2008-06-10
Madam Speaker Aagaard took the Chair at 10 am.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received from His Honour the Administrator, Messages No 28 and No 29 notifying Assent to bills passed in the April/May 2008 sittings of the Assembly.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise that the public gallery to my right will be unavailable to the public during these sittings owing to the recabling project of Parliament House. The gallery will be available to the media during the sittings as the media gallery is not available. I also advise that the broadcast monitoring room will be available for interviews with members during this time, and the members lobby off the Main Hall is once again available for use of members and their guests.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I would like to report on the trip I made last week to Paris to meet with the executives of Total who are co-partner in the INPEX proposal to build a $12bn LNG plant, hopefully here in Darwin. The trip followed on from the trip I made earlier this year to Japan to meet with INPEX. Territorians will be aware that my government is fighting hard to bring this LNG gas plant to Darwin. Total is the fourth largest oil and gas company in the world and is joint venture partners and developers of the Ichthys gas field with INPEX. Total will have an important role in determining where the project’s LNG plant will be built.
I met with senior executives including their senior vice-president and the president of exploration and production. I provided them with a presentation on the benefits of Darwin and the benefits of building the plant here. Our case was well received. The meeting went for four hours and it is very clear that Darwin is now being seriously considered. Whilst these people are very knowledgeable, it is fair to say that only a few months ago they would have struggled to point to Darwin on a map, let alone consider building their LNG project here. Due to the efforts of this government in so strongly putting the case for Darwin in front of them, they now know a great deal about Darwin and we are very much part of their considerations.
Whilst Darwin is now being seriously considered, we still have a long way to go. Western Australia has the obvious advantage of being closer to the gas field, but in Darwin we have a compelling case. We have all the advantages of being a capital city, with an existing port, road and rail connections. Middle Arm is gas ready. We also have the benefit of having proved that Darwin can support the construction of such a project with the existing ConocoPhillips LNG plant up and running.
Territory businesses big and small benefited from the construction of that project, from large engineering companies through to pizza shops and hair dressers. Through the successful completion of the ConocoPhillips plant and other large project such as the convention centre and the Alcan expansion, Territory businesses have proven themselves. The investment community now knows that Territory business has the capacity to support the construction of these large scale projects. The business community must also be commended for the support that they have shown the INPEX proposal. They support the project because they know the benefits of a $12bn capital infrastructure project will flow down through to small businesses, the families that run them and the people they employ.
In light of the opposition of some towards this proposal, the business community’s vocal public support has assisted the government to provide certainty - certainty that Darwin wants this project. The business community knows this project will benefit the Territory for decades to come.
Both Total and INPEX are very aware that for this project to proceed they must meet rigorous environmental assessment criteria. They understand and accept the project will have to comply with both Territory and Commonwealth environmental requirements. Unfortunately, the opposition is continuing to put up hurdles at every stage of this project. They simply do not believe in this project. The Leader of the Opposition has said many things about this proposal, none of them supportive.
However, the most damaging thing he said was his claim that INPEX would consider Glyde Point instead of Middle Arm. He has since conceded that he made this claim after INPEX had told him that Middle Arm was the only viable option. It was incredibly irresponsible. It risked the project and has rightly been condemned by many. The Leader of the Opposition has the right to be opposed to this project, but he does not have the right to misrepresent industry and mislead Territorians. Such irresponsible statements jeopardise not only this project, but send a terrible message to the investment community here and abroad. He cannot be trusted.
In conclusion, I invited the executives from Total to Darwin and I was delighted that they have accepted. They will get the opportunity of seeing for themselves everything Darwin has to offer. We are a long way from securing this gas plant, and there is much more work to be done. Under my government, we are open for business and we will continue to work hard to fight for this project. Under my government, Territorians get certainty. We want this project and we are fighting for it. The opposition continues to undermine and risk this project. They do not believe in it and they will not fight for it.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, grandstanding of the highest order!
The project has always been supported; the location has been the cause for concern. That the case can be presented in a manner suitable for a political agenda, rather than what is fair and right, is disturbing. The project has always been supported. Regarding the issue of the alternative site; if this government had organised itself when it came to office in 2001 and continued with the plans it had been presented with right up until recently, there would have been another place for INPEX to go. That is the sad fact that will remain long after this debate is finished.
What is also of concern, and not alluded to in the Chief Minister’s report, is the revelation that there is no vision for the future energy needs of the Northern Territory, and a misrepresentation of a position - once again, put by the opposition. The question was asked and will be asked again, and I trust that it will be answered in a clear and genuine way: if this gas were to come onshore, would there be the possibility of additional gas being made available for downstream production in the Northern Territory? For the Chief Minister to rule that out completely and say: ‘We have no need for any further gas,’ is, frankly, concerning. That question has been misrepresented and twisted as though it is another obstacle. It is a question that, I believe, should have been asked and taken to the table in France.
There is also a report that Arafura Resources is concerned about the capacity to field their operations through gas. Perhaps we can get some information from the Chief Minister on that. It is time for genuine talk about these matters - and talk about the underlying issues rather than the spin and mispresentation.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his report. I appreciate the hard work he has done in bringing INPEX to the Darwin region. I support INPEX coming to the Darwin region. As the minister knows, my disagreement is about the site and the process to get it there; that does not mean I am against INPEX coming to Darwin. Be that as it may, it was interesting to hear - and I am not sure whether you made the point, minister - that we would require something like up to 15 000 people to work on this site …
Mr Henderson: Wrong.
Mr WOOD: About 4000 people, maybe?
Mr Henderson: 3000 to 4000.
Mr WOOD: We will need a lot of people, anyway, to come to work on this particular site. Minister, do you think there is an opportunity, as I mentioned on the radio this morning, for a small village to be built - similar to what happened when the Olympic games came to Sydney or Melbourne - which could be constructed, perhaps in Weddell which is quite close to the site the government is wishing INPEX to establish itself? That site, then, could be sold off to people in our community, especially those who have problems getting into the market at the present time. I would presume, if the government built this village, there would be some cost recovered because INPEX would be using it and, therefore, the rest of the cost could be covered by the sale of those units or houses to people who presently find a lot of difficultly buying a house or a unit in Darwin. I put that as an idea the government could consider as a possible solution to the issue of housing the construction workers who come to this particular facility.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contributions. To the Leader of the Opposition first: the issue that he is putting very clearly on the table if he was Chief Minister, is that he would introduce a gas reservation policy.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That is plainly untrue! It is simply untrue.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition believes I have misrepresented him, he has the capacity to refute that. He has been in the media saying we should introduce a gas reservation policy like Western Australia. Again, he throws up hurdles that would derail this project. He does not understand the economics of this project. He does not understand the changed economics of the gas industry since Premier Court, 30 years ago, introduced that policy in Western Australia.. He does not understand the challenges nations face with global warming, including Australia, which gives us great opportunities to develop our LNG resources that otherwise would not have been viable. His plan to put a gas reservation policy in place would have one outcome and one outcome only, and that would be that the project would go to Western Australia.
Mr Mills: That is not true!
Mr HENDERSON: The project would go to Western Australia.
Of course, we want to see downstream value-adding to our gas reserves. My colleague, the Planning minister and Treasurer, was at Wickham Point last week with the helium plant being opened. That plant was built without any need for government to intervene in the economics of this project. We have value-adding as a result of the ConocoPhillips gas plant. I am confident we will see opportunities emerge over time in terms of the Ichthys gas field for value-adding, without intervention from the Leader of the Opposition who continues to put hurdles in front of the project. He does not support it.
Mr Mills: You are a disgrace.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I report on the 4th Annual Northern Territory Research and Innovation Awards which were presented on 29 May and, as in previous years, was an impressive showcase of the real talents the Territory can claim as its own.
Despite our small population, these awards drew an excellent range of high quality nominations across broad fields of endeavour. A predominant theme amongst finalists in both the research and the business innovation categories was work to address the issues of indigenous disadvantage. This is an outcome that is very gratifying. It shows we have some of our best minds applying their endeavour to this extremely important issue. It was pleasing to see a high proportion of nominations from remote indigenous homelands in the Top End represented at this year’s awards.
The business community has also embraced the awards as an important showcase of their efforts in innovation, with the highest number of nominations received being for the Business Innovation category.
The reputation of the awards as a high quality and significant event has grown over the past four years to the point where sponsors are now eager to be involved. Major gold sponsors were Southern Cross Television, McArthur River Mining and AusIndustry. Microsoft was also a gold sponsor for 2008. On behalf of the government, I record my thanks to all the sponsors for their valuable support.
This year’s winners were:
The Minister for Business and Economic Development Innovation Award was won by Territory Diving Services, a Darwin-based company which has developed a safer and more effective platform for launching divers operating from offshore gas and oil rigs.
The Southern Cross Television Desert Knowledge Research Award was won by the Desert Fire Research Team, a group under the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre in Alice Springs which has worked on multiple facets of fire use, management and protection in desert regions.
The Tropical Knowledge Research Award was won by Dr John Woinarski from the Biodiversity Division of NRETA. John’s work over 20 years has also previously won him the Eureka Prize.
The McArthur River Mine Indigenous Innovation Award was won by a small group of indigenous Territorians from remote homelands in the Top End who have brought information technology to their communities to make them more sustainable.
The AusIndustry New Generation Research and Innovation Award was won by Elliat Rich, a young woman from Alice Springs whose creative designs and inventions have already placed her in the top 12 designers in Australia to watch.
The Chair of the Research and Innovation Board’s Special Commendation Award went to the Yothu Yindi Foundation for the Garma Festival of Traditional Culture, an event that has almost become a national treasure.
The overall Northern Territory award is the Chief Minister’s Award for Research and Innovation. Winners are drawn from the winners of the five categories. The 2008 Chief Minister’s Award for Research and Innovation was awarded to Dr John Woinarski whose contribution to the knowledge of our unique natural heritage has been exceptional.
This government reaffirms its support for the research and innovation community for providing us with the knowledge, know how and ideas to take us into the future with confidence. I thank the Northern Territory Research and Innovation Board and the Awards Assessment Panel and, in particular, the chair of the board, Professor Grahame Webb, for his contribution and the allocation of his time towards the success.
I am sure all members join me in enthusiastically congratulating the winners of the Northern Territory Research and Innovation Awards in 2008.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, the opposition joins with you and government on behalf of all Territorians expressing, not only our congratulations, but our thanks. Research and innovation have to be at the top of the list, not only for business but also for us as a Northern Territory.
Traditionally, the Territory has done pretty well. We have traditionally punched above our weight in a number of areas. It is great to see research and innovation continues to do well and those who do it are rewarded and acknowledged. Often, particularly, in the area of research, it is a bit like a professional swimmer. It can be a pretty lonely path following the black line day in, day out. It is not necessarily a pursuit that lends itself to hundreds of people watching you and getting involved. Often they are solitary pursuits.
In any event, we congratulate them and thank them for their contribution. I am sure it will be a continuing contribution to all of us in the Northern Territory.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his report. I recall hearing Dr Grahame Webb speaking in relation to these awards saying that Australia is falling far behind in the number of people who are becoming involved in science and engineering. I am interested to see whether the government has some program which would try to increase the number of Territorians who are moving into these fields.
The Territory is expanding. It is expanding into all sorts of industries – mining, gas, all sorts of development. It would be beneficial to have people from the Territory finding employment in those areas rather than having to look down south or overseas for people to be employed. I am interested, minister, if you could comment on that and say how the government is going in trying to encourage people into those particular fields.
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contribution. One of the few things that is in our favour is our isolation, our adverse environment and our unique conditions which make us different. The Territory is different from the rest of Australia. In living with these conditions people have to find a way to overcome the difficulties. I am very proud that so many Territorians can come up with solutions.
Our government is supportive of innovation and supportive of people going into science. I remember the member for Nhulunbuy as minister for Education introduced the bursary for teachers; in my previous capacity as the minister for Mines, I introduced a scholarship for geologists. Since we were lacking geologists and teachers we had to create incentives to try to keep them here. Our government will continue its support for more Territorians to come up with solutions to overcome the unique difficulties we face in the Territory.
Mr NATT (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I inform the Assembly of the future prospects of the Territory’s live cattle export industry. The live cattle export trade exported more than 247 000 head of Northern Territory cattle to South East Asia in 2007 at a value of around $200m. Of those cattle exported, 225 000 head went to Indonesia, which represents over 90% of the trade into one market.
The current Indonesian market appears robust in terms of commercial relationships. There is confidence within the Indonesian feedlotters as to the future of the market despite recent pressures due to increased oil and feed prices.
A feedlot in Jakarta, Indonesia, I visited last year, TUM, has recently increased its operations from 18 000 to 28 000 and is expanding this year to accommodate another 5000 head. A report in a recent Weekend Financial Review on the Consolidated Pastoral Company indicated that they, too, are significantly expanding their operations in Indonesia. As with the upgrade of the TUM feedlot, this bodes well for the Territory. However, any fluctuations in the Indonesian market would have an immediate and significant impact on the Northern Territory pastoral industry and its supporting businesses in the regions. Therefore, examining and establishing alternative markets in the region is important for the Territory.
Establishing new markets within South East Asia could require a systematic approach including initial evaluation to ensure prime economic market drivers are evident. Developing diplomatic and bureaucratic relationships is essential and, through the provision of focused technical advice in key defined areas, industry ties can be developed.
As a result of my visit to Vietnam in March of this year with industry representatives to promote cattle exports, a return delegation from Vietnam recently visited the Territory. This visit was to gain a detailed understanding and appreciation of the Northern Territory pastoral industry, the live export process, and to see what the Territory has to offer. The delegation visited the Territory’s research facilities and toured pastoral properties throughout the Top End. The Vietnamese delegates were then accompanied by senior officers from my department and the Department of the Chief Minister to Indonesia to witness firsthand the professionalism and quality of the feedlotting industry in Indonesia. This visit included inspecting two feedlots each with different operational style and management structures. This provided a broad overview of the options available when considering what might best work in the local environment.
The next step, in light of the current Australian/Indonesian visit, is for the Vietnamese delegation to consider their funding arrangements for infrastructure and market development. This is to include an in-depth economic feasibility study considering all economic inputs and outputs. Should a commercial arrangement become a reality, staff from my department will provide technical assistance and capacity development in the construction and early management of the feedlot operation within Vietnam. This builds on the initiatives to explore other export markets throughout the region.
The significant global increase in oil prices, with its knock-on effect and increased cattle feed prices in Malaysia, has impacted on market demands. Nonetheless, a newly constructed feedlot in peninsular Malaysia, the National Feedlot Company, is considering importing 4000 head of cattle from the Northern Territory prior to the Islamic month of Ramadan. Over the last five years we have invested considerable effort in the Malaysian state of Sabah through provision of technical expertise to government farms and through assistance in the development of the Sabah Meat Technology Centre.
While the existing trade is in excellent shape, we cannot take for granted the market in Indonesia. That is why we are moving strongly into new markets and providing assistance, both technical and on the ground, to ensure their success, all of which points to a prosperous and improving future for the live cattle industry in the Territory.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I welcome the report. It is, indeed, wise and timely for a thorough investigation of market expansion. It is time for that. We see, as you have indicated, the cost of oil bearing an impact on the cost of feed, particularly in Indonesia where there has been some quite serious pain felt within its economy. It is good to hear there are processes in place and work on foot to expand these markets. I trust that it is done in a timely manner.
I noted, however, you referred to the delegation that came here which toured the research facilities. This issue has been the subject of some questioning through Estimates. I would like a further clarification as to what is the future of our research facilities in the Northern Territory. I can only guess this visit to the research facilities would have been a fairly quick one because it seems to be the agenda of this government to wind down its investment in research. That is of great concern when we consider the great potential we have with a growing food shortage, with the demands for protein, and how the Territory is well positioned to take advantage due to our strategic location. This is not the time to be cutting back on our research capacity if we have any sense of vision and hope for trading with our strategic advantage. I would like to hear a bit more about the research capacity.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement. There are a couple of issues the minister should also look at in relation to an expansion of markets. One is the capability of the Northern Territory to be able to produce enough cattle numbers to supply these extra markets. One of the dangers you have is that, yes, we increase the market, but the capability of the land in the Northern Territory to supply that is an issue the government needs to consider, at least.
We have had drought in Central Australia and the Barkly area so, at the present time, there are a fair number of live cattle being exported simply because of drought conditions. When those cattle go, the numbers will have been reduced. Therefore, are there enough cattle to supply the market the government is looking at? Is there a risk of stations overstocking simply to supply the market? Is the government considering allowing some of the Douglas Daly farm owners who would like to clear for non-irrigated pastures, under strict clearing controls, to do that? The reason they were asking for those clearing approvals was for the fattening of cattle for the live cattle export market.
There is a range of questions we need to be discussing before we pat ourselves on the back, saying: ‘These future markets are great and the Territory is going to go forward’. There are other issues, and there can be downsides if we are not careful in promoting these new markets.
It would be great if we can get these new markets. I also note feedlotting is expensive. I visited two feedlot farms in the Dalby/Oakey area of south-east Queensland. One of those farms is not operating at the present time simply because the cost of food for feedlotting has risen so high. That is also an issue we have to keep our eye on ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, your time has expired.
Mr NATT (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I thank the two members for their support. There are some questions that arise, and I thank the member for Nelson for raising those. The drought in the south is causing some issues and a few cattle have been shifted interstate for agistment. However, we are working closely with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association. My Pastoral Production Division is doing a wonderful job in ensuring all of the needs are met. As you can see, this year the numbers are up; I think we are about 50 000 head up on those leaving the port of Darwin compared to last year. The prospects are bright for the industry. We will continue to work closely with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association to ensure that continues to happen.
Madam Speaker, this is a great news story. To visit Vietnam in March and for them to come out as quickly as they have this year to see what is happening on the ground is good news. We are going to work closely with them to ensure that the future is assured for the cattle industry in the Northern Territory.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders.
Continued from 1 May 2008.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, the bill is supported; however, we have some observations to make on the way through, as it were. The bill proposes some minor amendments, but the one that government says is significant is contained in clause 6 of the bill, supported by the minister’s second reading speech and his media release of 1 May.
The amendment is to section 5(2)(a)(iv) of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The amendment seeks to increase imprisonment from five years to nine years; not in, and of itself, an objectionable amendment, minister. However, as a lawyer and a politician, I know when the law and politics mix. This is, for the most part, a political amendment done so for your own - that is, government’s - cynical purposes. Why do I say that? Because, if one looks at section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act one can see that there are various - and I think most people would agree - significant penalties for the supply of dangerous drugs being those not of a commercial quantity. In fact, I refer the minister to section 5(2)(a), and there are various penalties there. In the subsections of (a), one includes imprisonment for life; another one includes imprisonment for 14 years, the next one is 14 years, the next one is five years – that is the one we are debating now.
If one looks at section 5(2)(b) and the various subsections contained therein, the reader will see that, for dangerous drugs supplied of a commercial quantity, there are other significant penalties – imprisonment for life; imprisonment for 25 years; another one for 25 years; and then another one for 14 years. Why do I go through the part of the bill? Because, by the government’s own admission, as evidenced in the minister’s media release of 1 May and, indeed, a media release issued yesterday by the Leader of Government Business, she says, amongst other things:
And she goes on. This is the political mantra. This is the currency of the Labor government in the Northern Territory.
We do not object, nor should we, to increasing the penalty under section 5(2)(a)(iv) from five to nine years. What we have difficulty with, minister, is the cynicism with which you tell your fellow Territorians that this is all about cracking down on crime. It follows there is more to this than meets the eye.
I had the opportunity yesterday of reviewing the December quarter crime statistics, the most recently published crime statistics and, as is ordinarily the case, when those statistics are published, details of imprisonment rates and other orders made by our courts are contained in the statistics. I refer the minister to pages 96 and 98 of the December quarter crime statistics. On page 96, and it refers to the current financial year to date, that is 1 July 2007 to 31 December 2007, so that financial year to date, and it says:
These are, of course, the findings for drug offences, headed at the top of page 96, as you would expect, ‘Outcomes for Drug Offences’. So government’s own figures tell us that the principal penalty for those who are convicted of a drug offence is 7% actual term of imprisonment.
We then go to page 98 and the figures are outlined in further detail. As per page 98, current financial year 1 July 2007 to 30 December 2007, it provides all of the drug offences for which people are convicted. In terms of imprisonment orders, 7% of people in that quarter done for drugs received a term of imprisonment. Other figures are interesting, to say the least - 22% in that quarter received a fully suspended term of imprisonment; and 61% received a monetary order. This is the government that claims to be ‘oh so tough’ on crime and speaks glowingly of its attempts to crack down on crime and its efforts continue.
My point is this: minister, you can legislate for sentences of 100 years, 1000 years, 10 000 years, in fact, why do we not live a little and make it a squillion years. That would be evidence of how tough you all are on crime, but there is little point in having enormous sentences if the objective you seek, and I assume it is an objective, is to imprison those particularly dreadful people who sell drugs in remote communities. Everyone in this Chamber thinks they are appalling the way they conduct themselves. They should be prosecuted, they should go to gaol and anyone who disagrees, please tell me now. I doubt that anyone would, particularly in this Chamber.
So you have increased a penalty from five years to nine years. Good on you, we support it, but we cannot let this bill go through without making the point it appears as though this legislation is being changed for political and cynical motives. . Second, on your own figures, minister, in relation to drug matters, it seems very few people are going to gaol. Is not that something you and your colleagues might be more motivated to fix? It is probably a bit harder; it is probably not going to be as politically attractive as sexy little media releases saying: ‘We are going to crack down on crime. Our efforts continue.’ Well, good on you, you will get your paragraph in the Northern Territory News and probably you will do well with the couple of other media outlets.
As a legislator, however - and the minister knows I take the role seriously - we have to make the point that if you are really serious about this matter would you look at strengthening efforts to prosecute drug dealers? Would you, for instance, consider, if you are really serious about these mongrels who sell drugs in remote communities, minimum sentences? You passed your moral difficulty threshold with that, because we had minimum sentences in relation to domestic violence matters. I believe your predecessor introduced those. The Labor prickliness in relation to the ‘M’ word seems to have been put to one side, so you are over that threshold. If you are serious, can you tell us, minister, if you are going to be really tough on crime and those people who sell drugs in remote communities, and why would you not propose a minimum sentence?
Madam Speaker, with those comments I conclude.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I support the Attorney-General’s Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act. I very much support this legislation. It is responsive to changing needs of communities and it is very tough. It sends a clear message to those dealers that communities are not a soft target. I have noticed as a bush member more dealers are looking at communities as a soft target to make money with cannabis. Cannabis has been out there for a while now. More of it is being pushed out bush. Amphetamines are being pushed as well because there is a lot of area to cover out bush. Through the intervention where we have had dry areas introduced, people are now looking for other substances. Those dealers are looking at the communities as a soft target where they can make a bit of money without too much penalty.
This amendment almost doubles the penalty for those offences. It sends a very clear message to those dealers that you are going to get hit up pretty hard if you get caught dealing out bush. To respond to the last speaker, the shadow spokesperson, the Supreme Court has indicated it will be looking at these offences in the future. They realise, also, the supply of drugs into the community aggravates other offences. For example, assaults: we have people under the influence of cannabis or other drugs committing violent offences. They may also be looking for money to buy their drugs. My experience in one of my communities, which I will not name, is that the young people are standing over the older people, especially the women, to get money for those drugs.
These substances have a range of influences on a community. I very much support this legislation because the worst scenario is that these substances act as introductory drugs for heavier drugs, for ice and the other amphetamines they get out there. If any communities do eventually get on to these injectables, they will have to tackle a whole new range of other health implications. That would be an horrendous situation.
We know there are many leaders in those communities who are trying to support their communities by keeping drugs out, or at least notifying the police on a regular basis when drugs do hit the communities. This will help them. It says that this government is serious about curbing these problems out bush. It is one measure in a range of measures we have. We have put a lot of money into rehabilitation and enforcement. Minister, I totally support this measure. This covers, at this stage, only those prescribed communities under the Emergency Response Act. However, under the regulations, it allows you to name outstations and that is something that we will have to seriously look at.
I believe many of the drugs are coming into outstations. The police are aware of that and, in many of these communities, quite successfully intercepting drug importations from interstate, especially from Western Australia, into these remote outstations. These are settlements which have an airstrip, and do not usually have policing because they are only very small communities. I believe we will have to name many of those outstations, and I believe that will be welcomed by the communities. As I said, many of the leaders in the communities actually help the police; they supply information to the police about who is bringing the substances in and how.
The use of the drug sniffer dogs has been very welcomed, especially during the Wet Season when smugglers turn to certain light aviation terminals, and sniffer dogs can be stationed there to keep the drugs out. You can see a big change in communities during the Wet Season when it is harder for drugs to get in. The change happens predominantly with the young men. They start to come out of a drugged state and start working or getting involved in the communities and not being so disruptive. If we can get that level of vigilance all year round, as well the tougher penalties on the supply of these drugs, it will help those communities develop.
I congratulate the Attorney-General for this measure and look forward to further measures.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Madam Speaker, I also support the Attorney-General’s Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill 2008. I am glad to see that the opposition is supporting the bill, although it is somewhat qualified, as per usual. They tend to be a bit here, there and everywhere on many issues. I am not really sure what their platform is on this issue.
I will get on to the bill itself. As we all know, alcohol has been and still is a very serious issue in our indigenous communities. Unfortunately, part of the problem is now being replaced by illegal drugs, in particular, cannabis. It is a difficult problem and no-one could expect that people would stop using alcohol without looking for alternatives. Cannabis has turned out to be the main culprit. As determined in the Little Children are Sacred report, alcohol and drug abuse have significantly affected family and cultural breakdown in our indigenous communities. As a Territorian, and someone who feels very passionately about the welfare of my fellow Territorians, that really distresses me. We are trying to tackle the problem but we cannot just work on the interventionist approach.
We have to adopt all the recommendations that came out of the Closing the Gap initiatives, as well. That is where the two mesh together. This whole program of tackling drug abuse is important because it is part of the overall strategy. That is what this government does very well: strategises its approach to issues, despite what the opposition says.
This bill addresses the issue from the criminal justice perspective; that is the important thing. If we just concentrate on cannabis as part of this bill, then the problem can quickly be shifted to something else like amphetamines and other serious drugs. Where does it go? It just escalates the whole problem. That is why this bill is tackling not just cannabis but other Category 2 drugs. Drug abuse worsens by steps. It goes from one step to another through alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines - God knows where from there. With each step, it becomes more serious, and creates more dysfunction and disharmony in the communities that are trying to overcome these serious addiction problems.
It is part of an overall strategy, and that is what the opposition does not seem to be picking up on - the fact that we are spending $10m to tackle alcohol and drug abuse. It is not just about this bill, it is about declaring the dry areas, which is a very important aspect. Territorians, in general, are coming to understand that this is an important strategy and they are accepting that. They are seeing the benefits of what this government is trying to do in that particular field.
The licensing identification program is another program, members of the opposition, which is part of this overall strategy which is leading to tackling this issue. There is the expansion of the drug sniffer dogs that the member for Daly spoke about, which is an important program and another part of the strategy we have. Finally, unlike the opposition - the CLP, the Liberal Parties of years gone by - we are working with the remote communities in this area because we want to engage them in the process. We understand success has to involve participation of the communities in these programs. It is not just about this particular bill, but this bill is another piece in the jigsaw puzzle of putting the whole picture together.
This government is serious about tackling alcohol and drug abuse, and those who prey on the addiction of others. For members of the opposition to talk about the length of sentencing is making light of the fact that this is not targeting the victims, this is targeting those very people - indigenous and non-indigenous might I add; and many of them are non-indigenous – who are preying on those who are going through a difficult period in their life, when there are some significant changes out there. For those people to monetarily gain on the back of other people’s misfortunes is pretty sad. We, as a government, need to tackle that and this is what we are doing.
The newest battlefields are our indigenous communities. The substance abuse intelligence desk which was formed in 2006 has made significant progress in targeting the hot spots. Do not be misled; it is not a local issue, as the member for Daly said, but interstate gangs are targeting them. They know and they can see the opportunities. The crime gangs are well organised; they can target these areas. That is what is behind this whole thing. Let us not focus on the victims here. Let us think about the terrible people who are behind this whole process.
That is the gist of our strategy. The Chief Minister’s media release sums it up very well. He said:
That is our overall approach as part of being an inclusive government. That is what we are on about.
Unfortunately, the opposition are here, there and everywhere, as per usual. They are not an alternative government by any stretch of the imagination when they come out with the approach they have. They support the bill, but it is qualified, which is more than just a qualification. It shows they do not really have a clear direction. I do not think they understand the issue, and that is the sad part about it. This is the alternative government over here which really does not understand the key issue. They do not understand closing the gap. They do not understand the strategic approach we have taken.
Madam Speaker, we are a comprehensive government, we are decisive and we are serious, very serious, about tackling this issue. I commend the minister.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I will make it clear to the member for Goyder, I do not support this bill. The reason I do not support this bill is because I believe it should apply to all Territorians. You may say it is not racially discriminatory, perhaps it is not, but it discriminates amongst the people it was targeting.
If a young family who lives on a community that is recognised as a prescribed community by the Commonwealth government moves to Darwin, or Katherine or Tennant Creek, that family is not as protected as they would have been if they lived on that prescribed community. A person who supplies a trafficable amount of cannabis or a Schedule 2 drug to a person in a prescribed area can get up to a nine year prison term. Why is that any different to supplying that same Aboriginal family who once lived there, now living somewhere else?
I understand why the government is doing it, and I do not have any problem with the government being tough on people who provide drugs, especially to our young people. I do not view this is as a fair way to approach it. In a prescribed area you will have non-indigenous people. If someone supplies them with a drug, the person will also be hit with a nine year penalty. If that same person gives it to the non-indigenous people in one of our cities, they get a maximum five year penalty. It just does not seem to make sense to me.
If the government is serious about the misuse of drugs, it cannot lock people in a little area just because it is prescribed - people move, we are all Territorians. The member for Goyder was saying we are dealing with this as an issue that covers the whole of the Territory. I believe, then, that the penalty should apply evenly to all areas of the Territory and not just specific areas.
We could talk here forever about how you reduce the misuse of drugs in our society. If anyone watched Four Corners last night, you would have seen trying to change people’s attitudes to the misuse of drugs is a monumental task. And it would be, I believe, the same with cannabis especially, and maybe other Schedule 2 drugs. It is a very big task. Increasing the penalty may help prevent some of the trafficking of this drug, but it can only be seen as a very small part of trying to change people’s attitude to using drugs.
When I say that I do not support this bill it is not because I disagree with the intent of what the government is doing. I do not support it because I believe it discriminates amongst the people it is targeting; it is trying to protect Aboriginal people in a small area and not protecting them in another area outside of that prescribed area. I also believe that it should apply to non-indigenous people. The penalty should be the same for both, and because of that, I will not support the bill. I would support it if it came back to this parliament with the penalty applied equally no matter what part of the Northern Territory this offence was committed in.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution to debate today. We heard some varying views and I will try to address those issues raised particularly by members opposite.
I was heartened to hear that the opposition is supporting the bill. The shadow Attorney-General had some concerns and made some observations. She made an assertion that these amendments were purely political or largely political amendments. If I can quote her, I think she said exactly: ‘for the government’s cynical purposes’. Our purpose, as the member for Goyder said, is to address this very real problem of drugs and their effect on indigenous communities. We make no apology for that. It is certainly not cynical or political.
The Little Children are Sacred Report outlined some issues around cannabis use on indigenous communities. I will quote from that report on page 161:
In addition, the Menzies School of Health Research and other researchers have done work on Aboriginal communities around cannabis use. In terms of the effects on depression and other elements, cannabis has been linked to suicides on communities at a far greater rate than occurs elsewhere within the Territory. These are tragedies. The member for Daly mentioned the sorts of pressures that build up in Aboriginal communities around money, particularly pressures directed towards aged and disabled people who are sometimes stood over. Money is extracted from them for drugs. These are a few elements.
If we are looking at an objective statement or position on this, we can look at the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. I am informed the judges are looking at cannabis supply into indigenous communities as an aggravating circumstance. The Supreme Court has recognised that these communities, for a whole range of reasons – historical and economic - are in a weak position and are being exploited by these drug dealers.
This government makes no apology for bringing in these laws. They are not discriminatory, although they do apply an extra penalty for bringing a trafficable quantity into an Aboriginal community from five to nine years. We make no apology for that. I feel the evidence is there from sources other than government that this is a step that should be taken. I reject the member for Araluen’s assertion this is a purely cynical move by government.
This is all about people in need. As I travel around Aboriginal communities and even before I got into parliament this issue of cannabis, and the issues I and the member for Daly mentioned, were front and centre in the minds of people on Aboriginal communities. It is an issue raised all the time when we go hold Community Cabinet public meetings. It is a concern raised particularly by the women and the elderly. We make no apologies for taking these steps.
The member for Araluen quoted the December quarter crime statistics. She quoted pages 96 and 98. She talked about the category for drug offences and the 7% imprisonment rate. She also mentioned on page 98 how 22% of categories of offence have suspended terms of sentences. I have not yet had the opportunity to peruse those December crime statistics in light of what the member for Araluen has said. I will, member for Araluen. I suspect what is happening here is that the 7% imprisonment rate for drug offences includes the whole spectrum of drug offences. Most of us know, and I am sure the member for Araluen knows, that there is a spectrum of offences, different offences, within drug offences. Someone in possession of less than 50g of cannabis, it is assumed - unless there are other circumstances present - to be for personal use. So, up to 50g is personal use and, in that category of offence, I understand that an infringement notice can be issued instead of taking them through the court process. That is probably the case in most jurisdictions in Australia.
I do not know whether the member for Araluen is suggesting the laws be changed regarding this category of offence, for those in possession of small amounts of cannabis, which would probably account for quite a considerable number of offences within this category. I am not sure if the CLP’s position is that there should be greater penalties within that category of offence. Maybe that is something she needs to clarify.
We know for a fact that young people experiment with cannabis. It is not desirable but it happens. Governments all around Australia have said: ‘Okay, you are found in possession of this amount of cannabis. Let this be a warning to you with an infringement notice. If you go on down this track, things are going to get a lot more serious’.
I have been on the record within this parliament, and even before I came into this parliament, about the harmful effects of cannabis. Historically, cannabis was looked upon as a recreational drug, relatively harmless, even a lot less harmful than alcohol. I believe the scientific medical evidence is now very strong on the harm of cannabis to young people in terms of precipitating mental illness, as well as the harm cannabis can do to memory, cognition, and a whole range of things. The use of cannabis has serious and potentially serious health effects, particularly amongst some individuals. It is not a harmless drug. It has potential dangers and I would advise young people to stay away from cannabis. We are not dealing with a harmless drug.
I undertake to follow up on what the member for Araluen has raised here today regarding the December crime statistics.
The member for Daly supports this legislation. He says it is responsive and tough. He said he has been told these dealers see the communities as being a soft touch. The Supreme Court has also taken that stance, I am advised. These are people without scruples who are after money. The message we are sending to them is there is a new penalty regime here with a nine years’ maximum sentence. He also mentioned that along with cannabis there are reports of amphetamines penetrating into these communities. That is why in the legislation that I brought forward to parliament we have included all the Schedule 2 dangerous drugs along with cannabis with these offences. We recognise there is a potential for use of other drugs, apart from cannabis, and that is why we have taken the steps to include those other drugs within the schedule.
The member for Goyder said he was not sure exactly where the CLP stood on this particular issue. I have spoken on the issue alluded to by the member for Araluen regarding drug offences. I am not really sure what she is suggesting in terms of taking steps forward. No doubt, as shadow Attorney-General, she will develop a platform. I will be very interested to read that in light of what she said here today.
The member for Goyder also alluded to the fact that on many communities these drugs are seen as an alternative to alcohol and this has certainly been an effect of the intervention as has been outlined by others.
Very importantly, the member for Goyder alluded to the fact that we are a government with a range of strategies in relation to alcohol and drug abuse. That is why $10m has been set aside within Closing the Gap to address these very issues around alcohol and other drugs. I know the Commonwealth government is also very intent on addressing this issue. These are important issues, but government, over a whole range of areas, is looking to reduce drug use in indigenous communities. As I mentioned before, the Little Children are Sacred report pointed to the very damaging effects of drugs within these communities. However, as the member for Goyder alluded to, it is not just about the law. It is about the other strategies government has. We are intent on regional economic development for indigenous communities, education, and a whole range of factors to support indigenous people, familles and communities move out of this cycle of alcohol and drug abuse. Employment, of course, is a very important element of that, and that is why this government is looking to support the whole issue of regional economic development.
The member for Nelson, unfortunately, said that he could not support this bill. I certainly understand the reasoning put forward by the member for Nelson. However, I have attempted to demonstrate today that indigenous communities are a special case. You mentioned people coming to town from those communities. I take what you say, but the fact remains these indigenous communities, for all the reasons that I outlined previously in my response, are a target and government is taking steps in this regard. I understand what you are saying, member for Nelson, but I disagree with you. We will have to agree to disagree.
This is a step that government has taken and I believe there is sufficient evidence through what I mentioned: the Little Children are Sacred report; research done by the Menzies School; and, as I have been advised, the attitude of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in relation to these sorts of offences. They are a special case, member for Nelson, and that is why government has embarked on the path we have. I thank you for your desire that these laws will have a positive effect.
Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I thank members for their contribution to this debate and I move the bill be now read a second time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Clauses 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clauses 5 and 6, by leave, taken together:
Ms CARNEY: Minister, in relation to the amendment proposed in clause 6, in your second reading speech you referred to the point, and it was raised by the member for Nelson, as to whether it might be discriminatory. I ask two questions. Did you obtain advice from the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner or, indeed, the Solicitor-General and, if so, can you table that advice?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, in answer to the member for Araluen, yes, we did seek advice. The Solicitor-General advised government that it does not breach the Racial Discrimination Act. As I said previously, the courts already cite trafficking into indigenous communities as more serious examples of this offence for reasons such as the greater potential for damage caused to a community.
With regards to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, my recollection - and I will say it is my recollection at this stage - is that as part of the process that government goes through, those views were canvassed. My memory is that the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner did not say that it was discriminatory. Obviously, the penalties apply equally to indigenous and non-indigenous people on these prescribed communities, and also, there is a precedent with the intervention. However, in applying equally to indigenous and non-indigenous people on remote communities, this law does that.
I can be certain of telling you that the Solicitor-General advised it was not discriminatory, and my recollection is that there was similar advice from the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.
Ms CARNEY: Minister, the second part of my question, in the event that you have two advices or, indeed, just one, will you table them?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, this type of advice becomes part of the Cabinet process and those documents and that advice from departments and entities such as the Solicitor-General and the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner are subject to Cabinet confidentiality.
Ms CARNEY: Minister, if memory serves me correctly, you or your colleagues, I cannot remember who, but advice in the past has been tabled. I am fairly certain, although I will not die at the stake over it, that in the last term at least we have received, after it was tabled, an advice in relation to a particular matter. Assuming that is the case, and assuming my recollection of the case, what is the problem here? Is there something extra special in the advices that you do not want us to see?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, the rule is about Cabinet confidentiality. I am not going to stand up today and say: ‘Yes, the opposition can have this and that.’ That sets a precedent. These documents are confidential to Cabinet. I am more than happy to arrange a briefing for the member for Araluen with the Solicitor-General, so that the Solicitor-General can brief her directly. There is nothing to hide here. You can gauge the opinion of the Solicitor-General face-to-face. I am more than happy to arrange that briefing, but, no, I am not prepared to table Cabinet documents in this place.
Ms CARNEY: Minister, I was not able to take an accurate note but you said something about the Supreme Court was looking at, or considering, making the supply of drugs into Aboriginal communities an aggravating offence. Could you elaborate on that statement, please?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, my advice is that there is a precedent in cases and comments made by the Supreme Court. I have a case here. It is Daniels v R 2007. That note has just been passed to me. I understand comments have been made in the Supreme Court by Justices of the Supreme Court in relation to this matter and the way they have viewed this sort of offence. The advice I am given is what I read out before. Courts already cite trafficking into indigenous communities as more serious examples of this offence. It may be something you want to talk specifically with the Solicitor-General about when you speak to him, if you want to take up the offer of a briefing.
Ms CARNEY: I am pleased with your response, minister, because I - and I am sure others - got the impression you were suggesting the judges had a view the legislation should be amended in a way different from the amendment that we are debating today. Thank you for clarifying that matter. In your response you did not refer to a question I put in relation to minimum sentences. Because we are in committee I ask that you answer that question. I will put it as simply as I can: if you are serious as a government about penalising those who do, and preventing those who want to, provide drugs to Aboriginal communities why won’t you consider minimum sentences so the community of the Northern Territory can be assured these people get some time in gaol?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I thank the member for Araluen for her question. Before I move on to that question I have been passed a note in relation to the issue the member for Araluen raised during the second reading debate about imprisonment rates. The note I have been passed says with the dealing or trafficking of a commercial quantity of drugs there is an imprisonment rate of 47%. As I said previously, a lot of that 7% you mentioned includes a lot of low level infringements. If you are talking about dealing or trafficking in a commercial quantity of drugs there is an imprisonment rate of 47% which is probably in line with other imprisonment rates for other offences. I just wanted to place that on the record for the member of Araluen.
I know the opposition has been going to the issue of minimum sentences. The opposition has mentioned certain precedents that may be in legislation but government has decided we trust in our court system and the wisdom of it to look on a case-by-case basis at what the appropriate measures, remedies and penalties should be. That is our position in terms of minimum sentences. We are not going with it.
Ms CARNEY: You referred to the figure of 47% on page 98 of the December quarter crime statistics. You made the point, minister, and I know why, that that was for commercial supply of drugs …
Dr BURNS: And trafficable.
Ms CARNEY: Yes, dealing and trafficking. Minister, what is the figure for non-commercial?
Dr BURNS: I do not have that here. These are …
Ms CARNEY: Let me tell you, minister. It is 9%. You can pick the figure you want; look at the non-commercial which is the very matter we are debating today. Minister, isn’t it the case that section 5(2)(a)(iv), the one that we are amending today, deals with drugs supplied that is not a commercial quantity?
Dr BURNS: I can only reiterate what I said before and the information I have here. No doubt, the member for Araluen and I will have discussions about this in estimates next week and I am very much looking forward to that.
Ms Carney: I am just counting the sleeps.
Dr BURNS: Yes, well, for dealing or trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs there is an imprisonment rate of 47%. That is all I can say at this stage, member for Araluen.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Chair, can I ask the question again on the basis that the minister deliberately did not answer it? Sorry, I will withdraw that. I will put it this way: minister, you were reading from a document when you quoted the figure of 47% for dealing or trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs. Was the document from which you were quoting page 98 of the December quarter crime statistics? Yes or no?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, this is turning into court proceedings. This is a committee stage and it is not a court of law. What I am reading from is a note that has been passed to me by my advisors which, as you know, happens during committee stages. I said in my second reading speech that I did not have the December crime statistics in front of me. I gave an undertaking, based on your statements around that, that I would look carefully at that and, no doubt, we will talk further about this in estimates next week.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, minister. I will assume that you do not know, then, what the current imprisonment rates or, that is, the imprisonment rate from 1 December 2007 to 31 December 2007 was. Can I tell you that, in relation to non-commercial quantities, and that is what we are dealing with in terms of the amendment today, the figure was, in fact, 9%, but …
Mr Bonson: For the quarter, not the year.
