain his or her living arrangements and community relationships. While the Commonwealth amendments are directed at victims from remote communities, the Northern Territory position is that increased protection for victims, regardless of where they live, is the better outcome.
The provision of the Commonwealth act overlaps with the Northern Territory bill but the two are not inconsistent. For this reason, it will be possible for a Bail Authority to address the considerations set out in both the Commonwealth act and this bill when determining a grant of bail. As a result, no changes have been made to the Northern Territory bill in light of the Commonwealth’s intervention.
Returning to the provisions of the bill, to best give effect to the changes I have outlined, the bill proposes that current sections 27A and 28 be repealed and replaced. Current section 27A relates to conditions of non-association and place restriction which might be imposed on an alleged offender. Under the changes, the capacity of the court or authorised member to impose a condition of non-association and place restriction under section 27A is replaced by a system of conduct agreements set out in new section 27A.
New section 27A sets out the constraints that may be included in a conduct agreement, such as prohibitions on an accused person associating or communicating with specified persons, being within or moving outside a specified locality, and consuming alcohol or other drugs. The bill provides a contravention of the conduct agreement is to be regarded as a breach of a bail condition. The court may, however, excuse a breach of this nature if satisfied that the accused had a reasonable excuse for the contravention.
New section 28 provides that in granting bail, the court or authorised member must impose the bail conditions necessary to minimise risk to the safety or welfare of others or to the proper administration of justice. Section 28 further provides that these conditions must be proportionate to the risks.
Madam Speaker, these reforms are directed at increasing the protection available to all alleged victims of serious sexual offences, and in particular child victims. This is an objective the government takes very seriously. I have therefore directed the Department of Justice to closely monitor the operation of these provisions and ensure they are achieving their objectives. I have also asked the department to submit the provisions to formal review after two years of operation.
I commend the bill to honourable members and table a copy of the explanatory statement.
Debate adjourned.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Take Four Bills Together
Take Four Bills Together
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent four bills entitled Taxation Administration Bill 2007 (Serial 108), First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 109), Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill 2007 (Serial 110), and Revenue Law Reform (Stamp Duty) Bill 2007 (Serial 111):
(a) being presented and read a first time together and one motion being put in regard to, respectively, the second readings; the committee’s report stage; and the third reading of the bills together; and
(b) the consideration of the bills separately in the Committee of the Whole.
Motion agreed to.
TAXATION ADMINISTRATION BILL
(Serial 108)
FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT
AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 109)
PAY-ROLL TAX AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 110)
REVENUE LAW REFORM (STAMP DUTY) BILL
(Serial 111)
(Serial 108)
FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT
AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 109)
PAY-ROLL TAX AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 110)
REVENUE LAW REFORM (STAMP DUTY) BILL
(Serial 111)
Bills presented and read a first time.
Mr STIRLING (Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I move that the bills be now read a second time.
These bills put in place a new taxation administration framework that provides standard rules for the administration of payroll tax and stamp duties. The centrepiece of the package is the new Taxation Administration Act, which is the end result of several extensive and useful consultation processes. This consultation with key stakeholders and users of the legislation has brought about a number of amendments and refinements along the way. I extend my thanks to the many professional groups and expert advisers who have provided input into the development of the legislation.
The new Taxation Administration Act contains more detail than the existing law, providing greater certainty on how it will be administered. This will help to reduce red tape, saving both taxpayer compliance costs and government administration costs. It is based on the model adopted by New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, providing greater consistency across the states and territories. It will also provide increased efficiencies for taxpayers who operate across a number of jurisdictions.
The details of this package of bills are as follows. First and most importantly, the bills introduce a new Taxation Administration Act that will provide a simpler, clearer and standardised taxation administration framework for taxpayers, practitioners and administrators. The various administrative provisions provide for, amongst other things, the processes for paying tax, lodging returns and applications, reviewing decisions of the Commissioner of Territory Revenue, collecting tax, and ensuring compliance with the taxation acts.
Second, the amendments align the Stamp Duty Act with the new Taxation Administration Act. Some stamp duty provisions have been redrafted to use more contemporary legislative drafting style and to take advantage of updated terminology used in the new Taxation Administration Act. I emphasise that the policy behind the taxing provisions has not changed. The provisions have simply been redrafted for greater clarity and ease of reference.
Third, the current Pay-roll Tax Act and First Home Owner Grant Act have been amended to remove administrative provisions that are common to the new Taxation Administration Act such as investigation powers, confidentiality provisions and a review of the Commissioner’s decisions. Common terminology and provisions used in the Taxation Administration Act have also been incorporated into these acts. Again, there have been no changes made to the operation of the taxing provisions.
I turn to the overview of the new Taxation Administration Act. One of the key reasons for introducing new taxation administration arrangements is to standardise administration practises into one act that covers payroll tax, stamp duties and, to a lesser extent, the first home owner grant. Because the Commissioner of Territory Revenue is also responsible for administering mineral royalties, the new Taxation Administration Act’s standardised objection and appeal process which will also apply to mineral royalty decisions.
The new Taxation Administration Act provides common rules for the administration of payroll tax and stamp duties relating to the assessment of tax liabilities, refunds of tax, interest and penalty tax, returns, the payment and recovery of tax, record keeping rules, investigations, the disclosure of information, objections and appeals, and the prosecution of tax offences.
The new Taxation Administration Act also introduces the following new major practises and policies. In relation to assessments, the Commissioner can make an assessment on the basis of all information that is available to the Commissioner, including making an estimated assessment of a taxpayer’s liability where, for example, a taxpayer fails to lodge an instrument or return. In very limited circumstances, the Commissioner can make a negotiated assessment with the written agreement of the taxpayer. This recognises that through no fault of either the Commissioner or the taxpayer, there are unusual cases in which it is difficult to determine the taxpayer’s liability in a timely or cost-effective manner. However, the Commissioner cannot be compelled to make such an assessment. The new act also introduces a standard reassessment period that is generally limited to five years from the time of the initial assessment. This period is aligned with the entitlement of taxpayers to a refund of tax that has been overpaid and is consistent with the reassessment periods applied in the other states and territories.
A significant feature of the new Taxation Administration Act is that it requires taxpayers and their advisors to disclose all the facts and circumstances that will enable the Commissioner to correctly assess the taxpayer’s liability. Failure to do so is an offence subject to certain defences such as the taxpayer making a full disclosure to their advisor, and then relying on the advisor to make the disclosure. This requirement replaces the current inefficient process that can cause unnecessary delay in making the tax assessment, and enable someone to frustrate the process of making a tax assessment by withholding information until it is sought by the Commissioner.
Another aspect of the proposed laws is that the Commissioner may request a written valuation from the taxpayer where tax is determined by reference to the value of property. The Commissioner may recover from a taxpayer the cost of obtaining his own valuation if the taxpayer fails to provide a valuation when requested by the Commissioner, or the valuation obtained by the Commissioner exceeds the taxpayer’s valuation by 15% or more.
In relation to refunds of overpaid tax, the Commissioner will be able to credit the refund against other tax payable by a taxpayer or, with the taxpayer’s consent, against a future tax liability of the taxpayer. This process will alleviate businesses from the need to make payments when they are in credit, and provides for a more efficient tax collecting mechanism as the Commissioner is not required to refund an amount of tax and pursue the same taxpayer for an outstanding tax liability.
Furthermore, where the person seeking the refund of tax has recovered the tax from another person, refunds of tax may only be made where the Commissioner is satisfied that arrangements have been made to pass that refund onto the person who actually bore the incidence of the tax.
The new act has a comprehensive set of rules for imposing interest and penalty tax. Penalty tax of up to 200% was previously imposed by the legislation, with the Commissioner’s discretion to remit any amount of the penalty imposed. This discretion was administered through the issue of written guidelines which included rules for imposing an administrative interest charge.
The new penalty scheme is substantially the same as that embodied in the Commissioner’s administrative arrangements. The new scheme imposes interest on unpaid tax at the prescribed rate until the tax is paid in full. The prescribed rate is composed of a simple interest market rate determined each financial year, and a premium component to act as a deterrent to the Territory being used as a source of finance for tax debts.
In relation to penalty tax, the new act provides for a more certain and transparent approach to levying penalty tax and imposes the penalty tax on a scale that reflects the nature of the tax default by the taxpayer. For example, the bottom of the scale is that no penalty tax is imposed if the Commissioner is satisfied that the tax default arose from circumstances beyond a taxpayer’s control, and reasonable steps were taken to rectify the default. In contrast, at the top of the scale, penalty tax of 95% will apply if the taxpayer intentionally disregarded a taxation law and deliberately concealed information or hindered the investigations of the Commissioner. The Commissioner is also able to reduce penalty tax if a taxpayer makes a full disclosure of a tax default or cooperates fully during an investigation.
The new Taxation Administration Act also enables the Commissioner to approve special tax return arrangements for the lodgement and payment of tax, including special conditions such as specific record keeping requirements. These special tax return arrangements will provide flexibility in tax administration, and allow the Commissioner to respond to individual circumstances and changes in the way that business is conducted generally.
Similarly, the new act sets out the general administrative framework for arrangements to pay tax by instalments where a taxpayer is experiencing financial hardship. Such instalment arrangements were previously provided on an administrative basis.
A good taxation administration scheme provides sufficient powers for the prompt collection of tax and the effective recovery of unpaid tax. The new act includes a new mechanism that applies after a company has failed to pay its tax on time, and a notice has been served on the directors of the company. If the directors do not make the company take a commercially sensible action to address the continued non-payment of tax, then they personally become jointly liable for the tax owed by the company.
The new act also extends the Commissioner’s ability under the existing stamp duty landholder rules to restrict dealings in land by placing an encumbrance over land acquired under a transaction where tax has not been paid. If the tax remains unpaid for an extended period of time, an order to sell the land to recover the unpaid tax can be made to the Supreme Court.
To protect the Territory’s revenue, the Commissioner is currently empowered to investigate non-compliance with the taxation laws, including avoidance or evasion. The new act places limits on the Commissioner’s investigation powers in line with more contemporary standards.
The scheme of investigation powers clarifies the purposes for which an investigation can be conducted, including to determine whether a tax liability exists, audit tax records, gather information relevant to an objection or appeal against a decision of the Commissioner, determine whether a taxation law has been contravened or gather evidence of this, and to decide an application made under taxation law.
In administering the taxation laws, the Commissioner is provided with information relating to the personal, business or commercial affairs of tax payers. Given the nature of the information and the fact that the Commissioner may compel its provision, appropriate limitations are necessary on the disclosure of the information by the Commissioner, staff, former staff and others acquiring the information. The new Taxation Administration Act provides for the confidentiality of information under one act, whereas each taxation law previously had different provisions about the confidentiality of information.
In concluding, the new Taxation Administration and related bills will simplify and clarify components of the Territory’s taxation scheme. I have not set out in detail other features of the bill as they are broadly similar to the operation of the current taxation legislation.
Madam Speaker, further details about the bills are set out in the accompanying explanatory statements. I commend the bills to honourable members and I table copies of the explanatory statements.
Debate adjourned.
FIREARMS AMENDMENT (PAINTBALL) BILL
(Serial 102)
(Serial 102)
Continued from 20 June 2007
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, this is welcomed by the opposition, but, more importantly, there are many Territorians who have come from other places or visited other states and had the opportunity to play a game of paintball and would like to see it operate in the Territory. It is a good step forward and we thank government for taking this on board and introducing it in the Territory. There are many people who will be following this with great interest, as there are people who are interested in being involved in what is a very popular sport in many other states, all barring, at this stage, Tasmania.
Mrs Braham: I wonder why!
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Please continue, member for Blain.
Mr MILLS: Thank you. One of the characters over there issued a flyer heralding how great and reformist this government is by saying these are the great things that they have done and they are now going to legalise paintball, which the CLP made illegal. Technically, it is correct, but that was at a time when there was a similar view taken by all jurisdictions around the country. I am not apologising for or defending what happened in the past. There is an historic context there. Other jurisdictions have now looked at the issue, thought it through and are allowing those who choose to participate in a sport like this the opportunity to do so.
It is not for everyone, and not everyone is going to enjoy it. There are those who have a little aversion to this kind of activity, and I suspect the member for Braitling is going to have a shot, although not with a paintball marker. There are people who will have some kind of aversion because it looks dangerous and perhaps violent, but I have seen such people have a go at it. I was at a 50th birthday not so long ago on the Gold Coast, and those who were avowed pacifists who marched during their uni days are now middle-aged and thought it perhaps not kosher for us to be involved, absolutely loved it. It is a hoot. I reckon there will be many in this Chamber who are really going to enjoy having the opportunity …
Mrs Braham: Did you get any bruises? Were you bruised when you played it?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling.
Ms Martin: It is not compulsory, Loraine.
Mr MILLS: You should be leading by example.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: The member for Braitling refers to herself as being the senior member of the Chamber, been here more than most of us, and we expect her to set a fine example. You will have an opportunity for your chance to say whatever it is on your mind about this.
Mrs Braham: I will.
Mr MILLS: Yes, and I look forward to seeing you on the paintball field. There are some important matters that need to be discussed. First is the historic and social context and it being regarded as a firearm. Those of us who have had experience with firearms know that there is particular care and training and attitude that we must have when approaching a firearm and anything to do with a firearm. Legislation is framed around the very nature of a firearm, and all that a firearm can do and its uses for sport or as part of your work.
It is this matter of the definition and attitude towards a firearm where there are some problems with paintball. It is reflected in the bill and it comes down to definition. The reference to the paintball gun as a firearm puts it immediately into a different context. Those who are involved in this as a sport do not see it as a firearm, but as a marker. These implements have an industrial use, and they use them in the pastoral industry as a marker for marking stock or sending out a tranquiliser. The paint is propelled by air and it is not seen as firearm.
There is a problem when we have the notion of a paintball marker caught up in the idea of it being a firearm. Those of us who have had military or firearms training know that you should never, ever point a weapon at anyone because they can be fatal. We cross a line when we regard this as a firearm, by definition within the legislation, and proceed to permit the pointing of this implement at people, calling it a firearm when it has no ballistic capacity. It is, in fact, technically a marker.
Mr Kiely: A blank will lift your head off.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr MILLS: It was not a provocative statement. It is a matter of definition, which has some importance. If we are going to go down this path, which I fully support, a responsible position we must take is the definition of the implement. If it be a firearm, that is a different proposition all together from it being a marker. Anyone who has used a firearm knows that you never, ever point it at anyone because of what is implied and possible.
I urge the minister to be prepared for this discussion because flowing through this legislation is the definition of the implement as firearm, a gun, a weapon. That sends a message that I cannot support. We need to create a separate category so that it sits by itself as a specific category; paintball marker. When we get it tied up with the definition of firearm, a whole a lot of other ideas are unleashed and flow through the legislation and our managing of this problem. It is a problem that can be diffused by getting the definition clear. We do not want to run against the message that we run in responsible firearms training, and it would compromise that message if we have the paintball implement categorised as a firearm.
This will benefit those who are sporting shooters; it will alleviate some of their concerns if we create this definition shift within the legislation. If we want to go down that path, I am happy to do so in the committee stage where we can do so quite easily without raising the ire of members over there because they put it up and therefore it must be defended because whatever I am saying cannot be right because I am on the other side and government will not consider it. What I am saying is worth taking on board for reasons of soundness in our approach to firearms and the sport of paintball.
It appears all the way through; the paintball field is called a ‘range’. That immediately introduces the idea that you are on a rifle range. No one really plays paintball on a range; it is played in a field. It is referred to as a ‘firearm’. It is a marker and, technically, the definition fits. It is a marker, therefore, it should sit in a separate category. The definition of ‘paintball pellets’ is redundant; it is a paintball. These are paintballs. They have a plastic coating, which is filled with gelatinous clay. That is the paintball. Calling it a ‘paintball pellet’ takes us closer again to the idea of it being a firearm with a harmful pellet that may come out of it. If you get the definition clearer, it strengthens the concept that it is not a firearm and we are not on a rifle range.
That is the first part I would like to ensure that we look at. I note that the minister has committed to a review after 12 months and I welcome that. Either we have the battle now with regard to these definitions - and it is an important shift that we need to consider taking because right at the outset, we lay the proper foundations - or we wait for the 12 month or three-year review, and make the alterations so that we get the definitions clearer in the interests of our young people and a healthy respect and understanding of the difference between a firearm and a marker. There is a difference between playing a game where you point a marker at someone and fire a paintball and a gun on a rifle range. We do not want people running around and playing with guns.
That then allows us to look at it in a different way. We see it then as a sport. It is an international sport. The Chief Minister has spoken this morning about the opportunity for tourism, and the Tourism Minister reported today on airline capacity and competition. I have been to paintball fields in other states, New South Wales and Queensland, and the number of visitors to those fields is quite impressive. There are people who are doing it for the first time just as something extra to do, corporate groups having a go, or a bunch of 50-years-old, who should know better, running around doing it on a visit to the Gold Coast, having a great time.
It is going to be a real winner for the Territory. We have the lifestyle to augment such an opening of a …
Mr Wood: Lifestyle!
Mr MILLS: Yes, we have not heard that word for a while.
Mr Wood: We have a new term this time.
Mr MILLS: Yes. It is really going to add another plank to what is on offer in the Territory. Most people, when you go around in other states, and I know the minister would have experienced this, are amazed that the Territory, with the image that it once had and still has to some degree, does not permit its residents to play paintball. It seems to run against the idea of what a Territorian is or what the Territory lifestyle is all about. It is good that we are moving in that direction.
I urge the minister to take on board the primary issue of the definitions. I heard what the sporting shooters had to say. When I started talking about this, that was their concern. If we could separate that definition, it satisfies their agenda, their interests are noted and they are worthy of note. It also allows management of the paintball industry in a different way. Once we have it as a classification under the firearms legislation, then you have a licensing regime that reflects that. If it were a stand-alone category, we would be able to package the legislation in a different and a more suitable way, one that can better serve the interests of this as recreation and a business for the Territory.
There are a number of points that I would like to make, but that is the biggest shift that needs to occur. I would hope that the minister can take that on board and revisit the legislation on that basis. Take the approach that we can separate the definitions. We will go through that in committee stage if the minister would like to.
The second point relates to confusion. The second reading speech indicated that you are not able to have private ownership of a marker, but it appears in one passage, and I am trying to find it, that there is an opportunity to do so. I think it is in clause 17. As we go through the committee stage, I will look at it as a point of clarification. There seems to be a possibility that if you have a category C licence, you are able to own one and keep it at home in your safe. I will come back to that when we are in committee.
In reference to the second reading speech, there are a couple of mentions of ‘approved safety courses’. I expect to hear some details as to what is planned with regards to these approved safety courses. Are they already in place? How are they established? How much does it cost to do an approved safety course? How advanced are we in this important part of the move to permitting paintball as a sport in the Territory?
I would like to raise the matter of age. I have supported the age being set at 18 and above. In the review stage after the sport is developed and established in the Territory, I would like to revisit the issue of age. Recognising the authority and rights of a parent, a parent should be able to by way of parental waiver signed in the presence of the operator allow a 16 or 17-year old to participate in the sport. That is for a parent to choose, not necessarily for government to legislate. I would like to shift it slightly so that a parent has the choice; they may sign a waiver and accompany their children in the playing of this sport. I would prefer to go that way than to say no kids can do it. It is like we know better. I do not think we know better than parents. We should give parents the opportunity to make the choice. If parents play the game, they know what they are getting their kids involved in, and allow the parent to make the choice rather than make it easier for us to administer by saying no.
On the point of permitting personal ownership; there seems to be a bit of ambiguity in the legislation. I may be wrong, but I think we need to explore it and put on the agenda now the possibility, being a marker not a firearm, of allowing people to have private ownership of the marker. It is for this reason: if we are talking about the possibilities of opening up greater tourism operations in the Territory, if anyone has had a look at paintball, they will see that it is a sport that is conducted right around the country and internationally. If you are going to develop the sport in the Territory, as it has developed and progressed in other states, the sport progresses to the point where people are able to own their own markers and then take the sport to a new level and enter competitions in other states and around the world.
We need to have the systems in place whereby people will want to have a tournament in the Northern Territory. Will they have to go to the field and hire the run-of-the-mill ones just for the average person who wants to have a shot at this? There is quite a different class, as anyone has a look at it will know. There are different categories of these implements. It is a bit like going to play golf and the only golf clubs you are allowed to use are the old ones out the back that you pay a few bucks to hire.
Mr Wood: It makes no difference to my golf! I still miss them.
Mr MILLS: It makes no difference to me, either, but if you really are serious about the sport you want to have a higher class of apparatus than the old clubs that are out the back of the club house.
Everyone who has an interest in this knows that it is a sport, and a high level sport, too. We need to look at that and make sure we are prepared to go down that path, and allow people to make these decisions. People in other states have looked at it and thought: ‘Yes, let the people work it out themselves. We put the basic parameters in place, but we do not have to get overly prescriptive’. It is working and if we want to unleash the potential that we have here, then we need slightly less rather than more.
That brings me to issues of licensing. It appears to me, and I think it is because it sits under the definition of it being a ‘gun’ or ‘firearm’ shooting ammunition on a range, if we put all that aside, we should approach it as a sport where there is a marker and it is played on a range with teams. However, if we go to the other side, we have a licensing system that requires an operator to collect an extraordinary amount of information and keep it to allow the Commissioner access to this information. It seems to put an excessive onus on the operator. I have to ask: why would they be required to collect and hold so much information? This has to be looked at. Do we want to manage it? Do we want to impede it, to restrict the freedoms of people? It appears it leaves the door open for the police who are not comfortable about this to make sure there is a bit of sand thrown in the gear box so it does not go quite as smoothly. Why do we not remove some of this stuff and strip it back to what we really need rather than putting extra in there just in case? It is taking the excessively cautious approach.
Given the opportunity of coming to government I would like to do it the other way and strip it back a bit so we have the basics in place, and allow people the freedom to choose how they are going to play this within sensible constraints. It appears there is a little bit extra in here, probably too much extra, and we could take out a bit and allow people to be respected as people who are generally responsible. It is easy to pick up the dills. We do not have to regard everyone as dills and put so much in place that you are going to discourage everyone and the poor old operator has a bureaucratic burden on their back. They are just trying to let people have a good time, a bit of fun and fitness, and working together in a group.
That is the approach I would like to see taken. I understand the caution with this. It is a new area that the minister has stepped into, and I am really pleased that he has. I would like to work with the minister through some of these matters so that we get it onto a good footing and take off and really have a good time in the Territory. It is going to be a move that some will frown on, but there is going to be a heck of a lot of people out there who think it is good fun, and who will enjoy and appreciate the move the government has taken.
Generally and in principle, we certainly support it. Hopefully, we can take on some of these readjusting of the definitions now. If not, then at the 12 months review the minister has committed to, or the three year stage when there is a full review. If not and there is a change of government, then we will do it. Hopefully we can tidy it up now so we can get it onto a nice, clean footing and away we go and have a good time in the Territory. We support it, but tidy it up a bit.
Dr BURNS (Health): Madam Speaker, I commend the member for Blain for his constant support for the sport of paintball. He has been very consistent in this. In May 2000, the member for Blain presented a petition to the Assembly with 970 signatures calling for the introduction of paintball in the Northern Territory. Unfortunately, as is now history, and we all know that the then CLP government rejected the proposal, so the member for Blain has been consistent in this and I commend him for that.
More recent history, in November 2006, as part of this government’s assessment of paintball, I visited the Port Adelaide Indoor Paintball Centre to get a feel for what the game is all about. When I became Police minister, one of the very first questions I was asked was: ‘What are you going to do about paintball?’ I said that I was prepared to look at it, and I did. I went to the Port Adelaide Indoor Paintball Centre. I might table these pictures for the benefit of the Assembly.
Mr Wood: That is an improvement.
Dr BURNS: Maybe I should have touched up the eyes a bit, they look a bit frenzied, but that is what it is like in the paintball game. I did get hit a few times with the paintballs and I did sport a few bruises for about a week or so, they were pretty significant bruises. It was a bit like getting hit by a cricket ball, although I did give the operator of the paintball place a bit of a free hit. I just wanted to see whether it would hurt, and I found out in no uncertain terms, basically, that it was the case. So I did come back …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, please pause. I have just been seeking clarification from the Clerk, you actually introduced the bill as the Police minister, and I know that you are speaking as the Minister for Health now, but, technically, you will need to seek leave to actually speak in the debate.
Dr BURNS: I apologise, Madam Speaker. I respectfully seek leave from the House to speak on this bill again as Health minister.
Leave granted.
Dr BURNS: By the way, honourable members, if you are going to play paintball, I advise that you wear old clothes, because I had a beautiful shirt from the 1986 Barra Nationals and it still has the paintball stains on it. When you do play paintball, wear your gardening clothes.
Mr Wood: Do not use enamel paints.
Dr BURNS: Something like that. As a government, we recognise there is a significant number of Territorians who wanted to play paintball. We accepted that, with proper controls, they should be able to play the game. As the member for Blain has said, this is a pastime that is popular world-wide, and figures from the US indicate that about 10 million people play paintball annually in the United States. The game is so popular in the US and Europe, there are professional and semi-professional leagues. I understand that paintball is an event at the Police Games, although, to date, the Northern Territory Police have not sent a team to the paintball competition, but now it is legal, they may well consider it. Some of the tournaments attract thousands of spectators, with teams like the Chicago Eagles, Detroit Strange, Portland Naughty Dogs and Stockholm Joy battling it out for prize money. What is being proposed here is really a start in terms of paintball in the Northern Territory. US insurance statistics indicate that, with proper control, it is a very safe pastime.
I introduced the Firearms Amendment Bill in 2007 in the June sittings. The member for Blain has raised a number of issues, which I am sure the Chief Minister, as Police minister, will pick up. One of the major issues that the member for Blain raised was why it is being treated as a Category C firearm. I am advised by the police advisor that the existing definition of a ‘firearm’ that you will find in the Firearms Act says:
- ‘firearm’ means a device or part of a device (whether or not assembled, operable or temporarily or permanently inoperable) that is a designed or adapted to discharge shot, a bullet or other missile –
(a) by expanding gas produced in the device;
(c) by compressed air or other compressed gases (whether stored in the device or attached to the device in pressurised containers)…
The message from the advisor is that under existing law, it is categorised as a firearm. The police advice was very consistent: that is the way it should be categorised. They had concerns if there was going to be a separate category. I am aware that some other states in Australia do have a separate category for paintball markers, or whatever you want to call them, paintball guns, and some other states categorise it as a firearm. It is a good point you raised, member for Blain, but that was the advice that we had from the police. They had concerns about a whole range of aspects about paintball, some of which you raised also which, as a government, we tried to address and accommodate while, at the same time, introducing paintball to the Northern Territory.
As to the occupation itself, it generally involves two teams attempting to capture the opposing team’s flag. As has been said, there is the use of compressed air guns, called markers sometimes, to shoot the paintballs which are marble sized gelatine capsules filled with coloured paint at other players. The paint is more correctly called polyethylene glycol. I had more success with that than Leon Sayer. Players eliminate each other from the game by hitting opponents with the paintball; the players being considered hit, marked or tagged when a paintball shot by another player strikes and breaks on the player, leaving a paint mark.
As I said before, I can assure you these gelatine pellets are able to travel a good distance at speed, up to 60 m at a speed of 90 m per second. That is one of the reasons why it was decided not to have paintball guns in private hands because, by having it on the paintball fields, whatever you want to call them, and regulated in that way, there can be scrutiny of adjustments made to the guns. I understand that they can be ratcheted up quite high and cause damage to a person. A game normally last between 10 and 30 minutes or until the opposing side’s flag is captured or the opposing side is eliminated.
As I said, I believe the game will be properly controlled to ensure player safety. All paintball operators will have to be licensed or permitted to carry on the business at an approved paintball range. Licences will only be granted to a body corporate, which is an Australian registered company under the Commonwealth Corporations Act. Without putting too fine point on it, that was to ensure that the right sort of people were involved in the ownership of paintball fields. That was also a concern of police. This allows police to maximise enforcement.
The operator licences will cost $300 a year, which is similar to requirements elsewhere. As part of the application process, an applicant will have to obtain all necessary approvals, including relevant town planning approvals. Operators will have to complete an approved safety course. I know that was an issue you raised and, possibly, the Chief Minister will cover when she responds. Applicants have to provide to police the names and addresses of close associates, including the nature of the association. The applicant must also provide the Commissioner of Police the names and addresses of prospective employees who, like the operator, have to complete an approved safety course. This also ensures that they are not prohibited persons under the Firearms Act.
As I understand it, member for Blain, there will be no individual ownership of paintball guns in the Northern Territory, although you have flagged that you will be raising some issues that you seem to have picked up within the legislation that might allow private ownership during the committee stage. However, my advice is that under this legislation, there will be no private ownership.
All paintball guns used at the range and in the possession of the operator must be registered and stored safely at the range. Only people 18 and over will be able to play. Before playing, people must make a player declaration that they are not a prohibited person and provide photo ID. The Police Commissioner will review paintball operations, as has been stated, and there will be an interim review of the act after 12 months.
In short, Madam Speaker, I thank honourable members for giving me the opportunity to speak again to this bill as Health Minister. I appreciate that. This is a reasonable start for paintball in the Northern Territory. I commend the bill to the house.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Madam Speaker, I can understand the member for Nelson’s hesitation to follow immediately on after the Minister for Health’s contribution, a hard act to follow.
I rise in support of the legislation to legalise the playing of paintball in the Northern Territory. I commend the government for taking this position. Paintball is a legitimate sport in its modern format with a strong emphasis on safety. I know from my discussions with constituents in Palmerston that there is much support in Palmerston for paintball.
In my view, appropriate safeguards have been put into place. The legislation is structured in a way that the government’s strong commitment to gun laws remains, individuals are not allowed to own the guns and the operating licence is provided for one year to allow regular checks to be performed.
The truth of it is that paintball is fun. It will appeal to many and will be enjoyed quite broadly. As one young Territorian put it: ‘Paintball is grouse, mate’.
Mr Wood: That is an old word.
Mr BURKE: I said it was a young Territorian who grew up here.
The Martin government is determined to support Territorians in their pursuits. We want to enhance and improve everyone’s lifestyle. Paintball legislation is another part of this approach.
We are in the midst of the wonderful Darwin Festival, the Darwin Cup has been run and won, the show circuit has wound its way up the track, the Palmerston markets, Mindil markets, festivals, ethnic events, fishing, the V8s, all of these things add to the patchwork Territory life. I am sure that paintball will soon be an established part of that patchwork. I support the bill.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Madam Speaker, I support the bill. Paintball is a sport which will catch on in the Northern Territory. I guess it has specific reference to my electorate, being a rural electorate. I visited Sydney early this year and went to one of the premier paintball organisations and had a discussion about their requirements for the paintball ranges. They require ranges of around 100 acres to offer a number of scenarios where people can move from one field to another, and offer a buffer outside those ranges to the boundary of the block. So about 100 acres is what they say is a basic paintball range.
Obviously that sort of area is probably more applicable to the rural area. I would hope to see it …
Mr Wood: They will have to pay rates.
Mr KNIGHT: They may well have to pay some sort of contribution to the services that they encumber on the rest of the shire, member for Nelson. That is exactly right and so they should. It will be welcomed by the poor battling rate payers of the Top End shire who are subsidising commercial businesses as we speak.
Anyway, back to paintball. I look forward to these businesses starting in the rural area. There is a great opportunity. As the member for Brennan said, it is within the psyche of people who live in the Northern Territory to go out and shoot each other with paintballs. I have to disagree with the member for Blain. What I learned from my visit to Sydney was that the company I visited was one of the first established companies operating paintball ranges in Sydney and they do not allow any private guns onto their range. They basically do not trust many of the paintball gun owners because you can calibrate these guns; you can wind them up and put extra pressure in them to get the paintballs to go further and hit harder, I would imagine. So there is responsible …
Mr Mills: More accurate.
Mr KNIGHT: Well, I tell you what: I will fire one that is a highly calibrated at you at close range and see how you last.
It is a very responsible step for the Northern Territory government not to allow private guns to be used, to have in-house guns. They can look after them, they can make sure they are calibrated properly and take some responsibility for their use on the range. It is a responsible way to go. In my discussions with the people in Sydney, they were very excited about the Northern Territory coming on board. As mentioned earlier, Tasmania is not on board. There are obviously particular circumstances down there, and that is their decision.
There is the opportunity in the Northern Territory with our climate and our geography to host a national competition. We should be looking at hosting a national paintball championship in the Northern Territory during our Dry Season when it is winter in southern states. That is an opportunity for the Northern Territory, and for the rural area to gain some advantage.
I hope to see a business starting very soon. The member for Johnston has thrown down the gauntlet for a bit of a challenge of Labor versus CLP out on the paintball field.
Mr Wood: Independents will adjudicate.
Mr KNIGHT: The Independents are always in the middle, firing at everyone.
Mr Wood: Yes, we will supply the paint.
Mr KNIGHT: I am looking forward to experiencing this great sport and to the opportunities that it brings. I support the bill.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the amendments to the Firearms Act. The member for Blain has covered most of the areas on which I had questions, so I will be interested in what is debated during the committee stage.
I do not necessarily agree with everything the member for Blain has said about a paint gun not necessarily being a firearm. If you read the definition, it would certainly fit into that. Whether it could be categorised out of it just because it is a paintball gun, I have my doubts. The general impression I have from this legislation is that the police had a fairly big hand in this. I suppose that is natural. I also have the impression from hearing things in the meantime that they are not overly rapt in the idea of having paintball clubs in the Northern Territory. They have some concerns, and some of those are legitimate concerns, but all in all, perhaps we are talking about the level of the old air rifle. Yes, they can cause damage if used in the wrong hands, but most people, even though they are regarded as a firearm, would regard them as more a hobby or recreational firearm.
Having paintball in the Northern Territory will be of benefit, especially for people visiting. As the member for Daly said, there can be competitions. I have been told that there is a very long waiting list for people who want to use paintball clubs in Queensland, so they are obviously very popular. They might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they are obviously very popular. If they are run correctly, I see no harm in it. It allows people to get a bit of aggression out of their system without doing too much harm. It leaves a few bruises, as the member Johnston said, but what are a few bruises between people? It is no worse than rugby union or other sports. All you are doing is having a bit of fun. I do not think it should be over-regulated, and that is my only concern. The amount of regulation perhaps reflects a desire by the police to keep a lid on this sort of thing. They see it, from their point of view, as something they would rather not have in the Territory. If we are going to have it in the Territory, they have said: ‘We will only allow it with these sorts of regulations’. Some of the regulations are a little bit over the top. I will be interested in the debate when it comes to the committee stage.
I thank the government. We did have a briefing, which explained some of the issues that we have with this proposal. I may not necessarily agree with them, but at least we understood where the government was coming from. All in all, I support the bill.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, I am going to be devil’s advocate in this debate. What on earth is this government up to? You are regulating speed limits, we are going to have fishing permits, we are going to have all sorts of restrictions on liquor, but, can we shoot each other with a paintball? That is fine. You are all over the place, you are trying to be popular on one hand, and you are trying to be sensible on the other. Come on, let us get real! Why do we really need this legislation?
Having said that, I have been lobbied fairly strongly by the Alice Springs shooting complex, which has the required amount of land, and they had good reasons why they think they should have it, but they have also raised quite a few queries. I will go through some of those.
I find it offensive that the member for Blain wants to change the terminology from ‘firearm’ to ‘marker’. Come on; let us get real. It is a firearm. You are shooting people. I do not know how many of you, as kids, were brought up in a family where there were firearms. My dad used to go rabbit shooting, but as kids we were taught that you never point a gun at a person, particularly in fun. How many instances do we see of this having tragic consequences? I get the feeling that this is toys for boys.
Mrs Miller: No. Many women want to play this, too.
Mrs BRAHAM: Oh, good. I was beginning to think that’s about all it was. If you were not brought up in an environment of firearm safety, you would probably find this a little bit offensive, particularly as we are all running around at the moment talking about violence in Aboriginal communities, and violence against women. Do not kid yourselves that firearms are not out there illegally; they are. If you think that somehow or other, these will not get out there illegally, you are kidding yourselves as well. Yes, they can be a dangerous weapon. The minister might laugh and say I have a few bruises, but you pump that airgun up, you get a paintball and freeze it, what happens when you shoot that? That more than maims you; that will really hurt. What about supplies? I am talking about places where perhaps it occurs illegally.
Let us not just say this is going to be a fun sport. The consequences of introducing this in the Territory could be quite horrendous. When the first incident happens on the streets with an illegal firearm and paintball, then we will say: ‘What have we done? What have we unleashed?’ Why is Tasmania the only state that does not have it? You do not have to be a genius to understand why they are very wary about anything to do with firearms.
Let us not treat this as a joke. Is it really a game or is it something a bit more serious? Is it supporting a culture of harm? Is it supporting a culture whereby I am going to shoot you and I hope to hurt you by doing it? Is that really what we want in the Northern Territory? I certainly do not. We have had some horrible instances with real firearms, if you want to call them that, in the Territory. However, the use of a firearm in a game desensitises people to the effects of firearms. It desensitises people from using firearms as a weapon, and that is what it is: it is a weapon. This game is about shooting people, hitting people. Even if it is a paintball, that is the whole aim of the game. Is that what we really want to promote? Do we want to promote, through play acting if you want to call it that, this type of culture within the Territory? I would have thought at the moment we do not.
Some of the things that have been raised with me are that a licensed operator has to be a body corporate under the Corporations Act. Most shooting clubs come under the Associations Act. They can buy a shelf company to become an incorporated body, but it will be quite costly. As well as that, they have to pay a lot of money to set up the premises. Okay, some sporting clubs or private enterprises might already have facilities to do that, but they are going to outlay a lot of money to set this up. They are going to have to purchase firearms, which vary between $500 and $2000. How many do they have to have? What sort of equipment do they have and so on? Yet we are saying we are going to review the act after 12 months and the operation after three years. Will it be financially viable for most clubs? What happens if government decides, after a time, that this was not such a good idea? Will they compensate those clubs or the commercial people for investing in something that is suddenly taken away from them?
It is easy to be frivolous about this, but there is a serious side, and that is a little hard. I know the act bars private ownership and that is a good idea. I am impressed at the way, though, members of sporting clubs take care of their firearms; they are safely put away. However, in saying that, there are still people out there on the black market who supply firearms in the Territory. We know that and we have seen it many times. I agree that there should not be any private ownership; that it should be controlled, monitored and maintained by whoever takes it on.
We talked about the age limit of 18-plus. If we are going to do it, then we have to start doing proper training in firearm use. We really have to make sure that our teenagers know about the use of firearms. In a way, this may be an opportunity for young people to do it. You are probably all familiar with the fact that the Alice Springs Shooting Club takes groups of students to the rifle club on a weekly basis to train them in the use of firearms. It is a very controlled and educational program. However, let us not rush in to making it available to the under 18s until we see how it goes with the adults. Knowing the attitude of some of our juveniles, I would hate them to suddenly think: ‘Wow, this is good fun; we can shoot people’, be it with a paintball, a pellet or whatever. We have to be careful we are not developing a culture of the use of firearms for the wrong reasons.
Chief Minister, I am surprised that you are supporting this because I know how passionate you are about trying to stop violence within the Territory. I urge you to defer this until you think about it a little more, even though I guess it is a bit late.
The member for Blain mentioned the approved safety course. Who is going to do it? What is it? How much will it cost? Is this an additional impost on the owner of the paintball premise? How much is this whole business going to cost these people to set up? How much then are they likely to charge people? Is it really commercially viable to do all this?
I am not totally convinced that it is needed. We already have shooting clubs within the Northern Territory. As the minister is probably aware, for a long time these clubs have been lobbying for government to change the rules about people coming to have a go. They have been seeking a change so that people can front up to a club, be they a tourist or someone else, and have a go. Then the club notifies the police on the Monday. People do not arrive with their firearms, but use the club’s firearms. Clubs are suffering, I realise that. Membership has dropped considerably and they are trying to find avenues to encourage more people to join the shooting clubs. It is a sport that has been around Australia for how many years? Years upon years upon years; long before our time people have enjoyed the use of a firearm for all sorts of reasons.
What are we creating by doing this? What sort of mentality are we fostering? Is this really what you want? I ask government and the member for Blain: is it really what you want? Is it really a culture of people shooting people that we should be supporting? Although there is an element of very responsible people out there, you are passing on a message to those who are not so responsible that government says it is okay to shoot.
I know the arguments that will come back to me: it is going to be controlled; it is going to be heavily administered. If all these regulations are as such, perhaps they are there for a reason. Perhaps the police are really passing on a message to us that we are going to make it so hard that you are not going to be able to do it anyway. We are going to make it so stiff to actually set up one of these particular premises that the little clubs may not really want to buy into this because there is no certainty at the end of the day that this will continue. There is a review of the act after 12 months; there is a review of the whole operation after three years. Who is going to risk that type of investment if it is not for a long term?
Chief Minister, I know it is too late, but I say to you again: re-think this; defer it. Can you stand up and say to me quite frankly that you don’t care about people pointing firearms at other people with the objective of hitting them? That to me is where the argument for having paintball breaks down. We can say all the fun things we like and how we are going to get out there and have great fun, but the ramifications of this and what it is doing to the attitude of people - how are we going to control the black market that will go on? Don’t kid yourself; it is already there for firearms. How are we going to make sure that this becomes a sport and not a killing exercise or not an exercise to hurt people?
Madam Speaker, I am not totally convinced this is a good idea. The arguments I have heard today have not changed my mind. I understand why the sporting shooting clubs want it, but there are other ways they could increase their membership if government were to consider some of the other propositions they have put up. There are other ways they could capture the tourist dollar, which seems to be one of the arguments for it, if government would assist them to make sure that can happen. I say to those members who support this: be it on your conscience when something happens to someone out there.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Speaker, I was not going to speak in this debate, but I have found it quite interesting. I am not a great lover of guns and I never have been, but that is my personal opinion. My experience with guns over the years has been with unfortunate incidents through St John Ambulance, so it has not been very pleasant. I have not had a very good relationship with guns.
When I was first elected as the member for Katherine, I had several people approach me about paintball, and I had never heard of it. I read their claims about how good it was and I did not really believe that the sport existed. I made inquiries into it over time, including some people in my own electorate who have said it is a great idea. They were people I would never have expected to have an interest in paintball, really level-headed people who do not own guns, but they rather like the tactical side of this sport. So I have formed a different opinion of it over the last four years since I was first approached about it.
I was interested to hear the member for Braitling talk about what will happen if a paintball gun gets out. I am not aware of any incidents where that has happened. There may have been, but I am certainly not aware of it. I have a much more open mind to it now. I understand that there are many issues that you have to look at as far as safety is concerned, but I think the legislation before the House today will certainly cover that.
In some areas, we have to have some fun and, while I could never point a gun at anyone, and I am not going to play this game, I do not believe that I should say because I am not going to play it we should take that opportunity away from other people. I am supportive of paintball. I support the legislation, but I will not be on the CLP team that competes. Sorry, member for Daly. I cannot point a gun at someone, but I do believe that the legislation will ensure that safety measures are there to protect all the people who are game enough to play the game. Good on them if they are. There is quite a big area around Katherine, lots of scrub areas, which would make perfect locations for a well regulated paintball area. The legislation before the House today covers the safety aspects that we need to be concerned about. I support the legislation.
Debate suspended.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of Lord Snape of Wednesbury from the County of West Midlands, a member of the House of Lords and former member of the House of Commons from 1974 to 2001, and Lady Snape. On behalf of all honourable members, I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Members: Hear, hear!
FIREARMS AMENDMENT (PAINTBALL) BILL
(Serial 102)
(Serial 102)
Continued from earlier this day.
Ms MARTIN (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I thank all members who contributed to the Firearms Amendment (Paintball) Bill debate. I listened to various views from around the Chamber and they were mostly supportive of paintball being introduced in the Territory. A stark contrast was the member for Braitling who is the probably the only person in the Chamber who thinks it is not a good idea, and who went into a fair amount of detail about why we should not have paintball. However, the view around the Chamber is that there is strong support for paintball. Maybe there is a bit of difference between the way we are introducing it and the way the members for Blain and Nelson would prefer it was introduced.
The member for Blain has been a long-time advocate of paintball and I recognise his contribution. In time, he may be remembered as the member for Blain who pushed for paintball. That is something I am sure he will cherish. He has been a strong advocate and he welcomes this legislation.
I believe the member for Blain is misguided when he said we should have a much more relaxed approach to paintball such as that you would take with a game like football. He talked about the social context he would like to see it in, and those who play the sport do not see themselves as using a firearm. He called it a marker, and technically it is a marker, but we are dealing with what could be seen as an inherently dangerous sport that involves, as the member for Braitling said all too graphically, firing something at another person. There are considerations in 2007 in the world we live in. It is a sport, even though the member of Blain says that those who want to play it do not see themselves as being part of something that would be categorised as a firearm. It is, in fact, a potentially dangerous weapon. It is very important for government, as we introduce it in the Northern Territory, to ensure that we have the legislative framework and the regulations to ensure that we can be fully confident that this sport, which does relate to shooting, will work effectively. The last thing any of us who are supporting the introduction of paintball would like is for someone to take out a licence, get the permits required to set up paintball in the Territory and something goes wrong. That is the last thing we want.
I pay tribute to the police, who have done a lot of work on the paintball legislation and the regulatory framework, and have looked carefully at what happens interstate. I believe we have found a very good balance in this legislation. While the member for Blain cannot support the description and categorisation of a paintball gun as a firearm, category C, I believe it is appropriately situated there and that we must have a fairly reasonable, not over the top, control of what happens with paintball. So I disagree with him strongly there.
I did take the member for Blain’s point, though. We have committed in the legislation to a review after 12 months, so once we do see someone take out a licence, put in the capital that you need to set up, it is not necessarily going to be a very cheap exercise, then we will take a look at some of the issues that have been raised. We currently have the rider that you cannot play paintball unless you are an 18-year-old. The member for Blain asked about if you get parental approval for a 16- or 17-year-old. Let us look at that as we see how the game develops, and as we see how its operation comes into effect.
I believe very strongly though - and I hope this is supported very strongly in this House as we introduce it – that we have to ensure it has a very tight regulatory framework about it. As I said, in the world of 2007 where we are concerned about activities that encourage people to get better at shooting and targets, we need a very controlled framework. It is sad that in our world, this is what has to happen. We have rafts of legislation in this place to control all kind of things related to broader terrorist activities, but we have to ensure that we do not introduce paintball without making sure that we have it in a proper regulatory framework.
I was interested in the member of Blain’s comments that we have to be very conscious of its social context. He did not say how it would make any difference having this regulatory framework to someone who wants to have a game of paintball. I do not believe it makes any difference. Somebody who wants to play will go along, pay whatever the entry fee is, the commercial operator will decide, and will make a declaration that they are not a prohibited person, that they are over 18, show some photo ID, it will not take long, and if they pass all that, then they can play. The fact that they cannot have a firearm at home and they hire one will not disturb the game, will not disturb the fun they have in a game of between about 10 and 30 minutes - I do not know how long the Health Minister spent playing his game to ruin his special fishing shirt - the game does not go for that long; somewhere between 10 and 30 minutes.
I do not see how having this regulatory framework, a legislative base, and being very careful about who is an operator, who has a licence, the nature of those permits and who can play, affects anyone who genuinely wants to have a game of paintball. It will be reviewed in 12 months, and some of those aspects such as whether you have to be 18 or could you be younger with parental approval, we can look at in that time.
The member for Blain also mentioned the approved safety courses. That is part of the requirement for a permit and, quite appropriately, that will be up to the operator to get. There are approved safety courses in other parts of Australia ...
Mr Mills: Not here?
Ms MARTIN: No, no, they are not here; we have not set it up yet. It is not up to government to run those approved safety courses; that will be a requirement of the granting of a licence and permit, and that will be up to the licence holder to have those safety courses in place for employees. Government is not overly concerned about it. It needs to be done, quite appropriately, but this is a commercial operation and it is up to the operator to get hold of that course.
The member for Blain made a slight reference to data collection by operators. Data collection will essentially be keeping the declarations of people who want to play. The legislation gives a possibility but, essentially, the data they have to collect is declarations from anyone who wants to play. That is required, and it is not an onerous task. I was pleased that the member for Blain understood the caution; it is important. I appreciate that, even though you raised the other issues, and said it is important that we do get it off to a good footing. Thank you for that. For your general and in-principle support, thank you.
The member for Johnston was the minister who introduced this, and gave a balance in his contribution between the fun he had playing the game - we enjoyed the pictures, thank you, member for Johnston - but also looking at some of the issues raised by the member for Blain, particularly a clarification of the characterisation of what this firearm is about, it is category C, but also saying that other states had categorised the paintball gun as a firearm as well. We are not out of kilter with other states. In fact, the police looked around and have taken advice from what has happened interstate.
As noted by the member for Braitling, it was only the Northern Territory and Tasmania that do not have paintball at this stage. I am sure, member for Braitling, that Tasmania, once they see how successfully we implement it, will be inspired to do so as well.
The member for Braitling had many questions. I hope you understand that we need legislation for this. We are not taking it lightly; we are setting in place a framework that is a careful and cautious one. We need to be cautious. Legislation is an important part of that. It is legislation that amends the firearms legislation and allows paintball to happen within that context and, importantly, will be overseen by the police force and the Police Commissioner.
The member for Braitling did spell out the dangers. I was interested to listen to her talk about things like a culture of harm that we could be establishing. I thought: ‘Well, I have been to Zone 3 where I shoot at people’. I have been to Zone 3 and I quite enjoyed it, with my vest which showed up the laser beams, hiding around corners and shooting people. I have not done it many times, but I have done it. What we also need to deal with in contemporary society is the fact that there are many computer games, very expert computer games, and I have watched young people sit and shoot at people for hours on end. I have questions about that, but this is a much healthier option than someone sitting downstairs under the house playing networked shoot-them-dead games.
While I have great concerns about the number of those games, and I do not exclude my household from those, and age does not exclude people either, I think paintball is a much healthier environment. You get out there and it is a bit of fun, there is coloured paint and it has a lightness about it that is something to be supported much more than some of the games I see which can be done in all manner of ways and are available commercially - you can whip up to Kmart and buy one. This is a much better option. It is out in the open. You can have it indoors, but I think it will be in the open. Having fun with a group of people outdoors is certainly a much healthier option than video games.
Mrs Braham: Go and play golf; play tennis.
Ms MARTIN: When you finish your paintball, have a game of golf. It is fantastic. It gives you many options.
I am pleased that the member for Braitling agrees that there should not be private ownership of the guns. That is important when you consider that they look pretty similar to a pistol. I would not like to think that we could have paintball guns in the community. The more we lessen the opportunity for that, the better. Those who have a licence to operate can hold the paintball guns at the premises and they can be part of the cost of playing the game.
You raised also the commercial viability. That is up to anyone who wants to set it up. They are going to have to look at their numbers, capital costs, recurrent costs and staffing, and what the costs for playing a game will be. We are not mandating that you have to set up a paintball operation but this gives anyone who is interested that opportunity. When the announcement was made last year, there were many calls asking when it was going to happen because they wanted to set up a paintball operation. There is much interest. I have had constituents who have lobbied me for a long time to be able to have paintball legislation so it could happen. I suspect there will be people who have already done their numbers and, potentially in the rural area or maybe outside Katherine, who have land and want to do it.
Mrs Miller: Lots of trees that would be good protection for people.
Ms MARTIN: We have to get used to trees with red and yellow blobs, and that kind of thing.
I thank everyone for their support on this, recognising that the member for Blain, I suspect mostly on behalf of the opposition, is not supporting the regulatory framework we put in place. We have done this carefully and I believe that it is the best approach to take. It is certainly one that the police have worked on carefully to make sure will be effective without being overly onerous. We have the confidence that if someone does set up a commercial operation for paintball, it will work well and the community will strongly support it.
This is fun for the Territory, a good day. I will have a try. I am not overly keen on being splattered with coloured paint. Maybe it is better to play golf. I have done the Zone 3 thing and I will do the paintball thing.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate almost everyone’s support for this amendment to the firearms legislation.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Mrs BRAHAM: Division, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Do you have someone to support the division? There is no one to support the division. Resume your seat.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! We are going into committee now. I will vacate the Chair.
In committee:
Clauses 1 to 3, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 4:
Mr MILLS: There are a number of definitions contained in this section which I would like to address. Quite seriously, the concerns raised by the member for Braitling reflect on the rise of a gun culture, and associating guns and violence, and lowering our acceptance thresholds of violent acts.
The definitions align this sport with a gun culture. My argument arises out of sensitivity for that important issue. There are a number of words contained in this section which, if changed, could move it from its alignment with guns, firearms and weapons - which is the word that has been used by the member for Braitling.
Firearms and guns are generally understood to be implements for the inflicting of harm, perhaps even for killing a person, whereas what we are talking about is a sport. The Chief Minister said that I did not make a case for what difference it is going to make for someone who is on the paintball field. More importantly, it is the difference it will make for those who handle genuine firearms that have a projectile that can kill or maim. The intention is to create a difference between our view of paintball and participating in that sport as opposed to those who use rifles that can discharge a pellet that can kill or maim, and to create some definitional difference between the two, therefore strengthening the community’s understanding of the firearm, the rifle, the gun that can discharge a bullet to kill or maim.
In section 3(1), if we go down to the second line, it says ‘approved paintball range’. ‘Range’ is a term that implies shooting at targets, but a range in this context really refers to a field. Paintball is not conducted on a range; it is conducted in a field. So it is a ‘field’ rather than a ‘range’. A range is where you have a rifle and you shoot at targets down the range. I propose that the word be changed to ‘field’. It takes it slightly away from the idea of rifles being used on a range where you are shooting targets.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Are you putting this as an amendment Deputy Opposition Leader?
Mr MILLS: I am not quite sure how best to deal with this, so I am in your hands.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Is that the only amendment you have to this clause?
Mr MILLS: No. I was going through point by point in this section.
Mr STIRLING: Why didn’t you circulate the amendments?
Mr CHAIRMAN: Sure. One moment, Deputy Opposition Leader. Chief Minister, would you like these amendments in writing?
Ms MARTIN: I am assuming that the member for Blain has thought about this. Usually, if you want to put amendments, you circulate them and have them prepared by the Assembly staff.
Mr STIRLING: By drafting to make sure they are consistent.
Mr MILLS: All right.
Mr STIRLING: The suggestion may be eminently sensible, but sitting on the floor of parliament, we do not know where the word appears elsewhere in the bill for another specific reason where it has to be word ‘range’. So if we were to say: ‘Yes, that is a good idea; let us do that’, then we could be inconsistent with other parts of the bill or with other parts of the legislation where it may have a legal meaning.
I am not demeaning the suggestion from the member for Blain, but we cannot accept amendments from the floor, no matter how good the intent might be. You might agree with it without understanding its relevance to law overall and to other legislation. That is the problem.
Mr MILLS: I do understand that.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Would you like to push ahead with these amendments, or would you just like to make some suggestions?
Mr MILLS: I will deal with this by means of making suggestions and leave it at that.
Ms MARTIN: Okay. I am happy to address the nature of those at the end.
Mr MILLS: I am aware that in 12 months time we can have another look at it. In the next clause, ‘”paintball” means a game in which players attempt to shoot at one another with prescribed paintball firearms …’ My suggestion is the removal of the word ‘firearms’ and its replacement with ‘markers’. We have ‘firearm’ mentioned again. Then there is the ‘discharging of paintball pellets’; I am suggesting it be ‘paintballs’. It is redundant, so it is ‘paintballs’. That is basically it.
I make these as suggestions and we can consider them as we proceed for the first 12 months, and to consider what is being said here. This supports the sporting shooters so their concept of a firearm – which is a weapon that is designed to kill or maim - can stand as it is. Paintball can then be moved slightly away so that we are not strengthening that culture of shooting with the subliminal message that it is okay to point something at someone that is a gun. I want to change that definition because it is a marker not a weapon. It is not a firearm. It is not a weapon. They are not pellets.
Mrs Braham: It is a weapon! It is a weapon to shoot someone!
Mr MILLS: It is not a weapon. A weapon is used to defend or attack for the purpose of killing or maiming and this is not; this is a sport.
Mrs Braham: Well, it is maiming.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Order!
Mr MILLS: I will leave it at that. I wanted to make that point. That concept can run all the way through. Just while I am dealing with this section, I did make reference in my contribution before about being uncertain whether one section referred to the capacity of actually owning one at home. I have read it again carefully, and it is fine.
Ms MARTIN: Yes, I was going to point out section 58. Thank you for saying we will look at this in 12 months, but we have a philosophical difference here. This is an amendment to the Firearms Act.
Mr MILLS: Yes, good point.
Ms MARTIN: So we are dealing with firearms here in a context, which is why, appropriately, the caution from the Attorney-General of dealing with amendments that would simply not work within this legislation anyway. I will give you an example. You said it should not be an ‘approved paintball range’.
Mr MILLS: Just the word ‘range’ to ‘field’.
Ms MARTIN: Just to go through that, the term ‘paintball range’ means the premises for playing paintball. I can go through the development of that, but the range differs from a playing field because a range may have a number of playing fields within that range area. So there are terminologies that are being used because, I assume, that as an operator gets bigger, they have different areas which are called fields, and that then fits into a range.
We are dealing with a different philosophical position. You are saying put it in a separate category, it is not to do with firearms. I am saying we have looked around the country and it is something which works within a firearms category, and that is why we have decided to do it this way. We are very happy to look at it in 12 months to see whether it is still appropriate.