Ms CARNEY: Sorry, there was someone talking in the background.
Mr Bonson: Do not misquote.
Ms CARNEY: If the member for Millner would like to contribute to this debate, he has his opportunity. Of course, he knows so very little about most things, I will not be holding my breath.
Madam Chair, my question is this: do you accept the figures provided in the crime statistics in relation to the outcome for drug offences deals with all drug offences that were finalised by the courts, and that the principal penalty for all such offences was 7%?
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Chair! We are dealing with legislation …
Ms Carney: It is a different question, Madam Chair.
Ms LAWRIE: … and not an analysis of the crime statistics. The Attorney-General has repeated on several occasions to the shadow minister …
Ms Carney: It is a different question, you moron!
Ms LAWRIE: … he does not have the …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Chair! We do need that sort of language; the shadow minister calling the Leader of Government Business a moron. I ask her to withdraw.
Madam CHAIR: Member for Araluen.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Chair, I withdraw that she is a moron.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Chair, as I was saying, as Leader of Government Business, I am drawing attention to the repetitive aspects of this course of questioning. It is not an analysis or debate on the crime statistics report. The Attorney-General has repeatedly advised the shadow minister that he does not have it in the Chamber with him.
Madam CHAIR: There is no point of order.
Ms CARNEY: Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair and, in any event, I had finished.
Mr WOOD: Minister, just on that matter, if the statistics for the number of people imprisoned under the present punishment regime is 9%, why would the increasing of that penalty by another four years make a huge difference to people trafficking cannabis or Schedule 2 drugs?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. People would realise that there is a higher penalty regime attached to it, and I believe that would be a deterrent.
Mr WOOD: Minister, if the idea of this change in the legislation is to increase an imprisonment term, and we already know that under the five-year imprisonment term only 9% of people are actually imprisoned, in other words, 91% of people are not imprisoned, do you really think that what you are trying to do will have a big effect on those people supplying a trafficable amount of marijuana into a prescribed area?
Dr BURNS: The simple answer to the member for Nelson is, yes, I do believe so. Simply put, by increasing the penalty not only does it act, I believe, as a deterrent to those who would try to engage in this sort of activity, it is also a message from this parliament to the courts that we view this as a very serious issue and we have upped the ante in the penalty. Therefore, in terms of imprisonment, I believe it is a more likely outcome.
Mr WOOD: Minister, we will have to see. That is the only way we will find out.
Ms Scrymgour: What? Do nothing contrary to that? Do nothing?
Mr WOOD: In response to the interjection, this is not about saying doing nothing; it is testing the government to see whether the amendment to this bill would be as effective as it is claiming. That is not saying ‘doing nothing’; it is a legitimate question to ask the government because, based on the figure of only 9% imprisonment at the present time, you would have to wonder whether it will make a substantial difference. That is all I was looking at. As I said to the minister, we will wait and see and, if it does, I will say that is good.
Minister, I refer to clause 6. Why did not the government simply just apply a nine-year penalty for the whole of the Northern Territory?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I have explained that the government believes - and other sources believe, and there is evidence to back it up - that the supply of these drugs into Aboriginal communities is an aggravating circumstance. It has a much more profound effect on the community and individuals within that community. The evidence has shown that. Studies have shown the incidence of mental disease associated with cannabis use is much higher in Aboriginal communities than elsewhere. I mentioned Closing the Gap and the quote I gave about the profoundly damaging effects of cannabis and alcohol use within those communities.
Member for Nelson, as I said in the second reading speech, I understand where you are coming from. I see the rationale. However, government has taken the position that we believe that this is an aggravating circumstance and that is why we have increased it specifically in those circumstances.
With the measures that have been taken in the Commonwealth intervention around these prescribed communities, some people believe the measures are harsh. I believe they have been taken to try to address very profound issues in those Aboriginal communities. With the upcoming review of the intervention by the federal government, we will all have to take a good look at what is working, what is not, and what further steps can be taken. These prescribed communities are special cases, and this legislation and the related increased penalties are recognition of that.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, minister, I understand that. However, when you read clause 6(3), it says:
You have that clause specifically to tell the courts that you regard this as an aggravated crime. Why can that not stay there and the penalty still be nine years for the whole of the Territory? In other words, along comes Joe Blow, he has been charged with a trafficable amount of marijuana, and he was charged with supplying that to someone in Palmerston, but he still gets nine years - he still could get nine years. However, if the same Joe Blow goes to a prescribed area and supplies the same amount to a person within that community, the judge will see that not only does he have the same penalty, but it was more serious here because clause 6(3) says that. You still have the same penalty. You do not have the argument that the person is not under the same penalty; it is just that in particular circumstances it could be seen as a bit more serious where that drug was sold. Why could it not stay at nine years and leave that clause where it is?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I understand the reasoning the member for Nelson is using. I can only state again that government wants a specific offence in a specific category and a specifically increased penalty for this sort of an offence. We do this to not only send a message to those who would deal drugs into Aboriginal communities, but also to those Aboriginal communities themselves. As I said in my second reading speech, when we go out to communities, as we do as a government, as we do as a Cabinet, as we go with our local members who have bush electorates, the message clear and simple from the women and elders is that cannabis is doing harm and they request government to address this issue. This is a specific message, not only to those who would try to deal drugs to these Aboriginal communities, but it is saying to these Aboriginal communities, we recognise what you have been telling us – we recognise your call and we have acted.
Mr WOOD: I do not disagree with any of that. I take a bit of exception that people think because I am questioning you on these things and coming from an alternative point of view, that I am less concerned about the effects of cannabis on Aboriginal communities. I know we have places that have some of the highest rates of suicide in the world due to cannabis. But that does not mean I should not put some issues to you that this legislation is attempting to cover.
I have two prescribed areas in my electorate. Those are very close to suburban areas. Under this law, a person can go into the Palmerston Indigenous Village and have a different penalty for supplying a trafficable quantity of marijuana. You can just drive out to the front gate or around to the Stuart Highway and the same people we are trying to protect can pop over the fence, and that sale is not then in a prescribed community, the dealer is under a different penalty regime. Surely that defeats the purpose. I understand what you are saying, that there needs to be heavier penalties, and there are problems.
In my opinion you have left indigenous people out of it to some extent. You have separated one group of them and said: ‘If you are in there you have some protection because we are going to give higher penalties, but if you happen to jump the fence, the penalty is not so bad’. The message you are sending is the wrong message. It should apply equally to people on both sides of the fence.
That is the problem with this law. Surely a simple change to it, including that section you have there providing for a nine year penalty regardless of which side of the fence you are on, regardless of who you supply it to, is the better message to send out. I rest my case, minister.
Dr BURNS: I welcome the questions from the member for Nelson and the member for Araluen. This is a very important part of the process. I can only say, member for Nelson, I understand your rationale. I can understand what you are saying. There will always be people who try to circumvent any law, who will find metaphorical back fences to try to evade laws. That is part of society and we will always have those people. The same probably applies to some of the alcohol measures that have been taken through the intervention and through what this government has done, as well. It is just human nature. There will always be people who try to find holes in things. I believe this is a step in the right direction.
Like most legislation, we give undertakings that after a time to establish the legislation we are prepared to review it. If there are problems around that, we will look at it, but today this is the step we are taking. If there are unintended consequences at a fairly high level, we will look at that. We are a government which has shown the community we are prepared to be flexible. We are prepared to build on what we have already done, and take further steps to ensure our intent and our strategies bear fruit.
I take what you say. We will look at this legislation at a future date and, if there are further steps that need to be taken, as a government, we will consider those, member for Nelson.
Clause 5 and 6 agreed to.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment.
Report adopted.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, there is a point of clarification that needs to be made, although it does not really deserve it, and a summing up, if you like, of the government’s position in relation to this legislation.
The minister, I assume flippantly, was trying to suggest in his reply to our reply that the opposition was suggesting we change penalties for low level, that is, 50 grams possession of cannabis. I can assure him that it is not the opposition’s view, nor is it my view.
Getting back to the legislation, I thank the member for Nelson for making a point which was so blindly obvious. I elected not to make it but, given the conduct of those opposite from time to time, I should for the purposes of the parliamentary Hansard make it, not that I should have to. We are all concerned about drug use in the Northern Territory. Frankly, I am deeply concerned about it wherever it is occurring in the Northern Territory. The exploitation of our indigenous Territorians in so many of our communities is outrageous. As legislators, we should do all we can to lock up those who provide or sell drugs and put up whatever barriers need to be put up in order to dissuade those who even contemplate perpetrating the scourge which is provision of drugs to any Australian but, particularly, our Aboriginal Australians.
Minister, that brings me to why I question the motivations beyond the bill. Yes, this is a very serious issue. You quoted the Menzies School of Health research undertaken. You referred to suicide rates. Of course, we are all concerned. For my money, members on the other side should do a bit more questioning than they do. Of course we question it. We question it because in terms of the non-commercial supply of Schedule 2 drugs there are already sentences of 14 years, 25 years and life; yet the most recent crime figures - and I had the opportunity to dig out the December quarter 2005 - those figures also show relatively few drug offenders go to gaol.
Yes, we can give you the global number - which is always referred to. Whatever way you look at it - either the global figure as per the crime statistics or, if you look through the tabled figures, you will see in relation to the non-commercial supply for financial year 1 July 2005 to 31 December 2005, half of the financial year, 23% imprisonment orders. The nett result is 12; that is for all drug related offences. Let us go back one year before hand. 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005, imprisonment orders for non-commercial drugs, 18%. The global figure is 15% for all drug offences. I have not done a graph but if you were to graph this, minister, I think it is like this. It is going along, it is not moving up very much. You will have spikes. Interestingly, for the commercial quantities of drugs, the imprisonment rate goes a little higher but, for non-commercial supply, it is pretty static and it is pretty low.
We say if you are genuinely motivated in this area, the collective efforts of government surely would be channelled into better enforcement. Does that mean more police in remote communities? Yes. And before you lecture me about how many more you have out there, bully for you. There obviously has to be more. There has to be better education campaigns so that those who know, and let us face it, we all know that many people in communities know who the dealers are, they need to out these dealers. I would have thought education campaigns were very much needed. Of course we need to improve our prosecution efforts. We say we are not prepared to so readily dismiss minimum sentences for some offences, given we all agreed in relation to domestic violence offences that we would all move through the minimum mandatory sentencing pain threshold that was the colour of Labor in opposition.
They are the points I make. You know we support the bill. Please do not mistake our questioning for not taking this issue seriously. I assure you we do. Thank you for your comments in relation to the member for Nelson which I will take, because I am a generous and charitable person, to be applied to us. That is, that you accept that questioning is part of the process.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I will be brief. I thank the member for Araluen, once again, for the debate during this bill. I acknowledged her with the member for Nelson as part of the process. As Attorney-General I welcome that. I have said to her, and I have said in this place, that I respect her and her commitment as a legislator as she said here many times. There is no problem with this sort of debate from my perspective.
I was heartened to hear that the member for Araluen acknowledged the CLP was not about to change their regime regarding possession of small amounts of cannabis. They are yet to come forward with their minimum sentencing regime over a whole range of offences. I will be interested to see that, particularly in relation to these sorts of offences.
The member for Araluen has been quoting the crime statistics and, as I said previously, we will debate these more fully estimates next week. You should remember that some of these offences correspond to relatively small amounts of cannabis; we have talked about that, as well. We will discuss those further next week during estimates.
Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their participation in this very important debate.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 8 May 2008.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, this will not take very long at all. The assessment of this bill indicates it is a commonsense adjustment to speed up or facilitate the efficient issuing of licences, rather than have all licences due on a set date. Those licences can be issued on the day they are renewable which will make for a more efficient system. We see this as a commonsense approach and it receives our support.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Employment, Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his support in this bill. It does make sense extending the licence which went from 12 months to three years. Regarding the cost of renewal of those licences, Leader of the Opposition, we will pick them up. There is the broader review that is going to happen for this act. Until that broader review to look at the existing cost of the renewals happens, they will stay as is. I thank you for your support.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Employment, Education and Training)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
Continued from 8 May 2008.
Mr KIELY (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 delivers for Territory families. It continues this government’s commitment to enhancing our great lifestyle by protecting the Territory’s unique environment and investing in our world-class parks and reserves.
As outlined in Budget Paper No 3, the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts is responsible for conserving, enhancing and ensuring best possible access to, and enjoyment of, the Territory’s natural and cultural assets. The department’s goals are directed to six key outcomes:
protecting the Territory’s natural and cultural assets;
supporting the community and creating new understandings and expressions of Territory identity;
predicting and assisting in mitigating threats from both natural processes and human activity;
helping the community care for and make best use of natural and cultural assets; and
creating commercial, educational and recreational opportunities based on those assets.
In Budget 2008-09, these outcomes are provided by seven output groups: Parks and Reserves; Biological Parks; Natural Resources; Environment Protection; Heritage Conservation; Scientific and Cultural Collections; and Arts and Screen Industry Support. Whilst these groups are consistent with the 2007-08 Budget, there are a number of important initiatives in Budget 2008-09. These include further refinement of the parks output through our 87 parks and reserves; and a change to the Environment Protection output to recognise the establishment of the independent Environment Protection Authority on 23 January 2008.
A total of $34.1m will be spent on our 87 parks and reserves. The visitor management programs funded by this budget provide enjoyment and access to our wonderful natural environment for Territorians and visitors. They are a linchpin for Territory tourism and are critical to the Territory’s economy, especially in regional areas. The conservation management programs protect the biodiversity and cultural richness of our parks estate for the enjoyment of all Territorians and future generations. $5.2m will be spent on parks joint management programs, establishing equitable partnerships with local traditional owners to manage, maintain and protect the biodiversity of a park or reserve while, at the same time, serving the needs of visitors and the wider community.
I am particularly pleased to draw your attention to the funding in this year’s joint management output budget for the next stage in the indigenous ranger group development program. Budget 2007-08 provided funding of $100 000 to place a trained ranger at Laynhupuy in East Arnhem, building capability in their rangers by providing support, training and mentoring. This budget sees this commitment double to $200 000, enabling a second officer to be engaged. The program will build on existing indigenous land management skills, with contemporary techniques for structured and accredited training. Indigenous groups will build capacity to effectively compete for Commonwealth and corporate funding, and also engage in broader networks which facilitate greater access to employment and enterprise development opportunities including environmental service delivery, sustainable wildlife utilisation, and cultural tourism. This initiative reinforces this government’s significant investment in the commitment to the joint management of our parks and reserves, enabling us to successfully manage the parks estate in partnership with traditional owners.
There are also substantial benefits flowing from joint management in the form of training and development for indigenous people. The department currently has six joint management trainees studying conservation and land management in Central Australia. The department has 12 indigenous adult apprentices employed across the Territory at the moment. In the fields of conservation and land management, we have seven; zoo keeping, three; and horticulture, two. There is more recruitment planned for 2008-09. This is positive proof of the success of joint management, building both indigenous capability and employment.
A total of $8.2m is provided for parks and reserves visitor management programs to create commercial, educational and recreational opportunities for Territorians for our 87 parks and reserves.
In addition to this investment, Budget 2008-09, through the Capital Works program, provides a record $12.6m Parks spending package to upgrade Parks infrastructure. The work on Stage 2 of Leanyer Recreation Reserve announced in February 2008 commits $5.2m to the development of two new waterslides, more lifesaving and first aid facilities, parking, shade, barbecues, and areas for bikes, rollerblades and skateboards.
Litchfield National Park will receive a major boost of $4.4m in capital committed to upgrading visitor facilities in the park. This is the first stage of this government’s election commitment to upgrade Litchfield National Park and we will provide upgrades to the facilities at Wangi Falls and the camping grounds, along with other visitor facilities, including more parking, picnic tables, barbecue shelters, toilet facilities and the loop walk. Budget 2008-09 also provides $1.5m to replace the boardwalk and lookout at Fogg Dam, the only wetland accessible to visitors 12 months of the year. This funding will re-establish the rusted and collapsed boardwalk damaged by wild fire, providing an educational, interpretive walk leading the visitor through the transitioning vegetation forms from the woodland to the rainforest and on to the floodplain.
Budget 2008-09 also provides $1.5m for a Red Centre Way Interpretive Centre, utilising a variety of mediums to provide information and orientation, and entice the visitor to experience a variety of authentic experiences of nature and culture through the West MacDonnell Ranges and along the Red Centre Way. $20.8m is provided for conservation management programs. Parks and reserves are created to protect and conserve the landscapes and enrich biodiversity of the Territory for future generations to enjoy. This is achieved through investment and conservation management of our 87 parks and reserves addressing issues such as weeds, fire and feral animal management.
Taking capital and output funding together, this amounts to a record $46.7m provided for our parks and reserves in 2008-09. Some $10.6m has been provided to fund the Territory’s biological parks, which includes support for the Desert Park in Alice Springs, the Territory Wildlife Park at Berry Springs and the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. In addition to commercial, educational and recreational benefits, these parks provide visitors and Territorians with opportunities to experience and learn about the Territory’s flora, fauna, landscapes and cultures. The visitor and education facilities output creates commercial and education opportunities by funding Windows on the Wetland and community service obligations of $7.9m to the two wildlife parks. This funding enables these parks to operate successfully.
The Threatened Species breeding program, a program of the Territory Wildlife Park, now includes extension of the northern quoll breeding programs. This investment will enable these key facilities to continue to operate as high standard tourism and educational facilities. The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens will also benefit from Budget 2008-09 with further developments through the minor new works capital program to revitalise the entrance and pathway linkages through the gardens.
The government has provided $46m to fund the Natural Resources output group. This contributes to key outcomes in protecting Territorians’ interests in and helping us to care for and make best use of our precious natural assets. It also supports the creation of commercial, educational and recreational opportunities in a sustainable way, and plays a crucial role in predicting and mitigating threats from both natural processes and human activity. This funding will enable sustainable use of the renewable natural resources of the Northern Territory, including water, native plants and animals.
The Natural Resources assessment is allocated $12.1m. This will enable the critical strategic work needed in 2008 and 2009 to provide a foundation for sustainable land use occurring in the context of the moratorium on clearing the Daly and implications of the Kyoto Protocol and climate change. This is important work happening at a critical time in Australia. Natural Resource management activities, with funding of $21.7m, is responsible for identifying and mitigating risks to and associated with natural resources, including risks surrounding the management of biodiversity, bush fires, weeds, native vegetation and soil conservation.
Budget 2008-09 includes additional funding of $2m to provide greater support for Bushfires NT volunteers and brigades. The Territory’s 1000 hard-working volunteer fire fighters will receive extra training and resources from this significant boost in funding. Our volunteer fire fighters do an outstanding job and the increase in funding will enable them to maintain their capabilities and skills, and give them better resources to make a safer community. Funding will also be used to upgrade the fire fighting fleet and radio network so critical in emergency situations.
Budget 2008-09 continues the high level of funding for an enhanced flood forecasting system for flood prone areas of the Territory, with funding of $1.2m in addition to $120 000 in capital items funding.
The benefits of the establishment of new water resources output in last year’s budget are evident with water allocation plans released for Alice Springs, and well under way for Katherine. Budget 2008-09 builds on this initiative providing additional funding of $0.5m to implement the National Water Initiative, improve regulation and monitor compliance with legislation, and declared water allocation plans. Coming priorities for this output in relation to water include development of water allocation plans for the Mataranka, Tindal and Tennant Creek areas; the Oolloo aquifer and the Daly, and commencement of planning work for the Howard, East and Darwin regions. The budget also includes continued funding of $100 000 for the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek water initiatives to reduce water usage.
The water management output is also strategically involved in the development of a Living Rivers framework for the Territory. The Living Rivers program is intended to give special status to our iconic rivers for the benefit of all users. This government has provided $3.5m funding for Living Rivers over four years with 2008-09 funding of $1m being the final year. This funding has been augmented in Budget 2008-09 by additional funding of $344 000 to specifically monitor the biodiversity in the Daly River catchment and produce a conservation plan for the area. Living Rivers is an integrated approach to catchment management involving the assessment of the natural resources in terms of water, land and biodiversity and policy development using a whole of catchment adaptive management process.
Since the Living Rivers initiative commenced in 2005, a considerable foundation of scientific knowledge about impacts on the river and catchment biodiversity has been developed. New infrastructure has been constructed to ensure ongoing monitoring of both the quality and quantity of water resources into the future. The Daly River Management Advisory Committee, a committee of key community stakeholders, is continuing to play an important role in identifying an adaptive management framework to manage the Daly catchment. The committee is also engaged in providing advice in regard to the water allocation planning processes to ensure equity and transparency and the management of this precious resource.
The new independent Environment Protection Authority has now been established and is recognised as a completely separate output group. The environment sustainability output received funding of $7.6m and is now completely separate from the authority, recognising the policy independence of the authority from the department’s environment assessment regulation functions. The environment sustainability output is responsible for advising government, industry and the community in relation to environmental issues; particularly issues arising from proposed land uses, to protect the environment from detrimental affects and promote maintenance of aquatic ecosystems and health.
A significant initiative in this budget is the investment of $0.7m to establish an air quality program to monitor and report emissions data for the Darwin region. We are exceptionally lucky in the Territory in that, due to our unspoiled environment, we generally have good air quality, except for occasional periods of high smoke and bush fires. However, economic development is the future of the Territory and it is important we establish baseline data now, so that we can monitor and manage our air quality. Baseline information collected through this air quality program will be available to business and industry to inform and assist in development proposals. It is a critical investment at this time in the Territory’s economic development.
This output is also responsible for administering the government’s significant $2m investment in climate change initiatives for households and businesses in Budget 2008-09. This initiative will provide assistance to encourage households to reduce their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The establishment of an energy efficient program for small to medium enterprises in the Territory will assist to improve the efficiency of energy use in their operations.
This budget also continues the environment grants program providing funding of $480 000 which this year is focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable technology, recycling and resource efficiency. Funding of $100 000 is also continued for the Cool Communities initiative to enable the COOLMob groups in Darwin and Alice Springs to work with households to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Heritage Conservation Output provides funding for conservation of the Northern Territory’s heritage assets. This output will receive $2.6m including continuation of this government’s significant investment in the maintenance of heritage assets which commenced in 2005-06, investing $1m a year for 10 years on repairs and maintenance of government-owned heritage properties throughout the Territory. Over the last three years, this funding has seen the government leading by example in the conservation of Territory’s rich and diverse heritage. Conservation work has been carried out to dozens of government-owned heritage assets throughout the Territory. Funding of $375 000 is also provided to support the operations of the National Trust and to assist private owners of heritage properties to conserve and promote these important assets in a variety of ways.
Each year $200 000 is provided through the NT Heritage Grants Program and owners can also claim rate rebates and have access to free professional advice. A total of $14.7m has been allocated to provide funding in support of the scientific and culture collection aimed at preserving and enabling access to the Territory’s historic buildings and permanent museum and art gallery collections held by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the museum in Central Australia, the Strehlow Research Centre and the Herbarium. The Herbarium, in my portfolio, will receive $1.3m of this funding to continue to preserve the Territory’s scientific plant collection, and provide access to floral information held by the Herbarium in Darwin and Alice Springs.
There has been an allocation of $783 000 to the recently established Environmental Protection Authority. I have asked the Environmental Protection Authority to review the Environmental Impact Assessment and approvals process for major projects. I also anticipate they will be consulting with business and the community to determine priorities for their investigations.
In addition to the huge record breaking investment in the four capital works projects I have already outlined, Budget 2008-09 also provides $2.4m in minor new works programs for the department resulting in the total capital investment of $16.3m in 2008-09.
In summary, the 2007-08 Budget provides the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts the capacity to protect and conserve our natural and cultural assets. Of the total $129.5m, the department’s budget expenditure output appropriation provides $170m with around $6m being levied by the department through external grants funding which would not be possible without the significant contribution of the Territory for these programs.
Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 delivers for Territory families. I congratulate the Treasurer on an outstanding budget and I commend it to the Assembly.
Debate suspended.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Parliament House public tour participants. On behalf of all honourable members I extend to you a very warm welcome.
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that leave of absence be granted this day to the member for Fannie Bay who is interstate.
Motion agreed to.
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, earlier this year I wrote to all Top End regional primary schools inviting their Year 5/6 students to participate in the 2008 Top End Primary School Art Competition. This follows on from the very successful competition held in Central Australia last year as part of the Alice Springs sittings. The entries for this year’s awards are on display in the Main Hall and are based on the theme of community leadership and parliamentary democracy.
I am pleased to announce the winning schools for this year are Minyerri School with a prize of $3000; second prize is Kalkarindji Community Education Centre with $1000 prize; and equal third prizes of $500 each go to Berry Springs Primary School and Katherine School of the Air.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I encourage you to view the exhibition and, more importantly, to vote in the People’s Choice Award. I am sure you will agree with the judges that the ones we selected are excellent.
Continued from earlier this day.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, I would like to make a number of comments in relation to this budget. Naturally, we will have the Estimates Committee next week. If estimates worked as well as they should, then we would have all of our questions answered. I do not want to put the kibosh on estimates, but history tells us, year-in year-out, not all of our questions are answered.
This forum today is an opportunity for every member of the parliament to outline their perspective on the Territory budget I do so now. In estimates, I will be dealing very specifically with my shadow portfolios. Today, I will be very deliberately adopting a broader approach, and it comes from me being a member of parliament based in Alice Springs. Therefore, much, though not all, of my contribution in this debate will be from an Alice Springs perspective, noting that next week it will be very specifically from a shadow ministerial perspective which, of course, does not preclude all things Alice Springs.
I know government will not like this, but they are going to have to wear it: going through the budget I was disappointed. I was disappointed on a number of points. I preface my remarks by saying that not everything in the budget is not good. Of course, increases in spending anywhere, any time, by any government, is always welcome. This government has received an incredible amount of extra revenue as a result of GST revenue, and its own source revenue has gone up as well. Why would you not, in those circumstances, invest money where it should be invested? Any government, regardless of what side of the political fence it comes from, would do so.
I was disappointed that there was nothing specific about upgrading the facilities at the Alice Springs Courthouse. This is an issue that I have been talking about, both in and out of parliament, for longer than I care to remember. I hope that, by the time that I am an old lady, the Alice Springs Courthouse will be upgraded and, in particular, the vulnerable witness room will be upgraded. Members will recall - because it was very public and, from the point of the Northern Territory, an embarrassing media report - when His Honour Justice Eames, a visiting judge to the Territory, was quoted in ABC Online, 29 April this year, as being pretty scathing of the technology used at the Alice Springs Courthouse. I am ready from the ABC Online report, where he described:
His Honour went on to say:
He also said:
He made some other comments, but for the purposes of my contribution to the budget, I need not go any further.
I remember questioning the member for Nhulunbuy when he was Attorney-General. I quizzed him at length. In essence, I said that the vulnerable witness room was terrible. The room next door to the vulnerable witness room is one used by lawyers for robing purposes. The witness assistance service has no key, or did not at that time - that may have changed in recent times - but did not have a key for the private or non-public access to the witness room. The robing room is just outside it which means that defence counsel will bump into witnesses, rape victims for instance, in the middle of trials; child rape victims in the middle of trials will bump into them just outside the very room that is meant to protect them. There is no toilet in or near the room. Witnesses have to go through the foyer and use the public toilets. The room is outside Court No 4, which is used for Court of Summary Jurisdiction matters, juvenile matters and so on. That means the witnesses are not protected at all.
I asked the then Attorney-General whether he had seen the room. He said he sat inside it for 10 minutes when he was interviewed by a journalist. I asked him whether, if he was a 10-year-old kid who was giving evidence in a trial, let us say, for instance, a sexual assault trial, the court kicks off at 10 am and a 10-year-old kid is not called on until, say, 3 pm, whether an adult might want to spend that much amount of time in such a small and uninviting room. I cannot remember the former Attorney-General’s response, but I feel certain that he would have answered no.
So we have the witness room that should be upgraded. We also have outdated technology which saw, in the case that Justice Eames was presiding over - it was a sexual assault matter - that that was abandoned due to faulty equipment. Out of all the budget papers, out of all the media releases, I do not see anything that is fixing the vulnerable witness room. I implore government to turn its collective mind to this issue. I will keep doing so because, obviously, some things should be fought for, and I am terribly disappointed, again, particularly in the light of the very public and scathing comments made by Justice Eames that things have not been improved.
The Chief Minister was happy to put his pearly whites on a media release, probably two months ago, saying there would be 60 police for the Northern Territory - I think it was four locations in two years. It was only last month that it emerged that no extra police officers would be sent to Alice Springs until the second half of the second year, which would take us to about 2010. The Minister for Central Australia, when he was in Alice Springs either late last year or earlier this year, made the comment that he thought we needed all of the 60 police. Why? Because of the amount of crime and vandalism that occurs in the town in which I live.
I note that, last month, the Minister for Central Australia said in relation to the budget that community safety is an issue for people living in Central Australia:
Nothing until 2010, or the first half of 2010 and where, I ask, are the extra patrols? So, can I tick that box for government? No, I cannot, given the area I represent. The crime figures clearly show that crime has been increasing, but I refer particularly to crimes against the person, that is, violent assault. In the December quarter, assaults against the person increased by 16% compared with the previous quarter.
On those figures, not to mention any others, you would have thought that Alice Springs would be well and truly deserving of a further allocation of police officers. Sadly, that is not so. Even if some of the 60 police officers were going to go to Alice Springs in the next 12 months, and they are not, but we have asked the question in parliament before – albeit, perhaps, rhetorically - is that enough to match the attrition rate for police in Central Australia? If we get time, this issue is likely to be pursued in estimates.
I turn now to the issue of policing to the police communications or telecommunications area. I have not seen in the budget, and members on the other side can be assured that members on this side continue to pore over it, not exactly bedside reading, but we do the best we can, and we are fairly confident that by estimates we will have found even more issues to pursue government about. The police telecommunications in Alice Springs is, I believe, going to be one of them.
Why is it an issue? This matter has been going on for some time. Minister Burns, who was Police minister at the time, that is 21 February 2007, said in parliament there was a problem:
He went on to say:
We ask, was it done, how much did it cost and why are there still problems?
That was February 2007. The problems went on. In Alice Springs on 19 April 2007, I think the minister for Police, minister Burns said that it had been an unedifying experience over the last 24 hours to realise the system was not working; that it had been in place for three years; and that when it came under focus it was not working up to scratch. He said to the residents of Alice Springs that there was a commitment from police, that in – I think he said about six to eight weeks – the call line would be up to scratch and operating as well as the one in Darwin.
That is apparently not the case. I refer to an article in the Centralian Advocate on 30 May 2008 in which the owner of a security firm reports he waited 109 minutes – the call cost him $50.61 – for the phone to be answered at the Alice Springs Police Station. Superintendent Parnell said in this media report: ‘We’ve done our own internal reviews and the wait time has decreased. To wait for 20 minutes is not the norm and is beyond our control.’
The Centralian Advocate revealed a South Australian policeman has been called in to investigate the Alice Springs Police Station Call Centre. We understand, as does the journalist, that he ‘has finished an external review of the station’s trouble-plagued communications hub’. ‘Trouble-plagued communications hub’ is from the Centralian Advocate, and trouble-plagued it has been. We have had assurances from the minister that ‘The job’s right, folks. It’s all going to be fixed’. Clearly it has not been. No one knew about this external review until recently. You would have to ask if the former minister for Police misled the parliament, either inadvertently or deliberately, when he assured the people of Alice Springs in April last year that all would be fixed.
I have not seen anything in the budget that says: ‘Here is some money for improving the communications system’. When people ring the police often they need to get through very quickly. I can assure the minister they are ringing the 131444 number.
In addition, I remember seeing in the budget papers or perhaps the media releases or perhaps both, the mention of a hotline to report antisocial behaviour. I asked in the February sittings when we were debating youth justice matters whether that hotline will be extended or will exist in Alice Springs. The silence on the government side is, I am sad to say, deafening. If you have a hotline in Darwin, might it not be appropriate to have a hotline operating in Alice Springs? I believe it is and I am sure many people both in this parliament and outside it would agree.
Once again the issue of the CCTV cameras comes up. This was the issue, of course, where government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to throw in some money for the CCTV cameras. It is blindingly obvious that the protest at the Alice Springs sittings in April last year affected some movement. I recall a former Police minister, the member for Johnston, wrote me a letter or responded to a petition and said no, no we are not going to have CCTV cameras. The then Chief Minister, after copping what she copped at the demonstration, shortly thereafter announced to parliament, that yes, we could give you some money for some CCTV cameras.
We are eternally grateful for what the government provides in terms of giving the people of Alice Springs what they should receive, and I emphasise what they should receive. We do receive some funding from government. We do not receive enough. We do not receive enough because when dealing with CCTV cameras, the government gave, I think, about $150 000 towards the capital costs but the government only gave half of the costs towards the monitoring. That means monitoring does not happen 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It happens 24 hours a day, I think three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We think the people of Alice Springs deserve more and better. Yet there was nothing in this budget along those lines.
I note with great interest, however, that the government has kicked in $3.125m for CCTV cameras in Darwin and Palmerston. We congratulate the people of Darwin and Palmerston for getting CCTV cameras and that amount of money. But, on behalf of the people of Alice Springs, we say it is not comparable. We should receive more. I also note that the monitoring of the CCTV cameras in Alice Springs is not going to be done by the police. It is going to be done by a private firm, whereas in Darwin it will be monitored by the police or, at least, go through the police communications system. Why the difference? There should not be one.
In addition, in terms of Alice Springs, and I hope to pursue this matter in estimates, but I would like to do so now. Bradshaw Primary School is in my electorate. In the last six months or so they have copped a lot of vandalism. It has had not only a poor financial effect on the school, but it has really knocked them in terms of their morale and so on. They have lifted themselves up, they have put in, and parents, friends and teachers have done some repair work. But the matter needs to be addressed. I read in the Bradshaw Primary School newsletter, as I read all newsletters in my electorate that I receive, dated 8 May, that, and I quote: ‘It was hoped that security fencing is not too far off and that will help to stem the problems we have had’. I invite the Education minister at some point, and I hope she can do it in estimates next week, to point me to an allocation in the budget papers for a security fence for Bradshaw Primary School. We all know that security fences do not come cheap; they are very expensive things. One was provided, I think, to another school in my electorate some years ago, Gillen Primary School. Bradshaw now want and need one. I cannot find in the budget papers any allocation for it.
I turn now to the ongoing saga of the missing hydrotherapy pool. Members will remember I have spoken about it in this place before. This was promised as part of the new aquatic centre proposal, a promise made during the 2005 election campaign by the former Chief Minister. Much was made of it. It appeared in candidate literature in the electorate of Araluen for the Labor Party. The then Chief Minister with former Labor candidate, Fran Kilgariff, did as much media as they possibly could about the injection of funds that would be required to upgrade the aquatic centre. They promised a hydrotherapy pool. It has disappeared. People in Alice Springs are seriously unhappy about this. You cannot just promise something and then not go back to it and hope people forget. The people have not forgotten. I would have thought, in this budget, there was an opportunity for this government to provide - I think the figure bandied around by those in the know is about $2.5m - $2.5m or thereabouts is what the council needs to deliver Labor’s promise. There is nothing in the budget papers about the missing hydrotherapy pool. Shame on you, Labor government!
I move now to the Ilparpa water pipes. Much of Ilparpa is in my electorate. The water pipe keeps bursting on the main road. I have written a letter, this week or last week, to the relevant minister asking: why, what is happening, and what is in place to deal with it? People tell me that it has burst on a number of occasions. In fact, there was a media report about this issue a week or so ago.
The issue of water on the road at Ilparpa has been a long-standing one. In fact, it was a problem when I was a candidate in the 2001 election. I do not know why it was a problem when the CLP was in government in 2001. I note, however, that Labor has been in government for seven years and there is still water on the road, and it still appears the water pipe is leaking. There might be other reasons for water on the road; it may be related to a natural overflow of the swamp. However, I am informed by constituents that a water pipe keeps leaking. There is nothing about an infrastructure spend in relation to fixing that problem. I note other infrastructure spends for Central Australia, and they are welcome. What about this one?
I note, on page 142, Budget Paper No 3, there is:
$80 000 allocated to, by the looks of it, improving the alcohol courts. I am not entirely sure - and I look forward to receiving a sensible explanation from someone - as to why $80 000 is needed, given that so few people went through the courts. The CLP’s position is, in the absence of anything contrary put by government - and I say in the absence - the whole matter needs a rethink, not just more money.
I refer members to a media release issued by me dated 26 February 2007. That was issued after, eventually - and I stress eventually - I received a letter from the Attorney-General in response to one from me asking for some details about the alcohol courts. He said in the 18 months since the alcohol courts have been operating, 99 people across the Territory have been referred to them. Of the 99, just 27 have successfully completed a court-ordered treatment program. In that same period of time, about 40 000 people were taken into protective custody for being drunk in public. There were more details provided, but the long and short of it is that very few people went through the court; 42 people appeared in the court in Alice Springs; one prohibition order had been made at that time in Alice Springs; and 28 people had been ordered to attend a treatment program there.,
Obviously, you would like to think - but you never know - that some more people have gone through the alcohol court but, based on the figures provided to me by the Attorney-General, over that initial period of 18 months, there were not very many. My question is this: what is $80 000 going to buy you, and would you consider, as an alternative, a rethink on the alcohol courts? I look forward to traversing this issue in estimates if we can.
I now move to breast screening. This is a disgraceful omission, I believe, by government. I know the Minister for Health and I have exchanged correspondence but, put simply, the breast screen service in Alice Springs used to be open for many days in a 12-month period. In recent years, it has reduced significantly. The screening periods, and unfortunately I do not have the information in front of me, I have a file in my office, but, from memory, the last published screening periods, there were three or four windows during the year, a couple of those screening periods were for seven to 10 days, give or take. In any event, there is not enough breast screening going on in Alice Springs.
We have, on the one hand, government saying they are fair dinkum about health, they want to tackle breast cancer, not to mention so many others, and we all know prevention is better than cure. The purpose of the breast screen service was that women could walk by and be reminded to have their breast screens. Now, people come from interstate, and you need to make an appointment. I ask, in a regional town like Alice Springs, is this appropriate in 2008? It is not just me who says this. Those very interested in assisting those with breast cancer, and I mention Bosom Buddies, are very concerned about it as well. I am sure my colleague, the member for Greatorex, will, if he can, subject to time, get into this issue during estimates, but I raise it in my summary of issues as they pertain to my electorate and the town in which I live. I raise it because I genuinely feel it is important and I genuinely feel the government is not doing anywhere near good enough.
Moving to another matter, I see nothing about finishing the Traeger Park grandstand. Traeger Park is in my electorate. That was promised by government, if memory serves me correctly, during the 2005 election. In fact, some of it was probably promised in the 2001 election. Anyway, you have a grandstand that you have not completed. I understand there is a bit of huffing and puffing between the government and the council but you cannot go around promising the world and then slither away saying: ‘Oh, well, that’s done and dusted. We won, so there is an end to it’. You need to do better. I cannot see anything in the budget that goes towards finishing the Traeger Park grandstand.
The detox facility: during the member for Greatorex’s by-election campaign, we said that we would establish a detox facility, and I recently did a media interview on it. Is it not a tad ironic that we have a dry town in Alice Springs? We have dry camps, we have dry communities, and we do not have a medically-based detox centre. You have to be joking. If that does not make the Northern Territory government look like a joke, frankly, I am not sure what will. I am sure those down south, not to mention the citizens we serve, are aghast that there is no medically-based detox facility. I saw nothing in the budget about that. I saw plenty of budget media releases. I did not count them up, but there were probably 15 or so on the day, ministers regularly dribbling them out, both before and after the budget. In any event, I reckon you have pulled up short, and a long way short at that.
In Alice Springs we also have the issue in recent times of urban drift. I look forward to either me or my colleagues getting to this during estimates. We have talked about urban drift in the parliament before. Was it happening before the intervention? Yes. Is there more of it since the intervention? Most people would agree, yes. What I did not see in the budget was anything specifically targeted at dealing with those people who have come in from the bush, for whom Alice Springs is a town in which they do not have a house. Would people in other cities or towns around the country just shrug their shoulders at potentially 1000 homeless people coming into town and sleeping on the streets or riverbed, under trees or on hills? I think not.
The fact is that, a year or so ago, both the Territory government and the federal government talked about short-term accommodation. It went pear shaped, and the member for Karama had a great deal to do with that. I believe I heard her, or one of her colleagues say recently that the southern site was still an option. I would like to know where funding allocations are for that. I would like to know when work is seriously going to start so that some of the people coming in from out bush actually have somewhere to stay, albeit on a temporary basis.
Given the numbers, the proposed site is not enough. You need to get your collective heads around working out what you are going to do for our town, the residents of it, and the visitors who come there. In addition to the difficulties of people coming in from the bush with their children, and it is winter and very bloody cold, I would have thought this government would be well aware of the risks to the social fabric of our town. No-one likes to see lots of visitors on their streets who are homeless. Unfortunately, that is a given in our society. What I do not see this government doing is anything specific to address it. Can I have some more time, please?
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, I move an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77 for the member to conclude her remarks.
Motion agreed to.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do not see anything in the budget dealing with the people when they are in Alice Springs. What I also do not see is anything from government about encouraging these people to go back to their homes. We need to be honest. We need to encourage these people to go back to their homes. Indeed, I have heard Territory government ministers say pretty much the same thing. If someone can tell me if this is true I would be very grateful and I hope to get to it in estimates, but I understand the Northern Territory government gives about $300 000 to $350 000 a year to the Tangentyere Council to administer the Return to Country program. It is clearly not working. People are not, in sufficient numbers, being returned to country. That is why things are - as some would say – at a pretty extreme point in Alice Springs.
I have met with the owners of the Bush Bus and I understand their system. It is very difficult for media or anyone else to get information from Tangentyere Council. If a minister wants to correct me, please do so, but I am informed by a person I know and trust that the Return to Country program has one vehicle, a troopie; there are no regular drop off or pick up points; it does not go unless it has a certain number of people; that getting a ticket is quite a difficult process; and that many weeks ago the person who drives the car had not been there for some time. I do not know whether that is true but I believe the person who told me that.
If that is true, what is government doing about this? Nothing, it would appear from the budget papers. I lament that. It is very sad and you need to tackle this issue from both sides. You need to ensure that little kids who, members opposite and, indeed, members on this side all say we care about, how can you sanction a situation where those kids are sleeping out and about in Alice Springs in 2C and 3C degrees. I bet you Darwin members would not like that one little bit. I bet if it was your kids you would do something about it. Yet these kids are just sleeping rough in Alice Springs. Similarly, we need to encourage them out bush. It is a government responsibility to lead this process. You often talk about leadership, the Closing the Gap thing, you all talk about leadership. Yet I am hard pressed to see any on this very important issue.
Is more funding going to be provided to Tangentyere Council? What are the performance measures? We issued a media release a couple of months ago along the lines of ‘there needs to be a review and subject to the review we would consider putting the work out to a private tender’. Why? Because on the information that exists presently Tangentyere Council is not performing the role of returning people to country. I do not say for a minute they are not returning anyone to country, but clearly they are not returning enough people to country and that is a very serious issue.
That is just a cursory look at some issues in Alice Springs. They traverse portfolios from Justice, Police, Education, Infrastructure, Health and Housing. They are all pretty fundamental portfolios. The issues I have raised are fundamental to my constituents in one way or another. They believe that Alice Springs has not been given the attention by government that it deserves. And, Madam Speaker, I am with them in that regard. I will leave it there for now. As I say, together with the minister for Justice, I am just beside myself with excitement about the estimates process.