Mr MILLS: Thank you. I accept that and I am prepared to proceed on that basis. The ultimate suggestion that I am directing my comments towards is the classification of a ‘paintball marker’ in a specific and described category, rather than being lumped in with firearms, which has a completely different purpose. Ultimately, I guess in 12 months’ time we can prepare some amendments for discussion at that time, the point being a different classification so we create some difference between this, an implement for sport, fun and recreation as opposed to something that can kill or maim.
Clause 4 agreed to.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Is it the wish of the committee that the remainder of the bill taken together?
Mr WOOD: Hang on! You said the remainder of the bill. Have we just shot to the end? That was quick.
Ms MARTIN: You had not indicated you had any points.
Mr WOOD: I thought the member for Blain was going to be here for a week. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Chief Minister …
Mr CHAIRMAN: Member for Nelson.
Mr WOOD: Yes?
Mr CHAIRMAN: Can I just seek clarification on which clause …
Mr WOOD: Division 14 generally at the moment.
Mr CHAIRMAN: Clause 14?
Mr WOOD: No, Division 14, Subdivision 1. On Division 14, Licenses for paintball, I have a general question to ask.
Mr Stirling: Have we passed the other stuff?
Mr CHAIRMAN: Just a minute.
Mr WOOD: You were heading to the end of the bill there, weren’t you?
Mr CHAIRMAN: Clause 9.
Ms MARTIN: Clause 9.
Mr WOOD: Yes, clause 9, sorry, Division 14.
Mr CHAIRMAN: I will just tidy up the rest of it, member for Nelson.
Mr WOOD: Okay, yes.
Clauses 5 to 8, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 9:
Mr WOOD: Chief Minister, this section deals with licences for operators, employers and employees. I am presuming that a person who goes to a paintball premises to operate a paintball gun is required to have a shooter’s licence. Could I therefore ask: if one is to say that this is a firearm and it is in Category C, which is a serious firearm, which most people cannot get easily, surely, if that is the case, one would have to have a shooter’s licence?
Ms MARTIN: Someone who wants to play a game of paintball turns up, they have to be over 18, they have to have some photo ID, so they bring their drivers’ licence along, and they have to be able to sign a declaration that they are over 18 and they are not a prohibited person.
A prohibited person is, for example, someone who is ineligible to apply for a firearms licence, someone who has been found guilty of an offence of violence or someone who is the subject of a domestic violence order. They will be categorised as prohibited persons. They have to make a declaration that they are not one of those persons. It will be set out and that is fair enough. This is a type of hybrid, minister …
Mr WOOD: I will try to be a minister one day.
Ms MARTIN: Member for Nelson, keep dreaming sweet.
It is a hybrid because what we have done is set a framework for those who hold the licences for regulation of the permits, and to ensure that those licences are held in a corporate sense, by fit and proper persons; that the associates of the persons who hold it are fit and proper as well. Then you get down to the fact that it is actually a game. You have that difference. We have set up a very solid framework. It will be carefully overseen by police and it will have annual licences. However, when you go to play, you will be able to do it as long as you are 18 and not prohibited. Even though a paint gun outside that range is considered within Category C of firearms, while it is at the paintball range, it is something that can be used freely by anyone over 18.
You are making the point that this is a hybrid kind of activity. We have set the framework, we have it in legislation. Once you go along, if you want to get splattered and covered in paint and get the odd bruise, as the member for Johnston did, that is the kind of context we have put together. It is similar to how it is played elsewhere.
Mr WOOD: Thank you. I am not trying to make the game harder to get into than it will be, but it just seems that if I were to go to the local pistol club, I would have to produce my shooters’ licence. That shows that I am a fit and proper person to use that particular firearm responsibly. Pistol clubs, of course, only shoot at targets, which are usually metal or cardboard, and that is only having fun.
Ms MARTIN: They shoot with bullets.
Mr WOOD: Yes, but they are shooting – that’s right.
Ms MARTIN: They do. They shoot with bullets; there is a big difference.
Mr WOOD: Well, it has the potential to kill someone. Commander McAdie said that paint guns, if used incorrectly, can cause at least injury; bruising is not exactly a pat on the back. If these were used unwisely, they could cause some damage. It seems to me that we have put these in the Firearms Act, we have classified them as a C category gun, and then we say you do not need a licence to operate it. I understand where you are coming from. You are saying it is a hybrid, but it seems to be sending mixed messages about whether this is a firearm as against a toy to throw paint at one another.
Clause 9 agreed to.
Mr CHAIRMAN: I will seek some clarification from the Deputy Leader of the Independents: any further questions?
Mr WOOD: I am not the Deputy Leader.
Mr CHAIRMAN: The Leader, sorry.
Mr WOOD: The Equal Leader. No, they are all my questions, thank you, Mr Chairman.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment; report adopted.
Ms MARTIN (Police, Fire and Emergency Services): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I will use the third reading as an opportunity to comment on some of the matters raised by my equal leader of the Independents, the member for Braitling. She raised reasonable concerns, but in response, if we believe that some sports which involve physical contact could create in some people’s mind an atmosphere of approving of violence, we would have to get rid of nearly all our contact sports. We have things like judo, things like …
Ms Martin: Netball.
Mr WOOD: Netball?
Ms Martin: It is a contact sport, officially.
Mr WOOD: Well, those sports in which we deliberately have contact with people …
Ms Martin: Yes, netball.
Mr WOOD: Netball, okay, Rugby Union and some of the martial arts. We allow in society a certain amount of, you might say, aggravation or a form of violence that is controlled. There are some advantages to that. People used to wonder why Australians don’t get out and fight one another in the streets and have a revolution. It is because they go to football on Saturday. They go to football on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday now, but in days gone by, people who were able to go a football match cheered and booed and carried on. It allowed people to free themselves from some of these emotions that they have. It is the same with sport. No one wants people deliberately hurt in sport, but sport with a reasonable amount of contact does not do any harm. Having control over your aggression in those sports can be good.
I take the member for Braitling’s point of concern: you do not want to be promoting sports which then would be seen by younger people as giving approval for violence; that would not be acceptable. In a football match, we would expect that if two players deliberately collided, we would accept that, but we would not expect someone to believe that it is okay to go out in the street and knock someone flat and put them in the gutter. We know that there are limitations on what we are doing. One is aggression within a set of rules and those rules are clearly laid out. Outside of that, we know that it is wrong and illegal. We have to ensure that people understand that.
Although the member for Braitling might say that paintball is perhaps promoting the concept of being able to shoot another person, which could be a reasonable point of view, on the other hand you are saying you can do this safely within these laws and regulations. Outside of that, you cannot. That is where we have to put this debate into balance. The member for Braitling raised a good point because we need people in this House to raise other points of view. What she said may not be the case with paintball as with other sports simply because you clearly define the rules and tell people what it is about: this is entertainment, it has some aggression but that aggression is controlled and must be within the rules, otherwise it becomes punishable because it is outside those rules.
Mr MILLS (Blain): Madam Speaker, I wish to add my final comments. It is good news that we are opening this up as a recreational pastime for those who may be interested. There will be many people who will be happy with this. With the passage of this legislation, the system is in place to process that which has been permitted in this parliament. I still have a couple of issues to raise and hope that the leadership of government will ensure that procedural matters do not bog down this initiative which will be passed today.
One is the reference to ‘approved courses’. I need to know by what means will a course be approved if there are no courses on offer in the Territory. How will a course that is on offer somewhere else be deemed to be an approved course? Therein could well be a challenge for someone who wants to act on this legislation.
That goes to the broader issue of licensing procedures. I hope there would be no unnecessary impediment put before any citizen who wants to move to the position of having a licence. There are still, in my view, some impediments that could easily arise through the system that has been established in this legislation.
From opposition, I am prepared at this point to offer full support and hope that the sport gets off to a sound footing. I foreshadow revisiting this bill in 12 months time to look at a reclassification of the definition of a paintball marker as opposed to it being classified as a firearm and having it classed in a category of its own, and all the ensuing changes would flow from that. That would address some of the concerns that the members for Braitling and Goyder seemed to have on this matter.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
MOTION
Note Statement - Closing the Gap of Indigenous Disadvantage
Note Statement - Closing the Gap of Indigenous Disadvantage
Continued from 21 August 2007
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement on the Northern Territory Indigenous Plan of Action, Closing the Gap.
Since the Martin government came to office, we have had to confront many issues that were totally neglected by the Country Liberal Party for 27 years. I know there are people on the other side who say: ‘We were not part of that Country Liberal Party government’, but there are people in the Country Liberal Party and people who run as or sit with the Independents who were members of that government until 2001.
I am proud to stand in this Assembly as a member of the Martin Labor government to address this very serious issue that requires commitment and a generational plan of action.
Before I continue, let me speak about this issue in broader terms. I come from a culture where children are paramount – not only sacred, but paramount. The purpose of the Greek family is to get married and have children, and provide everything for those children. It is cultural. It goes back thousands of years. The reason that millions of Greeks migrated from their country for thousands of years is to give the family a better opportunity, and give their children a better opportunity. In every generation, especially of migrants, you will see that the new generation, the younger generation, is more educated, better fed, given better opportunities and have things their parents did not have. So for me, the situation with children in Aboriginal communities strikes a chord.
Also, I have worked in an allied profession, environmental health, since 1985. I had the fortune and misfortune to work in two jurisdictions, both urban and rural areas. My tenure in Port Hedland was an eye opener. It was the first time I saw the problems in Aboriginal communities, the extent of the problems in Aboriginal communities, and I witnessed people who were prostituting their children outside the Hedland Bar and Hotel in order to get money to drink.
When I came to the Territory, I visited many Aboriginal communities and I was not very proud to say I was a citizen of an advanced country when people in the same country would live under these squalid conditions. You might ask: what are the reasons for this kind of behaviour, this kind of society in decline? There are many reasons. It is not only one; it is a combination of factors: alcohol, drugs, violence, breakdown of culture, breakdown of authority, people caught between two worlds, and lack of leadership. As one of my indigenous friends has described it, indigenous people are like black mud crabs: the moment one escapes from the box or trap, all the others will drag him back down.
This situation came to the forefront after the 30 June 2006 ABC program Lateline, with allegations of corruption and sexual abuse in Mutitjulu, a small community at the foot of the Rock in Central Australia. The media was in a frenzy. Mal Brough and the federal government made every effort to say that this situation was so widespread in the Territory that they labelled many Aboriginal communities as paedophile havens and nearly every Aboriginal man as a paedophile. I find that very distressing because I have many indigenous friends, and not all of them drink, are violent or abuse their children. There are cases of childhood abuse. I would be a fool to say that there are not. There are, but they are not as widespread as we are led to believe. It is certainly not a problem created by the Territory Labor government after it was elected after 2001.
In the past 29 years of self-government in the Northern Territory, 23 years were under the stewardship of the Country Liberal government. It was not the Labor government, but it has been a very broad attempt to label this Labor government, and the Chief Minister in particular, as the only reason that this was happening in the Territory. They took an example of Mutitjulu, but the reality is they never told anyone clearly that Mutitjulu is actually under Commonwealth control; it is not under Northern Territory control.
It gets better, or worse, because the reason the intervention in the Territory took place was not because Canberra all of a sudden discovered there were kids abused in the Territory, but because there was a hidden agenda. This is clearly stated in Paul Toohey’s article in this week’s Bulletin. Toohey said:
- On June 30 last year, after the ABC's Lateline program broadcast allegations of corruption and sexual abuse in Mutitjulu, Brough's Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs wrote to the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations urging it to install an administrator at Mutitjulu.
ORAC, Canberra's mothership of indigenous governance, replied that Mutitjulu's finances were sound. But FaCSIA wanted blood. It was gearing up, even then, for the intervention, and insisted it would starve the place of funding unless an administrator was appointed. ORAC's hands were tied: it had no choice but to agree in order to get the cash flowing.
This was the first intervention at Mutitjulu with the appointment of the administrator, which was later found, after the traditional owners applied, that it was not done properly and he had to be removed. He was removed, leaving Mutitjulu in tatters.
Our government stepped in. The allegations were serious. We knew there were problems and something had to be done. Our government commissioned the Wild/Anderson report which came back with 97 recommendations. Those 97 recommendations probably do not go as far as we want them to go, but they were very clear and provided direction as to where we should go. The federal government used this report as an excuse initially, and ordered the intervention.
Mal Brough reflected on his training in the army. He talked about intervention, stabilisation, organisation and exit. However, one thing I do not understand, and probably Mr Brough has forgotten intentionally, is that when you have a national emergency like the one he said we had in the Territory, which he described as an epidemic, one basic step to eliminate this problem is isolation. When there is a crisis, a problem, an epidemic and you are going to step in to fix that epidemic, the first thing you do is make sure no one comes in or goes out in order to isolate that emergency, that epidemic. We have very good examples every day: SARS, bird flu and in the Territory, we had a very good example with Cyclone Tracy. That was a national emergency and, in order to prevent any epidemic occurring, they closed the city down and would not let people come in or go out.
On the other hand, what is very curious is that, instead of ordering isolation to isolate and capture the offenders, Mr Brough and his merry men in Canberra have decided they are going to remove permits. They are going to remove permits meaning they are going to open wide all these communities that they say have all these problems. It does not make sense. Any health professional will tell you it does not make sense. There are doubts about the whole thing. I said before that use of the report for intervention, in my opinion, was an excuse; it was not the main reason.
Of course, there are critics although many people might think it is a good idea. I admit that intervention to sort out the problems could be a good idea. What was bad was the execution, the timing, and the way it was done. If it was done two years ago, I would be one of the first people to say that someone is going to do something about it. If the federal government came in and said: ‘We have a crisis and we want to work with you. We are going to respond to the letter you sent us about a year ago about a 20-year plan to rectify the situation, and we will put so many million dollars on the table in order to rectify it’, I would be the first one to say I am very pleased that someone, irrespective of whether he is in our political party, is prepared to do something.
What we have seen here is unilateral intervention bypassing our government. Our government found out in a media release from Brough’s office and from sections of the media, and it was in order for the federal government to respond to the concerns raised by Mark Textor in his document that was provided to the federal government and leaked to the media a few weeks ago.
Of course, the Territory, accordingly to Mal Brough, is a haven for paedophiles and is a really bad place to be. It is an awful place and things are not very good. However, a cursory look at some other states in Australia, in particular Mr Brough’s own state, will show you that the situation there is very similar to the Territory’s. Do I have to mention that in Mr Brough’s own electorate, Longman, the poverty rate is 11.7% whereas the national poverty rate is 9.3%? That is from a report done by ACOSS. Do I have to mention that while in Solomon, the percentage of children living in the electorate in jobless families is 18.1%, in Mr Brough’s electorate of Longman, the percentage of children living in the electorate in families without a job is 26%?
From Queensland Police statistics, the rates of offence against the person in Caboolture Local Government authority within Mr Brough’s electorate, was similar to the rate for Queensland, but the rate of offences against the person and other offences in the same local authority have increased significantly since 2000-01.
I turn to Queensland statistics about children. In an 11-year study of homicides from 1989 to 2000, it was found that while indigenous people are only 3% of the Queensland population, indigenous people were involved in 15% of total homicides. In 2005–06, there were 112 homicides in Queensland; in 26 cases, nearly 30%, the offenders were indigenous people. Breach of domestic violence orders: again, 30% are indigenous people. The indicators in child abuse and neglect are even worse in Queensland, Mr Brough’s own state. There were 15.9 indigenous children for every 1000 children who suffered abuse or neglect in Queensland. This is 1.5 times the state average. The rate of indigenous children under care and protection orders was nearly four times the rate of non-indigenous children. Indigenous children were in out-of-home care at more than three times the state average, and the statistics go on and on. It is not only a problem of the Territory; it is a problem for Australia. If there is intervention, it should be Australia-wide in consultation and cooperation with the different governments.
I understand that the Country Liberal Party has commissioned a review of the Wild/Anderson report. The review was commissioned by the Territory leader, Jodeen Carney, and the review was done by Dr Annie Cossins. Many times in the past, the Leader of the Opposition has referred to it, but she has not tabled the review. Dr Cossins had an interview with Leon Compton. She said she was asked to review the recommendations and how each of the recommendations could or could not work in practice. She was asked to review the gaps in the report, and that is what she did. ‘I, on the one hand’, said Dr Cossins, ‘think the report contains a large amount of very useful information and this information will be terrific for the government’. Mr Compton asked what the situation is now with local government and Dr Cossins said: ‘I don’t get any feeling from the federal government what they plan on, you know, if they are taking the report’s recommendations into account’. The reporter then asks: ‘So the federal government, on the one hand, says that it triggered the response but on the other they are not really following the text?’. Dr Cossins, who did the review of the Wild/Anderson report, says: ‘Yes, I agree with you, I absolutely agree. I don’t necessarily agree with Mal Brough’s approach to this problem. I think his heart is in the right place, but I am not sure that his approach is going to have the desired effect either’.
With the package we announced in parliament this week, we intend to make that difference. We are so committed that we have put 1.7% of the Territory budget on the table. That is compared with 0.25% of the money that the Commonwealth has put toward this intervention.
We all agree that a generational plan of action that requires bipartisan support and commitment, while there may be levels of disagreement, must happen. Something has to be done. We cannot continue with this situation. Closing the Gap outlines the strategy that will lead to improved health and wellbeing outcomes, will increase educational levels, will tackle the massive overcrowding in remote communities, and will provide increased care and safety by way of improved policing and child welfare presence.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand the issues confronting our indigenous Territorians. Over the years, hundreds of reports have been written that show indigenous people have been the most disadvantaged group in Australia. I will not elaborate further on this as the Martin Labor government’s response is the most comprehensive plan aimed at addressing indigenous disadvantage ever produced by a Northern Territory government.
As a member of the Martin Labor government, I am committed to playing my role to create an environment in which indigenous people are provided with the opportunity to enter into mainstream society as an active participant and not as an economically-deprived observer, always looking in from the outside but never being part of the main game.
I am passionate about regional development. I am passionate about creating jobs, especially in the bush, and I am passionate about giving opportunities to young indigenous Territorians. Our government’s commitment of $286m will not only create jobs and employment opportunities for local people in the area of health, education and police, but will enable regional communities to participate in the economy of the Northern Territory.
Three years ago, the Martin government laid out an Indigenous Economic Development Strategy, which we will continue to support. At the second Economic Development Summit for 2005-15, Moving the Territory Ahead, the business community welcomed the Territory government’s focus on and commitment to regional development and committed to showing support through employing apprentices and trainees in accordance with the Jobs Plan. The participants accepted that involving our indigenous citizens in jobs and businesses would ensure that benefits will flow on into the wider community and add to the wellbeing of all.
Regional development in the Territory has always been fragmented and usually based on extracting resources from isolated areas. Whilst remote regions of the Territory produce great wealth for the country, indigenous people of the regions have not really benefited in any great way. It is our intention to totally change this depressing situation.
The Closing the Gap statement provides the building blocks for this momentous change to occur. Recently, Community Cabinet travelled to Pine Creek, Jilkminggan, Mataranka and Katherine. The common theme we heard from all the businesses there - pastoral industry, horticulture industry and mining industry - was they need workers, and they do not need workers who fly-in-fly-out; they need local workers.
It is not economically plausible or, moreover, sustainable to bring people from outside the regions to fill jobs when there are unemployment rates of 80% within spitting distance of these enterprises. The French poet, novelist and playwright, Victor Hugo, once said: ‘There is nothing so powerful as an idea whose time has come’. The time has come. In this instance, all the ingredients are in place: a strong desire by business to include indigenous people in the economic development of the Territory; a bipartisan approach by members of this House to see all Territorians included in our economic expansion; and, finally and most importantly, the desire of indigenous people to shake off shackles of poverty and ignorance and become real partners in the overall future of the Northern Territory.
Madam Speaker, as the Sport and Recreation Minister, I am also committed to supporting indigenous Territorians and people in the bush. It is not only playing sports; it is a change of lifestyle. I am pleased to announce that the Northern Territory government is committed to reform the way we deliver sport and recreation services in the bush. We are injecting $4.5m initially over five years to provide increased funding in the area of sport and recreation officers in the remote and regional shires. Second, we are establishing, upgrading and maintaining key remote and regional sporting facilities and infrastructure. Third, we are expanding indigenous sport programs and expanding on-the-ground support for the regional and remote shires.
This additional funding brings the total Northern Territory government commitment to remote indigenous sports and recreational programs, through local government, to $10.5m over five years. It is an example of this government’s desire to positively impact on Territorians’ lives beyond political terms and aim for a future where indigenous people achieve similar social outcomes as the non-indigenous population.
Sport also plays an important preventative and diversionary role in indigenous communities. We have seen a number of indigenous sport stars excelling nationally and internationally in their chosen sports, and these reflect the capacity for other indigenous people to follow similar paths. Sport and recreation is often interpreted as supporting organised sporting events only, either at the grassroots or elite levels, and this is not the case. The Northern Territory government is also keen to promote physical activity and its benefits across the community to achieve greater health outcomes for the Territory.
I am passionate about jobs in the bush and I am talking up jobs in the bush. I encourage people to get a job. There are plenty of jobs out there. What a pleasure it was the other day to go to Borroloola and find the McArthur River Mine has just completed 13 apprenticeships or traineeships. These people will complete their training and will have a starting salary of $72 000 a year. Not only that, but they announced on the same day that they are going to have another 43 local apprentices learning how to drive not the lawn mowers, but the big machines these mines need. Of course, it is a give and take. The mine wants workers. They cannot get workers because there is such a skills shortage. This is a unique opportunity for us to provide these jobs and train local people not only to drive a truck, but to train them to read and write and give them budgeting skills. I intend to support the private and local communities to achieve this.
I said before that I feel very passionate about the intervention. I am offended. I feel the Territory has been dealt a blow from Canberra. This is not a Territory problem; this is an Australian problem. We have to address it as a nation. It is easy to sit in Canberra and give orders. I would like to remind Mr Brough that he is not in the army any more. He is a politician and you can achieve much more by consensus than by giving orders. After all, I would be pleased to take a lesson from Mr Brough if Mr Brough keeps his nest clean, but when I found out that the federal government has underspent hundreds of millions of dollars for indigenous jobs, when I find out that Mr Brough will raid the indigenous benefit account to provide millions of dollars for festivals or pools, I have a problem. I say again that I would be very happy to sit down with Mr Brough or anyone, irrespective of political persuasion, to discuss how to find the solution to the problem. This opportunity was never given to the Territory. We learnt about it from the media and from media releases.
One thing that disturbs me is that I well recall since the time I came to the Territory, every time there was even a hint of federal government intervention in the Northern Territory, every Chief Minister and every member of the Country Liberal Party would be jumping up and down. It happened with euthanasia. It also happened when the federal Liberal government put conditions to then Chief Minister Burke for mandatory sentencing. This time, there is absolute silence.
We have been dealt an injustice by the Commonwealth, and what makes me angrier is why we have been portrayed all around Australia and the world as a redneck country that does not care about its citizens when we have 700 examinations of children in the Territory and only four referrals. Compare that with the arrest that took place in Halls Creek in Western Australia and the paedophile ring that was broken, which I support. Everyone who interferes with children should be thrown in prison and the key thrown away. Children are sacred, but this is not a Territory problem. This is a problem for the whole of Australia - not just for black children, but black, white and anything in between.
That is the reason I strongly support the package we have put in place. It is not everything, but it is a first step. We have to do something. It is never too late, and we are doing it. As I said, for me personally, children are always sacred and I am happy to sit down with anyone to talk in dialogue. I will not accept orders.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker, I have listened to the responses to this statement over the past couple of days and have found them very diverse. Of course, I expected to hear a lot of criticism for anything and everything other than what the Territory government is contributing to indigenous disadvantage. Let me say from the outset that I am very supportive of all efforts by all levels of government to make changes and big improvements to the way indigenous people live, and the disadvantage that so many of them are experiencing.
First of all, for the members of this Assembly, and especially for the member for Millner, I must confess that I have only lived in the Northern Territory for 19 years. I was not born here and I am not indigenous, so I am assuming, from your tirade yesterday afternoon, that I am not qualified to speak or make any comments about anything relating to indigenous people in the Northern Territory.
Mr Bonson: The member for Greatorex and the member for Araluen – put their time together and it is not as much as you.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mrs MILLER: Forget that I have been living in Katherine for those 19 years, forget that I ran a business in Katherine for 11 years, and forget that I was born in Ceduna on the west coast of South Australia where there is a large indigenous population. Forget that I have many indigenous friends, and forget that I am only too acutely aware, member for Millner, of the disadvantage in which so many indigenous people live not only in and around Katherine, but throughout the whole of the Northern Territory.
I also found it a little amusing that the member for Millner should get so hot under the collar about two of my colleagues, the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Greatorex, implying that they were not qualified to have opinions and debate this subject because they have not been here long enough. I am standing opposite quite a few members of this parliament and this government who also were not born here. What makes them so qualified and special to have opinions and make decisions over and above us on this side about indigenous welfare? I acknowledge the member for Stuart; he was definitely born here, but there are others who were not. It is simply because you can make those comments. You were born here, member for Millner, but some of us were not. That does not make us less informed about indigenous affairs. As members of government, you should be making decisions, and we, as opposition, have equal rights to express our opinions, and that is what we are here to do. It is obvious that we are not going to agree on many issues. Unfortunately for you, we still have equal rights to express our views in here.
Having said that, with all the activity that the Little Children are Sacred report has generated, I welcome the intervention of the federal government, especially in the areas of the protection of children, alcohol, additional police, health, education and housing. Right from the time of the announcement of the intervention by the federal government, I felt a sense of relief that, at long last, the financial resources would be available to really make some significant changes for indigenous people and their communities.
Together with other members in this House, I am very aware of the problems facing indigenous people and for most communities, they are not getting better. It is also obvious that the Territory government alone would never have enough money to be able to impact significant improvements in the short term. The situation was too enormous. Therefore, the effects of disadvantage are compounding. Now, with Closing the Gap announced by this government in addition to the millions of dollars and intervention from the federal government, is the perfect opportunity for both levels of governments to be working cooperatively to get maximum progress to the advantage of indigenous Australians.
I am more than a little tired already of the argy-bargy that has crept into so many debates about who said what, who gave what, who should have done this and that, and the blame game that goes on and on. For goodness sake, let us all show maturity and some leadership and get on with what this whole process is about: making the lives of indigenous children and their families something to be proud of by instilling pride and giving them the opportunities to do so.
With the federal and Territory governments’ aims and objectives under their belt, under the different headings of intervention and Closing the Gap, why do you not form a joint task force with the federal government? Oh, no! Politically, that would not look good, would it? Why do you not form a joint task force with them so that all of the great ideas coming from both the Territory government and the federal government’s intervention and the money that is being contributed can actually have some productive outcomes? Why can we not work cooperatively? Instead, things are going to be duplicated and it makes pure sense that things do not need be duplicated and a task force needs to be formed. I am absolutely sick of the politics in this already.
The outcomes will take a darn sight longer to achieve unless government and government agencies work cooperatively. You would receive more respect from the community, and be able to achieve more in a shorter space of time and, therefore, bring about a quicker and better result. Gosh, doesn’t that sound sensible? Oh no! That is the way politics is played, isn’t it? While talking about working cooperatively, these changes cannot work successfully, and be sustained, unless Aboriginal Territorians work toward those same goals. They will have to do their part, too.
On the abuse of alcohol, we know that when we are working out in communities, and I speak about the experience around Katherine, we have a sobering-up shelter and a rehab centre, but the two don’t actually gel. What each of these communities are going to have to do now is have a sobering-up shelter, a detox centre and a rehab centre before we are going to be able to make any difference in this area.
I want the Territory government to seriously think about this: if you are serious about making some dents into rehabilitating indigenous people and helping them to get some focus into their life, I am going to talk about the rehab centre at Dalinya again. The only reason you are not looking at it favourably and the only reason that you won’t give it funding is because Sheila Millar, who owns and operates Dalinya, will not tell you the secrets of what she does because she does her healing traditionally. It is something that she does herself. Why is it that she has to put it down on paper? Why is it that she has to say: ‘I do A, B, C, D and E’? She does not do that. She does it from her traditional healing and it is successful. Why don’t you look at something that is working instead of saying: ‘No, it has to be done in a big building over here and it has to be done in a program that suits us’? Do what works! Dalinya works.
I encourage you to get out there and look at Dalinya if you are dead set serious about making a difference. Help the people who are trying to help themselves. Sheila Millar happens to be one of them. I don’t know how she has the energy to keep her focus going because she is quite drained from trying to get assistance to run that place. She has run it on her own, out of her own pocket, for years. This is the only time I want to talk about politics in this area because I am really cross about what has been happening.
Sheila Millar approached me in 1999 or 2000 and she was able, through the Territory government, to get funding for 12 months to run Dalinya. The minister at the time went out to see how the program was running and was pleased with what she was doing. He did not understand how it worked and he did not have to because she knew how it worked. She was funded and she did not have to worry about handling the financial affairs herself because Anglicare did all the bookwork for her. That program was running successfully. She had people there that she was able to get off alcohol and to give them some sense of life and self-esteem.