Mr BONSON (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 is all about delivering for the Territory families and investing in the future of the Northern Territory. Similarly, our commitment to supporting sport and recreation is focused on families and the future. We are providing the means for Territory families to access sport and recreational opportunities and we are also investing in sporting infrastructure that will serve Territory families into the future.
Sport and recreation continues to provide opportunities for Territorians to participate in activities both in urban and remote areas of the Territory. Sport and recreation is an integral part of our great lifestyle. Budget 2008-09 commits $25.8m to sports and recreation. This will be an important investment in our great Territory lifestyle. Our financial commitment to sport and recreation through Budget 2008-09 is one of the many dividends of our strong economy. As a government, we are proud to continue bringing the best in national and international sporting events to the Territory, as well as giving financial backing to grassroots sports.
Apart from the social and lifestyle rewards, the physical benefits of participation in sport and recreation are well recognised. We all know about the unacceptably high levels of obesity affecting Australia and the positive role of regular exercise in addressing this epidemic. The creation and maintenance of sporting facilities in the Territory remains one of the cornerstones of the government’s commitment to sports and recreation in the Territory.
The Territory government will spend an additional $2m over the next two years on sporting infrastructure as part of the facility development grant in Budget 2008-09. Clubs, communities and organisations have access to $3.7m through the facility and development grants program over the next two years which improves sports facilities for Territory families and are an important investment in the future of the Territory. This financial year will also see the construction of $4.8m netball centre at Marrara which is due for completion in early 2009. A total of $900 000 is being provided for Stage 4 of the upgrading of the Hidden Valley Raceway; and a total of $1.26m will be spent in 2008-09 for repairs and maintenance for government-owned sporting facilities.
The Northern Territory government, through its investment in our Closing the Gap initiatives, recognises the importance of improving the health and wellbeing of indigenous Territorians living in remote communities. Budget 2008-09 will help deliver for all Territory families living in the bush through an additional $1m for sports and recreation officers, facilities and programs in each of the new shires as part of the government’s Closing the Gap initiatives, a commitment that will continue until 2011-12. The total grants pool available for sports and recreation in 2008-09 will be $8.77m. This pool is for grants to the peak governing bodies of various sporting and recreation groups, local governments and as well as grassroots organisations to increase the capacity to provide regular activities.
This funding assists with the development of sports, the establishment of best practice management, and increased opportunities for Territorians to participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities. We have committed more than ever to increase the opportunities for Territorians to participate in physical activities by backing grassroots sports. As a government we also want to continue promoting Territorians interest in sport by providing opportunities to see performances by lead athletes. That is why this government is committed to bringing the best in national and international sporting events to the Territory.
Budget 2008-09 includes continued financial and administrative support for national and international sporting fixtures in the Territory. This includes $2.1m of Northern Territory funding to secure a five year international cricket agreement for Darwin. Australia plays Bangladesh in the three match One Day series in Darwin on 31 August, and 3 and 6 September. This agreement includes a further $1m from Cricket Australia and will also see a development of grassroots Territory cricket.
Budget 2008-09 also provides for: the staging of a National Basketball League fixture at Marrara Indoor Stadium; staging of a National Rugby League game in Darwin; staging the Indigenous All Star game; staging the NAB Cup game in Darwin and the NAB Challenge game in Alice Springs; as well as AFL premiership fixtures between the Western Bulldogs and Port Power in Darwin on 28 June.
The government has committed $1m to the AFL NT to help enter into an interstate competition in 2009. This year’s budget includes the first $200 000 of the five-year agreement to take the AFL NT to the next level of competition. We are hoping to hear from the AFL NT soon about the state competition the Territory will be entering in 2009.
A total of $3.3m has been allocated in 2008-09 for the NT Institute of Sport, which is the key part in the Sport and Recreation sector through its identification, development and support of the Territory’s talented and elite athletes. Its primary role is to provide high-quality services and support to those aspiring athletes and their coaches that optimises opportunities to achieve the highest level in sport and life. The NTIS offers support to athletes through individual scholarship programs and the following squad programs: Australian Football, cricket, hockey, Rugby League, Rugby Union, netball, tennis, weightlifting, cycling and tenpin bowling.
Apart from helping Territory athletes prepare for national and international competition, the NTIS is also available for national teams. The Australian men’s hockey team used the NTIS facilities recently while in Darwin for the Four Nations International Hockey Championships. This $25.8m package recognises the special role sport and recreation plays in making the Territory the best place to live and work in Australia.
The Department of Corporate and Information Services is the shared corporate services provider for the Northern Territory government agencies and business decisions. Services include financial and human resource administration, procurement, information technology management, and office leasing. DCIS is working to implement significant corporate systems and business process changes across core service lines to improve efficiency and service quality for a multi-year program to increase automation and standardise processes. This includes enhancing the functionality of the government’s travel requisition system, known as TRIPS, and rolling out the system across agencies; introducing a new receipt process system into revenue collection sites across the government; and revising and implementing new credit management policies for government agencies.
DCIS is also developing strategies to support the government’s Closing the Gap initiatives including: increasing the number of indigenous people employed in the Northern Territory Public Service administration stream; delivering cross-cultural training to Northern Territory public service employees; and developing procurement strategies to support indigenous employment. DCIS continues to work in coordination with the NT Public Service traineeship program, with a focus on employing indigenous apprentices in remote areas to build skills in local workforces. DCIS is committed to additional funding to assist with employment of 200 apprentices over three years. The $1.6m package last financial year was part of Jobs Plan 3 initiative. This government recognises the value of training young Territorians, and this particular package will see ongoing training of apprentices into the 2009 financial year.
It is also important that we continue to develop our procurement policy and procedures which take into account environmental sustainability. We are doing this by working with all service providers and property owners to achieve reduced carbon emissions associated with services delivered under outsourced contracts and in leased accommodation; developing a policy framework to ensure the government lease property portfolio is managed strategically in accordance with performances, standards and objectives, including requirements for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability; progressing strategies to enhance communications infrastructure in the Territory, particularly in remote communities; assessing the application of emerging information technologies that could lead to cost and service efficiencies across government; developing a strategy to enhance the Territory’s capacity in electronic service delivery in cooperation with relevant agencies.
The NT government’s Data Centre Services deliver a range of information technology services to all government agencies. DCIS continues to develop associated strategies, including containing the carbon footprint of the Chan data centre within an energy intensive business environment that is experiencing significant and sustained growth; developing an enhanced disaster recovery capability for the data centre through implementing measures to mitigate risk and strengthen capability; and implementation of the next phase of the electronic passport system to further enhance access to the government’s systems, ICT services and management of identities.
NT Fleet is responsible for the management of the NT government vehicle fleet, including light and heavy vehicles and plant and equipment, except for the Northern Territory Police. NT Fleet is promoting a safer, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective passenger fleet by developing and implementing Stage 1 of the Green Fleet Plan. This aims to reduce and offset greenhouse gases produced by the government’s vehicle fleet.
Finally, DCIS has responsibility for the Government Printing Office, which has the task of delivering, in a secure environment, cost-effective printing and publication services to parliament and NT government agencies. The Government Printing Office is working towards lowering energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions to reduce its carbon footprint, including upgrading lighting to meet Australian standards and improve energy efficiencies.
I turn to my portfolio of Senior Territorians. As a government, we are committed to ensure as many senior Territorians as possible choose to retire in the Northern Territory. We are seeing an increasing number of seniors voting with their feet. In fact, they are keeping their feet firmly planted on Territory soil when they retire, because they know the Territory is the best place to live and work. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there has been a 4% to 6% increase in the number of Territorians aged 60 and above since 2001.
This means, of course, that, as a government, we must help make the Territory an even more attractive proposition for retirees. Our pension and carer concession schemes are the most generous in the country. No other jurisdiction provides free flights. They would not even contemplate it. The scheme also provides financial assistance to NT residents who qualify because of age, pensioner or carer status. The range of available concessions includes discounts on electricity bills, spectacles, motor vehicle registration fees, driver’s licence fees, water and sewerage bills, and public transport.
In 2001, the government provided $4.2m in concessions. Last year, we provided $8.2m. I would like to see that figure rise much further, and that is why I have embarked on a program to ensure senior Territorians know exactly what benefits they are entitled to.
Senior housing: last month, I had the pleasure of announcing the green light for a 65 single-room, aged care facility at the Waratah Oval in Fannie Bay. The government has made the land available for the facility to be built by the not-for-profit provider, Southern Cross Care. In January this year, the federal government announced $6.3m in funding for senior Territorians to help build the facility. Southern Cross has, in turn, committed $10.8m to establish the residential care facility, which is due for completion in February 2010.
The Henderson government is dedicated to delivering programs and initiatives that will improve the wellbeing of senior Territorians and facilitate their contribution to government decision-making. The Office of Senior Territorians plays an important role in engaging Territory seniors to obtain feedback on issues of importance. This, in turn, informs the development of government policies, programs and services for this group. The office undertakes consultation with seniors on a range of issues. These include a number of housing forums, which were held late last year. They were attended by more than 250 people and demonstrated that seniors are a highly motivated and active group in the community who are keen to contribute their views on issues which affect them.
The office provides financial and administrative support to the Northern Territory’s Advisory Council on Ageing (ACA), an advisory council comprising senior Territorians with a wealth of knowledge and life experience. The role of the council is to identify issues of concern to older Territorians and advise the minister and promote debate in the wider community on ageing issues. The council meets on a monthly basis and has recently been involved in discussions relating to senior’s months, senior’s housing forms and has also organised a forum on end of life issues. The government provides annual funding of $10 000 to the ACA to support its initiatives.
Seniors are valuable and active contributors to our community. In recognition of this, this government recently released Building the Territory for All Generations: a Framework for Activating the Territory. This is the first time the government has had such a framework and it is a clear signal of our commitment to supporting Territorians as they age. It also reinforces the expectation people will take positive action themselves to enhance the quality of their lives as they grow older.
The framework outlines government directions over the next five years, as well as containing ideas for community groups, organisations and businesses to help people age well. A major focus of this government is Seniors Month, which is held in August each year. Seniors Month is a community celebration of ageing and the benefits older people can bring to the Territory. It aims to promote a positive understanding of ageing in the community, encourages seniors to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle, and enables organisations to work together to promote active ageing.
The Office of Senior Territorians supports a $42 000 Grants Program for Seniors Month activities. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with an innovative and diverse range of activities on offer across the Territory.
I am also the Minister for Young Territorians. Through this youth policy framework, Building a Better Future For Young Territorians, the Northern Territory government is committed to giving young Territorians access to a range of recreational and youth development opportunities. The Office of Youth Affairs delivers a range of youth development initiatives, including the Youth Engagement Grants Program. This engages young Territorians aged 12 to 25 for a variety of drug and alcohol free recreational events and youth development and leadership programs.
A total of $155 000 in grant funding is awarded for National Youth Week activities and for the major school holiday periods in June, July, December and January when many young people are looking for activities to get involved in. National Youth Week 2008 was held from 5 April to 13 April with some 122 activities on offer. A number of these were funded through the grants program administered by the Office of Youth Affairs, while the majority were funded independently by community groups and the corporate sector.
National Youth Week was again launched under the auspices of the Young Achiever Awards, an initiative that acknowledges and recognises the achievements of youth through the Northern Territory. There are nine award categories. One of these is the Minister for Young Territorians Excellence in Youth Leadership Award, which is sponsored by the Office of Youth Affairs. Funding of $11 000 is provided annually for this program and the office aims to develop partnerships with other government agencies, with the community and with the corporate sector in the lead up to National Youth Week. In recent years this has proven to have been very successful. One such partnership was brokered with Beyond Blue, the national depression initiative which contributed $30 000 in grant funding for activities held during National Youth Week. The grants targeted young people who may be at risk of a mental illness.
The Northern Territory government is also committed to actively listen to the views of young Territorians and provide them with opportunities to have input into inter-governmental decision making about policies and programs affecting them.
One very important mechanism is the Youth Minister’s Round Table for Young Territorians. The Youth Round Table is made up of 16 young people from across the Territory to advise government on youth issues in their communities. $70 000 is provided annually for this important program. In addition, the Office of Youth Affairs undertakes consultations throughout the Northern Territory to obtain feedback from a wide range of young people as well as from the youth sector as part of the development of youth-related policies, programs and services.
At a national level, the office continues to work in collaboration with other jurisdictions through the Ministerial Council of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs, the Youth Taskforce and the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme in progressing key priorities and youth research.
Madam Speaker, the Territory is the best place in Australia to live, work and raise a family. The government, through its support of Territory youth, continues to work to enhance the lives of young Territorians. Budget 2008-09 allows the government to continue to support programs for young Territorians. I commend this budget to the House.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 continues to build on the significant achievements resulting from the implementation of the Local Government reform agenda. As well as continuing the high level of community services which includes the Northern Territory Library, Interpreter and Translating Service, and confirmation of this government’s ongoing commitment to water safety and animal welfare.
I am pleased to report that, as the Minister for Central Australia, this budget is aimed squarely at making the Centre a safer, more dynamic and prosperous place for all residents, and a great place for Territory families to live and work.
The 2008-09 budget for Local Government reflects the tremendous achievements of the Local Government division in successfully implementing the Local Government Reform Agenda, with eight new shires coming into force on 1 July 2008. Budget 2008-09 continues to build on this success by ensuring the new shire councils have the funding, enterprise and support they need to deliver better services to all Territorians and create real opportunities for people in the bush. To ensure that there is a skilled workforce of indigenous Territorians living and working in the bush, we have a joint funding agreement with the Australian government. $10m from the Northern Territory government and $10m from the Australian government will transition indigenous people working in local government under the previous CDEP program into fully funded jobs.
An additional $1.4m has been provided Budget 2008-09 under the government’s Closing the Gap initiative to support local community government infrastructure and local representative boards. The government remains committed to providing ongoing operational support to local government with just over $49m provided for financial assistance grants for local government services and $24m from the Territory government and $25m from the Australia government. $5m has been allocated in additional funds to shires as a transitional support allocation in the Budget 2008-09.
Libraries provide a rapid and easy access to knowledge resources, entertainment and information technology, enabling learning for life, building capacity and fostering community engagement. Budget 2008-09 provides $3.5m in grant funding to assist in the operational costs of the 31 public library services administered by local governments across the Territory. A further $1m allows for the purchase of quality resources for the use in both public libraries and the Northern Territory Library, including books, online resources and heritage materials with significance to the Northern Territory to be preserved for current and future generations. Further, the budget allows for the continuation of the government meeting the property rental costs for the Katherine, Karama, Nightcliff and Jabiru Public Libraries and the continued operation of both the Taminmin and Nhulunbuy community libraries which are jointly used and located within the local high schools.
The Interpreter and Translating Service alleviates communication barriers to ensure non-English speaking Territorians have equal and equitable access to information and both government and non-government services. Budget 2008-09 includes additional funding of $140 000 to cover costs associated with the accreditation and training of interpreters. The service continues to explore a number of strategies to assist in the recruitment and training needs of interpreters to meet increased demand in 2008-09. A further $210 000 has been provided specifically for the Aboriginal Interpreter Service to meet the recent increase in demand for interpreting services as a result of the Australian government’s Northern Territory Emergency Response legislation enacted in June 2007.
The budget provides $2.76m for water safety and animal welfare. A key component of water safety is the Water Safety Awareness program. The program was due to finish on 21 December 2008, but I am pleased to announce the program will not only continue, but continue as an ongoing program. The program entitles parents of children aged six months to five years of age to five water safety sessions, including one resuscitation session and four practical water safety sessions. The program commenced in late 2003 and, since then, close to 5000 children and their families have participated in the program.
In addition, the Safe Pool Grant has been extended to 31 December 2008. There has been just under 6000 Safe Pool Grants granted to a value of almost $10m. The Under 5 Water Safety Awareness program, together with the pool fencing legislation and increased water safety education through such initiatives as the Water Safety Month, has led to the Northern Territory turning around from having the highest under 5 drowning record in Australia to the lowest.
To ensure continuous improvement in the area of water safety and animal welfare, the budget continues to support the Water Safety Advisory Council and the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Through these two advisory bodies, the government has commenced a review of the Animal Welfare Act, while the Water Safety Advisory Council is investigating strategies to reduce the relatively high number of teenage and adult drownings.
I am extremely happy to be able to report on the initiatives in Budget 2008-09 for the Central Australian region. The central tenet of the government’s agenda is to strengthen the regions. Our local government reform, as I have discussed previously, underpins this agenda. However, the investment in major infrastructure is equally important.
Educating our young people is at the core of a prosperous future for all. $2m has been allocated to the Utopia region to establish a middle school for students living in the Urapuntja Homelands. In addition, approximately $2.3m has been allocated to improve school facilities at Yuendumu, Willowra and Titjikala and other remote schools in the Central Australian region.
I am very aware of the impact of chronic ear infection on the capacity of young students to learn, and $0.5m has been allocated to improve acoustics in the Barkly, Central Australia and East Arnhem schools. This is a critically important issue to assist young students with hearing loss progress through the education system. To support our students in the Centre over $105m will be invested including:
$20.86m in early childhood, primary and secondary education in remote schools;
$27.33m for early childhood and primary education in urban primary schools;
$24.6m to assist non-government schools;
$16.7m for our middle and secondary schools at ANZAC Hill, Alice Springs High, and Centralian College;
$4.2m to support strategic investments to support indigenous education outcomes;
over $3m for the student and school support curricula and special needs support; and
almost $3.2m will be invested in isolated student education, for School of the Air and Open Learning programs
I am particularly happy the Treasurer has announced $2.25m to continue the upgrading works on the Ross Park Primary School this financial year, and $300 000 to upgrade the airconditioning at the Acacia Hills School. This funding will be extremely well received by students and parents, and teachers alike.
Our world-class Desert Knowledge Precinct will continue to take shape with a further commitment of $10.79m to continue the development of the Desert Peoples Centre and education facilities to develop a remote workforce into the future. To deliver vocational education training and tertiary courses $14.77m has been allocated to Charles Darwin University, Batchelor Institute and other training service providers, with an additional $2m being invested in employment-related programs to create real jobs in the Centre.
Our future energy demands in Alice Springs will be met with a $32.45m allocation to improve existing and future supplies, including $26.45m to relocate Taurus and Titan gas turbines and establish a new Owen Springs power station, and also $6m for renewable energy projects and rebates. This government is proud to be a foundation member of the Solar Cities Consortium, and we will continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring the provision of appropriate and efficient energy resources in the Centre. Budget 2008-09 also provides approximately $2m to improve and augment power supplies in Wallace Rockhole, Willowra and Papunya.
Central Australia is set to benefit from our record commitment to Territory roads. Over $35m has been allocated in Budget 2008-09 to improve safety of our roads, including:
$9.3m for general roads repairs and maintenance;
$4m for access to the Pine Hill Horticulture District;
$4m to upgrade the Santa Teresa Road;
$3.5m for the Maryvale Road;
$3.25m to upgrade the Tanami Highway;
$4.38m to upgrade the Plenty, Sandover and Stuart Highways; and
$4.74m to upgrade the Docker River Road, Lasseter Highway, Kintore Road and the Finke Road; with an additional $1.1m to improve the safety of level crossings at Bradshaw Drive, Ilparpa Road and Gardens Road.
This investment will be good for Central Australian residents, particularly those in remote communities, and pastoralists and tourists alike.
The Health budget has received a boost this financial year with over $182m committed to the region for acute and non-acute care services, aero retrieval and patient travel. Alice Springs Hospital will receive almost $3m for additional bed capacity, and $6m for a new state-of-the-art accident and emergency department.
Police, Fire and Emergency Services will receive $40.72m in this budget, which will ensure that we continue to have a record number of police on the beat in Alice Springs, and that our Fire and Emergency Services are well resourced to make our community safer. I am looking forward to seeing additional police patrols in Alice Springs as a result of the Chief Minister’s $9.3m two-year Safer Streets plan.
This government does not shy away from dealing decisively with those who choose crime. Alice Springs Gaol will be expanded to accommodate an additional 100 prisoners, and $2.5m will be invested to crack down on youth crime through the implementation of family responsibility agreements and orders, and the development of youth camps at Hamilton Downs and in the Top End.
The buoyant tourism industry in the Centre is critical to maintaining a healthy economy and opening up opportunities for indigenous enterprise. We continue to support Territory Discoveries with $3.1m in Budget 2008-09. In 2009, we will be investing over $1.5m in the global marketing campaign for the Red Centre Way and improving tourism marketing and visitation information. Budget 2008-09 provides $4m to the Alice Springs Desert Park; over $3m to the Araluen Cultural Precinct; and $1.5m for the Red Centre Way Interpretive Centre to reinforce our commitment to this industry.
Home ownership is, for many, the foundation stone of a great lifestyle. The achievement of the great Australian dream has been made much easier through this budget. Under the changes to HomeNorth with the cuts to stamp duty, more Centralians can now purchase their own home. They will also have more homes to choose from. In Alice Springs, under HomeNorth, people will be able to buy a new home for $265 000, that is up from $240 000. This is great news for people wanting to enter the housing market.
I pay tribute to the Treasurer for putting together such a wonderful budget. It boasts in excess of $3bn to put Territory families first, to ensure that the Territory remains the best place in Australia to live, work and raise a family.
Mrs AAGAARD (Nightcliff): Madam Deputy Speaker, I respond to the 2008-09 Budget handed down by the Treasurer in May. In my role as the Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, I will respond on the budget outcomes for the Department of the Legislative Assembly for which I have administrative responsibility.
As members would be aware, the department has a relatively small operational budget, used primarily in support of administrative requirements for members of parliament as determined by the Remuneration Tribunal, and the upkeep and operation of Parliament House and its precinct, and members’ electorate offices.
Parliament House has now been operating for almost 15 years, with construction commencing some 18 years ago. I am pleased to note that the first major upgrade to the building commenced in December 2007 with a fully funded project of $6.5m to upgrade the information communication technology cabling with Sitzler Bros winning the tender process. This project will continue into the new financial year and is due to be completed in September this year. To date, levels four and five of Parliament House are complete, with work progressing on levels two and three. As members would be aware, this has been an enormous logistical task for the department with government and opposition staff temporarily relocated during the recabling, as well as the majority of parliamentary staff being relocated to the Chan Building for the duration of the project. Despite some initial problems with IT and security, it is pleasing to note the business of the Assembly has been maintained. I thank members, their staff and parliamentary officers for their patience during the construction process.
In concert with the ICT cabling upgrade, the opportunity has been taken to upgrade other building systems to coincide with the work on each level to avoid re-entry and further cosmetic damage in the future. This has been achieved with minor new works funding of $663 000 for 2008-09, in addition to a $500 000 carryover from the 2007-08 Budget for projects already commenced. These projects include a full upgrade to the security access control system utilising the latest technology of smart cards and card readers, and the upgrade of surveillance to digital cameras replacing the outdated and increasingly unreliable analogue cameras. The opportunity is also being taken to repaint badly soiled and worn surfaces and replace worn carpet as each floor is progressed within the ICT project.
Further minor new works projects for 2008-09 include an upgrade to the building management system with a larger memory, and upgrade to lighting in the 90 bay car park using energy efficient lights together with other energy efficient projects. This will include window tinting in appropriate areas and the addition of window furnishings to reduce heat transfer into the building.
Repairs and Maintenance funding for 2008-09 has also been increased by $883 000 to $2.3m and will assist in the ongoing maintenance requirements to the fabric and roof of the building which has previously been identified in a building audit as a problem area.
As members would be aware, there have been significant and continuing issues with the lifts in Parliament House over the past year. I am pleased to advise that repairs and maintenance funding for 2008-09 will be used to upgrade three lifts at a cost of $600 000 with Lift 1 due to commence in the parliamentary recess following these sittings of parliament using 2007-08 repairs and maintenance funding.
Other projects include the ongoing landscaping and replanting of garden beds in the precinct with consideration being given to erect historical signage on Speaker’s Green to better inform the public of the history of the Assembly and its members.
I would like to note that the information gathered for this project was researched by the late Ms Liz McFarlane, a parliamentary officer of 23 years, who sadly died last week. I am hoping that we can somehow incorporate Liz’s name into this project in recognition of her many years of service to the Assembly.
Turning to other matters, I am pleased to note that the Statehood Steering Committee for which the department has administrative oversight, will be funded in 2008-09 with $600 000 to continue the second phase of its public engagement and education program leading to a constitutional convention in three years’ time. I note also that we are nearing the 30th anniversary of self-government and the Statehood Steering Committee will be hosting a number of events across the Territory over a three month period. I encourage members to become involved in this important matter for all Territorians.
Members will be aware I have continued to promote the parliamentary public tours and school visits and the results are again being reflected in the increased numbers in 2006-07. I also understand that during the time I have been Speaker, which is nearly three years, the parliament has played host to around 10 000 visitors over a three year period. This includes students and guests of the parliament, as well as delegations and visitors to special events during the parliamentary sittings.
The Parliamentary Relations and Information Unit continues its excellent Outreach Program to Territory schools. In March this year, I accompanied the unit together with the Minister for Employment, Education and Training to schools in the Tiwi Islands for role plays with 10 classes in four schools. This was very well received and funding will be allocated in 2008-09 to conduct a road show in the Katherine region. In 2008-09 it is also planned to conduct an exposition with displays suitable for primary, middle years and seniors on parliamentary democracy. A Youth Parliament will be conducted in July this year in conjunction with the YMCA. I encourage members, as is the usual practice, to become involved in this very important youth exhibition of parliamentary democracy in the Northern Territory.
Today, at Question Time, I announced the winners of the Top End regional primary schools competition. This was a special art award relating to Years 5/6 students who participated in the Top End Primary School Art Competition. This followed the very successful competition which was held in Central Australia last year as part of the Alice Springs sittings. The entries to these awards are on display in the Main Hall and they are based on the theme of community leadership.
The winner of this year’s award, with a first prize of $3000, was Minyerri School. The artists were Janatino Pluto and Maylene Farrell. The title was Minyerri Community. The second prize of $1000 went to the Kalkarindji Community Education Centre, and the artists were Katrina Ketchup, Shania Smiler, Ricarda Edwards and Patricia Lacey in Grade 5/6. The title was Kalkaringi/Daguragu Community. The equal third prize of $500 each was to the Berry Springs Primary School and the artists were the students of Year 5/6V and their title was Community Leadership, and the equal third prize went to the Katherine School of the Air, the artist Christopher Summerell of Galiwinku in Elcho Island, and the title was Community Leadership.
I advise members that the students are all aged between 10 and 12 years, and the standard is very high. Those of you who have seen the art from last year’s award, which is hanging in my office in Parliament House, will be surprised at the high quality of the entries and the winning entries in particular. This shows the Territory’s art community is looking very good for the future.
Money has also been provided to continue the Portrait of a Senior Territorian art award, which is now a feature in the parliamentary program. I place on the record my thanks to the Government House Foundation for its continuing support for this award.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I also place on record my thanks to the Clerk and his staff for their continuing efforts during a very busy and challenging year, and thank them for all their work in assisting me with putting together this material for this speech, as well. I thank the Treasurer for the budget.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, before I start, I have to say that I have had a look at some of that art. After looking at that art, we are in good hands with the youth of the future. I was a little biased in my choice. It was very good. I was very glad that the schools had that opportunity. I would like to see more schools become involved because it is a really great way for the young people to get their art on display.
Today, I respond to the Appropriation Bill 2008. I say at the outset that it looks very much like an election budget to me. ‘There is something in it for everyone’, said the Treasurer, and a big budget spend it is. And so it should be. This government receives billions of dollars more than ever in the history of government in the Northern Territory so, of course, it should be a big spend. The revenue this government has received is up 60% since 2001 – an incredible increase. Therefore, it goes without saying every year when the Treasurer delivers the budget, it should begin with: ‘This is a record budget’.
My response to the Appropriation Bill today is going to focus mainly on my Katherine electorate because I am sure that, in the estimates next week, much of the detail for portfolios will be covered in that area.
While each portfolio covers the whole of the Territory, it is pretty obvious from this budget that the government does not take regional development seriously. Darwin and the northern suburbs are looked after very well but, outside of that, this government makes a mockery of their claim to support the regions. It is only words the regions hear, and words are not what they want to hear. They want serious dollars spent on infrastructure with government looking outside of Darwin. They want more than token investment in their community festivals and arts, and want to stop the centralisation of government agencies in Darwin.
Government has a responsibility to encourage development in the regions and not to take initiatives away from them. There is only so much that regional communities can do to encourage investment, and it is a real kick in the stomach when it is not supported by government. A perfect example of this is the recent announcement of the location of the new prison, for which both Tennant Creek and Katherine were eagerly campaigning. It is a pretty sad state of affairs to think that a prison, albeit it low- to medium-security, could create so much interest and support from two regional towns. However, the economic benefits of this, through infrastructure development, employment and training, and the flow-on to the community of housing, education, sports, etcetera, offered some hope for both towns for growth. What in heaven’s name is wrong with that?
Instead, government announced it would spend $1m on upgrading the current prison with the short-term view of pulling the whole darn thing down when the new 1000-bed prison is built at an incredible price of over $300m - and, of course, in Darwin. I could hardly believe my ears, but I should have known better than to hope this government would possibly give the slightest consideration to anything new being constructed in Katherine. I have to say that I do not believe there was ever any intention of building that prison anywhere but in Darwin. It certainly got the regions sidetracked and a little excited. We have put a lot of effort into contacting government to try to get that prison located in regions. But it was an absolutely shut door, and I do not believe that they ever intended to have that located outside of Darwin.
The Katherine Economic Development Committee – well, this government put in place regional economic development committees across the Territory to advise on suitable developments in their region. The committees are hand picked by government and give of their time for the betterment and development of their community. I would think that the Katherine Economic Development Committee must surely be wondering just why they do give of their time and make a serious recommendation such as the prison proposal to this government that is not taken seriously. Surely this government can see the benefit of development to regional towns, but no, let us keep it in or near Darwin. Let us not be too worried about encouraging positive growth in our Northern Territory regions.
Housing is one of my portfolios and that has received a huge budget boost this year. It is very much needed and we will have major budget funding from the Commonwealth government as well. This combined budget has come about largely as a result of the Commonwealth intervention and is to be applauded. I should not think that anyone would be against the plans to improve government employee housing, especially in remote locations, and to also improve public housing in regional and remote communities. There is much work to be done well into the future in remote communities which will require additional long-term government employment. One of the most important support aspects to employees in these communities is housing. The combined budgets of Commonwealth and Territory governments for 2008-09 to address indigenous housing should make quite a difference in the communities that are being addressed this year.
My concern, and I have heard the same concern expressed by community members, is, with such a significant commitment, what obligations will be in place to ensure that the life of these houses will be extended far beyond the life of some of the housing that has been built over the past years? There will always be debate about what type of housing is suitable and what is not, and what has worked in some locations and not in others. It is very important the housing constructed is not only the most suitable for the respective communities - and that includes the regional towns - but that processes are in place to ensure the tenant responsibilities for this public housing is the same as for public housing elsewhere in the Territory.
I know I get sniggers and ‘shame, shame’ from the government side of the Assembly, but I am not without some bad experiences in this area. I have stated in here before that I worked for a construction and maintenance company in Katherine which, for the many years I worked for them, a period contract for maintenance of housing and facilities in indigenous communities surrounding Katherine. I have to confess, quite candidly, that it has not left me with a good impression of what happened to some of that housing over and over again.
I am also aware of the lack of respect by some non-indigenous tenants towards public housing in Katherine. I have the same attitude towards them. The amount of money that has been committed by both governments in 2008-09 needs to have all the safeguards in place to ensure the long-term viability of public housing. Otherwise there will never be a significant pull back in the waiting list.
I will be watching with great interest to see just how many local builders are contracted to assist with the construction of housing in communities. I am very well aware, as is the Minister for Housing, of the proposal put to him by a consortium from Katherine to construct housing in remote indigenous communities. The design proposed, the fittings and the materials used to build takes into consideration the years of experience the consortium has acquired by working on remote communities. The consortium proposes to construct the house and have it established on a community within the radius of Katherine during the Dry Season within a month. The consortium has committed to training indigenous workers in the construction of the dwellings, and to train them for the ongoing maintenance once they are established on their community.
I have read in the media that large building contractors from interstate are being touted to take on these contracts for indigenous housing construction. I will be extremely disappointed with this government if they do not favourably consider local construction companies who are perfectly capable of doing the work over interstate tenders. The local companies I am referring to in Katherine have been here long term and know what is required to do the job. They will be here, too, long after the interstate companies have gone home. I sincerely hope government does not allow itself short-term thinking towards a proposal that will keep the cost of housing down, employ local contractors, provide on-going training for indigenous people as well as local tradespeople and, importantly, provide economic benefits for regional towns. This is the perfect opportunity to show how seriously government takes into account regional development within the Territory. For my part I consider you give this point very little thought.
In relation to public housing in Budget Paper No 3, page 212, one of the profiles listed states: ‘providing innovative methods to expand the numbers and improve the condition of public housing in regional and remote areas’. May I suggest an innovative way to expand the numbers of public housing would be to stop selling them. I can speak for Katherine. The problem is evident by driving around and seeing the empty public housing. In your reply, Treasurer, maybe you could enlighten me as to what innovative method you are looking at rather than selling off public housing.
Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts is another of my portfolios. The Northern Territory is still virtually untapped in developing our art industry in comparison with the rest of the world. The majority of tourists and other visitors to the Territory seek especially indigenous art. Galleries displaying indigenous art are becoming more popular. The publicity that Mbantua Gallery received recently when Tim Jennings paid over $1m to purchase Emily’s magnificent Earth’s Creation has certainly highlighted to the world that the Northern Territory has some amazing art. I am sure the industry will continue to prosper into the future. With that comes the hope that the sale of indigenous art work brings prosperity to the respective artists and their communities. I know in the past the Territory government has hid funding towards it but I want to see the Katherine cultural precinct up and running so we can display indigenous art there as well as the local art. We have many talented people in the Northern Territory.
Heritage, another of my portfolios, is always a challenge as to what one person sees as heritage and another sees in another way. I have some concerns about what should be retained for our future generations. I have been having ongoing discussions with several departments over the past 12 months trying to have the Katherine Railway Bridge preferably restored, but, at least, painted so that it regains some stature and pride in its heritage. It has been crossing the Katherine River since the mid-1920s and is still structurally very sound and imposing. It could do without the ‘Jesus loves nachos’ graffiti painted on the side. We do not really like the ‘Jesus loves nachos’ graffiti.
This is a significant piece of heritage that will obviously take a fair sum of money to restore or to even paint. I and many other Katherine people would very much like to see it finally completed. Otherwise this will be just another regional issue that keeps getting swept under the carpet. I hope it won’t be. I have received an e-mail today saying the minister for Environment has forwarded to my office some updated figures for the cost of the railway bridge, so I shall spend some time looking at that later on. I hope we can come to some sort agreeable arrangement that Katherine will be happy about.
Mr Kiely: Always work in partnership with our regions.
Mrs MILLER: I certainly hope so, minister for Environment.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I was reading my response to the Appropriation Bill for 2007 and it was glaringly obvious that in responding to the 2008 Appropriation Bill, I could repeat many of the same words with the exception, of course, to the Leader of Government Business trying last year to put a stop to me giving my response as he was a bit titchy about my comments on the EPA. Anyway, the response last year is applicable this year. While I do not like repeating myself, I learned long ago in my school years that repeated practice ensures learning. So, at the risk of doing that again, my wish is that this government determines to do something outside of recurrent funding for one of your major regional towns: Katherine.
You have received plenty of warranted criticism from my colleagues in relation to Central Australia, in addition to much criticism in the media over the past week. Regional NT is trying to get through to you, just listen up.
On a positive note, the Minister for Regional Development was in Katherine this last week to launch the Growing Katherine Business Limited using the Siroli community-based enterprise facilitation method. I have only recently become aware of Dr Siroli and his success especially in Esperance, Western Australia. I was pleased to see the launch in Katherine with funding support for three years from the Territory government. I have to admit that I have only had a chance to read half of Siroli’s book and I must say it does offer some hope to regional towns, especially within the Northern Territory. I hope that there are some benefits for Katherine.
Several years ago in Katherine we had the launch of the Harmony Group. This was funded for several years and then funding was withdrawn. In fairness, I do not believe that that program was ever going to be successful, but what it did was quieten the community for a short time. It appeared something positive was being done to help the town. The Siroli community-based facilitation has all the hallmarks for being successful for Katherine. It has strong leadership skills in its company structure of Growing Katherine Business Limited. Those foundation leaders are: President, John Leo, with board members, the Mayor of Katherine, Anne Shepherd, Mick Pearce and Julie Newton. Membership of the company is open to any member of the Katherine community who will be encouraged to create networks that will be open to, and supportive of, the enterprise facilitator, who is yet to be appointed.
My sincere request to the government is please give this the ongoing support that it needs to have a successful outcome for Katherine. It has taken over 20 years for the Esperance success story to become well known and, reading the book last night, I found there were quite a few other towns in regional Australia which have also adopted the Siroli community-based facilitation method. I would like to see other communities in the Territory encouraged to adopt the model, and be given the required support over several years to ensure they benefit from it.
It will need government support to ensure that it goes in the right direction. Do not walk away from it just as it starts to show positive results. Should you do that, you will confirm what some sceptics are saying even now: they are throwing crumbs at Katherine just to keep us quiet. The call is still out there, loud and clear: major infrastructure development is needed now, not 10 years down the track.
Another aspect of the budget I wanted to touch on in relation to one of my portfolios, but specifically for Katherine, is the arts area. I have touched on how we need that cultural centre precinct with a performing arts area. The support for regional festivals in the budget this year, in my opinion, is an absolute joke: BassintheGrass, BassintheDust and Elton John received absolutely hundreds of thousands of dollars. What do we get in the Katherine region? The Katherine Country Music Muster will be lucky to get $5000. There is $40 000 to be spread over the whole region. What a joke! How are communities expected to attract and pay popular artists or groups without the financial support? You cannot do it for BassintheDust and BassintheGrass or Elton John. You have to pay them. Why cannot you do it for the communities as well? Do not say that they can come to Darwin to see BassintheGrass and they can go to Alice Springs to see BassintheDust because the majority of them cannot afford to. They need something in their regional areas. There is not much expected from government but $25 000 to $30 000 would get a darn good festival - and that is an absolute pittance. I can assure you the amount of money contributed to arts in the community is a joke.
Under regional development, I also mention planning in Darwin. You talk about the wonderful developments happening here in Darwin, with monstrous buildings here, and we always hear about the waterfront. I cannot even get a response from the minister’s department for a planning application that has been in since July last year, for something fairly simple to happen that would contribute much-needed housing in Katherine. Maybe, after my talk here today, there will be some response. Another response from the minister for Planning has taken from the end of December/early January to get; and then when it comes it is from somebody new in the department who has just said: ‘That will never happen’. I have been waiting for months for a response of some sort, and some new person finally says: ‘That will never happen’. They need to get their act together as far as planning is concerned, especially in the Katherine region because you have some very unhappy people down there.
I am very annoyed when I hear the Treasurer talk about this wonderful record budget. Well, it is not for Katherine. The things listed under Regional Development for Katherine are outside the Katherine electorate. There is a pittance there, except recurrent funding. All in all, there are some fairly unhappy and very frustrated people in Katherine. I happen to be one of them.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I looking forward with great relish to Estimates next week.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Madam Deputy Speaker, picking up on the last portion of the member for Katherine’s speech, I am glad she is looking forward to estimates. I am sure it is going to be a lot of fun. As chairman of that committee, I am sure it will be most useful and educational, especially for someone like me trying to adjudicate. I am looking forward to that.
This afternoon, I support the budget. I congratulate the Treasurer on the initiatives that the budget includes. One of the best features of this - and it will come as no surprise to the honourable members of this House – and my favourite part of the budget, is the two brand new schools for Palmerston. It was something I made no secret advocating. I had always thought that that was what was needed. I based my views on the views people had been telling me when I was doorknocking or at the council meetings of Bakewell Primary School, Palmerston High School, Moulden Park Primary School or Driver Primary School - any of them. The feedback was always that our schools are full, we need more schools, there are more people coming into Palmerston, and Palmerston is experiencing incredible growth. That growth shows absolutely no indication of slowing down, and that is fantastic.
When it was announced that the government would be spending approximately $50m to build a primary school and a middle school at Rosebery, I was ecstatic. Of course, it is approximately $10m for headworks at Rosebery to prepare the site. I am looking forward greatly to seeing the first of the machinery arrive and work start there. I remember when the consultative committee was first brought together. That is the committee of council chairs and school principals in Palmerston formed to guide government with what people thought was required for the future of their city and its education requirements. Very early on in the piece, one of the concerns I heard was, is this going to be another group that just provides information to government for government to ignore and not do anything about. I said back then it would not be and I would refuse to be part of any such group if that was the case. The then Education minister, now Chief Minister, was serious about his desire to hear what people wanted and, whilst government could not promise to deliver everything that was asked for, it would be listening. And I will tell you what, the results could not have been better.
It could not have been better. I will tell you why. Not quite at the start of the process but fairly early on, the people of that group were asked: “What would be your perfect outcome for education? What do you think would be the best possible plan for the immediate future?’ The answer was this: another primary school, another middle school, and the existing Palmerston High School to be turned into a dedicated senior college. What has government announced? That exact template: a primary school, a middle school and transitioning the existing high school into a senior college, the equal of any senior college in the Territory. Palmerston residents can know their schools are amongst the best, if not the best, the Northern Territory government can provide. That is a significant commitment from this government and from this budget.
The senior wing is nearing completion. It is due to be finished prior to the start of next semester. I know everyone at the high school is looking forward to that facility being opened. It is high tech and has everything the students said they wanted in a senior facility. It is a wonderful design. I have seen it on the plans and I have had the chance to see it in real life 3D in front of me. It is going to be an excellent facility. We should not forget that Palmerston High gets an unfair share of bad publicity. Every school has its issues. Palmerston is no different, but it is no worse either. The newspapers and other media outlets like to target Palmerston High, I feel, in a way that it does not deserve. It is almost as if they want to write stories to live up to some self-formulated reputation. They already have the answers they want and they are trying to find the stories that will get them to that end place.
The students I talk to seem to have a very different picture of Palmerston High and what it can offer them compared to what qualities get given publicity. You know you do not hear about any of the great things that go on at the school.
Having the new senior wing will be the first step in solidifying and establishing Palmerston High School’s reputation as a premier educational facility. When the new primary school and new middle school come online and we are then able to make Palmerston High School a secondary college, its reputation will already be well established and the range of subjects it will be able to offer - because it is a specialised secondary college - will ensure there is a reduction in the number of young adults leaving Palmerston and fulfilling their education needs elsewhere.
The new uniforms have been a great hit with the students. I believe they can see and feel government is really supporting Palmerston High School; that it is putting resources in. It has had a facelift in some of its existing areas. I am sure that is work in progress. I know the principal would love to resurface the floor of the gymnasium. I will continue to try to assist wherever I can in getting that done. It is another significant community asset. It is not just a school asset; it is a community asset.
Refurbishment of existing buildings has taken place. We have the new senior wing, and there are more plans to execute. There will be money to be spent on the hard and soft landscaping for the final touches. I am sure that will instil a great deal of pride into the students of Palmerston High School.