At the end of that 12 months was a change of government and that funding was withdrawn. I am urging you, if you are serious about addressing the most serious problem that we have, which, according to all the reports that have come out, is alcohol, have a look at that program at Dalinya and give an indigenous woman, who has tried so hard to make a difference to help her people and is perfectly capable of doing it, the support that she needs.
But, oh no! It will be politics again. She does not have it written down on paper so it won’t work. I am telling you: you are talking about dealing with cultural issues here and that is what we have to look at, everything culturally. Talk to her and the people that she knows can help her help more people. She has always said to me she could take her car down the street of Katherine and pick up a dozen people and take them out just like that. She said: ‘I could have those people with a quality of life and saving their lives, and it would be happening within 12 months’. You need to look at that.
Katherine does not have a detox centre. I know they are looking to have one in Alice Springs, but it is not there yet. We have a rehabilitation centre that is not used to rehabilitate alcoholics. It is used through the justice system and it does not have programs that work effectively. We need to get that working properly. Stop putting money into programs that do not work and put money into those that do.
In the area of health, I would like government to look at what is happening to indigenous men. I am going to read comments by Dr Tony Mordini from the Batchelor Institute. Tony is going to be speaking at the International Association for Suicide Prevention Congress to be held in Ireland on 28 August. He is saying that Aboriginal males who commit suicide feel trapped. He is going to present a paper, and I wish he would present it to us, too, but he is going to Ireland, which is really good, but we need to look at it as well. He is saying the issue of Aboriginal male suicides, particularly in the Territory, is of national and international significance because of their marked over-representation. He said:
- On average, nearly 50% of the suicides are indigenous, yet indigenous Territorians represent only 30% of the population.
- Of the 133 recorded suicides, which the Coroner’s Office has finished investigating, 122 are males.
That is an absolutely tragic figure, absolutely tragic. The reason I am talking about this is that I know that there are men specifically in the Katherine community, and I know there will be men in other communities, who are crying out for funding to run programs for men’s health. I have been approached constantly by two people in Katherine to lobby for funding for men’s health programs for indigenous people. For goodness sake, some of this money that you are putting toward Closing the Gap, there is a prime example of where a lot of money has to be put into programs. You have the people out there with the skill to run them. They have run them before, and very successfully. That is where a lot of the money has to be put. It is not much good doing all these other things if we do not save their lives. It is terrible if they are dying between 10 and 39 from suicide. That is an absolute tragedy. That is where some money definitely has to go.
On the subject of housing, I have mixed feelings. I know that there is an extreme shortage of housing in indigenous communities. I want to talk about abandoned houses because there are quite a few of those throughout the Northern Territory. I do not know why they have been abandoned, but no wonder there is a shortage of housing if we have houses that no one is living in. The government needs to look at a system whereby housing is established in a place. People must be told: ‘That is your housing. If you want to just keep moving around the place, we are not going to provide housing for you over here and over here and over there’ because we will all jump on the band wagon. I would not mind a house overlooking the ocean somewhere or on a river or something. There needs to be tougher rules set down for housing.
I want to talk about a couple of businesses in Katherine which are putting a lot of effort into developing a suitable model of housing for indigenous communities. I am really impressed. It is difficult to come up with one that suits everyone. I know the minister has had a look at this model, he has been briefed on it, and I know he is looking at it favourably. I certainly hope he does because it is a design that can be used anywhere in the Territory. It is not a standard three-bedroom home, which is really good. It is a five-bedroom home. It can be built in a place, Katherine or Alice Springs or the Top End, all year round. Even if you cannot get access to communities in the Wet Season, building of the houses can go on. Then, when they do have access to the communities, they can bundle up all of the house components and that house can be erected within two weeks.
The beauty of the project that they are trying to get up and running is that when they are doing that building, they bring in young people from the communities who want to be trained as apprentices. They will train them to get the skills, to do the electrical work and to be carpenters, and to maintain those buildings because, as the minister does know, there is an enormous amount spent on repairs and maintenance for housing. We need to try to bring that back as well as providing more houses.
The advantage of this particular design is that this five bedroom home is designed as fully self-contained with power, which means it would be solar powered. It is a really good design. The style of solar system they have worked out would have enough excess power to go into a grid, so they would be able to utilise that power as well. It is a fabulous design. I am pretty chuffed about it. It has my support and I hope it has the minister’s approval as well.
The exciting thing is that they could build 50 in a year, and that is in one spot. So if you could build 50 a year in Katherine, Alice Springs and Darwin, that is 150 houses. They are a decent size, five bedroom homes, because as we know, most indigenous people have family coming and going all the time. It is a great idea. I am very supportive as I am of having indigenous people undergo training in the process. Those houses are also, very pleasingly, cheaper than what is presently being put on to communities so there would almost be four houses for the price of three, on current prices of houses on a community, so I am pretty chuffed about that.
Housing in communities is very important and it needs to be addressed quickly and with a safe model.
Ms Carney: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the member for Katherine be granted an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mrs MILLER: Thank you, Leader of the Opposition. I want to finish on education. Education has to be on a reward and incentive basis to encourage many indigenous children to attend school. I want to use the example of the breakfast program that runs in Katherine. We cannot expect children to learn on an empty stomach. I do not expect any child to go to school without breakfast. I was not a great supporter of the breakfast program in the early days. I used to think you have to give kids breakfast before they go to school and it is the parents’ responsibility, but there are many situations where parents do not have food in the house for one reason or another. I have only done this once, and I must do it again because I did enjoy it, but I went to MacFarlane Primary School to help them with their breakfast program. It was absolutely fabulous to see the children come in with their parents and teachers, and have their breakfast at school. They have a choice, but they must have some fruit and they can have juice, milk, cereal or toast. They are very polite when they ask for what they want. They take it to a table, sit down, eat their breakfast and then they have to wash their utensils and take them back to the canteen.
The looks on those children’s faces - they were all happy, they were all healthy, they were all clean, and the difference it is has made to their learning abilities has been quite remarkable. The school is very happy with the program and the way it runs. So I have changed my view entirely in the last 12 months about how breakfast programs run and the benefit of them. It is very important that we get into the habit of teaching children that it is important to have breakfast before they go to school.
That breakfast program is working in some communities. It is actually a training program for the parents as well because the parents need to understand that children are much healthier, happier and learn more if they have breakfast before they go to school. Hopefully, eventually parents will take that responsibility. At the moment, the Smith Family runs the program at MacFarlane Primary School. A suggestion is that parents pay a small amount towards the breakfast in communities so that they are used to the idea that not everything is for nothing, but their children are always going to be guaranteed breakfast before they go to school.
I am going to speak later in response to the sport statement because there are some areas which are incentive-based for education that tie in with sport as well.
I am tired already of the argy-bargy of the political side of all this. For whatever reason, I do not care, we should organise a combined task force and work together. I do not care who is in federal politics and who is in Territory government. We should work together so that this enormous amount of money makes a huge difference to a lot of people in the shortest space of time. Otherwise, it will be a disadvantage to us. We owe it to the indigenous people of the Northern Territory to do the best that we can.
Mr HAMPTON (Stuart): Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Chief Minister’s statement on Closing the Gap of Indigenous Disadvantage, a Generational Plan of Action.
The plight of Aboriginal people can be no better illustrated in Australia than in Central Australia and, in particular, my electorate of Stuart. These issues and the struggles of our indigenous Territorians have been well documented and debated over the years. The Wild/Anderson report, Little Children are Sacred, commissioned by the Chief Minister, has provided the springboard for this generational plan of action.
I first acknowledge people’s contributions to that report, in particular Rex Wild QC and Pat Anderson. I was at Lajamanu and Kalkarindji and Daguragu when they were conducting consultations with those communities, and can vouch firsthand for how they ran the information sessions and consultations. They were very inclusive of the whole community. They had the whole community meeting and separate men’s meetings, which I attended.
I acknowledge many of the other people who worked on that report: Julie Nicholson, the Executive Officer; Dr Adam Tomison, the Director Policy and Research; Stewart O’Connell, the Senior Policy Officer; Barbara Kelly, Senior Research Officer; Noelle Chandler, Administrative Assistant; and also the expert reference group that assisted in the development of this report: Professor Paul Torzillo AM, Professor Dorothy Scott, Ms Barbara Cummings, Mr John Ah Kit, Ms Stephanie Bell and Mr Charlie King. I am sure there are plenty of other people who did hours and hours of work on this report, and I acknowledge all of those people as well.
I could stand here and have a go at the neglect by successive governments, both Commonwealth and Northern Territory, or simply blame the victims. However, the issue of child abuse and generational neglect are far too important to play politics or the blame game. I do think it is important, however, to highlight that the Wild/Anderson report was the catalyst for the current Commonwealth intervention into the Northern Territory, and placed indigenous issues on the national agenda in the way of a national emergency and now an election issue.
My contribution to this debate is centred on three areas: the children; the people, particularly those living in Stuart; and the government.
As the Chief Minister stated, Closing the Gap not only delivers a response to the Wild/Anderson report, but delivers the most comprehensive response aimed at addressing indigenous disadvantage ever produced by a Northern Territory government. The statement spells out what the Martin Labor government is going to do over the next five years in relation to addressing the child protection system as well as the broader social and economic factors including housing, unemployment, offender rehabilitation, health, alcohol misuse and education. Closing the Gap also demonstrates that the Martin Labor government has begun closing the gap since coming to government in 2001, but as we all know, more needs to be done.
I thank the member for Katherine. I am a born and bred Territorian and, as a local member of a bush electorate whose constituency consists of 84% indigenous people, I am probably more critical of all governments in their handling of indigenous affairs policy and expenditure than anyone. There are, no doubt, critics of this generational plan for action across Australia, and maybe on the other side of this House, but as I said, we cannot afford to get bogged down in debate that skirts around the issue and does not focus on effective, practical and long-term solutions.
It was nine weeks ago today that the Prime Minister and minister Brough announced the national emergency in response to the Wild/Anderson report. It has been a huge challenge for me in getting out to the electorate of Stuart and passing on the information to my constituents. Behind the hundreds of kilometres of bush trips and the hundreds of constituents I have talked to, I have been driven by the need to achieve the following: a desire to improve the situation for our children and be part of a generational change that will provide a better future for them; and the need to get the information out to the people who these changes will affect the most and the people who ultimately will make this generational action plan succeed. As a member of parliament, I have a responsibility to my electorate and to the Northern Territory to do my bit to make sure change happens to address the most serious issue of child abuse, and to make sure those people most affected by this issue are engaged and are part of the solutions.
Given that in the last nine weeks, the intervention has played a big part in my job, I would like to briefly focus on the interventions we have seen happen over this time. As I have said, the approach taken by the Commonwealth government, particularly in the first few weeks, had a big impact on the people of Stuart. As I talked through the Canberra interventions with communities in my electorate, people have expressed much anger, sadness, disbelief, relief, and uncertainty.
There are no greater advocates, workers and role models for tackling child abuse and violence than the people living in Stuart. You only have to look at programs such as the Mt Theo program as a case in point. People in the bush must be congratulated for the last nine weeks because they have opened their hearts, their communities and their homes to these teams. That is why I would like to place on the public record the consistent messages I have received from the people of Stuart about other aspects of the Canberra intervention.
The banning of alcohol gets a big tick; people out there do support the banning of alcohol. Banning of pornography, another big tick; they do support that and they have been fighting for those two things for a long time. Quarantining of Centrelink money in respect of school attendance particularly, another tick; people out there support that because they want their kids to get an education and a better life and a job into the future. Policing: we have had three police stationed at Willowra, Nyirripi and Utopia for the past month and I have been to all of those communities. People are very happy to have them there. It has restored a lot of community safety. People in those communities have not had a police presence for a long time. Often, they have police visit from Harts Range, Yuendumu or Ti Tree. To have police stationed there, however, provides a lot of support and safety for the women particularly, who have come to me and expressed great happiness and joy that they have them there. Talking to the police, they have not experienced a lot of law and order problems, maybe the occasional alcohol issue, which they deal with quickly. I would like to see a longer term commitment from both the Commonwealth government and our government to a greater and long-term police presence.
One area where there has been a lot of controversy relates to land rights: the five year leases; compulsory acquisition of land, town camps; and the removal of the permit system. I can say that for people in my electorate, this caused the most worry. They are worried because nowhere in the Little Children are Sacred report is there any mention of the permit system contributing to either child abuse or the need to compulsorily acquire Aboriginal land. What investor in the commercial world would consider investment anywhere where land tenure exists for only five years?
Make no mistake; the Northern Territory government supports actions that are effective and sustainable. We support incentives that will genuinely attract private sector investment in remote communities. We support initiatives that are going to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal children. We support strategies that protect women and children. We support initiatives that will have a long-term impact on the lifestyles and livelihood of indigenous Territorians. There is no doubt many would have liked to have seen improvements in Aboriginal living conditions occur must faster than what we have been able to achieve in our first six years of government. There is no doubt that we have achieved much in the time we have been in government.
In terms of education, since 2001 we have employed 110 additional teachers above formula aimed directly at the bush and regions. We have improved secondary education in the bush, with six secondary schools, and introduced secondary education to a further 22 schools across remote areas of the Territory. The announcement of 15 additional classrooms at a cost of $6m is most welcome, as is the upgrade of two homeland learning centres. In particular, I record my appreciation of the great work of the many teachers and assistant teachers throughout my electorate. I am sure the 47 teachers and the assistant teacher positions for remote schools will be most welcome and will create further job opportunities for living in these communities.
In my own electorate, the mobile preschool working in the Sandover Highway area has had a marked and positive impact on the region’s children. It provides an extremely important developmental education component to those kids in their early years, the formative years, by establishing a foundation for future socialisation, learning and contribution to their community. It also enables parents and community members to be actively engaged in structured learning programs and provides employment opportunities at a local level.
I also want to mention the Clontarf Football Academy at Yirara College, ANZAC Hill High School, and ASHS or Alice Springs High School. The program kicked off this year and, as we have heard many times in this House, it is really starting to kick some goals for young indigenous men. The other exciting program I had the pleasure of launching on behalf of the minister for Education is the Partnerships for Success program targeting kids at a higher level.
I have much experience working in the employment and training sector over 30 years, having worked in the CES and the mining sector at the Granites Gold Mine and Central Land Council. As a member of the Martin Labor government, I am proud that we have focused our training policies at indigenous training in Jobs Plans 1, 2 and 3. One real and practical example of how this government is working with all stakeholders to create real jobs is in the Ti Tree region in my electorate in the horticulture industry. Organisations such as the Ahkeye Aboriginal Land Trust, Anmatjere Community Government Council, Congress, Central Desert Training, Central Land Council, CentreFarm, DEET, DEST, Primary Industry and Fisheries, DEWR and the Tangentyere Job Shop are all major stakeholders leading the way in creating new jobs.
I look forward to seeing further employment opportunities being created in my electorate. I acknowledge programs that have already begun providing real jobs as well, such as the Wulaign Rangers program at Lajamanu, Newmont Mining operations at the Granites, and Tanami mines in partnership with the Central Land Council.
We have introduced an Indigenous Employment Strategy in the public sector which has significantly increased the numbers of indigenous people in the private sector. In fact, there are now 450 more indigenous public servants than there were in 2001, a 64% increase. Closing the Gap will value-add to initiatives such as this by providing more opportunities for Aboriginal people to fill critical public service positions that are specifically targeted at improving the wellbeing of the young and vulnerable in our community. I am particularly encouraged by our $10m commitment to transition those CDEP positions that support the Northern Territory government’s efforts into mainstream jobs within our public service. I hope the Commonwealth government will continue to support to our local government reform processes and provide practical financial assistance to transition local council CDEP positions into mainstream jobs.
Since 2001, this government has increased Health and Community Services funding by 75%. Unfortunately, the indigenous population in the Territory is the main user of our health system, with approximately 60% of the Health budget being used for indigenous purposes. But there is light at the end of the tunnel; there is cause for hope. Since 2001, life expectancy for indigenous women has increased by three years to 68 years of age. Indigenous infant mortality rates have decreased by 36%, and we have invested significantly in improving access to renal dialysis services in the regions. We have a renewed focus on child health.
Closing the Gap will provide more integrated family and children’s centres in communities, sport and recreation programs, and the expansion of programs for preventable chronic disease. In my own electorate, integrated early childhood centres at Yuendumu and Laramba continue to provide young mums with the knowledge and skills they need to nurture their kids and, importantly, provide critical developmental learning in the early years for our little kids. This gives these kids a leg up for primary and secondary school.
I pick up on comments made by the member for Katherine in relation to men’s health. I also read the article by Dr Mordini about Aboriginal male suicides and the theme of feeling trapped. For me, this year has been hard. I personally know two people, young men, relations of mine, who committed suicide. It is a very sad occasion. It takes a lot out of the families who have to go through Sorry Business and deal with the loss of loved ones. As the member for Katherine said, on average, nearly 50% of suicides are indigenous, yet indigenous Territorians represent only 30% of the population. Our indigenous men are caught between two worlds. In one world, at the age of 14, you are an initiated man for many of our young men, with all the roles and responsibilities that entails. In another world, you are just a boy in a middle school.
There is no simple solution, but I would like to mention one organisation that is trying to deal with that: Congress Men’s Health Unit in Alice Springs. I go down there quite often, particularly on a Monday. I sit down and have a cup of tea with the men. It is mainly used by men from the bush. It provides a safe house for them. It provides a shower, a place where they can have a shave, sit down have a talk and have a meal. I strongly recommend to our government that we look further into supporting men’s health centres, or men’s health sheds is what they call them.
Mrs Braham: Safe houses, too.
Mr HAMPTON: Safe houses, yes. The Martin Labor government recognises that overcrowding of housing is a key issue for people living in remote communities and contributes to the cycle of violence against women and children.
Since 2001, we have built over 1000 houses for remote indigenous Territorians, and we have committed an additional $100m to overcome the backlog that has existed since self-government. A commitment from the Commonwealth government to a significant share of the $1.6bn in the Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation Program to upgrade housing stock in remote communities to a standard that we all expect would be a good start.
It is also time the Commonwealth government recognised the massive deficit in indigenous housing in the Territory and committed some of their massive budget surpluses to closing that gap. The Northern Territory cannot do this alone, nor should it be expected to. If the Commonwealth can establish a Future Fund, a Higher Education Endowment Fund, and a Health and Medical Investment Fund with their massive surpluses, it is reasonable that they immediately redress the inequities of history by funding the backlog in indigenous housing left as a legacy by pre-1978 federal administrations.
I am heartened by our increased focus on providing government housing to local recruits occupying government positions. For me, as the member for Stuart, this is a regular issue about which people approach me. The Martin Labor government’s decision three years ago to overturn the previous CLP administration’s policy of not providing staff housing for local recruits will make a significant difference to the people living in the Stuart electorate.
I congratulate this government for its $42.3m commitment to housing in Closing the Gap. We have all these extra dollars going into housing, and it is vitally important that we also have employment and training programs coming behind and supporting the construction programs. I know in my electorate at Laramba, Ampilatwatja and Yuendumu, there was the old Papunya IHANT builder trainer program. I am not too sure what happened to that program. It is something that I would like to find out a bit more about. I have talked to a lot of older Aboriginal men and it is amazing the skills they have from previous years. There used to be housing building teams out there 20 or 30 years ago, and many of these men are still around. Many of them are the ones who are on CDEP. It is important that we put together a really strong builder trainer program to support the construction program.
The safety and security of our community is of paramount importance. Throughout my community visits over the past nine weeks, people in the bush say they want to be safe and secure in their own homes. It is something that they have been working …
Mr WARREN: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the member for Stuart be given an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77.
Motion agreed to.
Mr HAMPTON: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As I said, it is something that people in the bush have been working on for many years. You only have to look at the Night Patrol programs and where they began. For members’ information, they began with the women in the communities walking around together and dealing with a lot of the social issues that occurred in communities where there were no police. Night Patrols are one example of how communities have been trying to deal with social issues in their communities over a number of years.
The additional $80m investment for child protection is welcome by all the people in the Territory, whether they are indigenous or non-indigenous. Expansion of the child abuse task force with additional Family and Community Services’ staff, police, additional child protection workers and school councillors will go a long way towards protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
Establishment of a Remote Area Policing strategy with more police officers is also good news. The addition of community courts and more Community Corrections Officers, the introduction of community-based family violence programs and new sexual offender rehabilitation programs provides the comprehensive approach required to have a long-term impact on repeat offenders.
We are all acutely aware of this government’s record investment in the police force. We have increased funding by 65% since 2001, and Closing the Gap adds to that investment. I know that people in my electorate will welcome the increased presence of police, as I have already stated.
I trust that the Commonwealth government will maintain its commitment to Aboriginal people in the Territory by working with the Northern Territory government to ensure that the police presence is sustainable.
Despite the CLP’s assertions that there is too much emphasis in the Little Children are Sacred report on alcohol as a determinant of violence and abuse against women and children, evidence is against them. Recently, the Chief Minister was advised by police that 85% of their workload in Alice Springs and Katherine was dedicated to alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour. A recent examination of stabbing presentations at the Alice Springs Hospital showed that a majority were female victims and over 30% were alcohol-related.
I support the strategies outlined in the Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan. Grog restrictions are working, but more can be done and I am pleased that more will be done. The problem is not confined to public drunkenness. Our alcohol consumption per capita relative to the rest of the nation is nothing to be proud of. Alcoholism is at the heart of this problem and it cuts across both indigenous and non-indigenous families.
Amendments to the Liquor Act will complement the $10m commitment in Closing the Gap to tackle alcohol and drug issues and will ensure that we continue to focus our efforts on long-term answers to grog-related crime, antisocial behaviour and personal harm.
Closing the Gap is the most comprehensive response to Aboriginal disadvantage and the causal factors that underpin violence against women and children ever seen in the Territory. Unlike the CLP, which has no vision, no answers and no idea of the issues that really impact on Aboriginal people living in the Territory, the Martin government’s response tackles deep-seated, structural issues whilst also addressing the immediate issues of safety and security.
I welcome the establishment of the Indigenous Advisory Council to the Chief Minister and the creation of local community boards. It is a credit to this government that there has been a concerted effort to consult with Aboriginal people about how we can stop the abuse. It is a credit to this government that structures will be put in place to continue to hear directly from Aboriginal people, a means of working together rather than dividing to conquer.
Over the past two months or so, I have travelled extensively across my electorate, talked to hundreds of constituents and listened to their concerns. I am sure that Closing the Gap will instil a sense of confidence amongst those living in Stuart and Central Australia that this government is genuine in its continued efforts to overcome indigenous disadvantage.
I have been encouraged by many comments from indigenous people living in Alice Springs and in my electorate that they want to work with the Territory government on Closing the Gap. We, as indigenous Territorians, must also work together, whether we are living in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Yuendumu, Ampilatwatja or Hidden Valley. I would like to quote from a letter from Mr Andrew Stojanovski OAM during his recent acceptance speech at Yuendumu last week:
- Fourteen years ago, in this very place, at the meeting that started this program, Peter Toyne said:
‘The problem of petrol sniffing will not be fixed if either Yapa look to Kardiya to fix it, or if Kardiya say it’s just family business for Yapa’.
He said: ‘We will only fix this problem if the whole community decides to work together’.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I conclude by saying Closing the Gap is a good start. It is only the first five years of a generational plan, the commitment of $286m. I place on the public record my commitment to the people of Stuart that I will stand up and ensure that this commitment is honoured and that we continue to work together in partnership in closing the gap.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a few comments regarding Closing the Gap. I support the responses by the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Katherine. I support anything that will help Territorians and Territory children who are exposed to child abuse, or are victims of child abuse.
I noted yesterday that the member for Millner protests time and time again at how ashamed and disgusted he was at the Leader of the Opposition’s response to the Wild/Anderson report. He asserted that because she was not born in the Northern Territory or had not being here for some significant amount of time she was somehow not qualified to comment.
Ms Carney: Did he?
Mr CONLAN: He did. The member for Millner does not have to agree with the comments of the Leader of the Opposition. He can kick and scream all he wants, shout until the cows come home, but to suggest that those people who are not long-term residents or who were not born in the Northern Territory essentially have no right to an opinion on such matters is an insult to all those who now call the Northern Territory home. The member for Millner said, and this is from Hansard:
- We all know that the member for Araluen has not been in the Territory for 25 years. Or the member for Greatorex.
Even I got a guernsey …
- … They have been here for two years ...
How long have you been here, Leader of the Opposition?
Ms Carney: Coming up to 20, I think.
Mr CONLAN:
- They do not know the real people of the Northern Territory but they are trying to contribute.
By logic, one must be here for some 25 years before they can contribute. Perhaps the member for Millner should look at his own leader, who arrived in the Northern Territory in 1983. Last time I checked 2007 minus 1983 equals 24, not 25. Does that mean that the member for Millner is saying that his own Chief Minister does not understand how the Territory works?
Perhaps the member for Millner should remind himself that it was the people of Millner who put him in this Chamber. I can’t be sure how many residents of Millner were or were not born in the Northern Territory or, moreover, how many residents of Millner have lived in Millner for 25 years, but you can bet your bottom dollar it wasn’t all of the 52.7% who voted for him on first preferences. If we could extrapolate from the member for Millner’s comments, should something as serious as their vote count if they have not been here for that amount of time? If you are not a long-term resident and you were not born in the Northern Territory then your input and opinion does not count, but we will take your vote and your taxes, anyway, thanks very much.
His comments are compounded when one of the greatest challenges that we face in the Northern Territory is growing the population, recruiting and retaining the workforce, encouraging young families, retirees from all walks of life, people from all professions to move to the Northern Territory and call it home, bring their skills here and their experience to this part of the Australia, namely the Northern Territory, just like many members of this House who were not born in the Northern Territory and have not lived here for 25 years, some of the member for Millner’s own parliamentary colleagues!
If someone living interstate was thinking of exploring the opportunities that the Northern Territory has to offer and heard the comments by the member for Millner, I am sure they might think twice about relocating here. From my experience, people in the Northern Territory, people who were born in the Northern Territory or have lived here for more than 25 years roll out the red carpet to those moving here from interstate say: ‘Welcome, come on board. Bring us your experience, bring us your skills, bring us your investments. Welcome aboard! Welcome to the Northern Territory.’
There is one Northern Territorian, though, who seems to have a momentary lapse of reason and that is the member for Millner. If everyone in the Territory subscribed to the member for Millner’s theory, anyone not born in the Northern Territory or has not been here for 25 years cannot do anything - that isn’t what I call progress. Thank goodness commonsense has prevailed.
It is worth noting that every single Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, past and present, was born interstate. For the member for Millner to suggest that those who were not born in the Northern Territory or have not lived in the Northern Territory for more than 25 years do not have ‘corporate knowledge’, they don’t know the real people of the Northern Territory and they don’t understand how the Territory works is not only …
Mr BONSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The member for Greatorex knows he is misquoting me. We can point to the Hansard …
Mr Conlan: Madam Speaker, it is in Hansard.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BONSON: … where I specifically pointed out and was talking about the members for Greatorex and Araluen. He is indicating that I am speaking about all members. I also said that I am more than willing to teach them over the next few years the corporate knowledge that they need to know.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Millner, resume your seat. There is no point of order. Member for Millner, if you feel you have been misrepresented, you may approach me at a later hour to discuss making a personal explanation.
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, I only have about 30 seconds more. For the member for Millner to suggest that those who were not born in the Northern Territory or have not lived in the Northern Territory for more than 25 years don’t have the corporate knowledge of the Territory, they don’t know the real people of the Northern Territory, and they don’t understand how the Territory works is not only an insult to many of his own parliamentary colleagues who weren’t born here and haven’t lived here for more than 25 years, but it is an insult to all of us who live in the Northern Territory and now call it home and are doing everything they can to protect the children and victims of child abuse.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Mr Warren: Madam Speaker …
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Goyder! I have not called you yet. I remind honourable members once again of Standing Order 51. I believe the member for Goyder wishes to speak next.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the Chief Minister’s statement on Closing the Gap. I fully support the statement, which outlines the most comprehensive package since self-government to tackle indigenous disadvantage in the Northern Territory.
Let us be clear: this is a very long term strategy, and it has at its core a generational approach. I am really disappointed by the member for Greatorex’s lack of contribution and substance to this debate. It is a serious debate, and I hope in future to see an increased performance and a bit of substance from him rather than a serious attack on the processes of parliament and lowering the standards to such a degree.
We, on this side of the House, have all offered debates of substance, which have considerable content and relevance to our own electorates, and I will continue in that vein. I will explain why we have arrived at this point.
I cannot separate the deplorable situation we have arrived at now without emphasising the neglect of successive CLP governments. I do acknowledge that the Leader of the Opposition has taken great pains to rebadge the CLP, her CLP opposition, as separate and distinct from the poor form of the previous CLP governments, particularly when it comes to dealing with indigenous disadvantage.
There was clearly an opportunity at self-government to make a difference, but the CLP chose not to. They chose the path of populism and cultural division. They focused on those aspects that distinguished Territorians from one another, rather than those aspects that make us unique and special in unity. Basically, it came down to a conga line of successive CLP governments neglecting a significant proportion of our Territory population. In a sentence, they let down our indigenous Territorians.