It should not be down played. Palmerston residents asked for a senior college. The Leader of the Opposition tried to whip things up by claiming that government was not delivering on the senior college and we have seen, in fact, this government is. The college may not be at the university campus, but it is in Palmerston and it will be a facility that not just students can be proud of, but teachers and parents can be confident it will deliver the best educational outcomes it is in the power of this government to deliver.
I want to say something about the teachers at the college and all of the primary schools in Palmerston. The Palmerston City Schools Concept has delivered great results. It has shown a great level of cooperation between all the schools in Palmerston for the ultimate prize of better outcomes for the students who go through schools in Palmerston. It would not be possible to have that level of cooperation and collegiate atmosphere without the dedication and goodwill of all the principals and teachers involved. I take my hat off to all of the teachers and principals for getting in and doing what needed to be done. They knew there was going to be a period when the Year 7s would stay at the primary schools for the first half of this year, and they have worked with it and made it work. I pay a special tribute to Ms Sue Beynon who has been coordinating that Year 7 group throughout this first semester. She has done a fantastic job. Words do not give her the credit she deserves for ensuring such smooth operation of having the Year 7s stay at the primary schools and having some classes at the high school as well. That is not to distract from any of the other teachers, but I know they would agree that Sue has done a magnificent job. It is not all about buildings and facilities. It is about teachers and staff, the non-teaching staff, the administrative side, the financial people at the school who keep everything ticking over. The senior wing, provided by this government at a cost of nearly $12m all up, will be a fantastic facility when it opens.
So, there are two brand new schools to alleviate some of the pressures being experienced in Palmerston at the moment. They will come online and with the growth happening in Palmerston, I am sure they will be pretty well running at capacity and very efficiently from day one.
One of the suburbs that the two schools will be providing for is the new suburb of Bellamack. There is $11m for the headworks there and, if memory serves me right, provision for about 700 households. That will be a great new addition to Palmerston. It continues the development on the east side of Palmerston We have Zuccoli and others which will be coming online as well.
It needs to keep ticking along because Palmerston growth is phenomenal. It is now the second biggest city in the Territory after Darwin. That was a bit of a surprise to me when I heard it, however, when you drive around you can see the amount of construction still going on in Palmerston, the number of new houses going up, the number of new families moving in and young families, too. Bellamack will be the start of a string of new suburbs to be developed in Palmerston.
Education is one of the key areas I wanted to talk about for Palmerston. You could almost say this is a Palmerston education budget from Palmerston’s point of view. That is not to downplay the significant investment in infrastructure for Palmerston, which is not educational. You have Tiger Brennan Drive with close to $90m being spent by this government. People who commute to town to work will appreciate the difference that it makes. We have the first of many stages. You can see the work happening with the widening of the road after the lights as you come out of Wishart Road and link into Tiger Brennan. It is going to be fantastic when it is finished and will make a big difference.
People have said to me it took a long time coming and it did. It did take a long time coming but we had to nail down the federal government for its commitment. It vacillated and would not give a straight answer but eventually we got there. There was a change of government at the federal level and, bang! here we are. We are already in and the work is well and truly commenced. That was a fantastic result and a significant commitment on the part of this government to the development of growth in Palmerston.
It is not all infrastructure and education, of course. There are some other areas which are more general in their application, but will affect Palmerston quite considerably, as well. We have had the stamp duty rates changed. The top rate has been lowered from 5.4% to 4.95% and the top rate does not kick in now until properties are of the value of $525 000 or above. This will have a reasonable effect in Palmerston, where a number of houses are now above the $500 000 mark. In my short-sightedness, I did not think that would happen quite as quickly as it has, but that is development and the housing market. There are some very luxurious looking houses going up in Palmerston.
It is a fantastic place to raise a family. It has wonderful amenities and, when I doorknock, what I hear most is that people love living in Palmerston. They enjoy what it has to offer; and they are there because they want to raise their family in the Top End.
As well as the top rate, the minimum rate for stamp duty reduced to 1.5% from 2.1%. This will help the other end of the housing market. We will, hopefully, have a flow-on effect with more first homebuyers and others considering getting into the housing market who may be residing in units who want to go onto that next stage. The first homebuyer threshold has been raised. It is raised approximately about 10%, which means first homebuyers will not pay stamp duty on the first $385 000 of their new home’s value. That is great news for first homebuyers, and should help with people affording that first home. For those who are not first homebuyers but are still buying their principal place of residence here in the Territory, there will be no stamp duty on the first $111 850 of the property’s value - again, a significant step in ensuring people buy their homes and live here.
Other ways to make the HomeNorth scheme more affordable is the increase in government equity from $70 000 to $75 000 as a maximum; the increasing of income thresholds by a further $5000 per annum; and further increases where there are dependents. This is a commitment from the Territory Labor government to young working families attempting to ease some of the pressures which the economy is putting on people. We have seen increases in fuel prices, in groceries, and in the mortgage rates. All of these are having an impact. I am very pleased to be part of a government which is doing what it can to reduce some of those pressures on families, particularly young families.
We should not forget some of these families are also small business operators. In my electorate of Brennan, I hazard a guess that probably anywhere from 10% to 15%, if not more, are home business or small business operators. They might employ one or two other people as part of that business. The measures within the budget to assist business include the reduction in payroll tax. Government is reducing the payroll tax from 6.2% to 5.9%.
When I attend Palmerston Regional Business Association meetings - the budget breakfast is a good example of what the PRBA put on - a speech by one of the presenters congratulated the government for its payroll tax reform. I will not embarrass the person, but the former Treasurer probably knows who I am talking about, and getting any good comment out of him was never easy. So, for this government to be congratulated by that individual was a great effort. It is great that payroll tax reform is recognised and appreciated by the PRBA. Other business people in the community have come up to me and told me of the effects that will have for them, such as making it easier for them to do business in the Territory.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, Palmerston really has received a great deal out of this budget. It is a fantastic effort. For me, you cannot go past the educational outcomes and the spending on education in Palmerston.
I conclude my contribution by saying to the parents, the children in the schools, the young adults in our schools in Palmerston, and the teachers and principals, thank you very much for your feedback to me about what has been going on, your patience with what has been going on, and being able to look past some of the politically-motivated outbursts from time to time, to see the light at the end of the tunnel, which we are now almost upon. Your good will has been vital through all of this. I cannot put strongly enough how valuable I have found, and how I have relied on, the comments you have passed through to me as one of the Palmerston local members of parliament. I am sure we will all look forward to attending the opening of the new primary school and new middle school at Rosebery in 2011.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I join the growing chorus of voices on this side of the House in support of Budget 2008-09. I want to talk a little about the rural area. Before I go into talking about the benefits of the budget, it is good to recap and have a bit of a look at the growth and the benefits of the lifestyle of the rural area I am proud to represent.
The region has been growing strongly. We had nearly 5% growth over the last year and that has been very much on an upward climb. People are realising the benefits of living in the rural area, while remaining close to Darwin. They can get to work using quality infrastructure, some of which I will talk about in a little while. The improvements there mean that people can live in the rural area, enjoy the rural lifestyle on the weekends and evenings, yet get the benefits of being close to a major capital city. I believe the census in the rural area is somewhere in excess of 17 000.
The region, historically, has had a horticultural and pastoral focus, but that is now changing. Industry is moving into the area. Most notably, the LNG plant at Wickham Point because even though it is only across the harbour, it is in the rural area. Consequently, it is a very important step in the industrialisation of the rural area. That means more jobs. We still have a heavy reliance on horticulture, cattle and crocodile farming, mango and tropical fruit farming, and other horticultural fields. There is the cut flower industry which is starting to thrive. Agriculture continues and there is the Defence establishment with its new site adjacent to Palmerston.
A thriving economy like that would not be possible unless the government had strategically invested in the Territory. We have strong financial management and a strong economy based very much on the inputs of this government in the early stages of its stewardship. The introduction of investment in infrastructure, for example - without that seed money we would not be in the situation we are right now. Our growth is expected to be the strongest in the country over the next five years. That is something we can be very proud of as Territorians.
The growth forecast is very much driven by a strong expansion in exports from the mining and manufacturing industries. That is due, in particular, to the approach we have taken. Government has not taken a centralist approach, it has been very considered in its investment and supporting business, but also supported them across the Territory. That is the important thing: all Territorians can benefit from growth. Budget 2008-09 builds on the good work we have done up until now. It is a further investment in the Territory, but it is also starting to show the dividends through the exports from the mining and manufacturing industries.
Insofar as the rural area goes, Budget 2008-09 has delivered. It delivered for people of my constituency. It is supporting business and businesses. There are many small businesses in the area, but there are also a growing number of larger businesses, as I said, such as the Wickham Point LNG plant. A key part of the Territory’s development is around the port so I commend the investment of $2.26m to provide strategic industrial land at East Arm. That is very important for us to develop. It is all right to have the development in the mining and the horticulture, the pastoral growth, in the development in the rural area, but unless you have modern facilities capable of dealing with the export of these products and ship loading, you cannot reap the benefits.
You also need to consider the spin off of industries that come with the development of a good port and the land for those industries. We have done that. The redevelopment of industrial land at East Arm is very pertinent to the development with its links to the port, the rail, defence, and oil and gas industries occurring throughout the Territory.
Some $730 000 has been set aside for a range of programs including interstate quarantine and grower accreditation and certification for the horticultural industry. We need to exhibit best practice in our approach to the products we are selling because the competition is growing, and the market is becoming more competitive so we need to establish a brand. We need to establish ourselves as a quality producer. This is something the horticultural industry has been calling for, for quite a while. To assist them with $735 000 to develop a range of programs is part of the continued spread of activities we are developing in the Territory.
Part of the continued element of horticulture and pastoral is research, the primary industry research and extension programs. I commend the $560 000 for the Coastal Plains and Beatrice Hill Research Farms as basis for these primary industry research and extension programs. We have a history of that. The tropics is suitable for it and we live in an area which is very much at the forefront. Berrimah Farm has filled that role in years gone by and I commend the continuation of the same type research and development programs. We need to bring them online and support the horticultural and pastoral industries and the programs there will be most valued.
None of this happens without jobs and training. I want to be a bit specific here because I want to talk about Taminmin High School, which is in my electorate and of which I am very proud. Palmerston High School, too, services some of my constituents. Both these schools are very engaged in VET programs. Taminmin, in particular, is now the largest VET supplier in the Territory, particularly around the horticultural and pastoral industries, but also moving into a broader spectrum of vocational training. They are supplying and moving outside their own sphere. They are also supplying VET programs into the East Arnhem and West Arnhem areas, and are looking further south to Katherine and joint venturing with many of the other suppliers, including Charles Darwin University. So, whilst we have jobs and training around Darwin mainly, the rural area is not missing out and is tailoring the programs to suit the needs of the region.
We have $11.5m for Safer Communities, in particular Police, Fire and Emergency Services: one police station, one fire station; a combined police and fire station; and seven volunteer groups. The volunteer fire brigades in the rural area are very pleased with the investment in training and the machinery plant they need to operate. The training programs going out there are specialised. They deal with many different issues these days, particularly with Gamba grass and other types of fires. They need to tailor their training, and the fact they are now able to do that is testament to this budget.
I am also very pleased to see $360 000 has been set aside for Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation to provide Return to Country information and referral services to homeless and itinerant people. It is a very important aspect. We should never forget that indigenous people deserve to have this kind of money spent and directed towards the return to country and referral services of the homeless people because they are reliant in many cases on their home community. When they are away from their home community it is good to see the government is there to assist them. It is very important and very encouraging.
In regard to better schooling, I see the budget has $11.8m for senior youth education at Palmerston High School and Taminmin High School. I will proudly say that these are two of the top schools in the Territory. That investment is a show of faith in those particular schools. I commend Taminmin High School for its innovative approaches. It is looking at considerable investment in the senior years. Not to be outdone, there is an investment of $9.93m for middle years education at Palmerston High School and Taminmin High School. We commenced the middle years program this year and the number of kids coming into the high school has increased. We have dedicated almost an equivalent amount of money to senior school education at both those schools.
That is encouraging, because that was a key area the previous Education minister, who is now sitting in the Chair, was very concerned about. She was pushing to ensure that these middle years where the gaps were, where the education of our students was falling behind, would be mended and that is what has happened. That has really shown through. You only have to go to Palmerston or Taminmin High School to see the engagement of the kids in the middle years. The important thing is that we continue investing in these years.
There is $3.22m set aside for support services for smaller schools in the rural and Palmerston area including curricula for schools and, importantly, for special needs support. You only need to look at the services now supplied in schools such as Bees Creek and Humpty Doo, where they have major capital investment in special needs kids. It means that kids with special needs and requirements can now get an adequate level of service in the rural area. That is important because, in this day and age of rising fuel costs, the impost on parents having to travel to the urban areas is quite considerable. To be able to provide these services in the rural area is fantastic.
We have $2.59m set aside for strategic initiative programs to improve indigenous education. I do not know anyone who can object to that. It is a hallmark of this Labor government that we are seeing indigenous kids having specific and strategic programs designed for them so we are now seeing them move through the education system. We are now seeing, for the first time, considerable numbers of indigenous students graduating from high school. That is critically important because we need to understand we are one community. That is how you show compassion and engagement through programs; by spending money on educating our indigenous kids and, specifically, on the Strategic Initiative Programs.
There is $0.5m for early childhood and primary education at Middle Point, one of my schools. That will be spread out over, I would imagine, the Top End group schools. That is important as it is early childhood and primary level education at Top End schools that has been much needed.
The rural area is very keen, like everywhere else, to support the continuation of the Back to School bonus scheme to assist parents with the cost of essential school items. That $340 000 is a fund that has become very significant and an expectation of parents. It has taken a lot of the weight off the burden of budgeting and setting money aside for getting kids started back at school. It really does help. That is an initiative of this government and it shows the level of support this government is prepared to give to parents. It is all on the back, of course, of economic growth we have here and that this government has initiated.
We have community development in the rural area and one of the highlights is the continuation of the Territory-wide HomeNorth scheme to assist low- to middle-income earners purchase a new home. Almost $11.5m has been set aside for that and will encourage people, particularly in the rural regions which historically has a higher cost of housing. The fact that the first homebuyer tax-free threshold has been increased from $350 000 to $385 000 means that it is not a total solution to the affordability of housing, but it is going to go a long way. People with an expectation not too extreme can get into something at that level. I know we are always looking to help the first homebuyers where we can. The maximum rate on conveyancing stamp duty has reduced from 5.4% to 4.95%, and that applies now to properties valued over $525 000. It was $500 000 last year, but it is now up to $525 000. That is an added incentive, an extra assistance to first homebuyers.
We do have a lifestyle, I believe, that is the envy of the rest of Australia. I am glad to see that lifestyle is very much a part of the rural area and I am glad to see that has not been forgotten in the budget.
The Territory Wildlife Park received a real boost this year with $3.96m for infrastructure and education programs. It is essential it continues because that is a great facility. I often take the opportunity to drop in and see it. They have a number of programs there: fire awareness and some of the Island Ark programs the Environment minister is always speaking about. Berry Springs Primary School has a close liaison with the Wildlife Park and it is very popular with tourists and locals alike. That $3.96m will be much appreciated.
As the chair of the Environment committee I am pleased to see government has been on the front foot with a $2.85m investment for weed, biodiversity, feral, animal, fire, visitor and cultural management on parks and reserves throughout the Territory. We are also spending $250 000 to eradicate cabomba weed in the Darwin River, which has been a scourge there. That eradication has been hampered by cabomba not behaving like other weeds, or as it has behaved elsewhere - the fact that it has been flowering at different times, for example. Still, the efforts by government have not diminished. We have reinvigorated our eradication programs and we are certainly getting on top of it. It is not an easy task. It will be an ongoing task but we are determined to get on top of that.
There is $190 000 to develop the joint park management which sees arrangements between traditional owners and the Parks and Wildlife Service. We spoke earlier in the year about that engagement process. It is pivotal that traditional owners have a major involvement because they are the ones who have tenure of the land. Such joint schemes also create and sustain continuous employment. Let us not forget that the reason people come to the Territory in the first instance is not to catch a barramundi, while very influential, but to experience indigenous culture. By involving traditional owners and the Parks in the management of the Parks and Wildlife Service, it means we can marry those two elements. We can create and foster employment opportunities for traditional peoples. That is a win-win situation for everyone.
There is $440 000 for public library services in Palmerston and Litchfield. The library at Litchfield is run out of Taminmin High School. It is a great local facility. It is a drawcard. It is part of the community engagement with the school. The school values having the facility, and whilst it is on school land, they value the community getting involved.
Recently, one of my schools at Humpty Doo had their library staff selling old books at their annual sale. They were very active in trying to promote the service. I thought everyone knew about the library services at Taminmin, but unfortunately they do not. The volunteer group, the Friends of Taminmin, are right in there, engaging and trying to promote the library service. I have offered to help in any way I can, maybe even inserting one of my future newsletters into the service stock. That $430 000 for Palmerston and Litchfield is a very important input. Libraries are not just places of books any more. They are information technology centres and centres of learning. Access to public libraries and the facilities they provide is something the community expects to be properly serviced by this government. This particular budget is meeting that need.
I see there is $140 000 for research and control of wild dogs, horses and donkeys. Wild dogs in the rural area are a problem. Litchfield Shire has moved towards control of domesticated dogs which are roaming. They are finally looking at their own programs as part of their core services to deliver for the rural area and ensuring there are dog control laws. The other aspect is the problem of wild dogs or semi-wild dogs. The Local Government minister and Environment minister are getting together and trying to work through this issue. They are looking at the Parks and Wildlife staff getting involved in that process. I call them feral dog/dingo crosses which are starting to appear, but the major problem we still have is the havoc caused by local and domestic dogs. The feral dogs are sometimes used as an excuse, or have been used as an excuse, in the past by local government not to be so proactive. They have been a more proactive in this area now that the Local Government and Environment ministers are getting on board and trying to control wild dingo/dog crosses.
One of the highlights of the budget for the rural area and most of the Territory is the infrastructure highlights. The $89m to extend the Tiger Brennan Drive from Berrimah Road to the Stuart Highway is an absolute bonus for people from the rural areas. The people who have to travel in the mornings and afternoons from the outlying regions, particularly from Palmerston on the back road, have to endure a nightmare. That we have been able to work with the new federal government and expedite this project is a great testament to the capacity of the Territory government and the federal government to work together which augers well for the future. It is important these projects come online. Stage 1 is about $6m and well under way. That will facilitate, in the short term, the improvement of access onto Wishart Road, but, in the longer term, provide access for transport to the port facility and the rail head at East Arm. It is good to have that first stage, which will alleviate many of the immediate problems.
It is equally heartening to have the foresight to incorporate the port and the advancement of the port. We talked about that a little earlier when we were talking about the investment in land and promoting that and facilities at the port.
My Marlow Lagoon residents, when I have spoken to them, are very keen and pleased about the development of Tiger Brennan. The rural area will get real benefits of that when they do the overpass and extension out to the Stuart Highway. That it will take a lot of pressure off the Stuart Highway and access into the CBD. It will facilitate people moving into the rural area because they will be able to travel to the city on a modern highway and in reasonable time. In fact, in quite a good time compared to other capital cities. The people will continue to live and advance the population growth in the rural areas and still have access to the city.
I am pleased to see there is $9m for the Wickham Point Gas Pipeline to interconnect to the Darwin LNG plant and also the $8.2m for further work at the Weddell power junction. Weddell Power Station is a vital link in the electricity network of the Territory. It is essential this government can see these capital infrastructure projects and use the land at Weddell. It is an ideal site and it is important that we continue to invest in and support our infrastructure and development in the Territory.
There is $5.5m allocated to raise the Darwin River Dam by 1.3 m to increase its capacity. That is a very strategic approach. It is a very wise approach. The government has a strategy for continuing our water supply. It defers the building of a new dam by several years. It gives a time lag and gives the opportunity to prepare the situation that …
Mr NATT: Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I move an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77 for the member to finish his statement.
Motion agreed to.
Mr WARREN: Thank you. By increasing the capacity of the Darwin River Dam by a considerable amount, I am not sure if it is 10% or 20% but a significant amount, defers the capital expenditure we need for a new dam. It is critical in ensuring our water supply needs are met but without building a new dam.
A little project, but a very weighty one, as the Environment minister is very much aware, is the $1.5m which is invested in the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve; in particular, the reconstruction of the boardwalk and wetlands lookout at the Monsoon Forest Walk. The Friends of Fogg Dam have been very active and passionate about this. They have been on my back a lot because there was a commitment to reinstate this structure. They are very pleased about that. In fact, I know they are going to invite me and the minister out there very shortly to an opening of that. They are also very pleased that this government is committed to ensuring that project proceeds. Good luck to them because they are a great bunch of people.
There is $1.5m to reseal various sections of the Kakadu and Arnhem Highways. This is paramount for our tourism industry, for our infrastructure, our transport in the rural and other parts of the Territory. These highways need to be maintained at a high level of seal and that $1.5m is going to go a considerable way in ensuring that.
The $1m to improve road safety and traffic flow at Girraween and Henning Road intersection was an election commitment, one that I am very pleased to see delivered. It will do away with the congestion at the roundabout at Girraween Road. It will bring the traffic in at the lights at Henning Road, and we will see a very much-improved traffic flow in that area. I am pleased to see that another of the election commitments we gave in 2005 is being delivered. We are getting pretty close to having them all delivered. I am pleased to be part of the government that has delivered on the projects that it promised.
There is $1m set aside for residential care at Bees Creek. That is the old ANSTI facility. The buildings need to be upgraded, or rebuilt in many cases. A major overhaul is needed. It is going to be continued as some sort of residential care facility. The government is still working through the process of that, but the noteworthy point is that the actual infrastructure is there to be brought up to standard.
There is $550 000 for traffic management improvements to the Arnhem Highway, Humpty Doo and Freds Pass. That is a critical stretch as we get growth in the rural area. As the transport to the mining communities and the Kakadu areas increases, we need improvements to these access roads. With massive growth around the rural regions, there are concerns about the Humpty Doo and Freds Pass areas. We need to ensure these intersections and traffic management processes are improved. I commend the government for investing in that.
There is $520m for re-gravelling at various locations on Fogg Bay, Oolloo and Gunn Point roads. People do not realise how much usage there is on these roads. As tourist volume increases into these areas so does traffic flow and the need to re-gravel and maintain these roads. Whilst the populations may not be out there, we need to capitalise and maximise our tourist visitation to these areas.
There is $0.5m set aside for the Humpty Doo bus interchange. The interchange is a very prominent part of the rural area. Improvements to that will be most welcome. That is a staged approach and this is a further continuation of the investment in that area.
We have $250 000 to improve the traffic flow and safety at Freds Pass road and the Arnhem Highway intersection. This has been a really bad intersection, particularly with school buses coming out of that intersection. Quite a number of constituents have raised that issue with me. I have written to the Transport and Infrastructure minister about that, and I am pleased there is investment to resolve the problem. It will help the shopping centre with improved access to it and more people, hopefully, will drop in.
We have $150 000 for the Stuart Highway/Coolalinga landscaping Stage 2. That is an ongoing project and one we are starting to see the benefits of. You can see the native vegetation starting to grow vigorously this year since the Wet Season. The continuation of that commitment was another election commitment and which the government is fulfilling.
Whilst I have been very proudly discussing the facets of the various investments - which has gone on for quite a while, because there is much to talk about in the rural area - I am very pleased about the continued investment in the rural area by this particular government. As I said before, it is on the back of strong financial investment in the Territory, and management of that investment to ensure that private investment is being induced to come here. We are seeing the benefits of that.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, the lifestyle of Territorians has been improved under the Labor government. I am very pleased to be a part of that, and continue to support the government in any way. I am very proudly part of a team delivering for Territorians and, in particular, my rural Territorians. I thank minister for her Budget.
Debate adjourned.
Dr BURNS (Health): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to share with House some exciting events that have happened at Groote Eylandt in May. Groote is well known for the work of GEMCO, its manganese deposits and the expansion of the mine occurring there. However, I would like to share with the parliament the exciting opening of the new $18m Dugong Beach Resort, which was opened by Governor-General Michael Jeffery and his wife, who were able to come for the opening night.
The resort has been a dream of the Anindilyakwa people. I would like to highlight some of the features of the resort, which is an initiative for other communities across the Northern Territory to think about - venturing into tourism. The Chairman of the Anindilyakwa Land Council, Tony Wurramarrba, and the Deputy Chairman, Walter Amagula, have worked consistently on this resort for the past three years. In fact, they have travelled extensively across Australia, and overseas visiting various tourist places and looking at different resorts. They told the story on the night of how it came to be.
After looking at many different resorts around the Top End of Australia and Queensland, it was there at the Airport Hotel that they looked at the design and said: ‘This is what we want, the Airport Resort at Darwin’. So they spoke to Foxy Robinson, who, very enthusiastically, came on board with the project and supported the team and the Anindilyakwa Land Council to realise their dream. To have been present with the turning of the sod - and I know the Cabinet was there when the first sod was turned as part of the Community Cabinet visits made across the Territory – and to now see this dream become a reality is absolutely exciting. Even more so, because the local Anindilyakwa people were not only a part of the resort’s construction but are now equally a part of the day-to-day running of it.
Another person who came on board with the resort, and was very keen to do so, was former NRL, or Rugby League player, Andrew Ettingshausen. Andrew opened his quite luxurious fishing lodge, ET Escape Sportsfishing Lodge, which caters for up to 24 guests. It operates with the permission and in partnership of the land council. You can go on a tour with ET, or a cultural tour with Amuwarngka Cultural Tours, which is run by Ida Mamarika, an incredible woman with great determination and a wonderful sense of humour. She is able to share with all people her country and the stories of the Anindilyakwa people. The Amuwarngka Cultural Tours provide four different aspects of their tours. There is a traditional boating tour where you spear mud crabs and lobsters. You can have a tour on the Emerald River. You can go on the Walkabout Tour, which includes story telling of the Brolga, Echidna and Dugong, where the people tell the stories about their country, culture and history. You go on a historical rock art tour, so if you are a rock enthusiast, or just like to have a look at the rock art and paintings, Ida and her team at the Cultural Tours can take you around the island and you can really appreciate the depth of culture with the Anindilyakwa people.
A big thank you must go to Ross Hebblewhite, who has been an amazing supporter in the midst of this. He was also one of those steady, calm rocks that has anchored the people as they have gone ahead with this dream and encouraged and mentored many of the young people at Groote Eylandt. I personally thank Ross for the tremendous work he has been doing on Groote Eylandt and continues to do, even though he has had his own personal struggles in recent months. Congratulations to you, Ross. You should feel very pleased with what has come out here at Groote Eylandt. People like Tony, Walter and even Thomas, have learned a lot along the way. Thomas Amagula has a bright future ahead of him if he follows the path and the guidance that has been given to him in that area; to take on the responsibilities. Well done, Ross, congratulations to you.
There are many other people involved who need to be included. That is the people of Bickerton Island, Umbakumba, and Angurugu who make up the Groote Eylandt people, traditional owners, but also those in the township of Alyangula, who have given support to people along the way in trying to see this become a reality.
The resort is situated on about 25 hectares, with bungalows, some deluxe and business suites. I encourage members of parliament and those in your constituencies to go to Groote Eylandt and have a good look at the diversity that is on Eylandt. Those of you who have been, please come back again.
I just put on the record here a quote from Tony Wurramarrba, the Chairman of Anindilyakwa Land Council, in their welcome to people and his observation about what the resort means to him which is on their website:
There you go, members, a very personal welcome from the Chairman of the Anindilyakwa Land Council.
In that same week, another quite amazing event occurred which was the first regional partnership agreement signed on Groote between the Anindilyakwa Land Council, the Commonwealth government and the Northern Territory government. The NT and federal governments have provided $25m dollars to Groote Eylandt, which includes the Angurugu, Umbakumba and Bickerton Island to go towards new houses, housing maintenance, indigenous employment and economic development, just to name a few. The RPA is largely based on an agreement to sign a 40-year lease with the Anindilyakwa people with an option to renew for an additional 40 years. The lease provides security of tenure for business investment, and gives the Anindilyakwa people - particularly those with solid jobs of which there are many who work at GEMCO, the mining company, just down the road, many who have fairly large incomes – the opportunity to invest in their own land. This initiative opens up strong possibilities for people. At the end of the day, it is about choice: choice for those who can do it, and who would like to do it. This is the opening that has come about with this signing of the Regional Partnership Agreement.
All these agreements take time, a lot of negotiation, a lot of toing and froing, and the people involved have to weather a great number of political storms. By that, I mean the mention of leases in the past 12 to 18 months on Aboriginal land. To those who have worked very consistently and determinedly with the Anindilyakwa people to ensure this 40-year lease and this regional partnership agreement, you know who you are, both here in the Northern Territory and in Canberra, I sincerely thank you for your perseverance in what was incredible times and continue to be so. To come away from Groote Eylandt feeling absolutely heartened by the future possibilities for that place gives one a great deal of hope for communities across the Northern Territory and Australia. To be able to deal with the business of a mining company, of tourism; to be able to be involved in the construction of housing, to have employment, these are the things that are fast becoming a reality.
Groote has led the way with alcohol management plans, of knowing how to deal with alcohol and live with it. I congratulate most sincerely the Anindilyakwa people on Groote Eylandt and the people in Alyangula and all those who are involved with not only the Dugong Beach Resort, but this 40-year lease agreement that bodes so well for a wonderful future for the people of Groote Eylandt.
Mr HAMPTON (Stuart): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I acknowledge and congratulate one of my constituents who has been doing some wonderful work at Lajamanu. Steven Jampijinpa Patrick is a Warlpiri man from Lajamanu. He has lived there all his life and has been an assistant teacher at the Lajamanu school for the past 15 years. In 2007, he was awarded the National Curriculum Award for his work at the Lajamanu school. Steve recently returned home from a trip to Canada where he represented our region and Australia in indigenous music at the Colloquium of the International Council for Traditional Music and Dance as Cultural Property held at the University of Toronto.
Jampijinpa is closely involved with the cultural revival of indigenous music which has been taking place at Lajamanu over the last four years. The performance originally conceived in 2005 by Jampijinpa is called Milpirri. It is performed by Lajamanu youth and elders utilising traditional Warlpiri and contemporary western dance forms. It is a real coming together of opposites, and celebrating the new life this creates. Jampijinpa is preserving traditional music and culture for all of the community. The Milpirri ceremony that Jampijinpa has been heavily involved in is a real collaboration between two worlds. It is something the Warlpiri elders and residents of Lajamanu wanted to achieve as part of their vision. Their vision consists of sharing the central Warlpiri ceremony through a set of symbols common to both. Through sharing their sacred story and linking it to the elements featured in the Australian Coat of Arms they can achieve the first steps along that road.
I recall late last year travelling to Lajamanu when the young fellows and the old men were preparing for the ceremony. The excitement around the community was great; the best feeling I have seen at Lajamanu for a long time. To see the young fellows preparing for that ceremony with the warlu, the fire; marlu, the kangaroo and wooden banners; and witi, the leafy poles, created a sense pride amongst people.
There were many people involved in the Milpirri ceremonies. It is on CD as well, produced by Tracks Dance; I think it was Stephen Page, who also did a lot of work with the community.
I will quote a few of the responses from the people about the ceremony that night. One of the elders, Billy Bunter Jampijinpa’s response was: ‘The old people can’t stop talking about it. They are talking about it every night, every day’. Paul Davis, the Community Relations Coordinator of Newmont Tanami operations at the Granites Gold Mine, said: ‘Thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a fantastic event and the energy of those involved and what it created for the whole Lajamanu community was magic’.
Clearly, it was a great event for the community. The central person responsible for the ceremony and concept was Steve Jampijinpa Patrick. Congratulations to him. He not only did Lajamanu very proud in his trip overseas to Toronto, he did the whole bush and the Northern Territory proud as well. I hope he continues to go down the path of preserving and promoting the traditional Warlpiri culture, but also engaging the rest of the community with him.
I will also briefly mention some fantastic training that is being undertaken in my electorate, particularly around Ti Tree. I have talked about this training on a few occasions over several years but, during the last couple of trips I have made there, I have seen some great successes. It is a 20-week course that 20 Anmatjere men are undertaking at the Ti Tree Research Farm. I wrote to the minister for primary industry some time back suggesting that, as part of the research farms’ review, the Ti Tree Research Farm should be kept on since it provides great infrastructure and facilities for this type of training. I thank the minister for listening to those concerns and ideas. They have two classrooms, but they also have plenty of horticultural products and land available for those young fellas to have some trial plots. This farm has been available for the local people as a venue, not only for 10 weeks, but over the last year, to undertake the sort of training that will, hopefully, lead to real jobs.
The training has been conducted by Central Desert Training. I acknowledge Kailas and his wife, Nicole, for the great work they have been doing over the past 10 weeks. As I said, it is a 20-week program and covers a whole range of things those young men are going to encounter if they do move into jobs in the horticulture industry. There are things such as safety, drink-driving, licence training, and it also touches on domestic violence support things a lot of the young men go through in their normal day-to-day lives. It covers many aspects over the 20-weeks, but it also gives the young fellas some real hands-on job experience, planting grape vines, mangoes, and all varieties of asparagus as well.
The great success of it has been the attendance. Over the last 10 weeks, they have averaged at least 16 students per day, which is a great turn-up. This just goes to show that the men there are taking a hold of this program. They can see there are real jobs at the end of it, but it is also developing them. The 20-week course is Certificate II in Rural Operations and it is being conducted at the Ti Tree Research Farm.
During my last trip, I visited the Ti Tree grape and Oolloo watermelon farms and talked to some of the industry people. They are keen to get some of these young fellas on full-time once they have completed this course. Talking to industry at Oolloo and at the grape farm, there are real jobs there. The beauty of it as well is that it is seasonal work, which often can suit young fellows who have other obligations to their traditional life. I believe there could be some successes further down the track and I am certainly looking forward to those.
Response to the training has been extremely positive - 22 students commenced the training in March 2008 and, during the first lot, only two students dropped out. One of those students commenced work with a night patrol. Unfortunately, it is a reality of life for many of our young fellows, the other gentlemen was incarcerated in the local Alice Springs gaol. Block 2 commenced with 20 students, 18 remaining at the conclusion of the 10 weeks. One of those fellows who dropped off happened to find work at a nearby station as a ranger. Sadly, another student, Kwementye Gorey passed away suddenly on 11 May as a result of a heart attack. There were some worries that the reaction might cause some upset amongst the other young fellows, but I am very pleased to say since the sorry business and the funeral, many of those young fellows have returned and are getting stuck back into the training, which is great.
So, an average of 16 students per day have been attending the training at the research farm. Part of the success could be down to breakfasts and lunches which are provided every day. There have also been a number of other incentives for participants. During my last visit, the fellows were very proudly wearing their uniforms, jumpers and even watches. After 10 weeks, they are into Block 2 and I suspect those small incentives along the way are keeping them involved.
I would like to mention some of the men. The following students have completed one or two of the modules, including Tony Scrutton, Rodney Campbell, Richard Cook, Freddie Pepperill, Carl Bevin, Nigel Cook, Kim Brown, Dwayne Allen, Michael Allen, Kaylan Foster, Terry Panunka, Rowan Ross, Malcom Ross, Clem Daniels, and Dennis Ross. Those currently holding licences are Henry Ross, Dan Pepperill and Paul Janamah. To those fellows, congratulations on the 10 weeks to date. It has been a small success for them and, as I said to them, they are doing the course, and many family members and younger people are watching what they are doing. They are all very excited about it. They know there are real jobs, not only at Oolloo and the Grape Farms, but also at Ali Curung where I went recently to look at the farm.
In terms of economic development, there is much potential in that region. It is great to see these young fellows taking up the challenge and, 10 weeks into it, averaging 16 people a day turning up for the training. I believe it is a great success.
In terms of training, I would like to acknowledge Centrefarm and the guys there. It is proving that, in terms of Aboriginal land and economic development, it is at the forefront of some of this stuff occurring. It grew out of the Central Land Council, which worked closely with relevant Aboriginal landowners in the region to establish the Centrefarm Aboriginal Horticulture Limited in August 2002. It was established to develop commercial horticulture within the Central Land Council region. Since 2002, the company has conducted feasibility studies, analysed market potential, and is continuously looking at attracting investors and joint venture partners.
I also visited the Mulga Bore community some time back with the minister and signed off on an Indigenous Land Use Agreement over Pine Hill where those farms are located. An important element of economic development is accessing Aboriginal land, involving traditional owners, and bringing in employment and training opportunities which we are now seeing growing in the Ti Tree region.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to talk a bit about the Merrepen Arts Festival, where you and I, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, and the member for Nelson did a fabulous job, I believe, in umpiring several football matches on Friday. You were there on the Saturday. I was there for Sunday and umpired the grand final with Mark Casey. It was an interesting weekend. It was entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to see so many people come together. I do not think there was any trouble. Groups I knew who had came from communities that had been having a bit of a tiff between families, actually came together in the same team and played quite harmoniously. Sport is a great vehicle for social cohesion, let alone for improving health problems …
Mrs Miller: Oh, sorry.
Mr KNIGHT: Keep going? Are you ready? It was a great weekend; I think you will concur and I look forward to next year.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: I do concur.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Thank you very much, member for Daly, we have been caught on the hop tonight.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I wanted to put on the Parliamentary Record recognition of a man I came to know in Katherine many years ago, not long after I first arrived. His name is Patrick Carmody. Patrick has been a ranger in Katherine, or living in Katherine, for all the time I have known him. He has recently retired. It was the lack of recognition Patrick received when he retired that I found quite upsetting. I wanted to place on the record tonight our thanks for the work Patrick has contributed to the Northern Territory, especially, in the controlling of crocodile populations. He has kept us safe for a very long time. I stand here today to pay tribute to a man I feel deserves recognition, and to show respect from not only the people of Katherine, but right across regional Northern Territory, including the government for whom he worked.
Patrick Carmody came to Katherine with his father when he was around 10 years old and we have calculated that was about in 1964. He lived with his father at the meatworks in Katherine; and started working there at the age of 11 years. So he learned a good work ethic, right from a young age. Patrick resigned his position as a Senior Ranger on the 23 May 2008 in Katherine, after providing 23 years of dedicated and loyal service to his job. Patrick’s career has been varied, including being a ranger at Nitmiluk Gorge. One of the highlights during his career was continually being asked by tourists: ‘How long does the two hour gorge cruise go for?’ Patrick, being a man with a dry sense of humour would reply: ‘Two hours.’ In 1998, whilst working at Cutta Cutta Caves, Patrick was informed by his family down south that Katherine had flooded, and they were concerned that he was okay. He immediately left Cutta Cutta Caves and worked tirelessly for 48 hours without sleep to ensure that everyone was safe from harm.
Patrick has also, for many years, given up his time on weekends to ensure that the annual Canoe Marathon runs without incident. That is the Canoe Marathon that Red Cross have been running for 30 years now. Patrick would continuously clear crocodile traps he set for a week or more before the canoe race and fly tireless hours over the Gorge, gun in hand, ensuring everyone made it to the end safely. Patrick’s role has been to manage crocodiles, feral management control and consistently going out for weeks at a time, hanging dangerously outside helicopters, shooting feral animals, maintaining feral numbers, wild dog baiting and liaising with station owners and indigenous groups who all showed him respect and loyalty.
Patrick always managed a smile and helped, no matter what the circumstances, calling it country courtesy. For many years, he was plagued with a mobile phone that constantly rang from people who had snake and crocodile problems. He was on call 24 hours a day. One of his most famous statements to the press was: ‘I don’t go swimming unless there are taps and tiles’. Very wise move. Patrick’s work extended as far as the Western Australian, South Australian and Queensland borders, working long hours alongside police, searching for poachers. He also assisted locating bodies missing in rivers and standing guard whilst police were in the water. He has also attended morgues to identify victims of crocodile attacks. In the course of his duty, he has also been in two helicopter crashes which did not stop him from going to work and with Patrick saying: ‘No big deal’.
On leaving Patrick’s position as Senior Ranger after 23 years, he was handed a silver mug, paid for by two administration staff who admire and respect him and what he has achieved throughout his career.
The government is only as good as the people which it employs and treats with dignity and respect. If this government treats an honourable, loyal and dedicated employee of 23 years like Patrick Carmody with such disrespect and disregard, then it should take a long, hard look at the message it is sending to public servants. The people of Katherine and regional Northern Territory, who have known Patrick Carmody for many years, thank him for his loyalty, dedication and honour in protecting the people of Katherine and regional NT and keeping us all safe on his watch.
We wish him well in all that he still has to achieve and acknowledge that he, indeed, deserved much better recognition by this government for the dedicated service that he has given the Northern Territory.
The likes of Patrick will not be seen again, I fear. When I first met Patrick, he had actually just trapped a crocodile in the Katherine River. It had taken him some time to do so. On his way back to deliver the crocodile to a safe place, he called into Red Gum Caravan Park to get himself something to eat because he was a little on the hungry side. We were fortunate to have a good look at the crocodile that was securely trapped and tied up on the back of his vehicle. We were able to get up close and personal, but not too personal, with some quite large crocs over time. Just looking at the size of those crocodiles, I can understand the danger that Patrick had placed himself in. Although he was always very careful and was very experienced and knowledgeable, there was still a clear danger.
I know many people in and around Katherine who have the greatest respect for Patrick’s skill. I know he is going to be an extremely hard act to follow. I doubt there will ever be another one like him. Thank you very much, Patrick, for the dedication you have given. We appreciate it very much.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATOR
Messages No 28 and 29
Messages No 28 and 29
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have received from His Honour the Administrator, Messages No 28 and No 29 notifying Assent to bills passed in the April/May 2008 sittings of the Assembly.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Use of Public Galleries
Use of Public Galleries
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise that the public gallery to my right will be unavailable to the public during these sittings owing to the recabling project of Parliament House. The gallery will be available to the media during the sittings as the media gallery is not available. I also advise that the broadcast monitoring room will be available for interviews with members during this time, and the members lobby off the Main Hall is once again available for use of members and their guests.
MINISTERIAL REPORTS
INPEX – Travel to Paris
INPEX – Travel to Paris
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I would like to report on the trip I made last week to Paris to meet with the executives of Total who are co-partner in the INPEX proposal to build a $12bn LNG plant, hopefully here in Darwin. The trip followed on from the trip I made earlier this year to Japan to meet with INPEX. Territorians will be aware that my government is fighting hard to bring this LNG gas plant to Darwin. Total is the fourth largest oil and gas company in the world and is joint venture partners and developers of the Ichthys gas field with INPEX. Total will have an important role in determining where the project’s LNG plant will be built.
I met with senior executives including their senior vice-president and the president of exploration and production. I provided them with a presentation on the benefits of Darwin and the benefits of building the plant here. Our case was well received. The meeting went for four hours and it is very clear that Darwin is now being seriously considered. Whilst these people are very knowledgeable, it is fair to say that only a few months ago they would have struggled to point to Darwin on a map, let alone consider building their LNG project here. Due to the efforts of this government in so strongly putting the case for Darwin in front of them, they now know a great deal about Darwin and we are very much part of their considerations.
Whilst Darwin is now being seriously considered, we still have a long way to go. Western Australia has the obvious advantage of being closer to the gas field, but in Darwin we have a compelling case. We have all the advantages of being a capital city, with an existing port, road and rail connections. Middle Arm is gas ready. We also have the benefit of having proved that Darwin can support the construction of such a project with the existing ConocoPhillips LNG plant up and running.