When Labor came to government in 2001, the first major issue we had to tackle was the financial mess and economic disintegration that previous CLP governments had left as their legacy to Territorians. Our economy was on its knees, if you remember. Let us not forget that. This is the environment in which the Martin Labor government found itself in 2001. We were acutely aware of the deplorable gap between the basic living standards of indigenous and non-indigenous Territorians. However, we needed the federal Coalition government to acknowledge the unacceptable situation in indigenous living standards in the Territory, and get serious back then and begin to help the Territory government. Instead, they chose to pay only lip service to this chronic situation.
If you want to know why, you only need to look at the federal political agenda of the day. Like the CLP, they were also in the mode of cultural divisiveness. Let us not forget the Tampa children overboard fiasco, and the continued overt questioning of the loyalty of Australians who follow the Muslim faith, or those of Middle Eastern descent.
I would like to go over our achievements since 2001. The Martin Labor government has not just come to the sudden revelation that chronic indigenous disadvantage needed addressing. This government has already undertaken considerable initiatives within its fiscal capacity, and I stress that. We had a black hole as far as economic disintegration had occurred, and now we were in the situation of trying to also address the gap in indigenous disadvantage. We took that role on, we took it seriously.
Let me touch on some of our achievements since 2001. In the area of education, we have employed 110 additional teaching positions, above formula and aimed directly at the bush regions. The Martin Labor government has brought proper secondary education to the bush, and the first students graduated with the NTCE in their own community in 2003, and that was Kalkarindji. Since then, new secondary schools have been built in Wadeye, Minyerri, Kalkarindji, Maningrida, Shepherdson College and Papunya, and they should be noted. In addition to these schools, secondary education has now rolled out to a further 22 schools across the remote Northern Territory. This government has also implemented the majority of the Learning Lessons recommendations. In fact 85% have been implemented.
The Territory government has introduced partnership agreements aimed at getting children into school. Yirrkala was the first, incidentally, in late 2003. This government has rebuilt the distance education service to provide greater delivery of eduction and teacher support in the bush. We have also changed the staffing formula to ensure it reflects the needs of remote indigenous communities.
In respect of jobs, we have introduced an Indigenous Employment Strategy in the public sector. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of indigenous public servants. In 2001, there were approximately 700; today, there are over 1100. That is a 64% increase. This is due to focusing training policies at indigenous training as part of the Jobs Plans.
In the area of health, the Martin Labor government has provided 318 new nurses since we came to office. We have substantially increased resources to Health and Community Services, up 75% since 2001, with 60% of funding being used for indigenous purposes. I am very proud of the fact that this government has increased the life expectancy of indigenous women by three years to 58 years. There are indigenous Territory women who would not be here today if it was not for the effort that this government has put in. The indigenous mortality rate has fallen by a massive 36%. An expanded kidney dialysis program has been delivered to the regions and remote areas; for example, at Tennant Creek. The Martin Labor government has spent $2.2m per year to employ 25 child health staff, including nurses and Aboriginal community workers. This government has introduced a $500 000 free rotovirus vaccination program for all infants.
In the area of housing, the Martin Labor government has built 1063 houses for remote indigenous Territorians. We have added $100m to existing expenditure under all other agreements. We have reversed the previous CLP administration’s decision not to provide local recruits with housing. This government’s recruits will receive government employee housing.
In the area of community safety, we have increased police numbers by 200. We have substantially increased resources, up 65%, for police where 58% of funds are used for indigenous purposes. Most of that money goes towards indigenous purposes. We have implemented the specialist teams and task forces, such as the sexual assault team and the child abuse task force. We have implemented significant new legislation to give the police and justice system the tools to tackle antisocial behaviour, including drug courts and alcohol courts, drug house legislation, dry area legislation and private premises legislation.
The Martin Labor government has put into place an Alcohol Framework. We are progressively putting in place local area alcohol management plans that have been successful in reducing the scourge caused by alcohol abuse. I will give you a couple of examples. Groote Eylandt has seen a drop of around 70% in crime and antisocial behaviour. At Alice Springs, the most recent figures show there are clearly recorded drops in alcohol usage. The Martin Labor government was the first Territory government since self-government to tackle alcohol abuse with serious intent.
I am proud that we have begun a comprehensive reform of local government throughout the Territory to provide a significant boost to the services provided to remote communities.
It is, therefore, patently mischievous and incorrect to suggest that the Labor government has stood by and done nothing. Through this Territory government’s commitment, despite our fiscal limitations, we have been able to lever some dollars out of the federal government, but their efforts have been tokenistic at best; that is, until the most recent and very public federal intervention.
I would like now to talk about what the Labor Martin government is doing to close the gap. The Martin Labor government has not forgotten its commitment to indigenous Territorians. This government has continually taken the lead. Let us not forget that it was a Martin Labor government which took the first steps by commissioning Rex Wild and Pat Anderson to investigate and report on child abuse, and to specifically identify the issues that needed addressing. As a result of that report, the federal government has decided that it is politically expedient in the lead-up to a federal election to suddenly awaken to what has been happening for at least the past 40 years and what the Territory Labor has been crying out for since self-government.
Putting that aside, my concerns, and in particular my concerns with the manner and timing of the federal intervention, I welcome the belated interest and associated financial commitment by the federal government now that it has finally decided to get serious. The Martin Labor government can finally do what it has always wanted to do and use our Closing the Gap program to lever Commonwealth monies into addressing the concerns of Rex Wild and Pat Anderson in their report and their recommendations, and even go much further.
I would like to take a couple of moments to talk about Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage because it is a generational plan of action. It contains a vision and objectives for the future social and economic wellbeing of indigenous Territorians for the next five, 10 and 20 years. It also identifies priority areas for action in the next five years. Not only does the Northern Territory government support the messages and recommendations of the inquiry, it goes further in addressing additional areas which need to be addressed if we are to overcome indigenous disadvantage.
The government has committed $286.43m over five years to implement Closing the Gap. This includes: $79.36m for child protection; $38.61m to implement the remote area policing strategy, community justice and other safety measures; $10.11m for alcohol and drug management; $23.4m to achieve better health outcomes; $42.32m for housing in indigenous communities; $70.68m towards education; $13m to improve indigenous employment and economic development; and $8.95m towards better cross-cultural understanding and engagement in service delivery.
The package includes 223 positions: one Children’s Commissioner; 10 child protection workers; 37 additional specialist Family and Children’s Services staff; 40 police, particularly in the remote policing strategy as part of the child abuse task force; four specialist alcohol and rehabilitation workers; 26 family violence support workers; 10 school counsellors; 10 community corrections officers; 47 teachers and assistant teachers for remote schools and pre-schools; three specialist Department of Employment, Education and Training staff; two court clinicians; one witness assistance officer; eight alcohol compliance inspectors; one Aboriginal and Islander education coordinator; and 23 specialist FACS staff for the child abuse task force.
I return to the assertion by the Leader of the Opposition, who went to great pains to claim her rebadged CLP opposition as separate and distinct from the poor form of previous CLP governments, particularly when it comes to dealing with indigenous disadvantage. Based on the Leader of the Opposition’s attack on the Wild/Anderson report during her reply to the statement, her version of the CLP is clearly the same creature in opposition as it was in government.
The Leader of the Opposition is damned by her own words when she says her version of the CLP is now different and more compassionate, yet she shows her lack of compassion by attacking the very report which tried to get to the heart of the issue of child sexual abuse. I cannot recall hearing the words ‘engagement with indigenous Territorians’ in her speech.
As an aside, I join the member for Millner in calling on the Leader of the Opposition to table the Annie Cossins report. After all, it was the basis of her criticism of the Little Children are Sacred report. I call on the Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of members on this side of the House, to table the Annie Cossins report because it was the basis of her argument. Without being able to look at that, we can’t test the veracity of what she said.
Madam Speaker, I contend that this Leader of the Opposition’s version of the CLP is still not serious about the wellbeing of our indigenous Territorians. I wonder whether her CLP colleagues share her lack of compassion. They need to clearly state, independently, whether they support their leader’s statement of lack of compassion and angst or whether they can differentiate themselves from her stance and show some compassion. That is the challenge I put to CLP members. Based on what I have seen, they have formed their own, albeit short, conga line and I am not really impressed.
Mrs Braham: Conga line?
Mr WARREN: That is exactly right. A conga line of lack of compassion and angst, typical of the CLP in years gone by, and not much has changed.
The Leader of the Opposition and her team has not seriously entered into the spirit of what our parliament is debating here this week. This is a very serious issue indeed. She seems to be disengaged and in denial mode. Her shadow ministry has had two days to respond to the Chief Minister’s statement. Some things don’t change and I contend that the CLP leopard has not change its spots. Heaven help indigenous Territorians if the CLP under their current leader ever comes back to government.
Madam Speaker, I commend the Chief Minister and the Martin Labor government for such an appropriate response to such an important issue.
Debate adjourned.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Sport and Recreation
Sport and Recreation
Mr VATSKALIS (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, the Sport and Recreation portfolio continues to deliver opportunities for all Territorians to participate in sport and recreation activities both in urban and remote areas of the Territory. The health, education and justice related benefits derived from encouraging participation in sport and recreation amongst all Territorians is well known, and the Northern Territory government continues to work with sports and the broader community to optimise the benefits that these activities bring to the overall wellbeing of our community.
The construction and maintenance of sporting facilities in the Territory remains a cornerstone of this government’s commitment to ensuring that all Territorians are provided with opportunities to participate and access all sport at all levels.
In the 2006-07 Budget, our government delivered on its election commitment to the Palmerston community with the opening of the Palmerston Recreation Centre. This fantastic facility, now owned by the Palmerston City Council, provides a contemporary, multiuse recreation facility which should benefit all residents and sporting organisations in the Palmerston region.
We are all aware that the Darwin Football Stadium was also recently completed and thus fulfilled another important election commitment of this government. It was used for the first time during the Arafura Games and then officially opened on 28 July. It was fitting that this opening could be marked by the first ever pre-season A League game between Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory. That commitment cost this government $78 000 and, as you will agree, it was money well spent.
In the current budget, we have allocated $4.8m for the construction of an outdoor netball centre at Marrara, which will go to tender before the end of this year.
These initiatives are a strong demonstration of this government’s commitment to provide local sports with quality venues and to provide national and international elite athletes with excellent venues to consider for their training and match play needs. In addition, we are committed to ensuring that all existing government facilities are maintained at an acceptable level, and funding of $920 000 will be provided in 2007-08 for the repairs and maintenance of government-owned sporting facilities. This is on top of an allocation of $0.5m for the Stage 3 upgrade of Hidden Valley Raceway.
Grassroots sporting groups are one of the top priorities. This year, $6.1m is available through the Sport and Recreation Grant funding program and, once again, will assist many organisations. This program provides much needed support to many organisations, and I am proud to say that this will continue through the provision of variety of grants to peak sporting and local governing bodies as well as grassroots organisations. Fundamentally, this provides funds to increase their capacity to provide regular activity for a wide cross-section of Territorians.
This funding also assists with the development of sporting organisations. It establishes best practice management and increased opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities.
I am committed more than ever to increase opportunities for Territorians to participate in physical activities and develop a level of interest in sport by providing opportunities to see performances by elite athletes. This is achieved through attracting national and international sporting events to the Territory. During this and last year, Territorians were able to see events such as:
National Rugby League game played in Darwin between the Penrith Panthers and the Newcastle Knights in February 2007, with Alice Springs due to have an ARL game played during the 2008 season;
This year, $610 000 has been provided to continue the financial and administrative support for national and international sporting fixtures in the Territory.
Funding of $3.9m has been allocated to the Northern Territory Institute of Sport, which is a key partner in the sport and recreation sector through its identification, development and support of the Territory’s talented and elite athletes. It provides high quality service and support to aspiring athletes and their coaches to optimise opportunities to achieve at the highest level in sport and in life.
The Northern Territory Institute of Sport offers support to athletes through Individual Scholarship Programs and through the following squad programs: Australian Football League; cricket; hockey; Australian Rugby League; Australian Rugby Union; netball; tennis; weightlifting; cycling; and ten pin bowling.
It is my intention to promote the services of NTIS and the wonderful international standard facilities we have to international and national sporting bodies. The promotion of our services and facilities at this level will offer a new gateway for the Northern Territory to become competitive in the international and national sporting scene. We have a nationally recognised acclimatisation centre at the NTIS, with staff who are at the peak of their profession. This facility will be promoted to enable the rest of Australia and other countries to make use of these great facilities and services.
I personally wrote to the Socceroos last year, proposing that they use our acclimatisation facilities at the NTIS prior to the Asian Games. Unfortunately, they declined and the results are well known to everyone. On the other hand, when Melbourne Victory came to play for the opening of the stadium and saw our facilities, they were absolutely thrilled. They advised us that they will have a look at their draw, and if they are drawn to play against a South-East Asian team, they will certainly come to Darwin to make use of our facilities. Then, when they play in places like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, they will be prepared for the adverse climatic conditions in those countries.
It is also clear that the work that the NTIS undertakes with local athletes is paying dividends. Just last week, local NTIS netballer Jessica Moller was named in the Australian Schoolgirls team. This follows on from the selection of Kim Bruyn in the same team in 2006. I note that the Australian Sports Commission has named no less than 14 NT hockey players in this year’s Talent Identification Development Program. These players are Desmond Abbott, Dwayne Abbott, Cameron Abbott, Joel Carroll, Travis Carroll, Jonathan Peris, Emily Peris, Brooke Peris, Candice Liddy, Simone Liddy, Amy Porter and Jodie Brown. They join a growing number of NTIS athletes who have been recognised nationally and, indeed, internationally.
I also note that in less than two weeks, NTIS athlete and 2006 Sports Person of the Year, Crystal Attenborough, will be running for Australia in the 4 x 100 m relay at the World Athletic Championships being held in Japan. These are wonderful achievements from a small, but hard working, dedicated group of people at the NTIS.
My portfolio of Sport and Recreation provides a great service for the whole of the Northern Territory through the provision of training services to improve or educate people in subjects such as indigenous sport, coaching, volunteer management, sponsorship and fundraising, strategic planning, disability education and much more.
At present, 40 communities are employing Community Sport and Recreation Officers through the Local Governing Bodies Grant program. In turn, Community Sport and Recreation Officers are provided support by the department’s Indigenous Sport Program officers. The Indigenous Sports Program is an Australian government-funded initiative. I would like to state that the Northern Territory government provides significant in-kind and financial support, and is very aware of the outstanding job that these officers do in such remote locations. Sport and Recreation Officers ensure that remote communities are able to access funds to upgrade or construct sporting facilities through the Capital Grants program.
The successful delivery of quality sport and recreation in the Northern Territory is no easy achievement. However, understanding community needs and being aware of the benefits that the delivery of sport and recreation can provide to the Northern Territory community is an opportunity that we take on with enthusiasm and dedication.
In conclusion, it is not only providing these sporting and recreational opportunities for the Territory, but sport and recreation can provide many benefits to the Territory: the creation of jobs through tourism. What is the relation between sport and recreation and tourism? Every two years, we have the Arafura Games, one of the biggest events in South-East Asia where thousands of athletes come to Darwin to participate, and thousands of other people accompany the athletes. Many of these people will return to their countries and become ambassadors for the Territory.
A typical example was this year when the Paralympians participated in the Arafura Games, and the comments we received about the quality of the games and, in general, the quality of living in the city, and the opportunities in Darwin and the Territory in general, were incredible. People who have never been to Darwin were amazed that such a small city can host such an incredible, quality event. As a matter of fact, the Olympic Committee members from China were in Darwin, and they said at the dinner we gave in their honour that what they found in Darwin was unbelievable and they were taking back to Beijing the idea to incorporate community participation in the opening of the event.
If you have seen a video or DVD, or if you were at the opening, or if you were participating in the opening of the Arafura Games, you will know it was a fantastic event. Not only did we have the big helium balloon with the young lady hanging underneath dancing around the stadium, but thousands of Territorians from different walks of life, from different ethnic backgrounds, participated to make 2800 athletes from all over the world welcome to this small corner of Australia called Darwin. That was the incredible part.
Sport and recreation is a very important part of the Territory lifestyle. We have the weather, the facilities and the people. We can go out and do it; and we are going in droves. If you go to Bagot Road and Malak on Sunday mornings, you will see hundreds of young children and their parents taking part in sport - soccer, football, Rugby, or riding a bike - and this is all about sport and recreation. It is not only organised sports; it is about giving an opportunity to young people, to give them a focus to escape the problems and temptations of today’s life.
To give a very good example, I was fortunate enough to coach my son’s soccer team from when he was five years old until the election, when he was 12. The kids who were in that team have stayed together. They are still together; they go to school together. None of these kids have gone astray. We gave them a focus. We told them how to play in a team situation. They followed that advice and will follow that example for the rest of their lives.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Assembly take note of the statement.
Mr CONLAN (Greatorex): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement. I concur with him about how important sport and recreation is to all Territorians. I know how much he appreciates sport. He is a soccer fan, and I know he is dedicated to the portfolio. It is a great portfolio to have. I can only imagine what it would be like to have it as a minister. As a shadow minister, it is great to have.
As we know, the Territory has produced world-class athletes, and we have some of the best facilities in the world. Sport in the Northern Territory, whether it is played at an elite competitive level or a more recreational level on weekends to blow off a bit of steam, is a defining part of what makes up the Northern Territory, from juniors right through to our local Masters, highlighted, of course, through the Alice Springs Masters Games. In fact, the types of sport on offer in the Northern Territory highlight just how important it is to all Territorians.
It is good to hear the continued success of the Northern Territory Institute of Sport achievements of Jessica Moller and Kim Bruyn, both representing Australia. The minister highlighted a few names of more success stories through the Northern Territory Institute of Sport.
I am pleased to hear that the minister is continuing to promote sport right throughout the Northern Territory community, something the Country Liberal Party did well when they were in government. I am pleased that this government continues to build on some of that sporting infrastructure and has added new sporting infrastructure in Northern Territory. There are areas of improvement of course and, as a result of the sheer numbers of people who participate in all levels of sport, our facilities are always pushed to their limits, as the minister would know very well. This is a challenge for this government and I hope that the minister will continue to grow sport and invest in sporting infrastructure, facilities and the development of sports in all parts of the Northern Territory.
The initiative shown by this government, and the Country Liberal Party, for the Finke Desert Race, the Alice Springs Masters Games, the V8 Supercars in Darwin, the Arafura Games, which are a fantastic success – they just seem to get bigger and better, as do the Alice Springs Masters Games - the NRL and AFL games into the centres of Darwin and Alice Springs, the national basketball, and international cricket into Darwin, as highlighted by the minister. These are examples of the dedication that Territorians have towards their sport. The minister outlined funding for various initiatives in his statement.
I was concerned though, that there was not a lot of mention in the statement about sport in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek or Katherine. They are all big, strong sporting communities of the Northern Territory and again, parts of the Northern Territory that have produced elite athletes and have some fantastic sporting facilities. We can always do with more. I would like to see some more of a commitment to those regions.
In my own home of Alice Springs, sport could well be the backbone of the community with so many people involved in all levels of sport. Whether it is participating, or in an official capacity as an umpire or a coach, or just mums and dads, sport touches just about every person in that community, as it does in the smaller communities of the Northern Territory and indeed, in Darwin, of course. The minister has not outlined any funding initiatives for those sporting towns and I hope that he will do so.
The Alice Springs Golf Club is a great example. It is one of the top five desert courses in the world. I would like to see that marketed by Sport and Recreation to the national and international golfing community. It is a stunning course set in the MacDonnell Ranges. It is expensive to maintain the course, particularly watering. I would like to see some funding channelled into the Alice Springs Golf Club to put it on a stage for the national and international golfing community. It is flanked by the five star hotels of Alice Springs so the opportunities there are perfect.
I am heartened to see that this government has committed to being passionate about sport, as was the former CLP government. It is a great portfolio to have, and we know that Territorians love their sport.
Madam Speaker, I can only say with the extra money that this government has, I hope they will continue to support local sport as well as attracting other national games such as cricket and the minister’s favourite, soccer, and rugby league and union games. It would be great to see a rugby union game in the Northern Territory.
I thank the minister for his statement today because it has given me a chance to concentrate on this portfolio for the first time, as this is my first week of sittings. I hope the minister continues to focus on service delivery rather than the image that goes with sport.
Mrs BRAHAM (Braitling): Madam Speaker, the minister for cheques - isn’t that what they call him?
Mr Vatskalis: That was Nick Dondas.
Mrs BRAHAM: It would have to be the best portfolio you could possibly have because you go around giving people such good tidings. As the member for Greatorex said, we hope it flows on to other areas of the Territory, not just Darwin.
One of the things that the minister neglected is the input of volunteers within our sporting bodies. They just would not function without that huge group of volunteers who front up every week to their particular sport. When we go to many of the sporting venues, you see committee people, umpires, people who help with sports medicine, you name it. We have to say a huge thank you to the large group of volunteers who every week help sports within the Territory. Without them, sport just would not occur.
We have a special request of the minister in respect of Alice Springs. I know he has opened some wonderful facilities in Darwin, but he has been lobbied for a multipurpose sport facility for Alice Springs. This has come about particularly from the gymnastics association. At the moment they do not have a home in Alice. They utilise different venues, but every time they want to do something, they have to set up and set down all the equipment. They are asking for a multipurpose sports facility. The gymnastics association has a number of successful programs in Alice. Centralian Senior Secondary College has 148 gymnasts. That are many young kids involved in gymnastics and they have often done very well at the nationals. A Kinder-gym program operates from the YMCA and at the moment has 23 children. It has only been operating for one term this year, but I know it would capture more of our very young gymnasts if they had a venue that was already set up.
The gymnasium is not always available during the day so the gymnastics association has to rely on the good will of the different facilities within the town. The proposed facility would not be just for gymnastics; it would also be for table tennis. It could also be available for schools coming into town and it could provide activities for other schools to use. All in all, it could be a hub to promote healthy sports, healthy living.
I know meetings have occurred. So far, I don’t think the Alice Springs Town Council has come totally on board financially. I know they have a financial problem, but it would be good if the minister takes note of the application and gives it serious support. We need a good location, a decent sized facility and a management committee. Minister, I am sure you have received this request for a multipurpose sports facility in Alice Springs. You have some in Darwin. If you can possibly oblige, that would be great.
There are so many different things going on in Alice that people do not realise what they all are. I am not just talking about netball, which has hundreds of young and not-so-young people turning up every Saturday. I am not talking about soccer that enjoys huge support within the town, or the football through CAFL. There is the tennis club. What about some of the little ones that people don’t know about?
They include the Alice Springs Cycling Club. Thanks to the Office of Sport and Recreation, they were able to secure a small grant over the past two years for them. They have purchased junior track bicycles and a refrigerated water cooler. That might seem strange, but when you are riding in the heat of Central Australia you really need to have that refrigerated water cooler. They have a number of junior cyclists and every Wednesday, teacher Mandy Hargraves from ANZAC Hill takes out a group of students from the different schools to learn how to ride on these bikes. When I was out there last week, she was teaching the group how the bike is held and how you position yourself on the bike to get the best possible start. The kids love going around the velodrome on these beautiful bikes that are purpose built. That little program has captured so many young people whom we hope will eventually take up cycling because it is a fantastic sport.
We have a wonderful facility in Alice Springs. Not everyone knows that we have a velodrome. It is an excellent facility and I know that it is being used quite successfully. Thank you to Mandy Hargraves, the President of the Alice Springs Cycling Club, for the work she does with those young students. If you are down there on a Wednesday afternoon during school time, please pop in and have a look. The official cycling season has not started yet, but it soon will.
Another program is with the Sporting Shooters Association. Every Wednesday, Robert Kittle takes Year 9 students from the OLSH Sadadeen Campus. They have been attending the club ranges for the past 18 months, and the kids love going out and learning how to handle a firearm and how to use it properly. We also have some students from St Phillips College. The rifle training with these schools has been ongoing. The kids’ enthusiasm is obviously passed on to other students at their schools. They attend regularly every week.
The Sporting Shooters club provides the range officers and they usually have four to five coaches attending to the training of the students. The range officers provide all the information, training and details with regard to the club rules, regulations and safe handling associated with the rifles. Each range officer conducts this training on a one-to-one basis with a student to teach them how to sight, aim and what have you. The students are always keen to learn, and with good training provided by these volunteers, it is resulting in some very good scoring shots from these students. The club has purchased six rifles for students’ use and is looking to purchase more.
I have mentioned this to the minister many times: we need to change the regulations so that people can come to the club and have a go, and we need to get young people involved. This is one way of doing it in a very structured, educative manner. We need to pass on our thanks to Robert Kittle and all the volunteers from the Alice Springs Sporting Shooters Association. Without the volunteers this just would not happen. I should mention one young fellow by the name of Ben Kittle, who has done very well with his shooting. I will come back to him.
The Clontarf program has been mentioned many times in the House and is doing really great things for young footballers in the town. We also have at Centralian College what we call the Gateways Program, and I have mentioned this before. It is for Year 11 and 12 students in Alice Springs, indigenous and non-indigenous. It is designed to increase retention and attendance for students who are most at risk, in providing a very good, supportive learning environment for them. Most of these students will, hopefully, stay on and complete their Year 12. It really has been a remarkable success, so much so that they have received a federal Award for Excellence in Indigenous Education.
The young students, there are 19 of them, with five from Yirara, are going to Melbourne. They are going to visit all sorts of places like the zoo, the aquarium, and Phillip Island, and the highlight of their trip will be attending an AFL match and touring the MCG. We capture that love of football for young students in Alice Springs because we know that it is a way to get them to stay at school. We have a number of young students from Alice Springs who were involved in the Under 18 NT Thunder squad. They have done very well. I know the member for Stuart’s son, Joshua, is one, and the member for Stuart is very proud of him because it is also giving him the incentive to stay at school, and that is a great way to do it.
When we are talking about education, you can do what the federal government is doing in saying: ‘We are going to quarantine your welfare payments if you do not send your kids to school’, or you can do the other thing that happens so often in our schools: you can reward those who do go to school. You have heard of the ‘No school, no pool’ which operates freely. Ali Curung had ‘No school, no recreational activities after school’. There are many ways you encourage young students to stay. At Drum Atweme, the rule is ‘No practice, no school, then you do not get the benefit of going to any of these functions to play’, and this is good.
I wanted to tell you about young Ben Kittle. At 16 years of age, Ben lined up to compete in the Northern Territory 2007 Shotgun State Title Championships over a long weekend. Ben was awarded the title Northern Territory Top Junior High Gun, which means he got the top score for juniors, and has been selected to compete with the Northern Territory team in the open competition in Wagga. At the NT titles, Ben competed in the junior shotgun competition against five other juniors, all under 18 years of age, and he took out the competition with very good scores. He was very excited about doing this because Ben has, in fact, had some health problems and this is a great reward for him. He has competed in seven events over the three-day long weekend. We have this young shooter who has been training in shooting shotgun for only three years, which is a very short time for that particular sport, at a local Alice Springs club. That is a great achievement, and we wish Ben all the best so that he continues with his sport. I hope he continues to achieve top scores.
I have strayed a little from the minister’s statement. He talked about Sport and Recreation Officers in communities. One of the most successful places with Sport and Recreation Officers has been at Docker River. They have not just one Sport and Recreation Officer; they have two, a male and a female. That combination of having a male and a female has worked extremely well for Docker River because the two gender groups can do their own thing without distraction or competing for the officer’s time.
If the minister is putting Sport and Recreation Officers into communities, let us talk about having male and female role models for them, rather than just have the one, so that they can cater for all the young people. It has proven very successful. Sometimes I worry; I hate to think that we are not going to continue to funding Sport and Recreation Officers in the bush communities. They provide tremendous after-school activities and incentives for young people and promote healthy lifestyle.
In respect of Alice Springs Golf Club, yes, they have a huge cost to keep their lawns green. It is a power cost, and I do not know whether the minister can do anything for them. They have their own bores and they pump water onto the greens, but the cost of power runs into thousands of dollars. If they can be helped to alleviate some of that cost, that would be great because it is a big burden for the golf club to cover.
As I said, you have to be lucky to have the Sport and Recreation portfolio. It has to be one of the best that any minister could have because it is the good news story for the Territory. I ask the minister to think seriously about our multipurpose facility in Alice Springs. I ask him to keep making sure that our footballers get a fair go when you are choosing representatives for the Under 18 side for Thunder. I notice the minister over there grinning. I think he knows why I am saying that. I hope he continues to support all those young people who want to represent their sport right across the Territory. Now and again we have to give that extra plug for Alice Springs because we do feel sometimes that we miss out.
Mr NATT (Mines and Energy): Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the minister’s statement on the benefits of sport and recreation in the Northern Territory.
As this House knows, I come from a sports administration background and have, until recently, always been actively involved in sport in one way or another. My administrative roles luckily did not confine me to the one sport in which I was employed. I had dealings with many administrators and this interchange provided an extremely good insight into the sports and the development, commitment and background to which they extended in ensuring their programs and training services are encouraged and maintained. It is interesting to note nearly all sports have something in common in one way or another. I am pleased to say that in most cases, all sporting bodies within the Northern Territory work closely together to ensure a sharing process is established and there is no cutting across anyone’s bows to cause undue hardship.
The minister has outlined the strong commitment this government makes to sport and recreation in the Northern Territory. The importance of this support can be seen and felt across many sectors of the community. I guess the most important facet of this support is the grants for peak sporting bodies, local government bodies and grassroots organisations. In excess of $6m is budgeted for this program and this distribution enables many sporting and recreational bodies to maintain the administrative and financial support that is vitally needed to ensure that activities are appropriately programmed and maintained.
In many cases, some of the smaller organisations would find it extremely difficult to survive on the minimal financial support of its supporters, sponsors and participants. For one reason or another, this financial support is difficult to obtain and it appears that, as costs continue to grow across the board, so it is increasingly more difficult to maintain the appropriate measures and opportunities within many sporting and recreational organisations. The higher profile sports and activities are extremely lucky to be supported by their peak bodies. I am aware of the wonderful contribution the AFL makes to Australian Rules in the Northern Territory. This contribution enables the sport to flourish and grow as well as provide tangible benefits for other organisations, be it health, education or police via its development and promotion activities.
Many of the smaller profile sports do not have this luxury. They have to battle with the larger organisations with strong followings for the same sponsorship dollar in many cases. As is the most common outcome, the sponsor will follow or become involved with the sport that will provide the best outcomes and exposure for their dollar. Consequently, the smaller profile sports miss out and therefore desperately rely on grant monies to ensure they continue to survive.
Another benefit of grant dollars is participation. If the sport or activity has not been adequately supported financially, its administrative processes fall by the wayside and the sport unduly suffers. We all know that participation has many benefits for our community. The health benefits cannot be underestimated and the camaraderie and education aspects of the sports are a wonderful community tool for all involved.
One of the largest tangible benefits of the grants process is the maintenance and construction industry. As we are aware, nearly all sporting and recreational organisations have some form of facility they use to undertake their activities. We have seen in recent times the construction of the new football stadium at Marrara and the wonderful Palmerston Recreational Centre in my electorate of Drysdale. Upgrades have been undertaken on the surface of TIO Stadium in recent years, Alice Springs has a new grandstand at Traeger Park and Hidden Valley Raceway is constantly upgraded, to name but a few.
Coupled with this expenditure on new and budgeted items is the annual government facilities maintenance funding. It is imperative that our sporting stadiums, grounds and courts are maintained to a high standard, ensuring that we have every possibility of securing high profile national and international events in the Northern Territory.
While talking about high standard events, who can forget the work that has been undertaken by the government with peak sporting bodies and their club administrators to ensure elite sporting events? Gone are the days when the Northern Territory, and more particularly Darwin and Alice Springs, was classed as a backwater breeding ground for sports. In recent times, our athletes have proved they have equal ability with the nation’s best in their chosen sport. These talented individuals have, in one way or other, opened the door, which was previously ajar, wide.
This has been highlighted by the endeavours of the AFL to take their sport national. AFL competition games are now played in all states and territories of Australia. I use this sport as an example only because of my background, and I do not wish to take kudos from others sports that are promoting their activities in the Territory. I have no doubt that the AFL interest in the Northern Territory has been promoted and highlighted by the players who have emanated from the NT into AFL ranks and clubs. This contingent of players has created another element of interest and skill into the game, and we can thank players like Maurice Rioli, David Kantilla, Michael McLean, Nathan Buckley, Andrew McLeod and our wonderful ambassador for the AFL in the Northern Territory, Michael Long. I have named just a few of an extremely long list of players who have donned an AFL jumper, but I feel it is the ground work of all of these players in the sport that has highlighted the interest of the Northern Territory in all AFL administrators. This is the case in many other sports.
There are many flow-on benefits from having a peak body’s support, not just the financial advantages. The professionalism of sporting administrators is enhanced when teams and peak bodies visit. The interchange of ideas and initiatives assists our administrators with the day-to-day running of their sport, which is supported by the fact that they know assistance is at the end of the phone if it is required.
Other areas of administration to take advantage of these visits include marketing aspects of the sport. Marketing sport is becoming increasingly more demanding, and if successful, it can pave the way to successful exposure in the public eye. The educational aspects of all realms of the sport are also enhanced. Coaches have the ability to interact with their peers who are coaching at the elite level. Again, the interchange of ideas, skill drills, fitness training and tactics take place, which is ultimately passed onto their players and that boosts the standard of competition.
Players not only benefit from their coach’s increased knowledge of the game, they, too, get to attend coaching and training sessions to assist with their knowledge of the game. This, too, has flow-on benefits for the standard of competition.
Two important aspects of sport which are often forgotten are the referee or umpire and the sports trainer. To have individuals involved at an elite level providing feedback on the latest rule changes and strapping techniques is imperative. For the safety and wellbeing of competitors, these two fields of endeavour play an important role within any sport and enhance and support the competition and the athletes.
Having elite sport played in the Northern Territory also provides inspiration and hope for many of our aspiring sports people. To watch a sport played at elite level and then meet and greet the athletes adds another dimension to a player’s or fan’s belief. It is not often that people from the Northern Territory travel south to witness an elite game of their choice, so it is imperative that this government continues to bring elite competitions to the Northern Territory.
We have been lucky over the years to witness some great sport. Who can forget international cricket when it first came to Darwin a couple of years ago? More recently, we have had A Series matches between Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan in July last year. Women’s cricket has come to the fore. This year, we had the Rose Bowl between Australia and New Zealand played in Darwin last month. The National Basketball League has convened games in Darwin and it is fantastic to see the Perth Wildcats establish Darwin as their home. This year, they played the Cairns Taipans in February. It was a great night of fun and frivolity and there is fantastic crowd participation.
The National Rugby League has followed the AFL to Darwin and Alice Springs. This year, we had a game in Darwin between Penrith Panthers and the Newcastle Knights, and next year it will revert to Alice Springs. It is terrific to see that Alice Springs is brought into the fold.
From my side of the fence with AFL football, who can forget the Indigenous All Stars games? They started in the early 1990s and were rejuvenated a couple of years ago when they played Carlton up here. More recently, the All Stars played Essendon in February this year. Again on the AFL front, we have two AFL premiership matches at TIO stadium. We had the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide play in August last year, and Western Bulldogs played Fremantle this year. We thank the Western Bulldogs for establishing Darwin as their home base and using the Northern Territory for home ground advantage. When teams travel up from interstate to play the Bulldogs here, they are in for an extremely hard match.
Also involved with the AFL package are the NAB Cup games. This year, we had a quarter-final match between Geelong and Port Adelaide. I will not go too much into that because Port Adelaide lost that one. We also had loser’s games in Alice Springs. It is great to see that they are having AFL exposure. In the couple of games that we have had down there, we had crowds of nearly 10 000 people, which shows that nearly half of Alice Springs rolls out to see a quality fixture.
The Australian Tennis Titles for junior men and women has been played in Darwin for the last couple of years. The Northern Territory has had a very competitive team in the Australian Hockey League competitions. The Pearls and the Stingers have performed extremely well and are improving each year, and I am sure in the next couple of years, they will be a force. Australian Netball scheduled a Commonwealth Bank Cup match here this year. It was one of their first games. The exposure of some of these national teams to Northern Territory people has been fantastic.
Let us not forget the Arafura Games, with competitors from around the world participating in Darwin. The athletics, soccer, Sepak Takraw, which I went to one night, which is a fascinating game to see, badminton, squash and the list goes on. It is a great competition. Something I should mention is the disabled athletes. On a couple of occasions at the Arafura Games, I witnessed the athletics and the disabled athletes were involved. It was fantastic to see them pushing through all the barriers to gain a gold medal. It is great to see that we have support for them.
Alice Springs has the Masters Games and that sees a huge influx of competitors as well as spectators into Alice Springs every couple of years. So the money is well spent and it supports all of those sports, and it is great to see.
One organisation within the Northern Territory Sport and Recreation department which plays an integral role with many sports in the Northern Territory is the Northern Territory Institute of Sport. Nearly $4m is budgeted annually for the Institute, which plays a key role in nearly all sports and recreational activities in the Northern Territory, both in Darwin and the southern regional office in Alice Springs. The quality and service it provides to our representative teams, aspiring athletes and coaches is second to none. It has been recognised nationally and internationally by many sporting codes to the point where many of these codes are now utilising their services.
Again, through my previous role, I had several dealings with the staff of the institute, both as an administrator and as a father. The institute is gifted with some remarkably talented and professional staff. The expertise, services and resources of the centre enable focused delivery of programs designed to enhance athletic and coaching performances. Its interaction with the Australian institutes and academies of sports enables them to provide development programs and training regimes second to none.
One interesting factor of the institute’s program is that there is a focus on youth; 90% of athletes are under the age of 19. This enables young athletes who have huge potential, to work through their various stages of development to achieve a high level.
It is amazing how much sporting and recreational activities have advanced over the years. I am sure this advancement has been enhanced by the exposure of the sports through various media. Obviously, television has exposed and driven many sports and its competitors to greater heights and, of course, live attendances support this exposure. With this exposure comes increased interest by the competitors in the sport to improve their performance in order to achieve their aims. In most cases, the athlete’s talent will not solely get him or her through to the required standard of participation. This is where the institute plays an extremely important role. Various programs have been implemented at the institute to ensure the athletes achieve their ultimate goals. Obviously, all programs are highly managed between the athlete and the institute’s sport science members, while overseen by institute coaches.
Professional coaching programs have been developed, and I understand there are about 10 sports currently in the institute’s program. These programs take in all aspects of the skills and fitness training and are coupled with sports psychology and performance analysis, each having specific coordinators at the institute.
The day-to-day health and wellbeing of the athletes is adequately catered for with nutritional advice from private practice dieticians, sports medical assistance and physiotherapy services from qualified staff at the institute. The field of sport psychology and the education required to enhance an athlete’s career is a specialist field covered by a qualified sports psychologist. Sports psychology focuses on the mental skills for performance enhancement, such as goal setting, motivation, relaxation and competition preparation. The programs are very specific and tailored to suit individual needs, with an emphasis on contemporary-based training. Personal counselling is also covered by the sports psychologist.
All of the staff at the institute, from the managers down to the sports scientists and coaches, are highly professional individuals with a focus on assisting our talented sports men and women. I congratulate them on their performances, and the dedication of our budding athletes in the Northern Territory. I thank the government for their support of the Northern Territory Institute of Sport.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I could go on about my passion, but time is against me. I thank the minister for his statement. In closing, I must add that this government has driven sport and recreation to greater success since coming to government six years ago. I congratulate the minister for carrying on this tradition.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Mr Deputy Speaker, in responding to the Minister for Sport and Recreation’s statement, I agree with everyone else: this is the best portfolio there is. I bet you have a line up of people who want to take that portfolio …
Mr McAdam: You can’t have Local Government.
Mrs MILLER: Aside from Local Government, Sport and Recreation definitely is the most exciting one. There are not too many bad stories that come out of watching sport. Of course, with obesity now recognised as being a major problem, especially for young people, sport and recreational activities are to be encouraged as much as possible, and not only just for the young people, but for more mature and older people. There are different types of activities which suit most people.
One of the advantages of living in the Northern Territory is that sport and recreational activities are encouraged because we have such fabulous weather most of the year, and we do not usually have to play our sport in rain and extremely cold conditions as they have to down south. It is more conducive to sport and recreation in the conditions we have in the Territory.
There are many sporting activities available throughout the Territory and the minister highlighted some of those in his statement. Other speakers have talked about what was important to them. I want to highlight what is happening with many young boys, mainly indigenous, who are playing AFL in Katherine. I give a lot of credit to Paul Ah Mat from the Arnhem Crows, and to Fred Murphy and Lindsay Turner who have worked hard with the Under 17 lads for some time. In the three or four years I have been involved with them, the commitment has not changed. They have worked continuously to promote AFL to these young people. I take my hat off to them.
It is really quite an exciting weekend for a lot of these young players because this weekend, and I think the member for Nelson is reading about it now, a lot of these young Katherine region footballers will have the opportunity of a lifetime when they play in front of about 50 000 fans this Saturday in a curtain-raiser for Collingwood versus the Sydney Swans on Saturday at the MCG. The boys will be playing a multicultural side, which is a great opportunity for them to meet people of different cultures. It is thanks to the support of the Collingwood Football Club and the federal government that the boys can now realise their dream. They are aged between 14 and 17 and play football in the local AFL Katherine Under 17 competition, which is made up of five teams. I have to say that most of these young boys that I watch, because I really do enjoy AFL, are either in the member for Arnhem’s electorate, or the member for Stuart’s electorate. Some are in the member for Daly’s electorate, too. It is really good that they come into Katherine as their regional centre.
The five teams are the Minyerri Tigers, the Ngukurr Bulldogs, the Vic River Hawks, the Arnhem Crows and the Katherine Cannons. After each game is played, the teams come together and sit down under a tree and listen to positive messages about life and how playing football is only a stepping stone to the big world. It is a credit to Fred Murphy because Fred teaches these young people about the value of sport and about their leadership roles. These boys were chosen for the Melbourne trip with pretty strict selection criteria, which included 80% or over school attendance, no drinking alcohol or smoking, volunteering in the community and the school, and good behaviour at school and in the community. It was great to see that there were so many boys who met the criteria. Unfortunately, only 22 of them could be chosen, but the others will be rewarded because they did achieve a great result.
The AFL Katherine Under 17 committee believes that giving boys the opportunity to play football and learn more about life is an important part of what they are trying to do for the communities around Katherine. While in Melbourne, the boys will today visit the zoo. They are going to play a game at Trinity Grammar School and train at the Lexus Centre, which is home of the Collingwood Football Club.
Mr Hampton: Hear, hear!
Mrs MILLER: Not me, but good on them! Yes, you are, member for Stuart. Your teams here would be very proud to hear that. It is a fantastic opportunity. Today there was a photo on the back page of the NT News that highlights a photo of Damian Williams. At 13, he happens to be the youngest member going, with Michael Joshua and Liam Carusi. These guys are fairly excited. I watched them have a scratch match on Saturday and it was good to see healthy, fit young men really putting their all into the game. It was a great day. Congratulations to Paul Ah Mat, Fred and Lindsay for what they do with those young people.
One of the special things about the way that AFL is run in Katherine is that there is no alcohol allowed at the grounds. That has made for a much better environment for the sport. There are more people going to watch. At one stage, attendances fell away dramatically. There are still not as many people there as we would like to see support these young fellows because, as you can imagine, many of the community young people who come in do not have family to support them. The local lads who play, the Katherine Crows, certainly have locals who can support them. It would be really good to see some sponsorship from some organisations which would go towards sponsoring the Katherine AFL.
Guernseys are provided for these young lads, but it is always a scratch around to try to get some funding for them and it is really quite difficult. We are trying to send a message to them about not drinking grog, so we certainly don’t want to have alcohol there. It was a bold and brave initiative for Katherine. They have paid for it financially and they should not have to do that.
One of the biggest challenges to face sport, especially in regional areas, is distance and competing at a higher level. We have many very talented sports people who live in regional areas who have to travel long distances at great expense to be able to compete. That is a detractor for them. I know that some families have moved interstate from Katherine so that their children can train further in swimming because it is just too difficult with the distance. I don’t know how we are going to overcome that or if there is any suggestions the minister could make.
One of the clubs it is affecting this year is the Katherine Judo Club, which has the highest standards and the biggest bags of medals from competing at national titles. Each time they compete, they come home with medals. It is just fantastic but it costs their parents an enormous amount of money. They are looking for some support. The Katherine Judo Club has paid a lot money out for these kids to achieve their success.
Baseball in Katherine has been revived. I hope you do not have the photo of me pitching the first ball. It was not that great. I made sure that all the spectators were cleared off to the left and took cover for their sunglasses and their hats because I wasn’t quite sure where this overarm was going to go.
Mr Natt: Curve ball?
Mrs MILLER: No, the curve wasn’t good, I can assure you. It was a direct throw out to the right, but it was good fun. It is really good to see the baseball diamond well and truly in use again. When I went out for the weekend carnival, games were played between Alice Springs, Palmerston and Katherine. The really good thing about this sport was that this was addressing age groups from teens to the more mature person playing baseball. That was really good to see. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is great environment; great scenery and location and it is certainly good to see baseball back in Katherine.
I heard the member for Braitling talk about the golf course in Alice Springs. It is an absolutely beautiful golf course. I still have the plan, but I remember a few years ago that a proposal was put to me to have a golfing tour of the Northern Territory visiting the very diverse golf courses throughout the Territory, starting in Darwin because it is hotter and we would have the beautiful green golf courses here, down to Katherine, which is a lovely golf course, and then go to Elliott where they have an entirely different but still good golf course, go onto Tennant Creek and play golf and then they were going to go out near Harts Range somewhere – is that at Gem Tree?
A member: Yes.
Mrs MILLER: Right, so they would go there and they would have a lot of pebbles, I would imagine, but that is an entirely different game of golf. They would end up on one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world, and that’s Alice Springs. It would be a golf tour of the Northern Territory.
Mr Wood: Did you include Elliott?
Mrs MILLER: Yes, we did.
Mr Wood: Pussycat Flats?
Mrs MILLER: Yes, we could include all of these different golf courses to make it exciting. With The Ghan, you could include the train trip and a golf tour of the Northern Territory. It would be a very interesting one to promote and I believe we should all try it, just to see if it would work.
There are plenty of opportunities in the Northern Territory for all age groups to participate in sport. I am a great supporter of all sporting activities, and it does not matter at what age. As I have said before, some of the seniors in Katherine took part in aquarobics yesterday morning and we had a couple of them do climbing, which I thought was very brave of them. So there is something for everyone. I thank the minister for his statement, and if you ever get tired of the portfolio, I am sure I could give you a hand any time.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Deputy Speaker, I concur that it is one of the best portfolios, but I reckon Primary Industry goes close. You would get around and see people in the Northern Territory being very productive. The only thing I would say is that it is a very small statement compared with some of things we have had rattled past us lately.
Mr Vatskalis: There is a reason for that.
Mr WOOD: There is a reason for that so we can expand on it for you. I will try to do that.
I have not yet spoken on the Closing the Gap statement. It did raise in my mind that there is one gap that has not been closed, and that is the focus on sport as a means of closing the gap and improving health. That is an area you could expand on.
We travel around the Territory occasionally as the Sport and Youth Committee, and my own travels, and from what you see in the newspaper, if there is one area that many indigenous people excel in, it has to be sport. The problem is that there are only going to be so many indigenous people who will reach the elite level, yet there are many others who love their sport. Most of those people are living in remote areas of the Northern Territory.
I visited Canteen Creek, which is a very small community, but they are fanatical Blues supporters. They have a piece of gravel they play on. There is not one blade of grass. They have a little truck which has the Canteen Creek Blues, which is where the commentary box is and that is it. What that says to people is that, no matter what the facilities are, these people just love their football. In the context of Closing the Gap, there should be a fairly strong emphasis on improving facilities at these communities. I did not see what you could call very flash facilities at many of these communities. As I said, the Canteen Creek oval is a piece of the desert. I went to Alpurrurulam, and its oval was not much different from the Canteen Creek one. They did not have a blade of grass. They were lucky; there were two ovals at Alpurrurulam. They must have a lot of people there. They play their Aussie Rules competition in Mt Isa.
The government, in this statement, talked about the very noticeable side of sport in the Northern Territory: the new Darwin Football Stadium, the new Palmerston City Council and Palmerston Recreation Centre, and the netball stadium you are about to build. You talked about the NTIS. You talked about some of the great events that have occurred in the Territory, and they are terrific. All sorts of sport have come to the Territory – Aussie Rules, cricket, Rugby League, women’s cricket, and that is all fantastic. We also have, as the member for Drysdale said, the Arafura Games and the Masters Games.
However, we have to start looking at putting more of that money into those communities. If we are really to change things, we have to have a combination of employment, better housing, education, and sport can be very much a part of that.
To have good sports people, you need good diet; you need to be fit. You learn team work and discipline and leadership, which is one of the key things we need in the communities these days. Sport, as we know, can be used for education. You only have to look at the Clontarf School in Alice Springs as one example of how sport is now being used to help people with education.
Recently, I spoke to a family in the rural area, and I helped to sponsor one young bloke to go to Rostrevor College in South Australia. He has just won a sport scholarship there. It is similar to Clontarf, but it does not just associate itself with AFL, but with sport in general. It has the same approach, but has a broader outlook on what sport the child takes up.
I have heard of sport now being used in schools. Sport before the kids come to school; sport when kids are at school; and sport when kids have left school. It is important. If we are to take the Chief Minister’s Closing the Gap statement seriously, we need to focus on sport. I do not want people to think I am a sport fanatic, but you cannot deny indigenous people love their sport or we would not have that young lady from Bathurst Island in the NT News and on the ABC news last night. She can kick better than I ever kicked and she is a natural sportsperson. It is great to see that happening and there is an opportunity for us to pick up on these natural abilities and the popularity of sport in many of the communities, and use that as part of the way of improving health, education, introducing leadership and confidence, which is what happens when people start to achieve.
Recently, the Parks School competition was held at Fred’s Pass for soccer, or football, and there were hundreds of kids who came from everywhere. Parks is a big region and includes Borroloola, Humpty Doo and Howard Springs. The Borroloola girls won their section in the Parks group. They were fantastic. The Parks competition pits children from places such as Borroloola against kids from the rural area who are a little less formal than city kids. Those kids mixed well together. It was good for the kids in the rural area to play soccer against the girls from Borroloola, and vice versa, and everyone got on very well.
You could see straight away that when we put opportunities before these young people such as the Borroloola girls, they run with it and are excellent. I saw the curtain raiser before the Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory match, and the Borroloola team was there. If you ask me which match I enjoyed the most, it was the Borroloola match because it was attacking. They did not go backwards very often; they were there to try to kick goals. They had plenty of skill and it was a great game. They played it with a sense of enjoyment. They wanted to win, even though they were 10-0 at half-time, they came back and it was 10-4 or 10-5. They did not give up, and everyone enjoyed it.
Minister, I believe, whilst you have the best portfolio, you have a unique opportunity in this Closing the Gap program. It is something that should have been in this document. I cannot find much in this document about it, and it should have been. You might be able to take it back to the boss and say as part of what you are trying to do in education, health and employment, you should be ensuring that sport is a key factor in this.
The other issue, of course, is boredom. When I talk about Closing the Gap next week, one of the key factors in people getting into trouble, sexual abuse, breaking and entering, vandalism, all that sort of stuff, is about boredom. It is not a modern thing that if you are bored, you will get into trouble. I have forgotten the proverb or the phrase about idle hands.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Idle hands do the devil’s work.
Mr WOOD: That’s right, do the devil’s work. It is as pertinent today as whenever it was written. We need to pick up on the facilities. I know the facilities are not up to scratch in those areas. I know that many of our recreation officers are not paid a lot of money unless the council picks it up. Unless there is a place for them to stay, it is very hard for recreation officers to live on a relatively small wage. They must have assistance from somewhere else, otherwise it is very hard to hold those people. They do not get a lot of money to go with that to spend on the running costs of providing those facilities.
In our travelling around or maybe even through the department’s people travelling round, we need a really good audit, and it may have already been done, of exactly what facilities are on the ground, what state they are in, how much money it would take to bring them up to scratch and, if it requires federal government money, that would be something I would be talking to Mal Brough about. It is an important part of what we are trying to achieve. That is a constructive suggestion and I hope the minister will take it on board.
I am very lucky. The rural area of the Litchfield Shire is well endowed with sporting facilities. There is no doubt about that. After being out to some of the facilities I have seen lately, and then come back to Freds Pass, we are blessed. We have plenty of water. We have ovals for cricket, soccer, Rugby League and Rugby Union. We have grounds for polocrosse. We have places for equestrian, we have dressage, pony club and show-jumping. We have training of dogs. We have archery. I’d better make sure I do not forget anyone else at Freds Pass. We have rural athletics. They are all very important parts of our community. In the debates about local government and those sorts of issues, we must not forget that those sporting groups are very much part of the identity of my area and of the identities of other members’ places.
There are many parents who help out and many volunteers. The member for Braitling spoke about volunteers, and they must be the hardest people to come by these days. You see people working year in, year out in a sporting group and when they decide they have had enough and don’t want to be the secretary any more because they have been doing it for 10 years, you go to a meeting and can you get someone to put their hand up? Not easy. We have to look at ways of helping get more volunteers. Perhaps the government should have a year of the volunteer and try to promote and help clubs get volunteers. It is very hard in the rural area because people have to travel long distances. Even getting kids to play sport is not that easy. Freds Pass is a hive of activity on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All these kids have to come by bus or by someone dropping them there. When I say bus, they happen to get off the school bus on the way. It is not that easy to get to Freds Pass, but the place is just chokkers with kids and young adults playing sport and practising at night.
We now have a cricket club that has been able, through raising money, to put lights on the nets. They can practice cricket until as late as they want. Most workers get home about 5.30 pm or 6 pm in the rural area. In the Dry Season, half and hour and that would be it. That was about the only practice they could get. Now, with the help of local people in the club and people donating equipment, they have a fully-lit cricket net system with the bowling machine and that is showing in the cricket ladder for A grade, in the championship trophy, where Southern Districts is on top. So if you have the facilities, you get the results.
We have more than Freds Pass. We have lawn bowls at Humpty Doo, we have shooting and we have Mickett Creek which is in Litchfield Shire, all those facilities, plus we have got TEPSL which is in the southern part of the shire. We have aquarobics, believe it or not. We don’t have a swimming pool, but they use the caravan park swimming pool. The Darwin Rally Association often uses facilities in the Litchfield Shire. We have the Police Youth Club. People forget that is in the Litchfield Shire. They have judo and gymnastics and we have other gymnastics groups operating within Litchfield as well.
We are well endowed with sporting facilities. People sometimes say to me: ‘My kids have nothing to do’ and I say they you are living in dream world because if they make the effort, there are plenty of things for people to do. You even have sport in the pub. There is eight ball and darts, which is all part of a mix. We are lucky.
Of course, Southern Districts Football Club, which unfortunately had the recent tragedy with a number of its players killed on the road near Geraldton, has been remarkably successful in producing AFL players. Nathan Buckley is one of many who have come out of that club. It is a good club, but it relies on so many people to help.
I should raise the issue of a swimming pool. I know it is controversial and I am not going to hammer the pros and cons of what happened in the past. It is an issue that is controversial within the community. There are those who say they don’t want it because it will cost a lot of money in rates. Recently I was in Tennant Creek and I asked the people who ran the pool how much is it going to cost. It is a big cost. On the other side, there are people who think it is great for swimming competitions. Even though the government has said it is not on the radar at the moment, perhaps it is something we need to look at in the future. One of the problems in the beginning was that the money was allocated according to election cycles. There was not any discussion with the council. The other side, the other party, said the same thing. There was no sitting down with the council and saying …
Ms Scrymgour: The feds have done a good job of that.
Mr WOOD: You wouldn’t know, but anyway.
Ms Scrymgour: They do! The feds do it all the time. They are the ones who pork barrelled this.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Arafura!
Ms Scrymgour: I am sorry.
Mr WOOD: The facts are it was used as an election promise on both sides of the political spectrum at that time, and there was no discussion with the council.
Forget all the politics after that. All I am saying is, minister, maybe there is an opportunity in a couple of years’ time to talk to the council about a moderate pool at Freds Pass where it could be used for training and aquarobics. Minister, we are building a shed that you helped donate to us. We are building another shed which will be used for indoor sports and that is all sand blasted and ready to erect. If you combine that with some of those facilities – and I know pools do not make money on their own; they have to have something else to keep them going - there may be an opportunity to look at that. I have looked at the Goldfish Bowl, for instance, at Palmerston, where they have swimming lessons and aquarobics. It is a good place for people who have muscle problems because you can have it heated. There is an opportunity there for the new council to look at. I would not be asking for any money from the government and I would not be asking the council to put money up, but there may be an opportunity to get together, look at all the costs, the feasibility and go from there. There has been a lot of hype and politics. We should put that aside.
I would like to see facilities grow in the Litchfield Shire. I would like to make sure that those facilities do not cost rate payers a vast sum of money to maintain. I visited Katherine pool some years ago when Litchfield was looking at a pool, which was before all this happened. Katherine Town Council funds that pool quite considerably to keep it open. Not many people use it in the Dry Season. YMCA help run it, but I think they fund it for $70 000 a year just to keep it open. It is something worth keeping on the radar. It will not happen for a while, but perhaps with time and sitting down with the council and government, looking at a proper feasibility study, it may be worth looking at. That does not mean it will happen, but at least it gets the politics out of the way and allows us to look at the real figures. If it could be done, it would be another great asset for Litchfield Shire along with all the other facilities at Freds Pass. It would be of benefit to everyone. First, we have to look at the cost.