Territory businesses big and small benefited from the construction of that project, from large engineering companies through to pizza shops and hair dressers. Through the successful completion of the ConocoPhillips plant and other large project such as the convention centre and the Alcan expansion, Territory businesses have proven themselves. The investment community now knows that Territory business has the capacity to support the construction of these large scale projects. The business community must also be commended for the support that they have shown the INPEX proposal. They support the project because they know the benefits of a $12bn capital infrastructure project will flow down through to small businesses, the families that run them and the people they employ.
In light of the opposition of some towards this proposal, the business community’s vocal public support has assisted the government to provide certainty - certainty that Darwin wants this project. The business community knows this project will benefit the Territory for decades to come.
Both Total and INPEX are very aware that for this project to proceed they must meet rigorous environmental assessment criteria. They understand and accept the project will have to comply with both Territory and Commonwealth environmental requirements. Unfortunately, the opposition is continuing to put up hurdles at every stage of this project. They simply do not believe in this project. The Leader of the Opposition has said many things about this proposal, none of them supportive.
However, the most damaging thing he said was his claim that INPEX would consider Glyde Point instead of Middle Arm. He has since conceded that he made this claim after INPEX had told him that Middle Arm was the only viable option. It was incredibly irresponsible. It risked the project and has rightly been condemned by many. The Leader of the Opposition has the right to be opposed to this project, but he does not have the right to misrepresent industry and mislead Territorians. Such irresponsible statements jeopardise not only this project, but send a terrible message to the investment community here and abroad. He cannot be trusted.
In conclusion, I invited the executives from Total to Darwin and I was delighted that they have accepted. They will get the opportunity of seeing for themselves everything Darwin has to offer. We are a long way from securing this gas plant, and there is much more work to be done. Under my government, we are open for business and we will continue to work hard to fight for this project. Under my government, Territorians get certainty. We want this project and we are fighting for it. The opposition continues to undermine and risk this project. They do not believe in it and they will not fight for it.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, grandstanding of the highest order!
The project has always been supported; the location has been the cause for concern. That the case can be presented in a manner suitable for a political agenda, rather than what is fair and right, is disturbing. The project has always been supported. Regarding the issue of the alternative site; if this government had organised itself when it came to office in 2001 and continued with the plans it had been presented with right up until recently, there would have been another place for INPEX to go. That is the sad fact that will remain long after this debate is finished.
What is also of concern, and not alluded to in the Chief Minister’s report, is the revelation that there is no vision for the future energy needs of the Northern Territory, and a misrepresentation of a position - once again, put by the opposition. The question was asked and will be asked again, and I trust that it will be answered in a clear and genuine way: if this gas were to come onshore, would there be the possibility of additional gas being made available for downstream production in the Northern Territory? For the Chief Minister to rule that out completely and say: ‘We have no need for any further gas,’ is, frankly, concerning. That question has been misrepresented and twisted as though it is another obstacle. It is a question that, I believe, should have been asked and taken to the table in France.
There is also a report that Arafura Resources is concerned about the capacity to field their operations through gas. Perhaps we can get some information from the Chief Minister on that. It is time for genuine talk about these matters - and talk about the underlying issues rather than the spin and mispresentation.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his report. I appreciate the hard work he has done in bringing INPEX to the Darwin region. I support INPEX coming to the Darwin region. As the minister knows, my disagreement is about the site and the process to get it there; that does not mean I am against INPEX coming to Darwin. Be that as it may, it was interesting to hear - and I am not sure whether you made the point, minister - that we would require something like up to 15 000 people to work on this site …
Mr Henderson: Wrong.
Mr WOOD: About 4000 people, maybe?
Mr Henderson: 3000 to 4000.
Mr WOOD: We will need a lot of people, anyway, to come to work on this particular site. Minister, do you think there is an opportunity, as I mentioned on the radio this morning, for a small village to be built - similar to what happened when the Olympic games came to Sydney or Melbourne - which could be constructed, perhaps in Weddell which is quite close to the site the government is wishing INPEX to establish itself? That site, then, could be sold off to people in our community, especially those who have problems getting into the market at the present time. I would presume, if the government built this village, there would be some cost recovered because INPEX would be using it and, therefore, the rest of the cost could be covered by the sale of those units or houses to people who presently find a lot of difficultly buying a house or a unit in Darwin. I put that as an idea the government could consider as a possible solution to the issue of housing the construction workers who come to this particular facility.
Mr HENDERSON (Chief Minister): Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contributions. To the Leader of the Opposition first: the issue that he is putting very clearly on the table if he was Chief Minister, is that he would introduce a gas reservation policy.
Mr MILLS: A point of order, Madam Speaker! That is plainly untrue! It is simply untrue.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr HENDERSON: Madam Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition believes I have misrepresented him, he has the capacity to refute that. He has been in the media saying we should introduce a gas reservation policy like Western Australia. Again, he throws up hurdles that would derail this project. He does not understand the economics of this project. He does not understand the changed economics of the gas industry since Premier Court, 30 years ago, introduced that policy in Western Australia.. He does not understand the challenges nations face with global warming, including Australia, which gives us great opportunities to develop our LNG resources that otherwise would not have been viable. His plan to put a gas reservation policy in place would have one outcome and one outcome only, and that would be that the project would go to Western Australia.
Mr Mills: That is not true!
Mr HENDERSON: The project would go to Western Australia.
Of course, we want to see downstream value-adding to our gas reserves. My colleague, the Planning minister and Treasurer, was at Wickham Point last week with the helium plant being opened. That plant was built without any need for government to intervene in the economics of this project. We have value-adding as a result of the ConocoPhillips gas plant. I am confident we will see opportunities emerge over time in terms of the Ichthys gas field for value-adding, without intervention from the Leader of the Opposition who continues to put hurdles in front of the project. He does not support it.
Mr Mills: You are a disgrace.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Northern Territory Research and
Innovation Awards
Innovation Awards
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I report on the 4th Annual Northern Territory Research and Innovation Awards which were presented on 29 May and, as in previous years, was an impressive showcase of the real talents the Territory can claim as its own.
Despite our small population, these awards drew an excellent range of high quality nominations across broad fields of endeavour. A predominant theme amongst finalists in both the research and the business innovation categories was work to address the issues of indigenous disadvantage. This is an outcome that is very gratifying. It shows we have some of our best minds applying their endeavour to this extremely important issue. It was pleasing to see a high proportion of nominations from remote indigenous homelands in the Top End represented at this year’s awards.
The business community has also embraced the awards as an important showcase of their efforts in innovation, with the highest number of nominations received being for the Business Innovation category.
The reputation of the awards as a high quality and significant event has grown over the past four years to the point where sponsors are now eager to be involved. Major gold sponsors were Southern Cross Television, McArthur River Mining and AusIndustry. Microsoft was also a gold sponsor for 2008. On behalf of the government, I record my thanks to all the sponsors for their valuable support.
This year’s winners were:
The Minister for Business and Economic Development Innovation Award was won by Territory Diving Services, a Darwin-based company which has developed a safer and more effective platform for launching divers operating from offshore gas and oil rigs.
The Southern Cross Television Desert Knowledge Research Award was won by the Desert Fire Research Team, a group under the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre in Alice Springs which has worked on multiple facets of fire use, management and protection in desert regions.
The Tropical Knowledge Research Award was won by Dr John Woinarski from the Biodiversity Division of NRETA. John’s work over 20 years has also previously won him the Eureka Prize.
The McArthur River Mine Indigenous Innovation Award was won by a small group of indigenous Territorians from remote homelands in the Top End who have brought information technology to their communities to make them more sustainable.
The AusIndustry New Generation Research and Innovation Award was won by Elliat Rich, a young woman from Alice Springs whose creative designs and inventions have already placed her in the top 12 designers in Australia to watch.
The Chair of the Research and Innovation Board’s Special Commendation Award went to the Yothu Yindi Foundation for the Garma Festival of Traditional Culture, an event that has almost become a national treasure.
The overall Northern Territory award is the Chief Minister’s Award for Research and Innovation. Winners are drawn from the winners of the five categories. The 2008 Chief Minister’s Award for Research and Innovation was awarded to Dr John Woinarski whose contribution to the knowledge of our unique natural heritage has been exceptional.
This government reaffirms its support for the research and innovation community for providing us with the knowledge, know how and ideas to take us into the future with confidence. I thank the Northern Territory Research and Innovation Board and the Awards Assessment Panel and, in particular, the chair of the board, Professor Grahame Webb, for his contribution and the allocation of his time towards the success.
I am sure all members join me in enthusiastically congratulating the winners of the Northern Territory Research and Innovation Awards in 2008.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, the opposition joins with you and government on behalf of all Territorians expressing, not only our congratulations, but our thanks. Research and innovation have to be at the top of the list, not only for business but also for us as a Northern Territory.
Traditionally, the Territory has done pretty well. We have traditionally punched above our weight in a number of areas. It is great to see research and innovation continues to do well and those who do it are rewarded and acknowledged. Often, particularly, in the area of research, it is a bit like a professional swimmer. It can be a pretty lonely path following the black line day in, day out. It is not necessarily a pursuit that lends itself to hundreds of people watching you and getting involved. Often they are solitary pursuits.
In any event, we congratulate them and thank them for their contribution. I am sure it will be a continuing contribution to all of us in the Northern Territory.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his report. I recall hearing Dr Grahame Webb speaking in relation to these awards saying that Australia is falling far behind in the number of people who are becoming involved in science and engineering. I am interested to see whether the government has some program which would try to increase the number of Territorians who are moving into these fields.
The Territory is expanding. It is expanding into all sorts of industries – mining, gas, all sorts of development. It would be beneficial to have people from the Territory finding employment in those areas rather than having to look down south or overseas for people to be employed. I am interested, minister, if you could comment on that and say how the government is going in trying to encourage people into those particular fields.
Mr VATSKALIS (Business and Economic Development): Madam Speaker, I thank members for their contribution. One of the few things that is in our favour is our isolation, our adverse environment and our unique conditions which make us different. The Territory is different from the rest of Australia. In living with these conditions people have to find a way to overcome the difficulties. I am very proud that so many Territorians can come up with solutions.
Our government is supportive of innovation and supportive of people going into science. I remember the member for Nhulunbuy as minister for Education introduced the bursary for teachers; in my previous capacity as the minister for Mines, I introduced a scholarship for geologists. Since we were lacking geologists and teachers we had to create incentives to try to keep them here. Our government will continue its support for more Territorians to come up with solutions to overcome the unique difficulties we face in the Territory.
Live Cattle Export Industry
Mr NATT (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I inform the Assembly of the future prospects of the Territory’s live cattle export industry. The live cattle export trade exported more than 247 000 head of Northern Territory cattle to South East Asia in 2007 at a value of around $200m. Of those cattle exported, 225 000 head went to Indonesia, which represents over 90% of the trade into one market.
The current Indonesian market appears robust in terms of commercial relationships. There is confidence within the Indonesian feedlotters as to the future of the market despite recent pressures due to increased oil and feed prices.
A feedlot in Jakarta, Indonesia, I visited last year, TUM, has recently increased its operations from 18 000 to 28 000 and is expanding this year to accommodate another 5000 head. A report in a recent Weekend Financial Review on the Consolidated Pastoral Company indicated that they, too, are significantly expanding their operations in Indonesia. As with the upgrade of the TUM feedlot, this bodes well for the Territory. However, any fluctuations in the Indonesian market would have an immediate and significant impact on the Northern Territory pastoral industry and its supporting businesses in the regions. Therefore, examining and establishing alternative markets in the region is important for the Territory.
Establishing new markets within South East Asia could require a systematic approach including initial evaluation to ensure prime economic market drivers are evident. Developing diplomatic and bureaucratic relationships is essential and, through the provision of focused technical advice in key defined areas, industry ties can be developed.
As a result of my visit to Vietnam in March of this year with industry representatives to promote cattle exports, a return delegation from Vietnam recently visited the Territory. This visit was to gain a detailed understanding and appreciation of the Northern Territory pastoral industry, the live export process, and to see what the Territory has to offer. The delegation visited the Territory’s research facilities and toured pastoral properties throughout the Top End. The Vietnamese delegates were then accompanied by senior officers from my department and the Department of the Chief Minister to Indonesia to witness firsthand the professionalism and quality of the feedlotting industry in Indonesia. This visit included inspecting two feedlots each with different operational style and management structures. This provided a broad overview of the options available when considering what might best work in the local environment.
The next step, in light of the current Australian/Indonesian visit, is for the Vietnamese delegation to consider their funding arrangements for infrastructure and market development. This is to include an in-depth economic feasibility study considering all economic inputs and outputs. Should a commercial arrangement become a reality, staff from my department will provide technical assistance and capacity development in the construction and early management of the feedlot operation within Vietnam. This builds on the initiatives to explore other export markets throughout the region.
The significant global increase in oil prices, with its knock-on effect and increased cattle feed prices in Malaysia, has impacted on market demands. Nonetheless, a newly constructed feedlot in peninsular Malaysia, the National Feedlot Company, is considering importing 4000 head of cattle from the Northern Territory prior to the Islamic month of Ramadan. Over the last five years we have invested considerable effort in the Malaysian state of Sabah through provision of technical expertise to government farms and through assistance in the development of the Sabah Meat Technology Centre.
While the existing trade is in excellent shape, we cannot take for granted the market in Indonesia. That is why we are moving strongly into new markets and providing assistance, both technical and on the ground, to ensure their success, all of which points to a prosperous and improving future for the live cattle industry in the Territory.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I welcome the report. It is, indeed, wise and timely for a thorough investigation of market expansion. It is time for that. We see, as you have indicated, the cost of oil bearing an impact on the cost of feed, particularly in Indonesia where there has been some quite serious pain felt within its economy. It is good to hear there are processes in place and work on foot to expand these markets. I trust that it is done in a timely manner.
I noted, however, you referred to the delegation that came here which toured the research facilities. This issue has been the subject of some questioning through Estimates. I would like a further clarification as to what is the future of our research facilities in the Northern Territory. I can only guess this visit to the research facilities would have been a fairly quick one because it seems to be the agenda of this government to wind down its investment in research. That is of great concern when we consider the great potential we have with a growing food shortage, with the demands for protein, and how the Territory is well positioned to take advantage due to our strategic location. This is not the time to be cutting back on our research capacity if we have any sense of vision and hope for trading with our strategic advantage. I would like to hear a bit more about the research capacity.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for his statement. There are a couple of issues the minister should also look at in relation to an expansion of markets. One is the capability of the Northern Territory to be able to produce enough cattle numbers to supply these extra markets. One of the dangers you have is that, yes, we increase the market, but the capability of the land in the Northern Territory to supply that is an issue the government needs to consider, at least.
We have had drought in Central Australia and the Barkly area so, at the present time, there are a fair number of live cattle being exported simply because of drought conditions. When those cattle go, the numbers will have been reduced. Therefore, are there enough cattle to supply the market the government is looking at? Is there a risk of stations overstocking simply to supply the market? Is the government considering allowing some of the Douglas Daly farm owners who would like to clear for non-irrigated pastures, under strict clearing controls, to do that? The reason they were asking for those clearing approvals was for the fattening of cattle for the live cattle export market.
There is a range of questions we need to be discussing before we pat ourselves on the back, saying: ‘These future markets are great and the Territory is going to go forward’. There are other issues, and there can be downsides if we are not careful in promoting these new markets.
It would be great if we can get these new markets. I also note feedlotting is expensive. I visited two feedlot farms in the Dalby/Oakey area of south-east Queensland. One of those farms is not operating at the present time simply because the cost of food for feedlotting has risen so high. That is also an issue we have to keep our eye on ...
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Nelson, your time has expired.
Mr NATT (Primary Industry and Fisheries): Madam Speaker, I thank the two members for their support. There are some questions that arise, and I thank the member for Nelson for raising those. The drought in the south is causing some issues and a few cattle have been shifted interstate for agistment. However, we are working closely with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association. My Pastoral Production Division is doing a wonderful job in ensuring all of the needs are met. As you can see, this year the numbers are up; I think we are about 50 000 head up on those leaving the port of Darwin compared to last year. The prospects are bright for the industry. We will continue to work closely with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association to ensure that continues to happen.
Madam Speaker, this is a great news story. To visit Vietnam in March and for them to come out as quickly as they have this year to see what is happening on the ground is good news. We are going to work closely with them to ensure that the future is assured for the cattle industry in the Northern Territory.
Reports noted pursuant to standing orders.
MISUSE OF DRUGS AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 145)
(Serial 145)
Continued from 1 May 2008.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, the bill is supported; however, we have some observations to make on the way through, as it were. The bill proposes some minor amendments, but the one that government says is significant is contained in clause 6 of the bill, supported by the minister’s second reading speech and his media release of 1 May.
The amendment is to section 5(2)(a)(iv) of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The amendment seeks to increase imprisonment from five years to nine years; not in, and of itself, an objectionable amendment, minister. However, as a lawyer and a politician, I know when the law and politics mix. This is, for the most part, a political amendment done so for your own - that is, government’s - cynical purposes. Why do I say that? Because, if one looks at section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act one can see that there are various - and I think most people would agree - significant penalties for the supply of dangerous drugs being those not of a commercial quantity. In fact, I refer the minister to section 5(2)(a), and there are various penalties there. In the subsections of (a), one includes imprisonment for life; another one includes imprisonment for 14 years, the next one is 14 years, the next one is five years – that is the one we are debating now.
If one looks at section 5(2)(b) and the various subsections contained therein, the reader will see that, for dangerous drugs supplied of a commercial quantity, there are other significant penalties – imprisonment for life; imprisonment for 25 years; another one for 25 years; and then another one for 14 years. Why do I go through the part of the bill? Because, by the government’s own admission, as evidenced in the minister’s media release of 1 May and, indeed, a media release issued yesterday by the Leader of Government Business, she says, amongst other things:
- The Henderson government’s work to further crack down on crime continues.
And she goes on. This is the political mantra. This is the currency of the Labor government in the Northern Territory.
We do not object, nor should we, to increasing the penalty under section 5(2)(a)(iv) from five to nine years. What we have difficulty with, minister, is the cynicism with which you tell your fellow Territorians that this is all about cracking down on crime. It follows there is more to this than meets the eye.
I had the opportunity yesterday of reviewing the December quarter crime statistics, the most recently published crime statistics and, as is ordinarily the case, when those statistics are published, details of imprisonment rates and other orders made by our courts are contained in the statistics. I refer the minister to pages 96 and 98 of the December quarter crime statistics. On page 96, and it refers to the current financial year to date, that is 1 July 2007 to 31 December 2007, so that financial year to date, and it says:
- The principal penalty for 7% of these offences was an actual term of imprisonment.
These are, of course, the findings for drug offences, headed at the top of page 96, as you would expect, ‘Outcomes for Drug Offences’. So government’s own figures tell us that the principal penalty for those who are convicted of a drug offence is 7% actual term of imprisonment.
We then go to page 98 and the figures are outlined in further detail. As per page 98, current financial year 1 July 2007 to 30 December 2007, it provides all of the drug offences for which people are convicted. In terms of imprisonment orders, 7% of people in that quarter done for drugs received a term of imprisonment. Other figures are interesting, to say the least - 22% in that quarter received a fully suspended term of imprisonment; and 61% received a monetary order. This is the government that claims to be ‘oh so tough’ on crime and speaks glowingly of its attempts to crack down on crime and its efforts continue.
My point is this: minister, you can legislate for sentences of 100 years, 1000 years, 10 000 years, in fact, why do we not live a little and make it a squillion years. That would be evidence of how tough you all are on crime, but there is little point in having enormous sentences if the objective you seek, and I assume it is an objective, is to imprison those particularly dreadful people who sell drugs in remote communities. Everyone in this Chamber thinks they are appalling the way they conduct themselves. They should be prosecuted, they should go to gaol and anyone who disagrees, please tell me now. I doubt that anyone would, particularly in this Chamber.
So you have increased a penalty from five years to nine years. Good on you, we support it, but we cannot let this bill go through without making the point it appears as though this legislation is being changed for political and cynical motives. . Second, on your own figures, minister, in relation to drug matters, it seems very few people are going to gaol. Is not that something you and your colleagues might be more motivated to fix? It is probably a bit harder; it is probably not going to be as politically attractive as sexy little media releases saying: ‘We are going to crack down on crime. Our efforts continue.’ Well, good on you, you will get your paragraph in the Northern Territory News and probably you will do well with the couple of other media outlets.
As a legislator, however - and the minister knows I take the role seriously - we have to make the point that if you are really serious about this matter would you look at strengthening efforts to prosecute drug dealers? Would you, for instance, consider, if you are really serious about these mongrels who sell drugs in remote communities, minimum sentences? You passed your moral difficulty threshold with that, because we had minimum sentences in relation to domestic violence matters. I believe your predecessor introduced those. The Labor prickliness in relation to the ‘M’ word seems to have been put to one side, so you are over that threshold. If you are serious, can you tell us, minister, if you are going to be really tough on crime and those people who sell drugs in remote communities, and why would you not propose a minimum sentence?
Madam Speaker, with those comments I conclude.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, I support the Attorney-General’s Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act. I very much support this legislation. It is responsive to changing needs of communities and it is very tough. It sends a clear message to those dealers that communities are not a soft target. I have noticed as a bush member more dealers are looking at communities as a soft target to make money with cannabis. Cannabis has been out there for a while now. More of it is being pushed out bush. Amphetamines are being pushed as well because there is a lot of area to cover out bush. Through the intervention where we have had dry areas introduced, people are now looking for other substances. Those dealers are looking at the communities as a soft target where they can make a bit of money without too much penalty.
This amendment almost doubles the penalty for those offences. It sends a very clear message to those dealers that you are going to get hit up pretty hard if you get caught dealing out bush. To respond to the last speaker, the shadow spokesperson, the Supreme Court has indicated it will be looking at these offences in the future. They realise, also, the supply of drugs into the community aggravates other offences. For example, assaults: we have people under the influence of cannabis or other drugs committing violent offences. They may also be looking for money to buy their drugs. My experience in one of my communities, which I will not name, is that the young people are standing over the older people, especially the women, to get money for those drugs.
These substances have a range of influences on a community. I very much support this legislation because the worst scenario is that these substances act as introductory drugs for heavier drugs, for ice and the other amphetamines they get out there. If any communities do eventually get on to these injectables, they will have to tackle a whole new range of other health implications. That would be an horrendous situation.
We know there are many leaders in those communities who are trying to support their communities by keeping drugs out, or at least notifying the police on a regular basis when drugs do hit the communities. This will help them. It says that this government is serious about curbing these problems out bush. It is one measure in a range of measures we have. We have put a lot of money into rehabilitation and enforcement. Minister, I totally support this measure. This covers, at this stage, only those prescribed communities under the Emergency Response Act. However, under the regulations, it allows you to name outstations and that is something that we will have to seriously look at.
I believe many of the drugs are coming into outstations. The police are aware of that and, in many of these communities, quite successfully intercepting drug importations from interstate, especially from Western Australia, into these remote outstations. These are settlements which have an airstrip, and do not usually have policing because they are only very small communities. I believe we will have to name many of those outstations, and I believe that will be welcomed by the communities. As I said, many of the leaders in the communities actually help the police; they supply information to the police about who is bringing the substances in and how.
The use of the drug sniffer dogs has been very welcomed, especially during the Wet Season when smugglers turn to certain light aviation terminals, and sniffer dogs can be stationed there to keep the drugs out. You can see a big change in communities during the Wet Season when it is harder for drugs to get in. The change happens predominantly with the young men. They start to come out of a drugged state and start working or getting involved in the communities and not being so disruptive. If we can get that level of vigilance all year round, as well the tougher penalties on the supply of these drugs, it will help those communities develop.
I congratulate the Attorney-General for this measure and look forward to further measures.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Madam Speaker, I also support the Attorney-General’s Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill 2008. I am glad to see that the opposition is supporting the bill, although it is somewhat qualified, as per usual. They tend to be a bit here, there and everywhere on many issues. I am not really sure what their platform is on this issue.
I will get on to the bill itself. As we all know, alcohol has been and still is a very serious issue in our indigenous communities. Unfortunately, part of the problem is now being replaced by illegal drugs, in particular, cannabis. It is a difficult problem and no-one could expect that people would stop using alcohol without looking for alternatives. Cannabis has turned out to be the main culprit. As determined in the Little Children are Sacred report, alcohol and drug abuse have significantly affected family and cultural breakdown in our indigenous communities. As a Territorian, and someone who feels very passionately about the welfare of my fellow Territorians, that really distresses me. We are trying to tackle the problem but we cannot just work on the interventionist approach.
We have to adopt all the recommendations that came out of the Closing the Gap initiatives, as well. That is where the two mesh together. This whole program of tackling drug abuse is important because it is part of the overall strategy. That is what this government does very well: strategises its approach to issues, despite what the opposition says.
This bill addresses the issue from the criminal justice perspective; that is the important thing. If we just concentrate on cannabis as part of this bill, then the problem can quickly be shifted to something else like amphetamines and other serious drugs. Where does it go? It just escalates the whole problem. That is why this bill is tackling not just cannabis but other Category 2 drugs. Drug abuse worsens by steps. It goes from one step to another through alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines - God knows where from there. With each step, it becomes more serious, and creates more dysfunction and disharmony in the communities that are trying to overcome these serious addiction problems.
It is part of an overall strategy, and that is what the opposition does not seem to be picking up on - the fact that we are spending $10m to tackle alcohol and drug abuse. It is not just about this bill, it is about declaring the dry areas, which is a very important aspect. Territorians, in general, are coming to understand that this is an important strategy and they are accepting that. They are seeing the benefits of what this government is trying to do in that particular field.
The licensing identification program is another program, members of the opposition, which is part of this overall strategy which is leading to tackling this issue. There is the expansion of the drug sniffer dogs that the member for Daly spoke about, which is an important program and another part of the strategy we have. Finally, unlike the opposition - the CLP, the Liberal Parties of years gone by - we are working with the remote communities in this area because we want to engage them in the process. We understand success has to involve participation of the communities in these programs. It is not just about this particular bill, but this bill is another piece in the jigsaw puzzle of putting the whole picture together.
This government is serious about tackling alcohol and drug abuse, and those who prey on the addiction of others. For members of the opposition to talk about the length of sentencing is making light of the fact that this is not targeting the victims, this is targeting those very people - indigenous and non-indigenous might I add; and many of them are non-indigenous – who are preying on those who are going through a difficult period in their life, when there are some significant changes out there. For those people to monetarily gain on the back of other people’s misfortunes is pretty sad. We, as a government, need to tackle that and this is what we are doing.
The newest battlefields are our indigenous communities. The substance abuse intelligence desk which was formed in 2006 has made significant progress in targeting the hot spots. Do not be misled; it is not a local issue, as the member for Daly said, but interstate gangs are targeting them. They know and they can see the opportunities. The crime gangs are well organised; they can target these areas. That is what is behind this whole thing. Let us not focus on the victims here. Let us think about the terrible people who are behind this whole process.
That is the gist of our strategy. The Chief Minister’s media release sums it up very well. He said:
- We want to make our communities safer and healthier and close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Territorians.
That is our overall approach as part of being an inclusive government. That is what we are on about.
Unfortunately, the opposition are here, there and everywhere, as per usual. They are not an alternative government by any stretch of the imagination when they come out with the approach they have. They support the bill, but it is qualified, which is more than just a qualification. It shows they do not really have a clear direction. I do not think they understand the issue, and that is the sad part about it. This is the alternative government over here which really does not understand the key issue. They do not understand closing the gap. They do not understand the strategic approach we have taken.
Madam Speaker, we are a comprehensive government, we are decisive and we are serious, very serious, about tackling this issue. I commend the minister.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, I will make it clear to the member for Goyder, I do not support this bill. The reason I do not support this bill is because I believe it should apply to all Territorians. You may say it is not racially discriminatory, perhaps it is not, but it discriminates amongst the people it was targeting.
If a young family who lives on a community that is recognised as a prescribed community by the Commonwealth government moves to Darwin, or Katherine or Tennant Creek, that family is not as protected as they would have been if they lived on that prescribed community. A person who supplies a trafficable amount of cannabis or a Schedule 2 drug to a person in a prescribed area can get up to a nine year prison term. Why is that any different to supplying that same Aboriginal family who once lived there, now living somewhere else?
I understand why the government is doing it, and I do not have any problem with the government being tough on people who provide drugs, especially to our young people. I do not view this is as a fair way to approach it. In a prescribed area you will have non-indigenous people. If someone supplies them with a drug, the person will also be hit with a nine year penalty. If that same person gives it to the non-indigenous people in one of our cities, they get a maximum five year penalty. It just does not seem to make sense to me.
If the government is serious about the misuse of drugs, it cannot lock people in a little area just because it is prescribed - people move, we are all Territorians. The member for Goyder was saying we are dealing with this as an issue that covers the whole of the Territory. I believe, then, that the penalty should apply evenly to all areas of the Territory and not just specific areas.
We could talk here forever about how you reduce the misuse of drugs in our society. If anyone watched Four Corners last night, you would have seen trying to change people’s attitudes to the misuse of drugs is a monumental task. And it would be, I believe, the same with cannabis especially, and maybe other Schedule 2 drugs. It is a very big task. Increasing the penalty may help prevent some of the trafficking of this drug, but it can only be seen as a very small part of trying to change people’s attitude to using drugs.
When I say that I do not support this bill it is not because I disagree with the intent of what the government is doing. I do not support it because I believe it discriminates amongst the people it is targeting; it is trying to protect Aboriginal people in a small area and not protecting them in another area outside of that prescribed area. I also believe that it should apply to non-indigenous people. The penalty should be the same for both, and because of that, I will not support the bill. I would support it if it came back to this parliament with the penalty applied equally no matter what part of the Northern Territory this offence was committed in.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their contribution to debate today. We heard some varying views and I will try to address those issues raised particularly by members opposite.
I was heartened to hear that the opposition is supporting the bill. The shadow Attorney-General had some concerns and made some observations. She made an assertion that these amendments were purely political or largely political amendments. If I can quote her, I think she said exactly: ‘for the government’s cynical purposes’. Our purpose, as the member for Goyder said, is to address this very real problem of drugs and their effect on indigenous communities. We make no apology for that. It is certainly not cynical or political.
The Little Children are Sacred Report outlined some issues around cannabis use on indigenous communities. I will quote from that report on page 161:
… alcohol and other drugs are having a massive negative impact on the social fabric of Aboriginal communities and contribute greatly to family and cultural breakdown.
In addition, the Menzies School of Health Research and other researchers have done work on Aboriginal communities around cannabis use. In terms of the effects on depression and other elements, cannabis has been linked to suicides on communities at a far greater rate than occurs elsewhere within the Territory. These are tragedies. The member for Daly mentioned the sorts of pressures that build up in Aboriginal communities around money, particularly pressures directed towards aged and disabled people who are sometimes stood over. Money is extracted from them for drugs. These are a few elements.
If we are looking at an objective statement or position on this, we can look at the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. I am informed the judges are looking at cannabis supply into indigenous communities as an aggravating circumstance. The Supreme Court has recognised that these communities, for a whole range of reasons – historical and economic - are in a weak position and are being exploited by these drug dealers.
This government makes no apology for bringing in these laws. They are not discriminatory, although they do apply an extra penalty for bringing a trafficable quantity into an Aboriginal community from five to nine years. We make no apology for that. I feel the evidence is there from sources other than government that this is a step that should be taken. I reject the member for Araluen’s assertion this is a purely cynical move by government.
This is all about people in need. As I travel around Aboriginal communities and even before I got into parliament this issue of cannabis, and the issues I and the member for Daly mentioned, were front and centre in the minds of people on Aboriginal communities. It is an issue raised all the time when we go hold Community Cabinet public meetings. It is a concern raised particularly by the women and the elderly. We make no apologies for taking these steps.
The member for Araluen quoted the December quarter crime statistics. She quoted pages 96 and 98. She talked about the category for drug offences and the 7% imprisonment rate. She also mentioned on page 98 how 22% of categories of offence have suspended terms of sentences. I have not yet had the opportunity to peruse those December crime statistics in light of what the member for Araluen has said. I will, member for Araluen. I suspect what is happening here is that the 7% imprisonment rate for drug offences includes the whole spectrum of drug offences. Most of us know, and I am sure the member for Araluen knows, that there is a spectrum of offences, different offences, within drug offences. Someone in possession of less than 50g of cannabis, it is assumed - unless there are other circumstances present - to be for personal use. So, up to 50g is personal use and, in that category of offence, I understand that an infringement notice can be issued instead of taking them through the court process. That is probably the case in most jurisdictions in Australia.
I do not know whether the member for Araluen is suggesting the laws be changed regarding this category of offence, for those in possession of small amounts of cannabis, which would probably account for quite a considerable number of offences within this category. I am not sure if the CLP’s position is that there should be greater penalties within that category of offence. Maybe that is something she needs to clarify.
We know for a fact that young people experiment with cannabis. It is not desirable but it happens. Governments all around Australia have said: ‘Okay, you are found in possession of this amount of cannabis. Let this be a warning to you with an infringement notice. If you go on down this track, things are going to get a lot more serious’.
I have been on the record within this parliament, and even before I came into this parliament, about the harmful effects of cannabis. Historically, cannabis was looked upon as a recreational drug, relatively harmless, even a lot less harmful than alcohol. I believe the scientific medical evidence is now very strong on the harm of cannabis to young people in terms of precipitating mental illness, as well as the harm cannabis can do to memory, cognition, and a whole range of things. The use of cannabis has serious and potentially serious health effects, particularly amongst some individuals. It is not a harmless drug. It has potential dangers and I would advise young people to stay away from cannabis. We are not dealing with a harmless drug.
I undertake to follow up on what the member for Araluen has raised here today regarding the December crime statistics.
The member for Daly supports this legislation. He says it is responsive and tough. He said he has been told these dealers see the communities as being a soft touch. The Supreme Court has also taken that stance, I am advised. These are people without scruples who are after money. The message we are sending to them is there is a new penalty regime here with a nine years’ maximum sentence. He also mentioned that along with cannabis there are reports of amphetamines penetrating into these communities. That is why in the legislation that I brought forward to parliament we have included all the Schedule 2 dangerous drugs along with cannabis with these offences. We recognise there is a potential for use of other drugs, apart from cannabis, and that is why we have taken the steps to include those other drugs within the schedule.
The member for Goyder said he was not sure exactly where the CLP stood on this particular issue. I have spoken on the issue alluded to by the member for Araluen regarding drug offences. I am not really sure what she is suggesting in terms of taking steps forward. No doubt, as shadow Attorney-General, she will develop a platform. I will be very interested to read that in light of what she said here today.
The member for Goyder also alluded to the fact that on many communities these drugs are seen as an alternative to alcohol and this has certainly been an effect of the intervention as has been outlined by others.
Very importantly, the member for Goyder alluded to the fact that we are a government with a range of strategies in relation to alcohol and drug abuse. That is why $10m has been set aside within Closing the Gap to address these very issues around alcohol and other drugs. I know the Commonwealth government is also very intent on addressing this issue. These are important issues, but government, over a whole range of areas, is looking to reduce drug use in indigenous communities. As I mentioned before, the Little Children are Sacred report pointed to the very damaging effects of drugs within these communities. However, as the member for Goyder alluded to, it is not just about the law. It is about the other strategies government has. We are intent on regional economic development for indigenous communities, education, and a whole range of factors to support indigenous people, familles and communities move out of this cycle of alcohol and drug abuse. Employment, of course, is a very important element of that, and that is why this government is looking to support the whole issue of regional economic development.
The member for Nelson, unfortunately, said that he could not support this bill. I certainly understand the reasoning put forward by the member for Nelson. However, I have attempted to demonstrate today that indigenous communities are a special case. You mentioned people coming to town from those communities. I take what you say, but the fact remains these indigenous communities, for all the reasons that I outlined previously in my response, are a target and government is taking steps in this regard. I understand what you are saying, member for Nelson, but I disagree with you. We will have to agree to disagree.
This is a step that government has taken and I believe there is sufficient evidence through what I mentioned: the Little Children are Sacred report; research done by the Menzies School; and, as I have been advised, the attitude of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in relation to these sorts of offences. They are a special case, member for Nelson, and that is why government has embarked on the path we have. I thank you for your desire that these laws will have a positive effect.
Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I thank members for their contribution to this debate and I move the bill be now read a second time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
In committee:
Clauses 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clauses 5 and 6, by leave, taken together:
Ms CARNEY: Minister, in relation to the amendment proposed in clause 6, in your second reading speech you referred to the point, and it was raised by the member for Nelson, as to whether it might be discriminatory. I ask two questions. Did you obtain advice from the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner or, indeed, the Solicitor-General and, if so, can you table that advice?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, in answer to the member for Araluen, yes, we did seek advice. The Solicitor-General advised government that it does not breach the Racial Discrimination Act. As I said previously, the courts already cite trafficking into indigenous communities as more serious examples of this offence for reasons such as the greater potential for damage caused to a community.
With regards to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, my recollection - and I will say it is my recollection at this stage - is that as part of the process that government goes through, those views were canvassed. My memory is that the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner did not say that it was discriminatory. Obviously, the penalties apply equally to indigenous and non-indigenous people on these prescribed communities, and also, there is a precedent with the intervention. However, in applying equally to indigenous and non-indigenous people on remote communities, this law does that.
I can be certain of telling you that the Solicitor-General advised it was not discriminatory, and my recollection is that there was similar advice from the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.
Ms CARNEY: Minister, the second part of my question, in the event that you have two advices or, indeed, just one, will you table them?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, this type of advice becomes part of the Cabinet process and those documents and that advice from departments and entities such as the Solicitor-General and the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner are subject to Cabinet confidentiality.
Ms CARNEY: Minister, if memory serves me correctly, you or your colleagues, I cannot remember who, but advice in the past has been tabled. I am fairly certain, although I will not die at the stake over it, that in the last term at least we have received, after it was tabled, an advice in relation to a particular matter. Assuming that is the case, and assuming my recollection of the case, what is the problem here? Is there something extra special in the advices that you do not want us to see?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, the rule is about Cabinet confidentiality. I am not going to stand up today and say: ‘Yes, the opposition can have this and that.’ That sets a precedent. These documents are confidential to Cabinet. I am more than happy to arrange a briefing for the member for Araluen with the Solicitor-General, so that the Solicitor-General can brief her directly. There is nothing to hide here. You can gauge the opinion of the Solicitor-General face-to-face. I am more than happy to arrange that briefing, but, no, I am not prepared to table Cabinet documents in this place.
Ms CARNEY: Minister, I was not able to take an accurate note but you said something about the Supreme Court was looking at, or considering, making the supply of drugs into Aboriginal communities an aggravating offence. Could you elaborate on that statement, please?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, my advice is that there is a precedent in cases and comments made by the Supreme Court. I have a case here. It is Daniels v R 2007. That note has just been passed to me. I understand comments have been made in the Supreme Court by Justices of the Supreme Court in relation to this matter and the way they have viewed this sort of offence. The advice I am given is what I read out before. Courts already cite trafficking into indigenous communities as more serious examples of this offence. It may be something you want to talk specifically with the Solicitor-General about when you speak to him, if you want to take up the offer of a briefing.
Ms CARNEY: I am pleased with your response, minister, because I - and I am sure others - got the impression you were suggesting the judges had a view the legislation should be amended in a way different from the amendment that we are debating today. Thank you for clarifying that matter. In your response you did not refer to a question I put in relation to minimum sentences. Because we are in committee I ask that you answer that question. I will put it as simply as I can: if you are serious as a government about penalising those who do, and preventing those who want to, provide drugs to Aboriginal communities why won’t you consider minimum sentences so the community of the Northern Territory can be assured these people get some time in gaol?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I thank the member for Araluen for her question. Before I move on to that question I have been passed a note in relation to the issue the member for Araluen raised during the second reading debate about imprisonment rates. The note I have been passed says with the dealing or trafficking of a commercial quantity of drugs there is an imprisonment rate of 47%. As I said previously, a lot of that 7% you mentioned includes a lot of low level infringements. If you are talking about dealing or trafficking in a commercial quantity of drugs there is an imprisonment rate of 47% which is probably in line with other imprisonment rates for other offences. I just wanted to place that on the record for the member of Araluen.
I know the opposition has been going to the issue of minimum sentences. The opposition has mentioned certain precedents that may be in legislation but government has decided we trust in our court system and the wisdom of it to look on a case-by-case basis at what the appropriate measures, remedies and penalties should be. That is our position in terms of minimum sentences. We are not going with it.
Ms CARNEY: You referred to the figure of 47% on page 98 of the December quarter crime statistics. You made the point, minister, and I know why, that that was for commercial supply of drugs …
Dr BURNS: And trafficable.
Ms CARNEY: Yes, dealing and trafficking. Minister, what is the figure for non-commercial?
Dr BURNS: I do not have that here. These are …
Ms CARNEY: Let me tell you, minister. It is 9%. You can pick the figure you want; look at the non-commercial which is the very matter we are debating today. Minister, isn’t it the case that section 5(2)(a)(iv), the one that we are amending today, deals with drugs supplied that is not a commercial quantity?
Dr BURNS: I can only reiterate what I said before and the information I have here. No doubt, the member for Araluen and I will have discussions about this in estimates next week and I am very much looking forward to that.
Ms Carney: I am just counting the sleeps.
Dr BURNS: Yes, well, for dealing or trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs there is an imprisonment rate of 47%. That is all I can say at this stage, member for Araluen.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Chair, can I ask the question again on the basis that the minister deliberately did not answer it? Sorry, I will withdraw that. I will put it this way: minister, you were reading from a document when you quoted the figure of 47% for dealing or trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs. Was the document from which you were quoting page 98 of the December quarter crime statistics? Yes or no?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, this is turning into court proceedings. This is a committee stage and it is not a court of law. What I am reading from is a note that has been passed to me by my advisors which, as you know, happens during committee stages. I said in my second reading speech that I did not have the December crime statistics in front of me. I gave an undertaking, based on your statements around that, that I would look carefully at that and, no doubt, we will talk further about this in estimates next week.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, minister. I will assume that you do not know, then, what the current imprisonment rates or, that is, the imprisonment rate from 1 December 2007 to 31 December 2007 was. Can I tell you that, in relation to non-commercial quantities, and that is what we are dealing with in terms of the amendment today, the figure was, in fact, 9%, but …
Mr Bonson: For the quarter, not the year.
Ms CARNEY: Sorry, there was someone talking in the background.
Mr Bonson: Do not misquote.
Ms CARNEY: If the member for Millner would like to contribute to this debate, he has his opportunity. Of course, he knows so very little about most things, I will not be holding my breath.
Madam Chair, my question is this: do you accept the figures provided in the crime statistics in relation to the outcome for drug offences deals with all drug offences that were finalised by the courts, and that the principal penalty for all such offences was 7%?
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Chair! We are dealing with legislation …
Ms Carney: It is a different question, Madam Chair.
Ms LAWRIE: … and not an analysis of the crime statistics. The Attorney-General has repeated on several occasions to the shadow minister …
Ms Carney: It is a different question, you moron!
Ms LAWRIE: … he does not have the …
Dr BURNS: A point of order, Madam Chair! We do need that sort of language; the shadow minister calling the Leader of Government Business a moron. I ask her to withdraw.
Madam CHAIR: Member for Araluen.
Ms CARNEY: Madam Chair, I withdraw that she is a moron.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Chair, as I was saying, as Leader of Government Business, I am drawing attention to the repetitive aspects of this course of questioning. It is not an analysis or debate on the crime statistics report. The Attorney-General has repeatedly advised the shadow minister that he does not have it in the Chamber with him.