I thank the minister for his statement. I reiterate that we need to focus on using sport as a means of closing the gap. It has so many benefits. We know that Aboriginal people enjoy sports immensely. We know they are very good at it. It is a way of helping to change what is happening. It is not the only thing; it has to be in conjunction with many other things, but it is certainly a very important part of trying to make all Territorians have equal life expectancy, equal opportunity for jobs so that everyone enjoys living and lives a wholesome life.
Mr VATSKALIS (Sport and Recreation): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I thank all the members for their contributions. I know members believe that the sports portfolio is one of the best if not the best portfolio. You are always welcome when you give out cheques. Equally, there are decisions to make. Who is getting the money, how much, where do they go, why them and not us, why did he get a bit more than us? Of course, when you have sports organisations run by volunteers, inevitably you have disputes, and people in dispute try to drag the minister into resolving the dispute without realising that the minister cannot resolve their disputes. Other people inside the organisation have to resolve these disputes.
It is an excellent portfolio. It gives me personal satisfaction not because I give out cheques, but because the focus of the portfolio is on young people, to give them skills, teach them to play in a team situation and provide discipline. I enjoy it very much. My ancestors said: ‘Healthy minds need healthy bodies’. That is absolutely the truth. That is why I encourage everybody wherever I go to get their kids involved in sports. There are too many temptations called DVDs, computers, and computer games which keep kids inside occupied for hours. From my own experience, sometimes I have to turn the computer off before my son will go out in the garden and play basketball. When he goes out and starts playing, he does not want to stop, but the problem is getting them out.
I am committed to supporting sports throughout the Territory, from Darwin to Alice Springs, from Borroloola to Timber Creek. That is why we are providing all this facility money to different communities. For example, $45 000 for Gapuwiyak to organise their sporting facilities; Tennant Creek Town Council, $500 000 for the Perkins Reserve; the upgrade of the Bulman Oval, $35 000, $1m to Katherine Town Council to repair infrastructure that was damaged by the floods; $125 000 to the Katherine Town Council to repair and upgrade netball courts damaged by the floods; $500 000 to upgrade the Ross Park facilities for junior soccer; and Canteen Creek, $100 000 to upgrade facilities and build a sports centre. In Alice Springs there is $8m for an aquatic centre; and $5m for Traeger Park, the most recent addition was the Ted Hayes scoreboard that was repaired and renamed. For Kulgera drag strip there is $1m for a quarter mile drag strip which will now attract not only national, but international races.
Sport and recreation is very important. Member for Nelson, I point out that in my speech about bridging the gap supporting the Territory Chief Minister’s statement, I said it is widely acknowledged that participation in sport and physical activity promotes healthy lifestyles, achieves better health and educational outcomes, and promotes positive social cohesion. That is why we are putting in $10.5m over the next five years. What we are doing is significant and important. Territorians are sports crazy. As I said, if you go out during the week after work, people are walking, riding their bicycles, playing tennis, playing bowls. If you go out on the weekend, you see exactly the same.
Because we are sport crazy and get such high standard sports, we have young up and coming athletes participating in national level sports, and I do not mean the AFL only. There are tennis players. Natasha Puatjimi is a very good example, and I mentioned her during Question Time today. We have young kids 16, 17, 18 years old who leave Darwin to play with AFL teams down south, or in soccer teams down south. It is important for us that we maintain the legacy of young people coming out of a small jurisdiction like the Territory and becoming household names in AFL or other sports.
My personal commitment is to promote sport, and not only sports I like such as soccer. It does not matter if I am not a fanatic about Rugby League or Rugby Union. Many people love it, and the more people we attract to the Northern Territory to play international Rugby League or Rugby Union, the better for us. We are too far away and many people do not have the ability or the time to drive or fly down south to watch Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL, a soccer game or a basketball game. It is easier and better for us to bring them up here. Every time we bring a national team up here, the game is very well patronised, be it basketball, Rugby League or Rugby Union.
I want to bring sports back to the suburbs. We have all these parks in the different suburbs which are empty, day in day out. We can utilise them more effectively and bring the neighbourhood kids back to the park, the same way we did when we were growing up, be it here or down south or in other countries. The only thing we needed was an empty block of land and a ball, and we had an international game. Today, after 6 pm, kids are locked in. They do not go out or do anything. We can bring the kids and families out to the parks. For example, we gave $400 000 to Darwin City Council to install lights at Nakara Oval, not for soccer, but for everyone to enjoy after hours. After all, it is too hot during the day and people enjoy going out after hours to play. We will continue with these kinds of activities.
I thank everyone for their contributions. It is a great portfolio, and it has given me the opportunity to go to different events and enjoy different sports. It has also given me the opportunity to invite people to the Territory. The moment they come, they are very impressed.
After the recent soccer game we had with the opening of the stadium, the Melbourne Victory players spoke to Charlie King at the ABC. They said that they had played at the Telstra Superdrome, and then they came to Darwin and had a look at the stadium, and the surface of the Darwin soccer stadium leaves the Superdrome for dead. We have the facilities and the weather; we can exploit and utilise them. I intend to do that.
Motion agreed to; statement noted.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
August is a very special month, Seniors Month. In fact, I am officially a senior since in April; I crossed my 50th year Rubicon. Someone had the idea of sending me a Seniors Card in the mail, which I duly filed for future reference.
Now is a time we should let the special seniors in our life and community know how much they mean to us by doing something special for them. There is a comprehensive seniors calendar of events covering all activities from water aerobics to social events, to encourage our senior Territorians to stay active, keep fit, try adventure and to meet new people. There is something for everyone, whether you live in Darwin rural, Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek or Alice Springs.
Once again this year, I had the pleasure of inviting a very special group of seniors to morning tea at Parliament House, the Darwin Legacy widows. This lovely group of ladies, headed by Nola, Norma and Heather, visit my electorate office every month for their committee meetings. I was delighted to host the ladies to a lovely morning tea in the Members and Guests Lounge, and we shared some interesting conversation over a cup of tea or coffee. I look forward to seeing them again next year.
I would like to keep you updated with the development progress of the new suburb of Lyons. With my colleague, Paul Henderson, the member for Wanguri, I attended the official opening of the new Lyons neighbourhood centre on Thursday, 12 July 2007, which marked the completion of the centre. The opening was attended by many local and interstate visitors, and many people recognised the key role the Northern Territory government, local authorities, businesses and general community have played in assisting the project reach this important milestone. There were beautiful Larrakia paintings on the wall, and the Kenbi Dancers entertained all the guests.
The neighbourhood centre is located in Garanmanuk Park, which is Larrakia for ‘grandmother’, and that will become the recreation and community hub of Lyons. It contains a fantastic children’s playground with lots of play equipment, two community rooms, kitchen facilities and amenities which will all add to the civic identify of Lyons. Initially, the centre will be used as the Lyons sales office, with rooms available for community use, and it will eventually be available for use by local community groups and the Darwin City Council.
It is always a pleasure to visit the schools in my electorate. The dedication of the teachers is reflected in the hard working, well-mannered students whom I have grown to know over the years. Each school is different in its approach to the school year, but the end result always bears the fruit of their labour and consistency.
The Dripstone High School will be changing its name to Dripstone Middle School as of next year to reflect the change of becoming a middle school. Dripstone High School has been hosting students from Kibi Cho Junior High School in Japan for 10 days. The students participate in education and tourist activities. They were billeted with local families within the Dripstone School community. The exchange between Kibi Cho Junior High and Dripstone High has been in place for over 10 years and, once again, a group of Dripstone students will be returning the visit to Japan in September and October.
Congratulations to 15 Year 8 students from Dripstone who recently volunteered to participate in the international competition and assessment for schools science tests, gaining fantastic results. Well done to Jack Campbell with a high distinction; Jack Cooper, distinction; Phillip McIntyre, distinction; Michelle Fisher, credit; Michael Vatskalis, credit; and Jayde Walding, credit.
Dripstone is one of six schools that participated in the Energy Blitz project, which is one of the focuses for the Year 8 middle-year program. The Energy Blitz project involves students investigating energy issues, energy use and its relationship to the greenhouse effect, and making real changes to their homes and school to save energy.
I congratulate one of my constituents, Ms Simone Liddy, a talented lady. Simone was recently named the National NAIDOC Youth of the Year for 2007. She received the award for her continued academic achievement, athletic prowess, and commitment to mentoring and supporting indigenous students. Simone is currently a third year Bachelor of Pharmacy student at Charles Darwin University. She plays hockey and has represented the Northern Territory with the Territory Pearls and co-captained the under-21 team this year. Simone, you have made us proud. I wish you all the best for the future.
A few days ago, I was saddened, as was my family, that a long-term Territorian and good friend, one of the first people we met when we arrived in Darwin in 1983, Ms Remil Kaye, passed away recently in Falcon, Western Australia.
Remil Kaye was born in Sydney on 22 May 1927. Her parents were Eileen and James Murphy, and her father was a merchant ship doctor who travelled the world with his profession. His family travelled with him, and Remil, along with siblings Jim and Clare, grew up all over the world. One of the most interesting memories she had, and she described it to us vividly, was her visit to pre-war Germany, and she remembered the Black Shirts marching down the street.
Remil was born with a deformed backbone and brittle bones, and the diagnosis was that she would not grow up past 15 years of age. She spent many years in hospital, encased in plaster, however, her determination and swimming ensured the doctors were proven wrong.
Remil married Maurice Kaye. She was about five foot nothing; Maurice was about six foot something, so they were a very matching pair. They married in 1959, and came to Darwin in the early 1960s for a short period, living in the Wood Street flats. I recall she told us they drove to Darwin in a Peugeot 203. Maurie worked for the government.
They returned for a brief period to Sydney and their daughter, Kim, was born there in 1965. They returned to Darwin in the late 1960s. Maurie was still working for the government with the Education Department. Initially, they lived in Larrakeyah near the old Darwin Hospital, but later they bought a house in Thornton Crescent, Moil. They went through the Cyclone Tracy experience; however, this did not deter them from living in the Territory. Their house was totally destroyed, but they rebuilt it and lived there for many years. After all, it was a place they loved.
Maurie passed away suddenly in 1980 and Remil was forced to go back to work after 20-odd years of not being in the workforce. She took on a position as tea lady in the Northern Territory Electricity Commission, and then went on to work on the switchboard. Kim was a teenager then, studying at St John’s College and Remil continued working to support her.
A few years later, Remil suffered two bouts of cancer and, because of brittle bones, a broken femur and a few small breaks in her wrist and her arm, but she still soldiered on. Remil sold the Moil house as it became too much work and bought a unit in Nation Crescent, Nightcliff.
She went on to do charity work for the Guide Dogs and a few other charities. She was a member of the Darwin Club and a Life Member of the Darwin Trailer Boat Club where she often loved to go. Many people in Darwin knew Remil. After all, she had been in the Territory since the early 1960s and she was an active member in the social life of the town.
We met her when we bought our first house in Coconut Grove. She was our next door neighbour. Actually, we met her the very first day we moved to our new house. She came around with a bottle of red wine to welcome us to the neighbourhood. I have to tell you after a whole day of unpacking, it was a great pleasure for someone to come along to offer us a drink.
The more we got to know Remil, the more we loved her. We spent many nights together listening to her endless entertaining stories about her life and experiences around the world and in Darwin. She really did have an interesting life. We formed a very strong relationship, and many times we spent Friday or Saturday afternoons either at our place or at her place enjoying dinner - she used to cook a great paella - talking or drinking red wine.
Remil was an early riser, and she was the first person I would say good morning to every day. Our son Alexander, then three years old, had grown up without any grandparents and he used to call her Nanna Remil, something that amused her a lot, but I know she really liked it. Some of the stories she told us were really funny, but also showed what a strong and realistic person she was. Here are some of her stories.
She always recalled the days after Cyclone Tracy, having sheltered under the house and survived, they had to live on tinned food that was stored in the pantry. Unfortunately, the rain had caused all labels to fall off. She would open the first can with a flourish and announce, after a quick look in the tin: ‘For dinner, we have rice cream and for dessert’ looking in the second tin, ‘tuna!’
Pre-cyclone, she was also an avid gardener and her garden was always colour coordinated. After the cyclone, she did not bother any more with colour coordination. She also wore all her jewellery and used her best dishes all the time because you never knew when you could lose it all.
We moved out of our house in Coconut Grove in 1995, but we kept in touch and we continued to have a few afternoons together in our new house or Sunday afternoons down at the Nightcliff foreshore. In 1993, she became grandmother to Corey. She was there for the birth and formed a special bond with her grandson. I remember her joy about her new grandson and how proud she was when she was showing us photos of the baby. I also remember how she looked after him in her small unit. I recall watching her running behind him, trying to stop him doing what little boys do best: run all over the place.
In 1998, she became grandmother of Karlee who tested her patience, but she loved her dearly. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her daughter and grandkids moved to WA in 1999. Remil was distraught but she still soldiered on as her love for Darwin was too great for her move to the southern states.
In December 2005, she had a stroke and her health forced her to move. She missed her home of Darwin and longed to go back. Remil passed away peacefully with her family in Mandurah on 8 August 2007.
Her daughter, Kim, will bring her mother back to Darwin to be with her beloved Maurice and to be laid to rest in Darwin, a place that she said was the only place that felt like home. She was much loved by many people in Darwin, particularly by her friends and neighbours in Coconut Grove: Patric and son, Liam, who used to call her Gremil, Grandma Remil, myself and Margaret, Alexander and Michael. Remil, we will miss your stories, particularly the ones you told us after the two drink rats had appeared, your love and friendship, and most of all the great times we had together for many years. Dearest Remil, may you rest in peace.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to report on a little trip I did in the second week of July. Each year I try, where possible, to take a trip into other parts of the Territory to educate myself about where people live and what they do for a living. This year, I went down to the Barkly. My original purpose was to see the Davenport National Park and to visit a couple of cattle stations and Aboriginal communities.
I was travelling through a couple of areas which were of interest to me so on the first day, I travelled to Renner Springs and stayed overnight, and the next morning, I visited Muckaty Station, a name which sounds political alarm bells around this parliament occasionally. As you all know, it has been nominated as a site for a radioactive waste facility so I thought I would have a look at the site.
I went to Muckaty Station, which I arranged beforehand. There is a pastoral property which sits within Muckaty Station itself. It does not cover the entire Aboriginal lease. Muckaty is run by a gentleman called Ray Aylett who is certainly a bit of a salt-of-the-earth bloke. He knows his cattle and that. He lives on a station that looks like my back verandah sometimes, but it is what you can call a working station. There are fencing materials and drums and all sorts of things, but the friendliest fellow you would ever meet. I had a great cup of tea with him on a very cold morning and we discussed some of the issues about the area. He is not directly involved in the matter of the radioactive waste site; that is a matter for the traditional owners who live on Muckaty Station.
He employs two young Aboriginal lads from Elliott, Brendan and Thomas, and he said they were great workers and very reliable. They go down at the end of the weekend, stay for the week and then went back to Elliott. One of their great joys, of course, is playing football for the Elliott Hawks, so they could not miss out on that.
I had a look at the site. I had a map which showed me the exact place. It is certainly a long way from anywhere. I am happy to show people photographs of the site. Of course, it is only nominated. It would have to go through a fairly stringent environmental impact statement by the Commonwealth. At least now I know where people are talking about putting it.
Muckaty Station is not far from Bootu Creek Mine, which is a place I have wanted to visit. As you know, the rail now takes manganese from Bootu Creek Mine and it is now offloaded at the port, so it was worth visiting. It is a big mine. The funny thing is you drive out there, you think you are in the middle of nowhere, and you open the door and the first person to greet you when you open the door is someone from Howard Springs. It is amazing where people work in the Northern Territory. Often you find people who know you. In fact, I met another gentleman there who said: ‘You were the president of the Litchfield Shire. We had problems with our road once’ and so we talked about local government issues. He was pretty cheerful; he knew I was not on the council any longer. In many ways, the friendliness of people, even though they are mining out there in the middle of nowhere, is one of the reasons it is great to be in the Territory.
Bootu Creek is a very important mine. It sends manganese to China. It is a very interesting place. They have to take about 32 m of overburden off the top of the manganese before they can start mining it, so it is no cheap job trying to remove that top layer of soil and rock before you get there.
I then travelled down through Tennant Creek to the turnoff to Epenarra, which leads you out to the Davenport Ranges. It was getting on for evening. I passed Kurundi Station and stayed at Whistleduck Creek. It is part of what they call the Davenport Ranges. It is a question for the Minister for Parks and Wildlife, but it has been proposed to be a national park since 1993 and it still has not been declared. There are issues in relation to pastoral leases and native title, but it seems a long time for something to have been proposed but not finalised. I went back to Kurundi Station the next day and met the Saint family. It was fortunate, because I had a tyre that had been going down and it went all the way when I got to Kurundi Station. Ben Saint was kind enough to fix the tyre. That meant I had a spare, which is good because it is not the sort of country where you have no spare tyres. The roads are very gravelly. Although they say they are four wheel drive, they are tough on tyres and you do not want to drive like a maniac because you will shred your tyres.
After talking to the people at Kurundi, I went to Old Policeman’s Waterhole, which is another camping site in the Davenport Range. It is a beautiful place, absolutely beautiful. If you want some solitude, a nice quite place, it is the place. It is only has the basics such as a drop toilet and some signage. There is a huge water hole. You could go water skiing on it. I am not recommending that, by the way, but that gives some idea of the size of it. There is quite a bit of wildlife. If you walk around the other side of it, you will find the remains of the police station that was there in the late 1980s, because there were some problem between the Aboriginal people and one of the pastoralists and the miners who used to work in that area.
I headed off to Canteen Creek, which is a place I never knew much about. There, I introduced myself to a couple of people who I had known from a Territory Tidy Town conference held recently, Kathy Gers and her husband. I also met Adrian Mick, who is the president of the association there. I am quite impressed with Canteen Creek. It is a small community which has about 200 people and is quite clean. It was interesting to see a sign that had been sponsored by NAPCAN. I have not written down the Aboriginal name for Canteen Creek. It has a big budgerigar on it and says that this is a place where they care for children. It seemed that, with the intervention occurring, I had come to a town that has a sign saying: ‘We are proud of our town because we care for children’. NAPCAN, as you know, is a group that looks after children. I have taken photographs of it. It certainly gave you a feeling that you were coming to a friendly town, and it certainly was. I had a look around and talked to some of the women at the preschool who were sitting out in the sun, because it is pretty cold on the Barkly at that time of the year. It is a beautiful place to go, but it certainly gets cold. By the way, fuel at Canteen Creek is $1.80 a litre.
I headed back to Epenarra Station, which has a community nearby, and fuel there is $1.90 a litre. It is surprising that the fuel another 50 km or 60 km further into the desert was cheaper than on the cattle station. I wondered about the prices.
I travelled from Epenarra up to the Barkly Highway. There is a track that goes up there. I know the people who manage Epenarra Station; the Lee family, believe that that road is not a public road, but it is a road that many tourists would like to use because it cuts off having to go into Tennant Creek if you are going through that area. It is a really beautiful area. There are many trees and the bushes are flowering at this time because the Barkly had some good rain. If you enjoy native plants and birdlife, the Barkly is alive when that rain comes in and makes the place a picture.
I travelled from Barkly Homestead through to Camooweal, stayed overnight and then went to the Camooweal/Urandangi Road because I had appointments to visit Alpurrurulam, another place I have never been. I was surprised at the size of the town. There are 1000 people who live at Alpurrurulam. It is 15 km just inside the Northern Territory border. I can guarantee the Camooweal/Urandangi Road to Alpurrurulam was probably the worst road I have ever driven in my life. It was a black soil road that had been dug up by trucks after the rain. It was rutted, and you were driving in vast areas where there are absolutely no trees. There is only a black line heading east or west. You know that when you eventually get to the end of it, you will get to some form of civilisation.
Alpurrurulam is a big community next to Lake Nash Station. I gather some years ago it was cut off from Lake Nash Station. It has a very modern local government community council building, a good store, many houses and, of course, it relies on CDEP because of where it is. I gather some of the people in that area also get work from local cattle stations. It is certainly more affiliated with Mt Isa than it is with the Barkly.
If I had to make a point about local government boundaries, one got the impression there that perhaps because of the size of the community, if we were looking at other options with boundaries, Alpurrurulam could nearly have been the centre of a shire. I know the footballers all go to Mt Isa and it is in a part of the Territory that is pretty well isolated from other parts of the Territory.
I travelled from Alpurrurulam through Austral Downs along the Tablelands Highway, which is not the greatest highway at the moment. Some parts of the Tablelands Highway are very broken up and it is in need of repair. It is a beef road and it has been around for a long time but some parts do need repair.
This trip took me out onto the Calvert Road and out towards Nicholson River. I visited the Benmara Station, which is owned by the Holt family, where I stayed overnight. That was interesting in itself because you have a pretty good idea of how families live on cattle stations that are a long, long way from anywhere. Benmara is a station which is not near any major town. They get their supplies from Tennant Creek. When we talk about pastoral properties and local government, and I am not a person who says cattle stations should not be in local government shires, but it is hard to support the idea that they will be serviced by local government. They are so far from anywhere, the cost of fuel running that station must be enormous. They live out there by themselves and they do not visit the main areas very often at all. My feeling is with cattle stations, we should have a flat rate for all cattle stations. That puts them, nearly like a membership fee, into a local government entity and that flat rate is adjusted by the CPI. They do live a long way from anywhere.
To cut this short, I travelled from Benmara Station back through the Carpentaria Highway and up to Ceres Downs. Part of what I was trying to do is find out what people where thinking about local government amalgamation, about the intervention, and learning about where people live in this vast Territory. I travelled to Ceres Downs, which is at Douglas Daly, and had discussions with Sarah Thompson, Ian McBean, and Chris and Marie Muldoon. They are residents of the Douglas Daly area and we discussed a range of issues relating to the amalgamation of the council. I left them to ponder on some of those matters.
It was well worth doing. It took a week. It was a beautiful time of the year to do it. The nights were very cold. Sleeping in the back of the ute, I wanted to make sure there wasn’t too much skin appearing out from under the sleeping bags and blankets, but the country was just beautiful. If you ever get a chance, go down to the Barkly, turn left at the Epenarra Road and you run into some country which is just magic. You don’t always need a four-wheel drive. Take your time and make sure your tyres are in good nick. I am lucky enough to have a ute, which has a slightly higher clearance. You meet some wonderful people, both black and white, and you see some wonderful sights. I have done a PowerPoint presentation for some of the seniors in Howard Springs, and a few people have said to me: ‘Why didn’t you take me along?’ That is the sort of country it is. I thank all those people I met for their hospitality.
Dr BURNS (Johnston): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to mention some of the outstanding achievements of the stars of the Johnston electorate.
Tonight I would like to congratulate Irene O’Meara of Jingili who was recognised for excellence in her Enrolled Nursing (Certificate IV in Community Services) course at the Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Education, Health and Science 2007 Prize Giving Ceremony recently. In a study cited in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, 1996 which explored the meaning of excellence in nursing care, respondents were asked to reflect on practice which enabled a clear understanding of the meanings given to excellence in nursing care. According to these respondents, this means nurses who deliver excellent nursing care, implement nursing in a professional and competent manner, demonstrate an holistic approach to caring, possess certain personal qualities which enhance practice, and relate to patients, families, peers, hospital administrators and community members in a competent and cooperative manner. It was no doubt based on these qualities that Irene was recognised for the Senator for the Northern Territory, Trish Crossin’s Award for Excellence, and it was my pleasure to present it to Irene on behalf of Senator Crossin.
Whilst in her second year of studying and doing practical work at Royal Darwin Hospital, Irene has been raising three children: Mathew, 10; Jason, 7; and Kristine 5. She also ensures husband, Mick, is well cared for, with the usual cooking and cleaning and, of course, consoling him when the Melbourne Demons lose a game, which, unfortunately, has been quite often this season. Never mind, Mick; there is always next season.
I wish Irene all the best, and I am sure members join me, as she continues her course of study.
Sita Rodgers and Shashank Ramakrishna of Casuarina Senior College were recently awarded an Australian Defence Force Academy education award. Congratulations to Sita and Shashank. This award is presented annually to Year 12 students in recognition of outstanding achievement exhibited during the recruiting process for entry into ADFA, the Australian Defence Force Academy. Only 120 of over 1200 applicants Australia-wide are awarded a laptop computer, certificate for the recipient as well as a plaque for the school. These awards are presented on behalf of the Navy, Army or Air Force.
Congratulations also to Jason Vieira of Wagaman who represented the Northern Territory in tennis at the secondary school tennis championships, otherwise known as the Pizzey Cup, held in the Australian Capital Territory in May this year. Jason has played in an event which, in previous years has seen the likes of Wally Masur, Anne and Liz Minter, Mark Woodforde, John Frawley, Richard Fromberg and Patrick Rafter, to mention a few, compete.
The Pizzey Cup has been won by New South Wales on 19 occasions, Queensland 5 times, Victoria and Western Australia twice each and South Australia once. I am sure the Northern Territory team gave a great account of itself, and particularly Jason, who I know is very keen on tennis. His parents are very supportive of his tennis career.
Three Casuarina Senior College students, Carmen Chau, Josh Leslie and Danielle Lede, were selected on their performances at the Northern Territory United Nations Youth Association conference in May to represent the Northern Territory at the national conference of UNYA, which was held in Canberra in July. The conference brought together almost 130 of Australia and New Zealand’s most intelligent and eloquent young people for a week of discussion and debate. They were addressed by some renowned and knowledgeable thinkers, including youth leaders, politicians and university lecturers on various current and relevant topics. This is a fantastic opportunity for our motivated young people, and sincere congratulations to Danielle, Josh and Carmen on their selection to represent the Territory.
Just announced this week were the 2007 Apprentice of the Year Awards as part of the Excellence in Building and Construction Awards. It was fantastic to hear that Alex Wie, also a student at Casuarina Senior College, won the James Bell Award, which is open to first year construction apprentices in any trade. Alex was also nominated for and won the Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award, which recognises that a Year 11 or 12 student, as an Australian school-based apprentice, is not only working up to four days a week, but completing their high school certificate at the same time. Congratulations, Alex. The award was open to any Australian school-based apprentice in the building and construction, electro-technology and plumbing trades.
Also at Casuarina Senior College is Ms Fran Davies. Fran was recently awarded the 2007 Geography Teachers Association of South Australia DD Harris Award for Excellence in Geography Teaching. The award is named after Don Harris, who was involved in teaching and professional development in South Australia for over 60 years. The aim of the award is set out on the nomination form:
- To encourage development of ideas, materials and practice for use in the class room in the teaching of geography and society and the environment.
The award was made at the GTASA conference, Geography: Exploring the World, in June this year where Fran ran a workshop on sustainable futures. Congratulations, Fran.
Also to be congratulated tonight are the children at Moil Primary School who recently participated in the International Competition and Assessments for School. They have been awarded certificates for their academic achievement. The ICAS program assesses knowledge, problem solving and higher order thinking skills in key aspects of mathematics, writing, English, spelling and science. As the list of students at Moil Primary School is too long and far too many to mention tonight, I will mention a few of those awarded a High Distinction or Distinction now, but I will be writing to each student to congratulate them personally on their great achievement.
In the Mathematics assessment, Year 3 students, Jackie Liang achieved a High Distinction, whilst Gajan Packiakumar was awarded a Distinction. In Year 4, Tess Harbeck was awarded a Distinction. In Year 5, Benjamin Carpenter, Helen Carroll, Andrew Harding, Adam Johnston and Mathew O’Meara were also awarded Distinctions. Mathew is Irene and Mick O’Meara’s son, whom I mentioned earlier in this adjournment debate. Year 6 students, William Carroll, Ethan Dilettoso, Kenny Lee, Sau-ching Leung, and Year 7 students, Jethro Dickens and Sam Newbery were also awarded Distinctions.
Turning to Writing, Distinctions went to Helena Frewen-Lord of Year 4 and Adam Johnston of Year 5. In the Science field, High Distinctions went to Grace Fuller and Garwerd Liang of Year 4, and Sam Newbery of Year 7. Well done, Grace, Garwerd and Sam. Certificates of Distinction went to Jackie Liang of Year 3, Andrew Harding and Chloe Wallent of Year 5, William Carroll and Nick Deveril of Year 6, and Warren Collins and Sassikumar Packiakumar of Year 7.
In English and Spelling, English Distinctions went to Nathan Ryan of Year 4, Andrew Harding and Adam Johnston of Year 5, Kenny Lee of Year 6, and Warren Collins and Sam Newbery of Year 7, with Vaanathy Kandiah, also of Year 7, earning a High Distinction. Well done to all of those students.
In Spelling, three students, Helena Frewen-Lord of Year 4, Jethro Dickens and Vaanathy Kandiah, both of Year 7, were awarded High Distinctions, whilst Tess Harbeck of Year 4 and Adam Johnston of Year 5 were awarded Distinctions.
These are great achievements for our young minds, and I congratulate all the boys and girls on their success.