Madam CHAIR: There is no point of order.
Ms CARNEY: Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair and, in any event, I had finished.
Mr WOOD: Minister, just on that matter, if the statistics for the number of people imprisoned under the present punishment regime is 9%, why would the increasing of that penalty by another four years make a huge difference to people trafficking cannabis or Schedule 2 drugs?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. People would realise that there is a higher penalty regime attached to it, and I believe that would be a deterrent.
Mr WOOD: Minister, if the idea of this change in the legislation is to increase an imprisonment term, and we already know that under the five-year imprisonment term only 9% of people are actually imprisoned, in other words, 91% of people are not imprisoned, do you really think that what you are trying to do will have a big effect on those people supplying a trafficable amount of marijuana into a prescribed area?
Dr BURNS: The simple answer to the member for Nelson is, yes, I do believe so. Simply put, by increasing the penalty not only does it act, I believe, as a deterrent to those who would try to engage in this sort of activity, it is also a message from this parliament to the courts that we view this as a very serious issue and we have upped the ante in the penalty. Therefore, in terms of imprisonment, I believe it is a more likely outcome.
Mr WOOD: Minister, we will have to see. That is the only way we will find out.
Ms Scrymgour: What? Do nothing contrary to that? Do nothing?
Mr WOOD: In response to the interjection, this is not about saying doing nothing; it is testing the government to see whether the amendment to this bill would be as effective as it is claiming. That is not saying ‘doing nothing’; it is a legitimate question to ask the government because, based on the figure of only 9% imprisonment at the present time, you would have to wonder whether it will make a substantial difference. That is all I was looking at. As I said to the minister, we will wait and see and, if it does, I will say that is good.
Minister, I refer to clause 6. Why did not the government simply just apply a nine-year penalty for the whole of the Northern Territory?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I have explained that the government believes - and other sources believe, and there is evidence to back it up - that the supply of these drugs into Aboriginal communities is an aggravating circumstance. It has a much more profound effect on the community and individuals within that community. The evidence has shown that. Studies have shown the incidence of mental disease associated with cannabis use is much higher in Aboriginal communities than elsewhere. I mentioned Closing the Gap and the quote I gave about the profoundly damaging effects of cannabis and alcohol use within those communities.
Member for Nelson, as I said in the second reading speech, I understand where you are coming from. I see the rationale. However, government has taken the position that we believe that this is an aggravating circumstance and that is why we have increased it specifically in those circumstances.
With the measures that have been taken in the Commonwealth intervention around these prescribed communities, some people believe the measures are harsh. I believe they have been taken to try to address very profound issues in those Aboriginal communities. With the upcoming review of the intervention by the federal government, we will all have to take a good look at what is working, what is not, and what further steps can be taken. These prescribed communities are special cases, and this legislation and the related increased penalties are recognition of that.
Mr WOOD: Thank you, minister, I understand that. However, when you read clause 6(3), it says:
- In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (2), a statement in the complaint or information that a person was in an indigenous community when the alleged offence was committed is evidence of the matter stated.
You have that clause specifically to tell the courts that you regard this as an aggravated crime. Why can that not stay there and the penalty still be nine years for the whole of the Territory? In other words, along comes Joe Blow, he has been charged with a trafficable amount of marijuana, and he was charged with supplying that to someone in Palmerston, but he still gets nine years - he still could get nine years. However, if the same Joe Blow goes to a prescribed area and supplies the same amount to a person within that community, the judge will see that not only does he have the same penalty, but it was more serious here because clause 6(3) says that. You still have the same penalty. You do not have the argument that the person is not under the same penalty; it is just that in particular circumstances it could be seen as a bit more serious where that drug was sold. Why could it not stay at nine years and leave that clause where it is?
Dr BURNS: Madam Chair, I understand the reasoning the member for Nelson is using. I can only state again that government wants a specific offence in a specific category and a specifically increased penalty for this sort of an offence. We do this to not only send a message to those who would deal drugs into Aboriginal communities, but also to those Aboriginal communities themselves. As I said in my second reading speech, when we go out to communities, as we do as a government, as we do as a Cabinet, as we go with our local members who have bush electorates, the message clear and simple from the women and elders is that cannabis is doing harm and they request government to address this issue. This is a specific message, not only to those who would try to deal drugs to these Aboriginal communities, but it is saying to these Aboriginal communities, we recognise what you have been telling us – we recognise your call and we have acted.
Mr WOOD: I do not disagree with any of that. I take a bit of exception that people think because I am questioning you on these things and coming from an alternative point of view, that I am less concerned about the effects of cannabis on Aboriginal communities. I know we have places that have some of the highest rates of suicide in the world due to cannabis. But that does not mean I should not put some issues to you that this legislation is attempting to cover.
I have two prescribed areas in my electorate. Those are very close to suburban areas. Under this law, a person can go into the Palmerston Indigenous Village and have a different penalty for supplying a trafficable quantity of marijuana. You can just drive out to the front gate or around to the Stuart Highway and the same people we are trying to protect can pop over the fence, and that sale is not then in a prescribed community, the dealer is under a different penalty regime. Surely that defeats the purpose. I understand what you are saying, that there needs to be heavier penalties, and there are problems.
In my opinion you have left indigenous people out of it to some extent. You have separated one group of them and said: ‘If you are in there you have some protection because we are going to give higher penalties, but if you happen to jump the fence, the penalty is not so bad’. The message you are sending is the wrong message. It should apply equally to people on both sides of the fence.
That is the problem with this law. Surely a simple change to it, including that section you have there providing for a nine year penalty regardless of which side of the fence you are on, regardless of who you supply it to, is the better message to send out. I rest my case, minister.
Dr BURNS: I welcome the questions from the member for Nelson and the member for Araluen. This is a very important part of the process. I can only say, member for Nelson, I understand your rationale. I can understand what you are saying. There will always be people who try to circumvent any law, who will find metaphorical back fences to try to evade laws. That is part of society and we will always have those people. The same probably applies to some of the alcohol measures that have been taken through the intervention and through what this government has done, as well. It is just human nature. There will always be people who try to find holes in things. I believe this is a step in the right direction.
Like most legislation, we give undertakings that after a time to establish the legislation we are prepared to review it. If there are problems around that, we will look at it, but today this is the step we are taking. If there are unintended consequences at a fairly high level, we will look at that. We are a government which has shown the community we are prepared to be flexible. We are prepared to build on what we have already done, and take further steps to ensure our intent and our strategies bear fruit.
I take what you say. We will look at this legislation at a future date and, if there are further steps that need to be taken, as a government, we will consider those, member for Nelson.
Clause 5 and 6 agreed to.
Remainder of the bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment.
Report adopted.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, there is a point of clarification that needs to be made, although it does not really deserve it, and a summing up, if you like, of the government’s position in relation to this legislation.
The minister, I assume flippantly, was trying to suggest in his reply to our reply that the opposition was suggesting we change penalties for low level, that is, 50 grams possession of cannabis. I can assure him that it is not the opposition’s view, nor is it my view.
Getting back to the legislation, I thank the member for Nelson for making a point which was so blindly obvious. I elected not to make it but, given the conduct of those opposite from time to time, I should for the purposes of the parliamentary Hansard make it, not that I should have to. We are all concerned about drug use in the Northern Territory. Frankly, I am deeply concerned about it wherever it is occurring in the Northern Territory. The exploitation of our indigenous Territorians in so many of our communities is outrageous. As legislators, we should do all we can to lock up those who provide or sell drugs and put up whatever barriers need to be put up in order to dissuade those who even contemplate perpetrating the scourge which is provision of drugs to any Australian but, particularly, our Aboriginal Australians.
Minister, that brings me to why I question the motivations beyond the bill. Yes, this is a very serious issue. You quoted the Menzies School of Health research undertaken. You referred to suicide rates. Of course, we are all concerned. For my money, members on the other side should do a bit more questioning than they do. Of course we question it. We question it because in terms of the non-commercial supply of Schedule 2 drugs there are already sentences of 14 years, 25 years and life; yet the most recent crime figures - and I had the opportunity to dig out the December quarter 2005 - those figures also show relatively few drug offenders go to gaol.
Yes, we can give you the global number - which is always referred to. Whatever way you look at it - either the global figure as per the crime statistics or, if you look through the tabled figures, you will see in relation to the non-commercial supply for financial year 1 July 2005 to 31 December 2005, half of the financial year, 23% imprisonment orders. The nett result is 12; that is for all drug related offences. Let us go back one year before hand. 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005, imprisonment orders for non-commercial drugs, 18%. The global figure is 15% for all drug offences. I have not done a graph but if you were to graph this, minister, I think it is like this. It is going along, it is not moving up very much. You will have spikes. Interestingly, for the commercial quantities of drugs, the imprisonment rate goes a little higher but, for non-commercial supply, it is pretty static and it is pretty low.
We say if you are genuinely motivated in this area, the collective efforts of government surely would be channelled into better enforcement. Does that mean more police in remote communities? Yes. And before you lecture me about how many more you have out there, bully for you. There obviously has to be more. There has to be better education campaigns so that those who know, and let us face it, we all know that many people in communities know who the dealers are, they need to out these dealers. I would have thought education campaigns were very much needed. Of course we need to improve our prosecution efforts. We say we are not prepared to so readily dismiss minimum sentences for some offences, given we all agreed in relation to domestic violence offences that we would all move through the minimum mandatory sentencing pain threshold that was the colour of Labor in opposition.
They are the points I make. You know we support the bill. Please do not mistake our questioning for not taking this issue seriously. I assure you we do. Thank you for your comments in relation to the member for Nelson which I will take, because I am a generous and charitable person, to be applied to us. That is, that you accept that questioning is part of the process.
Dr BURNS (Justice and Attorney-General): Madam Speaker, I will be brief. I thank the member for Araluen, once again, for the debate during this bill. I acknowledged her with the member for Nelson as part of the process. As Attorney-General I welcome that. I have said to her, and I have said in this place, that I respect her and her commitment as a legislator as she said here many times. There is no problem with this sort of debate from my perspective.
I was heartened to hear that the member for Araluen acknowledged the CLP was not about to change their regime regarding possession of small amounts of cannabis. They are yet to come forward with their minimum sentencing regime over a whole range of offences. I will be interested to see that, particularly in relation to these sorts of offences.
The member for Araluen has been quoting the crime statistics and, as I said previously, we will debate these more fully estimates next week. You should remember that some of these offences correspond to relatively small amounts of cannabis; we have talked about that, as well. We will discuss those further next week during estimates.
Madam Speaker, I thank all members for their participation in this very important debate.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND
CONTRACTORS AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 150)
CONTRACTORS AMENDMENT BILL
(Serial 150)
Continued from 8 May 2008.
Mr MILLS (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, this will not take very long at all. The assessment of this bill indicates it is a commonsense adjustment to speed up or facilitate the efficient issuing of licences, rather than have all licences due on a set date. Those licences can be issued on the day they are renewable which will make for a more efficient system. We see this as a commonsense approach and it receives our support.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Employment, Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his support in this bill. It does make sense extending the licence which went from 12 months to three years. Regarding the cost of renewal of those licences, Leader of the Opposition, we will pick them up. There is the broader review that is going to happen for this act. Until that broader review to look at the existing cost of the renewals happens, they will stay as is. I thank you for your support.
Motion agreed to; bill read a second time.
Ms SCRYMGOUR (Employment, Education and Training)(by leave): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to; bill read a third time.
APPROPRIATION BILL
(Serial 141)
(Serial 141)
Continued from 8 May 2008.
Mr KIELY (Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage): Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 delivers for Territory families. It continues this government’s commitment to enhancing our great lifestyle by protecting the Territory’s unique environment and investing in our world-class parks and reserves.
As outlined in Budget Paper No 3, the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts is responsible for conserving, enhancing and ensuring best possible access to, and enjoyment of, the Territory’s natural and cultural assets. The department’s goals are directed to six key outcomes:
protecting the Territory’s natural and cultural assets;
supporting the community and creating new understandings and expressions of Territory identity;
predicting and assisting in mitigating threats from both natural processes and human activity;
helping the community care for and make best use of natural and cultural assets; and
creating commercial, educational and recreational opportunities based on those assets.
In Budget 2008-09, these outcomes are provided by seven output groups: Parks and Reserves; Biological Parks; Natural Resources; Environment Protection; Heritage Conservation; Scientific and Cultural Collections; and Arts and Screen Industry Support. Whilst these groups are consistent with the 2007-08 Budget, there are a number of important initiatives in Budget 2008-09. These include further refinement of the parks output through our 87 parks and reserves; and a change to the Environment Protection output to recognise the establishment of the independent Environment Protection Authority on 23 January 2008.
A total of $34.1m will be spent on our 87 parks and reserves. The visitor management programs funded by this budget provide enjoyment and access to our wonderful natural environment for Territorians and visitors. They are a linchpin for Territory tourism and are critical to the Territory’s economy, especially in regional areas. The conservation management programs protect the biodiversity and cultural richness of our parks estate for the enjoyment of all Territorians and future generations. $5.2m will be spent on parks joint management programs, establishing equitable partnerships with local traditional owners to manage, maintain and protect the biodiversity of a park or reserve while, at the same time, serving the needs of visitors and the wider community.
I am particularly pleased to draw your attention to the funding in this year’s joint management output budget for the next stage in the indigenous ranger group development program. Budget 2007-08 provided funding of $100 000 to place a trained ranger at Laynhupuy in East Arnhem, building capability in their rangers by providing support, training and mentoring. This budget sees this commitment double to $200 000, enabling a second officer to be engaged. The program will build on existing indigenous land management skills, with contemporary techniques for structured and accredited training. Indigenous groups will build capacity to effectively compete for Commonwealth and corporate funding, and also engage in broader networks which facilitate greater access to employment and enterprise development opportunities including environmental service delivery, sustainable wildlife utilisation, and cultural tourism. This initiative reinforces this government’s significant investment in the commitment to the joint management of our parks and reserves, enabling us to successfully manage the parks estate in partnership with traditional owners.
There are also substantial benefits flowing from joint management in the form of training and development for indigenous people. The department currently has six joint management trainees studying conservation and land management in Central Australia. The department has 12 indigenous adult apprentices employed across the Territory at the moment. In the fields of conservation and land management, we have seven; zoo keeping, three; and horticulture, two. There is more recruitment planned for 2008-09. This is positive proof of the success of joint management, building both indigenous capability and employment.
A total of $8.2m is provided for parks and reserves visitor management programs to create commercial, educational and recreational opportunities for Territorians for our 87 parks and reserves.
In addition to this investment, Budget 2008-09, through the Capital Works program, provides a record $12.6m Parks spending package to upgrade Parks infrastructure. The work on Stage 2 of Leanyer Recreation Reserve announced in February 2008 commits $5.2m to the development of two new waterslides, more lifesaving and first aid facilities, parking, shade, barbecues, and areas for bikes, rollerblades and skateboards.
Litchfield National Park will receive a major boost of $4.4m in capital committed to upgrading visitor facilities in the park. This is the first stage of this government’s election commitment to upgrade Litchfield National Park and we will provide upgrades to the facilities at Wangi Falls and the camping grounds, along with other visitor facilities, including more parking, picnic tables, barbecue shelters, toilet facilities and the loop walk. Budget 2008-09 also provides $1.5m to replace the boardwalk and lookout at Fogg Dam, the only wetland accessible to visitors 12 months of the year. This funding will re-establish the rusted and collapsed boardwalk damaged by wild fire, providing an educational, interpretive walk leading the visitor through the transitioning vegetation forms from the woodland to the rainforest and on to the floodplain.
Budget 2008-09 also provides $1.5m for a Red Centre Way Interpretive Centre, utilising a variety of mediums to provide information and orientation, and entice the visitor to experience a variety of authentic experiences of nature and culture through the West MacDonnell Ranges and along the Red Centre Way. $20.8m is provided for conservation management programs. Parks and reserves are created to protect and conserve the landscapes and enrich biodiversity of the Territory for future generations to enjoy. This is achieved through investment and conservation management of our 87 parks and reserves addressing issues such as weeds, fire and feral animal management.
Taking capital and output funding together, this amounts to a record $46.7m provided for our parks and reserves in 2008-09. Some $10.6m has been provided to fund the Territory’s biological parks, which includes support for the Desert Park in Alice Springs, the Territory Wildlife Park at Berry Springs and the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. In addition to commercial, educational and recreational benefits, these parks provide visitors and Territorians with opportunities to experience and learn about the Territory’s flora, fauna, landscapes and cultures. The visitor and education facilities output creates commercial and education opportunities by funding Windows on the Wetland and community service obligations of $7.9m to the two wildlife parks. This funding enables these parks to operate successfully.
The Threatened Species breeding program, a program of the Territory Wildlife Park, now includes extension of the northern quoll breeding programs. This investment will enable these key facilities to continue to operate as high standard tourism and educational facilities. The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens will also benefit from Budget 2008-09 with further developments through the minor new works capital program to revitalise the entrance and pathway linkages through the gardens.
The government has provided $46m to fund the Natural Resources output group. This contributes to key outcomes in protecting Territorians’ interests in and helping us to care for and make best use of our precious natural assets. It also supports the creation of commercial, educational and recreational opportunities in a sustainable way, and plays a crucial role in predicting and mitigating threats from both natural processes and human activity. This funding will enable sustainable use of the renewable natural resources of the Northern Territory, including water, native plants and animals.
The Natural Resources assessment is allocated $12.1m. This will enable the critical strategic work needed in 2008 and 2009 to provide a foundation for sustainable land use occurring in the context of the moratorium on clearing the Daly and implications of the Kyoto Protocol and climate change. This is important work happening at a critical time in Australia. Natural Resource management activities, with funding of $21.7m, is responsible for identifying and mitigating risks to and associated with natural resources, including risks surrounding the management of biodiversity, bush fires, weeds, native vegetation and soil conservation.
Budget 2008-09 includes additional funding of $2m to provide greater support for Bushfires NT volunteers and brigades. The Territory’s 1000 hard-working volunteer fire fighters will receive extra training and resources from this significant boost in funding. Our volunteer fire fighters do an outstanding job and the increase in funding will enable them to maintain their capabilities and skills, and give them better resources to make a safer community. Funding will also be used to upgrade the fire fighting fleet and radio network so critical in emergency situations.
Budget 2008-09 continues the high level of funding for an enhanced flood forecasting system for flood prone areas of the Territory, with funding of $1.2m in addition to $120 000 in capital items funding.
The benefits of the establishment of new water resources output in last year’s budget are evident with water allocation plans released for Alice Springs, and well under way for Katherine. Budget 2008-09 builds on this initiative providing additional funding of $0.5m to implement the National Water Initiative, improve regulation and monitor compliance with legislation, and declared water allocation plans. Coming priorities for this output in relation to water include development of water allocation plans for the Mataranka, Tindal and Tennant Creek areas; the Oolloo aquifer and the Daly, and commencement of planning work for the Howard, East and Darwin regions. The budget also includes continued funding of $100 000 for the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek water initiatives to reduce water usage.
The water management output is also strategically involved in the development of a Living Rivers framework for the Territory. The Living Rivers program is intended to give special status to our iconic rivers for the benefit of all users. This government has provided $3.5m funding for Living Rivers over four years with 2008-09 funding of $1m being the final year. This funding has been augmented in Budget 2008-09 by additional funding of $344 000 to specifically monitor the biodiversity in the Daly River catchment and produce a conservation plan for the area. Living Rivers is an integrated approach to catchment management involving the assessment of the natural resources in terms of water, land and biodiversity and policy development using a whole of catchment adaptive management process.
Since the Living Rivers initiative commenced in 2005, a considerable foundation of scientific knowledge about impacts on the river and catchment biodiversity has been developed. New infrastructure has been constructed to ensure ongoing monitoring of both the quality and quantity of water resources into the future. The Daly River Management Advisory Committee, a committee of key community stakeholders, is continuing to play an important role in identifying an adaptive management framework to manage the Daly catchment. The committee is also engaged in providing advice in regard to the water allocation planning processes to ensure equity and transparency and the management of this precious resource.
The new independent Environment Protection Authority has now been established and is recognised as a completely separate output group. The environment sustainability output received funding of $7.6m and is now completely separate from the authority, recognising the policy independence of the authority from the department’s environment assessment regulation functions. The environment sustainability output is responsible for advising government, industry and the community in relation to environmental issues; particularly issues arising from proposed land uses, to protect the environment from detrimental affects and promote maintenance of aquatic ecosystems and health.
A significant initiative in this budget is the investment of $0.7m to establish an air quality program to monitor and report emissions data for the Darwin region. We are exceptionally lucky in the Territory in that, due to our unspoiled environment, we generally have good air quality, except for occasional periods of high smoke and bush fires. However, economic development is the future of the Territory and it is important we establish baseline data now, so that we can monitor and manage our air quality. Baseline information collected through this air quality program will be available to business and industry to inform and assist in development proposals. It is a critical investment at this time in the Territory’s economic development.
This output is also responsible for administering the government’s significant $2m investment in climate change initiatives for households and businesses in Budget 2008-09. This initiative will provide assistance to encourage households to reduce their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The establishment of an energy efficient program for small to medium enterprises in the Territory will assist to improve the efficiency of energy use in their operations.
This budget also continues the environment grants program providing funding of $480 000 which this year is focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable technology, recycling and resource efficiency. Funding of $100 000 is also continued for the Cool Communities initiative to enable the COOLMob groups in Darwin and Alice Springs to work with households to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Heritage Conservation Output provides funding for conservation of the Northern Territory’s heritage assets. This output will receive $2.6m including continuation of this government’s significant investment in the maintenance of heritage assets which commenced in 2005-06, investing $1m a year for 10 years on repairs and maintenance of government-owned heritage properties throughout the Territory. Over the last three years, this funding has seen the government leading by example in the conservation of Territory’s rich and diverse heritage. Conservation work has been carried out to dozens of government-owned heritage assets throughout the Territory. Funding of $375 000 is also provided to support the operations of the National Trust and to assist private owners of heritage properties to conserve and promote these important assets in a variety of ways.
Each year $200 000 is provided through the NT Heritage Grants Program and owners can also claim rate rebates and have access to free professional advice. A total of $14.7m has been allocated to provide funding in support of the scientific and culture collection aimed at preserving and enabling access to the Territory’s historic buildings and permanent museum and art gallery collections held by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the museum in Central Australia, the Strehlow Research Centre and the Herbarium. The Herbarium, in my portfolio, will receive $1.3m of this funding to continue to preserve the Territory’s scientific plant collection, and provide access to floral information held by the Herbarium in Darwin and Alice Springs.
There has been an allocation of $783 000 to the recently established Environmental Protection Authority. I have asked the Environmental Protection Authority to review the Environmental Impact Assessment and approvals process for major projects. I also anticipate they will be consulting with business and the community to determine priorities for their investigations.
In addition to the huge record breaking investment in the four capital works projects I have already outlined, Budget 2008-09 also provides $2.4m in minor new works programs for the department resulting in the total capital investment of $16.3m in 2008-09.
In summary, the 2007-08 Budget provides the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts the capacity to protect and conserve our natural and cultural assets. Of the total $129.5m, the department’s budget expenditure output appropriation provides $170m with around $6m being levied by the department through external grants funding which would not be possible without the significant contribution of the Territory for these programs.
Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 delivers for Territory families. I congratulate the Treasurer on an outstanding budget and I commend it to the Assembly.
Debate suspended.
VISITORS
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Parliament House public tour participants. On behalf of all honourable members I extend to you a very warm welcome.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Member for Fannie Bay
Member for Fannie Bay
Ms LAWRIE (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that leave of absence be granted this day to the member for Fannie Bay who is interstate.
Motion agreed to.
STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
Top End Primary School Art Competition
Top End Primary School Art Competition
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, earlier this year I wrote to all Top End regional primary schools inviting their Year 5/6 students to participate in the 2008 Top End Primary School Art Competition. This follows on from the very successful competition held in Central Australia last year as part of the Alice Springs sittings. The entries for this year’s awards are on display in the Main Hall and are based on the theme of community leadership and parliamentary democracy.
I am pleased to announce the winning schools for this year are Minyerri School with a prize of $3000; second prize is Kalkarindji Community Education Centre with $1000 prize; and equal third prizes of $500 each go to Berry Springs Primary School and Katherine School of the Air.
Members: Hear, hear!
Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I encourage you to view the exhibition and, more importantly, to vote in the People’s Choice Award. I am sure you will agree with the judges that the ones we selected are excellent.
APPROPRIATION BILL
(Serial 141)
(Serial 141)
Continued from earlier this day.
Ms CARNEY (Araluen): Madam Speaker, I would like to make a number of comments in relation to this budget. Naturally, we will have the Estimates Committee next week. If estimates worked as well as they should, then we would have all of our questions answered. I do not want to put the kibosh on estimates, but history tells us, year-in year-out, not all of our questions are answered.
This forum today is an opportunity for every member of the parliament to outline their perspective on the Territory budget I do so now. In estimates, I will be dealing very specifically with my shadow portfolios. Today, I will be very deliberately adopting a broader approach, and it comes from me being a member of parliament based in Alice Springs. Therefore, much, though not all, of my contribution in this debate will be from an Alice Springs perspective, noting that next week it will be very specifically from a shadow ministerial perspective which, of course, does not preclude all things Alice Springs.
I know government will not like this, but they are going to have to wear it: going through the budget I was disappointed. I was disappointed on a number of points. I preface my remarks by saying that not everything in the budget is not good. Of course, increases in spending anywhere, any time, by any government, is always welcome. This government has received an incredible amount of extra revenue as a result of GST revenue, and its own source revenue has gone up as well. Why would you not, in those circumstances, invest money where it should be invested? Any government, regardless of what side of the political fence it comes from, would do so.
I was disappointed that there was nothing specific about upgrading the facilities at the Alice Springs Courthouse. This is an issue that I have been talking about, both in and out of parliament, for longer than I care to remember. I hope that, by the time that I am an old lady, the Alice Springs Courthouse will be upgraded and, in particular, the vulnerable witness room will be upgraded. Members will recall - because it was very public and, from the point of the Northern Territory, an embarrassing media report - when His Honour Justice Eames, a visiting judge to the Territory, was quoted in ABC Online, 29 April this year, as being pretty scathing of the technology used at the Alice Springs Courthouse. I am ready from the ABC Online report, where he described:
- … the technology at the court was ‘hopeless’ and saying even simple matters such as lighting and sound were completely inadequate.
He told the jury: The technology in Alice Springs is simply not up to scratch. And the courts have laboured with it, but, as you have seen, it's conspicuously failed.
His Honour went on to say:
- It's quite extraordinary that it's not merely technology which is outdated. It seems to be matters as simple as lighting.
He also said:
- The witness is in a room being video recorded where the lighting's so hopeless you can't pick up the features of the face and you can't see all the people on the screen anyway, and the sound is completely hopeless.
He made some other comments, but for the purposes of my contribution to the budget, I need not go any further.
I remember questioning the member for Nhulunbuy when he was Attorney-General. I quizzed him at length. In essence, I said that the vulnerable witness room was terrible. The room next door to the vulnerable witness room is one used by lawyers for robing purposes. The witness assistance service has no key, or did not at that time - that may have changed in recent times - but did not have a key for the private or non-public access to the witness room. The robing room is just outside it which means that defence counsel will bump into witnesses, rape victims for instance, in the middle of trials; child rape victims in the middle of trials will bump into them just outside the very room that is meant to protect them. There is no toilet in or near the room. Witnesses have to go through the foyer and use the public toilets. The room is outside Court No 4, which is used for Court of Summary Jurisdiction matters, juvenile matters and so on. That means the witnesses are not protected at all.
I asked the then Attorney-General whether he had seen the room. He said he sat inside it for 10 minutes when he was interviewed by a journalist. I asked him whether, if he was a 10-year-old kid who was giving evidence in a trial, let us say, for instance, a sexual assault trial, the court kicks off at 10 am and a 10-year-old kid is not called on until, say, 3 pm, whether an adult might want to spend that much amount of time in such a small and uninviting room. I cannot remember the former Attorney-General’s response, but I feel certain that he would have answered no.
So we have the witness room that should be upgraded. We also have outdated technology which saw, in the case that Justice Eames was presiding over - it was a sexual assault matter - that that was abandoned due to faulty equipment. Out of all the budget papers, out of all the media releases, I do not see anything that is fixing the vulnerable witness room. I implore government to turn its collective mind to this issue. I will keep doing so because, obviously, some things should be fought for, and I am terribly disappointed, again, particularly in the light of the very public and scathing comments made by Justice Eames that things have not been improved.
The Chief Minister was happy to put his pearly whites on a media release, probably two months ago, saying there would be 60 police for the Northern Territory - I think it was four locations in two years. It was only last month that it emerged that no extra police officers would be sent to Alice Springs until the second half of the second year, which would take us to about 2010. The Minister for Central Australia, when he was in Alice Springs either late last year or earlier this year, made the comment that he thought we needed all of the 60 police. Why? Because of the amount of crime and vandalism that occurs in the town in which I live.
I note that, last month, the Minister for Central Australia said in relation to the budget that community safety is an issue for people living in Central Australia:
- The $9.3 million two year Safer Streets plan will deliver 60 extra police to target crime and antisocial behaviour in urban areas across the Territory.
Nothing until 2010, or the first half of 2010 and where, I ask, are the extra patrols? So, can I tick that box for government? No, I cannot, given the area I represent. The crime figures clearly show that crime has been increasing, but I refer particularly to crimes against the person, that is, violent assault. In the December quarter, assaults against the person increased by 16% compared with the previous quarter.
On those figures, not to mention any others, you would have thought that Alice Springs would be well and truly deserving of a further allocation of police officers. Sadly, that is not so. Even if some of the 60 police officers were going to go to Alice Springs in the next 12 months, and they are not, but we have asked the question in parliament before – albeit, perhaps, rhetorically - is that enough to match the attrition rate for police in Central Australia? If we get time, this issue is likely to be pursued in estimates.
I turn now to the issue of policing to the police communications or telecommunications area. I have not seen in the budget, and members on the other side can be assured that members on this side continue to pore over it, not exactly bedside reading, but we do the best we can, and we are fairly confident that by estimates we will have found even more issues to pursue government about. The police telecommunications in Alice Springs is, I believe, going to be one of them.
Why is it an issue? This matter has been going on for some time. Minister Burns, who was Police minister at the time, that is 21 February 2007, said in parliament there was a problem:
- … with the manual switching of phones from the day time receptionist to the Communications Section. This problem has now been resolved.
He went on to say:
- The Alice Springs communication area is to be upgraded with an integrated computer-aided system which should be in place by early 2007 and will include an automated call distributor system.
We ask, was it done, how much did it cost and why are there still problems?
That was February 2007. The problems went on. In Alice Springs on 19 April 2007, I think the minister for Police, minister Burns said that it had been an unedifying experience over the last 24 hours to realise the system was not working; that it had been in place for three years; and that when it came under focus it was not working up to scratch. He said to the residents of Alice Springs that there was a commitment from police, that in – I think he said about six to eight weeks – the call line would be up to scratch and operating as well as the one in Darwin.
That is apparently not the case. I refer to an article in the Centralian Advocate on 30 May 2008 in which the owner of a security firm reports he waited 109 minutes – the call cost him $50.61 – for the phone to be answered at the Alice Springs Police Station. Superintendent Parnell said in this media report: ‘We’ve done our own internal reviews and the wait time has decreased. To wait for 20 minutes is not the norm and is beyond our control.’
The Centralian Advocate revealed a South Australian policeman has been called in to investigate the Alice Springs Police Station Call Centre. We understand, as does the journalist, that he ‘has finished an external review of the station’s trouble-plagued communications hub’. ‘Trouble-plagued communications hub’ is from the Centralian Advocate, and trouble-plagued it has been. We have had assurances from the minister that ‘The job’s right, folks. It’s all going to be fixed’. Clearly it has not been. No one knew about this external review until recently. You would have to ask if the former minister for Police misled the parliament, either inadvertently or deliberately, when he assured the people of Alice Springs in April last year that all would be fixed.
I have not seen anything in the budget that says: ‘Here is some money for improving the communications system’. When people ring the police often they need to get through very quickly. I can assure the minister they are ringing the 131444 number.
In addition, I remember seeing in the budget papers or perhaps the media releases or perhaps both, the mention of a hotline to report antisocial behaviour. I asked in the February sittings when we were debating youth justice matters whether that hotline will be extended or will exist in Alice Springs. The silence on the government side is, I am sad to say, deafening. If you have a hotline in Darwin, might it not be appropriate to have a hotline operating in Alice Springs? I believe it is and I am sure many people both in this parliament and outside it would agree.
Once again the issue of the CCTV cameras comes up. This was the issue, of course, where government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to throw in some money for the CCTV cameras. It is blindingly obvious that the protest at the Alice Springs sittings in April last year affected some movement. I recall a former Police minister, the member for Johnston, wrote me a letter or responded to a petition and said no, no we are not going to have CCTV cameras. The then Chief Minister, after copping what she copped at the demonstration, shortly thereafter announced to parliament, that yes, we could give you some money for some CCTV cameras.
We are eternally grateful for what the government provides in terms of giving the people of Alice Springs what they should receive, and I emphasise what they should receive. We do receive some funding from government. We do not receive enough. We do not receive enough because when dealing with CCTV cameras, the government gave, I think, about $150 000 towards the capital costs but the government only gave half of the costs towards the monitoring. That means monitoring does not happen 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It happens 24 hours a day, I think three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We think the people of Alice Springs deserve more and better. Yet there was nothing in this budget along those lines.
I note with great interest, however, that the government has kicked in $3.125m for CCTV cameras in Darwin and Palmerston. We congratulate the people of Darwin and Palmerston for getting CCTV cameras and that amount of money. But, on behalf of the people of Alice Springs, we say it is not comparable. We should receive more. I also note that the monitoring of the CCTV cameras in Alice Springs is not going to be done by the police. It is going to be done by a private firm, whereas in Darwin it will be monitored by the police or, at least, go through the police communications system. Why the difference? There should not be one.
In addition, in terms of Alice Springs, and I hope to pursue this matter in estimates, but I would like to do so now. Bradshaw Primary School is in my electorate. In the last six months or so they have copped a lot of vandalism. It has had not only a poor financial effect on the school, but it has really knocked them in terms of their morale and so on. They have lifted themselves up, they have put in, and parents, friends and teachers have done some repair work. But the matter needs to be addressed. I read in the Bradshaw Primary School newsletter, as I read all newsletters in my electorate that I receive, dated 8 May, that, and I quote: ‘It was hoped that security fencing is not too far off and that will help to stem the problems we have had’. I invite the Education minister at some point, and I hope she can do it in estimates next week, to point me to an allocation in the budget papers for a security fence for Bradshaw Primary School. We all know that security fences do not come cheap; they are very expensive things. One was provided, I think, to another school in my electorate some years ago, Gillen Primary School. Bradshaw now want and need one. I cannot find in the budget papers any allocation for it.
I turn now to the ongoing saga of the missing hydrotherapy pool. Members will remember I have spoken about it in this place before. This was promised as part of the new aquatic centre proposal, a promise made during the 2005 election campaign by the former Chief Minister. Much was made of it. It appeared in candidate literature in the electorate of Araluen for the Labor Party. The then Chief Minister with former Labor candidate, Fran Kilgariff, did as much media as they possibly could about the injection of funds that would be required to upgrade the aquatic centre. They promised a hydrotherapy pool. It has disappeared. People in Alice Springs are seriously unhappy about this. You cannot just promise something and then not go back to it and hope people forget. The people have not forgotten. I would have thought, in this budget, there was an opportunity for this government to provide - I think the figure bandied around by those in the know is about $2.5m - $2.5m or thereabouts is what the council needs to deliver Labor’s promise. There is nothing in the budget papers about the missing hydrotherapy pool. Shame on you, Labor government!
I move now to the Ilparpa water pipes. Much of Ilparpa is in my electorate. The water pipe keeps bursting on the main road. I have written a letter, this week or last week, to the relevant minister asking: why, what is happening, and what is in place to deal with it? People tell me that it has burst on a number of occasions. In fact, there was a media report about this issue a week or so ago.
The issue of water on the road at Ilparpa has been a long-standing one. In fact, it was a problem when I was a candidate in the 2001 election. I do not know why it was a problem when the CLP was in government in 2001. I note, however, that Labor has been in government for seven years and there is still water on the road, and it still appears the water pipe is leaking. There might be other reasons for water on the road; it may be related to a natural overflow of the swamp. However, I am informed by constituents that a water pipe keeps leaking. There is nothing about an infrastructure spend in relation to fixing that problem. I note other infrastructure spends for Central Australia, and they are welcome. What about this one?
I note, on page 142, Budget Paper No 3, there is:
- … $80 000 allocated toexpand the delivery of treatment places for people who are subject to an Alcohol Intervention Order or a Prohibition Order from the Alcohol Court.
$80 000 allocated to, by the looks of it, improving the alcohol courts. I am not entirely sure - and I look forward to receiving a sensible explanation from someone - as to why $80 000 is needed, given that so few people went through the courts. The CLP’s position is, in the absence of anything contrary put by government - and I say in the absence - the whole matter needs a rethink, not just more money.
I refer members to a media release issued by me dated 26 February 2007. That was issued after, eventually - and I stress eventually - I received a letter from the Attorney-General in response to one from me asking for some details about the alcohol courts. He said in the 18 months since the alcohol courts have been operating, 99 people across the Territory have been referred to them. Of the 99, just 27 have successfully completed a court-ordered treatment program. In that same period of time, about 40 000 people were taken into protective custody for being drunk in public. There were more details provided, but the long and short of it is that very few people went through the court; 42 people appeared in the court in Alice Springs; one prohibition order had been made at that time in Alice Springs; and 28 people had been ordered to attend a treatment program there.,
Obviously, you would like to think - but you never know - that some more people have gone through the alcohol court but, based on the figures provided to me by the Attorney-General, over that initial period of 18 months, there were not very many. My question is this: what is $80 000 going to buy you, and would you consider, as an alternative, a rethink on the alcohol courts? I look forward to traversing this issue in estimates if we can.
I now move to breast screening. This is a disgraceful omission, I believe, by government. I know the Minister for Health and I have exchanged correspondence but, put simply, the breast screen service in Alice Springs used to be open for many days in a 12-month period. In recent years, it has reduced significantly. The screening periods, and unfortunately I do not have the information in front of me, I have a file in my office, but, from memory, the last published screening periods, there were three or four windows during the year, a couple of those screening periods were for seven to 10 days, give or take. In any event, there is not enough breast screening going on in Alice Springs.
We have, on the one hand, government saying they are fair dinkum about health, they want to tackle breast cancer, not to mention so many others, and we all know prevention is better than cure. The purpose of the breast screen service was that women could walk by and be reminded to have their breast screens. Now, people come from interstate, and you need to make an appointment. I ask, in a regional town like Alice Springs, is this appropriate in 2008? It is not just me who says this. Those very interested in assisting those with breast cancer, and I mention Bosom Buddies, are very concerned about it as well. I am sure my colleague, the member for Greatorex, will, if he can, subject to time, get into this issue during estimates, but I raise it in my summary of issues as they pertain to my electorate and the town in which I live. I raise it because I genuinely feel it is important and I genuinely feel the government is not doing anywhere near good enough.
Moving to another matter, I see nothing about finishing the Traeger Park grandstand. Traeger Park is in my electorate. That was promised by government, if memory serves me correctly, during the 2005 election. In fact, some of it was probably promised in the 2001 election. Anyway, you have a grandstand that you have not completed. I understand there is a bit of huffing and puffing between the government and the council but you cannot go around promising the world and then slither away saying: ‘Oh, well, that’s done and dusted. We won, so there is an end to it’. You need to do better. I cannot see anything in the budget that goes towards finishing the Traeger Park grandstand.
The detox facility: during the member for Greatorex’s by-election campaign, we said that we would establish a detox facility, and I recently did a media interview on it. Is it not a tad ironic that we have a dry town in Alice Springs? We have dry camps, we have dry communities, and we do not have a medically-based detox centre. You have to be joking. If that does not make the Northern Territory government look like a joke, frankly, I am not sure what will. I am sure those down south, not to mention the citizens we serve, are aghast that there is no medically-based detox facility. I saw nothing in the budget about that. I saw plenty of budget media releases. I did not count them up, but there were probably 15 or so on the day, ministers regularly dribbling them out, both before and after the budget. In any event, I reckon you have pulled up short, and a long way short at that.
In Alice Springs we also have the issue in recent times of urban drift. I look forward to either me or my colleagues getting to this during estimates. We have talked about urban drift in the parliament before. Was it happening before the intervention? Yes. Is there more of it since the intervention? Most people would agree, yes. What I did not see in the budget was anything specifically targeted at dealing with those people who have come in from the bush, for whom Alice Springs is a town in which they do not have a house. Would people in other cities or towns around the country just shrug their shoulders at potentially 1000 homeless people coming into town and sleeping on the streets or riverbed, under trees or on hills? I think not.
The fact is that, a year or so ago, both the Territory government and the federal government talked about short-term accommodation. It went pear shaped, and the member for Karama had a great deal to do with that. I believe I heard her, or one of her colleagues say recently that the southern site was still an option. I would like to know where funding allocations are for that. I would like to know when work is seriously going to start so that some of the people coming in from out bush actually have somewhere to stay, albeit on a temporary basis.
Given the numbers, the proposed site is not enough. You need to get your collective heads around working out what you are going to do for our town, the residents of it, and the visitors who come there. In addition to the difficulties of people coming in from the bush with their children, and it is winter and very bloody cold, I would have thought this government would be well aware of the risks to the social fabric of our town. No-one likes to see lots of visitors on their streets who are homeless. Unfortunately, that is a given in our society. What I do not see this government doing is anything specific to address it. Can I have some more time, please?
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, I move an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77 for the member to conclude her remarks.
Motion agreed to.
Ms CARNEY: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do not see anything in the budget dealing with the people when they are in Alice Springs. What I also do not see is anything from government about encouraging these people to go back to their homes. We need to be honest. We need to encourage these people to go back to their homes. Indeed, I have heard Territory government ministers say pretty much the same thing. If someone can tell me if this is true I would be very grateful and I hope to get to it in estimates, but I understand the Northern Territory government gives about $300 000 to $350 000 a year to the Tangentyere Council to administer the Return to Country program. It is clearly not working. People are not, in sufficient numbers, being returned to country. That is why things are - as some would say – at a pretty extreme point in Alice Springs.
I have met with the owners of the Bush Bus and I understand their system. It is very difficult for media or anyone else to get information from Tangentyere Council. If a minister wants to correct me, please do so, but I am informed by a person I know and trust that the Return to Country program has one vehicle, a troopie; there are no regular drop off or pick up points; it does not go unless it has a certain number of people; that getting a ticket is quite a difficult process; and that many weeks ago the person who drives the car had not been there for some time. I do not know whether that is true but I believe the person who told me that.
If that is true, what is government doing about this? Nothing, it would appear from the budget papers. I lament that. It is very sad and you need to tackle this issue from both sides. You need to ensure that little kids who, members opposite and, indeed, members on this side all say we care about, how can you sanction a situation where those kids are sleeping out and about in Alice Springs in 2C and 3C degrees. I bet you Darwin members would not like that one little bit. I bet if it was your kids you would do something about it. Yet these kids are just sleeping rough in Alice Springs. Similarly, we need to encourage them out bush. It is a government responsibility to lead this process. You often talk about leadership, the Closing the Gap thing, you all talk about leadership. Yet I am hard pressed to see any on this very important issue.