I also congratulate Emma Jackson and Isabella Hodgson of Wagaman Primary School, Damien Jongue of Year 4/5S; Isaac Verity of Year 1W at Moil Primary School; Sarah Harpur from Year 1/2 Hughes, and Emma Ramsay from Year 5/6/7 MacPherson at Jingili Primary School who were all awarded my Quiet Achiever Awards at the end of the second semester. Well done, children. It is great to hear that you are doing great work and that your teachers think so highly of you.
It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Norman Henry Douglas at the age of 74 who lived in Moil from at least 1987. I first met Norm and his partner, Shirley Davies, who is unfortunately now deceased, when I was door knocking over seven years ago. They were such great, friendly people, but down to earth Territorians, told you what they thought, very direct and the salt of the earth. They were the antithesis of each other in some ways, but they had been together a long time. Norm became a wonderful carer for Shirley in her later years, and he was devoted to her, taking her out to Stella Maris, and St Vincent de Paul, and they were both often seen at the Cas Club having a quiet drink on an afternoon. Both Shirley and Norm did great work for Stella Maris and St Vincent de Paul and they will be sadly missed.
Norm was a typical salt of the earth kind of a bloke who said little, did lots and had done a lot in his life. He did not really talk about it. Maybe after he had had a beer or two, you would hear a bit more from Norm about what he had done. He had knocked around the Territory for over 50 years, coming across from Queensland in his early 20s. He had been a jockey, a stockman, working on cattle stations and helping with mustering, a road ganger building Territory roads, a grader driver, a taxi driver, a driving instructor, in fact, a man of all trades, and a great mate to all his friends.
Norm had fantastic stories to tell about his adventures but, as I said, you would need to have a beer with him, although Norm did like a rum and Coke, too. He was a very gentle soul, very quiet, totally unassuming, a kind man who never raised his voice. He never had a harsh word to say about anyone. He will be best remembered in his street for his fried rice, a recipe he picked up from a camp cook, and his mates angled for an invite when Norm was cooking. I will miss seeing Norm walking down the block for his morning paper from the Moil Supermarket and will remember him for the quiet and contented man he was, a real backbone of the Territory. Vale, Norm Douglas.
It is with great appreciation I mention Ken Tinkham of Wagaman who is going on recreation leave, and accumulated long service leave before formally retiring on 4 July 2008 after 26 years of dedicated service to the Northern Territory government. Ken is currently the Chief Financial Officer with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, a position he has held since November 2002. It was during this time that Ken oversaw the financial transition of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure from the previous Department of Transport and Works. Ken’s financial expertise has been greatly appreciated by both the Chief Executive Officer and departmental management.
He was heavily involved with projects such as the implementation of the new Financial Management Act across the whole of government, and introduced the concept of government business divisions. He was a key player when the goods and services tax was introduced in 2000 and implemented in 2001, and he successfully managed the department’s involvement during establishment of a centralised service provider under the government’s Planning for Growth initiative. His ability to manage significant change during these periods has been most appreciated.
Work colleagues speak highly of Ken’s professional and financial expertise. He is applauded for his commitment and dedication to his profession, and the strategic financial advice he has provided during this period. It has been greatly valued. I can say as the minister who appeared before Estimates - and it is a large portfolio, as my colleague, the member for Karama, will attest - Ken was across all the detail. He was so informative and had a wonderful, competent style of a chief financial officer.
I am pleased to say that Ken is planning to stay in the Northern Territory to spend quality time with his family. I take this opportunity to wish him and his family all the best for the future, and an enjoyable retirement. Ken, it is great you are staying in the Territory. Thanks very much for all your work over the years. I know you are going to be greatly missed in the Northern Territory Public Service.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, enough of my adjournment debate tonight about the wonderful seat of Johnston. There are some great kids learning, playing sport, and some great constituents. I remain very proud to be the member for Johnston in this Assembly.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I want to advise the House of some of the events which have occurred in Goyder over the past few weeks.
The Goyder area has again been very active socially this Dry Season. The seniors in our community are always on the go, and are currently busy attending Seniors Month events. The program for the Palmerston and rural areas is very crowded with lunches, morning tea and a sunset cruise. One annual favourite is the ‘come and try’ day at Litchfield Bowls Club. This is a great opportunity for newcomers to learn the game under the wing of more experienced players. There are many prizes, a tasty morning tea, and everyone has an enjoyable day out. A big thank you to Caroline Smolski and the rest of the committee. It was a great day out. The member for Nelson was there and he was involved in the bowls. Unfortunately, I had a couple of other functions I had to attend, but I was made to feel very welcome. It is a great annual event in the rural area.
Many seniors also attended the morning tea in the Main Hall of Parliament House. I thank the Minister for Senior Territorians, Marion Scrymgour, for hosting this function and allowing me the opportunity to invite seniors from my electorate of Goyder. Some of those who attended were Gail Maddox, Dave and Jan Sanders, Lawrie Doldissen, Arie Mulder, Iris McGregor, Frank and Jessica Hoschke, Ron and Phyliss Thomas and Barbara Gabel. It was a good morning tea. The politicians were involved in serving food to the seniors, and they had a great time. I took some good photos of most of my seniors from the rural area. It was a great day out and it is good that the Northern Territory government can take the time to honour our seniors in such a respectful and gracious manner.
While these events are very special, the highlight of the Dry Season for the Goyder area would have to have been the Taminmin High School’s first musical production Cold as Ice. I was lucky to be an invited guest on the second night of the performance, held in the school gymnasium which, I remind you, is soon to be upgraded by this government as a public cyclone shelter.
I will mention some of the performing stars, but first I congratulate Tanya Ham, the school’s music teacher and the Director of the musical.
Tanya came up with the story line and contacted a well known playwright, Megan Rigoni, who turned the idea into a reality especially for Taminmin High. They were ably assisted by Taryna Deslandes as the Producer and many from the school community were engaged in some capacity as part of the hard working backstage crew. I can assure you they all worked together as a fantastic team to make this a wonderful production. Even the students of the newly opened Hospitality Unit got in the act, so to speak, by preparing and serving a scrumptious snack during the interval.
Cold as Ice was billed as a romantic comedy with a twist, and indeed the rock and roll musical was a memorable feature which allowed the 70 students to dress up and dance. Time does not permit me to list all those fabulous performers but I would like to mention the main cast. They are: Cal Kennedy as the nutty scientist who invents a machine that freezes people; playing the lead ladies opposite him were Emily Coleman as his true love and Ellen Walshe as the school principal. The remaining performing cast consisted of Jesse Milne, Luke Richardson, Melanie Totten, Jacquie Corrick, Kate Hatton, Jess Roach, William Bampton, Cassie McDonough, Mariha Moon, Joanna Pickering, Rebecca Jennings, Alix Willian, Fiona Weir, Rachael Timson, John Harris, Melinda Hazel, and Erin Evans.
Incidentally, both nights were sold out so I recommend that you get in very quickly for your ticket for next year’s production. I am assured that this will happen as the school will be offering Performing Arts subjects in 2008. Students are already lining up to take the subject knowing that they will be working on another highlight of the community Dry Season calendar.
A lifetime of contribution to community by a local constituent of mine, Mr Boyd Scully, was recently fittingly recognised when he was chosen by NAIDOC as the Male Elder of the Year. He was presented with his national award at a ball held in Darwin in mid-July to honour him for his unwavering commitment to young indigenous people and the strong leadership he has shown within his own community. This award as National Elder of the Year is the culmination of Boyd’s many achievements.
Boyd was the Australian Junior Welterweight Boxing champion in 1960 and went on to represent Australia in the Oceania Games in 1962 where he beat an Olympic gold medallist in the competition. He has continued his involvement with boxing ever since. He has led teams to the Olympics, the Arafura and the Oceania games, and was actively involved in the boxing program at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games where he was handed a limited edition Bronze Medallion for his efforts in looking after boxers from several countries, both in and out of the ring. Boyd was the first indigenous person elected to the Board of Boxing Australia and in 2000 he received an Australian Sports Medal for sporting achievement. He has continued to play an important role in the coordination of many events including the recent Arafura Games and the Australian Boxing Titles.
Boyd is very well known mainly due to his involvement as boxing trainer at Taminmin High School for our local youth. I have attended several boxing tournaments where Boyd has been the main organiser in his capacity of President of Boxing NT. Boyd holds coaching clinics for many at-risk kids in indigenous communities. He leads by example, showing indigenous youth ways to stay away from drugs and alcohol. He is an inspirational leader for many young people and I consider him to be a local hero.
A community group working to improve the Goyder electorate is the Friends of Fogg Dam. This group was formed less than a year ago to work in partnership with Parks and Wildlife and Landcare. Their main aims are to raise awareness of the uniqueness of the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve and to help maintain and improve visitor facilities. They have not wasted any time. Already they have held working bees and field excursions, manned a display at World Environment Day held at the museum in June, and they are now conducting a visitor survey. They recently invited me and the previous minister for Environment, Marion Scrymgour, to tour the facilities at Fogg Dam. I must admit that there was an ulterior motive behind this invitation, as they wanted to highlight to the minister the desirability of reconstructing the monsoon forest boardwalk. Jeremy Hemphill and Heather Boulden were our guides and hosted welcome refreshments in the Pandanus Lookout after the tour.
The group is currently circulating a petition due to come into this House next week which is seeking funding to replace the boardwalk. I am proud to support this petition as I believe the reserve to be a truly unique place. I encourage all members of the House to visit in the near future and see the improvements resulting from the work of the Friends of Fogg Dam.
I congratulate the Berry Springs Primary School on providing 30 years of education in the rural area. In September, the school will celebrate this milestone with a very special assembly, which will include a performance by students and the choir. I have heard the choir sing the school song a few times now, and I am sure they will perform this very capably, as always. There will be a birthday cake to share, and I will report to the House on how it tasted because I will attend this very special day with my colleagues, Paul Henderson and Robert Knight.
The assembly will be followed by morning tea for parents, former pupils and friends in the library. The library will be open all day for visitors to come in and browse through the photographic displays and other memorabilia. I know that Donna Pearson from the Planning Committee will welcome any contributions from former students who, no doubt, have plenty of stories to share.
Also celebrating a birthday is the Bees Creek School, which will turn 10 this year and will have their main celebrations at a dance night this Friday evening. I have been able to obtain a short history of the school and I would like to tell members a little more about this great community resource.
The school was opened in January 1997 with an enrolment of 92 primary and 27 pre-school students. The first principal was Peter Collins, and he oversaw rapid increases in enrolment such that a double class room transportable needed to be added for the start of 1999 and a four class room general learning area, C Block, was opened at the start of 2000 to bring the student capacity up to 420. Peter was principal for seven years before handing over to Ken Brodie for a short period until the current principal, John Tait, started in 2005.
As I said, the school is a great community resource and is utilised after hours by several groups, including Soo Bak Do, belly dancing, junior football, Fem Fishing and junior netball. There is great interest and pride in the school, and parental support is excellent, so much so that parents have raised nearly $80 000 to provide shade for the double basketball courts, a new sand pit with water feature and a new storage shed.
A Special Education learning centre was completed in April this year and received significant in-kind support from the school community. They have a special rural focus with the organic garden and horticultural program, which is used by all classes to enhance environmental and authentic learning. I have seen some very beautiful sunflowers in this garden and sampled some of the vegies.
Mr Deputy Speaker, it is with great sadness that I heard about the tragic deaths earlier this month of two former players from our local Southern Districts Football Club. The two young men, Dwayne Whitehurst and Murray Hill, were widely respected team mates and will be greatly missed by all their friends in our football community. I extend my sincere condolences to the families, and especially to Dwayne’s brother, Kingsley. I know Dwayne and Kingsley were looking forward to playing together this season to help retain the premiership for our club. The dedication of the first game this season to Dwayne and Murray will be a fitting testament to these missing team members. I am sure that wherever they are, they will be shouting: ‘Go, Crocs!’ with every goal we score.
There is another sad event which touched all of us in the House recently, and that is the bereavement of our fellow member, Barbara McCarthy, who lost her mother, Limandabina Charlie, loving mother and grandmother, strong Garrawa and Yanula elder. I would like to pay tribute to Limandabina, and will read into Hansard notes on her life which were given at the service.
- Linmandabina was born at Manangoora Station in 1953, the second eldest child of Jerry and Bella Charlie, now deceased. She had four brothers and five sisters. She grew up at Manangoora and Sharka Point. She would travel up and down the McArthur River and the islands in a dugout canoe with her uncle and auntie, Tyson and Rosie, and her big brother, Danny.
She then came back to live with her parents and she moved to Brunette Downs where she went to school. They moved to Gallipoli and Alexandria stations with her grandfather, Tommy Peters. In Borroloola, the Pattemores were her teachers.
When she was about 16, she worked for Mr and Mrs Festing as a house maid, with her cousin, Chloe Mulholland, and Mavis’ sister, now deceased. She became the first Aboriginal teacher’s aid in Borroloola. She had her first son, Patrick in 1967, followed by Barbara, Selina, Allan and Kelvin.
She went to live in Brisbane and Alice Springs with Barbara’s dad when Barbara was a child. When Limandabina came back, she lived in Borroloola and worked at the shops. She moved to Robinson River when Selina and Allan were young. Selina stayed with Aunty Maureen in Borroloola and Allan went with her to Robinson. She lived with Kelvin’s dad, now deceased, and they moved around the Gulf country and to Benmarra.
- They then came back to Borroloola for Kelvin’s schooling. While they were here in Borroloola, they became members of the AIM church. She studied at Batchelor as a linguist and translated the Garrawa dictionary. She also studied at Darwin Bible College when Esther and Rhonda were there.
Limandabina moved to Darwin in 1998, where she lived in Palmerston and cared for nieces and nephews, Catlin, Leandra, Joel, Kaleb, Dwayne, Gareth and Clint. Her house became a warm and welcoming one for the Borroloola families.
In 2004, she was affected with kidney disease, which meant she had to have dialysis treatment three days per week. On 3 August, after one of her dialysis treatments, she came home to her house and sadly, suddenly left us.
That is a noble and distinguished tribute to Limandabina’s life.
In the couple of minutes left, I would also like to read into Hansard the tribute from her family.
- Limandabina, thank you for your generous love.
Thank you for your patience and kindness.
Thank you for the wisdom you shared.
Thank you for your passion and pride for our culture, songs and stories.
You taught us how to stand strong, to stay strong and walk in truth.
Thank you for your example of faith.
Thank you for teaching us to trust in the Lord.
Sadly missed by all the Charlie family and all the extended family.
On behalf of all members of this House, I wish the Charlie family and Barbara and all the extended family our condolences. It was a very honourable service. Those who were at Borroloola attended the service at the cemetery where we all said our fond farewells to Limandabina.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Mr Deputy Speaker, I had the pleasure of attending the Reach for the Stars gala dinner on Friday, 17 August in honour of Mr Jim Reilly II, a NASA astronaut. I was also honoured to host a reception on behalf of the minister for Education for Jim, representatives from the Young Astronauts Space Schools Australia, and those here in Darwin and Palmerston that made Jim’s trip to the Northern Territory possible.
Jim was most recently a Mission Specialist on STS-117. This Space Shuttle Atlantis mission to the international space station was the 118th space shuttle mission and 21st shuttle mission to the space station. The successful construction and repair mission involved multiple EVAs by five astronauts. Reilly accumulated 30 hours and 43 minutes of EVA in five space walks. The mission also delivered and returned with an expedition crew member. STS-117 returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California, having travelled 5.8 million miles in 14 days. Over several missions, Jim has logged over 853 hours in space, including eight space walks, totalling 47 hours and three minutes. I should acknowledge that this information about Mr Reilly is sourced from the astronaut’s biographies page on the NASA website.
Jim is an extremely engaging speaker. He spoke about his space walks and had pictures from his most recent missions. He had all of us who attended the gala dinner absolutely enthralled. He referred to one instance when he was returning from working on part of the space station. He looked up from what he was doing as the sun was coming over the edge of the earth, and I do not know whether you can describe that as the sun coming over the horizon when you are in space. He said it made clear the layer of atmosphere that blankets and protects us. What was really obvious, he said, was how thin it actually is.
Another anecdote of Jim’s to which I would like to refer is that most of the astronauts in the program are from small towns. This is a very powerful observation to make. Too often, young people are made to feel that they cannot reach for the stars from where they live, that they have to go to large cities to have a chance. No matter where you grow up or go to school, it is up to the individual’s personal drive and, most importantly, imagination, and Jim certainly showed that.
I congratulate the major sponsors who brought Jim to the Territory: Palmerston City Council and Shorelands. There are other sponsors, of course: Direct Air Charter, SKYCITY Darwin at which the gala dinner was held, Image Offset and Digital Mojo. They are the corporate sponsors but, of course, there were lots of individuals who put in lots of time of their own.
Arthur Hamilton, principal of Shorelands, gave an entertaining speech during the gala night, which included him presenting Jim with a can of VB, which he explained stood for ‘Visitors Beer’. At the reception on Monday night, Jim spoke about his trip to Goulburn Island and his visit with the school kids out there. They did a deal with the school to attend on Saturday, and the kids could then take Monday off, just so they could meet Jim, whose time was short. I understand that Jim was extremely impressed by the students because of the research they had done in preparation for his visit, and they way they had decorated their classroom.
I know that Jim touched the hearts, minds and imaginations of all the children he met during his visit to Palmerston and the Top End. I am sure he inspired many of them to take a great interest in science and mathematics. I thank Jim Reilly II for his time, and for visiting Palmerston and the Territory.
Another member of the party to come to the Territory was Dr Jeanette Rothapfel. She is the principal and founder of the New South Wales School of Space Science. She is also known as Mrs Rocketfuel. Her website, www.mrsrocketfuel.com is set up so people can ask her any question relating to the universe. Jeanette is the only person in the world who has a collection of moon rocks on permanent loan from NASA. I had a chance to see them on Monday night. They may not look much, but they have provided a wealth of information about our own world. The forces of erosion on Earth destroy all information beyond a certain age. Rocks from the moon and Mars have not been subject to the same erosion forces. These rocks fill in nicely the periods of Earth’s evolution that are blank in Earth’s geological history.
I understand that Mars also provides information that the moon does not. This is one of the reasons why Mars is of such interest to scientists. I understood from Jeanette that the rocks she has possession of are worth several million dollars. They are something she is very careful with, although she did, amusingly, refer to a story that the rocks are kept in a safe with one of the police organisations, and the safe is also used as a drug storage container. She occasionally has trouble with some of the drug sniffer dogs at the airport because of the material that the moon rocks have been stored with.
I would like to mention a lady who was instrumental in bringing Jim and the others to the Territory. This lady is local to Palmerston; she works in Palmerston and makes her own contribution, inspiring young minds in Palmerston. I am, of course, referring to Ms Helen Armstrong. Helen worked tirelessly making arrangements and putting together a program for Jim’s visit. I confess I do not really know everything that she must have done, but I do know that it must have been a huge workload for her. I thank her also for her commitment to the children and youth of Palmerston, to work so selflessly to give them this opportunity. She was saying on Monday that she must be a bit of a space nut because she married a Mr Armstrong.
One project that the Palmerston council and Young Astronauts Space Schools Australia would like to work towards is setting up a Northern Territory space school. It is a fantastic idea, and I support it. The YASSA website, at www.yassa.com.au, states:
- YASSA, in conjunction with the Centre for Australian Space Education, has been promoting science education programs since 1992, including state, national, and international space schools, cultural events, student conferences, and national science and essay competitions.
We also recognise the need to provide inspirational programs which motivate and raise the aspirations of young Australian students to follow career paths in science, technology and engineering.
The Centre for Australian Space Education Pty Ltd is an organisation formed in 1992 to provide financial support for space science programs. CASE was established by the same team who founded the Australian International Space Science School, which is now recognised to be one of the world’s best space education programs. We recognise the need to further support and promote space science education in Australia.
I recommend that all members go to the website and review the information available. I think a Northern Territory young astronaut space school would assist the Territory’s future, encouraging young Territorians to study sciences and engineering to high levels of expertise.
The member for Drysdale and I have been conducting forums in Palmerston about the future that residents see for Palmerston. We have now had three forums, the most recent of which was last night. I thank all those people who have attended so far for coming along, showing interest and sharing with us their great ideas. We have more forums to come. I am sure we will hear even more great ideas as we go along the process.
I am very proud to represent the seat of Brennan and, more generally, the municipality of Palmerston. This exercise in conducting public meetings is an important step in delivering for Palmerston and I thank all the volunteers who have assisted me in delivering pamphlets and, leaflets informing people of meetings to come and then the leaflets which will be dropped off after the meetings to summarise what it was we heard. These things do not come together all on their own and the support I have received is gratefully acknowledged. I will thank people in more detail at the conclusion of the full process.
On 18 August 1966, D Company of 6 RAR left the operations base at Nui Dat, Phuc Toy province established by the 1st Australian Task Force. The rest, as they say, is history. I attended the Vietnam Veterans Day service at the Esplanade. This year is the 41st anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. It was good to once again see many veterans attend the service.
I attended the Open Garden Scheme last weekend. A garden in Trilla Court, Bakewell was the feature garden, and it was a revelation. I understand it hardly requires any watering, even in the Dry and I think it was said that the owners had only watered the garden three times this Dry. I congratulate the Dicksons on their wonderful garden. I saw just how a regular suburban block can be turned into a paradise of garden beds, meandering walks, scented plants and bird-attracting trees.
I would like to record my apologies to Cate Stedman and the other parishioners of the Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Parish. I was unable to attend their last parish dinner, which I was expecting to be able to do.
I was asked to be a part of a cross-party delegation to the Philippines under the sponsorship of the Australian Political Exchange Council. The delegation was in the Philippines from 25 to 31 July, although I did have to attend a compulsory briefing day in Canberra and overnight in Sydney prior to the delegation commencing. All the costs of the trip were borne by the Australian Political Exchange Council. The aim of the Australian Political Exchange Council is to develop Australia’s young political leaders through international exchange. This was the second delegation to the Philippines. The aim was to foster closer links with the Philippines and a greater understanding.
With me on the delegation were Mr Nicholas Kotsiras MLA, Victorian state member for the seat of Bulleen, shadow minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, and also the shadow for Youth and Sport; Ms Judith Donnelly from the office of the Honourable Bruce Billson MP; Mr Gary Kent, Company Secretary of Defence Housing Australia and President of the ACT Liberal Party; Ms Mary Mawhinney of the federal Opposition Leader’s Office; Mr Ben Sakker-Kelly from the office of Mr Robert McClelland MP; and Mr David Wilson from the Australian Political Exchange Council.
The official report of the delegation will be posted on the Australian Political Exchange Council’s web site in due course. I will seek to make this report available to the Assembly once I become aware the final report has been posted. I do have a draft report that runs to 19 pages.
Our hosts for the delegation were the Philippine Council of Young Political Leaders, PCYC. I wish to thank Rolley and KP for looking after us while we there with such aplomb. They kept us moving and under control, and were always there when we needed assistance. I thank them very much. I sincerely hope that the Philippines return delegation finds their trip as valuable as we found our trip to the Philippines.
One visit of particular interest to me as a representative from the Northern Territory was the Philippines National Mango Research and Development Centre on Guimaras Island. The centre is building a genetic bank of mango varieties. It is also pivotal in building a mango industry on Guimaras Island. It already assists a number of farmers. Unlike the Territory, in the Philippines, they must induce flowering and fruiting. This Philippines export mangos to a number of countries, including Australia.
I knew that we exported live cattle to the Philippines, but did not know that there are also links on the mango front. It seems to me that the Territory and the Philippines could both benefit from close ties and exchange of information.
Trade between the Philippines and Australia was valued at $1.75bn in 2006. Major Australian exports were copper ores, dairy products and medicines. Major imports from the Philippines are crude oil, telecommunications equipment, integrated circuits and computers, and we have a close defence relationship, which is getting closer and closer with another major defence document due to be signed shortly.
Mr KIELY (Sanderson): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I wish to speak about a fantastic event in Leanyer at the start of July, the Premium Great Sk8 competition showcasing the wonderful skills of our youth in the Top End.
The Premium Great Sk8 is an alcohol- and drug-free event for the youth of the Northern Territory, which offers great challenges in sporting endeavour. They battle it out to be recognised as the best. The Premium Great Sk8ers were roller skate boarders, roller bladers and bikers from the whole of the Territory and around Australia being attracted to Darwin.
This spectacular event offers competitors and the audience adrenaline that arises from the performers with their fearless stunts. Two professional skate boarders, freestyle bike riders and freestyle roller bladers came to the Top End to perform at one of the Territory’s finest youth events, which commenced on 13 July with the Meet and Greet, and then two fun-packed days on 14 and 15 July.
I had the pleasure of meeting the pro-skate boarders, Jody Blatch and Amanda Ghorra. The pro bikers were Christopher O’Donnell and Brandon Jones, and the pro roller bladers were Gavid Drum and Hayden Watt. They were full of praise for the Leanyer Recreation Park and what we have done there. They said it was one of the best facilities in Australia.
The Premium Great Sk8 is also known for its Territory theme: beautiful weather, inspirational atmosphere, inspiring time. Where else can you have an event so brilliant as this that the performance of the youth, aged from 14 to 25 years, in a cement outdoors show ring in front of hundreds of people to perform at the best of their ability through sweat and fear with greatness and determination to be best on the day, as it is their day.
I opened the event and went back a couple of times over the days. It was exactly as the organisers forecast. There were hundreds if not thousands of youth all over that skate park, which was fantastic to see. Everyone was having a great time. The event has a powerful impact on our youth, which is why they performed with magnificent talent which entertained everyone.
Some of the other attractions at the event were: the kiddies age group, aged four to eight years; juniors at nine to 15 years; and seniors at 16 to 25. There were the Eagle Boys Ollie Comp and Bikes to Fit Foam Pit. I have to tell you about the foam pit, however I would direct anyone who is having a look Hansard to refer you UTube. It is daredevil sort of stuff, or devil may care; they ride their bikes up a big ramp, virtually do a somersault and land in a big pit of foam. It is absolutely fantastic.
Leanyer Recreation Park used to be neglected and was not well attended before we consulted with the community and made it into the Leanyer Recreation Park with the water and skate park facilities, and outside playing area. It is a fantastic complex to have for our young people. At this event, there was a great sense of community and everyone got on fantastically.
When I was talking to the professional skateboarders, I said we were thinking of doing more there and I asked what they thought would be good. They suggested that a streetscape was the way to go. As I understand it, there is one being built by the Gold Coast City Council, which I am keen to have a look at. I might do later this year. We need more facilities for our youth. We have an ideal venue there to build up and potentially make it the best in Australia, which would be fantastic.
There were so many sponsors behind this. I want to take the opportunity to thank them. There were also many volunteers; it numbers the 20s and 30s. There were competitions in all sorts of categories such as Junior Boards, Blades, Bikes, Senior Boards, Foam Pitt Juniors, the Red Rover, the Ollie Comp, the Parent and Youth Comp.
I seek leave, Mr Deputy Speaker, to incorporate this list of sponsors, volunteers and helpers, and the list of winners of the events into the Parliamentary Record.
Leave granted.
- Sponsors: Foundation of Young Australians, Southern Cross Television, KIK FM Digital, Shane Eccon, Premium Skateboards, Eagle Boys Pizza, Casuarina Square, Office of Youth Affairs, Cheapa Renta Car, Darwin Sun-Palmerston Sun, Territory Events Hire, Coates Hire, ATF Hire, Force Rentals, Parks and Wildlife, Espresso Coffee, Correctional Services, Casuarina Police, Top End Hydroponics, Bikes to Fitness, Abundant Life Church.
Volunteers: Peta Lee, Peter Lee, Tim Jackson, Erin Holland, Bernadette Lennjic, Jore Lennjic, Reece Simmonds, Tom Biddles, William Mick, Adrian, Michael P, Crystal Burnett, Raelia Burnett, Amber Hamilton.
Winners:
Junior Boards – Jore Lennjic, Jonnie Burrows, Mitchell
Junior Blades – David Dixon, Chris Walke, Samuel Hirotic
Junior Bikes – Jason, Hayden, Mitchell
Senior Boards – Reece Simmonds, Vin Vuh
Senior Blades – Min Moraine, Michael P, Joel
Senior Bikes – Darak, Dave, Dayle
Foam Pit Juniors – Sam, Chris, Jason
Foam Pit Seniors – Hayley, Ryan, Jason
Red Rover – David Dixon
Ollie Comp Juniors – Jonnie Burrows, Jake
Ollie Comp Seniors – Jody Blatch, Reece Simmonds
Parent & Youth Comp – Jason Tallen, Crystal Burnett, Helen
Mr KIELY: In conclusion, I express my appreciation for volunteer, Peta Lee, who has been behind this for a number of years, and does it mostly off her own bat. She has help from family and friends and from the community, but she is the driving force. We owe her a vote of thanks. I asked her to contact us next year so we can see what we can do to help her along. It is a fantastic event, something that we as a community, and as a government, should get behind.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016