Is more funding going to be provided to Tangentyere Council? What are the performance measures? We issued a media release a couple of months ago along the lines of ‘there needs to be a review and subject to the review we would consider putting the work out to a private tender’. Why? Because on the information that exists presently Tangentyere Council is not performing the role of returning people to country. I do not say for a minute they are not returning anyone to country, but clearly they are not returning enough people to country and that is a very serious issue.
That is just a cursory look at some issues in Alice Springs. They traverse portfolios from Justice, Police, Education, Infrastructure, Health and Housing. They are all pretty fundamental portfolios. The issues I have raised are fundamental to my constituents in one way or another. They believe that Alice Springs has not been given the attention by government that it deserves. And, Madam Speaker, I am with them in that regard. I will leave it there for now. As I say, together with the minister for Justice, I am just beside myself with excitement about the estimates process.
Mr BONSON (Sport and Recreation): Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 is all about delivering for the Territory families and investing in the future of the Northern Territory. Similarly, our commitment to supporting sport and recreation is focused on families and the future. We are providing the means for Territory families to access sport and recreational opportunities and we are also investing in sporting infrastructure that will serve Territory families into the future.
Sport and recreation continues to provide opportunities for Territorians to participate in activities both in urban and remote areas of the Territory. Sport and recreation is an integral part of our great lifestyle. Budget 2008-09 commits $25.8m to sports and recreation. This will be an important investment in our great Territory lifestyle. Our financial commitment to sport and recreation through Budget 2008-09 is one of the many dividends of our strong economy. As a government, we are proud to continue bringing the best in national and international sporting events to the Territory, as well as giving financial backing to grassroots sports.
Apart from the social and lifestyle rewards, the physical benefits of participation in sport and recreation are well recognised. We all know about the unacceptably high levels of obesity affecting Australia and the positive role of regular exercise in addressing this epidemic. The creation and maintenance of sporting facilities in the Territory remains one of the cornerstones of the government’s commitment to sports and recreation in the Territory.
The Territory government will spend an additional $2m over the next two years on sporting infrastructure as part of the facility development grant in Budget 2008-09. Clubs, communities and organisations have access to $3.7m through the facility and development grants program over the next two years which improves sports facilities for Territory families and are an important investment in the future of the Territory. This financial year will also see the construction of $4.8m netball centre at Marrara which is due for completion in early 2009. A total of $900 000 is being provided for Stage 4 of the upgrading of the Hidden Valley Raceway; and a total of $1.26m will be spent in 2008-09 for repairs and maintenance for government-owned sporting facilities.
The Northern Territory government, through its investment in our Closing the Gap initiatives, recognises the importance of improving the health and wellbeing of indigenous Territorians living in remote communities. Budget 2008-09 will help deliver for all Territory families living in the bush through an additional $1m for sports and recreation officers, facilities and programs in each of the new shires as part of the government’s Closing the Gap initiatives, a commitment that will continue until 2011-12. The total grants pool available for sports and recreation in 2008-09 will be $8.77m. This pool is for grants to the peak governing bodies of various sporting and recreation groups, local governments and as well as grassroots organisations to increase the capacity to provide regular activities.
This funding assists with the development of sports, the establishment of best practice management, and increased opportunities for Territorians to participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities. We have committed more than ever to increase the opportunities for Territorians to participate in physical activities by backing grassroots sports. As a government we also want to continue promoting Territorians interest in sport by providing opportunities to see performances by lead athletes. That is why this government is committed to bringing the best in national and international sporting events to the Territory.
Budget 2008-09 includes continued financial and administrative support for national and international sporting fixtures in the Territory. This includes $2.1m of Northern Territory funding to secure a five year international cricket agreement for Darwin. Australia plays Bangladesh in the three match One Day series in Darwin on 31 August, and 3 and 6 September. This agreement includes a further $1m from Cricket Australia and will also see a development of grassroots Territory cricket.
Budget 2008-09 also provides for: the staging of a National Basketball League fixture at Marrara Indoor Stadium; staging of a National Rugby League game in Darwin; staging the Indigenous All Star game; staging the NAB Cup game in Darwin and the NAB Challenge game in Alice Springs; as well as AFL premiership fixtures between the Western Bulldogs and Port Power in Darwin on 28 June.
The government has committed $1m to the AFL NT to help enter into an interstate competition in 2009. This year’s budget includes the first $200 000 of the five-year agreement to take the AFL NT to the next level of competition. We are hoping to hear from the AFL NT soon about the state competition the Territory will be entering in 2009.
A total of $3.3m has been allocated in 2008-09 for the NT Institute of Sport, which is the key part in the Sport and Recreation sector through its identification, development and support of the Territory’s talented and elite athletes. Its primary role is to provide high-quality services and support to those aspiring athletes and their coaches that optimises opportunities to achieve the highest level in sport and life. The NTIS offers support to athletes through individual scholarship programs and the following squad programs: Australian Football, cricket, hockey, Rugby League, Rugby Union, netball, tennis, weightlifting, cycling and tenpin bowling.
Apart from helping Territory athletes prepare for national and international competition, the NTIS is also available for national teams. The Australian men’s hockey team used the NTIS facilities recently while in Darwin for the Four Nations International Hockey Championships. This $25.8m package recognises the special role sport and recreation plays in making the Territory the best place to live and work in Australia.
The Department of Corporate and Information Services is the shared corporate services provider for the Northern Territory government agencies and business decisions. Services include financial and human resource administration, procurement, information technology management, and office leasing. DCIS is working to implement significant corporate systems and business process changes across core service lines to improve efficiency and service quality for a multi-year program to increase automation and standardise processes. This includes enhancing the functionality of the government’s travel requisition system, known as TRIPS, and rolling out the system across agencies; introducing a new receipt process system into revenue collection sites across the government; and revising and implementing new credit management policies for government agencies.
DCIS is also developing strategies to support the government’s Closing the Gap initiatives including: increasing the number of indigenous people employed in the Northern Territory Public Service administration stream; delivering cross-cultural training to Northern Territory public service employees; and developing procurement strategies to support indigenous employment. DCIS continues to work in coordination with the NT Public Service traineeship program, with a focus on employing indigenous apprentices in remote areas to build skills in local workforces. DCIS is committed to additional funding to assist with employment of 200 apprentices over three years. The $1.6m package last financial year was part of Jobs Plan 3 initiative. This government recognises the value of training young Territorians, and this particular package will see ongoing training of apprentices into the 2009 financial year.
It is also important that we continue to develop our procurement policy and procedures which take into account environmental sustainability. We are doing this by working with all service providers and property owners to achieve reduced carbon emissions associated with services delivered under outsourced contracts and in leased accommodation; developing a policy framework to ensure the government lease property portfolio is managed strategically in accordance with performances, standards and objectives, including requirements for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability; progressing strategies to enhance communications infrastructure in the Territory, particularly in remote communities; assessing the application of emerging information technologies that could lead to cost and service efficiencies across government; developing a strategy to enhance the Territory’s capacity in electronic service delivery in cooperation with relevant agencies.
The NT government’s Data Centre Services deliver a range of information technology services to all government agencies. DCIS continues to develop associated strategies, including containing the carbon footprint of the Chan data centre within an energy intensive business environment that is experiencing significant and sustained growth; developing an enhanced disaster recovery capability for the data centre through implementing measures to mitigate risk and strengthen capability; and implementation of the next phase of the electronic passport system to further enhance access to the government’s systems, ICT services and management of identities.
NT Fleet is responsible for the management of the NT government vehicle fleet, including light and heavy vehicles and plant and equipment, except for the Northern Territory Police. NT Fleet is promoting a safer, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective passenger fleet by developing and implementing Stage 1 of the Green Fleet Plan. This aims to reduce and offset greenhouse gases produced by the government’s vehicle fleet.
Finally, DCIS has responsibility for the Government Printing Office, which has the task of delivering, in a secure environment, cost-effective printing and publication services to parliament and NT government agencies. The Government Printing Office is working towards lowering energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions to reduce its carbon footprint, including upgrading lighting to meet Australian standards and improve energy efficiencies.
I turn to my portfolio of Senior Territorians. As a government, we are committed to ensure as many senior Territorians as possible choose to retire in the Northern Territory. We are seeing an increasing number of seniors voting with their feet. In fact, they are keeping their feet firmly planted on Territory soil when they retire, because they know the Territory is the best place to live and work. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there has been a 4% to 6% increase in the number of Territorians aged 60 and above since 2001.
This means, of course, that, as a government, we must help make the Territory an even more attractive proposition for retirees. Our pension and carer concession schemes are the most generous in the country. No other jurisdiction provides free flights. They would not even contemplate it. The scheme also provides financial assistance to NT residents who qualify because of age, pensioner or carer status. The range of available concessions includes discounts on electricity bills, spectacles, motor vehicle registration fees, driver’s licence fees, water and sewerage bills, and public transport.
In 2001, the government provided $4.2m in concessions. Last year, we provided $8.2m. I would like to see that figure rise much further, and that is why I have embarked on a program to ensure senior Territorians know exactly what benefits they are entitled to.
Senior housing: last month, I had the pleasure of announcing the green light for a 65 single-room, aged care facility at the Waratah Oval in Fannie Bay. The government has made the land available for the facility to be built by the not-for-profit provider, Southern Cross Care. In January this year, the federal government announced $6.3m in funding for senior Territorians to help build the facility. Southern Cross has, in turn, committed $10.8m to establish the residential care facility, which is due for completion in February 2010.
The Henderson government is dedicated to delivering programs and initiatives that will improve the wellbeing of senior Territorians and facilitate their contribution to government decision-making. The Office of Senior Territorians plays an important role in engaging Territory seniors to obtain feedback on issues of importance. This, in turn, informs the development of government policies, programs and services for this group. The office undertakes consultation with seniors on a range of issues. These include a number of housing forums, which were held late last year. They were attended by more than 250 people and demonstrated that seniors are a highly motivated and active group in the community who are keen to contribute their views on issues which affect them.
The office provides financial and administrative support to the Northern Territory’s Advisory Council on Ageing (ACA), an advisory council comprising senior Territorians with a wealth of knowledge and life experience. The role of the council is to identify issues of concern to older Territorians and advise the minister and promote debate in the wider community on ageing issues. The council meets on a monthly basis and has recently been involved in discussions relating to senior’s months, senior’s housing forms and has also organised a forum on end of life issues. The government provides annual funding of $10 000 to the ACA to support its initiatives.
Seniors are valuable and active contributors to our community. In recognition of this, this government recently released Building the Territory for All Generations: a Framework for Activating the Territory. This is the first time the government has had such a framework and it is a clear signal of our commitment to supporting Territorians as they age. It also reinforces the expectation people will take positive action themselves to enhance the quality of their lives as they grow older.
The framework outlines government directions over the next five years, as well as containing ideas for community groups, organisations and businesses to help people age well. A major focus of this government is Seniors Month, which is held in August each year. Seniors Month is a community celebration of ageing and the benefits older people can bring to the Territory. It aims to promote a positive understanding of ageing in the community, encourages seniors to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle, and enables organisations to work together to promote active ageing.
The Office of Senior Territorians supports a $42 000 Grants Program for Seniors Month activities. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with an innovative and diverse range of activities on offer across the Territory.
I am also the Minister for Young Territorians. Through this youth policy framework, Building a Better Future For Young Territorians, the Northern Territory government is committed to giving young Territorians access to a range of recreational and youth development opportunities. The Office of Youth Affairs delivers a range of youth development initiatives, including the Youth Engagement Grants Program. This engages young Territorians aged 12 to 25 for a variety of drug and alcohol free recreational events and youth development and leadership programs.
A total of $155 000 in grant funding is awarded for National Youth Week activities and for the major school holiday periods in June, July, December and January when many young people are looking for activities to get involved in. National Youth Week 2008 was held from 5 April to 13 April with some 122 activities on offer. A number of these were funded through the grants program administered by the Office of Youth Affairs, while the majority were funded independently by community groups and the corporate sector.
National Youth Week was again launched under the auspices of the Young Achiever Awards, an initiative that acknowledges and recognises the achievements of youth through the Northern Territory. There are nine award categories. One of these is the Minister for Young Territorians Excellence in Youth Leadership Award, which is sponsored by the Office of Youth Affairs. Funding of $11 000 is provided annually for this program and the office aims to develop partnerships with other government agencies, with the community and with the corporate sector in the lead up to National Youth Week. In recent years this has proven to have been very successful. One such partnership was brokered with Beyond Blue, the national depression initiative which contributed $30 000 in grant funding for activities held during National Youth Week. The grants targeted young people who may be at risk of a mental illness.
The Northern Territory government is also committed to actively listen to the views of young Territorians and provide them with opportunities to have input into inter-governmental decision making about policies and programs affecting them.
One very important mechanism is the Youth Minister’s Round Table for Young Territorians. The Youth Round Table is made up of 16 young people from across the Territory to advise government on youth issues in their communities. $70 000 is provided annually for this important program. In addition, the Office of Youth Affairs undertakes consultations throughout the Northern Territory to obtain feedback from a wide range of young people as well as from the youth sector as part of the development of youth-related policies, programs and services.
At a national level, the office continues to work in collaboration with other jurisdictions through the Ministerial Council of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs, the Youth Taskforce and the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme in progressing key priorities and youth research.
Madam Speaker, the Territory is the best place in Australia to live, work and raise a family. The government, through its support of Territory youth, continues to work to enhance the lives of young Territorians. Budget 2008-09 allows the government to continue to support programs for young Territorians. I commend this budget to the House.
Mr KNIGHT (Local Government): Madam Speaker, Budget 2008-09 continues to build on the significant achievements resulting from the implementation of the Local Government reform agenda. As well as continuing the high level of community services which includes the Northern Territory Library, Interpreter and Translating Service, and confirmation of this government’s ongoing commitment to water safety and animal welfare.
I am pleased to report that, as the Minister for Central Australia, this budget is aimed squarely at making the Centre a safer, more dynamic and prosperous place for all residents, and a great place for Territory families to live and work.
The 2008-09 budget for Local Government reflects the tremendous achievements of the Local Government division in successfully implementing the Local Government Reform Agenda, with eight new shires coming into force on 1 July 2008. Budget 2008-09 continues to build on this success by ensuring the new shire councils have the funding, enterprise and support they need to deliver better services to all Territorians and create real opportunities for people in the bush. To ensure that there is a skilled workforce of indigenous Territorians living and working in the bush, we have a joint funding agreement with the Australian government. $10m from the Northern Territory government and $10m from the Australian government will transition indigenous people working in local government under the previous CDEP program into fully funded jobs.
An additional $1.4m has been provided Budget 2008-09 under the government’s Closing the Gap initiative to support local community government infrastructure and local representative boards. The government remains committed to providing ongoing operational support to local government with just over $49m provided for financial assistance grants for local government services and $24m from the Territory government and $25m from the Australia government. $5m has been allocated in additional funds to shires as a transitional support allocation in the Budget 2008-09.
Libraries provide a rapid and easy access to knowledge resources, entertainment and information technology, enabling learning for life, building capacity and fostering community engagement. Budget 2008-09 provides $3.5m in grant funding to assist in the operational costs of the 31 public library services administered by local governments across the Territory. A further $1m allows for the purchase of quality resources for the use in both public libraries and the Northern Territory Library, including books, online resources and heritage materials with significance to the Northern Territory to be preserved for current and future generations. Further, the budget allows for the continuation of the government meeting the property rental costs for the Katherine, Karama, Nightcliff and Jabiru Public Libraries and the continued operation of both the Taminmin and Nhulunbuy community libraries which are jointly used and located within the local high schools.
The Interpreter and Translating Service alleviates communication barriers to ensure non-English speaking Territorians have equal and equitable access to information and both government and non-government services. Budget 2008-09 includes additional funding of $140 000 to cover costs associated with the accreditation and training of interpreters. The service continues to explore a number of strategies to assist in the recruitment and training needs of interpreters to meet increased demand in 2008-09. A further $210 000 has been provided specifically for the Aboriginal Interpreter Service to meet the recent increase in demand for interpreting services as a result of the Australian government’s Northern Territory Emergency Response legislation enacted in June 2007.
The budget provides $2.76m for water safety and animal welfare. A key component of water safety is the Water Safety Awareness program. The program was due to finish on 21 December 2008, but I am pleased to announce the program will not only continue, but continue as an ongoing program. The program entitles parents of children aged six months to five years of age to five water safety sessions, including one resuscitation session and four practical water safety sessions. The program commenced in late 2003 and, since then, close to 5000 children and their families have participated in the program.
In addition, the Safe Pool Grant has been extended to 31 December 2008. There has been just under 6000 Safe Pool Grants granted to a value of almost $10m. The Under 5 Water Safety Awareness program, together with the pool fencing legislation and increased water safety education through such initiatives as the Water Safety Month, has led to the Northern Territory turning around from having the highest under 5 drowning record in Australia to the lowest.
To ensure continuous improvement in the area of water safety and animal welfare, the budget continues to support the Water Safety Advisory Council and the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Through these two advisory bodies, the government has commenced a review of the Animal Welfare Act, while the Water Safety Advisory Council is investigating strategies to reduce the relatively high number of teenage and adult drownings.
I am extremely happy to be able to report on the initiatives in Budget 2008-09 for the Central Australian region. The central tenet of the government’s agenda is to strengthen the regions. Our local government reform, as I have discussed previously, underpins this agenda. However, the investment in major infrastructure is equally important.
Educating our young people is at the core of a prosperous future for all. $2m has been allocated to the Utopia region to establish a middle school for students living in the Urapuntja Homelands. In addition, approximately $2.3m has been allocated to improve school facilities at Yuendumu, Willowra and Titjikala and other remote schools in the Central Australian region.
I am very aware of the impact of chronic ear infection on the capacity of young students to learn, and $0.5m has been allocated to improve acoustics in the Barkly, Central Australia and East Arnhem schools. This is a critically important issue to assist young students with hearing loss progress through the education system. To support our students in the Centre over $105m will be invested including:
$20.86m in early childhood, primary and secondary education in remote schools;
$27.33m for early childhood and primary education in urban primary schools;
$24.6m to assist non-government schools;
$16.7m for our middle and secondary schools at ANZAC Hill, Alice Springs High, and Centralian College;
$4.2m to support strategic investments to support indigenous education outcomes;
over $3m for the student and school support curricula and special needs support; and
almost $3.2m will be invested in isolated student education, for School of the Air and Open Learning programs
I am particularly happy the Treasurer has announced $2.25m to continue the upgrading works on the Ross Park Primary School this financial year, and $300 000 to upgrade the airconditioning at the Acacia Hills School. This funding will be extremely well received by students and parents, and teachers alike.
Our world-class Desert Knowledge Precinct will continue to take shape with a further commitment of $10.79m to continue the development of the Desert Peoples Centre and education facilities to develop a remote workforce into the future. To deliver vocational education training and tertiary courses $14.77m has been allocated to Charles Darwin University, Batchelor Institute and other training service providers, with an additional $2m being invested in employment-related programs to create real jobs in the Centre.
Our future energy demands in Alice Springs will be met with a $32.45m allocation to improve existing and future supplies, including $26.45m to relocate Taurus and Titan gas turbines and establish a new Owen Springs power station, and also $6m for renewable energy projects and rebates. This government is proud to be a foundation member of the Solar Cities Consortium, and we will continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring the provision of appropriate and efficient energy resources in the Centre. Budget 2008-09 also provides approximately $2m to improve and augment power supplies in Wallace Rockhole, Willowra and Papunya.
Central Australia is set to benefit from our record commitment to Territory roads. Over $35m has been allocated in Budget 2008-09 to improve safety of our roads, including:
$9.3m for general roads repairs and maintenance;
$4m for access to the Pine Hill Horticulture District;
$4m to upgrade the Santa Teresa Road;
$3.5m for the Maryvale Road;
$3.25m to upgrade the Tanami Highway;
$4.38m to upgrade the Plenty, Sandover and Stuart Highways; and
$4.74m to upgrade the Docker River Road, Lasseter Highway, Kintore Road and the Finke Road; with an additional $1.1m to improve the safety of level crossings at Bradshaw Drive, Ilparpa Road and Gardens Road.
This investment will be good for Central Australian residents, particularly those in remote communities, and pastoralists and tourists alike.
The Health budget has received a boost this financial year with over $182m committed to the region for acute and non-acute care services, aero retrieval and patient travel. Alice Springs Hospital will receive almost $3m for additional bed capacity, and $6m for a new state-of-the-art accident and emergency department.
Police, Fire and Emergency Services will receive $40.72m in this budget, which will ensure that we continue to have a record number of police on the beat in Alice Springs, and that our Fire and Emergency Services are well resourced to make our community safer. I am looking forward to seeing additional police patrols in Alice Springs as a result of the Chief Minister’s $9.3m two-year Safer Streets plan.
This government does not shy away from dealing decisively with those who choose crime. Alice Springs Gaol will be expanded to accommodate an additional 100 prisoners, and $2.5m will be invested to crack down on youth crime through the implementation of family responsibility agreements and orders, and the development of youth camps at Hamilton Downs and in the Top End.
The buoyant tourism industry in the Centre is critical to maintaining a healthy economy and opening up opportunities for indigenous enterprise. We continue to support Territory Discoveries with $3.1m in Budget 2008-09. In 2009, we will be investing over $1.5m in the global marketing campaign for the Red Centre Way and improving tourism marketing and visitation information. Budget 2008-09 provides $4m to the Alice Springs Desert Park; over $3m to the Araluen Cultural Precinct; and $1.5m for the Red Centre Way Interpretive Centre to reinforce our commitment to this industry.
Home ownership is, for many, the foundation stone of a great lifestyle. The achievement of the great Australian dream has been made much easier through this budget. Under the changes to HomeNorth with the cuts to stamp duty, more Centralians can now purchase their own home. They will also have more homes to choose from. In Alice Springs, under HomeNorth, people will be able to buy a new home for $265 000, that is up from $240 000. This is great news for people wanting to enter the housing market.
I pay tribute to the Treasurer for putting together such a wonderful budget. It boasts in excess of $3bn to put Territory families first, to ensure that the Territory remains the best place in Australia to live, work and raise a family.
Mrs AAGAARD (Nightcliff): Madam Deputy Speaker, I respond to the 2008-09 Budget handed down by the Treasurer in May. In my role as the Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, I will respond on the budget outcomes for the Department of the Legislative Assembly for which I have administrative responsibility.
As members would be aware, the department has a relatively small operational budget, used primarily in support of administrative requirements for members of parliament as determined by the Remuneration Tribunal, and the upkeep and operation of Parliament House and its precinct, and members’ electorate offices.
Parliament House has now been operating for almost 15 years, with construction commencing some 18 years ago. I am pleased to note that the first major upgrade to the building commenced in December 2007 with a fully funded project of $6.5m to upgrade the information communication technology cabling with Sitzler Bros winning the tender process. This project will continue into the new financial year and is due to be completed in September this year. To date, levels four and five of Parliament House are complete, with work progressing on levels two and three. As members would be aware, this has been an enormous logistical task for the department with government and opposition staff temporarily relocated during the recabling, as well as the majority of parliamentary staff being relocated to the Chan Building for the duration of the project. Despite some initial problems with IT and security, it is pleasing to note the business of the Assembly has been maintained. I thank members, their staff and parliamentary officers for their patience during the construction process.
In concert with the ICT cabling upgrade, the opportunity has been taken to upgrade other building systems to coincide with the work on each level to avoid re-entry and further cosmetic damage in the future. This has been achieved with minor new works funding of $663 000 for 2008-09, in addition to a $500 000 carryover from the 2007-08 Budget for projects already commenced. These projects include a full upgrade to the security access control system utilising the latest technology of smart cards and card readers, and the upgrade of surveillance to digital cameras replacing the outdated and increasingly unreliable analogue cameras. The opportunity is also being taken to repaint badly soiled and worn surfaces and replace worn carpet as each floor is progressed within the ICT project.
Further minor new works projects for 2008-09 include an upgrade to the building management system with a larger memory, and upgrade to lighting in the 90 bay car park using energy efficient lights together with other energy efficient projects. This will include window tinting in appropriate areas and the addition of window furnishings to reduce heat transfer into the building.
Repairs and Maintenance funding for 2008-09 has also been increased by $883 000 to $2.3m and will assist in the ongoing maintenance requirements to the fabric and roof of the building which has previously been identified in a building audit as a problem area.
As members would be aware, there have been significant and continuing issues with the lifts in Parliament House over the past year. I am pleased to advise that repairs and maintenance funding for 2008-09 will be used to upgrade three lifts at a cost of $600 000 with Lift 1 due to commence in the parliamentary recess following these sittings of parliament using 2007-08 repairs and maintenance funding.
Other projects include the ongoing landscaping and replanting of garden beds in the precinct with consideration being given to erect historical signage on Speaker’s Green to better inform the public of the history of the Assembly and its members.
I would like to note that the information gathered for this project was researched by the late Ms Liz McFarlane, a parliamentary officer of 23 years, who sadly died last week. I am hoping that we can somehow incorporate Liz’s name into this project in recognition of her many years of service to the Assembly.
Turning to other matters, I am pleased to note that the Statehood Steering Committee for which the department has administrative oversight, will be funded in 2008-09 with $600 000 to continue the second phase of its public engagement and education program leading to a constitutional convention in three years’ time. I note also that we are nearing the 30th anniversary of self-government and the Statehood Steering Committee will be hosting a number of events across the Territory over a three month period. I encourage members to become involved in this important matter for all Territorians.
Members will be aware I have continued to promote the parliamentary public tours and school visits and the results are again being reflected in the increased numbers in 2006-07. I also understand that during the time I have been Speaker, which is nearly three years, the parliament has played host to around 10 000 visitors over a three year period. This includes students and guests of the parliament, as well as delegations and visitors to special events during the parliamentary sittings.
The Parliamentary Relations and Information Unit continues its excellent Outreach Program to Territory schools. In March this year, I accompanied the unit together with the Minister for Employment, Education and Training to schools in the Tiwi Islands for role plays with 10 classes in four schools. This was very well received and funding will be allocated in 2008-09 to conduct a road show in the Katherine region. In 2008-09 it is also planned to conduct an exposition with displays suitable for primary, middle years and seniors on parliamentary democracy. A Youth Parliament will be conducted in July this year in conjunction with the YMCA. I encourage members, as is the usual practice, to become involved in this very important youth exhibition of parliamentary democracy in the Northern Territory.
Today, at Question Time, I announced the winners of the Top End regional primary schools competition. This was a special art award relating to Years 5/6 students who participated in the Top End Primary School Art Competition. This followed the very successful competition which was held in Central Australia last year as part of the Alice Springs sittings. The entries to these awards are on display in the Main Hall and they are based on the theme of community leadership.
The winner of this year’s award, with a first prize of $3000, was Minyerri School. The artists were Janatino Pluto and Maylene Farrell. The title was Minyerri Community. The second prize of $1000 went to the Kalkarindji Community Education Centre, and the artists were Katrina Ketchup, Shania Smiler, Ricarda Edwards and Patricia Lacey in Grade 5/6. The title was Kalkaringi/Daguragu Community. The equal third prize of $500 each was to the Berry Springs Primary School and the artists were the students of Year 5/6V and their title was Community Leadership, and the equal third prize went to the Katherine School of the Air, the artist Christopher Summerell of Galiwinku in Elcho Island, and the title was Community Leadership.
I advise members that the students are all aged between 10 and 12 years, and the standard is very high. Those of you who have seen the art from last year’s award, which is hanging in my office in Parliament House, will be surprised at the high quality of the entries and the winning entries in particular. This shows the Territory’s art community is looking very good for the future.
Money has also been provided to continue the Portrait of a Senior Territorian art award, which is now a feature in the parliamentary program. I place on the record my thanks to the Government House Foundation for its continuing support for this award.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I also place on record my thanks to the Clerk and his staff for their continuing efforts during a very busy and challenging year, and thank them for all their work in assisting me with putting together this material for this speech, as well. I thank the Treasurer for the budget.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Madam Deputy Speaker, before I start, I have to say that I have had a look at some of that art. After looking at that art, we are in good hands with the youth of the future. I was a little biased in my choice. It was very good. I was very glad that the schools had that opportunity. I would like to see more schools become involved because it is a really great way for the young people to get their art on display.
Today, I respond to the Appropriation Bill 2008. I say at the outset that it looks very much like an election budget to me. ‘There is something in it for everyone’, said the Treasurer, and a big budget spend it is. And so it should be. This government receives billions of dollars more than ever in the history of government in the Northern Territory so, of course, it should be a big spend. The revenue this government has received is up 60% since 2001 – an incredible increase. Therefore, it goes without saying every year when the Treasurer delivers the budget, it should begin with: ‘This is a record budget’.
My response to the Appropriation Bill today is going to focus mainly on my Katherine electorate because I am sure that, in the estimates next week, much of the detail for portfolios will be covered in that area.
While each portfolio covers the whole of the Territory, it is pretty obvious from this budget that the government does not take regional development seriously. Darwin and the northern suburbs are looked after very well but, outside of that, this government makes a mockery of their claim to support the regions. It is only words the regions hear, and words are not what they want to hear. They want serious dollars spent on infrastructure with government looking outside of Darwin. They want more than token investment in their community festivals and arts, and want to stop the centralisation of government agencies in Darwin.
Government has a responsibility to encourage development in the regions and not to take initiatives away from them. There is only so much that regional communities can do to encourage investment, and it is a real kick in the stomach when it is not supported by government. A perfect example of this is the recent announcement of the location of the new prison, for which both Tennant Creek and Katherine were eagerly campaigning. It is a pretty sad state of affairs to think that a prison, albeit it low- to medium-security, could create so much interest and support from two regional towns. However, the economic benefits of this, through infrastructure development, employment and training, and the flow-on to the community of housing, education, sports, etcetera, offered some hope for both towns for growth. What in heaven’s name is wrong with that?
Instead, government announced it would spend $1m on upgrading the current prison with the short-term view of pulling the whole darn thing down when the new 1000-bed prison is built at an incredible price of over $300m - and, of course, in Darwin. I could hardly believe my ears, but I should have known better than to hope this government would possibly give the slightest consideration to anything new being constructed in Katherine. I have to say that I do not believe there was ever any intention of building that prison anywhere but in Darwin. It certainly got the regions sidetracked and a little excited. We have put a lot of effort into contacting government to try to get that prison located in regions. But it was an absolutely shut door, and I do not believe that they ever intended to have that located outside of Darwin.
The Katherine Economic Development Committee – well, this government put in place regional economic development committees across the Territory to advise on suitable developments in their region. The committees are hand picked by government and give of their time for the betterment and development of their community. I would think that the Katherine Economic Development Committee must surely be wondering just why they do give of their time and make a serious recommendation such as the prison proposal to this government that is not taken seriously. Surely this government can see the benefit of development to regional towns, but no, let us keep it in or near Darwin. Let us not be too worried about encouraging positive growth in our Northern Territory regions.
Housing is one of my portfolios and that has received a huge budget boost this year. It is very much needed and we will have major budget funding from the Commonwealth government as well. This combined budget has come about largely as a result of the Commonwealth intervention and is to be applauded. I should not think that anyone would be against the plans to improve government employee housing, especially in remote locations, and to also improve public housing in regional and remote communities. There is much work to be done well into the future in remote communities which will require additional long-term government employment. One of the most important support aspects to employees in these communities is housing. The combined budgets of Commonwealth and Territory governments for 2008-09 to address indigenous housing should make quite a difference in the communities that are being addressed this year.
My concern, and I have heard the same concern expressed by community members, is, with such a significant commitment, what obligations will be in place to ensure that the life of these houses will be extended far beyond the life of some of the housing that has been built over the past years? There will always be debate about what type of housing is suitable and what is not, and what has worked in some locations and not in others. It is very important the housing constructed is not only the most suitable for the respective communities - and that includes the regional towns - but that processes are in place to ensure the tenant responsibilities for this public housing is the same as for public housing elsewhere in the Territory.
I know I get sniggers and ‘shame, shame’ from the government side of the Assembly, but I am not without some bad experiences in this area. I have stated in here before that I worked for a construction and maintenance company in Katherine which, for the many years I worked for them, a period contract for maintenance of housing and facilities in indigenous communities surrounding Katherine. I have to confess, quite candidly, that it has not left me with a good impression of what happened to some of that housing over and over again.
I am also aware of the lack of respect by some non-indigenous tenants towards public housing in Katherine. I have the same attitude towards them. The amount of money that has been committed by both governments in 2008-09 needs to have all the safeguards in place to ensure the long-term viability of public housing. Otherwise there will never be a significant pull back in the waiting list.
I will be watching with great interest to see just how many local builders are contracted to assist with the construction of housing in communities. I am very well aware, as is the Minister for Housing, of the proposal put to him by a consortium from Katherine to construct housing in remote indigenous communities. The design proposed, the fittings and the materials used to build takes into consideration the years of experience the consortium has acquired by working on remote communities. The consortium proposes to construct the house and have it established on a community within the radius of Katherine during the Dry Season within a month. The consortium has committed to training indigenous workers in the construction of the dwellings, and to train them for the ongoing maintenance once they are established on their community.
I have read in the media that large building contractors from interstate are being touted to take on these contracts for indigenous housing construction. I will be extremely disappointed with this government if they do not favourably consider local construction companies who are perfectly capable of doing the work over interstate tenders. The local companies I am referring to in Katherine have been here long term and know what is required to do the job. They will be here, too, long after the interstate companies have gone home. I sincerely hope government does not allow itself short-term thinking towards a proposal that will keep the cost of housing down, employ local contractors, provide on-going training for indigenous people as well as local tradespeople and, importantly, provide economic benefits for regional towns. This is the perfect opportunity to show how seriously government takes into account regional development within the Territory. For my part I consider you give this point very little thought.
In relation to public housing in Budget Paper No 3, page 212, one of the profiles listed states: ‘providing innovative methods to expand the numbers and improve the condition of public housing in regional and remote areas’. May I suggest an innovative way to expand the numbers of public housing would be to stop selling them. I can speak for Katherine. The problem is evident by driving around and seeing the empty public housing. In your reply, Treasurer, maybe you could enlighten me as to what innovative method you are looking at rather than selling off public housing.
Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts is another of my portfolios. The Northern Territory is still virtually untapped in developing our art industry in comparison with the rest of the world. The majority of tourists and other visitors to the Territory seek especially indigenous art. Galleries displaying indigenous art are becoming more popular. The publicity that Mbantua Gallery received recently when Tim Jennings paid over $1m to purchase Emily’s magnificent Earth’s Creation has certainly highlighted to the world that the Northern Territory has some amazing art. I am sure the industry will continue to prosper into the future. With that comes the hope that the sale of indigenous art work brings prosperity to the respective artists and their communities. I know in the past the Territory government has hid funding towards it but I want to see the Katherine cultural precinct up and running so we can display indigenous art there as well as the local art. We have many talented people in the Northern Territory.
Heritage, another of my portfolios, is always a challenge as to what one person sees as heritage and another sees in another way. I have some concerns about what should be retained for our future generations. I have been having ongoing discussions with several departments over the past 12 months trying to have the Katherine Railway Bridge preferably restored, but, at least, painted so that it regains some stature and pride in its heritage. It has been crossing the Katherine River since the mid-1920s and is still structurally very sound and imposing. It could do without the ‘Jesus loves nachos’ graffiti painted on the side. We do not really like the ‘Jesus loves nachos’ graffiti.
This is a significant piece of heritage that will obviously take a fair sum of money to restore or to even paint. I and many other Katherine people would very much like to see it finally completed. Otherwise this will be just another regional issue that keeps getting swept under the carpet. I hope it won’t be. I have received an e-mail today saying the minister for Environment has forwarded to my office some updated figures for the cost of the railway bridge, so I shall spend some time looking at that later on. I hope we can come to some sort agreeable arrangement that Katherine will be happy about.
Mr Kiely: Always work in partnership with our regions.
Mrs MILLER: I certainly hope so, minister for Environment.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I was reading my response to the Appropriation Bill for 2007 and it was glaringly obvious that in responding to the 2008 Appropriation Bill, I could repeat many of the same words with the exception, of course, to the Leader of Government Business trying last year to put a stop to me giving my response as he was a bit titchy about my comments on the EPA. Anyway, the response last year is applicable this year. While I do not like repeating myself, I learned long ago in my school years that repeated practice ensures learning. So, at the risk of doing that again, my wish is that this government determines to do something outside of recurrent funding for one of your major regional towns: Katherine.
You have received plenty of warranted criticism from my colleagues in relation to Central Australia, in addition to much criticism in the media over the past week. Regional NT is trying to get through to you, just listen up.
On a positive note, the Minister for Regional Development was in Katherine this last week to launch the Growing Katherine Business Limited using the Siroli community-based enterprise facilitation method. I have only recently become aware of Dr Siroli and his success especially in Esperance, Western Australia. I was pleased to see the launch in Katherine with funding support for three years from the Territory government. I have to admit that I have only had a chance to read half of Siroli’s book and I must say it does offer some hope to regional towns, especially within the Northern Territory. I hope that there are some benefits for Katherine.
Several years ago in Katherine we had the launch of the Harmony Group. This was funded for several years and then funding was withdrawn. In fairness, I do not believe that that program was ever going to be successful, but what it did was quieten the community for a short time. It appeared something positive was being done to help the town. The Siroli community-based facilitation has all the hallmarks for being successful for Katherine. It has strong leadership skills in its company structure of Growing Katherine Business Limited. Those foundation leaders are: President, John Leo, with board members, the Mayor of Katherine, Anne Shepherd, Mick Pearce and Julie Newton. Membership of the company is open to any member of the Katherine community who will be encouraged to create networks that will be open to, and supportive of, the enterprise facilitator, who is yet to be appointed.
My sincere request to the government is please give this the ongoing support that it needs to have a successful outcome for Katherine. It has taken over 20 years for the Esperance success story to become well known and, reading the book last night, I found there were quite a few other towns in regional Australia which have also adopted the Siroli community-based facilitation method. I would like to see other communities in the Territory encouraged to adopt the model, and be given the required support over several years to ensure they benefit from it.
It will need government support to ensure that it goes in the right direction. Do not walk away from it just as it starts to show positive results. Should you do that, you will confirm what some sceptics are saying even now: they are throwing crumbs at Katherine just to keep us quiet. The call is still out there, loud and clear: major infrastructure development is needed now, not 10 years down the track.
Another aspect of the budget I wanted to touch on in relation to one of my portfolios, but specifically for Katherine, is the arts area. I have touched on how we need that cultural centre precinct with a performing arts area. The support for regional festivals in the budget this year, in my opinion, is an absolute joke: BassintheGrass, BassintheDust and Elton John received absolutely hundreds of thousands of dollars. What do we get in the Katherine region? The Katherine Country Music Muster will be lucky to get $5000. There is $40 000 to be spread over the whole region. What a joke! How are communities expected to attract and pay popular artists or groups without the financial support? You cannot do it for BassintheDust and BassintheGrass or Elton John. You have to pay them. Why cannot you do it for the communities as well? Do not say that they can come to Darwin to see BassintheGrass and they can go to Alice Springs to see BassintheDust because the majority of them cannot afford to. They need something in their regional areas. There is not much expected from government but $25 000 to $30 000 would get a darn good festival - and that is an absolute pittance. I can assure you the amount of money contributed to arts in the community is a joke.
Under regional development, I also mention planning in Darwin. You talk about the wonderful developments happening here in Darwin, with monstrous buildings here, and we always hear about the waterfront. I cannot even get a response from the minister’s department for a planning application that has been in since July last year, for something fairly simple to happen that would contribute much-needed housing in Katherine. Maybe, after my talk here today, there will be some response. Another response from the minister for Planning has taken from the end of December/early January to get; and then when it comes it is from somebody new in the department who has just said: ‘That will never happen’. I have been waiting for months for a response of some sort, and some new person finally says: ‘That will never happen’. They need to get their act together as far as planning is concerned, especially in the Katherine region because you have some very unhappy people down there.
I am very annoyed when I hear the Treasurer talk about this wonderful record budget. Well, it is not for Katherine. The things listed under Regional Development for Katherine are outside the Katherine electorate. There is a pittance there, except recurrent funding. All in all, there are some fairly unhappy and very frustrated people in Katherine. I happen to be one of them.
Madam Deputy Speaker, I looking forward with great relish to Estimates next week.
Mr BURKE (Brennan): Madam Deputy Speaker, picking up on the last portion of the member for Katherine’s speech, I am glad she is looking forward to estimates. I am sure it is going to be a lot of fun. As chairman of that committee, I am sure it will be most useful and educational, especially for someone like me trying to adjudicate. I am looking forward to that.
This afternoon, I support the budget. I congratulate the Treasurer on the initiatives that the budget includes. One of the best features of this - and it will come as no surprise to the honourable members of this House – and my favourite part of the budget, is the two brand new schools for Palmerston. It was something I made no secret advocating. I had always thought that that was what was needed. I based my views on the views people had been telling me when I was doorknocking or at the council meetings of Bakewell Primary School, Palmerston High School, Moulden Park Primary School or Driver Primary School - any of them. The feedback was always that our schools are full, we need more schools, there are more people coming into Palmerston, and Palmerston is experiencing incredible growth. That growth shows absolutely no indication of slowing down, and that is fantastic.
When it was announced that the government would be spending approximately $50m to build a primary school and a middle school at Rosebery, I was ecstatic. Of course, it is approximately $10m for headworks at Rosebery to prepare the site. I am looking forward greatly to seeing the first of the machinery arrive and work start there. I remember when the consultative committee was first brought together. That is the committee of council chairs and school principals in Palmerston formed to guide government with what people thought was required for the future of their city and its education requirements. Very early on in the piece, one of the concerns I heard was, is this going to be another group that just provides information to government for government to ignore and not do anything about. I said back then it would not be and I would refuse to be part of any such group if that was the case. The then Education minister, now Chief Minister, was serious about his desire to hear what people wanted and, whilst government could not promise to deliver everything that was asked for, it would be listening. And I will tell you what, the results could not have been better.
It could not have been better. I will tell you why. Not quite at the start of the process but fairly early on, the people of that group were asked: “What would be your perfect outcome for education? What do you think would be the best possible plan for the immediate future?’ The answer was this: another primary school, another middle school, and the existing Palmerston High School to be turned into a dedicated senior college. What has government announced? That exact template: a primary school, a middle school and transitioning the existing high school into a senior college, the equal of any senior college in the Territory. Palmerston residents can know their schools are amongst the best, if not the best, the Northern Territory government can provide. That is a significant commitment from this government and from this budget.
The senior wing is nearing completion. It is due to be finished prior to the start of next semester. I know everyone at the high school is looking forward to that facility being opened. It is high tech and has everything the students said they wanted in a senior facility. It is a wonderful design. I have seen it on the plans and I have had the chance to see it in real life 3D in front of me. It is going to be an excellent facility. We should not forget that Palmerston High gets an unfair share of bad publicity. Every school has its issues. Palmerston is no different, but it is no worse either. The newspapers and other media outlets like to target Palmerston High, I feel, in a way that it does not deserve. It is almost as if they want to write stories to live up to some self-formulated reputation. They already have the answers they want and they are trying to find the stories that will get them to that end place.
The students I talk to seem to have a very different picture of Palmerston High and what it can offer them compared to what qualities get given publicity. You know you do not hear about any of the great things that go on at the school.
Having the new senior wing will be the first step in solidifying and establishing Palmerston High School’s reputation as a premier educational facility. When the new primary school and new middle school come online and we are then able to make Palmerston High School a secondary college, its reputation will already be well established and the range of subjects it will be able to offer - because it is a specialised secondary college - will ensure there is a reduction in the number of young adults leaving Palmerston and fulfilling their education needs elsewhere.
The new uniforms have been a great hit with the students. I believe they can see and feel government is really supporting Palmerston High School; that it is putting resources in. It has had a facelift in some of its existing areas. I am sure that is work in progress. I know the principal would love to resurface the floor of the gymnasium. I will continue to try to assist wherever I can in getting that done. It is another significant community asset. It is not just a school asset; it is a community asset.
Refurbishment of existing buildings has taken place. We have the new senior wing, and there are more plans to execute. There will be money to be spent on the hard and soft landscaping for the final touches. I am sure that will instil a great deal of pride into the students of Palmerston High School.
It should not be down played. Palmerston residents asked for a senior college. The Leader of the Opposition tried to whip things up by claiming that government was not delivering on the senior college and we have seen, in fact, this government is. The college may not be at the university campus, but it is in Palmerston and it will be a facility that not just students can be proud of, but teachers and parents can be confident it will deliver the best educational outcomes it is in the power of this government to deliver.
I want to say something about the teachers at the college and all of the primary schools in Palmerston. The Palmerston City Schools Concept has delivered great results. It has shown a great level of cooperation between all the schools in Palmerston for the ultimate prize of better outcomes for the students who go through schools in Palmerston. It would not be possible to have that level of cooperation and collegiate atmosphere without the dedication and goodwill of all the principals and teachers involved. I take my hat off to all of the teachers and principals for getting in and doing what needed to be done. They knew there was going to be a period when the Year 7s would stay at the primary schools for the first half of this year, and they have worked with it and made it work. I pay a special tribute to Ms Sue Beynon who has been coordinating that Year 7 group throughout this first semester. She has done a fantastic job. Words do not give her the credit she deserves for ensuring such smooth operation of having the Year 7s stay at the primary schools and having some classes at the high school as well. That is not to distract from any of the other teachers, but I know they would agree that Sue has done a magnificent job. It is not all about buildings and facilities. It is about teachers and staff, the non-teaching staff, the administrative side, the financial people at the school who keep everything ticking over. The senior wing, provided by this government at a cost of nearly $12m all up, will be a fantastic facility when it opens.
So, there are two brand new schools to alleviate some of the pressures being experienced in Palmerston at the moment. They will come online and with the growth happening in Palmerston, I am sure they will be pretty well running at capacity and very efficiently from day one.
One of the suburbs that the two schools will be providing for is the new suburb of Bellamack. There is $11m for the headworks there and, if memory serves me right, provision for about 700 households. That will be a great new addition to Palmerston. It continues the development on the east side of Palmerston We have Zuccoli and others which will be coming online as well.
It needs to keep ticking along because Palmerston growth is phenomenal. It is now the second biggest city in the Territory after Darwin. That was a bit of a surprise to me when I heard it, however, when you drive around you can see the amount of construction still going on in Palmerston, the number of new houses going up, the number of new families moving in and young families, too. Bellamack will be the start of a string of new suburbs to be developed in Palmerston.
Education is one of the key areas I wanted to talk about for Palmerston. You could almost say this is a Palmerston education budget from Palmerston’s point of view. That is not to downplay the significant investment in infrastructure for Palmerston, which is not educational. You have Tiger Brennan Drive with close to $90m being spent by this government. People who commute to town to work will appreciate the difference that it makes. We have the first of many stages. You can see the work happening with the widening of the road after the lights as you come out of Wishart Road and link into Tiger Brennan. It is going to be fantastic when it is finished and will make a big difference.
People have said to me it took a long time coming and it did. It did take a long time coming but we had to nail down the federal government for its commitment. It vacillated and would not give a straight answer but eventually we got there. There was a change of government at the federal level and, bang! here we are. We are already in and the work is well and truly commenced. That was a fantastic result and a significant commitment on the part of this government to the development of growth in Palmerston.
It is not all infrastructure and education, of course. There are some other areas which are more general in their application, but will affect Palmerston quite considerably, as well. We have had the stamp duty rates changed. The top rate has been lowered from 5.4% to 4.95% and the top rate does not kick in now until properties are of the value of $525 000 or above. This will have a reasonable effect in Palmerston, where a number of houses are now above the $500 000 mark. In my short-sightedness, I did not think that would happen quite as quickly as it has, but that is development and the housing market. There are some very luxurious looking houses going up in Palmerston.
It is a fantastic place to raise a family. It has wonderful amenities and, when I doorknock, what I hear most is that people love living in Palmerston. They enjoy what it has to offer; and they are there because they want to raise their family in the Top End.
As well as the top rate, the minimum rate for stamp duty reduced to 1.5% from 2.1%. This will help the other end of the housing market. We will, hopefully, have a flow-on effect with more first homebuyers and others considering getting into the housing market who may be residing in units who want to go onto that next stage. The first homebuyer threshold has been raised. It is raised approximately about 10%, which means first homebuyers will not pay stamp duty on the first $385 000 of their new home’s value. That is great news for first homebuyers, and should help with people affording that first home. For those who are not first homebuyers but are still buying their principal place of residence here in the Territory, there will be no stamp duty on the first $111 850 of the property’s value - again, a significant step in ensuring people buy their homes and live here.
Other ways to make the HomeNorth scheme more affordable is the increase in government equity from $70 000 to $75 000 as a maximum; the increasing of income thresholds by a further $5000 per annum; and further increases where there are dependents. This is a commitment from the Territory Labor government to young working families attempting to ease some of the pressures which the economy is putting on people. We have seen increases in fuel prices, in groceries, and in the mortgage rates. All of these are having an impact. I am very pleased to be part of a government which is doing what it can to reduce some of those pressures on families, particularly young families.
We should not forget some of these families are also small business operators. In my electorate of Brennan, I hazard a guess that probably anywhere from 10% to 15%, if not more, are home business or small business operators. They might employ one or two other people as part of that business. The measures within the budget to assist business include the reduction in payroll tax. Government is reducing the payroll tax from 6.2% to 5.9%.
When I attend Palmerston Regional Business Association meetings - the budget breakfast is a good example of what the PRBA put on - a speech by one of the presenters congratulated the government for its payroll tax reform. I will not embarrass the person, but the former Treasurer probably knows who I am talking about, and getting any good comment out of him was never easy. So, for this government to be congratulated by that individual was a great effort. It is great that payroll tax reform is recognised and appreciated by the PRBA. Other business people in the community have come up to me and told me of the effects that will have for them, such as making it easier for them to do business in the Territory.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, Palmerston really has received a great deal out of this budget. It is a fantastic effort. For me, you cannot go past the educational outcomes and the spending on education in Palmerston.
I conclude my contribution by saying to the parents, the children in the schools, the young adults in our schools in Palmerston, and the teachers and principals, thank you very much for your feedback to me about what has been going on, your patience with what has been going on, and being able to look past some of the politically-motivated outbursts from time to time, to see the light at the end of the tunnel, which we are now almost upon. Your good will has been vital through all of this. I cannot put strongly enough how valuable I have found, and how I have relied on, the comments you have passed through to me as one of the Palmerston local members of parliament. I am sure we will all look forward to attending the opening of the new primary school and new middle school at Rosebery in 2011.
Mr WARREN (Goyder): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I join the growing chorus of voices on this side of the House in support of Budget 2008-09. I want to talk a little about the rural area. Before I go into talking about the benefits of the budget, it is good to recap and have a bit of a look at the growth and the benefits of the lifestyle of the rural area I am proud to represent.
The region has been growing strongly. We had nearly 5% growth over the last year and that has been very much on an upward climb. People are realising the benefits of living in the rural area, while remaining close to Darwin. They can get to work using quality infrastructure, some of which I will talk about in a little while. The improvements there mean that people can live in the rural area, enjoy the rural lifestyle on the weekends and evenings, yet get the benefits of being close to a major capital city. I believe the census in the rural area is somewhere in excess of 17 000.
The region, historically, has had a horticultural and pastoral focus, but that is now changing. Industry is moving into the area. Most notably, the LNG plant at Wickham Point because even though it is only across the harbour, it is in the rural area. Consequently, it is a very important step in the industrialisation of the rural area. That means more jobs. We still have a heavy reliance on horticulture, cattle and crocodile farming, mango and tropical fruit farming, and other horticultural fields. There is the cut flower industry which is starting to thrive. Agriculture continues and there is the Defence establishment with its new site adjacent to Palmerston.
A thriving economy like that would not be possible unless the government had strategically invested in the Territory. We have strong financial management and a strong economy based very much on the inputs of this government in the early stages of its stewardship. The introduction of investment in infrastructure, for example - without that seed money we would not be in the situation we are right now. Our growth is expected to be the strongest in the country over the next five years. That is something we can be very proud of as Territorians.
The growth forecast is very much driven by a strong expansion in exports from the mining and manufacturing industries. That is due, in particular, to the approach we have taken. Government has not taken a centralist approach, it has been very considered in its investment and supporting business, but also supported them across the Territory. That is the important thing: all Territorians can benefit from growth. Budget 2008-09 builds on the good work we have done up until now. It is a further investment in the Territory, but it is also starting to show the dividends through the exports from the mining and manufacturing industries.
Insofar as the rural area goes, Budget 2008-09 has delivered. It delivered for people of my constituency. It is supporting business and businesses. There are many small businesses in the area, but there are also a growing number of larger businesses, as I said, such as the Wickham Point LNG plant. A key part of the Territory’s development is around the port so I commend the investment of $2.26m to provide strategic industrial land at East Arm. That is very important for us to develop. It is all right to have the development in the mining and the horticulture, the pastoral growth, in the development in the rural area, but unless you have modern facilities capable of dealing with the export of these products and ship loading, you cannot reap the benefits.
You also need to consider the spin off of industries that come with the development of a good port and the land for those industries. We have done that. The redevelopment of industrial land at East Arm is very pertinent to the development with its links to the port, the rail, defence, and oil and gas industries occurring throughout the Territory.
Some $730 000 has been set aside for a range of programs including interstate quarantine and grower accreditation and certification for the horticultural industry. We need to exhibit best practice in our approach to the products we are selling because the competition is growing, and the market is becoming more competitive so we need to establish a brand. We need to establish ourselves as a quality producer. This is something the horticultural industry has been calling for, for quite a while. To assist them with $735 000 to develop a range of programs is part of the continued spread of activities we are developing in the Territory.
Part of the continued element of horticulture and pastoral is research, the primary industry research and extension programs. I commend the $560 000 for the Coastal Plains and Beatrice Hill Research Farms as basis for these primary industry research and extension programs. We have a history of that. The tropics is suitable for it and we live in an area which is very much at the forefront. Berrimah Farm has filled that role in years gone by and I commend the continuation of the same type research and development programs. We need to bring them online and support the horticultural and pastoral industries and the programs there will be most valued.
None of this happens without jobs and training. I want to be a bit specific here because I want to talk about Taminmin High School, which is in my electorate and of which I am very proud. Palmerston High School, too, services some of my constituents. Both these schools are very engaged in VET programs. Taminmin, in particular, is now the largest VET supplier in the Territory, particularly around the horticultural and pastoral industries, but also moving into a broader spectrum of vocational training. They are supplying and moving outside their own sphere. They are also supplying VET programs into the East Arnhem and West Arnhem areas, and are looking further south to Katherine and joint venturing with many of the other suppliers, including Charles Darwin University. So, whilst we have jobs and training around Darwin mainly, the rural area is not missing out and is tailoring the programs to suit the needs of the region.
We have $11.5m for Safer Communities, in particular Police, Fire and Emergency Services: one police station, one fire station; a combined police and fire station; and seven volunteer groups. The volunteer fire brigades in the rural area are very pleased with the investment in training and the machinery plant they need to operate. The training programs going out there are specialised. They deal with many different issues these days, particularly with Gamba grass and other types of fires. They need to tailor their training, and the fact they are now able to do that is testament to this budget.
I am also very pleased to see $360 000 has been set aside for Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation to provide Return to Country information and referral services to homeless and itinerant people. It is a very important aspect. We should never forget that indigenous people deserve to have this kind of money spent and directed towards the return to country and referral services of the homeless people because they are reliant in many cases on their home community. When they are away from their home community it is good to see the government is there to assist them. It is very important and very encouraging.
In regard to better schooling, I see the budget has $11.8m for senior youth education at Palmerston High School and Taminmin High School. I will proudly say that these are two of the top schools in the Territory. That investment is a show of faith in those particular schools. I commend Taminmin High School for its innovative approaches. It is looking at considerable investment in the senior years. Not to be outdone, there is an investment of $9.93m for middle years education at Palmerston High School and Taminmin High School. We commenced the middle years program this year and the number of kids coming into the high school has increased. We have dedicated almost an equivalent amount of money to senior school education at both those schools.
That is encouraging, because that was a key area the previous Education minister, who is now sitting in the Chair, was very concerned about. She was pushing to ensure that these middle years where the gaps were, where the education of our students was falling behind, would be mended and that is what has happened. That has really shown through. You only have to go to Palmerston or Taminmin High School to see the engagement of the kids in the middle years. The important thing is that we continue investing in these years.
There is $3.22m set aside for support services for smaller schools in the rural and Palmerston area including curricula for schools and, importantly, for special needs support. You only need to look at the services now supplied in schools such as Bees Creek and Humpty Doo, where they have major capital investment in special needs kids. It means that kids with special needs and requirements can now get an adequate level of service in the rural area. That is important because, in this day and age of rising fuel costs, the impost on parents having to travel to the urban areas is quite considerable. To be able to provide these services in the rural area is fantastic.
We have $2.59m set aside for strategic initiative programs to improve indigenous education. I do not know anyone who can object to that. It is a hallmark of this Labor government that we are seeing indigenous kids having specific and strategic programs designed for them so we are now seeing them move through the education system. We are now seeing, for the first time, considerable numbers of indigenous students graduating from high school. That is critically important because we need to understand we are one community. That is how you show compassion and engagement through programs; by spending money on educating our indigenous kids and, specifically, on the Strategic Initiative Programs.
There is $0.5m for early childhood and primary education at Middle Point, one of my schools. That will be spread out over, I would imagine, the Top End group schools. That is important as it is early childhood and primary level education at Top End schools that has been much needed.
The rural area is very keen, like everywhere else, to support the continuation of the Back to School bonus scheme to assist parents with the cost of essential school items. That $340 000 is a fund that has become very significant and an expectation of parents. It has taken a lot of the weight off the burden of budgeting and setting money aside for getting kids started back at school. It really does help. That is an initiative of this government and it shows the level of support this government is prepared to give to parents. It is all on the back, of course, of economic growth we have here and that this government has initiated.
We have community development in the rural area and one of the highlights is the continuation of the Territory-wide HomeNorth scheme to assist low- to middle-income earners purchase a new home. Almost $11.5m has been set aside for that and will encourage people, particularly in the rural regions which historically has a higher cost of housing. The fact that the first homebuyer tax-free threshold has been increased from $350 000 to $385 000 means that it is not a total solution to the affordability of housing, but it is going to go a long way. People with an expectation not too extreme can get into something at that level. I know we are always looking to help the first homebuyers where we can. The maximum rate on conveyancing stamp duty has reduced from 5.4% to 4.95%, and that applies now to properties valued over $525 000. It was $500 000 last year, but it is now up to $525 000. That is an added incentive, an extra assistance to first homebuyers.
We do have a lifestyle, I believe, that is the envy of the rest of Australia. I am glad to see that lifestyle is very much a part of the rural area and I am glad to see that has not been forgotten in the budget.
The Territory Wildlife Park received a real boost this year with $3.96m for infrastructure and education programs. It is essential it continues because that is a great facility. I often take the opportunity to drop in and see it. They have a number of programs there: fire awareness and some of the Island Ark programs the Environment minister is always speaking about. Berry Springs Primary School has a close liaison with the Wildlife Park and it is very popular with tourists and locals alike. That $3.96m will be much appreciated.
As the chair of the Environment committee I am pleased to see government has been on the front foot with a $2.85m investment for weed, biodiversity, feral, animal, fire, visitor and cultural management on parks and reserves throughout the Territory. We are also spending $250 000 to eradicate cabomba weed in the Darwin River, which has been a scourge there. That eradication has been hampered by cabomba not behaving like other weeds, or as it has behaved elsewhere - the fact that it has been flowering at different times, for example. Still, the efforts by government have not diminished. We have reinvigorated our eradication programs and we are certainly getting on top of it. It is not an easy task. It will be an ongoing task but we are determined to get on top of that.
There is $190 000 to develop the joint park management which sees arrangements between traditional owners and the Parks and Wildlife Service. We spoke earlier in the year about that engagement process. It is pivotal that traditional owners have a major involvement because they are the ones who have tenure of the land. Such joint schemes also create and sustain continuous employment. Let us not forget that the reason people come to the Territory in the first instance is not to catch a barramundi, while very influential, but to experience indigenous culture. By involving traditional owners and the Parks in the management of the Parks and Wildlife Service, it means we can marry those two elements. We can create and foster employment opportunities for traditional peoples. That is a win-win situation for everyone.
There is $440 000 for public library services in Palmerston and Litchfield. The library at Litchfield is run out of Taminmin High School. It is a great local facility. It is a drawcard. It is part of the community engagement with the school. The school values having the facility, and whilst it is on school land, they value the community getting involved.
Recently, one of my schools at Humpty Doo had their library staff selling old books at their annual sale. They were very active in trying to promote the service. I thought everyone knew about the library services at Taminmin, but unfortunately they do not. The volunteer group, the Friends of Taminmin, are right in there, engaging and trying to promote the library service. I have offered to help in any way I can, maybe even inserting one of my future newsletters into the service stock. That $430 000 for Palmerston and Litchfield is a very important input. Libraries are not just places of books any more. They are information technology centres and centres of learning. Access to public libraries and the facilities they provide is something the community expects to be properly serviced by this government. This particular budget is meeting that need.
I see there is $140 000 for research and control of wild dogs, horses and donkeys. Wild dogs in the rural area are a problem. Litchfield Shire has moved towards control of domesticated dogs which are roaming. They are finally looking at their own programs as part of their core services to deliver for the rural area and ensuring there are dog control laws. The other aspect is the problem of wild dogs or semi-wild dogs. The Local Government minister and Environment minister are getting together and trying to work through this issue. They are looking at the Parks and Wildlife staff getting involved in that process. I call them feral dog/dingo crosses which are starting to appear, but the major problem we still have is the havoc caused by local and domestic dogs. The feral dogs are sometimes used as an excuse, or have been used as an excuse, in the past by local government not to be so proactive. They have been a more proactive in this area now that the Local Government and Environment ministers are getting on board and trying to control wild dingo/dog crosses.
One of the highlights of the budget for the rural area and most of the Territory is the infrastructure highlights. The $89m to extend the Tiger Brennan Drive from Berrimah Road to the Stuart Highway is an absolute bonus for people from the rural areas. The people who have to travel in the mornings and afternoons from the outlying regions, particularly from Palmerston on the back road, have to endure a nightmare. That we have been able to work with the new federal government and expedite this project is a great testament to the capacity of the Territory government and the federal government to work together which augers well for the future. It is important these projects come online. Stage 1 is about $6m and well under way. That will facilitate, in the short term, the improvement of access onto Wishart Road, but, in the longer term, provide access for transport to the port facility and the rail head at East Arm. It is good to have that first stage, which will alleviate many of the immediate problems.
It is equally heartening to have the foresight to incorporate the port and the advancement of the port. We talked about that a little earlier when we were talking about the investment in land and promoting that and facilities at the port.
My Marlow Lagoon residents, when I have spoken to them, are very keen and pleased about the development of Tiger Brennan. The rural area will get real benefits of that when they do the overpass and extension out to the Stuart Highway. That it will take a lot of pressure off the Stuart Highway and access into the CBD. It will facilitate people moving into the rural area because they will be able to travel to the city on a modern highway and in reasonable time. In fact, in quite a good time compared to other capital cities. The people will continue to live and advance the population growth in the rural areas and still have access to the city.
I am pleased to see there is $9m for the Wickham Point Gas Pipeline to interconnect to the Darwin LNG plant and also the $8.2m for further work at the Weddell power junction. Weddell Power Station is a vital link in the electricity network of the Territory. It is essential this government can see these capital infrastructure projects and use the land at Weddell. It is an ideal site and it is important that we continue to invest in and support our infrastructure and development in the Territory.
There is $5.5m allocated to raise the Darwin River Dam by 1.3 m to increase its capacity. That is a very strategic approach. It is a very wise approach. The government has a strategy for continuing our water supply. It defers the building of a new dam by several years. It gives a time lag and gives the opportunity to prepare the situation that …
Mr NATT: Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I move an extension of time pursuant to Standing Order 77 for the member to finish his statement.
Motion agreed to.
Mr WARREN: Thank you. By increasing the capacity of the Darwin River Dam by a considerable amount, I am not sure if it is 10% or 20% but a significant amount, defers the capital expenditure we need for a new dam. It is critical in ensuring our water supply needs are met but without building a new dam.
A little project, but a very weighty one, as the Environment minister is very much aware, is the $1.5m which is invested in the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve; in particular, the reconstruction of the boardwalk and wetlands lookout at the Monsoon Forest Walk. The Friends of Fogg Dam have been very active and passionate about this. They have been on my back a lot because there was a commitment to reinstate this structure. They are very pleased about that. In fact, I know they are going to invite me and the minister out there very shortly to an opening of that. They are also very pleased that this government is committed to ensuring that project proceeds. Good luck to them because they are a great bunch of people.
There is $1.5m to reseal various sections of the Kakadu and Arnhem Highways. This is paramount for our tourism industry, for our infrastructure, our transport in the rural and other parts of the Territory. These highways need to be maintained at a high level of seal and that $1.5m is going to go a considerable way in ensuring that.
The $1m to improve road safety and traffic flow at Girraween and Henning Road intersection was an election commitment, one that I am very pleased to see delivered. It will do away with the congestion at the roundabout at Girraween Road. It will bring the traffic in at the lights at Henning Road, and we will see a very much-improved traffic flow in that area. I am pleased to see that another of the election commitments we gave in 2005 is being delivered. We are getting pretty close to having them all delivered. I am pleased to be part of the government that has delivered on the projects that it promised.
There is $1m set aside for residential care at Bees Creek. That is the old ANSTI facility. The buildings need to be upgraded, or rebuilt in many cases. A major overhaul is needed. It is going to be continued as some sort of residential care facility. The government is still working through the process of that, but the noteworthy point is that the actual infrastructure is there to be brought up to standard.
There is $550 000 for traffic management improvements to the Arnhem Highway, Humpty Doo and Freds Pass. That is a critical stretch as we get growth in the rural area. As the transport to the mining communities and the Kakadu areas increases, we need improvements to these access roads. With massive growth around the rural regions, there are concerns about the Humpty Doo and Freds Pass areas. We need to ensure these intersections and traffic management processes are improved. I commend the government for investing in that.
There is $520m for re-gravelling at various locations on Fogg Bay, Oolloo and Gunn Point roads. People do not realise how much usage there is on these roads. As tourist volume increases into these areas so does traffic flow and the need to re-gravel and maintain these roads. Whilst the populations may not be out there, we need to capitalise and maximise our tourist visitation to these areas.
There is $0.5m set aside for the Humpty Doo bus interchange. The interchange is a very prominent part of the rural area. Improvements to that will be most welcome. That is a staged approach and this is a further continuation of the investment in that area.
We have $250 000 to improve the traffic flow and safety at Freds Pass road and the Arnhem Highway intersection. This has been a really bad intersection, particularly with school buses coming out of that intersection. Quite a number of constituents have raised that issue with me. I have written to the Transport and Infrastructure minister about that, and I am pleased there is investment to resolve the problem. It will help the shopping centre with improved access to it and more people, hopefully, will drop in.
We have $150 000 for the Stuart Highway/Coolalinga landscaping Stage 2. That is an ongoing project and one we are starting to see the benefits of. You can see the native vegetation starting to grow vigorously this year since the Wet Season. The continuation of that commitment was another election commitment and which the government is fulfilling.
Whilst I have been very proudly discussing the facets of the various investments - which has gone on for quite a while, because there is much to talk about in the rural area - I am very pleased about the continued investment in the rural area by this particular government. As I said before, it is on the back of strong financial investment in the Territory, and management of that investment to ensure that private investment is being induced to come here. We are seeing the benefits of that.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, the lifestyle of Territorians has been improved under the Labor government. I am very pleased to be a part of that, and continue to support the government in any way. I am very proudly part of a team delivering for Territorians and, in particular, my rural Territorians. I thank minister for her Budget.
Debate adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT
Dr BURNS (Health): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms McCARTHY (Arnhem): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to share with House some exciting events that have happened at Groote Eylandt in May. Groote is well known for the work of GEMCO, its manganese deposits and the expansion of the mine occurring there. However, I would like to share with the parliament the exciting opening of the new $18m Dugong Beach Resort, which was opened by Governor-General Michael Jeffery and his wife, who were able to come for the opening night.
The resort has been a dream of the Anindilyakwa people. I would like to highlight some of the features of the resort, which is an initiative for other communities across the Northern Territory to think about - venturing into tourism. The Chairman of the Anindilyakwa Land Council, Tony Wurramarrba, and the Deputy Chairman, Walter Amagula, have worked consistently on this resort for the past three years. In fact, they have travelled extensively across Australia, and overseas visiting various tourist places and looking at different resorts. They told the story on the night of how it came to be.
After looking at many different resorts around the Top End of Australia and Queensland, it was there at the Airport Hotel that they looked at the design and said: ‘This is what we want, the Airport Resort at Darwin’. So they spoke to Foxy Robinson, who, very enthusiastically, came on board with the project and supported the team and the Anindilyakwa Land Council to realise their dream. To have been present with the turning of the sod - and I know the Cabinet was there when the first sod was turned as part of the Community Cabinet visits made across the Territory – and to now see this dream become a reality is absolutely exciting. Even more so, because the local Anindilyakwa people were not only a part of the resort’s construction but are now equally a part of the day-to-day running of it.
Another person who came on board with the resort, and was very keen to do so, was former NRL, or Rugby League player, Andrew Ettingshausen. Andrew opened his quite luxurious fishing lodge, ET Escape Sportsfishing Lodge, which caters for up to 24 guests. It operates with the permission and in partnership of the land council. You can go on a tour with ET, or a cultural tour with Amuwarngka Cultural Tours, which is run by Ida Mamarika, an incredible woman with great determination and a wonderful sense of humour. She is able to share with all people her country and the stories of the Anindilyakwa people. The Amuwarngka Cultural Tours provide four different aspects of their tours. There is a traditional boating tour where you spear mud crabs and lobsters. You can have a tour on the Emerald River. You can go on the Walkabout Tour, which includes story telling of the Brolga, Echidna and Dugong, where the people tell the stories about their country, culture and history. You go on a historical rock art tour, so if you are a rock enthusiast, or just like to have a look at the rock art and paintings, Ida and her team at the Cultural Tours can take you around the island and you can really appreciate the depth of culture with the Anindilyakwa people.
A big thank you must go to Ross Hebblewhite, who has been an amazing supporter in the midst of this. He was also one of those steady, calm rocks that has anchored the people as they have gone ahead with this dream and encouraged and mentored many of the young people at Groote Eylandt. I personally thank Ross for the tremendous work he has been doing on Groote Eylandt and continues to do, even though he has had his own personal struggles in recent months. Congratulations to you, Ross. You should feel very pleased with what has come out here at Groote Eylandt. People like Tony, Walter and even Thomas, have learned a lot along the way. Thomas Amagula has a bright future ahead of him if he follows the path and the guidance that has been given to him in that area; to take on the responsibilities. Well done, Ross, congratulations to you.
There are many other people involved who need to be included. That is the people of Bickerton Island, Umbakumba, and Angurugu who make up the Groote Eylandt people, traditional owners, but also those in the township of Alyangula, who have given support to people along the way in trying to see this become a reality.
The resort is situated on about 25 hectares, with bungalows, some deluxe and business suites. I encourage members of parliament and those in your constituencies to go to Groote Eylandt and have a good look at the diversity that is on Eylandt. Those of you who have been, please come back again.
I just put on the record here a quote from Tony Wurramarrba, the Chairman of Anindilyakwa Land Council, in their welcome to people and his observation about what the resort means to him which is on their website:
- The traditional owners and countrymen and women of Groote Eylandt archipelago, wish to grow in community spirit by developing an infrastructure for other cultures of the world to see by visiting, learning and sharing their experiences with us and each other on this idyllic, beautiful island paradise. Although there has never been tourism on Groote Eylandt, the Anindilyakwa speaking people are keen to show off their way of life, our art and our history. The development of Dugong Beach Resort through GEBE, which is the Groote Eylandt Bickerton Island Enterprises, with the assistance of the Anindilyakwa Land Council is helping to make our dream a reality. Training is ongoing as we develop cultural tours with the help of Tourism NT and other organisations that will enhance your visit to our island and make it a pleasant stay.
There you go, members, a very personal welcome from the Chairman of the Anindilyakwa Land Council.
In that same week, another quite amazing event occurred which was the first regional partnership agreement signed on Groote between the Anindilyakwa Land Council, the Commonwealth government and the Northern Territory government. The NT and federal governments have provided $25m dollars to Groote Eylandt, which includes the Angurugu, Umbakumba and Bickerton Island to go towards new houses, housing maintenance, indigenous employment and economic development, just to name a few. The RPA is largely based on an agreement to sign a 40-year lease with the Anindilyakwa people with an option to renew for an additional 40 years. The lease provides security of tenure for business investment, and gives the Anindilyakwa people - particularly those with solid jobs of which there are many who work at GEMCO, the mining company, just down the road, many who have fairly large incomes – the opportunity to invest in their own land. This initiative opens up strong possibilities for people. At the end of the day, it is about choice: choice for those who can do it, and who would like to do it. This is the opening that has come about with this signing of the Regional Partnership Agreement.
All these agreements take time, a lot of negotiation, a lot of toing and froing, and the people involved have to weather a great number of political storms. By that, I mean the mention of leases in the past 12 to 18 months on Aboriginal land. To those who have worked very consistently and determinedly with the Anindilyakwa people to ensure this 40-year lease and this regional partnership agreement, you know who you are, both here in the Northern Territory and in Canberra, I sincerely thank you for your perseverance in what was incredible times and continue to be so. To come away from Groote Eylandt feeling absolutely heartened by the future possibilities for that place gives one a great deal of hope for communities across the Northern Territory and Australia. To be able to deal with the business of a mining company, of tourism; to be able to be involved in the construction of housing, to have employment, these are the things that are fast becoming a reality.
Groote has led the way with alcohol management plans, of knowing how to deal with alcohol and live with it. I congratulate most sincerely the Anindilyakwa people on Groote Eylandt and the people in Alyangula and all those who are involved with not only the Dugong Beach Resort, but this 40-year lease agreement that bodes so well for a wonderful future for the people of Groote Eylandt.
Mr HAMPTON (Stuart): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I acknowledge and congratulate one of my constituents who has been doing some wonderful work at Lajamanu. Steven Jampijinpa Patrick is a Warlpiri man from Lajamanu. He has lived there all his life and has been an assistant teacher at the Lajamanu school for the past 15 years. In 2007, he was awarded the National Curriculum Award for his work at the Lajamanu school. Steve recently returned home from a trip to Canada where he represented our region and Australia in indigenous music at the Colloquium of the International Council for Traditional Music and Dance as Cultural Property held at the University of Toronto.
Jampijinpa is closely involved with the cultural revival of indigenous music which has been taking place at Lajamanu over the last four years. The performance originally conceived in 2005 by Jampijinpa is called Milpirri. It is performed by Lajamanu youth and elders utilising traditional Warlpiri and contemporary western dance forms. It is a real coming together of opposites, and celebrating the new life this creates. Jampijinpa is preserving traditional music and culture for all of the community. The Milpirri ceremony that Jampijinpa has been heavily involved in is a real collaboration between two worlds. It is something the Warlpiri elders and residents of Lajamanu wanted to achieve as part of their vision. Their vision consists of sharing the central Warlpiri ceremony through a set of symbols common to both. Through sharing their sacred story and linking it to the elements featured in the Australian Coat of Arms they can achieve the first steps along that road.
I recall late last year travelling to Lajamanu when the young fellows and the old men were preparing for the ceremony. The excitement around the community was great; the best feeling I have seen at Lajamanu for a long time. To see the young fellows preparing for that ceremony with the warlu, the fire; marlu, the kangaroo and wooden banners; and witi, the leafy poles, created a sense pride amongst people.
There were many people involved in the Milpirri ceremonies. It is on CD as well, produced by Tracks Dance; I think it was Stephen Page, who also did a lot of work with the community.
I will quote a few of the responses from the people about the ceremony that night. One of the elders, Billy Bunter Jampijinpa’s response was: ‘The old people can’t stop talking about it. They are talking about it every night, every day’. Paul Davis, the Community Relations Coordinator of Newmont Tanami operations at the Granites Gold Mine, said: ‘Thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a fantastic event and the energy of those involved and what it created for the whole Lajamanu community was magic’.
Clearly, it was a great event for the community. The central person responsible for the ceremony and concept was Steve Jampijinpa Patrick. Congratulations to him. He not only did Lajamanu very proud in his trip overseas to Toronto, he did the whole bush and the Northern Territory proud as well. I hope he continues to go down the path of preserving and promoting the traditional Warlpiri culture, but also engaging the rest of the community with him.
I will also briefly mention some fantastic training that is being undertaken in my electorate, particularly around Ti Tree. I have talked about this training on a few occasions over several years but, during the last couple of trips I have made there, I have seen some great successes. It is a 20-week course that 20 Anmatjere men are undertaking at the Ti Tree Research Farm. I wrote to the minister for primary industry some time back suggesting that, as part of the research farms’ review, the Ti Tree Research Farm should be kept on since it provides great infrastructure and facilities for this type of training. I thank the minister for listening to those concerns and ideas. They have two classrooms, but they also have plenty of horticultural products and land available for those young fellas to have some trial plots. This farm has been available for the local people as a venue, not only for 10 weeks, but over the last year, to undertake the sort of training that will, hopefully, lead to real jobs.
The training has been conducted by Central Desert Training. I acknowledge Kailas and his wife, Nicole, for the great work they have been doing over the past 10 weeks. As I said, it is a 20-week program and covers a whole range of things those young men are going to encounter if they do move into jobs in the horticulture industry. There are things such as safety, drink-driving, licence training, and it also touches on domestic violence support things a lot of the young men go through in their normal day-to-day lives. It covers many aspects over the 20-weeks, but it also gives the young fellas some real hands-on job experience, planting grape vines, mangoes, and all varieties of asparagus as well.
The great success of it has been the attendance. Over the last 10 weeks, they have averaged at least 16 students per day, which is a great turn-up. This just goes to show that the men there are taking a hold of this program. They can see there are real jobs at the end of it, but it is also developing them. The 20-week course is Certificate II in Rural Operations and it is being conducted at the Ti Tree Research Farm.
During my last trip, I visited the Ti Tree grape and Oolloo watermelon farms and talked to some of the industry people. They are keen to get some of these young fellas on full-time once they have completed this course. Talking to industry at Oolloo and at the grape farm, there are real jobs there. The beauty of it as well is that it is seasonal work, which often can suit young fellows who have other obligations to their traditional life. I believe there could be some successes further down the track and I am certainly looking forward to those.
Response to the training has been extremely positive - 22 students commenced the training in March 2008 and, during the first lot, only two students dropped out. One of those students commenced work with a night patrol. Unfortunately, it is a reality of life for many of our young fellows, the other gentlemen was incarcerated in the local Alice Springs gaol. Block 2 commenced with 20 students, 18 remaining at the conclusion of the 10 weeks. One of those fellows who dropped off happened to find work at a nearby station as a ranger. Sadly, another student, Kwementye Gorey passed away suddenly on 11 May as a result of a heart attack. There were some worries that the reaction might cause some upset amongst the other young fellows, but I am very pleased to say since the sorry business and the funeral, many of those young fellows have returned and are getting stuck back into the training, which is great.
So, an average of 16 students per day have been attending the training at the research farm. Part of the success could be down to breakfasts and lunches which are provided every day. There have also been a number of other incentives for participants. During my last visit, the fellows were very proudly wearing their uniforms, jumpers and even watches. After 10 weeks, they are into Block 2 and I suspect those small incentives along the way are keeping them involved.
I would like to mention some of the men. The following students have completed one or two of the modules, including Tony Scrutton, Rodney Campbell, Richard Cook, Freddie Pepperill, Carl Bevin, Nigel Cook, Kim Brown, Dwayne Allen, Michael Allen, Kaylan Foster, Terry Panunka, Rowan Ross, Malcom Ross, Clem Daniels, and Dennis Ross. Those currently holding licences are Henry Ross, Dan Pepperill and Paul Janamah. To those fellows, congratulations on the 10 weeks to date. It has been a small success for them and, as I said to them, they are doing the course, and many family members and younger people are watching what they are doing. They are all very excited about it. They know there are real jobs, not only at Oolloo and the Grape Farms, but also at Ali Curung where I went recently to look at the farm.
In terms of economic development, there is much potential in that region. It is great to see these young fellows taking up the challenge and, 10 weeks into it, averaging 16 people a day turning up for the training. I believe it is a great success.
In terms of training, I would like to acknowledge Centrefarm and the guys there. It is proving that, in terms of Aboriginal land and economic development, it is at the forefront of some of this stuff occurring. It grew out of the Central Land Council, which worked closely with relevant Aboriginal landowners in the region to establish the Centrefarm Aboriginal Horticulture Limited in August 2002. It was established to develop commercial horticulture within the Central Land Council region. Since 2002, the company has conducted feasibility studies, analysed market potential, and is continuously looking at attracting investors and joint venture partners.
I also visited the Mulga Bore community some time back with the minister and signed off on an Indigenous Land Use Agreement over Pine Hill where those farms are located. An important element of economic development is accessing Aboriginal land, involving traditional owners, and bringing in employment and training opportunities which we are now seeing growing in the Ti Tree region.
Mr KNIGHT (Daly): Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, I would like to talk a bit about the Merrepen Arts Festival, where you and I, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, and the member for Nelson did a fabulous job, I believe, in umpiring several football matches on Friday. You were there on the Saturday. I was there for Sunday and umpired the grand final with Mark Casey. It was an interesting weekend. It was entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to see so many people come together. I do not think there was any trouble. Groups I knew who had came from communities that had been having a bit of a tiff between families, actually came together in the same team and played quite harmoniously. Sport is a great vehicle for social cohesion, let alone for improving health problems …
Mrs Miller: Oh, sorry.
Mr KNIGHT: Keep going? Are you ready? It was a great weekend; I think you will concur and I look forward to next year.
Mr ACTING DEPUTY SPEAKER: I do concur.
Mrs MILLER (Katherine): Thank you very much, member for Daly, we have been caught on the hop tonight.
Mr Acting Deputy Speaker, tonight I wanted to put on the Parliamentary Record recognition of a man I came to know in Katherine many years ago, not long after I first arrived. His name is Patrick Carmody. Patrick has been a ranger in Katherine, or living in Katherine, for all the time I have known him. He has recently retired. It was the lack of recognition Patrick received when he retired that I found quite upsetting. I wanted to place on the record tonight our thanks for the work Patrick has contributed to the Northern Territory, especially, in the controlling of crocodile populations. He has kept us safe for a very long time. I stand here today to pay tribute to a man I feel deserves recognition, and to show respect from not only the people of Katherine, but right across regional Northern Territory, including the government for whom he worked.
Patrick Carmody came to Katherine with his father when he was around 10 years old and we have calculated that was about in 1964. He lived with his father at the meatworks in Katherine; and started working there at the age of 11 years. So he learned a good work ethic, right from a young age. Patrick resigned his position as a Senior Ranger on the 23 May 2008 in Katherine, after providing 23 years of dedicated and loyal service to his job. Patrick’s career has been varied, including being a ranger at Nitmiluk Gorge. One of the highlights during his career was continually being asked by tourists: ‘How long does the two hour gorge cruise go for?’ Patrick, being a man with a dry sense of humour would reply: ‘Two hours.’ In 1998, whilst working at Cutta Cutta Caves, Patrick was informed by his family down south that Katherine had flooded, and they were concerned that he was okay. He immediately left Cutta Cutta Caves and worked tirelessly for 48 hours without sleep to ensure that everyone was safe from harm.
Patrick has also, for many years, given up his time on weekends to ensure that the annual Canoe Marathon runs without incident. That is the Canoe Marathon that Red Cross have been running for 30 years now. Patrick would continuously clear crocodile traps he set for a week or more before the canoe race and fly tireless hours over the Gorge, gun in hand, ensuring everyone made it to the end safely. Patrick’s role has been to manage crocodiles, feral management control and consistently going out for weeks at a time, hanging dangerously outside helicopters, shooting feral animals, maintaining feral numbers, wild dog baiting and liaising with station owners and indigenous groups who all showed him respect and loyalty.
Patrick always managed a smile and helped, no matter what the circumstances, calling it country courtesy. For many years, he was plagued with a mobile phone that constantly rang from people who had snake and crocodile problems. He was on call 24 hours a day. One of his most famous statements to the press was: ‘I don’t go swimming unless there are taps and tiles’. Very wise move. Patrick’s work extended as far as the Western Australian, South Australian and Queensland borders, working long hours alongside police, searching for poachers. He also assisted locating bodies missing in rivers and standing guard whilst police were in the water. He has also attended morgues to identify victims of crocodile attacks. In the course of his duty, he has also been in two helicopter crashes which did not stop him from going to work and with Patrick saying: ‘No big deal’.
On leaving Patrick’s position as Senior Ranger after 23 years, he was handed a silver mug, paid for by two administration staff who admire and respect him and what he has achieved throughout his career.
The government is only as good as the people which it employs and treats with dignity and respect. If this government treats an honourable, loyal and dedicated employee of 23 years like Patrick Carmody with such disrespect and disregard, then it should take a long, hard look at the message it is sending to public servants. The people of Katherine and regional Northern Territory, who have known Patrick Carmody for many years, thank him for his loyalty, dedication and honour in protecting the people of Katherine and regional NT and keeping us all safe on his watch.
We wish him well in all that he still has to achieve and acknowledge that he, indeed, deserved much better recognition by this government for the dedicated service that he has given the Northern Territory.
The likes of Patrick will not be seen again, I fear. When I first met Patrick, he had actually just trapped a crocodile in the Katherine River. It had taken him some time to do so. On his way back to deliver the crocodile to a safe place, he called into Red Gum Caravan Park to get himself something to eat because he was a little on the hungry side. We were fortunate to have a good look at the crocodile that was securely trapped and tied up on the back of his vehicle. We were able to get up close and personal, but not too personal, with some quite large crocs over time. Just looking at the size of those crocodiles, I can understand the danger that Patrick had placed himself in. Although he was always very careful and was very experienced and knowledgeable, there was still a clear danger.
I know many people in and around Katherine who have the greatest respect for Patrick’s skill. I know he is going to be an extremely hard act to follow. I doubt there will ever be another one like him. Thank you very much, Patrick, for the dedication you have given. We appreciate it very much.
Motion agreed to; the Assembly adjourned.
Last updated: 04 Aug 2016